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: Nov 21, 2025
Driving 70 mph on highway. Transmission suddenly downshifted from 6th to 5th. Cruise control turned off. Speedometer went to 0 mph. Airbag warning light came on. Wrench indicator flashed. From this point on, transmission would only use gears 3,4,5. Speedometer continued to read 0. Cruise control remained inoperative and Airbag warning light remained on. Wrench indicator turned off after a few minu... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2025
On September 2, 2025, my 2025 BMW X5 xDrive50e was involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle. Despite the severity of the impact, the following safety systems failed to deploy: Front airbags Driver seatbelt pretensioner BMW Assist / automatic emergency notification Witnesses reported that my vehicle briefly went airborne before landing with the rear wheels up on a curb. I suffered ne... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 19, 2025
Air bags did not deploy in bad car accident. Safety issue.
Crash
1 injured
1 deaths
Incident date: Oct 20, 2025
I received a safety alert on my car screen: Front passenger safety restraint system issue. Service is required. The front passenger safety restraint system fault typically involves a malfunctioning occupant weight sensor in the passenger seat, which controls whether the airbag activates or deactivates EVGOER. This is a serious safety concern because the airbag may be disabled at that seat locatio... Read more
Incident date: Nov 18, 2022
Noticed there’s a crack on the passenger side dashboard of the car that’s about 12 inches long. From what I read this could cause issues with any possible airbag deployment.
Incident date: Nov 22, 2025
Service airbag system My car doesn’t start
Incident date: Oct 16, 2025
I was involved in an accident on the interstate traveling at about 80 mph and I hit a guard rail. I swerved, and then the lane assistance kicked in and made me lose control of the car completely, which is how I slammed into the guard rail. In that process, none of the airbags deployed and I had a passenger in the car.
Crash
Incident date: May 23, 2025
The airbag warning light comes on at times constantly and occasionally intermittently. The connection under both front seats has been checked and found secured.
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2020) — AIR BAGS
Nov 22, 2025
Incident date: Nov 14, 2023
There are 3 recalls on my engine type but kia dealership says no recalls,#21V6220000,#22V031000,#21V260000. ENGINE TYOE 2.0L NU MPI ENGINE(SC210),MY ph#XXX INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
Because of this water intrusion, the following safety systems have malfunctioned or failed: • ABS and DSC (stability control) warnings • Chassis stabilization warning • Frontal collision and pedestrian warning malfunction • Airbag system warning • Loss of audible warning tones • MOST bus communication failure • Electrical modules intermittently shutting down or throwing codes These... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2024) — AIR BAGS
Nov 22, 2025
Incident date: Oct 2, 2025
On October 8, 2025 My cousin, [XXX] , and I were on highway Mile 113, 65 North and were about to exit when an ambulance exited onto the highway ahead causing the traffic to suddenly stop. As the traffic stopped, I hit my brake, which usually jolts when I hit it but it didn't this time, the brake didn't feel the same, the brake was soft and it felt like my car wasn't stopping. The warning red light... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Mar 16, 2024
My Jeep will accelerate forward when breaking, stall at a red light and roll back, massive humming and grinding on the peddle, start/stop failure and failure to start. I've been able to avoid two crashes so far and used my own scanner to detect the problem. Nothing comes up. I bought this shady vehicle oct/3/25. dates of incidents include oct 3rd- November 10th.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
Acadia Denali had Takata air bag inflater replaced, service air bag light is still on. Dealer stated there is a side air bag problem as well. 2014 Acadia’s had previous recall for side airbag issues, most likely is same issue the vehicle isn’t listed. Contacting corporate regarding issue.
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
I had a passenger seat belt light on and took it to Jim Coleman Infiniti in Bethesda,MD. They then were going to charge me a diagnostic fee to fix it, but instead proceeded to perform a zero point seat reset and got the error code B00A0 and then the passenger air bag light came on. They subsequently said that the vehicle was not covered under any recall or warranty and said that the seat needed t... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 2500
(2014) — AIR BAGS
Nov 21, 2025
Incident date: Nov 21, 2025
I purchased a used 2019 GMC Acadia from Grieco Honda around November 20, 2023. They showed me a CarFax report indicating the vehicle had never been in an accident. Immediately after the purchase, I reported several issues and attempted to return the car under their 30-day warranty. However, the salesperson convinced me not to return it, assuring me that they would address all of the problems. Fro... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. An unknown 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 man... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-250. The contact stated that the driver’s side seat air bag warning light was illuminated. The air bag was visible through the seat and was able to be moved manually. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V010000 (Air Bags); however, the... Read more
Incident date: Nov 14, 2025
Vehicle: 2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i Incident Date: 11/21/2025 Location: Interstate highway in Wisconsin Description of the Issue: My husband was driving our 2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i when he was involved in a front-end collision at approximately 40 mph. He struck the rear of another vehicle with the front passenger-side portion of the BMW. Despite the force and angle of the crash, neither the driver airba... Read more
Crash
Fire
Incident date: Nov 16, 2025
The service airbag system keeps alerting me. Some vehicles have been recalled but my vehicle has not been recalled and I would like that to be taken care of.
Incident date: Nov 7, 2025
The contact owned a 2023 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at night and at approximately 60 MPH, a deer had crashed into the driver's side front door and bounced off and crashed into the driver's side front bumper. The contact stated that he had been thrown forward by the force of the crash, but then he was thrown back when the seat belts restrained him. The contact hit his he... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 45 MPH, the daughter collided with another vehicle after the vehicle aggressively merged in front of her. The collision was at the front driver and passenger side of the vehicle. The contact added that the collision threw her daughter forward and backward, and the contact's daughter sustained neck, shou... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 11, 2025
The contact owned a 2019 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while driving during a rain storm at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle hydroplaned. The contact stated that the vehicle swerved to the right and then to the left. The contact stated that the vehicle drove off the road and down an embankment. The contact stated that he drove over a mound, and the vehicle was launched into the air, an... Read more
Crash
1 injured
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2020) — AIR BAGS
Nov 20, 2025
Incident date: Nov 12, 2025
Cusumer choice automotive 1706 lower Roswell rd. Sold me a vehicle with a branded title with /knowledge it was a total loss vehicle now the ABS and traction lights or on the seatbelt deployed light is on air sensor light on and brakes or grinding I purchased on 10-4- 2025 this is November-20-2025 I asked for refund and to cancel they say as is not sure this is a wreck or flooded vehicle
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, a 2012 Mazda CX-7, allegedly going at 70 MPH traveled through an intersection and crashed into her vehicle. The Mazda later crashed into another unknown vehicle. All the air bags deployed; however, the driver's side air bag exploded in her face. The air bag dust was in the vehicle. The contact was rendered... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-55 MPH on I-40 Westbound to I-25 and making a turn in a construction zone, the passenger’s side air bag deployed without warning or impact to the vehicle. There were no reported injuries. The air bag control message was displayed after the failure. Two days later, the system indicators produced a fail... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
Recall # SR-17-006 was repaired. It appears as open on website.
Incident date: Nov 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while her daughter attempted to adjust the front driver's side seat while the vehicle was turned off, the front Driver-side air bag had independently deployed. No warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact's daughter's left arm was injured on impact with the air bag. Medical attention was sought, and further medical diagnosi... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 19, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
I had my two Teslas parked in the garage. The model X was charging at about 1:30 AM. We heard explosions coming out of the garage. Went to check only to see my model X in flames. We evacuated and called 911 eventually a fire investigation report was made Showing the fire started within the vehicle outward. The battery pack was on fire. We had lithium contamination all over the house and this fire ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 6, 2025
Malfunction of the Steering Column Control Module causing a disconnect with all associated components such as causing wipers to run continuously on max, and all listed functions stopped working including; SOS, Jeep Assist, blind spot, high & low beams, brake lights, turn signals, lane assist, horn, rear wiper, windshield washer fluid, airbag deployment, infotainment system, etc. Vehicle is current... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2025
Single car accident resulting in rollover. Concerns about NO airbag deployment
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
What component failed and is it available for inspection? The front driver-side roof seam on my 2022 Toyota Tundra developed corrosion under the paint and eventually opened enough for rainwater to enter the cabin. Water drips directly into the A-pillar area onto the side curtain airbag wiring, squib connector, and padded harness. It also reaches the dashboard and electrical buttons near the steeri... Read more
Incident date: Nov 18, 2025
I was in an accident where I broadsided a vehicle at 45 mph. The accident warning sensors didn’t activate and no airbags deployed. The accident was severe enough that my truck was deemed totaled and the other vehicle flipped upside down
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 19, 2025
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Multiple safety systems failed simultaneously, including: SRS Airbag System Pre-Collision System Vehicle Stability Control (VSC/TRAC) Advanced Ultrasonic/Sonar System The engine is also subject to Safety Recall 25TA14 (potential loss of motive power). The vehicle is currently located at Crown Toyo... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2025
The RV currently is sitting at MB of Modesto where it can be inspected. The issue, when we attempted to rotate the rotatable front passenger seat, and an Airbag error was displayed on the dash and the vehicle was disabled, would not start. When we rotated the seat back we assumed it took pressure off of the wiring harness and the error disappeared and the vehicle started. We tried to rotate the... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2025
Dashboard not attached to frame. Clips intended to attach dashboard to frame are defective (cracked in half). Air bags may be affected (either won't deploy or will deploy on their own). Service Dept. at Ford dealership says this is the first case they've seen and repairing it would cost $$$. This vehicle has been regularly maintained and has 0 history of accidents. It is unknown if this defec... Read more
Incident date: Nov 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 Honda Prologue. The contact stated that upon entering a parking lot at 5 MPH, the contact was attempting to park into a charging station. As the contact depressed the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop without warning. The contact repeatedly depressed the brake pedal as the vehicle accelerated and hit a tree. The air bags did not deploy upon impact as the contact's gla... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving on the highway in rainy weather at 60 MPH, she lost control of the vehicle and drove off the road. The contact stated that she could not recount what happened moments after she drove off the road; she did recall that she pulled up to a stop sign and her air bags had deployed. The police arrived at the scene and assisted the... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 7, 2024
The contact owned a 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH and making a right turn onto the driveway, the vehicle unintendedly pulled to the left. The contact stated that while attempting to turn the steering wheel back to the intended direction, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly, and the brakes and the steering wheel were inoperable. There was no w... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 18, 2025
The contact owned a 2019 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at approximately 15 MPH, and as he was making a left turn onto a side street, another vehicle ran a stop sign and crashed into the center of the vehicle on the driver's side. The contact stated that the side air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that the police were called and wrote a report. The conta... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 4, 2025
The vehicle was sold with a “minor accident” reported, but the condition suggests the damage may have been more significant. After purchase, I discovered the rear seatbelt did not work and required interior panels to be removed and replaced. A non-working seatbelt points to possible prior impact or structural damage affecting the restraint system. The vehicle also has an active safety recall f... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE L
(2022) — AIR BAGS
Nov 19, 2025
Incident date: Nov 9, 2025
I am reporting a safety-related violation. The dealership told me the vehicle had only a minor accident with no airbag deployment. This was false. Carfax shows the vehicle actually had a major accident with airbag deployment, which they failed to disclose. This misrepresentation affects the safety system, airbag sensors, and the ability of the airbags to function properly in future collisions. Th... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2025
We were getting in to the vehicle, the vehicle was parked, and when we were getting in, the side aire bag exploded, hitting my daughter on the face, the car never was in a accident, it wasn’t hit by nothing, the car wasn’t moving, when they exploded, smoke was coming from there
Incident date: Jul 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH through an intersection, another vehicle t-boned the driver's side from the driver's side front bumper to the rear passenger door. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy as intended. Medical attention was needed after the contact sustained lower back, left shoulder, neck, tailbone, and... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 4, 2025
On 09/16/25, I was exiting the Florida turnpike onto Sawgrass Highway via the exit ramp on exit 71. As I decelerated from 60 MPH to 35 MPH to match the speed of the exit ramp, I was in the left most lane in the two-lane exit ramp. My car spun out and I lost control of the vehicle, which caused the vehicle to spin through the two lanes of the ramp several times and ended up drifting onto the edge o... Read more
Crash
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2024) — AIR BAGS
Nov 18, 2025
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Chrysler 300C. The contact stated that the power steering function was inoperable, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V435000 (Electrical System) and 16V352000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagno... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2025
Component/System That Failed: The airbag system, forward-collision sensors, and collision-warning/braking system failed. Despite a severe frontal crash, no airbags deployed and no warning or automatic braking occurred. The Bosch Crash Data Report shows abnormal sensor spikes (up to +52g), inconsistent Delta-V readings, and failures in object detection (“No Object” recorded before impact). The ... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Sep 29, 2025
I own a 2019 Model X which I have been driving for six years without any driving issues. I did have a few incidents in which the screen went black while driving. That was scary - driving without controls. These issues reported to Tesla and were addressed by Tesla. Today I was pulling into a parking lot when all of a sudden my Tesla automatically accelerated to high speed. I could not control or... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 15, 2025
The vehicle was in a collision that occurred to the front of the vehicle causing the seat belts to lock up a burst of compressed air to come from the dash, the hazards to engage and the dome lights to engage, the vehicle then was taken into get repaired at a certified dealership, after dealing with the dealership and General Motors we find out the sensor did engage for the airbags to deploy but th... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 17, 2025
Dealership has not completed NHTSA Recall Number24V-064 Honda dealer is saying they do not have parts to perform this recall.