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: Oct 23, 2024
My vehicle was a total lose After hitting a curb and all air bags literally exploded cause the driver to lose total control of the vehicle which also caused injuries to a passenger with lacerations on the hand caused by figments of some sort coming out of the airbags I dont understand why when my vehicle was teabond my airbags d Never deployed But than when I merely ran into a curb All airbags lit... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
Driver airbag light came on. My car has 33,000 miles on it. I live in California and the car is garaged. I think the maker has had airbag recalls on other models
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The front passenger seat is unusable as the OCS sensor has turned off the airbags for that seat. Every time the car is started, or begins driving after sitting idle for a couple of minutes, it will beep and alarm constantly for several minutes, warning me of the passenger airbag. It is a serous distraction, and now prevents me from transporting a passenger. This has been going on since June 2024, ... Read more
CHEVROLET
EQUINOX EV
(2024) - AIR BAGS
Oct 23, 2024
Incident date: Oct 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while her husband was driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle in front abruptly stopped causing the contact to depress the brake pedal in order to avoid rear-ending the vehicle in front. As a result, the contact was rear-ended, and the vehicle behind that vehicle that rear ended the contact crashed into the rear of the vehicle as well. During the imp... Read more
Crash
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2018) - AIR BAGS
Oct 23, 2024
Incident date: Oct 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (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. VIN tool confir... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2024
1.What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The fuel system failure is a highly critical safety concern, and my life is at risk. It causes malfunctions with the vehicle, for example, the OBD-based emissions test has flagged a lot of (codes P219A, P0300, P0304, P0410, P0305, P0303, P0171, P0301) 5 of the cylinder misfire codes with the check ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 3, 2023
Upon driving when purchased the Engine Light for the Air Bags illuminated. Upon researching the issue the problem seems to be a common problem for vehicles of this make and problem. 90% of the time requiring the owner to take the vehicle to the dealership.Since it is a trend and ongoing I wanted to report the issue.
Incident date: Mar 14, 2024
On or about 10/10/24 …2018 EQUINOX my SRS light came on my digital control along with the body holding a ball indicating the I had an airbag(s) issue. I immediately called my dealership that wanted me to bring it in (a week later) and cost to put it on the machine would cost $180 for diagnostics. Later the next day, honked my hour..everything back to normal. Next morning, back on. Est costs ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2024
The contact owns 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local 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. The contact had not experienced a fa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2024
Porsche dashboard leather shrunk, shifted position, and staples pulled out. Repair technician said if vehicle was in an accident the airbag might not deploy correctly. Porsche dealer has stated if the dashboard leather material gets in this state, they recommend replacing it. This is a very common issue.
Incident date: Oct 20, 2024
Took the vehicle in for Airbag System recall in 2022. They said they fixed it and that there was a broken wire. The very next day the warning light came on again like before. I contacted the dealership and they said bring it in. I could not get it in again as I was very busy. I asked them to make a note in my file of the immediate call/report of still a problem. I took the vehicle in this month ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven back to the residence. A dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Incident date: Oct 16, 2024
Pursuant to the attached pdf file this relates to component parts of the air bag system. When these connections fail or have an issue it disables all of the safety features in the vehicle related to the air bag system and will prevent airbag deployment or any operation in a crash. This has been an issue since we purchased the car used with around 35,000 miles on it. Multiple repair attempts have... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Acura ILX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLC 300
(2023) - AIR BAGS
Oct 22, 2024
Incident date: Sep 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid. 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 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. The contact had not exper... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2014) - AIR BAGS
Oct 22, 2024
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while a passenger was seated in the front passenger’s seat, the passenger’s side air bag warning light intermittently illuminated while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with an inoperable passenger’s side air bag sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto repair shop where it was diagnosed that there was an open circuit in the front driver’s side air bag squib. The contact was informed that the air bag squib needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The m... Read more
Incident date: Oct 20, 2024
I was stopped in traffic on a local freeway at rush hour. The vehicle behind me was slowing to a stop. An SUV did not slow down and hit the vehicle behind me at approximately 60 mph. That vehicle was flipped when the SUV collided with it. The SUV collided with me, pushing my vehicle into a van in front of me and then sending my vehicle across 3 lanes of the highway. In the initial impact, my seat ... Read more
Crash
3 injured
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but became persistent whenever the vehicle was started. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact had researched and related the failure ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
Passenger airbag says to be checked. Was a recall previously fixed in 2020. Same issue is arising and dealership will not fix for free Passenger airbag is off even with person sitting in it with seatbelt buckled
Incident date: Oct 16, 2024
Steering tried to lock up as I tried to turn.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (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. VIN tool confirms parts unav... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Honda CR-V. 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 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. The contact had not experienced a ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2021) - AIR BAGS
Oct 21, 2024
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that there not been an air bag deployment. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,150.
PIRELLI
SCORPION VERDE ALL SEASON
(9999) - AIR BAGS
Oct 21, 2024
Incident date: Dec 11, 2023
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 not 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. The contact had n... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2024
The contact owned a 2019 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, an oncoming vehicle did not obey a stop sign and proceeded to crash into the rear driver's side of the contact's vehicle. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the platform of an 18-wheeler. No air bags deployed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was ... Read more
Crash
3 injured
Incident date: Oct 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Lexus ES350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (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. VIN tool confirms parts not ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2024
The contact's wife owned a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 33-35 MPH, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact's passenger side fender hit a pole, the vehicle continued to a hill, and the vehicle's front passenger side crashed into a utility pole where the vehicle came to a stop. The contact mentioned the first pole that was crashed into was v... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 12, 2024
•Parking Brake Issue: The parking brake failed to disengage after stopping, leading to an accident. •Intoxalock Device Malfunction: The Intoxalock device malfunctioned with incessant beeping and intermittent error messages, causing distractions. •Previous Complaints and Lack of Resolution: Previous complaints about the parking brake and Intoxalock device were dismissed without proper investi... Read more
1 injured
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER HYBRID
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Oct 21, 2024
Incident date: Oct 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. 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 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. The contact had not experienced a... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH and making a right turn to enter a parking lot, the vehicle behind failed to see the contact's turning signal and brake lights therefore did not slow down resulting in the contact being rear-ended. As a result, the vehicle was pushed by the impact of the rear end and crashed into a utility pole where it came to ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 15, 2024
The failed component was observed when the Restraint warning icon appeared. There was no accident because the vehicle was taken to the BMW dealership for investigation. There is a warning not to drive because the Restraint system may not work properly. This is a safety issue with no work around to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. After reviewing multiple threads online, it appears that my sit... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
My airbag light came on and I don't understand why the airbag light came on. I took it to a auto shop and they said I would have to take it to a Toyato dealer. Also, my emergency brake is all the way to the floor and it has never released. It will not release at all. It has been that way ever since I bought the vehicle.
Incident date: Aug 16, 2024
My air bag light went on for unknown reason.
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2019) - AIR BAGS
Oct 20, 2024
Incident date: Oct 12, 2024
I was in a car accident .A woman failed to yield at a stop sign and rammed into the front of my car at a high accelerated speed. I was restrained but the right side of my forehead hit the rearview mirror .causing two huge knots on my head. My eye glasses also smashed into my right eye and I had a cut above my eye .I was thrown to the right passenger seat area , my right hip hit the gear shift an... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Nov 15, 2016
Involved in a motor vehicle t-bone collision. Driver airbag deployed but the panel did not fully come off. Bottom section of the airbag/horn cover came off. Top section did not separate from the rest of the wheel.
Crash
Incident date: Oct 19, 2024
From the initial report, the driver was over speed limit. However, the airbags DID NOT deploy that could have potentially saved his life.
Crash
1 deaths
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2021) - AIR BAGS
Oct 19, 2024
Incident date: Oct 17, 2024
The front passenger curtain airbags has failed and created a warning light that dealer indicated caused code B174900 and requires replacement.
Incident date: Jul 18, 2022
My car has been to Nissan service 3 times for a faulty airbag light - it thinks the driver seat is unoccupied when it is not - that means the air bag may not activate. The dealer has been able to turn off the light but it eventually comes back on. It meets all the criteria below for the recall but the VIN is excluded. I have paid $562.02 in service fees and now they want $2,000 to replace the s... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2023
While I was driving on freeway, driver side airbag went off and blew off driver visor. I had no accident. Message on screen before incident said there was an issue with airbag and go to dealership. Earlier that day I had been at dealership for a warranty issue of interior lights. I returned to dealership and was given a temporary car.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2014) - AIR BAGS
Oct 19, 2024
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
I called Subaru made an appointment for service. I was not aware of the recall, although the dealership said it was repaired. No water damage to the seat bottom, the airbag sensor in the bottom of my passenger side seat cushion was bad. It’s attached to the seat. They gave me a loaner for three months and then called to say the part is on back order until “sometime” in 2025. The pa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V464000 (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 manufact... Read more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2024
The passenger present module in seat isn’t working with air bag. Per Cadillac passenger seat module is inside the seat and needs replaced.
Incident date: Oct 18, 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 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 di... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Lexus RX-350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (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. VIN tool confirms parts not... Read more
Incident date: Sep 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front passenger’s seat air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the front passenger’s seat occupant sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the ... Read more
AUDI
RS E-TRON GT
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Oct 18, 2024
Incident date: Oct 17, 2024
On [XXX], my wife and I were stopped in traffic in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at approximately 7:35pm. Another vehicle failed to stop due to being distracted on his phone and rear ended my 2022 Cadillac Escalade. My wife and I were both injured. None of our airbags deployed and the On-Star system never came on and never detected the crash. By the airbags never deploying, this caused my wife to hit her... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000(Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local 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. The contact had not experienced a f... Read more
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER SPORT
(2019) - AIR BAGS
Oct 18, 2024
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
My Airbag Readiness Light started blinking. I took vehicle to dealer for service. No trouble codes were found. Issue was found with Passenger Presence Module. Dealer advised that this is part of the seat that has been discontinued and that no repairs are available for the vehicle. I found a GM Engineering Information bulletin on your website that states the exact conditions that I am seeing with m... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
Airbag indicator is flashing. Dealer says it is showing B1054 Error. Says it is a Drivers airbag module open. Cost of repair will be several 100 dollars.