Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 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 2,215,138 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 128,460 complaints — component: AIR BAGS
Incident date: Jul 14, 2025
The 2015 Chevy Traverse LTZ that I own is presenting with the same problems as many of its body style and year. The water intrusion has caused wiring to corrode in the side detection system & the drivers door wiring harness is presenting with open circuits. The LH side object module is throwing code U0233:00. They tested circuits at RH module. Found water intrusion in module, & corrosion on termi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2025
The 2016 Nissan Maxima (VIN: [XXX] ) I purchased in January 2025 has been confirmed by a certified mechanic to have no driver airbag installed and no passenger side curtain airbag installed, despite a previous airbag deployment shown on the vehicle history report. There is no record of any airbag replacement or repair. The vehicle was sold to me in this unsafe condition without disclosure. Driving... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2025
When right front pax sits in seat and fastens seatbelt, the airbag indicator correctly says "ON." But after a few minutes, the airbag turns "OFF" and the driver's dash gets an "unfastened seatbelt" warning and a "faulty airbag" warning. All of these occur while the front right pax has remain seated and buckled. If the pax unbuckles and exits the seat, these incorrect warnings all remain the sam... Read more
JEEP
WRANGLER 4XE
(2024) — AIR BAGS
Dec 9, 2025
Incident date: Nov 15, 2025
Recall N945 safety passenger air bag may tear I was notified July 2025. By December 2025 no solution has been provided. I called the dealership Land Rover Marin and they refused to repair saying I should not too worry and that this is not a safety issue. I find this false since the airbags are a primary safety issue and Im driving a car that cant guarantee the safety of the side passenger.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX-450H. 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 whenever a handbag was placed on the front passenger’s seat, the air bag warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2025
My daughter was hit by a semi truck on US-23 today. The trailer fishtailed hit the back end of Jeep. I hit the guard rail. All four corners of the Jeep were hit. The air bags did not deploy. The front driver tire fell off. The back window and passenger side trunk window blew out.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted several times. 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 sta... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
The contact owned a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while the contact's husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's vehicle was involved in a crash. The contact stated that a nearby vehicle drove in front of the contact's vehicle and then suddenly applied the brakes. In addition, the contact vehicle rear-ended another vehicle. The contact stated that the rear passeng... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
I hit a grass wall after striking a deer who bent my control arm and all airbags DEPLOYED BUT THE ONE WHO SAVES THE DRIVER THE MOST IMPORTANT AIRBAG
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
The contact is a police officer from the Simi police department, who called on behalf of the owner of a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated the owner was driving at 30 MPH with full autopilot mode with direction destination set, the vehicle increased in speed to make a U-turn on the opposite side of a driveway; therefore, the driver attempted to disengage the autopilot and depressed the brake p... Read more
Crash
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2020) — AIR BAGS
Dec 8, 2025
Incident date: Jul 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted several times. 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 ha... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2025
Component/System: Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) / Airbag system — Recall 74E3 / NHTSA 21V874. What Happened: The passenger airbag may switch off even when the seat is occupied due to a faulty PODS wiring connection. The warning message “Passenger Airbag Off” appears with a chime. This is an active safety recall that was issued before I purchased the vehicle, but the recall was ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 23, 2025
I received recall notice December 2023 for defect in front passenger seat airbag that could cause the airbag to fail to deploy in the event of a crash. I have contacted the dealer several times and have been told each time that there is no remedy (yet). It has been two years and the risk to passengers in my vehicle has not been remedied. Fortunately, I have not had any collisions but the danger ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2025
I rear ended another vehicle and my airbags did not deploy.
Crash
3 injured
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2019) — AIR BAGS
Dec 8, 2025
Incident date: Nov 25, 2024
Porsche dashboard leather shrunk and staples pulled out. I was told that if the vehicle was in an accident the airbag might not deploy correctly. The Porsche dealer looked and recommended replacing it. This is a very common issue.
Incident date: Nov 19, 2025
My 2022 Tesla Model X has two recurring safety-critical defects that remain unresolved despite multiple repair attempts. 1. Airbag / Restraint System Failure (RCM2 / OCS Defect): The vehicle frequently misclassifies the front passenger seat. It shows a passenger when the seat is empty and activates passenger seatbelt warnings incorrectly. Recently the vehicle displayed: “Front passenger safety ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2025
Forward collision system dint notify of an object infront , also breaks locked up when used .Air bags didn’t go off while a forward collision with a bus happened
Crash
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Solstice. The contact stated the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V061000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was repaired under the recall; however, DTC: B008171 (Passenger air bag Suppression System) warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that the warning light was illuminated prior to the recall repair being performed. The vehicle remained at ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2025
There is an airbag recall with no remedy available. I’m very concerned about driving my car without this being fixed. Toyota shows the parts should have been available by now. How can they allow this to go unfixed when they are putting lives at risk? I called my dealer and they said it wasn’t fixable yet.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2024) — AIR BAGS
Dec 7, 2025
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
I was driving on a 70mph hwy and traffic came to a full and sudden stop due to a car cutting across lanes a few cars ahead of me. There was no time for me to stop and I couldn’t see the traffic stopped. The car in front of me was able to stop without hitting anyone but I could not. Airbags did not deploy and this concerned me even though I was not injured.
Crash
Incident date: Nov 11, 2025
Unrecalled, unreplaced TAKATA air bags. This particular Jeep has been operated in high temperature/high humidity conditions and which was known to the manufacturers to cause potentially fatal injuries to the driver and front seat passenger. The truck was built by Daimler Chrysler (2006), and neither they, nor the successor companies Fiat/Chrysler and Stellantis have made no efforts whatsoever to c... Read more
Incident date: Dec 6, 2025
Passenger side dash is seperating round the airbag area
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
Hello, I know the Takata airbag has to be replaced on my car. However now I do live abroad, in Gothenburg Sweden in Europe. How do I get the replacement done? Should I go to GM here in Europe? Thanks
Incident date: Dec 4, 2025
I was going down main road in Vineland nj making a left hand turn on to Elmer road when I was stuck in the front of my jeep and I hit the steering wheel the airbags never deployed
Crash
Incident date: Nov 7, 2025
On [XXX] I was struck by a OVI driver at 50mph the side airbags deployed however the front airbag never deployed. The vehicle was totaled out my insurance company. The vehicle had no record or open recalls for the airbag and had been given a multiple point inspection in November 2024 with no issues noted. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
The light for the air bag came on. I have not been in an accident. But this is the car of my 16 year old daughter. I did some research it looks like once the light come on the air bags may not deploy if in an accident. It is a sensor problem. Thank goodness she has not been in an accident but this is definitely a concern.
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
Power steering loss in dangerous weather conditions and almost lost control and I'm not going to feel safe until I find a way to get it repaired recall (15V064)
Incident date: Nov 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2007 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that upon approaching the parked vehicle, he discovered that all the air bags had deployed without impact. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the air bag deployment. The contact then discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2025
The contact rented a 2024 Mazda CX-30. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, an "i-ACTIVSENSE Partially Disabled Front Radar Malfunction" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact attempted to exit the highway; however, the vehicle failed to stop upon depression of the brake pedal. The contact continued to pump the brakes and even engaged the emergency brakes... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that while driving through a bend in the road at 40 mph in the snow, the vehicle began to slide as they lost control. The contact ran over a road sign, which caused her to land in a ditch as the vehicle flipped onto its passenger side. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact did not seek medical attention but did suffer from ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 8, 2025
Recurring front passenger safety restraint system fault that Tesla cannot permanently repair despite 4 service attempts over 16 months. ISSUE: Vehicle intermittently displays "Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault - Service Required" with persistent warning chimes and airbag warning indicator. Occurs with and without passenger present. Causes significant stress/anxiety and erodes confidenc... Read more
HYUNDAI
TUCSON HYBRID
(2024) — AIR BAGS
Dec 5, 2025
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
Passenger airbag sensor intermittently works and turns off when passenger is in the seat. Dashboard light for airbag is constantly on and passenger airbag is constantly off. Issues with seat sensor going off when no one is sitting in the passenger seat. Abs system error message. All identical to recall symptoms.
Incident date: Dec 28, 2023
I am reporting a serious safety defect involving a vehicle purchased from [XXX] on [XXX]. The vehicle was later involved in a collision that resulted in a total loss. According to the police report, I was not at fault. During this crash, none of the airbags deployed, which indicates a possible defect or prior undisclosed issue with the airbag system. The vehicle was sold with a warranty and was r... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 20, 2025
VIN: [XXX] Owner: [XXX] Purchase Date: December 2022 I am filing an urgent safety complaint regarding my 2023 Kia Telluride. For nearly two years, I have unknowingly driven this vehicle with multiple active safety recalls, including: •Airbag wiring harness defect (airbags may not deploy) •Seatbelt pretensioner/tensioner defects •Front power seat motor overheating (fire hazard) •Drivesha... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
Unexpected roof rail airbag deployment without vehicle impact or accident. Front left and right side deploy - rear left and right side deploy spontaneously without notice.
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
Airbags did not deploy during MVA to passenger side front door that resulted in totaling of the vehicle
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
The contact owned a 2021 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving the 2021 Thor Gemini at 65 MPH in the wind, the wind veered the vehicle off the road. The vehicle rolled over and down an embankment when it came to a stop. No warning lights were illuminated. The side curtain air bag and front passenger-side air bags deployed. However, the driver-side air bags did not deploy. A police ... Read more
Crash
2 injured
TOYOTA
RAV4 PRIME
(2021) — AIR BAGS
Dec 4, 2025
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
During snowy but manageable conditions, the brake system on my 2021 RAV4 Prime SE failed to respond, and the vehicle did not decelerate when I pressed the brake pedal. A “Pre-Collision System Malfunction” warning appeared shortly before impact. I was unable to steer away despite attempting an evasive turn. The vehicle collided with the car in front of me, and the airbags did not deploy. I wa... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 14, 2025
In June 2025, I brought my vehicle to the dealership (Hendricks Chrysler Dodge Birmingham, AL) for a full diagnostic inspection, and at that time I was told everything was fine. There were no warnings, no notes about electrical issues, airbags, coolant leaks, engine leaks, or any of the major concerns now being reported. On my most recent visit (October 2025), the dealership suddenly reported mult... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2018) — AIR BAGS
Dec 4, 2025
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V302000 (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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not exp... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
E350
(2012) — AIR BAGS
Dec 4, 2025
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
The contact owned a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, when attempting to park the vehicle on a residential street, the vehicle heisted, and the vehicle independently accelerated into her cousin's house. The contact mentioned she depressed the brake pedal to stop; however, the vehicle did not respond as intended. No air bags deployed. The contact was able to drive t... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
The airbag light started coming on somewhere (approx) around 100K miles. I noticed that MANY hondas had takata airbags and were recalled. My airbag is also sourced from takata and I'm concerned for my safety and wondered if my car was overlooked because CR-Z models had very low volume of production. I wanted to check. I cannot financially replace this as the cost exceeds the value of the car, ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2025
Air Bag indicator Light on, failed clockspring. Checked and verified by two certified dealers: C&E Tire and Auto on 10/17/25 estimated repair: $2,024.28 Nissan of Clearwater, FL on 10/28/25 estimated repair: $1,842.31 This model has recalls for airbags, but NOT my VIN#. Please answer why the 2015 Nissan Armada has recalls with its airbags, my 2025 Nissan Armada has a failed airbag, and my 2015 N... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2025
When can I expect to get my recalled Lexus fixed,? All i can find is that they have no remedy, so the dealer cant replace the faulty occupant air bag sensor, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 23V865000 Report Date: DEC 19, 2023 Vehicles Affected: 999901
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
Was traveling down the road the curtain air bags deployed and filled car with smoke so badly driver couldn’t see and caused him to wreck in a creek it totaled the vehicle and progressive insurance had co-part to pick it up there was no warning that the air bags were going to deploy
Crash
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
The vehicle was involved in a rollover crash at 60 mph that ended in striking a tree, which intruded upon the entire backseat area. The driver/passenger airbag(s) did not deploy despite conditions where deployment should have occurred. There were no signs of prior deployment or tampering: to my knowledge, the airbag system had not previously deployed or been serviced for that. The airbag system i... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 16, 2025
The contact owned a 2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's vehicle was involved in a multi-vehicle crash. The contact's vehicle slid on ice and crashed into another vehicle. The contact's vehicle then crashed into a metal guardrail. In addition, the contact's vehicle was then rear-ended by another vehicle, in which the other vehicle's... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 22, 2025
I am reporting a potential safety defect involving the seatbelt, airbag, and occupant detection system in my 2019 BMW 430i. At the time of purchase, the vehicle’s software had not been updated since 2018. Because the software was so outdated, multiple safety-related fault codes did not appear during the dealer’s pre-sale inspection or during initial diagnostic checks. During a later service a... Read more
Incident date: Nov 19, 2025
On October 17, 2025, I was driving my 2014 Volkswagen Jetta at approximately 25–30 mph on the bypass in Muscatine, Iowa. Another vehicle cut into my lane and struck the front driver-side of my car. My vehicle suffered significant front-end impact, including wheel/tire damage, bumper and fender damage, and visible suspension impact. During the crash, the driver-side airbag did NOT deploy, even t... Read more
Crash