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: Sep 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer 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 confirms parts not yet... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2022
A small crack appeared mysteriously on the front windshield and has spread - over the past month - where it now covers 1/2 of the windshield. Nothing hit my car, to create the crack or make it spread. The right air bag light keeps going on and keeps beeping when there is no one sitting in the seat. The only way i can get it to stop is to engage the seat belt - again, even though there is no one ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 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 unavailable. 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 confirms parts not... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2023
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 made aware of the issue. 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 and confirmed that ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2023
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 unavailable. 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 confirms parts not... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 2500
(2020) - AIR BAGS
Nov 9, 2023
Incident date: Nov 7, 2023
The contact's son owned a 2012 GMC Yukon. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V051000 (Air Bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list as her son no longer owns the vehicle. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
Incident date: Nov 9, 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 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 manufac... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 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 unavailable. 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 confirms part... Read more
HYUNDAI
ELANTRA GT
(2017) - AIR BAGS
Nov 8, 2023
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle traveling at approximately 50 MPH. No air bags were deployed. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact's husband was treated at the scene for neck and lower back pain and was released by EMS. However, h... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 3, 2023
I was in a hit and run accident and my car was totaled. I had a passenger and her airbags deployed but the driver side didn't. I had reported that the service airbag alert was on when I first got the vehicle at carmax and they told us to take it to the chevy service center . I picked up the car a few days later and was told that it was fixed but after the accident , I'm sure it wasnt.
Crash
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 14, 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 local dealer was made aware of the issue. 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 and confirmed that ... Read more
THOR MOTOR COACH
OMNI
(2023) - AIR BAGS
Nov 8, 2023
Incident date: Oct 10, 2023
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 unavailable. 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 confirms parts not... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
Door panels are separating from all interior doors. Separating has caused issues with doors locking and airbag deployment. This is an issue the manufacturer has been aware of for years yet still manufactures cars with this issue. Chrysler and Dodge vehicles. Issue is so common that replacement parts, which are not covered by manufacturer's warranty and can cost anywhere from $1000+ per door, are b... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2023
The drivers air bag actuator activated in a front end collision but the air bag didn't deploy.I explained the problem to the collision center of the dealership where the vehicle was taken.The insurance company has assigned an adjuster. There were no warning lights
Crash
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
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: Nov 5, 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 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... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2020) - AIR BAGS
Nov 8, 2023
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
Dash is cracked in so many spots and missing peices to where it is unsafe. In an accident those loose and broken peices can hurt a passenger/driver. Can't even get the airbag recall taken care of because the dash is too damaged.
Incident date: May 5, 2023
Was in a small accident the air bags never deployed but the seat belts locked saying that I needed to service my air bag system. As I did. The seat belts are no longer locked but the light is still on and the car is telling me to servic we the airbag system
Crash
Incident date: Nov 4, 2023
I got hit by a full size van at the red light and pushed to the traffic. Van is totaled and airbags deployed. I and my passenger got a whiplash, yet airbags deploy.
Crash
Incident date: Oct 31, 2023
Air bag light is on/ passenger side
Incident date: Oct 31, 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 unavailable. 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 confirms part... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2023
The component that failed is the air back clock spring. It’s preventing the horn form functioning properly. In turn can result in an accident from lack of warning other drivers and/or air bag might not go off. It seems to be a known problem on the 13 model year of the 4Runners. It has not been inspected as I’m not knowledgeable on what to do in that situation and the dealer says that I’d hav... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
Front right safety restraint system fault. Rear right safety restraint system fault.
Incident date: Oct 30, 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was m... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 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 local dealer was made aware of the issue. 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 and confirmed ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
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 made aware of the issue. 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 and confirmed ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 7, 2023
My car, a 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid, impacted an abandoned motorcycle on the dark road at full speed; however, none of the airbags deployed.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 8, 2023
My drivers side seat belt works sometimes and sometimes it doesn’t and also my passenger side airbag light stays on when starting the car it flashes a few times and then stays on
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
Front impact crash with two deer, rear seatbelt came unlatched causing car seat to fly into the front seat and the front seat belt did not lock nor did the airbags go off. No sensors alerted.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 5, 2023
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 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 manufac... Read more
Incident date: Sep 28, 2023
I wanted to file this because I feel this a safety concern. My vehicle has always been kept up on maintenance. One day out no where it started acting up my 2013 Chevy Cruze Ls. I had a shop come back after they did a diagnostic that is was a faulty throttle body sensor and Pcv. I have issues with it shutting off and I’ll have to coast it to stop.What I’m not understanding how can there be rec... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
Received a safety restraint warning message. Took the vehicle into the dealership and we were told that the passenger side seatbelt and front airbag needed to be replaced. We had it fixed, however it cost us $1400. The dealership would not replace it at no cost, even though we are shortly out of the warranty period and only at 51k miles.
Incident date: Sep 3, 2023
When driving sometimes the AIRBAG indicator light on the dash will turn on. Turning the car off and on will clear the light and it may not return for multiple drives. It's hard to replicate, but seems to happen while driving for a while. The car does not offer any other indication about the airbag's safety so I don't know if it is a faulty airbag system or a faulty indicator.
Incident date: Jul 28, 2022
The contact owned a 2011 Lexus 350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, her vehicle collided with another vehicle that ran a red light at 50 MPH on the front passenger side door. The impact caused the vehicle to careen off the roadway and collide with a billboard support beam where it came to stop. No air bags were deployed. A police report was filed, and injuries were r... Read more
Crash
1 injured
FORD
FUSION ENERGI
(2019) - AIR BAGS
Nov 6, 2023
Incident date: Oct 29, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Supplemental Restraint System Problem. See Your Dealer" and the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the warning lights were cleared; however, the failure reoccurred persistently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaire... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
We have been dealing with electrical issues with our Jeep for a few years now. About 2 months ago, the Airbag light turned on the dash, along with the Seatbelt light (although I am buckled in). I have now found that there are up to 6 recalls on the Airbag malfunctioning, but have never receive a recall or mention of this kind of malfunction when buying the car. How can I get this corrected? This c... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2023
I recently rear ended a car and the front of the vechical was damaged. The air bag censor was destroyed, however the airbags did not come out. This was on a 2018 Ford c-max. Many people pointed out this malfunction and how my life was put at risk.
Crash
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
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 unavailable. 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 m... Read more
Incident date: Nov 16, 2022
Car no under warranty anymore. Front left safety restraint system failed (It looks like the cable is a little too short to accommodate the full range of the seat and ends up getting damaged) . It looks like a widespread issue on online forums.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
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 unavailable. 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 confirms part... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
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 unavailable. 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 made ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2011) - AIR BAGS
Nov 6, 2023
Incident date: Sep 30, 2023
My airbag is defective and other vin numbers on my make and model and year were recalled and mine hasn’t and doesn’t work. Light still remains on. I have low mileage on my car too. Please do a recall on my airbag for my vin. I also have replaced my Cue system twice already . My model vin hasn’t been recalled for that either. I should be reimbursed for having to keep on replacing it.
Incident date: Oct 2, 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that when she started the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer was made ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2023
I got ZD1-00000 recall procedure done at Joe Cooper Dodge of Shawnee 4940 North Automall Dr. Shawnee, OK 74804. Recently I noticed my blower had started to perform rattling sounds, so I opened the glovebox, inspected the blower and found one little screw inside the turbine. I wondered where it should be screwed, so I looked everything around and realized the passenger-side airbag is screwed on 2... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2023
since this recall, in the last month my car now is telling me air bags need to be serviced. I am scared to drive in fear i get hit and the shards will erupt. This is a ticking time bomb. I get told by GMC parts are not available, then i get told they don't know what the fix is; Which one is it. i have asked them to give me a substantial Owners Loyalty compensation so i can get a new vehicle and... Read more
Incident date: Nov 3, 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 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: Nov 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag and the seat belt warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken the BMW dealer and diagnosed with failed front driver's side door air bag sensor and a failed passenger occupancy sensor. The contact was informed that the front driver's side door air bag sensor and the passenger's o... Read more
LAND ROVER
LR4
(2016) - AIR BAGS
Nov 6, 2023
Incident date: Nov 6, 2023
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 unavailable. 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: Oct 25, 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 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... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2023
Animal chewed the wiring harness causing an airbag malfunction warning and transmission failure. My safety was put at risk because the airbag wouldn't work and the transmission failed while I was driving. The vehicle is being repaired right now with a new harness. Talking with the insurance adjuster. I was informed this was a common issue with this vehicle due to the materials the manufacturer use... Read more