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: Jul 19, 2024
After a week of owning the car the battery died over night. Was jumped by roadside and died later that day and jumped again. After the 2nd jump, the AC and air bags didn’t work. Then the check engine light came on. Kia has had my brand new carnival since July 26 with no fix.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
Airbag sensor on dash board states air bag is off and driver dashboard still reflects issue. Air bag fuses were checked:they are okay.
Incident date: May 1, 2024
Had a car accident and none of air bags deployed. Car rolled over several times and hit a ditch and property sign
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 10, 2024
Been getting notification post cards about this airbag recall and called my dealer in June 2023 about getting the work done, and have not heard back from them to schedule anything. 11 months later I talked to them, and they say the part is hard to get, and they are waiting on the parts. Now I am 14 months past the time I called to schedule repairs and still no parts. I don't think this is being ha... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
This jeep compass had been a nightmare since we got it. The 4wheel drive/parking break is stuck ON. We gave had it replaced already, the repair lasted a week. And now it's stuck ON again. It's dangerous. It's costing us gas money, repair money, we have to keep replacing our brakes. We drive 50 minutes to and from work each way 5 days a week. Ontop of that. The headrest EXPLODED while we were on th... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2024
Horn did not work and Airbag light keeps flashing
Incident date: Aug 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer w... Read more
MINI
COUNTRYMAN
(2025) - AIR BAGS
Aug 9, 2024
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
It’s going on three months and this has not been repair. Notice states failure to correct can cause death. This needs to be repaired now! How can this just be ignored when public safety is first and foremost? Does some one need to die before this recall is being taken care of?
Incident date: Apr 24, 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2018) - AIR BAGS
Aug 9, 2024
Incident date: Jul 26, 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2024
My 2018 Subaru Forester has a faulty passenger air bag sensor, which has been diagnosed by my local Subaru dealer, with a repair cost of $1,500+ for labor and parts. It has intermittently turned on and off again, but after getting a separate issue fixed by my dealer, they diagnosed this problem, and every time the car is turned on, the warning light is constantly displayed, and the passenger seat ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2024
I continuously receive a notification on my car that the there is a fault with the passenger restraint system and includes a red income with the airbag. I have found hundreds of Tesla drivers that have reported the same issue. Tesla is claiming that my airbag needs replaced as well as other safety components with the seat that need retrofitted in order for the airbag to work properly. They quoted ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Infiniti Q50. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called an independent mechanic, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
Incident date: Aug 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact scheduled an appointment and was informed that parts were on backorder upon arrival. Th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: May 12, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Jul 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2006 Saab 9-2X. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V002000 (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
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
Vehicle was sold without airbags.
Incident date: Jun 28, 2024
Dashboard cracked passenger seat around airbag word. Before weather got very hot outside was sitting in parking lot engine off, heard a loud noise and was not able to locate anything wrong. Thought it was the windshield that has a small crack in it. Noticed nothing. Several days later saw large lines through windshield around airbag. Looked inside car to see better. Several weeks later saw smaller... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2024
I am writing to report a serious safety concern regarding the non-deployment of airbags during a recent traffic accident. The incident involved a collision where I was struck on the driver’s side front. Despite the severity of the impact, the airbags did not deploy, which raises significant concerns about the effectiveness and reliability of the airbag system in such scenarios. Incident Overvie... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 8, 2024
On December 24, 2023, my family and I were involved in a serious accident while driving our 2023 Porsche Taycan. I was making a left turn at approximately 10 mph when a 2009 Honda Fit, traveling in excess of 65 mph, crossed into oncoming traffic and struck the left side of my vehicle. The impact was concentrated on the area around the front door, fender, and left-side charge port, causing over $60... Read more
Crash
3 injured
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2019) - AIR BAGS
Aug 8, 2024
Incident date: Aug 8, 2024
When I sit in the front passenger seat, the airbag sensor icon sometimes says off and sometimes says on--even during the same trip. and even if I have not changed positions. This means I am at risk of bodily injury when the system does not recognize that I am in the seat because the airbag is not operative while I was in the seat. On 7/22/24 the Subaru technician found "no active or stored codes a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
Today, my atlas gave an error message; air bag error. I called my dealership, who informed me that there is a recall in this. But not for my VIN number. But it’s the same issue. Now, I have to pay out of pocket or chance my air bag not working properly.
Incident date: Aug 8, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Aug 8, 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 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 experie... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 2024
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V161000 (Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failu... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
I received a recall notice for my 2009 Nissan Titan. I have brought the truck to Premier Nissan, 6636 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, LA on multiple occasions to have the work performed without success. I last brought the truck in March 07, 2024, at which time I was told that the airbag emblem needed to be replaced. [XXX] . The part was supposed to be ordered and in within two weeks. I called Premi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2024
THE PASSANGER AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE RADIO LIGHTS UP BUT NO SOUND FOR RADIO OR TURN SIGNALS.
Incident date: Jul 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. There was an abnormal dinging sound detected. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V510000 (Air Bags, Seat Belts); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer informed the contact that the air bags w... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2023
While driving on a rural road, a cow ran in front of my vehicle and I collided with it. The car was towed to a repair shop and the estimated cost of repairs was $15,000. The impact was on the front corner of the drivers side of the vehicle. No airbags deployed. It seems to me that with the violence and location of the impact that some airbags should’ve deployed.
Crash
Incident date: Aug 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the passenger's side seat belt sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 56,0... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
While driving down the interstate at approximately 75mph to 80 mph, the driver side air bag curtain deployed with no warning or indication. There was no impact or bump in the road to cause vibration or a false signal to trigger the activation of the air curtain. I was simply driving the vehicle as normal when it deployed. When the airbags deployed, it caused me to swerve due to fear of the load ... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2013) - AIR BAGS
Aug 8, 2024
Incident date: Aug 8, 2024
Drivers airbag bursted when I wasn’t in my car, and the passenger airbag has a hole in it.
Incident date: May 9, 2024
I left for work, acceleration at slow speed around 30 mph within 40 seconds, the car began to gain speed, I let off the gas pedal, still accelerated. I tried slowly using brakes to slow down - no response. At this point, I notice that cruise control light, was lit up, on the dashboard but not set. I'm now gaining speed of 72 MPH. Not even 1 mile, from turn off. I literally fish tailed three times,... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 2, 2023
The passenger airbag kept turning off while someone was sitting 🪑 n the seat. It would turn off intermittently, but then turned off for a very extended period. Photo attached is a screenshot of a video we took while driving.
Incident date: Jul 15, 2024
Failed component is the passenger airbag presence module. Failure of the presence module compromises the deployment of airbags. Failure of airbag confirmed by Vetter-McGill Chevrolet, Three Rivers, Michigan. Module component failure confirmed by Chevrolet dealer. Passenger airbag warning light prompted appointment with Chevrolet dealer to determine why the passenger airbag warning light was illum... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLC 300
(2021) - AIR BAGS
Aug 7, 2024
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distributi... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2024
On February 16, 2024, The vehicle (F150 XLT Super Crew) that was being driven was going approximately 40 miles ph when an other vehicle came out of a side street who had a traffic stop sign. There were two school buses blocking their view and my view of anyone coming out of the development. My vehicle hit head-on the other vehicle and I blacked out. No Airbag Driver side deployed, but the seat-be... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Aug 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. 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 not 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 ex... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Titan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed front driver's side air bag. The contact was informed that the front driver's air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the air bag warning l... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2020
The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V464000 (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 contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated there wer... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler 300. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V198000 (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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V44000 (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, Hennessy Buick GMC (7261 Jonesboro Rd., Morrow, GA 30260); and was informed... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V510000 (Air Bags, Seat Belts); 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experi... Read more
Incident date: Jun 24, 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 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 ... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER SPORT
(2024) - AIR BAGS
Aug 7, 2024
Incident date: Aug 6, 2024
See attached document for complaint
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2021) - AIR BAGS
Aug 7, 2024
Incident date: Aug 6, 2024
Airbag. No open recalls. Spinal injury in head-on collision. Unknown Crash Champions at Windsor Mills in Baltimore, MD (auto body shop for Progressive) No warnings
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
The complaint is GM has yet to provide parts for a recall issued in May 2023. It is August 2024. Anyone that drives our 2017 Traverse will/may put their life in real danger if there is an accident where the driver side air bag sends shrapnel out. There doesn't seem to be any urgency on GM's part to provide remedy. GM's recall statement says to REPLACE THE AIRBAG. So far, we have had zero incid... Read more