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: Aug 8, 2024
Eye sight freezing when car purchased brand new. I was told that this was a known Issue. Radio freezing and then resuming at blaring volume, I was told that this was a known issue and Subaru was waiting for an update. Burning smell from car when purchased, notified dealer, smell did not go away. I was told that this was normal. Starling freezing and not working, this was a service that I paid for... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 18, 2024
While driving, the auto stop/start light illuminated, the airbag light illuminated and the auto parking brake illuminated. The seat belt sign also lit up and would continuously chime even through the seatbelt was plugged in. All the indications would intermittently come on and off.
Incident date: May 24, 2023
My airbag system light has been on now for over two years. My exact vehicle the prior year and after has had a recalled and mine has been missed. GMC wants 2000.00 to replace my airbag situation and my car only has 66000 miles on it for god sakes. Please have my model vin on recall list so my passengers will be safe. This is the second time I have emailed you and no response was given yet. Please... Read more
GRAND DESIGN
REFLECTION
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Aug 18, 2024
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
I have been waitting over ayear for this recall I need to sell this vehicle and cannot because fo the open recall Can someone help me?
Incident date: Jul 17, 2024
Airbag warning light appeared on the dash. I have called the dealership and they haven't offered any way to remedy the issue.
Incident date: Aug 17, 2024
Unable to trade-in my vehicle with the open recall that has been 15 months. The resale price to a private buyer or second tier auto dealer will only yield a sales price of less than half of the cars value.
Incident date: Aug 6, 2024
The malfunction identified in NHTSA campaign number 19V701 has been continually malfunctioning again, beginning about a year ago. This is happening within a relatively short time after it was supposedly fixed. (Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98). It is the exact same problem as previously identified in 19V701.
Incident date: Aug 17, 2024
I want to register a complaint regarding Safety recall N232404980. I was notified on June 23rd 2023 that my vehicle was included in this recall. It's now more than 1 year later and the recall is still incomplete. I've made several attempts to have the recall addressed including scheduling a service appt on Aug 12th 2024 (at Fox Chevrolet in Caledonia MI). While at this appointment I was told ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2024
Vehicle was involved in an accident and according to eye witnesses, the vehicle stuttered when pulling out into an intersection. This resulted in a t-bone accident where this vehicle was impacted on the driver's side and the passenger with this vehicle suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. Vehicle was inspected by traffic investigation unit and insurance. Unknown if warning lights or messagi... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Aug 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES250. 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienc... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. 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 ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Edge. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V001000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact called another local dealer; Madelia Ford (601 E Main St, Madelia, MN 56062) and was informed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Th... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Enclave. 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experien... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 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. VIN tool confirms parts no... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the accelerator pedal travelled down to the floorboard, and the vehicle stalled. The ESC warning light, the check engine warning light, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the message “Service Engine Soon" and other unknown messages were displayed. The co... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2024
Service safety restraint constantly reappears. Taken into dealership 3 times and still has not been fixed. This could cause serious injury or harm and I have 4 children 10 and younger. This has been an on going problem.
CHRYSLER
PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Aug 16, 2024
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
While driving I received an error on the screen stating “front passenger safety restraint fail -service needed”. This would go on and off randomly. It took over a month to get into Tesla. By the time I got into service the error was gone but Tesla replaced a sensor and airbag to be complaint with the sensor costing over $1300. I have seen a lot of posts of other Tesla owners experiencing the s... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2024
The air bags aren't working properly. They initially fixed a prior issue with my air bags long ago. However this issue has persisted. I think these cars have major issues with our air bags.
Incident date: Aug 16, 2024
Air bag light came on about 3 weeks ago. Called dealership and they say no recalls. Says to bring car in and it will take 3 to 4 days to run diagnostics. I am a single car family and would need to get a rental for those 3 days. I am on a fixed income. Why 3 days just to run diagnostics
Incident date: Jul 29, 2024
The vehicle was totaled but I continue to receive recall notices to the point of harassment. I have called the hotline number and notified them dozens of times. I signed the vehicle over to the insurance. It is scrapped. I don't know how else to make that more clear.
Crash
Incident date: Aug 15, 2024
There is a faulty connection so the airbags may not deploy
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2016) - AIR BAGS
Aug 15, 2024
Incident date: Aug 4, 2024
unknown - my car is in the dealership since June 25, 2024. No remedy yet
Incident date: May 16, 2024
Bought vehicle used/as is from dealer about a month after air bag recall announced in 2023. Found out it is apparently illegal to sell a vehicle with an open recall. Dealer did not disclose the recall and I did not research unfortunately. It's been over a year now since air bag was recalled and still no fix and I live in a very hot state. Should never take this long to fix something so dangerous -... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2024
The driver air bag light on the instrument panel has been illuminated since 2004, repair had been attempted several times but has failed. A bulletin has been sent by the manufacture to the dealership regarding steering wheel airbag light being illuminated giving a false warning, due to defective electrical wiring that cannot be repaired.
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2012) - AIR BAGS
Aug 15, 2024
Incident date: Mar 25, 2023
Toyota has issued a STOP SALE and RECALL on the airbags in this vehicle. There is no anticipated time for resolution but rumors indicate it might be October. During this time the airbags would not deploy if you are driving with the front windows down as it affects both driver and passenger side. We bought this car with the expectation of quality and my confidence is not high given Toyota has al... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2024
The contact owned a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, her vehicle was crashed into on the passenger side front by a vehicle that had run a red light. The contact stated that the impact threw her into the driver's side door. The contact stated that she was knocked unconscious. The contact stated that she was transported by ambulance to a hospital and was treated ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2021) - AIR BAGS
Aug 15, 2024
Incident date: Aug 12, 2024
Airbag light comes on and off intermittently for last year
Incident date: Aug 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 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. VIN tool confirms par... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. 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. VIN tool confirms parts not a... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
Air bag sensor light comes on; took to Nissan Glen Burnie MD dealership and believed they rectified the issue (removing debris) and did a reset. Light came back on and took it to Nissan Bowie MD and they could not determine the cause and did a reset. Light came back on and took it to Nissan Bowie MD and B0020-13 code was returned resulting in having to replace seat and sensor (no issue with wiri... Read more
HYUNDAI
ELANTRA HYBRID
(2024) - AIR BAGS
Aug 15, 2024
Incident date: Aug 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 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 ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V513000 (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
TRIUMPH
SCRAMBLER 400 X
(2024) - AIR BAGS
Aug 15, 2024
Incident date: Jun 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced and was causing the air bag warning light to illuminate inadvertently. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact was concerned... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2014) - AIR BAGS
Aug 15, 2024
Incident date: Jul 9, 2024
i dont understand ford explorer has same recall i have a lot of recall on these and i cant take it off everytime its a recall. i work 7 days a week. Thats the reason i try to trade it in . But i still own a lot for it. I dont know to much about the explorer i brought from the carlot.
Incident date: Aug 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 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 dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failu... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the air bag warning light had remained illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Incident date: Aug 12, 2024
Dear NHTSA, I am writing to express a serious safety concern regarding the dashboard of my 2016 Porsche Cayenne S. The leather on the dash has begun to shrink and is no longer fitted properly. This misalignment is causing me significant worry about the potential impact on airbag deployment in the event of an accident. Given the crucial role that the dashboard and its covering play in the proper ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
I randomly received an alert indicating “Front passenger safety restraint system fault” on my Tesla’s display. When I look this up, it indicates that the airbag may not deploy correctly in the event of an accident due to a seat sensor malfunction. When I contacted the service center, they quoted me at $1500 to repair this critical safety issue (involves replacing the seat sensor and reconfig... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2024
Over time, the wiring harness going to the knee air bag(s) can rub against the metal support tubes for the instrument panel, chafing and damaging the wiring. SIB 65 20 22
Incident date: Jul 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with faulty wiring for the second-row seat air bags. The contact was informed that the wiring needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a manufacturing design flaw. The v... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH??? AND ITS BEEN OVER A YEAR SINCE WE RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL WHICH I AM CERTAIN GM KNEW ABOUT LONG BEFORE THE NOTIFICATION, WE SIMPLY CANT JUST PARK THE VEHICLE AND WAIT. I AM SURE THE HEADS OF GM ARE NOT DRIVING ANY RECALLED AIRBAG VEHICLES. SO THE PUBLIC HAS TO RISK SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH WHILE WE LISTEN TO THE LIES ABOUT “SUPPLY CHAIN ISS... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2024
Passneger occupancy sensor keeps failing due to a known issue with BMW X3 G01. Seat wiring circuit keeps experiencing electrical problems and failing to detect passenger. This can lead to airbags not deploying in the event of collision. Third time the issue has been repaired and customer was responsible for almost $1200 in costs
Incident date: Jun 11, 2024
Vehicle dashboard indicated that Airbag intermediately had issues and service was needed. Vehicle taken to dealership and had to have failing airbag replaced.
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
We were about the park in the marked parking lane and the vehicle unintedly accellerated, the brakes did not work and we saw message "Automatic emergency brake not available" and Air bags not available. We tried to control the vehicle to avaoid crashing into the porch of the infront apartment and steared the speeding vehicle and the vehicle hit the pillar of the aparement and finally came to halt... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 11, 2024
for some reason my Airbag service light come on, I was just driving and the warning came up on the screen.
Incident date: Jul 25, 2024
I was involved in car accident 8/7in which vehicle total. After first impact vehicle did not stop felt like kept going accelerating into 3 additional impacts
Crash
4 injured
Incident date: Aug 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the message to “Drive Safely - See Nearest BMW Service Center” was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was driven to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the wiring harness associated with the driver’s and passenger’s side knee air bags needed to be replaced; however, the part for... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 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 unavailable. 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 manufacturer was made awa... Read more