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
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Mar 19, 2024
Incident date: Mar 12, 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: Feb 4, 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: Nov 1, 2023
Airbag light came on and has since went off. The left buttons on the steering wheel intermittingly work both leading to a clockspring issue. There is a recall for 2016 F250 clockspring due to airbag issue and the 2016 Expedition uses the same part number clockspring. I think this recall should add other Ford models that use the exact same defective part in question.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
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: Jul 13, 2023
I've already submitted this complaint before and nothing is done by it and investigator investigated this but I'm still continuing to have this problem and Ford will not fix the issue unless I spend thousands of dollars. I am having an issue with the safety airbag system the AC system not working The windows do not work, passenger windows don't work , ac control system doesn't function...
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
My vin # [XXX] comes up as a 2 door 2011 infiniti g37. Mine is a 4 door. The problem is the air bag light started to blink and the airbag light would show passenger airbag. I've researched enough about the takata air bag recall and the 2011 infiniti g37 is a part of that recall. It's mind boggling just thinking about the dangers of my vehicle that I need to get to and from work daily as well putt... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
Vehicle was left in care of dealership service department after critical failure of engine. Determined that recall 162 was responsible and Hyundai would afford the repair. Vehicle at dealership for 5 months until repair could be scheduled. Repair complete, dealership advised us that the airbag light was illuminated. Technician performed "courtesy" diagnostic to read codes. Codes B1329 and B1331; f... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
A recall was sent out on 2023-05-10 NHTSA 23V334 for Driver Front Airbag Inflator May Rupture. It has almost been a year and a remedy is still not available. Safety Risk Description An inflator rupture may cause metal fragments to pass through the airbag and into the vehicle interior, which may result in injury or death to vehicle occupants. Based on the safety risk description this sounds pre... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2024
The contact owned a 2021 Toyota RAV-4. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle collided with a deer, and the front driver-side and knee air bags were deployed along with the front passenger-side air bag. The contact stated that the air bags were deployed with excessive force. The contact was unaware of any warning lights before the collision. The driver sustained... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
The contact owned a 2006 Volvo S60. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V766000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The manufacturer was not contacted.
Incident date: Jun 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (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 m... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
It has been nearly a year since Volkswagen announced a recall effecting airbags in the Atlas. My warning lights continue to go off intermittently. I have brought this to the attention of Volkswagen many times, to no avail. The recommendation is to not drive with a passenger in the passenger seat. Well, it has been a year, I bought this car to seat six. With no solution in sight, I feel I am bein... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the front driver's seat headrest was defective. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, who provided a cost for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 1... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds through a parking area, his foot slipped and the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, coming to a complete stop after crashing into an 8-inch barrier. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A Police report was not filed, and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the air bag and the seat belt warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger's side seat belt was defective. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to the take the vehicle to their location for diagnostic testing and repair. The vehic... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2024
GM refuses to replace the part, refund the vehicle, or replace it.
HYUNDAI
IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2019) - AIR BAGS
Mar 18, 2024
Incident date: May 8, 2023
WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ON WET ROADS RAINED THE NIGHT BEFORE AND WAS RAINING THAT MORNING, I ROUNDED THE LAST CURVED ON A 30 MPH ROAD AND I WAS ONLY DOING BETWEEN 25 TO 28 I STARTED SLIDING AND TURNED MY WHEEL LEFT HANDED SO HARD THAT IT BROKE THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH AND HIT HEAD ON INTO A TREE IT LIFTED THE REAR OF MY TRUCK UP AND SLAMMED IT BACK DOWN I HAD 300 LBS OF SAND RATCHET STRAPPED WITH 2... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
11 months since recall and VW has no fix!! This is not timely and continues to affect passenger safety inthe vehicle! How can you get VW to remedy or force them to buy back vehicles at a fair price!!
Incident date: Mar 14, 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
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2018) - AIR BAGS
Mar 18, 2024
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
See attached document for complaint
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2014) - AIR BAGS
Mar 18, 2024
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The car was involved in a fatal crash where the side impact airbag (side of fatality) failed to deploy and the EDR failed to fully comply with Part 563 requirements. All other airbags and rollover system deployed but the EDR recorded only the deployment of the side impact airbag on the driver side. The EDR included 6 events and some of them have severity less than the threshold required by the r... Read more
Crash
1 injured
1 deaths
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
The car initially had electrical and engine issues since may of 2022. The engine would fail mid drive and the car would turn of in the middle of driving and would lock up until engine would restart on its own. It stayed at the dealership for repairs until march of 2023. After many modifications and alterations and several new engines and transmission changes they returned the car to me on march of... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 27, 2024
Car was involved in a head on collision [XXX] with a concrete exit barrier after being pushed into the lane by a driver trying to in front of them trying to make a last second dash for the exit. Not sure if the driver was in blind spot, but the vehicle trying to merge did use turn signal or respond to horn honking from myself. In order to avoid the hitting the other driver, who was unaware of my ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 16, 2024
We are not able to get a recall completed with a problem known to cause death or injury if left unrepaired - the recall was listed publicly last May 2023 and no remedy is available to dealers to repair yet
Incident date: Mar 16, 2024
The brake lights keep going off, they have been replaced several times. The passenger airbag deployed on a stop sign and cracked the entire windshield. The steering wheel feels like it’s going to come off. Please help
Incident date: Mar 16, 2024
The transmission jerking/shuddering problem has been ongoing in the Nissan Pathfinder ever since a safety recall in 2014. Passenger airbag light is always on, even if an adult is seated there. The airbag warning light flashes on the dashboard. Nissan’s OCS system seems to be frequently complained about online. Dealers say it’s just wear and tear which is just unbelievable. Dealers quote repai... Read more
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2023) - AIR BAGS
Mar 16, 2024
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
Our airbags have been recalled since May 2023. There is no remedy available. I requested GMC to buyback the vehicle, and they denied. They said they have no solution for me.
Incident date: Jun 22, 2022
Passenger seat airbag light stays on all the time. Part to replace is no longer avaliable according to local Cadillac dealer.
Incident date: Feb 19, 2024
Unknown- manufacturer still has not found a remedy for the seatbelt air bag issue and it’s been a year since they announced it
OLIVER TRAVEL TRAILERS
LEGACY ELITE
(2018) - AIR BAGS
Mar 16, 2024
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
Air bag light will intermittently turn on in the digital cluster while driving.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS RECENTLY ILLUMINATED. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SCAN TOOL READING ON 3/15/24 SHOWS THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG TO HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED AND BECOME INOPERABLE. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY IMPACTS OR COLLISIONS.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
I'm getting an error for "Safety restraint system fault" on my Tesla Model 3. When I booked a service appointment it turns out they are wanting to charge $1,955.11 for replacing the Occupant Classification System (OCS) of the front passenger, updating the front passenger airbag, and installing a OCS filter module. This seems to be safety related and should be part of a recall. I have seen similar... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (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 dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was contacted, and the ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 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 15, 2024
The passenger airbag warning light had appeared intermittently but now is continuous, indicating that the passenger airbag will not function when someone is seated there. The car was taken to the dealer and I was told that the seat bottom would need to be replaced. There is a recall WUM-98 on this very issue for 2018 Foresters with heated seats which my car has. Neither the dealer nor Subaru o... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Oct 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contacted stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
VOLKSWAGEN
PASSAT
(2006) - AIR BAGS
Mar 15, 2024
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
They have not fixed it yet I took it months ago and they say they don't have a remedy, but on here it says to replace driver airbag. The airbag lights come on and stay on then go off so I think something is wrong. I take my kid to and from school everyday in this vehicle. Please make them fix it.
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (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 and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was contacted an... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
My family and I have been VW owners for over 60 years. Unfortunately, the 2006 VW Passat has been layered with defects, negligent manufacturing issues, faulty wiring, electrical problems, computer glitches, to mention a few. There have been many recalls including an official recall by the NHTSA, for steering linkage problems and tie rod assembly which caused a loss of steering, crashes and deaths.... Read more
TOYOTA
GRAND HIGHLANDER
(2024) - AIR BAGS
Mar 15, 2024
Incident date: Dec 24, 2023
There is a recall for the airbag light coming on the dashboard. Took the car to the dealership to get the car looked at, was informed their is a recall for the airbag light. Was told it was fixed, a week later the light came back on. Went back to dealership, this time they said it would need a new driver side seat and electrical panel replaced to be repaired correctly and to know 100 % the driver ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the front driver's side seat belt buckle assembly and the rear driver's side seat belt inflator were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The failure... Read more
FORD
ESCAPE PHEV
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Mar 15, 2024
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
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 and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was m... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2024
In March 2024 I received a letter from GM saying "that parts are now available to repair your vehicle" relating to the 2023 airbag recall. However, the local GM dealer advised me that while it placed an order for these parts 11 days ago, it still has not received the parts and told me that GM has provided no "ETA" for when these parts would be received. GM has failed to replace the airbag comp... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The passenger occupancy sensor does not accurately detect if there is a passenger. This results in the airbag being "off" when a passenger is in the car. This is a known defect for other 2015 subaru foresters, but is not listed as a defect with my VIN. The sensor will also error and require a buckle when there is no weight on the seat.
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2023) - AIR BAGS
Mar 15, 2024
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
Someone backed out of a parking lot and I crashed into their rear passenger side. Other party at fault but my air bags for 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport did not deploy.
Crash
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
I was in a rear collision with an SUV but my air bags to the 2016 Hyundai Sonata did not deploy. Everybody was OK and nobody was injured in both parties.
Crash
Incident date: Nov 27, 2023
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 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. Parts distributio... Read more
NISSAN
ROGUE SPORT
(2020) - AIR BAGS
Mar 15, 2024
Incident date: Sep 22, 2023
Airbag is deactivated due to failure of both crash sensors on the vehicle. Replacement parts are on national backorder.