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 10, 2024
I am reporting a recurring safety defect in my 2015 Subaru Forester (VIN: [XXX] ) that directly relates to Recall WUM-98 / NHTSA Recall 19V-701 (Occupant Detection System wiring harness). Original Recall (2019–2020): The Occupant Detection System (ODS) failed, disabling the passenger airbag. Subaru performed the recall remedy at that time. Reoccurrence (August 2025): The exact same defect reap... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2025
Airbag located in the steering wheel partially deployed during a moderate/serious accident. It came out of the front of the steering wheel but never inflated. I have pictures available of the partially deployed airbag. No other airbags were deployed during this front end crash. The seatbelt tensioner did activate and prevented serious injury during the crash. There was no indication, via warn... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 30, 2024
Front left safety restraint. Airbags won’t deploy due to this issue.
Incident date: May 24, 2025
Subject: Request for Investigation - Fraudulent and Falsified Vehicle Records (Crest Ford & Roy O'Brien Ford, Possible Involvement of Bell Ford) Dear Attorney General, I am submitting this complaint to formally request an investigation into fraud committed by Roy O'Brien, an automobile dealership located in Michigan. On [XXX], 1 purchased a 2024 dark horse mustang #R8911 from Roy O'Brien under the... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 9, 2025
Service shifter light is on been on for a long time. When driving it takes a min to pick up speed . My dash said that there is something wrong with my air bag.
Incident date: Sep 8, 2025
* the passenger airbag light came on July 2025. I was not in a accident the light just came on. * 7/29/2025 I took my car in for service at Infinity of Las Vegas (the only Infinity dealership in Las Vegas) I asked to check why the airbag light was on. I was told the occupant sensor unit was abnormal. Sensor and module internally shorted out. Recommend to replace passenger front seat frame assemb... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2025
Safety System Malfunction message appears on dash. Passenger side air bag goes on and off while driving. Whole system chimes and random messages flashing on screen constantly. At times system doesn’t recognize that I have my drivers side seatbelt buckled. So system keeps chiming cars Stanton. Random messages flash on dash. Traffic jam assist (3 cars symbol) unavailable and image flash on ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2021
Check airbag system light keeps coming on and worried airbag may rupture or explode
Incident date: Sep 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufa... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 2500
(2015) - AIR BAGS
Sep 9, 2025
Incident date: Jun 24, 2025
All warning lights and audible alarms started going off at the same time. EPS, ABS, Auto Hold, Collision warning, Air bags, All wheel drive, brake system, and more.1st time it happened was [XXX], while driving. The car was drivable but I did notice a difference in braking and acceleration. I parked and turned off the car. I did turn the car back on several times and the alarms continued. I finally... Read more
Incident date: Sep 7, 2025
We have been calling and trying to get this recall taken care of. Every time we call they never have the parts and "will let us know". Its getting frustrating getting these notices from different sources and not being able to take care of it. Please help us to het this done by directing us to a repair shop that has the parts available.
GMC
SIERRA 2500
(2024) - AIR BAGS
Sep 9, 2025
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
Driving when a drunk driver ran a red light hitting me
Crash
TOYOTA
COROLLA CROSS
(2023) - AIR BAGS
Sep 9, 2025
Incident date: Jul 23, 2025
The contact owned a 2021 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, another vehicle collided with his vehicle on the front passenger side of the vehicle after running a red light. The driver's side air bags did deploy but failed to inflate. The contact stated that he sustained injuries to his right rib, left ankle, purple bruises from whiplash to his left leg, and a hand. He also s... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
they still havent replaced my airbag yet why is this even posable14 years yes 14 years to replace a national recall very unexctable get on them
Incident date: Apr 23, 2025
On 9/5, a car darted out in front of me while I was traveling straight at 45 miles per hour. I hit the brakes but t-boned him. The car then spins around and hits me again on the passenger quarter panel. No emergency brake, precollision no warning light came on. The airbag didnt deploy. I hit my chest on the steering while and my head on the window. The seat belt didnt lock me down. I purchased the... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jul 30, 2025
SRS AIRBAG LIGHT continuously switches on in the car with a passenger present. The seat has been replaced, light is still coming on and issue is not resolved. The dealer is refusing to resolve the issue with the sensor/ wiring harness and saying it is not applicable for recall repairs. This is a Safety issue that Subaru of America is refusing to address that directly impacts the safety of passenge... Read more
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2024) - AIR BAGS
Sep 8, 2025
Incident date: Jul 6, 2025
Just few minutes ago around 5:45 PM, Monday, September 8th 2025. I started my engine with the remote start in my drive way. After about 30 seconds there was a series of 3 or 4 violent explosions each with a 1 or two second interval. The driver side, passenger side and both side air bags deployed fracturing my windshield and causing other potential internal damage to the passenger compartment.... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
Car accident, got hit from the front and back. Car is totaled from the accident, airbags failed to deploy
Crash
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. 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 manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the wiring harness located on the passenger’s side of the vehicle had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacture... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. 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.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Sep 8, 2025
Incident date: May 8, 2025
I was in a car accident and the airbags didn't deploy. Car was declared a total loss.
Crash
Incident date: Jul 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH around a roundabout, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal before the vehicle stalled. Several unknown warning lights illuminated with an abnormal beeping sound coming from the vehicle. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The cont... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH in a parking lot, the front driver's side air bag unexpectedly deployed without an impact to the vehicle. In addition, the air bag exploded. The contact was unsure if any warning light was illuminated. The contact sustained minor injuries to the right eye and the neck, and an allergic reaction on the face from the p... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 17, 2024
Other people keep using my Bluetooth from my Toyota RAV4 2007. I don't even use it anymore. I found out because my android vehicle app keeps activating. Also, I live in a apartment complex, and notice when I look out my window, people walk by and slow down and stop right in front of my car and start messing with their phone. It appears they are hacking into the Bluetooth. I've also had much financ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 7, 2025
In a no fault accident, I was passenger. When the collision happened, I was wearing seatbelt, and then I was up in the dash/ windshield, there were flames, smoke. The airbags had "exploded" The seatbelt was hanging out of the passenger door after I exited. Still dangling out the door where it did not retract. I busted the windshield with my head, concussion, four teeth porcelain knocked out of th... Read more
Crash
Fire
2 injured
Incident date: Sep 2, 2025
I have reached out to my dealer over the past 5 yrs and Corporate as well about the recall on my 2020 Lexus RX 350. I have since paid the car off and feel the remedy has fell on death ears. The last two services I inquired about a fix, Sterling McCall lexus in Clear Lake texas never responded back to me. I need some kind of resolution to this recall. Vehicle has 31K miles on it and the only pl... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2025
the vehicle failed the fuel tank Inspection recall.I have a tech line case open :Case number 25408405 . It has been 46 days since the vehicle has been at the dealership waiting for information from Kia USA . I have been still told to pay for car note that I am financing through Kia itself as well as rental because the dealership doesn’t have any loaners .
Incident date: Sep 5, 2025
Multiple times over the last 4 months the passenger airbag has turned off when there is a passenger occupying the seat and the SRS light turns on. The related code is B1650. This seems to be the same issue as a recall from about 5 years ago that was “fixed” and now has come back. The same code and SRS light sometimes comes on when there is no one in the passenger seat as well. It makes it unsa... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2025
on 7SEP 2025 @ 1100 While backing out of my driveway in my 2007 Chevy 3500, the vehicle’s airbag suddenly and unexpectedly deployed without any collision. The airbag struck me in the chest and left forearm, causing immediate injury. Since the incident, I have been experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. Prior to this incident, I had taken my truck in for service due to concerns about th... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 4, 2025
The driver's side impact airbag burst open when it deployed. This deposited unreacted airbag propellant on my skin, causing a severe chemical burn. The airbag is with the vehicle and currently in the yard of a local body shop, but which will soon turned over to my insurance company. To my knowledge, no investigation has yet been conducted regarding this equipment failure. There were no warning... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
Front suspension has completely bottomed out while the back is all the way raised making the truck sit awkwardly and drive extremely unstable and very roughly. You feel every bump on the road and hitting any kind of hole/bump will cause the truck to jerk. I definitely feel less safe driving this truck. Problem was identified by dealership and been an issue since I have owned it for 2+ years. Wa... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2025
This accident did not trigger ANY safety features for my vehicle. No: Automatic Emergency Breaking Forward Collision Warning Air Bag Deployment SOS activation.
Crash
Incident date: Sep 6, 2025
Passenger headrest airbag went off /exploded open while I was parking the van in my driveway. No one was sitting in the passenger seat so no one was injured. Yes, you can inspect it. I called dodge but they said there were no recalls. No one has inspected it. No warning lights.
Incident date: Jun 19, 2024
While driving at approximately 10 mph I attempted to make a left hand turn. Something popped in my front end causing my vehicle to immediately pull to the left and into a landscaping rock. The incident caused the entire wheel and left front side to completely break. Air bags did not deploy
Crash
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
The vinyl on the top part of the dash has completely seperated which is causing a major white reflection on my window and rendering the car unsafe to drive. Ford refuses to address the issue. I also suspect if my air bags deployed this could impact how they deploy or cause additional vinyl shrapnel hitting an occupant in the face in the event of a crash.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
With no warning my car left me sit on the side of the road and when started the engine made an awful knocking noise. Hyundai denied to replace the engine despite there being at least 2 engine recalls. When I asked why they said it was due to no maintenance records so I provided them with maintenance records like they requested and then they deny it again and say they aren’t replacing the engine ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
Driver hit a tree at 55mph, air bags did not deploy, insurance company determined vehicle was total loss, and body shop (Caliber Collision at 3061 US-42 Delaware OH 43015, phone # 740-430-2869) questioned why the air bags did not deploy.
Crash
Incident date: Aug 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Fiat 124 Spider. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V694000 (Air Bags); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the air bag control module software needed to be updated. The dealer informed the contact that the repair could not be completed becau... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2025
There is an active recall but the manufacturer has failed to resolve the issue in a timely fashion. They currently have no idea how to repair or replace the airbags. As a result, my family do not feel safe in the vehicle.
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
Here in AZ we had some strong monsoon storms and during one last week, my car was shaken from the winds and rains so bad that my driver side curtain airbag was visible. It did not fully deploy but the bag was exposed. There is a current recall on these bags but since this happened before the recall fix(at the shop now getting replaced) should insurance have been contacted before hand since this wa... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
I hit a deer going 60mph and the side airbags in the pillars attempted to deploy but did not appear to fully inflate, not only that but my steering wheel airbag did not deploy at all/no other airbags deployed.
Crash
Incident date: Jul 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2005 Lexus RX 330. The contact stated that there were horizontal and vertical cracks on the dashboard near the passenger’s side air bag housing. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was concerned about the safety of the driver’s and passenger’s side air bags. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (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 experience... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2025
Front passenger safety restraint system fault - this seems to be very common issue on Tesla Model 3 where I'm told some wires or sensor is pinched on the seat when the seat is reclined too far back or forward. It could cause an issue with the airbag misfiring or not firing at all during an accident, leading to death. I think this needs to be investigated immediately - this is a common issue and Te... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
Last year while driving my 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the headrest collision system went off for no reason, hitting me in the back of the head. Luckily I did not lose control of the vehicle and there was no collision or injury to myself. It was very scary, but I maintained control of the vehicle. I went to my local Jeep dealer Pembroke Pines Jeep Auto Nation at 13601Pines Blvd Suite A Pembroke Pine... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2025
On September 2, 2025, while driving at 65 mph, I lost control of my vehicle three times. The traction control light came on each time, creating a serious safety risk to me and others. The issue appears to involve the airbag clockspring/steering column assembly, matching symptoms reported under Safety Recall 27B (RC-27B-24). My VIN is not currently included in the recall. Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram op... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
My passenger occupancy mat señor is not working. It has been replaced by Hyundai several times and was a part of a recall. It was replaced in 2006 and 2007. They installed a new version of the senor mat, and the mat senor is defective again. I called Hynindia of America, and they said even though it was a recall and they fixed it as a recall fix, they said that they are no longer responsible. Is... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2025
I purchased a 2016 VW Beetle, used, in March of 2025. Over the past few weeks, I have received multiple urgent messages from Volkswagon that I need to have the airbag fixed. The communications say there is a high risk of death or serious injury and urge me to my have the repair done ASAP. They have sent multiple mailings to me and made several phone calls to my home. I am doing everything ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2025
New vehicle sold to me by Paul Miller Ford Mazda, 975 East New Circle Rd., Lexington, KY 40505 with an open, uncured, undisclosed recall regarding vent flap on passenger airbag.