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: May 21, 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: May 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 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
Incident date: Jun 3, 2024
An alert stated: "RCM_a056 Front passenger safety restraint system fault." Upon bringing car to Tesla service center, Tesla stated: "Confirmed concern through vehicle logs. Found vehicle needing passenger ocs retrofit to resolve issue. Customer declined repair." They wanted over $1,200.00 for a faulty seat sensor because they claimed they couldn't replace the seat sensor without replacing the en... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2023
I think that’s it’s appalling that the NHTSA cannot put more pressure on Chrysler to figure out a faster way to fix this deadly defect that is killing people. How long am I expected to wait for this repair? What liability does Chrysler have if I get into an accident and am injured by shrapnel from the air bag igniter. I thought that the NHTSA is there to protect the public. The mission of... Read more
FORD
ESCAPE HYBRID
(2011) - AIR BAGS
Jun 3, 2024
Incident date: Mar 7, 2019
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 contacted. The manufacturer was contacted but the contact was unable to inform the manufac... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2024
My car is included by year in the current airbag recall. However it comes up negative and the airbag icon started blinking last week. There were no incidents prior to the blinking.
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2023) - AIR BAGS
Jun 3, 2024
Incident date: Jun 2, 2024
The contact owned a 2014 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle was crashed into the driver's side front and driver's side passenger doors by another vehicle. The contact stated that the crash pushed her vehicle into the guard rail on the passenger side. The contact stated that there were no serious injuries to the other four passengers, but all were t... Read more
5 injured
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
The seatbelt and passenger airbag systems go on and off making alarms go off. Making the vehicle unsafe in accidents. After taking my vehicle in for inspection, Audi stated that the component that has to be changed has been a recall in other Audi vehicles and is not covered under warranty.
Incident date: May 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard and failed to stop as needed. No warning lights appeared on the instrument panel and the forward collision avoidance feature failed to operate as needed. Due to the failure, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 3500
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Jun 3, 2024
Incident date: May 31, 2024
I was driving down the street and all side airbags deployed out of nowhere, the seats belts that were not occupied locked, the seat belts that were occupied did not lock. The vehicle was able to drive to safety. The back latch would not open to allow me to remove my stroller.
Incident date: May 3, 2024
Side impact airbag didn't deploy causing head injury to driver. Van was hit at high speed by impaired driver who ran a red light. Van has hit from the driver's side in the engine compartment just in front of the driver. The engine was basically laying in the street after the impact.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 19, 2024
on 5/28/24 the vehicle air bag lights and front passenger seat light was flashing and an alarm continuously went off with a message to visit a dealer for service. On 5/29/24 the vehicle was brought in for inspection to a Toyota dealer. I was told an electrical wiring needed to be replaced. Dealership did that but it did not correct the issue. Codes were not resetting. They are now saying it is... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (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 th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
My car started giving me an alert for a "Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault". There has been no accident to cause an issue. I'm being told by the service center that it is a known occurrence and certain models/years, require a new safety vent type front passenger airbag to maintain compatibility between the front passenger seat and the front passenger airbag.
Incident date: May 30, 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
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2020) - AIR BAGS
Jun 3, 2024
Incident date: May 22, 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 experi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirm... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2024
involved in a multi car accident at the intersection of [XXX] , and [XXX] bound on ramp at [XXX] and the other two parties involed air bags deployed . I t boned the car traveling on [XXX] that had ran the intersection red light after the incrdent i was facing acroos all lanes of traffic and a car traveling the same direction hit me in the passenger front door and no air bags deployed in my 2016... Read more
Crash
1 injured
MERCEDES-BENZ
S 580
(2021) - AIR BAGS
Jun 1, 2024
Incident date: Jan 3, 2022
I noticed there are 5 recalls on the yr make and model of my suv and I need it fixed plz
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
When i have a passenger in the car I will intermittantly get the warning "Passenger restraint system malfunction" which will turn off the air bag to the passenger side when driving even when there is a passenger in the car. From forums it sounds like there is a pressure pad in the seat that is a very common malfunction for BMW. This seems like a pretty critical part to ensure the airbags are opera... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2024
On May 4th, at approximately 6:45 AM, I was driving in heavy rain at a speed under 65 miles per hour when my car hydroplaned and I lost control. This resulted in a significant accident. Despite the severity of the crash, the steering wheel airbag did not deploy, which resulted in a whiplash neck injury for me. There were no warning lamps or messages indicating a problem before the incident. Howeve... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 30, 2024
Non functioning passenger side airbag requiring replacement of passenger side seat and airbag. Diagnosis made at Authorized Nissan dealer, Eugene Oregon
Incident date: May 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle ahead abruptly stopped, and the contact was unable to slow the vehicle in time. As a result, the contact's vehicle rear-ended the vehicle ahead. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repair... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. 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 made aw... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 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: May 31, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side headrest air bags were deployed unintendedly. The contact stated that the passenger’s side headrest air bag had deployed independently before the other failure. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehi... Read more
Incident date: May 31, 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: May 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (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 made... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated that while driving or parked, the “Air Bags Deactivated” and “Seat Belt Detached” warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a local dealer. The independent mechanic performed an electronic reset on the vehicle and the lights were off for one day; however, the failure reoccurred. The independent... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
Recall is over 1 year old now with no viable solution from manufacturer. This timeframe is not acceptable to resolve a safety issue.
Incident date: May 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag sensor warning light illuminated and the seat warming function failed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the wiring in the seat was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made a... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2013) - AIR BAGS
May 31, 2024
Incident date: May 31, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the air bag warning light had been illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was scanned and diagnosed with DTC code: B1B02; for a failure with the driver’s side air bag. Additionally, the clock spring test had failed internally. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaire... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 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
Incident date: May 30, 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: May 31, 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 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 wa... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 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
ALFA ROMEO
STELVIO
(2018) - AIR BAGS
May 31, 2024
Incident date: Jan 1, 2021
Was slowly entering my garage when there was a sudden acceleration. Put on brake but not before my car went thru the back garage wall and fell about four feet down before hitting the patio floor. It traveled across the patio and went over some furniture on the deck. The air bag never went off. The transmission had been very temperamental before this happened. I was not injured but could have cause... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 29, 2024
The dashboard has so many cracks literally everywhere. All the way from the driver side to the passenger side. When the temperature changes hot to cold or cold to hot. There’s nothing but cracking sounds.
Incident date: May 13, 2024
The contact called on behalf of his daughter who owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V459000 (Air Bags) and was repaired under recall. The contact stated that after the recall repair, the Cruise Control would inadvertently activate or deactivate intermittently. The contact stated the remedy included tying and rerouting the wires so that oth... Read more
Incident date: May 19, 2024
My intent is to file a complaint. I received a notification about a recall that was issued May 10, 2023 related to the driver's side airbag inflator that will may "rupture and cause metal fragments to pass through the airbag and into the vehicle interior, which may result in injury or death to vehicle occupants." I have contacted the dealership that sold the vehicle to me ten times in the past ye... Read more
Incident date: Mar 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was ... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2024
Front airbag and rollover airbag are not working.
Incident date: Jun 30, 2023
Dealership sold me a car that had faulty air bags but neither the manufacturer nor a dealership is wanting to correct the problem. Please help.
Incident date: May 26, 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirm... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2024
Vehicle was parked in my front yard and sometimes between the hours of 830am and 3pm the driver side headrest activated (popped). No warning lights before or after it activated. Issue could have caused an accident and possibly caused injury to myself or my children had I been driving when system activated. Vehicle is available for inspection Issue is a known problem as a simple Google sea... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's and passenger's side air bag warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the driver's side air bag. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failur... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 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 not 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... Read more
GRAND DESIGN
MOMENTUM
(2017) - AIR BAGS
May 30, 2024
Incident date: May 5, 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
Incident date: May 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 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