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: Sep 4, 2025
Vehicle: 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Issue: Persistent brake noise, safety hazard, manufacturer negligence I leased a 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid from Clermont Toyota (Florida). Well before reaching 5,000 miles, the brakes began squealing and grinding, posing a potential safety hazard. Multiple service visits failed to correct the issue. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and its distributor, Southeast Toyo... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
The light for the passenger airbag has been on for years. I have taken it in, and the only thing the service department determined is that there was a water bottle under the seat. I was rear-ended into another vehicle, and the airbag did not deploy. The engine burns the oil from an oil change in approximately two weeks. I add a quart of oil every two weeks. If the engine seizes while driving due ... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2021) - AIR BAGS
Oct 27, 2025
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the module was not functioning as intended. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2018) - AIR BAGS
Oct 27, 2025
Incident date: Oct 20, 2025
I was traveling on an interstate going home from work. My speed was approximately 65mph. I noticed traffic slowing up ahead. I began to drop my speed (cost down), as I was approaching the traffic the car in front of me was applying their brakes; I had already began to apply mine. I was applying more pressure to my brakes to slow down more as the person in front of me began to slow more quickly. Th... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 15, 2025
Airbag light indicator is on showing baby seat is in front passenger seat even when an adult is sitting in the seat. Airbag light indicator switches from baby or booster seat to airbag light indicator when there is no one in the front passenger seat.
Incident date: Oct 25, 2025
Head rest on passenger side popped out while driving and hit me, the passenger, in the head. I found that this particular model did have a recall a few years back as said below, however, our car was not recalled, why not? We went to the dealership to get this repaired and was told there was a warranty but because this head seat was no longer made they couldn't replace it. What can we do to get thi... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2025
Head rest on passenger side popped out while driving and hit me, the passenger, in the head. I found that this particular model did have a recall a few years back as said below, however, our car was not recalled, why not? We went to the dealership to get this repaired and was told there was a warranty but because this head seat was no longer made they couldn't replace it. What can we do to get thi... Read more
Incident date: Sep 28, 2025
Front Airbags deployed without collision. Vehicle shut off and called police. Driver got severe laceration on face from driver airbag projectile. Vehicle was brought to RAM dealer and they recommended replacing all airbag components including ORC. The ORC did not have stored collision data. Attempted to open case with RAM/stellantis but they closed the case without investigating. THIS IS THE SECON... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
The side airbags went off while driving with no impact. Driver sustained minor cuts and bruises from seat and curtain airbag. The vehicle shut off and automatically began calling the police. The vehicle was inspected by the RAM dealer and they refused to repair the vehicle stating that the vehicle detected a rollover (This did not happen). The insurance company found that the truck's airbag syst... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, the air bag warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the air bag system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2025
The passenger airbag light in my 2018 Subaru Forester intermittently turns off and on, even when the seat is occupied. The vehicle has never been in a crash, and the airbags have not deployed. This issue raises serious safety concerns, especially since it may prevent the airbag from deploying in an accident while a passenger is in the seat. I raised this concern to a local Subaru Dealer, and they... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2025
The airbag light came on and we took it in. The dealership reported that the airbag module has failed. This is a safety concern since this is not a common issue for cars to have unless its an older car, its been in an accident or moisture. We park the car inside a garage overnight every night. The light has been on for a few months and the dealership (Dean Team Hyundai in Ballwin, MO) confirmed t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
My passenger headrest is coming apart spontaneously. It has an active airbag system. Apparently my vin is just outside a known recall range. I have called Jeep and the dealership, both stated i needed to report to NHTSA. The Jeep will be serviced tomorrow at the dealership for diagnosis and repairs.
Incident date: Jan 5, 2022
I was stopped at a red light behind a line of cars. A toyota tundra going 45-60 mph rear ended me. This sent me into the car ahead of me and sandwiched me in between the two. It destroyed the front and back of my vehicle. The tundra's airbags went of, mine did not. Despite me taking most of the damage and force. The car is totaled.
Crash
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
When I was driving and stopped at a red light, my Jeep automatically shut off. It had the steering wheel warning and air bag warning pop up. I had a message that told me to put my vehicle in Park when I tried to start it back up. I placed it in park and started up the Jeep again. It came back on, but the warning lights remained on. Once I made it home, I safely turned my vehicle off and then resta... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
The bus is always parked on the road, my phone slid off the console, when I reached for it, I accidentally moved the truck to the right, and before I hit the bus, I did not have enough time to correct my mistake. I have forgotten everything that occurred from Saturday the 18th up until Friday the 24th. I kept massive migraines the entire week. Now I just have some headaches. The part that scared m... Read more
Crash
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) - AIR BAGS
Oct 26, 2025
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
My 2012 Hyundai Sonata (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced complete engine failure at 241,433 miles on August 7, 2025. The failure aligns with known safety defect symptoms described under NHTSA Recall Campaign 15V568000 and 17V226000, which cite premature bearing wear due to metal debris during engine manufacturing. My vehicle had previously received the knock sensor update under Campaign T3G and failed th... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2025
Shortly after purchase the dash board begain to display warning lights. Then suspension warnings. The pump for the air bag suspension stopped working. The cars ride height was bellow the bumpers & seemingly had no shock activity. I stoped driving it because it said i could cause extensive damage if it continued to be on the road. I replaced the pump/compressor & it appeared to have been fixed. Abo... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2020) - AIR BAGS
Oct 25, 2025
Incident date: Oct 24, 2025
The passenger occupancy sensor gives a false positive. The only way I can get rid of the beeping is plug in the seatbelt. I have read on Reddit forums that this is a very common problem with 2013 volts, but for some reason there isn't a recall. This is a safety issue. Thank you!
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
passenger side leather covered dashboard delaminated making air bag deployment inpossible
Incident date: Oct 7, 2025
While driving my 2012 dodge charger at times it pops out of driving going into neutral. It happens when I'm on the hwy or in town. And the air bags has illuminated on the dash and it is at the dealership, and I was told, I have to pay for everything out of pocket.To replace it, popping out of gear while driving and the airbags. The dealership is not going to warranty anything because it's past. It... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER
(2015) - AIR BAGS
Oct 24, 2025
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
I own a 2021 Toyota Camry XSE (VIN: [XXX] ) with a malfunction in the SRS airbag system related to the front passenger seat frame Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor. The airbag warning light remains on, and diagnostics indicate a failure in the OCS sensor that could prevent the passenger airbag from deploying correctly, or could deploy it at the wrong time during a collision. I contacted ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2025
In 2022, our airbag light came on. On 5/10/2022 am Airbag recall was issued and it was fixed. The airbag computer/module was fixed. We got into an accident in August of 2022, and our airbags never went off. And the airbag light has never shut off since it was “fixed” May 2022. It’s now October 2025. They said nothing was wrong with it, after bringing the vehicle in multiple times. And now a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
The contact's mother-in-law owns a 2024 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving 8-10 MPH from a stop sign, the vehicle was T-boned by a truck driving 30-35 MPH. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle sustained significant damage, but the air bags did not deploy. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact hit the head against the front driver's side door and the... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 23, 2025
Front air bag sensor part is not available. Part number 85597996 has been discontinued without a replacement. As such, I have no airbag system on my truck.
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLE 350
(2021) - AIR BAGS
Oct 24, 2025
Incident date: Jan 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that shortly after refueling, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration, causing the speed to increase to approximately 45 MPH while approaching stopped traffic. While pressing the brake pedal to avoid a collision, the vehicle continued to accelerate and crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. During the air bag deployment, ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Sienna. 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 the air bag sensor turned off and failed to function as intended. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
While driving down the road a pot hole was hit and the center cap of steering wheel split as if airbag should have deployed.
Incident date: Sep 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V510000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS) and 25V586000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The conta... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that the front passenger's side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front passenger's seat Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and the seat sensors needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Ca... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while driving at 69 MPH on the freeway, when the contact attempted to switch lanes and the vehicle spun independently, causing her to collide with another vehicle on the front driver side. The contact mentioned her rear bumper detached from the vehicle. No air bags deployed. The contact did not sustain any injuries. No medical attentio... Read more
Crash
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER
(2016) - AIR BAGS
Oct 23, 2025
Incident date: Oct 23, 2025
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The driver seat airbag module is defective and requires replacement. It is available for inspection at Northlake Kia or any authorized Nissan service center upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The defective driver seat airbag module may fail to deploy properl... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
Airbag pressure sensing fault in passenger seat. Fix is $1,800
VOLKSWAGEN
GTI
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Oct 23, 2025
Incident date: Oct 23, 2025
The contact owned a 2007 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving 40-43 MPH, a bicyclist suddenly pulled in front of the vehicle. The contact veered away from the bicyclist, causing the vehicle to crash into a utility pole. The utility pole was damaged. The air bags failed to deploy, and the contact hit the chest and head against the steering wheel. The contact immediately went to the h... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
2020 Nissan Altima involved in a 3 car collision. Altima was rear ended by a vehicle travelling approximately 50 MPH and forced Altima to rear end the vehicle in front of it. Vehicle is a total loss. No air bags deployed.
Crash
Incident date: Mar 22, 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 11, 2025
I was in a head on collision going 55-60mph with no airbags deployed. Car started a dripping fire. I have seatbelt lacerations starting from collarbone/neck area cross my chest, breast and right side ribs including deep bruising on lower abdomen and pelvic area. Police would not let me in my car bc air bags could potentially go off at any time but car made it to the tow-yard still without airbags ... Read more
Crash
Fire
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRT
(2024) - AIR BAGS
Oct 22, 2025
Incident date: Oct 22, 2024
Driver and passenger seats are collapsing to the point we are sinking into the seats unevenly and we can feel the hardware in the seats. We have bells that ding intermittently while driving. The dealership stated this is due to the airbag sensors located in the seats. Both seat manufacturer covers are splitting extensively. Due to the defective breakdown/collapsing seats the airbag timing in an ac... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while at a stop, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. In addition, the contact stated that upon further inspection, the fuel gauge failed to properly display the fuel level. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic, where the unknown repairs were made; however, the traction con... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2025
The dash board is warped and literally peeling off. I took it to a dealer to get it looked at to see if Ford could help. They won't. My concern is that if the airbag had to deploy, they won't operate properly. I don't know what to do.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 3500
(2019) - AIR BAGS
Oct 22, 2025
Incident date: Sep 30, 2025
My 4Runner was involved in a collision where the airbags did not deploy, and I was knocked unconscious from hitting the steering wheel. The vehicle now shows an SRS fault code and is subject to an open Takata airbag recall. Toyota corporate initially stated they would cover towing for the recall repair, then reversed that decision, claiming an airbag fault does not prevent the vehicle from starti... Read more
Crash
1 injured
KIA
SPORTAGE HYBRID
(2025) - AIR BAGS
Oct 22, 2025
Incident date: Oct 21, 2025
I was in a very bad accident on [XXX]. I was side swiped from the front passenger side of the car. I was not at fault of the accident. My car then hit a fire hydrant and a pole. The airbags did not deploy and my head hit the steering wheel I own a 2023 RAV4 XLe premium. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash
1 injured
FORD
TRANSIT CONNECT
(2019) - AIR BAGS
Oct 21, 2025
Incident date: Oct 21, 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 17, 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: Sep 14, 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 2, 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 17, 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
AUDI
Q6 SPORTBACK E-TRON
(2025) - AIR BAGS
Oct 21, 2025
Incident date: Jul 31, 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: Oct 4, 2025
Airbag light came on and remained
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
Passenger restraint fault message randomly comes on.