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 3, 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 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: Jul 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 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 4, 2024
Passenger Airbag on - Dashboard stating Airbag Faulty issue - Passenger Airbag turns off automatically
Incident date: Jul 3, 2024
ORC passenger seat deployment squib 1 reads a open circuit 1. Has been like this since the last airbag recall in 2019. Was supposed to had been fixed then and dealer was never able to fix the issue.
Incident date: Jun 22, 2024
Passenger airbag deployed with no impact, crash, or anything forceful to have activated it. Passenger airbag cracked windshield glass and injured passenger. An airbag issue was not included in any recall notification from manufacturer in the past year(s). No warning lamps appeared before the incident, which put my safety and the passengers safety at risk. I reported this to my insurance and have o... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 17, 2024
SRS System light came on. Air bags will not work when this light is on. Safety hazard.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 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 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
Incident date: Mar 25, 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: Jul 3, 2024
While parked the passenger side head rest opened up exposing the air bag ect stuff
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2023) - AIR BAGS
Jul 3, 2024
Incident date: Mar 25, 2024
The air bags deployed while the vehicle was in motion. No Collision or impact occurred.
Incident date: Jul 2, 2024
Starting Jun 15 2024 an error came up saying "Left Restraint System fault" after a remote software update for Model 3 2018 Tesla The Alert comes up intermittently & Tesla requires $359.50 to change First Row Seat Harness Assembly - Left
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
I took my Buick enclave into the gmc dealership two years ago for an service airbag light that kept coming on. They sent me home twice saying it was just a computer issue. Now this recall is out and I asked for my car to be serviced as I’m a mother of 4 and can’t stop driving my vehicle. They said that the part isnt out yet and nothing they can do. I’m having to drive a dangerous vehicle aro... Read more
ALFA ROMEO
GIULIA
(2019) - AIR BAGS
Jul 2, 2024
Incident date: Jun 22, 2024
I contacted my local Toyota dealership a couple months ago about air bag recall situation and they’ve told me the parts are not ready yet. Then I called just a couple days ago and they said that the wait time will be next year in 2025 about march or may and I asked the person working there if I would to get in a crash and the air bags don’t deploy what would I be able to do and they said you c... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2024
While I was driving my car the driver side airbag abruptly deployed. The airbag inadvertently deployed; the car did not crash into anything to cause the airbag to deploy. When the airbag erupted it caused injury to my head, face, hand, arm and wrist. I believe the airbag is defective because I have lacerations on my face possibly due to sharp objects ejecting from the airbag and the impact as well... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The hybrid warning system came on. The ready light is blinking and beeping. The car is jerking
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2010) - AIR BAGS
Jul 2, 2024
Incident date: Jul 2, 2024
i took the car to the GM dealer to fix the recalled item and was told the dashboard will crack and will need to be replaced when they pull the airbag out and i will need to pay for new dash board....i told them not to fix it....
Incident date: Jun 14, 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 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 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 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
CHRYSLER
PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2023) - AIR BAGS
Jul 2, 2024
Incident date: Jun 30, 2024
was driving in a rainstorm, a storm drain cap was pushed up and popped rear passenger tire. set off ALL passenger side airbags. I have a police report, numerous photos and videos.
Crash
Incident date: Jan 31, 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 contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated intermittently while starting the vehicle. The d... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2024
Passenger air bag sensors are faulty. The passenger air bag "off" warning light stays on even when the seat is empty which indicates that the passenger air bag system is compromised. The vehicle is available for inspection.
Incident date: Jun 8, 2024
With a front seat passenger, using the autos seat belt, at the height of 5’ 6” and a 145lbs. The airbag off light will come on, indicating the airbag system has been turned off. This is intermittent and at times the issue can be resolved with pulling the vehicle over. Turning the engine off, asking the passenger to step out of the vehicle (at times on the shoulder of a major interstate), clos... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2024
Passenger SRS system fault. Initial error is due to a fault with the occupancy sensor. Presumably disabling or degrading seatbelt pre accident tensioning and proper airbag deployment. Also causes repeated & distracting beeps throughout drive.
Incident date: May 19, 2024
Car had known recall and dealership was notified prior to this happening and I was advised that I was fine. Few months later, oil pump failed and seized engine while merging onto I40 with my 2 children in the backseat. Crash had almost happened but I was able to safely stop the vehicle and remove my kids from the smoking car. Small grass fire started under the car as the oil flooded from underneat... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jun 29, 2024
I have a occupancy sensor error which has turned off the airbags on the passenger seat. I looked up the issue and found an open recall with Subaru regarding this issue. I spoke with multiple case managers to resolve the issue. They said they have reported the issue to NHTSA but it is not an active recall because they have yet to find a solution. So they have no responsibility to fix the issue at t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
A light on the dash went on and we were told it was the airbag clock spring steering column. At cost of over $900 we had to have it repaired. There were previous recalls on the Hyundai sonatas for this part and I think it should be covered. The car has only 60,000 miles on it
Incident date: Sep 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V370000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the recall repair was completed. The contact stated that the vehicle was at the dealer for a week for the recall repair. The contact stated that while the vehicle was still at the dealer, the vehicle was started, and the air bag warning li... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
My airbag light comes on intermittently and will show a passenger is not in my front seat when they are. I took my car to the dealer and they got a current and past code B0074 for the passenger presence module. There was a recall (18208) for this on certain 2016 Malibus but my vin was not included.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The contact owned a 2007 GMC Yukon XL. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
Incident date: Jun 24, 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a f... Read more
Incident date: Jun 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (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 wa... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2024
all side airbags deployed for no reason on my driveway at a speed of less than 15 miles per hour. the front airbags did not deploy. no accident. no damage.
Incident date: Jun 30, 2024
Apparently faulty sensor that then needs to replace airgbag and now it’s costing $1833!
CONTINENTAL
PROCONTACT TX
(9999) - AIR BAGS
Jul 1, 2024
Incident date: Jun 25, 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 12, 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not exp... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The contact owned a 2022 Ram 2500. The contact stated while a company employee was driving at 45 MPH through an intersection with a green light, the vehicle was impacted on the front passenger side. The other vehicle failed to yield at a yellow blinking light at the intersection causing the impact. No air bags deployed. No warning light had illuminated. The driver sustained unknown injuries and re... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The SRS light comes on and once cleared/reset it will typically return after 2-4 trips. it was confirmed when the car when air bags were checked for recalls. This first appeared in 2018 with airbag recalls. It became a recurring issue in 2021 when after each reset it would return. The reset would last months and when the battery was drained it might reappear. In 2024 Jan. the reset and light retur... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
It's been over a year since the recall was issued and still no fix? This has affected my ability to sell the vehicle.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (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... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 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 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
Incident date: Jun 17, 2024
My trailer brake service light is on and my trailer brakes don’t work . That’s about all I can think of and haven’t been able to figure out the fix.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
Incident date: Jun 29, 2024
There was no damage to my headrest when I parked my car on the evening of: June 29, 2024. On Sunday morning; June 30, 2024. When I entered my vehicle. I learned that the driver seat headrest; airbag deployed/busted open for no apparent reason. My children travel with me in this vehicle. This is very, very dangerous!
Incident date: Jun 25, 2024
My emergency brake doesn't work and light is on,and air bags did not deploy when I was hit from behind.
Crash
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
Can't trade vehicle in due to recall not being fixed by GM
DODGE
CHALLENGER
(2010) - AIR BAGS
Jun 30, 2024
Incident date: Jun 30, 2024
I was getting on the freeway when my truck either got hit by someone or it sped up without me pressing the gas causing me to spin and catch the bushes on the side of the on-ramp where I rolled and slammed my front end continuing to roll 3 times. I broke my back due to the airbag failure to deploy
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 29, 2024
I need to address a serious issue regarding the car I purchased in 2020 from a private vendor. Upon taking the car to Crown Dodge Dealership in Ventura County for repair, I had to pay roughly $700 out of pocket for the service and rented a car from Hertz for the days I was without my car. However, upon receiving the car back, it still had unresolved issues with the electrical components and dashbo... Read more
BRIDGESTONE
TURANZA QUIET TRACK ALL SEASON
(9999) - AIR BAGS
Jun 29, 2024
Incident date: Jun 29, 2024
Driver side seat. AHR deployed without impact. Plastic piece holding retaining pin snapped
Incident date: Jun 29, 2024
Passenger Occupancy Sensor (0152612) failed causing airbag and seatbelt warning lights to illuminate. Airbag was not functional while lights were on. Dealer diagnosed and repaired issue for $892.