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.

2,245,377 Total Complaints

140,173 Reported Crashes

56,794 Reported Fires

8,580 Reported 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

How to Read NHTSA Consumer Complaints › How NHTSA Investigations Work › Used Car: 7 Recall Checks to Run First › The Takata Airbag Recall: Full Story › OBD-II Codes Explained › All Articles ›

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Showing 129,250 complaints - component: AIR BAGS

Incident date: Jun 15, 2025

Driving on the interstate. Did not see or feel anything in the road. Airbags deployed and wrecked.

Crash

Incident date: Oct 18, 2025

The Seat Occupancy Detection System is malfunctioning. The passenger airbag warning light activates when a passenger occupies the passenger seat and the passenger overhead reading light remains on when the seat is occupied including overnight. These are established symptoms of Seat Occupancy Detection System failure. The manufacturer issued a warranty extension specifically covering this defect fo... Read more

Incident date: Nov 25, 2025

The same airbag error mentioned in recalls for other VINs of this vehicle is happening to this one. I think this VIN also needs to be included.

Incident date: Mar 2, 2026

On 11.25.25, my MDX was involved in a multi-car hit and run on highway 101 SB at the Laurel Drive off ramp. The vehicle sustained two points of impact: (1) substantial front/driver side impact (2) rear-passenger side impact. Despite the severity, location of impact and speed of travel at the time of the collision, all airbags deployed except for the driver side curtain airbag. Importantly, at t... Read more

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Dec 23, 2025

I have a 2007 Honda Pilot. While just taking off again from a stoplight, the passenger side, "curtain-side" airbags randomly deployed. The airbag light had been flickering on and off - it would then be on for a few moments, and turn back off, flicker again, and remain off, for about a day and a half, two days prior to this happening. There was no collision. There was no pothole. There was no harsh... Read more

Incident date: Mar 17, 2026

testung

Incident date: Dec 6, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while she and her children were stopped at a light and making a left turn, another vehicle accelerated through the yellow light and collided with the front of her vehicle. The air bags did not deploy in her vehicle, but they deployed in the vehicle that collided with her vehicle. The contact stated no one in her vehicle sustained any i... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Mar 11, 2026

I placed a bid on a vehicle at the co-part location in [XXX] . I reviewed the damage etc. and found it to be an acceptable risk. It was advertised that the car was in an accident with the passenger side and front grill damage. here was allegedly no damage to the motor and most importantly the airbags had not deployed. It was being sold with a salvaged title. Knowing these issues, I purchased th... Read more

Incident date: Feb 26, 2026

The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V034000 (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.

Incident date: Mar 8, 2026

The contact owned a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while the son was driving at approximately 52 MPH, the vehicle crashed head-on into a second vehicle. During the crash, no air bags had deployed, and the driver sustained fatal injuries. Also, during the crash, the ignition key broke off inside the ignition switch, and the vehicle was destroyed. A police report was taken at the sce... Read more

Crash 1 deaths

Incident date: Mar 16, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while parked at her work, she had attempted to start the vehicle and was unable. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The contact had smelled the strong odor of gasoline from the ... Read more

3 injured

Incident date: Jan 30, 2026

I got in a car crash the airbag deployed a was

Crash

Incident date: May 30, 2025

On 10/29/25 I brought the vehicle in to Richard Lucas Chevrolet due to the alert from my insurance co that there was a recall with parking brake system. The dealership checked the car and told me they had to order the part that was needed due to the recall. Prior I also made the dealer aware that the car had recently stalled on me in the middle of the street, I was told by the dealership that this... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Feb 1, 2026

My car was t-boned on the driver side and no airbags deployed. The outer door and window exploded with the force. We were also hit from behind

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Feb 1, 2026

Passenger seat capacity sensor fault. Will not activate passenger side air bag. Checked with obd scanner

Incident date: Dec 16, 2025

One day my pilot 2012 suddenly started turning on and off the passenger airbag then out of the blue the airbag system light when on. Scanned it an it reads the passenger weight sensor is not communicating the part is no longer available to purchase and it is in backorder with date of delivery to be determined. Car is not safe to operate and Honda is not selling the part anymore to get the repair. ... Read more

Incident date: Mar 15, 2026

The contact owned a 2025 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH on the expressway, the traffic came to a stop due to a stalled vehicle in the fast lane. The contact slammed on the brakes to avoid rear-ending the vehicle in front. When the vehicle behind the contact's vehicle could not stop on time and rear-ended the contact's vehicle, from the impact, the contact's vehicle w... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jan 15, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, another vehicle drove through a stop sign, causing the contact to T-bone the other vehicle, causing damage to the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that no air bags did not deploy in his vehicle. The contact stated that he sustained whiplash to the neck and upper back. No medical attention was requ... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jan 1, 2025

Purchased new August 29, 2025 On 12/3/25- Mileage 4495. Took vehicle in for first maintenance service. Tire rotation and oil change. On 1/7/26- Reported grinding noise we had began noticing when starting vehicle. Engine light Service ESC. Service Traction control. Reported to Ben Mynatt GM. On 1/8/26 Mileage 7120- Took Yukon in for service due to grinding noise. Due for 6 module updates and 3 sta... Read more

Incident date: Mar 15, 2026

It was smoking from the engine, I immediately stopped the vehicle. My safety was put at risk immediately while being in the vehicle when the air bags deployed hitting me in the face and causing my face to swell. The safety of others was put at risk due to others being right next to me and putting others at risk of engine blowing up. Yes, the vehicle has been inspected by police. There were no warn... Read more

Fire 1 injured

Incident date: Feb 3, 2026

Airbag light is flashing. Independent shop found code B00C1:93-8B. OCS Sensor B. Shop sent owner to dealer for inspection & repair. Charged $57.24. Dealer found DTC B00C1 passenger seat occupant classification sensor b. Replacement cost for the part $1,110.13, plus shop fess and tax for a total repair cost of this critical safety item would be $1,197.29. I did not have this service performed due... Read more

Incident date: Mar 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the air bag sensor located in front of the radiator had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired because the Part Number: 98581-9BD8A; had been on backorder for approximately 6-12 mon... Read more

Incident date: Sep 23, 2025

The contact owned a 2025 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the automatic emergency braking system inadvertently deactivated. The automatic emergency braking system and passenger air bag warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the suspension started lowering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to du... Read more

Incident date: Mar 13, 2026

My vehicle is affected ny the ejection mitigation recall. I have small children who sit in my third row of which hyundai corporate advised is not safe. Hyundai has no foreseeable mitigation for this and is leaving me with an unusable third row resulting in a huge issue with transporting my family. I am also pregnant. After 4 weeks of back and forth with hyundai they have refused to buy back my veh... Read more

Incident date: Mar 13, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 BMW X5. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, for an unknown reason, she lost control of the vehicle and hit a telephone pole, where the vehicle came to a stop. The driver-side and passenger-side air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed. The contact's wife was taken to the hospital by ambula... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Mar 9, 2026

I own a 2023 Hyundai Palisade Limited that currently has confirmed active safety recalls affecting critical passenger safety systems, including the third-row side-curtain airbag recall and the second-row seat belt buckle recall. We have experienced firsthand the seat belts coming unbuckled during driving. These recalls affect hundreds of thousands of Palisade vehicles and involve defects where t... Read more

Incident date: Mar 8, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the brake light failed to turn off. The service, seat belt, brake, and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The buzzer and lights were making a continuous sound. The local dealer was contacted, and the ABS module was replaced. The dealer informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN or the failure. The... Read more

Incident date: May 22, 2022

Front passenger head restraint deployed without any accident or reason. Just deployed without cause snapping a plastic bracket so it can’t be manually pushed back into place you have to purchase the entire component. The other oddity is the piece that you need to replace in question has been discontinued. Stellantis has a recall referenced as (20c) but my particular vehicle doesn’t fit in ther... Read more

Incident date: Dec 20, 2002

Error code RCM_a021 front left safety restraint system fault. An issue that arises purely due to poor seat design. It is the fault of the seat pinching a wire from moving back and forth. This safety issue is an inevitability and not a one off chance. This issue is publicly noted on forms throughout all the years of this car’s production. This error results in airbags not being properly deployed ... Read more

Incident date: Mar 6, 2026

I hit a pothole and my airbags deployed. The Right side airbags and the front passenger seat airbags were deployed.

Incident date: Mar 6, 2026

Airbags failed to deploy in a collision where the front end of the vehicle was crushed, and a driver wearing a seat belt hit the steering wheel with enough force to fracture their sternum and cause two cervical fractures as well.

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Mar 15, 2026

My vehicle has had a recall for seat belt issues for a while. My dealer has been unable to make corrections as hyundai has not/does not have the equipment to repair the issue. Its been months. Now theres another issue with airbags, and rumors of another issue with headrests. They have sold me a lemon and they are not providing a remedy.

Incident date: Feb 16, 2026

Airbag recall Recall Engine knock sensors bad

Incident date: Mar 14, 2026

I was driving about 20mph, my airbag deployed for no reason. No recalls, no warnings, nothing. I had my [XXX] daughter in the car and it was all filled with white smoke. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident date: Mar 12, 2026

I have already reported a crash due to sudden loos of power and submitted everything except the info that the air bags did not deploy and they should definitely

Crash

Incident date: Dec 10, 2025

My 2013 nissan rouge looses power and makes a jarring noise immediately after stopping at every stop when I accelerate it suddenly losses almost all power its already caused a crash I got hit right after take off because its immediate deceleration

Crash

Incident date: Mar 15, 2026

While I was driving in the middle lane through an intersection, a car from the opposite side failed to yield while turning and hit me on my driver's side. My car was traveling at approximately 35 MPH, and the other vehicle was exceeding the speed limit. The impact caused my car to veer in the opposite direction and I lost consciousness immediately. The fire department had to extract me from the pa... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Mar 14, 2026

I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding my 2020 Hyundai Palisade due to severe and ongoing engine oil consumption that presents a safety risk, combined with an active federal airbag safety recall. For approximately one year, my vehicle has been consuming excessive engine oil. Approximately 1,500–2,000 miles after an oil change, the vehicle becomes dangerously low on oil. On January 19, 2... Read more

Incident date: Nov 17, 2025

Error message "Supplemental Restraint System Problem. See Your Dealer." comes on everyday. I understand this is a Honda well known issue and they refuse to recall.

Incident date: Mar 4, 2026

I was involved in an accident which resulted in my C-RV being totaled. Another vehicle pulled out immediately in front of me and I crashed into it. None of my airbags deployed. My vehicle's emergency response system was activated- it called emergency response and kept repeating that a crash had been detected. The front of my car was crushed in and the impact sent the vehicle that pulled out in f... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Mar 9, 2026

Airbag light comes on due to some failure in the passenger seat. This vehicle year has had a recall on the same issue but this VIN number was not included for some reason. Another consumer posted his assessment which I have attached. My vehicle falls under his category. He has sold his since his was never resolved.

Incident date: Mar 13, 2026

Airbags sistem failed

Incident date: Mar 1, 2026

The contact owns a 1991 N/A Toyota MR2. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 91V223000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, who confirmed that the parts were on back order. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer provided a Lien letter. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Incident date: Mar 10, 2026

Drivers airbag did not deploy in car accident that included substantial front and back end damage to vehicle. This vehicle was purchased used, and from a used car dealership just months prior to accident. Buyer had vehicle further inspected by a neutral third party to ensure safety. The side impact airbags deployed on impact. Head injuries were sustained when drivers head hit the sun visor then th... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Dec 31, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message “Driver’s Side Air Bag Deactivated” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the wiring harness needed to be rewired. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted, and the message was displayed. The ve... Read more

Incident date: Mar 13, 2026

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that the horn was inoperable, and the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the related undisclosed recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The manufacturer was not cont... Read more

Incident date: Mar 2, 2026

On June 9, 2025, I was involved in a motor vehicle accident while driving my 2016 Honda Accord. During the crash, the seatbelt system failed in a way that caused severe force to my body rather than restraining me properly. The seatbelt detached and violently pulled my body, resulting in significant injuries. The force from the seatbelt failure ruptured my right breast implant, which required surg... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Mar 7, 2026

The contact’s wife owns a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an air bag message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

Incident date: Nov 7, 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while entering an onramp at 40 MPH, the vehicle in front of her vehicle came to an abrupt stop, and the contact crashed into the vehicle. The contact stated that only the front driver side knee air bags deployed upon impact. The contact was taken to the hospital by ambulance and was treated for pain in her chest as well as an injury to h... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Mar 13, 2026

Airbags seats and seatbelts useless for 6'8" 375lbs adult man. I sit within 6" of the steering wheel airbag the seatbelt goes across my bicep not my shoulder and the seat itself only goes up to the middle of my back, the head rest is between my shoulders. Why is there no exemption for giants and airbags and seatbelts? By having these "safety features" in my vehicle, my life is put in more danger t... Read more

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Consumer Safety Complaints

What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?

How to interpret what you read

If you've experienced a defect

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