Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim, NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,245,377 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports, when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report, that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints, specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened, feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 129,250 complaints - component: AIR BAGS
Incident date: Sep 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System). The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
Incident date: Nov 22, 2024
Nov 14 2024 my truck steering locked up and lost lighting/ front lights including interior and crash into another vehicle head on going 65 mph. Also no airbag deployed. I hit my chest hard. Need help. Water damaged now after I crashed and now won’t start. Smoke wire smells so disconnected battery. I feel unsafe taking this vehicle in repair without any recalls. This happen all at one time, still... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
I was driving car on [XXX] from santa cruz towards sanjose. Suddenly airbags deployed. There was minimal to no damage to the car. My auto insurance giving me hard time. They are not responding anything that how i can fix my car plus they haven’t gave me any rental car. My claim number is [XXX]. I am too scared to drive that car again Because it just got rubbed with the curve with the minimal im... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2024
The contact owned a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while his wife was driving at 50-55 MPH, the front passenger side tire detached from the vehicle, and the front passenger side was damaged. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. His wife sustained injuries to the neck and shoulder which required medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 29, 2024
passenger side airbag sensor indicated problem. Sensor mat in the passenger side was replaced once, now it needs to be replaced again. Being told that because the repair was done 19 months ago it is out of parts warranty and my bumper to bumper is out of warranty. This is the SAME problem as the vehicles with a recall from VW. If the airbag does not inflate upon impact, it will kill the passeng... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
The front passenger side air bag remains turned off when a 105 pound adult sits in it, but turns on when a 185 pound adult sits in it. Subaru service informs us that it is factory set so that it will not deploy when a child is in the seat and cannot be adjusted. This puts any small adult or teenager sits in the front passenger seat.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
This is a complaint about Mazda. I have brought my vehicle in 3 times, after they confirmed an appointment and stated they had the part. All three times it appears whoever makes the appointment doesn’t communicate with the dealer Service Center. I have the FOURTH appointment this Wednesday at Royal Motors, San Francisco. I will call a day ahead to make sure the part is there before I bring it in... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
Nothing has malfunctioned yet on the vehicle, however, these recalls are putting my daughter at risk while driving as there is an air bag and engine recall on the vehicle. Every time we contact the dealership, the recall is still unavailable.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2017) - AIR BAGS
Dec 2, 2024
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, both the driver and passenger side rear windows would roll down independently. The contact also stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall as several warning lights would appear on the instrument panel. The contact called the dealer about the failure and was given an estimate fo... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
The contact owned a 2006 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact vehicle was involved in a crash. The contact rear-ended the vehicle that was in front of the contact vehicle. The contact's vehicle was damaged to the front driver's side of the vehicle. In addition, the air bags were deployed. The contact stated that the vehicle had a burning odor a... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
The "Airbag System (SRS) Problem" warning appears too often. We have brought it several times to (different) mechanics and each time they find something else wrong. After several thousand dollars spent (whether it is replacing the module, airbags, wires, etc.) the warning light eventually comes back on. In speaking with other 2019 Honda owners it seems this is a known issue. At this point, we do n... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2023
I called the Honda dealership in Concord California on 12/2/2024 for the 20V-770 recall as well as the airbag shrapnel issue. They checked with the service manager and refused to inspect the drive train unless there “Was a problem with the car”. They refused to repair the air bags unless “something happens, hopefully nothing happens then we can look at it.” They offered to have the airba... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconn... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2024
The contact owned a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while stopped in traffic, he was involved in a rear end crash. The contact stated that the vehicle was pushed forward by the impact into the rear end of another vehicle. The contact stated that the rear end of the vehicle was crushed in to the rear wheel wells, and the front end of the vehicle, the hood, front bumper, and grill were al... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the front driver’s and passenger’s side air bags inadvertently deployed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that both front driver’s and passenger’s side seat belts had locked. The contact stated the vehicle had not driven over any speed bumps or potholes at the time of the failu... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
This is regarding the passenger side airbag/sensor that needs recall in my 2021 VW Atlas. Is there still no planned fix for this? If so, why not? We are getting close to 6 months from the first notice and it is inconvenient to not have passengers be able to ride safely.
Incident date: Nov 22, 2024
A week ago, the steering wheel locked and the braking system and airbags and cameras malfunctioned. We took it for service at BMW. They said the battery caused the malfunction. On thanksgiving day, we were going around 25-30miles per hour when we slammed on the breaks and the breaks didnot function and we could not stop the car. The automatic emergency breaks never activated. We lost power of brak... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
From day one when entering a roadway it would start to move putting me into traffic then just refuse to go leaving stranded for about ten seconds then move again, the whole time it would shudder and shake by engine and the transmission and it was like the system were all fighting for control. Next when entering a freeway I pulled on to the on ramp and immediately got up to 50mph and started to mer... Read more
TESLA
CYBERTRUCK
(2024) - AIR BAGS
Dec 1, 2024
Incident date: Nov 24, 2024
I received a recall notice for my 2014 Chevy Traverse airbag June of 2023. I have tried to set up an appointment to have it replaced many times and am told that parts are not available. Many manufacturers have already taken care of the replacement. I am concerned about operating my vehicle in an unsafe manner. When can I expect this to be taken care of?
Incident date: Nov 25, 2024
1. I was involved in a car accident on Aug 28, 2024 when I was about to go around a curve in the road. A vehicle coming at breakneck speed and well over the posted speed limit, lost control, went over the double yellow lines and crashed into the left driver side of my Lexus. I was the driver and my left knee got crushed against the dashboard. None of my airbags, including my knee airbag deployed. ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 30, 2024
Front Passenger seat head rest deployed for no reason and without any impact or accident.
Incident date: Nov 29, 2024
The steering wheel controls stopped working. Had a mechanic look at it and said it was the clock spring contacts were compromised.
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
The contact owned a 2019 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while the vehicle was completely stopped, another vehicle driving at 55 MPH rear-ended his vehicle. There were no air bags deployed upon impact. The contact mentioned that the owner's manual had verbiage that contradicted that air bags do not deploy when involved in rear-end collisions. The contact stated that the trailer hitch absorb... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 30, 2024
My vehicle has had an open recall since December 20th, 2023 on the passenger airbag not deploying due to being manufactured improperly. I have reached out to Toyota and they still do not have a remedy for the issue and have no time frame on a fix. This is a major safety issue and negligent on their end. They have numerous vehicles that were affected by this recall. The increase in injury due to th... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2024
A Recall was issued Mar 22, 2024 for a dangerous safety issue. AN AIR BAG That Does NOT Deploy During A Crash CAN Increase THE Risk OF Injury. Remedy Dealers Will Replace THE ODS Sensors ON THE Front Passenger Seat, Free OF Charge. Interim Letters Informing Owners OF THE Safety Risk Were Mailed MAY 17, 2024. Owners Will Receive A Second Letter Once THE Remedy IS Available. Owners MAY Contact Suba... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Infiniti QX60. The contact stated that while making a left turn at a low rate of speed, another vehicle attempted to drive around the contact's vehicle. As the vehicle attempted to drive around, the contact was hit by the passing vehicle. The contact stated that they could not recall the immediate events after the accident; however, they did note the side air bags did deplo... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler 300. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V198000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 30, 2024
Air bag malfunction report to dealer waring on dash
Incident date: Nov 28, 2024
I see steering recall on the internet but not under vin number for 2022 Ford Bronco Sport.
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Nov 28, 2024
On accident air bag doesn’t open but car get total loss
Crash
Incident date: Nov 28, 2024
The wheel clock spring in the steering column is making loud noises and the horn has stopped working. The airbag light has come on now and the only solution is replacement of the wheel clock spring to make the vehicle safe for the driver. Should be covered under the recall of 2014 VW Passats
FORD
F-150 HYBRID
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Nov 28, 2024
Incident date: Nov 21, 2024
Emergency breaking deployed during traffic where no indication of collision was about to take place; vehicle safety features disabled and enabled off and on automatically while driving, this led up to sudden stop of vehicle in heavy traffic and vehicle would never restart. Subaru starlink emergency services failed to work or respond after trying for several minutes. Steering wouldn’t work to gui... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2024
Unknown issue with front passanger safety restraint system. Car suddenly notified me of an issue with the restraint system. Before the fault the car was simply just parked in my driveway, then I went into the car and the safety issue appeared. The seat was adjusted for my mom's height the day prior, this might have caused a wire to become pinched and caused the fault due to how the wiring under... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2024) - AIR BAGS
Nov 27, 2024
Incident date: Nov 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2024
No dash lights, in my way to work someone cut into my(crossed solid line) lane and my vehicle hit the rear end of the vehicle that cut into my lane. Going around 55 and wearing my seatbelt, slammed on the breaks, couldn't go around without flipping my car so we collided. The front end of my car was completely destroyed and the airbags did not deploy. I am this cars second owner after my father bou... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Charger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V198000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that the rearview camera was intermittently inoperable while reversing. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the rearview camera became operable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V321000 (Back Over Prevention), and 24V064000 (Air Bags); h... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2024
Porsche dash material is separating from the substrate of the structure. This material is directly between the airbag and the now loose material on the surface of the dash (leather). Porsche will not repair this and recommends a replacement at an estimated $10,000 USD. There is a significant risk to safety as the now loose upper material will interfere with the deployment of the airbag on the p... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2024
AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE 2017 F-PACE JAGUAR WAS INSPECTED BY BOTH A COLLISION SPECIALIST AND AN INSURANCE AGENT AND IT WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE POLICE CRASH REPORT INDICATES THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THERE WERE NO WARNINGS OR INDICATIONS THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE INOPERABLE. DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FROM THE ACCIDENT LOCA... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at 20 MPH, the contact rear-ended the vehicle in front of the contact's vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle that was in front of the contact's vehicle slammed on the brakes, and the contact rear-ended the vehicle. The contact's vehicle was severely damaged to the front of the vehicle. In addition, the air bags did not ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
VOLKSWAGEN
TOUAREG
(2008) - AIR BAGS
Nov 26, 2024
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V461000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manuf... Read more
FORD
TRANSIT CONNECT
(2021) - AIR BAGS
Nov 26, 2024
Incident date: Nov 20, 2024
When my wife (who weighs under 99 pounds) is seated in the front passenger seat the indicator light for the passenger airbags does not always show that the airbags are on. When I sit in the front passenger seat the indicator light always shows that the airbags are on. The car was taken to the selling dealer (Pinebelt Subaru, Lakewood, NJ) who stated that the weight sensor for the front passenger... Read more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2024
The passenger front airbag does not always activate when my wife (who weighs [XXX][) sits in the seat. Car has been brought to the selling Dealer (Lester Glenn Subaru, Toms River, NJ). They state that the weight sensor under the front seat is calibrated correctly and there is nothing they can do about this issue. When I sit in the front passenger seat (I weigh [XXX] pounds) the airbag indicator... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailabl... Read more
KIA
OPTIMA HYBRID
(2011) - AIR BAGS
Nov 26, 2024
Incident date: Sep 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and another dealer, Park Ave Acura (247 W Passaic St, Maywood, NJ 07607); were made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exce... Read more
Incident date: Nov 23, 2024
November 26, 2024 Dear NHTSA, I am writing to report a serious safety concern regarding my 2015 Kia Soul. On [XXX], I was involved in a severe car accident. Despite the significant impact, the airbag system failed to deploy. I have attached photos of the vehicle damage for your reference. This incident is particularly alarming as the vehicle had recently been serviced for recalls at Phil Smith... Read more
Crash
HONDA
CR-V HYBRID
(2023) - AIR BAGS
Nov 26, 2024
Incident date: Oct 3, 2024
The SRS Airbag System Malfunction appears on the instrument cluster and will not go away. it hinders me from seeing my speed and other features on my car; it is annoying as well. The seatbelt dinger goes off constantly and will not stop, It has been long enough for Toyota to come up with a remedy to correct the issue. The issue right now is NHTSA not doing their job and making Toyota do their job ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2024
Neither the curtain airbags or steering wheel Air bags deployed after a very bad car accident. Super upset because this is the reason parents spend so much money to keep their kid safe. She banged her head on steering wheel and on window which should have been prevent by air bags on 2022 4Runner bought brand new
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the parts were... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2024
Issue 1: Driver side front seat airbag connector separated disabling the airbag. (repaired at my cost) Issue 2: Transmission (10 speed auto) developed stutter and skip consistent with complaints resulting in recall of 2020 (next model year truck) due to risk of rear wheel lock up. GM needs to include the 2019 models that were built as 2019 (as 2020) in one of the plants while they continued to ... Read more