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 5, 2024
I just bought this truck. While driving it on the first day we were in stop and go traffic and I pressed the throttle and nothing happened, when I pressed it further it all of a sudden squealed tires and jumped forward causing me to almost rear end the car in front.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
Had recall completed for Subaru Forester (WUM-98) where dealer replaced ODS sensor harness in 2020. At the end of 2021 had the SRS light intermittently come on but would then go off for months( front passenger seat). This kept happening intermittently so I brought it to dealership and had it diagnosed in 2023. They suggested replacing the passenger seat ($1200 P&L). Dealer said no water damage to ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2024
My issue (which started a week ago) is that the Occupant Detection System (ODS) shows the passenger airbag as OFF and gives an SRS Airbag warning when my spouse is sitting in the passenger seat. When I sit in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag shows ON. But then when the car is driven with no passenger, the system dings until the driver hooks the passenger seatbelt--it thinks the passe... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 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 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 ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz C320. The contact stated that the sunroof had failed to open, and the sunshade cover failed to close, causing the sunrays to penetrate the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an unknown assessment was made. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the horn was inoperable. The SRS warning light was illuminated. The veh... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Aug 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Versa. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V349000 (Air Bags) and 17V449000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
Incident date: Jul 6, 2022
Service air bag light has been on about 2 weeks. Tried to unlock car with key fob today. 8/6/2024. Wouldn't work so I replaced the fob battery. Nothing will work on car now. Won't start, can't manually unlock back doors.Couldn't get it in neutral to get on flatbed tow truck. Dealership said it'll be at least 2days before they can look at it. Said there's a recall but no remedy/ parts to be able to... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2024
There is a safety issue with the airbag and there is no remedy offered by the dealer / manufacturer.
Incident date: Jun 6, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Feb 6, 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 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: Apr 1, 2024
There has been a recall impacting the safety of driving this vehicle (air bag related) and the dealer and manufacturer have provided no ETA on when there will be a fix for this or when the vehicle will be safe again to transport our children. In our view we should be refunded in full for this vehicle purchase given the ongoing safety issue resulting in us being unable to drive the vehicle.
Incident date: Jan 17, 2023
airbag did not deploy during a crash at 75 mph
Crash
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLK350
(2015) - AIR BAGS
Aug 6, 2024
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
-The passenger seat head rest popped open (exploded - it was super loud) when in the process of backing up out of my driveway. - The safety of everyone in the car was put at risk. My husband was in the seat and was hit in the back of the head. My son, his wife and their 2 month old daughter was in the back seat. - The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by anyone. I... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the front driver’s side air bag cover was cracked along the seem of the steering wheel. The contact stated that the horn was honked, and the front driver’s side air bag cover fractured. No warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the costs. The manufacturer was mad... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2024
Passenger air bag light on dash coming on, started off dinging even with no one sitting in the passenger seat. Now the Air bag light stays on constantly. I was told by the Subaru dealership near me that they found a B1650 in the system for occupant detection malfunction. Tested the seat with a human and the scan tool and they found the sensor is not picking anything up. The mechanic told me th... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 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 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 was mad... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 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 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 ex... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
Sterling McCall Hyundai at Houston 77074 installed an airbag unit as part of a recall last visit. The airbag light came, and I went to the dealership to fix the light, they said they were not responsible, and they wanted a $490 inspection cost plus the repair, and I had to leave the car for 3 weeks. They scanned the car and airbag showed on the dashboard The dealership must install genuine parts... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 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 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 not experie... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2024
The airbag light keeps coming on and off consistently
ALFA ROMEO
STELVIO
(2018) - AIR BAGS
Aug 5, 2024
Incident date: Jul 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Jaguar XF. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the dashboard, where the passenger’s side air bag was located. The air bag warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed and... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
We use our vehicle not only for our business but also share it on the Turo platform for rentals. Because of this recall our vehicle as been unlisted until the recall is fixed. It has now been over a month and we have received no solution to the safety recall issue. It’s not only costing us peace of mind as we need to continue using the vehicle ourselves but it’s also costing us money as we hav... Read more
LAND ROVER
LR2
(2015) - AIR BAGS
Aug 5, 2024
Incident date: Jul 12, 2024
Almost 1 million affected vehicles and a year after they issued the recall there is still no remedy to a airbag that can send metal shrapnel into the driver and occupants
Incident date: Dec 17, 2023
Nothing has happened yet but it's been on recall for over a year and says my air bag could have metal pieces in air back that can hurt or kill someone. There is no solution to this and it's been on recall since may of 2023
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
The negligent driver yielded to the flow of traffic without stopping. When he collided with us, the airbags (exploded) deployed so strongly that they damaged the windshield and our bodies: face, neck, etc. Our beloved Audi A4 2009 was totaled and after that we had several operations: 2 eye operations (need 2 more), dental surgeries, 3 neck surgeries ... multiple unpaid medical expenses.
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
I was driving and lost power randomly it came back in less than a minute but just lost power could certainly cause an accident... And the service airbag light is on and seemingly has the same issues as the 2010 Malibu Maxx which was recalled and replaced free of charge and frankly I don't have the 1200 $ to make sure it doesn't kill me I'm not sure why with as many 2007s that this is an issue in w... Read more
TESLA
CYBERTRUCK
(2024) - AIR BAGS
Aug 5, 2024
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2003) - AIR BAGS
Aug 5, 2024
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
At approximately 6:20 PM on Friday, July 26, 2024 airbags exploded on a Ford F-150 while it was on the assembly line (Chassis Line 5) at Ford Motor Company's Dearborn Truck Plant (DTP). Two hourly employees, one of them in the driver's seat, were working on the truck at the time and both were sent to an area hospital for treatment. The line was stopped, but only for about 30-40 minutes. By 7 PM... Read more
2 injured
Incident date: Jun 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the driver's side and passenger's side curtain air bags deployed without impact. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened; however, the case had not been assigned to a ca... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 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 not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that p... Read more
ALFA ROMEO
STELVIO
(2018) - AIR BAGS
Aug 5, 2024
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX350. The contact was notified 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 was made a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 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 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 experie... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2013) - AIR BAGS
Aug 5, 2024
Incident date: May 5, 2024
I received 3 urgent letters telling me my2008 suzuki grand vitara has an airbag recall passenger side and needed to be repaired right away. But SUZUKI only has a few dealers left and none close to me so I have to drive my children in this unsafe car. So I called the dealer and they said I have to drop my car off 3 hours away and leave it for however long it takes to be repaired. And they said the... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2023) - AIR BAGS
Aug 5, 2024
Incident date: Aug 5, 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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a f... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The driver side headrest "deployed" and pushed the headrest to the back of my head. I was sitting in the driver seat and the vehicle was parked, and when I moved a bag from the front passenger seat to the middle row, the driver side headrest opened on it's own. I cannot compress the headrest together. My concern is this was a faulty safety deployment.
1 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2024
I initially received the recall for this vehicle over 2 years ago. GMC has still failed to fix the problem with the air bags on this vehicle. It has been documented that these airbags have not only caused injury but deaths as well. I feel 2 years is too long to wait for the recall to be addressed. I have called multiple times over the 2 years to see if my recall could be addressed and I am told ea... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
Waiting at a stoplight for light to turn green. Driver’s side door airbag deployed for no reason and the car shut down completely. Except for my hazard lights and a blinking message that read “error driver door contact switch”. Had to have it tow and the tow truck driver couldn’t even put in neutral.
Incident date: May 1, 2024
I have been receiving warning messages on my dashboard regarding Service The Stabilitrak, followed by Traction Control Off message and then vehicle shaking, losing steering power and engine shutting down for over a year. The issue occurs randomly making it difficult to repair. I have had it serviced multiple times by different mechanics and no one has been able to find a solution due to the random... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
i have sent in my jeep patriot in few years ago for recall that has to do with airbags issue. jeep patriot just reached 10 year old and now i am getting air bag light every time i turn my steering wheel while parked and while driving it keeps dining every min or less. i was told it may be clock spring in steering wheel and i believe i should not have to replace it being 165xxx miles and just hit 1... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
UNKNOWN. Has an investigation been opened into the delamination of the Leather dashbords, in the RAM LIMITED 1500. Concerned how the disfigured dash surface will impede the function of passenger Air Bag deployment. A review of U Tube. Will have pictures / videos.
Incident date: Aug 3, 2024
Passenger head rest deployed for no reason. If someone was in the seat they would have got severe whiplash. It was a broken plastic piece inside the headrest. This is a common occurrence. There were no warnings. I kept the part in case it needs to be inspected. Definitely a manufacturers defect that needs to be addressed before someone gets hurt
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2020) - AIR BAGS
Aug 3, 2024
Incident date: Jul 25, 2024
Whenever I start my car I can see a red triangle symbol I think it’s SRS warning light. Then I check my owner’s manual then I find out that it’s SRS warning lights. I don’t know what to do. Please let me know what should I do?
Incident date: Jul 25, 2024
I was in a head on collision and my airbags did not deploy but my glove box separated from my dash by about 2 inches looking as if they tried to deploy
Crash
1 injured
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2021) - AIR BAGS
Aug 2, 2024
Incident date: Aug 2, 2024
Involved in a car accident 4/24 going 60 mph, driver cut over and made contact near driver side door, causing us to also slam into a concrete wall on passenger door. After 3 months and up to 29k in damages, insurance declared our car a total loss on 7/23/24. On 7/25/24 the recall was released. No airbags deployed but I had 2 airbag safety codes on my phone (after accident) I didn’t have the car ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorrento. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact stated that the failure also occurred with the driver's side air bag. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2017
I was driving today and an Airbag Error Message popped up with the Airbag Warning Lamp and will not turn off. I called the dealership I purchased it from and was told it is a faulty Airbag Sensor but my car is not part of the open recall Volkswagen has open. They set up an appointment for 8/20 to replace the sensor. I was told by the dealership that this issue could cause my airbag not to deploy... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2022
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 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 ex... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
I received a letter from GMC in June 2023 (14 months ago) notifying me of a safety recall on my 2016 GMC Acadia regarding front driver side airbag inflator. The letter said the inflator my rupture during deployment sending shrapnel (metal fragments) to the vehicle interior resulting in serious injury and/or death to the driver or other occupants. I have contacted a dealer for recall repair and was... Read more