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: Jun 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 local dealer was contacted 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 not made awa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 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: Apr 5, 2024
Water is leaking into the vehicle through the airbag located for the rear passenger.
Incident date: Apr 20, 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: Mar 31, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Buck Enclave. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced under an unidentified recall, the local dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the air bag needed to be replaced. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the repair was not covered under the recall associated with the VIN. The contact was informed that the repair ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda CX-7. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 35 MPH, the driver's side and passenger’s side air bags independently deployed. There was no accident to cause the air bags to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was driven back to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was no... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2024
My husband and I got this vehicle from a used dealership, which they did not tell my husband it had a recall on it before we got it or we never would have gotten it, on March 2,2024. I found out about the driver side airbag recall on March 21, 2024. I called GM dealership about the recall the same day I found out about it, and they ordered the part and told me they would call when the part came in... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
There was no incident yet light came on dash 2 days ago and I got a letter in mail for a recall
Incident date: Jun 11, 2024
The contact owned a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while making a right turn, a Dodge Ram truck ran through a stop sign causing the contact to crash into the truck head-on. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact's daughter arrived at the scene and transported him to the local hospital to be evaluated for brain, neck, left-hand fingers, swollen right leg, and back pain injuries that ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light was illuminated and a system braking assist message was displayed. The contact stated that several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure ... Read more
Incident date: May 16, 2024
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 local dealer was contacted 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 not made a... Read more
Incident date: May 24, 2024
The Side Detection System Modules are preventing the vehicle blind spot system to work correctly. and the vehicle takes 5, 10, 15 + attempts to start up.
Incident date: May 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and other unknown dealers were 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... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Acura RDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and other unknown dealers were 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 ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TAOS
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Jun 11, 2024
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
The contact owned a 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, he lost control of the vehicle after driving over a pothole and crashed into a telephone pole. The pole fell on the vehicle and the fire department had to remove the contact from the vehicle. The front passenger's side of the vehicle was damaged. The air bags in the vehicle failed to deploy... Read more
Crash
1 injured
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2018) - AIR BAGS
Jun 11, 2024
Incident date: May 27, 2024
Another vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign and ran into the front driver side of my vehicle. Air bags were supposed to be deployed on my vehicle due to the impact of the collision, however, they were not. Air bags could have prevented injury if they had functioned properly. Vehicle is now a total loss.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 5, 2024
Clock Spring in steering wheel is broken. Driver Airbag is non-functional, as are the controls on the steering wheel. No Driver air bag is a huge safety issue! We immediately "scheduled" an appointment to have this issue repaired. At the appointment, a VW dealer (VW Castle Downers Grove IL) confirmed the issue and noted that this was the subject of a recall (15V483000) with an ongoing & perpe... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2024
IN THE WEBSITE IT SHOWS THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE DOOR LOCK BUT WHEN I ENTERED MY VIN#IT DOESN'T SHOW OUTSTANDING RECALLS. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S BECAUSE IT WAS PREVIOUSLY CORRECTED BUT THE PASSENGER DOOR ISN'T OPENING NEITHER FROM THE INSIDE NOR THE OUTSIDE.
Incident date: May 22, 2024
Electric pole broken onto the street and hit the car, cause severe damage to the front-left-corner on the Chevy Bolt EV 2023. The airbags did not deploy. Safety of the driver and infant was diminished greatly.
Crash
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2011) - AIR BAGS
Jun 11, 2024
Incident date: Jun 10, 2024
The car issued me a "front left safety restraint system fault" saying service is required. The code it flashed was RCM_a021. I am able to get the code to go away by adjusting the seat, however, if i shift my weight or i hit a bump in the road, the warning will appear once again. This leads me to believe that there is a component in the seat that is defective. I took vehicle to the Tesla servi... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Jun 11, 2024
Incident date: Jun 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Legacy. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (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: Jun 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Infiniti M37. The contact stated that the front passenger's side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was quoted a diagnostic fee and declined to pay the fee. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the fai... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 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: Jun 10, 2024
Last week, the air bag warning light came on in my 2017 Nissan Altima - the very same day as the recall was published about the recall on older Nissans - but my vin was not among those recalled - I called the dealership and was told it would have to be replaced at my cost - I have done nothing to cause this problem and do not feel I should be responsible for repairs concerning this matter - I regu... Read more
Incident date: May 24, 2024
i made appointments at 2 different Nissan dealers and contacted Nissan corporate about my airbag recall. Dealers were neither able or willing to obtain parts Walzer Nissan, Coon Rapids MN and Miller Nissan, St Cloud Mn. Ive received several notices about the recall but im told Nissan is not obligated to fix the problem, just notify me
Incident date: Jun 10, 2024
My car on the dash board states NO BUS
Incident date: Jun 22, 2021
I've been into automobile accidents and the passenger airbag never deployed. Few years back I took my vehicle for the sticky dashboard recall, Toyota replaced it. Few years later the dashboard is sticky and shiny worst than the first time, I called Toyota to get it replaced free of charge and they told me that is not the responsibility and denied to fix the replaced sticky dashboard. I almost hav... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 10, 2024
The manufacturer has not provided a fix for this recall in an appropriate amount of time.
Incident date: Jun 9, 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: May 27, 2024
The contact owned a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while his mother was driving approximately 37 MPH, a second vehicle crashed into the rear passenger side causing the vehicle to go airborne and crash. During the crash, the front driver's side and front driver's side curtain air bags did not deploy. The driver's chest impacted the steering wheel causing her heart to sustain severe pres... Read more
Crash
2 deaths
Incident date: Jan 4, 2024
I don't have an incident yet, am looking for someone to address my issue with the local Ford dealer I have received several notifications that the airbag in my 2010 Ford ranger needs to be replaced. I have called their number over & over, they dont answer, the # 479 582 6210. The letters I get say they will come to me & fix this. This has been ongoing for at least 2 years now. I am [XXX] yo [... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2024
Passenger air bag has been recalled and replaced twice. Drivers air bag light has been on quite some time. Has it or will it be recalled?
Incident date: Feb 1, 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
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Jun 10, 2024
Incident date: Jun 7, 2024
No fix after 2 years, not conformable holding a mine while driving
DRV
FULL HOUSE
(2020) - AIR BAGS
Jun 10, 2024
Incident date: Jun 8, 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 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
FORD
FUSION ENERGI
(2017) - AIR BAGS
Jun 10, 2024
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
SRS AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES CONTINUOUSLY. STARTED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO (MARCH 2024) TOOK CAR TO REPAIR SHOP, STATED OCS CONTROL UNIT AND PASSENGER OCCUPANT SENSORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. TOOK TO A NISSAN DEALER FOR 2ND OPINION. STATED TODAY THEY WILL REPLACE OCS CONTROL UNIT & PASSENGER OCCUPANT SENSORS. IS THIS SOMETHING THAT COULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL EVENT?
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
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, 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 mad... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 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: Jun 10, 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, 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: May 29, 2024
Airbag warning light continuously on, a 2018 recall that was repaired by KIA dealership and seemingly recurring.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2018) - AIR BAGS
Jun 9, 2024
Incident date: Jun 7, 2024
The passenger airbag light started coming on and going off intermittently. After several weeks of this, it was on every time the car is driven. Testing by an ASE certified mechanic revealed that the permanent light results in no front seat airbags. The failed part is the seat presence sensor. The part is - and hasn't been for quite a while - manufactured by GM. Aftermarket parts are costly and the... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2018) - AIR BAGS
Jun 9, 2024
Incident date: Jun 7, 2024
My car smells like oil burning with white smoke .and the valve cover leaks and the head gasket is damaged I need help still an issue the air bag light on.this car is un safe.
HANKOOK
VENTUS V2 CONCEPT 2
(9999) - AIR BAGS
Jun 8, 2024
Incident date: Jun 8, 2024
With only 41,289 miles, "Driver Restraint System Malfunction" notification came on soon after the car was started. BMW dealer advised that it was due to faulty knee airbag module on driver side (fault code 930949-short circuit to ground). The wiring harness going to the knee airbag may have been rubbing against the support tube of the instrument panel. Cost to fix is parts $1,288 and labor $1,282.... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2024
In June of 2023 I was notified of a recall on my 2024 Traverse. The notification states that if the airbag were to deploy, there is a chance of shrapnel being fired into the cabin and killing the occupants. (Recall N232404980). I have reached out to my local Chevy dealer multiple times and been told that there is no resolution at this time. As of today, I checked GM's web site and there is sti... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2024
Timing chain broken, sas light on, drivetrain malfunction…
Incident date: Jul 1, 2020
Passenger safety restraint system warning occurred. meaning passenger air bag is not effective. Upon searching internet for the problem I realized this has been a common issue with BMW's for years. It is a very expensive fix and is a safety hazard. My dealership wants $2700 to fix the pressure sensor in the passenger seat. Until I can get this fixed I am not going to transport any passengers in t... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2024
The airbag light came on and shortly thereafter the steering wheel buttons stop working, the steering was stiff and harder to turn and ultimately the horn stop working. I feel driving a vehicle with a broken clock spring is extremely dangerous and is a safety issue.
Incident date: Oct 15, 2023
The recall has been active on my vehicle for over a year now with no means of fixing the issue. I have contacted buick dealerships in my area and they have stated they have no ability to repair the recall and do not know when or if they will be able to. I do not know what my options are as my vehicle is still financed through my bank but I do not feel safe driving it or having my children in the c... Read more
Incident date: Jun 7, 2021
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving the vehicle at 45 MPH the front passenger tire flew off which caused the driver's front air bag to deploy with no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after the air bag deployed his vehicle veered off the road and crashed into a cement block wall. The contact sustained injuries and was transported to the Banner B... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V001000 (Air Bags) 21V158000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.