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: Nov 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2006 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH uphill, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was an abnormal sputtering sound coming from the vehicle. The "VSA" (Vehicle Stability Assist) and air bag warning lights illuminated, and an unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over t... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) - AIR BAGS
Nov 10, 2025
Incident date: Nov 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Front Air Bag Malfunction" was displayed, and the horn became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering column and air bag clock spring were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of th... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2025
Recently hit a deer running between 75-80 mph. Air bags fired but failed to deploy.
Crash
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
My 2008 Dodge Avenger airbag light has been on for a while, I believe that’s something that is defective and should be fixed by the manufacture. I’d called a dealership and was told it was not a recall and therefore not covered. When the wipers are turned on in the morning and then turned off, they continue to wipe even turned off. When I use the right blinker, the light in the dashboard dims ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2025
The location of the collision sensors are positioned too low to allow consistent deployment of the airbags in the event of a collision with newer generation pickup trucks. The bumpers on the pickup trucks are too high, so a rear end collision results in the Toyota Corolla passing underneath the truck, and the air bag sensors do not sense the collision. The collision is only stopped when the wi... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 30, 2025
Air Bags never deployed in an accident. Honda shows recall work was done prior to collision. Front end collision
Crash
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
After a hard crash from behind and then being pushed into another car, causing severe damage to the front and rear of the car (total loss), the airbags only deployed on the right (passenger) side. In addition, after the crash, the steering wheel was lying at the driver's feet, completely detached from its original position.
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Oct 24, 2025
1. The passenger side airbag has had a recall notification since 12/3/23. It is now 11/8/25. 2. The life and safety of my passengers are at risk. 3. The problem has been confirmed by NHTSA recall notification on 12/3/23, and personal experience. 4. The passenger side airbag warning came on the day I bought the vehicle on [XXX] at CarMax in Oxnard, CA, and was about to drive my Toyota Rav4 XLE... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
Vehicle sustained significant front-end impact in a collision, but none of the airbags deployed. Front bumper, hood, and frame sustained visible damage. Concern that sensors or airbag system failed to activate during qualifying crash.
Crash
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2018) - AIR BAGS
Nov 7, 2025
Incident date: Sep 14, 2023
The seatbelt and air bag warning light for the passenger front seat stays on.
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
Recall has been active since 2023. Delarship states there is no fix for issue at time time 2 years later
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2015) - AIR BAGS
Nov 7, 2025
Incident date: Oct 23, 2025
The contact owned a 2019 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH and hauling a trailer, the rear driver’s side tire blew out, and due to the weight shift the passenger’s side trailer tire blew out as well, causing the trailer to be tilted before crashing into a cement barrier. There was no warning prior to the blowouts or the crash. The trailer was towed from the scene and... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 7, 2025
Hit a deer. Airbags did not deploy, however I have reasonable suspicion to believe my head hit the A pillar during impact.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
While adjusting the driver seat, the seat's side airbag deployed.
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2026 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to avoid striking a deer the vehicle crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that the SOS system detected the impact to the vehicle and alerted First Responders. The vehicle was towed to the local tow yard and later towed to a Collision Center. The contact st... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 3, 2025
My screen on my truck went out and had to be reset manually, next my heated steering wheel stopped working. The problem is the cool spring in my steering wheel. Upon research there is a common problem with this said coil spring. This can cause multiple problems including loss of air bag function and front end collision indicator which comes on time to time saying it’s disabled due to this same s... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
Going about 55mph, I struck a deer head on. It struck towards the center, but more so on the passenger side. During the impact, no airbags deployed, however, based off IIHS videos, it seems likely that they should have. Additionally, I have reasonable suspicion to believe I hit my head on the pillar of the door, which would have been unlikely if the airbags deployed.
Crash
1 injured
NEWMAR
DUTCH STAR
(2019) - AIR BAGS
Nov 6, 2025
Incident date: Jul 10, 2025
My vehicles steering wheel wiring harness rubbed against the driver air bag module retainer spring causing it to break and now the parts need to be replaced. This was a validated recall on other models but for some reason it is not appearing under my VIN. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 15V459000 My vehicle is currently scheduled to get repaired by my mechanic but I believe this should be reimbursed as it ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2025
On September 25, 2023, I was involved in a motor vehicle collision while driving my Hyundai Sonata 2016, during which the front driver-side airbag failed to deploy despite the impact being significant enough to cause injury. This non-deployment represents a malfunction of the airbag system, including its sensors and deployment components, and aligns with issues already reported in class-action com... Read more
Crash
3 injured
Incident date: Jul 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 50 MPH, the front driver's side air bag and front passenger side air bag unexpectedly deployed without an impact to the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. There were no injuries sustained. There were no passengers seated inside the vehicle. The contact's son drove the vehicle b... Read more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact recently replaced the windshield wiper motor due to a failure of the intermittent speed settings not functioning properly. The contact stated that after replacing the wiper motor, the contact was only able to use the wipers on the fast speed setting. An independent mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was taken to the shop for repair, or... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
The airbag sensor in my 2019 Toyota 4Runner has failed, causing the airbag warning light to remain illuminated. This indicates the airbag system may not deploy properly in a collision, which is a serious safety concern. The vehicle has approximately 95,600 miles, has been well maintained, and has not been in any accident that would affect the airbag system. The dealership confirmed the failure but... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2022
The airbag light is constantly on. I've dinner many replacement repairs but it's still on
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
Today is 11/05/2025 incident happened yesterday evening 11/04/2025 The driver airbag in the steering wheel auto deployed when I started the car I went to step out from my car while it was warming up and barley turning the steering wheel the airbag exploded with my arm still on the wheel hitting and fracturing my ulna bone n causing a burn that was so instant n hot it burnt through my skin causing ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 31, 2025
I received notice of safety recall N945 for the 2021–2025 Range Rover Evoque concerning a defect in the passenger airbag that could tear during deployment due to improper folding during assembly. This condition poses a serious safety risk because a torn airbag could fail to protect the occupant or release hot gases that could cause burns. Since the recall was issued several months ago, I have r... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2023
My wife had bought a new 2025 Nissan Murano two days earlier for our 28th Wedding Anniversary. We were rear-ended at a high rate of speed and pushed into a parking lot and went through a chain link fence and hit 3 parked cars. The front end was also at a high rate of speed. My Wife hit her head on the dash with no dash airbag deployment and My Steering wheel airbag did not deploy. This caused my... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Nov 5, 2025
I received a safety recall notice from Toyota (Recall No. 23TA15 / 23TB15) for the front passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors. The letter states that the airbag system may not deploy correctly and that the remedy is not yet available. I’m concerned for my safety and my passengers since the airbag system could fail in a crash. Toyota has not provided a repair timeline or an alte... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER EVOQUE
(2024) - AIR BAGS
Nov 5, 2025
Incident date: Oct 2, 2025
I live on Hawaiʻi Island and my 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible (VIN [XXX] ) has an open federal airbag safety recall. Volkswagen informed me there is no authorized VW dealer or recall facility on Hawaiʻi Island, and that I must ship my vehicle to Oʻahu at my own expense to complete this federally required safety repair. VW has only offered to reimburse 25% of the inter-island shipping cost... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V454000 (Air Bags); however, the contact called a local dealer and was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the electronic throttle control warning... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2025
I got the notice air bag recall and gmc said it's passenger front seat side . They said it's discontinued and Wana use another 1 and charge me 500.00 plus labor. I just paid 398.00 for them to tell me this don't think that's fair what can I do if it's a recall I paid for nothing
Incident date: Feb 25, 2025
The vehicle has multiple safety and operational defects that remain unresolved after four service visits on April 10, May 28, June 19, and August 2, 2024, totaling more than 30 days out of service. Lane Keep Assist malfunctions unpredictably at highway speeds—at times making abrupt steering inputs without warning or failing to intervene during lane departure—creating a safety hazard. The vehic... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2025
The middle passenger seat consistently sends signal that seat belt is not fastened when it actually is. This is noticed more when making a left turn. My 2 older kids are 11 and 8 yrs old. When either of them sit on the seat, I always ensure they buckle up. It's alarming to see message on dashboard and hear the chime that seat belt is not fastened when it is. I've also seen a message that the airba... Read more
Incident date: Nov 3, 2025
Passenger seat occupancy sensor faulty causing restraint system malfunction and seat belt warning
Incident date: Oct 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that while driving and turning the steering wheel to the left, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the electrical features on the steering wheel failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that several days later, the same failure returned with air bag and a "Front Left Malfunction - Servic... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2020
The contact’s husband owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated, and the message "Supplemental Restraint System" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was an air bag issue, and the passenger’s side air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2019) - AIR BAGS
Nov 5, 2025
Incident date: Oct 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 Lucid Air. The contact stated that while driving approximately 2 - 5 MPH in stop-and-go traffic, the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) suddenly activated and immediately caused the vehicle to stop. The contact released the accelerator and brake pedals, and when doing so, the vehicle displayed, Forward Power Application meaning it accelerated forward without the accelerator ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 4, 2025
Somebody switch my vin to another car stolen the parts the car unsafe swaying and stole the shocks control arm sway bar air bag tampered my car had a key hole on the trunk when I bought it it not there the gas pedal break pedal no correct the car is dangerous and I have a stolen switched Chrysler under my vin number the metal tag missing out the windshield and not my engine
Incident date: Oct 17, 2025
The car due to the parking brake system recall lost control, the brakes would not stop and caused the vehicle to crash into 2 parked cars, landing on top of the 2nd vehicle which was a pick up truck
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Incident date: Oct 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that, while driving at 40 MPH, another vehicle failed to yield at a stop sign. As a result, the contact was unable to stop in time and collided with the driver's side B Pillar center region of the other vehicle. The air bags did deploy, which the contact held responsible for the injuries she sustained. No warning lights were illuminated. ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
My 2020 Honda Civic's passenger seat weight sensor failed due to an internal electrical failure. This is an officially diagnosed issue from a Honda Dealership. This put's my passenger's at risk as the airbags will not deploy due to the sensor not reading the passenger's weight. The vehicle has not been in an accident that would have caused this sensor to fail. On 10/16 the SRS light (reading airba... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
This 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee was hit in the left front by a vehicle that failed to stop at a stop sign. It also spun and was impacted on the left rear as well. All airbags but the driver’s side curtain airbag deployed. The driver hit their head on the seat belt pillar on the driver’s side. I have contacted Jeep but they have not responded to me in over a week. Injury to the driver’s head wo... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Nov 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Honda HR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (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 dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts for the recall repair were not yet available. Another dealer was con... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2025
Early October my passenger side airbag deployed and I was sitting in the drivers seat and had just put the key into the key hole but did not turn the key to start the vehicle. 3 weeks later I was going into the passenger side of the vehicle and the key was in my pocket and the drivers side airbag deployed. Both times the vehicle was not started and the airbags deployed I called GMC and they ha... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
Currently getting a reoccurring warning, "SRS airbag system needs to be checked" which disables the front passenger airbag. This means if I have a passenger sit in the front seat of my vehicle, they don't have the protection of an airbag in the event of a car accident. In 2021, I had this exact same issue and the Subaru dealership diagnosed the airbag needing to be replaced. I had to pay for this ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
My local dealers still do not have the parts for the recall 24V834. It has been a year since the recall. What am I supposed to do?
Incident date: Aug 3, 2025
While driving a vehicle in front of me turned in front of another vehicle which pushed that car sideways and there was no way to stop so my front end hit the back end of their vehicle totalling my van.
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Nov 4, 2025
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
It happened yesterday , November 3rd at 8:45 am Approx. speed was 35mph to 40 •Location: 934 York Road, Towson, MD •Description: Front-right impact at 40 mph, no airbag deployment, two children in back seat, vehicle had recent 50K service and roof-rail repair, CSP 22TE05, at Sheehy Toyota Cockeysville. Vehicle now at Caliber Collision Cockeysville. Claim #060381946 I am experiencing neck, s... Read more
Crash
3 injured