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 8, 2024
Airbag light displayed on Dashboard There has been 3 airbag recalls for 2015 Nissan Altimas, my vin number was not on the Nissan Safety Airbag Recall notification Vin number Recall list. I notified Nissan Consumer Reports on July 5, 2024. Nissan representative, Nissan will not assist with the cost of replacing the Airbag or parts and labor associated with the airbag because of my vin number, limi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 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: Jul 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 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 air bag warning light was occasionally illuminated but had since remained illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasona... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 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 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 pa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2024
Please see thread: [XXX] My 2011 Nissan Leaf's OCS has failed randomly. I pulled the code via an Bluetooth OBD reader and the LeafSpy Pro app installed on my phone: B1018-00 09 AIR BAG Occupant Sens [Unit Fail] SRC-41. I took the car to a local dealership and was quoted over $4k for a full seat replacement with no ETA as the part is on back order. There is no option to simply replace the OCS alo... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not exp... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2019
I would like the recall defect fixed on my vehicle. It’s been a year since the recall came out. It’s a serious recall involving possible loss of life and no consumer should be exposed to this deadly risk. Make GM move forward and quickly fix this defect in its cars.
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Jul 17, 2024
Incident date: Jul 16, 2024
Air bag frontal ; Inflator module Issued: 08/12/2019 Recall ID # 320228 NHTSA campaign #19V50200 Reference: CCR §1962 Concord HONDA dealership & service 1461 concord avenue, concord California , 94520 Must be affixed to the vehicle before to deliver purchaser Dealer# 31804 Salesperson# S705254 License [XXX] VIN# [XXX] Date sold # [XXX] Mileage 110,411 REG 51 (REV) 9/2019) UH Pursuant to Cali... Read more
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Jul 16, 2024
Incident date: Jul 16, 2024
Since shortly after buying the van we have been getting airbag warning lights. Just about every part of the system has been replaced, but the airbag light still comes back on. Just got the van back from the dealer today for the 9th time, and after about an hour of driving, the light is back on again.
Incident date: Jul 14, 2024
Recall has no remedy since march 2024
Incident date: Jul 13, 2024
Concerned that the airbag recall has been a known death threat for over a year with still no replacement parts. If the parts can't be procured I should be provided a new equivalent car, shouldn't I? It's anxiety inducing to know I could be killed by supposed safety features in my vehicle.
Incident date: Jul 14, 2024
There was an airbag recall around 2016 for airbags. I took it to the dealer and they checked it out and said there was no problem. Now my air bag light stays on and the dealer says I need a new air bag in the driver's seat. Is this airbag covered under the recall?
ALFA ROMEO
STELVIO
(2023) - AIR BAGS
Jul 16, 2024
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. 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 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 ... Read more
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2013) - AIR BAGS
Jul 16, 2024
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
I received a notice in the mail from Toyota with Toyota Recall # 23TA15 or NHTSA Recall # 23V-865. The notice clearly states that they will notify consumers when the remedy is available. However, it also states that if your vehicle's supplemental restraint (SRS) warning light is illuminated, then your vehicle may be experiencing symptoms related to this safety call. Earlier this morning, 7/16/24, ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2023
I was enjoying holiday driving with family in my 2013 Chrysler Town & Country Limited when suddenly a very loud pop was heard, with a forceful strike to the back of my head being felt. Alarmed & dazed for a moment, it was observed that my driver’s side active headrest had just exploded forward striking me on the back of my head. Once off the highway and stopped, I discovered that the active ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 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: Jul 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Charger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V198000 (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 ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 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
Incident date: Jul 2, 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 part... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2020
The contact owns a 2013 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger's side seat headrest deployed and struck the back of the head of the front passenger seat occupant. Additionally, the contact stated that the front driver's side seat headrest deployed while the contact was occupying the seat on another occasion. There were no injuries sustained by the d... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2024
I turned on the car and the airbag light was on. I took to a Ford dealership they said this was not under warranty. The sensor to the airbag is not working and will not go off if I'm actually in an accident. The sensor needs to be properly installed as this was an issue with many Ford Broncos years 2021-2022.
Incident date: Jul 16, 2024
Airbag shows OFF even when passenger is seated.
Incident date: Jun 22, 2024
Vehicle went over a pothole where the manhole cover was few inches above ground. Vehicle was traveling at 15 MPH. The driver side seat and airbags deployed on it went over the pothole.
Incident date: Jul 29, 2022
Air bag dash warning light came on. Brought to dealer. They"fixed". Light came back on few days later. brought back to dealer. They said drivers side seat frame with air bag needs to be replaced. they ordered part & said 2 week wait. Called dealer back 2 weeks later & they said part not released by Nissan. Called Nissan consumer affairs. They informed me they have no ETA when parts will be availab... Read more
HONDA
ACCORD HYBRID
(2018) - AIR BAGS
Jul 15, 2024
Incident date: Jul 5, 2024
Airbag recalled since March 2024, & no Dodge dealer in the Charlotte or surrounding areas has a remedy available. This is extremely dangerous and I have my child with me. I need to get this recall fixed ASAP! This is a danger and my only form of transportation.
Incident date: May 30, 2024
Airbag warning came on. I took to dealership for diagnostic. There was malfunction with the passenger airbag. Seat coushin needed to be replaced so the “normal” wear and tear airbag would no longer be an issue. Nissan stated this is not a safety concern and all expenses were out of pocket.
Incident date: Jul 15, 2024
Side seat airbag has exhaust port facing inwards, instead of outward, towards the door of the vehicle, that caused the hot chemical from the airbag to push out all the gas at the left side of my body, melting my clothes and causing chemical burns to my side when it deployed upon a wreck.
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jun 26, 2024
The contact owned a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while her nephew was driving at 51 MPH, a drunk driver in the opposite direction nearly caused a head-on collision. The contact's nephew veered to the left, but the other driver's vehicle swiped the rear passenger door and rear quarter panel. The vehicle jerked and flipped three times before landing on its roof in a residential ... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
Air bag system in passenger seat quit working. Has been inspected by dealer.
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 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 experi... Read more
FIRESTONE
WEATHERGRIP
(9999) - AIR BAGS
Jul 15, 2024
Incident date: Jul 11, 2024
On June 23, 2024 this 2004 Ford Taurus was in a front end collision at freeway speeds of 60 mph or higher. The driver airbag did not deploy and the driver died as a result of severe trauma to head and chest.
Crash
1 deaths
Incident date: Jul 15, 2024
I purchased a 2008 Ford Focus from my father (now deceased). The airbag warning light has been on. When I had the OBD read, it came back with code # B2294 indicating a fault in a control module. My research makes me believe this vehicle should be included in NHTSA# 07V541000 (Ford # 07C19); however, both NHTSA and Ford say it isn't. I would like to find out why this particular vehicle was excl... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2024
I was pulling into a parking space and to stop but suddenly the vehicle just accelerated forward jumped the curve, straight through some bushes and crashed into a tree. The airbag deployed caused injuries to my right arm, head, chest contusion. Mostly passenger side front and front damages on the vehicle. Police, ambulance, and firefighter came to investigate and to help with my injuries.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 2, 2024
Oil consumption issues, engine failure, does not indicate oil low light when oil is low, catalytic converter failure
CASTLE ROCK
CASTLE ROCK ST
(9999) - AIR BAGS
Jul 15, 2024
Incident date: Jul 1, 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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated intermittently and then remained illuminated constantl... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 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 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
CHEVROLET
TRAILBLAZER
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Jul 15, 2024
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The contact owned a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed while in the park position gear, the engine revved and the vehicle accelerated independently forward causing the contact to hit her head on the headrest. The contact confirmed by looking down if in fact her foot was on the brake pedal and it was during the incident. As a result, the contact crashed ... Read more
Crash
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2021) - AIR BAGS
Jul 15, 2024
Incident date: Jul 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the passenger’s side front seat belt exploded. There was an abnormal banging noise heard and there was smoke inside the vehicle. While occupying the passenger's side front seat, the seat belt pulled hard, and the passenger was slammed against the seat. The driver was able to pull over safely. The air bag warning li... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2024
The 2017 Toyota Corolla has Required Two Safety Recalls By Defective Airbags At The Dave Edwards Toyota Dealership in Spartanburg SC And THE NTSA And Toyota USA Are Destroying My Confidence in Purchasing A New Vehicle by Inferior Chinese Airbags This Is A Nightmare For Toyota And Millions of Other US Auto Manufacturers Including FORD And Is Unacceptable by Consumer Fraud in Aftermarket Government... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2023
The recall was not communicated to me as consumer, when i saw online I was notified and then when called dealer i purchased car i was told ‘we only sell call not part of manufacture process call corporate” and after calling lexus corporate i was told i could get loaner car since i dont feel safe but the dealer on the call with corporate said “if not front air bag its not big deal” for a sa... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2024
The front passenger headrest activated with no cause. It exploded out luckily no one was in the seat. It is a known problem with chrysler. When I contacted the company as for as the safety warranty goes, they said I missed it by two weeks. It exploded due to faulty equipment. It is literally a time bomb waiting to go off. The driver side has not gone off, but I am afraid it will deploy when drivin... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect. Recall consequences: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury or death.
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
Tilt sensors, upper air bags deployed almost causing a catastrophic crash. I did report to gm but I have not received answers yet. Vehicle deployed air bags without warning.
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
Tesla met with an head on collision with another Toyota. Tesla’s airbags didn’t deploy and i had my 6 year old in car as well. The other car which was 2007 toyota, its airbag still worked.
Crash
Incident date: Jul 13, 2024
I was in the highway at about 60 mph and the air bag light came on also the check engine light and I heard a sound and my car lost power I was able to get to the side lane then when it stopped all the way I started the car but would not go pass 30 mph and would barely go on reverse took it to mechanic they said it was the transmission tried to charge me $ 4,700 haven’t drove it since
Incident date: Jul 13, 2024
"I was driving when the passenger airbag light came on and wouldn't turn off. At the same time, my steering wheel locked up, and my car started making a whining/humming sound. The lights began blinking on and off, and the battery light came on, even though the battery was brand new. Finally, my car completely shut off while I was driving in the middle of the street." A few years ago, I encountere... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2024
As I was driving down the road, doing about 40-45 mph, the airbag in my driver's seat headrest deployed. I was jolted forward and suffered neck and back pain, as well as a headache. Due to the neck and back pain, I had to visit the ER and have a CT scan done. There were no lights on the dash at the time of this happening to indicate it was going to malfunction. This has not been investigated yet, ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2024
Vehicle displayed an air bag light for the passenger seat. I disconnected the battery let it sit for an hour. Then I cycled the key to run and back to off. I checked the seat connectors and detached and reattached the connectors. Then reinitializes the battery. I got in the vehicle turned the key on and cleared the codes with a obd2 tool. When the airbag module cleared the side curtain and front a... Read more
HYUNDAI
ELANTRA HYBRID
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Jul 13, 2024
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
tilt steering wheel usage is causing wires in steering culumb to break