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: Dec 10, 2025
I noticed the rear axel or back suspension on this truck is making a very load uncomfortable sound, like when two pieces of metal are rubbing up against each other... Its under tension and making a bind on the back passenger side. I got the truck with my mechanic few and body/auto repair guy and observed a 1/4 inch UBolt that holds the lead spring I believe hitting up against another bolt on the r... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
I received a letter several months ago for: Manufacturer Recall Number25C41 NHTSA Recall Number25V541 I called the Ford dealership to schedule the recall repair and they told me parts were not available. I explained to them I had a recall letter stating parts were now available and to schedule the repair. The dealer said they had the parts on order and they have not received any yet. I asked them... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
Hello! car in question was involved in a car accident 12/23/2025- with over $38,000 in repairs, damage frame and heavy front end damage the air bags DID NOT deploy. We are extremely concerned and honestly upset that the unit that is meant to protect didnt do its job. Although there was no injuries but the amount of force of the impact is concerning
Crash
Incident date: Apr 15, 2025
We were involved in a car accident. We ran into the back of a pickup truck that suddenly stopped on the toll road for another car that was in an accident. Our front end of the car was heavily damaged. Our concern is that our air bags did not deploy. With the amount of damage that our car received why did the air bags not deploy. The state trooper the did the report looked into the car and wondered... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 29, 2025
It has a recall, and I've taken it to the dealer three times, but they don't have the part.
Incident date: Jan 19, 2026
Impact on the driver side from another vehicle caused it to be totaled but not a single airbag deployed.
Crash
Incident date: May 1, 2025
2014 Chrysler Town & Country – VIN [XXX] Both front active head restraints (driver and passenger) have self-deployed without any crash or impact, on two separate occasions about 3–4 years apart. The first occurred around 2019. Each time we were driving normally with occupants seated. We heard a sudden “pop” and the head restraint opened, exposing the internal mechanism. No one was struck... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2020) - AIR BAGS
Jan 19, 2026
Incident date: Nov 24, 2025
Front end accodent totaled car, but airbags never deployed
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 27, 2025
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The airbag system, specifically the curtain airbags and related airbag control components, malfunctioned by deploying spontaneously without any collision or impact. The vehicle and deployed airbags are still available and can be inspected upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of other... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2026
On August 17, 2025 I rearended a vehicle in front of me who jammed on their brakes for no apparent reason. We were the only two vehicles in the area. Upon impact, the following airbags deployed....steering wheel, driver knee airbag. I sustained injuries to my lower extremities from the exploded knee airbag which contained metal components that impaled my skin. I continue to receive treatment f... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
Any time a passenger sits in the passenger seat in the shows on my dashboard “ front right malfunction service required “
Incident date: Jan 17, 2026
1. **Component or System Failure:** - The malfunction occurred in the **automatic braking system** while the vehicle was in **snow mode**. The brakes engaged and locked the wheels, resulting in a loss of traction. - This system is available for inspection upon request to assess the failure, where the car was towed to. 2. **Safety Risk:** - The automatic brakes locking the wheels put the ... Read more
Crash
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2025) - AIR BAGS
Jan 17, 2026
Incident date: Dec 29, 2025
After a rear end hit by another car the red alert/caution light for the airbag system on the front electric dashboard was lit up. The system did not engage after being hit and after taking the car into for repair replacement parts are not available over 5 months later for the same year and model by any original source in the US as of today. Accident occurred in August 2025. Repair shop did identi... Read more
Crash
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2025) - AIR BAGS
Jan 17, 2026
Incident date: Jan 15, 2026
I have started receiving airbag & seat safety issue alert but recieved appointment after a month even considering major safety concern. Some of 2021 vehicles are serviced under the recall Tesla sent. But told me mine doesn’t qualify for same issue for same year, same model cars. It seems like issue is with all Tesla Model S 2021 but Tesla charging big dollar amount to repair the safety concern. ... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLC 300 4MATIC
(2026) - AIR BAGS
Jan 16, 2026
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
My Airbags did not deploy and I believe my seatbelt also did not work properly. I was struck head on (front end to front end) inside a tunnel by a pickup truck (ram 3500) Going appx. 40mph and my air bags did not deploy and my head hit my windshield so I’m unsure if seatbelts worked properly as I was using mine. My insurance company is storing it now for me as it is most likely totaled. My ins... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Dec 30, 2025
Traction control didn’t work, and the large OEM seats did not hug my body as advertised, causing bodily injury when struck by another vehicle, “t-bone” on passenger side.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 30, 2024
A safety alert keeps coming up when I attempt to break. Have had multiple services done with ongoing issues with inter cooler parts unheard lines and supercharger so much plastic under the hood investigate and help the consumer it’s a ongoing struggle for customers
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that while driving around a blind corner, when another vehicle started merging into the contact's lane, the contact avoided a crash with the vehicle however crashed into a ditch. The contact stated that the vehicle landed on the passenger's side, and there was a passenger seated in the front passenger's seat. The contact and the front passe... Read more
Crash
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Jan 16, 2026
Incident date: May 1, 2025
I was involved in a severe motor vehicle collision in a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The airbags failed to deploy during the crash. I sustained serious injuries and was transported from the scene by EMS. This vehicle has known safety recalls, and I believe the airbag non-deployment may indicate a safety defect.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
The contact owned a 2022 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 25-30 MPH, another vehicle struck the front driver side, flinging the vehicle to the right side before another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side. The air bags failed to deploy. No warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband sustained back injuries, while the contact suffered a con... Read more
Crash
2 injured
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER SPORT
(2025) - AIR BAGS
Jan 16, 2026
Incident date: Dec 24, 2025
The vehicle’s "Passenger Airbag Off" light and dashboard SRS warning lamp are illuminated. A diagnostic scan using a BMW-specific tool confirms manufacturer Fault Code 93C3 (Passenger Seat Occupancy Detector). This indicates a hardware failure of the OC3 internal seat sensor mat. Safety Risk: The failure of this sensor prevents the vehicle from correctly identifying if an adult is in the passen... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
Since we bought the vehicle in 2019, the passenger-side seat sensor didn't always go off when occupied. We asked the dealership to check it out in 2020 or 2021, however, due to the problem being inconsistent it couldn't be fixed. The inconsistency of the seat sensor has continued though the years, but lately, it has become more frequent. I am the usual occupant on the passenger side and I weigh... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2025
The front passenger airbag warning light came on with a dash warning flashing light. I isolated the fault to the passenger seat weight sensor, which prevents the airbag from deploying when a passenger of less than 90 pounds is sensed in the front seat. The time from the onset of the warning light to discovery of the actual fault was less than a week and this was facilitated by a mechanic with a so... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2025
The contact had received several recall notifications of an air bag recall for a 2005 Subaru Outback. The contact never owned the vehicle and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that the removal request could not be processed without the complete VIN. The contact had provided a partial VIN.
POLESTAR
POLESTAR 2
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Jan 16, 2026
Incident date: Jan 15, 2026
The contact owned a 2023 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while her husband was driving through an intersection at 40 MPH, another driver ran a stop light and crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. The other driver's vehicle went underneath the contact's vehicle as the contact's back tires drove over the other driver's engine. The other driver admitted fault due to distracted d... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
See Attached Documents: 1.) NHTSA- Questions Answered 2.) Service 2016 Dodge Grand caravan Note: The Dodge Dealership is not compliying with the mandated repairs. The diagnostic summary provided by [XXX] on December 17, 2025, significantly mischaracterizes my complaints and omits the relevant factory campaigns. It has been over 30 days and it is apparent that they have no intention of complying ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2022
The contact's boyfriend owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH and decelerating to 50 MPH to switch lanes, the vehicle drove over an icy road surface and spun. The contact attempted to turn the wheel and depressed the brake pedal; however, the vehicle crashed into the left guard rail, and the vehicle then crashed into the right guard rail and came to an abrupt ... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: May 15, 2024
On the morning of December 13, 2026, an incident occurred involving our 2024 Subaru Forester. While attempting to make a right-hand turn, the vehicle failed to decelerate as expected and subsequently struck a utility pole. The vehicle’s safety systems did not appear to activate in an effort to prevent the collision, and the airbags did not deploy. The driver sustained minor injuries, including ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2025
Dash warning light indicates check airbags. (About a year ago). Upon using a code reader it states that the wrong airbags are installed and needs to be replaced. The airbags had been replaced in 2007 by GMC after a serious accident as a program\loaner. I purchased the repaired vehicle from Southern Chevrolet in December of 2007 from their used car lot. I do not know why it has gone unnoticed for a... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2025
The contact was a police officer calling on behalf of the owner of a 2025 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while the owner was attempting to park the vehicle in a parking spot, the vehicle began to independently accelerate up a hill. The owner then placed the vehicle into reverse(R) as the vehicle continued to accelerate while in reverse. The contact stated that the owner had their foot fir... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 15, 2025
I own a 2018 Land Rover Range Rover where the airbag warning light remains illuminated at all times on the dashboard, even when the front passenger seat is empty and no cargo is present on the seat. The warning light for airbag indicatesthat the air bag is not activated and will not work in a collision. The passenger air bag has been inoperable for over 2 years.This issue has persisted for several... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
Passenger side airbag did not deploy. Emergency auto brake did not seem to work. The passenger side of the vehicle was struck by other car at high speed and sustained significant damage
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags). The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and informed that parts were in the warehouse, but no assistance was provided. The contact had no... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated t... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2025) - AIR BAGS
Jan 15, 2026
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
I was heading to work on a stretch of road. I was traveling at about 45-50mph. A car pulled out in front of me and we had an accident. The airbags in the older Subaru of the person who collided with me went off and mine did not. Surprisingly. My head was slammed against the B pillar and a small bruise on my leg. Insurance is saying my car is totaled. With an accident of that magnitude, my air bag... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
Incident details: While driving under winter road conditions, the vehicle experienced a brief slide. During this slide, the vehicle lightly scrapped a curb, leaving a minor mark on the wheel. Despite this, the airbags deployed unexpectedly. There was no collision, no rollover, and no other object was struck, and there is no visible exterior damage to the vehicle. _________________________________... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 9, 2026
As I was pulling into a parking space in a parking garage, the vehicle's engine revved, tires squealed and then the vehicle propelled forward on its own, without my foot being on the accelerator. The vehicle only stopped when it hit a support column and the wall of the parking structure. There was extensive damage to my vehicle and to the parking structure wall. My safety and the safety of other... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
The front passenger seat is very low to a point where a deployed air bag Will hit the passenger in the face, hinders ability to breathe and cause injuries to the face, I took the vehicle to our local Honda Dealer to correct the problem because the car still under manufacture warranty the dealer didn’t even acknowledge the issue
Incident date: Dec 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at 35-40 MPH, coming up on fog, the driver, attempting to slow down, traveled over a slush patch in the roadway, and an approaching vehicle was in view. She lost control of the vehicle, spun around, and went face-first into a ditch, and the vehicle flipped and rolled over onto the hood. There were no warning lights illu... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Land Rover Range Rover. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V454000 (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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not ex... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
My wife must use a cushion or pillow to sit in the passenger seat. This causes the Passenger Occupancy Seat Sensor to fail. The seat does not recognize that she is there. The seat belt alert does not chime and the air bag is turned off. I have called KIA and they have no fix. I have talked to the dealer and they have no fix. I can not override the air bag and turn it on manually. We have tri... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
Side airbags deployed when we slid off the road. No impact not even a scratch or dent on the vehicle. We did not hit anything but only slid sideways off the road. The insurance company inspected the vehicle nothing but the airbags were damaged. No other warnings.
Crash
Incident date: Jan 7, 2026
SAFETY ASSESSMENT: 2019 Porsche Cayenne S Dashboard Material Failure Vehicle Identification: VIN [XXX] , Current Odometer: 46639 Assessment Date: 12/11/2025 Evaluator: [XXX] , Registered Owner/Operator ________________________________________ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The dashboard upper assembly in this vehicle exhibits progressive adhesive delamination and synthetic leather separation (colloquially “b... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
I have reached out to Acura on three separate occasions to try and get them to inspect and possibly replace my recalled airbags. They have failed to contact us back every time and this is our only mode of transportation. I've expressed my concerns to them each time and let them know I'm forced to drive this vehicle until it's fixed.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
Air bag on the drivers side of the car A deer hit the drivers side and there was no airbag deployment, the restraints indicator Lamp warning light was on No No
Crash
Incident date: Dec 4, 2025
My Camaro ZL1 has 15300 miles an intermittently I’ll get an air malfunction warning on the DIC. It occurs mainly if I don’t drive the vehicle for a couple days. I have no idea if this is a legitimate concern or as electrical gremlin. I would think the air bag system is critical for safety and should be repaired under warranty
Incident date: Dec 30, 2025
The contact owned a 2018 Genesis G80. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed during the night, a deer hit the contact's vehicle on the front passenger side. The vehicle spun around and ended up in a "grass hill" where it came to a stop. The driver-side air bags did not deploy. However, the front passenger and side curtain air bags were deployed. The front passenger-side cont... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
There was a recall on this vehicle from 2022, and we did not own this vehicle at that time. Recall passenger side airbag contact under seat can cause fire or electrical issues. I contacted Subaru and they said the recall was satisfied in 2022. If that's the case, the repair piece must have been faulty as the issue has come back. The dealership I took the car to said they have seen about 4 of this... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2026
This incident happened to an employee driving a mercedes metris for work. The metris was involved in a multi car accident. The driver reported that the steering wheel "took over" and would not let them maneuver out of the way to avoid a vehicle that had rear ended the vehicle in front of them. This accident took place at about 40mph and included multiple vehicles rear ending the vehicle in front o... Read more
Crash
4 injured
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
I am submitting this complaint regarding failure to complete a federally mandated safety recall and the subsequent release of my vehicle in an unsafe condition after prolonged dealer custody. Vehicle Information provided above Safety Recall Information Recall Type: Federal airbag safety recall Recall Notice Received: 2023 Summary of Safety Concern I delivered my vehicle to authorized Kia dealershi... Read more