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: Sep 8, 2025
Recurring water intrusion through firewall/wiper cowl causes electrical corrosion and loss of vehicle communication (CAN bus). Dealer repeatedly documented: • 05/19/2022: “Cowl drains clogged; water entering passenger side” (Invoice #XXX). • 08/15/2025: “Water intrusion through firewall due to wiper cowl drains being clogged with organic debris; water found in passenger kick-panel conne... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. 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. 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 exp... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's vehicle was involved in a crash. The driver's side air bag did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss by the insurance company. The contact sustained neck and back pain, but received no medical treatment. A Police report was file... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 20, 2025
I purchased this vehicle April 2025 from Hollywood Motors LLC in Columbus OH. I noticed recently the vehicle had some frame damage after getting alignment, Also the airbag warning lights were coming on. Took the vehicle to a very reputable frame shop and they thoroughly investigated and found there that the drivers side frame rail i pushed back significantly. Also recently noticed the steerin... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2025
Clock spring in steering column Clock spring controls: Buttons on steering wheel Heated steering wheel Turn signals/lights Air bag in steering wheel My issue was just starting at making the heated steering wheel not work. And could potentially effect the other functionalities (ram had a previous recall on later models) This was reproduced at the service center Not sure if it was inspecte... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2025
I have an immaculately maintained 2018 Infiniti Q70L, but the OCS system began having issues at under 75k miles. Originally, the problem was the passenger seat sensor not detecting someone in the seat, so airbags were disabled. This occured sporadically for a year, but no codes were detectable by dealership. Now the airbag sensor light flashes continually, which began happening a few weeks ago.... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2025
Airbag light came on and remained
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
Passenger restraint fault message randomly comes on.
Incident date: Oct 16, 2025
5’8” 105lb person sitting in the front seat will result in the airbag indicator showing “off” for up to 15 mins of driving before turning “on”. Is happening on purchased vehicle and courtesy vehicle. I suspect the advanced airbag system is faulty.
Incident date: Oct 4, 2025
Powertrain fail , airbag failed to deploy
Incident date: Oct 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 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
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
The contact owned a 2024 Ford Edge. The contact stated that, upon pulling into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle, only coming to a complete stop after partially driving through a storefront. The contact also stated that the forward warning collision system failed to activate. The air bags did not deploy. No warning li... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, various warning lights, including the check engine, TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System), oil, and other warning lights, were intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for a diagnostic test; however, no faults were found with the vehicle. The contact stated that the sunroof... Read more
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2011) — AIR BAGS
Oct 20, 2025
Incident date: Feb 3, 2025
All the sensors seem to not be functioning correctly. Doesn't tell me the right measurements for the wheels, gas, over heating. Right front passenger door locks/unlocks when it wants. It chokes up when trying to accelerate. Theres a rattling noise that comes from under the car. First time I took it to the dealership, they stated it was a bolt that had come loose on the exhaust pipe. They placed a ... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2016) — AIR BAGS
Oct 20, 2025
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
My car has never been in an accident. One day while turning into my driveway, I heard a large clicking sound. Since then, my airbag malfunction light is on and my car horn does not sound/work. All steering wheel controls are broken. This has been an issue for about 6 months. I've been waiting on a recall impacting my specific VIN/year/make/model, however I am being informed that I will need t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
I noticed that the police report does not mention or investigate the issue of the car’s airbags. This was a major accident, and the vehicle was completely totaled—yet not a single airbag deployed. I would like to know what action your department can take to address the sale of such vehicles in our country, and who will be held responsible when airbags fail to operate in serious accidents. I h... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 17, 2025
I hit a bumb and my engine started smoking and then airbag triggered on both driver and passenger side
Incident date: Oct 12, 2025
The contact's husband owned a 2016 Cadillac CT6. The contact stated that while her husband was making a left turn, the vehicle was struck on the front passenger side by another vehicle. The contact stated that her husbands air bag did not deploy. Medical attention was needed, and the contact's husband was transported to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. A police report was taken. T... Read more
Crash
1 injured
1 deaths
Incident date: Aug 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags). The dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Incident date: Sep 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while his employee was driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle hit a deer, but the seat belt did not hold the driver in place. The contact stated that the driver's left side of her chest hit the steering wheel, she hit her head hit the windshield, and when the seatbelt retracted, the driver was pulled back to the seat with force. Additiona... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
I just purchased the vehicle with the airbag alert on, as well as the seatbelt alert. It seems there’s no recall for this vehicle. Please advise that you should reconsider the limited recalls and include the 2010 Armanda with the “platinum” package.
Incident date: Oct 18, 2025
The "Front passenger safety restraint system" is prone to errors because the wiring for it beneath the seat is prone to getting knocked loose and electrical interference
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
My light start turn on and off in some times and this start happens 3 days ago
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2012) — AIR BAGS
Oct 19, 2025
Incident date: Oct 18, 2025
On [xxx] My cousin, [XXX] , and I were on highway [XXX] and were about to exit when an ambulance exited onto the highway ahead causing the traffic to suddenly stop. As it 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 it felt like my car wasn't stopping. The warning that usually goes off didn't go off either. My car hit a Jeep th... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
On October 17, 2025, a 2018 Toyota Corolla LE was delivered to an authorized Toyota dealership for an airbag recall repair. The recall involved the airbag electronic control unit (ECU), which, according to Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), may fail to deploy the airbags and/or seatbelt pretensioners during certain types of crashes due to inadequate protection a... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2025
Airbags did not deploy, vehicle was declared a total loss.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 12, 2025
I rented this vehicle from Alamo/Enterprise at Denver Airport on 9/7/2025, and that day, while enroute to Casper WY hit a large deer on I-24 N in Wyoming where the posted speed limit is 80 mph, which was exactly the speed I was travelling. The deer was struck by the drivers side front of vehicle, causing extensive damage , loss of headlight and many small parts and electronic sensors as there we... Read more
Crash
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2021) — AIR BAGS
Oct 17, 2025
Incident date: Sep 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed air bag clock spring. The contact was informed that the driver's air bag clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
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 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.
Incident date: Oct 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag and ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with air bag failure. The contact was informed that the air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2024) — AIR BAGS
Oct 17, 2025
Incident date: Jun 15, 2025
The contact owned a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the contact briefly lost control of the vehicle. As a result, he collided with the center guard rail on the drivers side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy, which he held responsible for his resulting injuries. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a storage facility and deemed a ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2021) — AIR BAGS
Oct 17, 2025
Incident date: Aug 19, 2025
The cover for the seat belt and airbag on the front passenger seat have become disconnected without any incident causing such. Possibly not allowing the seat belt or airbag to function properly. Also the airbag sensor & seatbelt sensor for this seat stopped working at the same time the cover became un attached to the frame. It makes the seatbelt very hard to use and not sure it would function prop... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2025
This is the 2nd Hyundai I've owned, same year make and model. The first one was totaled due to the air bag deployment. The accident did not warrant the air bag deploying. I should have reported it at the time. I didn't realize that I could and now it's too late. The claim has already been submitted. Now, we have the same exact car and a crack has appeared on the passenger dash. My concern is the a... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2025
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that, while stopped and attempting to complete a left turn an SUV failed to yield and collided with the front driver side of her vehicle. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle, spun across the intersection, and careened off the roadway only coming to a complete stop after colliding head-on with a tree. The contact also stated t... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
There is a recall on my car. I’ve scheduled an appointment, but they will not provide me with a loaner. I have two jobs and I need a car and I can’t afford to pay for a a rental that’s why I work two jobs so I’d like to know what I’m supposed to do. My tags are due at the end of this month, which I’ve already paid for it, but I cannot receive them because of this recall so I need acti... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2025
On October 13th 2025, we were involved in a serious collision while driving our 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The vehicle was struck from behind and spun into a semi-truck, totalling the vehicle. Despite the forward and lateral collision to the semi-truck, no airbags deployed at all during the accident. This resulted in the Tucson driver striking his head on the steering wheel. Our 5-month old son was also... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving 10-15 MPH, the driver and passenger side air bags deployed independently. A dealer and an independent mechanic were contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact sustained injuries to the head and neck. No medical attention was required. No police report... Read more
1 injured
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2021) — AIR BAGS
Oct 16, 2025
Incident date: Jul 16, 2025
The airbags did not deploy upon impact from head on collision into another vehicle. The vehicle was towed and the other vehicle’s airbags did deploy that was involved in the collision. There was a police report filed & the insurance company has picked up the vehicle for them to complete an inspection & evaluation.
Crash
HYUNDAI
SONATA HYBRID
(2024) — AIR BAGS
Oct 16, 2025
Incident date: Oct 2, 2025
My airbag malfunction light appeared on the dashboard. Once the light appeared, the HORN STOPPED WORKING, a safety hazard that caused me not to be able to drive my vehicle for over a year due to the risk! I took the vehicle to the Mercedes-Benz dealership, 200 S Pickett St, Alexandria, VA 22304, and was told that the recall was closed and that they could not assist me. I was advised to contact NHT... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2024
The airbag warning light is on. I’m concerned the airbag may not deploy in an accident. There was a recall on the airbag, but the dealership only reset the light and did not replace the airbag. I have taken my car to two different Mazda dealerships: One told me I would have to pay for the airbag replacement. The other said the airbag is functioning properly. I’m not sure which one is corr... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, parts for the recall repair were not yet available. In addition, the contact stated that several times the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a scheduled service appointment, and the contact was informed that the parts were still not available for the recall repair. The... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
Car accident. My car was T-boned on the passenger side, the side airbag did deploy. The impact from the accident pushed my car into on coming traffic and I hit 2 other cars. One in the front grill and the other in the left rear quarter panel. The front airbag did not deploy and my chest hit the steering wheel. My car was totaled and I was taken to the hospital and had 5 CT scans. The one for my c... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
The clock spring (steering roll connector) component has failed, confirmed by the resulting complete loss of the horn function. SAFETY HAZARD: The component failure has resulted in the loss of the electrical connection to the Driver's Airbag System, rendering the primary airbag inoperable. This creates an unreasonable, life-threatening risk in the event of a collision. The problem has been diagn... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2025
No incident as of yet, however there are multiple Hyundai vehicle owners whose air and lights have come on after having the vehicle for at least 5 years. Other manufacturers have issued recall notices on this matter, but not Hyundai.
Incident date: Sep 18, 2025
During a recent trip I noticed a "fluttering/rattling" noise coming from the top of the windshield of our 2021 Nissan Rogue Platinum. The noise was very noticeable at interstate highway speed and on rougher road surfaces. While looking for the source of noise I found staining on the driver side headliner and interior front pillar garnish. Took Rogue to dealer and was told that the seal for the ... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2021) — AIR BAGS
Oct 16, 2025
Incident date: Sep 29, 2025
Air bag issue light turn on, it said b1608 front satellite sensor bus initialization error LH code
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2024) — AIR BAGS
Oct 15, 2025
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
In March 2015 the BAS ESP (traction control and stability light)warning light came on. It stayed on for several miles and then went off. This happened numerous times. On April 23, 2025 Parker Automotive Service Center removed the steering wheel and replaced the Clockspring. In May the BAS ESP again came on, Parker Automotive recalibrated the Clockspring which has the steering angle sensory built... Read more
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (AIR BAGS) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local unknown dealer and manufacturer were contacted.