Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 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 2,215,138 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 128,460 complaints — component: AIR BAGS
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
Hit a deer. Airbag did not deploy or emergency braking system didn't come on. Police took pictures of car. The car is at the repair shop now. Insurance company hasn't stated if it will be totaled. There were no other problems prior to incident.
Crash
MERCEDES-BENZ
EQB 300 4MATIC
(2023) — AIR BAGS
Mar 24, 2026
Incident date: May 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V034000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2008
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 13V528000 (Steering), 16V352000 (Air Bags), 15V313000 (Air Bags), and 05V462000 (Power Train); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available while the vehicle was in for service. The local dealer was made aware of the issue, and an appointment was scheduled to repair the vehic... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2026
When buying this car from Auto Shoppers, they was an airbag light on but dealership said it was a sensor from auto detail on car or recall. Got diagnostic from Mercedes Benz, findings was there was no air bag in place on drivers side. Dealership did not tell us there was no air bag and only was a sensory/recall and are refusing to fix it.
Incident date: Mar 24, 2026
The contact owned a 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact was avoiding crashing into another vehicle when the contact's vehicle crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that some good Samaritans assisted the contact in getting out of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was totaled when it crashed into a ... Read more
Crash
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stat... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 75 MPH, a deer ran across the highway and hit the left driver's side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. A grayish smoke began to emit from the vehicle as the contact's wife immediately pulled off to the side of the road. Due to the damaged cause by the impact of the deer... Read more
Crash
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 24, 2026
I was driving on the highway during heavy rain and there was a huge leak coming through the window in the backseat started dripping all over the seat and all over the seatbelts spreading above head into the front. I immediately pulled over because it scared me. I was scared it was going to continual leaking into the front steering and airbags
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2022) — AIR BAGS
Mar 24, 2026
Incident date: Mar 24, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V034000 (Air Bags). The contact felt unsafe driving the vehicle with children riding in the third-row seats. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer and remained with the dealer f... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2023
Restraints indicator lamp warning. Air bag warning is on due to a problem with the front passenger side airbag. The front passenger airbag may not function.
Incident date: Feb 10, 2023
On March 6, I was on South bound on Rt 29 in Culpeper County VA at the posted speed limit of 55mph when I hit a debris item on the road. I do not know what it was but it impacted the front skid plate and seems to be no other damage from the impact. There was no contact with the bumper, wheels or otherwise. There was no sudden change in speed or loss of control at all. The most dangerous result... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 9, 2026
I purchased a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe on March 8, 2026, in [XXX] . After the sale, I discovered that the vehicle has serious undisclosed safety defects, including evidence that the airbag (Supplemental Restraint System) had previously deployed and was not properly repaired or restored to working condition, and were actually cut and removed from the vehicle and glued and covered up. This defect was no... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2025
My vehicle has an open recall (26V034000) with no remedy available. Combined with another unresolved recall (25V607000), my vehicle has multiple outstanding safety issues with no resolution timeline.
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2018) — AIR BAGS
Mar 24, 2026
Incident date: Mar 20, 2026
My 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan experienced a failure of the airbag control module caused by water intrusion through the HVAC access area and failed seam seal tape at the cowl support. The dealership confirmed that water leaked through a factory seam, accumulated at the airbag module, and caused the module to fail. The airbag warning light is illuminated, and the system is inoperable. This failure matc... Read more
Incident date: Mar 21, 2026
I purchased a vehicle from a private seller on offer up. The seller stated the vehicle was clean title, he also stated the vehicle was low mileage with 112,000. When I got the vehicle the tire sensor was showing on the dash and the air bag sensor. After purchasing the vehicle I later found out the vehicle was salvage, and the mileage is also roughly 180,000 miles or more.
Incident date: Mar 11, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS). The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue and conf... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
While driving under normal road conditions at approximately 35mph, the side airbags in the vehicle deployed unexpectedly without any collision, impact, or apparent external cause. There were no warning lights, alerts, or prior indications of any system malfunction before the deployment. The sudden airbag deployment startled the driver and created an immediate safety risk, including potential loss... Read more
Incident date: Mar 21, 2026
The contact owned a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact’s son stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the brake pedal depressed with no warning light illuminated. The contact’s son stated that the ABS braking system failed, and the brake pedal did not function when attempting to stop the vehicle. As a result of the failure, the contact’s son collided with the highway pavement. No injuries were s... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 14, 2025
my air bag light came on and I took it to a dealer and they said they repaired it by replacing a seat belt , a couple months later my car was in a hit and run and my front end was badly damaged and my air bags never deployed. they fixed my car and I got it back with the air bags light on again, took it back to the same dealer, they had the car and say they can't fix it, they said they looked aroun... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
I am the owner of a 2025 Hyundai Palisade SEL Premium, purchased in April 2025, currently at approximately 19,000 miles. I am writing to formally report two open safety recalls on this vehicle for which no remedy is currently available: 1. THIRD-ROW SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG RECALL: Affecting approximately 568,576 Hyundai Palisade vehicles (model years 2020–2025). The third-row side curtain airbags ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V607000 (Seat Belts). The local dealer was made aware of the issue, and an appointment was made for the recall repair. The contact arrived for the appointment and was informed upon arrival that parts were not yet available. The dealer only received a limited amount of parts per week. The manufac... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V607000 (SEAT BELTS) and 26V034000 (AIR BAGS); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the r... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2026
In 2026, a 2020 BMW X2 was involved in a 40-50 mph, 60-80 degree driver-side impact. The vehicle rotated 40-80 degrees to the right and struck a curb with enough force to shear both front axles and cause multiple tire explosions. Despite this catastrophic structural failure and extreme G-forces, the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) failed completely: no front, side, or curtain airbags deployed,... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 20, 2026
As I was driving the airbag light quickly turned on and off. I did not get it checked out but it is a known issue were the light will turn on due to electrical issues. And if this fails and others or myself are driving/riding in this vehicle and a crash occurs we will not have the protection of the airbags.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2016) — AIR BAGS
Mar 22, 2026
Incident date: Feb 24, 2026
I hit a deer at 65 mph, causing significant damage to my vehicle, $7,300+ to the front end. I have a safety beacon that detected the accident through my insurance, that detected the severity of the impact, resulting in an immediate call for safety to check on me. My airbags did not deploy, but there was a nasty aroma of sulfur during the impact. My minor children were secured safely in the vehicle... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 21, 2026
Passenger airbag shows airbag as off very often. There will be a passenger over 65 pounds and still indicates that the airbag is off.
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
From airbags all of them. yes its available for inspection. the airbags deployed while I was driving and I couldn't control the car and ended up in a ditch. yes we were put at risk as well as others on the road. Nobody has inspected vehicle at this time. no prior issues or warnings. It deployed without any warnings. There was NO cause for this to happen, No impact when this ocured.
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
El vehículo fue llevado para un recall del airbag clock spring todo estaba bien hasta ahora que en el mes de marzo 2026 el volante comenzó hacer ruido, la bocina a penas funciona, el votante se siente suelto y la luz del airbag se encendió.El vehículo no ha sido inspeccionado ya que llame al no tener garantía y no tener recall no dan opciones para reparo por recall en una segunda ocasión Po... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2023
Chevrolet did not properly repair the vehicle and left it with persistent airbag issues; every time I start the car, a defective airbag indicator appears.
Incident date: Mar 2, 2024
Component: Electrical System / Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist / Speedometer Incident Summary: I am reporting a catastrophic and uncorrected safety defect in my 2021 Kia Sorento (VIN: [XXX] ). Pre-Accident Attempts: Before April 2024, I repeatedly sought diagnosis for instrument cluster 'glitches.' The Kia dealer misdiagnosed this as a battery failure, charging me out-of-pocket for a repl... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 18, 2026
I was driving my 2024 Toyota Prius and was involved in a front-end collision. The impact was strong enough to cause significant front-end damage, but the front airbag did NOT deploy. I was wearing my seatbelt at the time. This is a serious safety concern because the airbag should have deployed in this type of frontal impact. If the crash had been worse, I could have been seriously injured. I beli... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
2009 BMW 3 Series with factory optioned Sport Steering wheel has no recalls, but still has a 2017 production Takata PSDI-5 airbag with the yellow sticker. This airbag was replaced during the interim period, before the revised design was released. It was manufactured in 2017, but used the same design as the original. This airbag is now 9 years old, and I fear it has the same shrapnel risk as the or... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2026
Car has a B1448 (ACTIVE) Passenger Occupant Detecting System (PODS) Circuit Fault Related to the passenger detecting pad in the front passenger seat problems started at 120,000 miles
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
My airbag warning light and notification have came on and sometimes seat belt lights come on unexpectedly and will not go off I feel like this is a safety issue
Incident date: Feb 17, 2026
There appears to be a software problem with the car. On the display, there are malfunction messages about the airbags and safety features.
VOLKSWAGEN
EOS
(2012) — AIR BAGS
Mar 20, 2026
Incident date: Mar 14, 2026
My airbag light came on my 2012 EOS and Vw dealer said it was a Clock Spring part issue causing it part number (5K0-953-569-AL) I mentioned this is a safety issue as it also disabled my horn on steering wheel and was pretty sure VW had a recall/bulletin or campaign on this issue. Appears for some odd reason VW didn’t have my vin [XXX] listed or flagged which I believe is a clear mistake. I am... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while she was driving at approximately 75 MPH, another vehicle had rear-ended the passenger side rear bumper at approximately 80 MPH while her two kids were occupying the 2nd row seats. The contact mentioned that the other vehicle was performing car racing on the freeway, which was the reason why the impact was at high speed. No warning... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 16, 2025
I am on my second 2026 Honda Passport. The first one was taken to dealership 6 times (once at red rock Honda in Colorado and 5 times at Cleo bay in Texas) for a failed part in the steering wheel. The airbag and other parts were replaced and would fail again afterward. I had to replace it with another of the same vehicle because of so many problems and no suitable repair. My new 2026 Honda Passport... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2026
On March 13, 2026, I was operating my 2015 Hyundai Tucson when the steering locked up, causing me to crash into a tree head-on. In the course of this head-on crash, my airbags failed to deploy. As a direct result of my airbags not deploying in a serious car crash, my head hit the steering wheel, causing a confirmed concussion diagnosis of Post Traumatic Headache and Post Concussion Syndrome in a h... Read more
Crash
1 injured
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2003) — AIR BAGS
Mar 20, 2026
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
On March 4th 2026 I called Liberty Jeep here in Hinesville Georgia concerning about the recall for my airbags as well as for the hitch on this vehicle. To date nobody has bothered to call to give me an appointment concerning this major recall and continue to refuse to provide any kind of service for me on this recall I have contacted Jeep headquarters about just concerned dealing with Liberty Jeep... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V034000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not made aware of the issue. 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 co... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2026
I was involved in a hit and run on March 2,2026 and the airbags did not deploy at all. My car was taken to ray lathem dealership when there was a recall pertaining to the airbags back in 2019. I was told everything was corrected. Now fast forward to March 2,2026 no airbags deployed at all from the impact of crash. That was the first thing the police and ambulance asked and saw. Myself and My fianc... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
I am submitting this letter as an official complaint regarding a potential safety defect involving the airbag system in my 2021 Honda Pilot. I was involved in a motor vehicle accident on February 3, 2026 in Atlanta, GA. The collision was a direct frontal impact with another vehicle at approximately 35 mph. The vehicle sustained damage with repair estimates over $8,000. Despite the nature of the cr... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 17, 2026
I was driving a dirt road in snow went to make a right turn onto road at a downhill angle and the airbags deployed on the side curtains all the way from front to rear
Incident date: Oct 26, 2025
On oct. 26, 2025, I was in a bad car accident. I was coming home and came to a stop on Spring Street.In Marion. MA before entering Rte 6 . I looked both ways and the rte was clear. I looked again both ways and still was clear, so I moved my 2025 Bronco Badlands onto the Rte 6 and within seconds I was hit very hard on the front left quarter. My SUV spun around at least 270º and I was immediately... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 16, 2026
While driving at 25 miles an hour on a smooth curving road out of a housing area my wife who was driving and my grand daughter in the front passenger seat heard a loud boom that sounded like somthing hit the roof. My grand daughter looked into the back passenger area and said she saw a large buldge in the headliner near the back window on the drivers side. My wife continued driving saftly to the n... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2016) — AIR BAGS
Mar 19, 2026
Incident date: Nov 11, 2025
I was a front seat passenger in a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and was properly wearing my seatbelt at the time of the incident. The vehicle struck a deer, and during the collision, the passenger seatbelt failed to properly restrain me. I was thrown forward and struck the windshield. The seatbelt did not appear to lock or tighten as expected during impact. It is unknown whether the seatbelt pret... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V607000 (Seat Belts) and scheduled an appointment with a local dealer. The contact had not experienced a failure, but the dealer took the vehicle and refused to release the vehicle because parts were not available for the recall repair. The contact recently received notification of NHTSA Campaig... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2022) — AIR BAGS
Mar 19, 2026
Incident date: Mar 13, 2026
I am submitting this complaint to report a serious safety issue involving the airbag system in my vehicle. The airbag warning light has illuminated on the dashboard, and I also received a notification indicating that the airbag system may not function properly in the event of a crash. This creates a significant safety risk, as the airbags may fail to deploy when needed. I contacted an authorized... Read more