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: Mar 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the front driver's side airbag cover was fractured, and the airbag had become partially visible. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the dealer determined that the front driver's side airbag cover needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: SSM-... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2023) - AIR BAGS
Mar 26, 2024
Incident date: Mar 21, 2024
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding a recurring issue with my vehicle's airbag system. Despite no physical damage to the vehicle and no apparent impact on the functionality of the airbag system, I am consistently receiving a "Check Airbag System" warning code. This message intermittently appears and disappears, causing significant uncertainty and raising serious safety concerns. Giv... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2024
My car was struck by another car that was traveling at a high speed. It hit my front fender, the side of the front bumper, and drivers door. I slammed into the door. The car was inspected by police and insurance representatives. The car was deemed a total loss but none of the airbags deployed in the crash. There were no warnings or signs of failure prior to the crash.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 24, 2024
GM had informed about a safety recall on 2023-05-10 (almost an year ago) - NHTSA ID - [XXX] . I have been following up with GM as well as the Chevy Service Dealer and have been informed that a remediation is not available yet. I am not able to sell my car at the price it deserves due to the recall. Also I have not been driving my car long distances due to the Safety Risk Description: An inflator ... Read more
FORD
ESCAPE HYBRID
(2021) - AIR BAGS
Mar 26, 2024
Incident date: Mar 11, 2024
Unknown. Steering and brakes locked so i lost all control of the vehicle doing about 60 mph down the highway. Which resulted in being drove off the side of the highway through a fence hitting 2 trees before rolling twice. The airbags never deployed and both my passenger and i were taken to the hospital by ambulance. They sustained deep bruising and i suffered a closed wedge compression fracture o... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Mar 6, 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. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that p... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2007 Honda Accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V182000 (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 while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag and check engine warning lights illu... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 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. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that p... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the air bag warning illuminated. 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 ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 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. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2024
I received a message on the screen saying there was a problem with the OCS and that it needed to be serviced immediately. I take it to Tesla service and they tell me they will need to do the following: 1. Replace MODULE - OCS FILTER 2. Retrofit SBR in OCS Equipped Front Passenger Seat - Remove and Replace 3. Replace FIRST ROW SEAT HARNESS 4. Replace FIRST ROW - SEAT BELT REMINDER SENSOR B... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 2500
(2021) - AIR BAGS
Mar 26, 2024
Incident date: Mar 20, 2024
Recall 23V215 has been open for a year with no remedy in sight. The vehicle's front passenger seat is critical to transporting my family from place to place as our other vehicle does not fit our entire family. We are forced to unsafely operate our VW Atlas on occasion, significantly increasing risk of a family member being harmed in a collision scenario.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
There is a recall on certain vehicles for air bags I also am experiencing a problem with mines
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2021) - AIR BAGS
Mar 26, 2024
Incident date: Feb 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 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 experienced a failure. VIN tool con... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was rear-ended. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that the other driver was driving at about 45 MPH when the contact's vehicle was rear-ended. A police report was filed. The contact did not seek medical attention at the scene but later went t... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 15, 2023
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
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2023) - AIR BAGS
Mar 26, 2024
Incident date: Mar 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Honda HR-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 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 ma... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V720000 (Structure) and 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the parts to do the recall repairs 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 aware of the issue. The contact stated that the lo... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2024
On [XXX], my wife was driving to a local business here in Las Vegas, NV. Upon her arrival she proceeded to pull into a parking spot she slowed down to pull into the parking spot keeping her foot on the brake at all times when she reached the parking block she firmly pressed the brake to place the vehicle in park. While her foot is still on the brake the vehicle took off at a high rate of speed cau... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 8, 2024
Front Passenger OCS errors - Tesla work quote (via Tesla Service Bulletin, not Recall) is to replace the OCS system & front airbag - totaling $1,200 for the repair. This is extremely common error code for Tesla's "Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault".
Incident date: Mar 25, 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2024
A Nissan Rouge hit my car took off the entire front of the car and the air bags did not deploy.
Crash
GMC
SIERRA 2500
(2024) - AIR BAGS
Mar 25, 2024
Incident date: Mar 25, 2024
The contact owned a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the son was driving at 46-47 MPH and turning left when another vehicle driving at 65-70 MPH crashed into the entire driver's side of the vehicle causing the vehicle to spin approximately 3 - 4 times before coming to a stop in the middle of the road. No air bags had deployed. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled by the insuranc... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 19, 2024
I was in a car accident on 10/31/2023. the air bags did not deploy and the seat belt (Pretensioners) did not engage as a result of this high impact force. Esis- General Motors inspected the vehicle and provided the crash data retrieval report, attached. There were no problems prior to the accident.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the clockspring. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bag... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2024
Airbag light came on for about four days I called dealership but then went off for a week, so appointment was canceled. After that airbag light came on again scheduled another appointment by time I reached dealership light was back off. After diagnostic was performed results came back Airbag Module Internal Failure needed to be replaced and reprogram
Incident date: Dec 12, 2018
My car has a recall, and the dealership is unable to fix it. There is also an issue with the oem control module that they are unable to get the part and unable to fix this because they do not have the correct software.
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Mar 25, 2024
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
The contact owned a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated her son was driving the vehicle and while depressing the brake pedal to switch to the right lane, the engine RPMs revved and the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. As a result, the driver crashed into the rear of the vehicle in front. The navigation display turned black and no warning light was illuminated. The air bag underneath the steering ... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
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 m... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. 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... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
SPRINTER 2500
(2023) - AIR BAGS
Mar 25, 2024
Incident date: Mar 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 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 not mad... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2024
The turbo sounds like it's not going in/out of gear, oil going into spark plugs, radiator fluid leaking system getting real hot. Low engine poer picking up speed an issue. Air bag rear brake light malfunction, oil pressure not correct
Incident date: Mar 24, 2024
Recall on driver side airbag still without a remedy at this time. I would like to get this taken care of asap if I could. Thank you.
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
On [XXX] my wife was driving to a place of business here in Las Vegas, NV at approximately [XXX]. She proceeded to pull into a parking spot with her foot on the brake pulling up to the parking block. She never took her foot off the brake preparing to stop once she reached the parking block. Once she reached the parking block she applied the brakes firmly to bring the car to a stop, however, the ca... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 3, 2024
Passenger airbags didn't deploy during a head on collision. Passenger also was hit in her breast by something that came out of driver airbag. No prior airbag warnings. ThP and insurance have inspected the car.
Crash
Incident date: Mar 24, 2024
The Grumman LLV was hit by the driver of the Chevy Malibu. The Grumman LLV had seatbelt issues with impact. The LLV was forced over on two wheels with left side impact from the driver of Chevy Malibu. [XXX] was the driver of the USPS Grumman LLV at the time of accident sustaining neck injuries requiring medical attention. Multiple medical procedures paid out of pocket followed to include surg... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
driver's air bag module - An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. The vehicle has been acknowledged by Chevrolet to be one of the vehicles affected by the recall, but they do not have any replacements and they do not know if or when any replacements will be available.
Incident date: Mar 2, 2024
Airbags are not faulty if you look at sticker they have warning due to old age the plastic becomes brittle and can cause fragments to impale driver only way to prevent this is not replace the airbag but to cover with duct tape, this recall needs to be updated Takata is not responsible, they operate as designed as I said the air bag fill with high pressure air and in older cars will crack plastic c... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2024
Passenger-restraint system This light has turned on and I see that certain BMW’s had recalls on this exact issue. Not sure why my 2013 328i was not included in the recall.
Crash
Incident date: Dec 19, 2023
Air bag lights it’s on, I’m already went to a shop and they put the scanner and said that there’s no air bag And transmission go out with 78xxx miles
Incident date: Feb 22, 2024
Horn only working when the steering wheel is turned., my worries are these are is the same symptoms of an issue that forced a recall with clock springs for mo year 2012 tacomas in 2016.
Incident date: Aug 13, 2021
The airbag recall was acknowledged 3 years ago and there is still no "remedy" for the dangerous recall. After 3 years with no solution, that is far from "timely manner" for this problem. (As a mother with three small children in the car, the airbags are the most important safety feature)
Incident date: Mar 17, 2023
Every time my wife gets into the front passenger seat the sensor in the seat doesn’t recognize her sitting down and doesn’t active the passenger side airbag also the climate control is inactive. Rivian claims that there is a seat weight limit but my wife weighs 145 lbs. this happens all the time until my wife moves around enough to activate it. Then sometimes it turns off in the middle of a dr... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
Well I am uncertain but we have two 2006 Cadillac cts and both have had multiple transmissions replaced. Multiple differential problems and air bag and wireing problems
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
Code B1018 failing Occupant sensor in the passenger seat
Incident date: Feb 26, 2024
Passenger occupancy system seems flaky when my fiance sits in the passenger seat - sometime it takes 30 seconds to register she is there, sometimes it goes off while we are driving if she makes slight adjustments in the seat (while sitting straight and not in any awkward position), which can be dangerous if we were in a near crash situation, her weight shifted causing the airbag not to deploy. Alt... Read more
Incident date: Feb 22, 2024
Out of no where when I cranked my car the airbag light came on in my car. I took it to have a diagnostic test done and the report shows short circuit at steering gear and driver air bag squib. When I look up my make and model a previous recall for driver airbag comes up, but it's not assigned to my specific vin. Also, there was a previous recall for the steering gear bolts on my make and model but... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 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 and the contact was informed that the parts are not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The man... Read more