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: May 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V487000 (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 m... Read more
Incident date: May 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 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 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 ... Read more
Incident date: May 11, 2025
I took my truck in to a dealership to fix the airbag recall. I do not believe they fixed it because the airbag light is still on on my dash board. It is the only light on as this truck is low miles and regularly maintained.. I asked them and they just said, "we fixed it." However, they did not.
Incident date: Mar 30, 2025
Received Important Safety Recall letter dated December 2024 from VW. NHTSA: 24V834. Safety Recall 69EG. Today is May 16th, 2025. Dealers have no parts, BUT this is a safety recall. How can this be remedy asap, before accidents occurs? No ETA as to when parts are available according to 2 dealership I've contacted. Thank you for your help.
Incident date: May 11, 2025
It's been a year now I've been waiting for my 2017 Chevy Traverse to replace the "SAFETY RECALL" on driver's air bag inflator to be replace by this Dealership. Their neglecting the safety issue that it may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect. They schedule me three times, one last year on my maintenance service and two times last month, ever since I got this "SAFETY RECALL" not... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's and passenger's side air bags unexpectedly deployed, cracking the windshield and injuring his arm. No warning light was illuminated. Medical attention was not received. The contact stated that there was no impact to the vehicle that could have caused the air bags ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 9, 2025
I was trying to use my cruse control and it would work and then not work and one day i try using the cruse control and it stopped working completey and the airbag light came on at the same time, yes it is available upon request, i am at rist because of the airbag may not work if needed, no it have not been looked at yet, nobody looked at it yet, no warning it just came on about a month ago to a so... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2025
The passenger airbag randomly just blew up and destroyed my windshield are vision was impaired couldn’t see couldn’t hear cuz our ears where ringing and toxic chemicals and particles where flying around in the car from it blowing up. We had a 3 year old in the truck and my bestfriend. Are safety was definitely put at risk we where on the freeway and like I said we couldn’t see anything and w... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2025
Accident June 12, 2024 air bag did not deploy. hit on passenger side no air bags deployed. Air bag not able to be reset
Crash
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
While making a slow right turn into a shopping plaza, I accidentally struck a median curb with only the driver’s side front tire. Despite the low speed and minimal impact, the passenger side front airbag deployed without cause, severely endangering my passenger. Aside from a flat tire, there was no damage to the body of the car. Fortunately, we were moving slowly enough to avoid injury, but had ... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Lexus RX450H. 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 m... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2022) - AIR BAGS
May 15, 2025
Incident date: May 15, 2025
Rodents chewed through the main wire harness on my vehicle on 2 separate occasions, both times in the same exact location. This recurring damage poses a serious safety risk and may be linked to soy-based wire coatings that attract rodents. The first incident required a $4,979.27 repair, covered by insurance; I paid a $500 deductible. The vehicle was diagnosed by Boonton Auto Body Shop. I recently... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2025
THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND OFF SAYING THAT I NEED TO TAKE IT BY THE DEALER FOR THEM TO FIX IT. WENT BY THERE MONDAY THEY CLEARED CODE AND THEN IT CAME BACK ON MONDAY EVENING. DROPPED IT OFF THIS MORNING AND THEY SAID IT GONNA COST OVER 300$. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS BUT MY VIN DID NOT SHOW UP. BUT IT STILL COULD BE AFFECTED
Incident date: May 20, 2024
I am writing to formally report a serious safety concern involving my partner’s 2021 Dodge Ram Bighorn, which was involved in a collision on May 9, 2025. The vehicle was severely damaged and deemed a total loss, yet none of the airbags deployed at the time of the crash. This incident raises significant questions about the safety and reliability of the airbag system in this vehicle. Given the se... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 20, 2024
Seat belt light on. Car went into limp mode while on the highway. Seat belt acted like it was loose. Went for scan and it pulled up diagnostic code P0203 which is Replace Fuel injector wiring harness. Saying Cylinder 3 circuit malfunction. Also threw code P050B.
Incident date: Dec 12, 2021
Car hit pole head on, airbags did not deploy. Dash indicated SRS airbag failure
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the air bag warning light was blinking. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V244000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the occupant sensor module had cause the failure and recommended that the seat frame be replac... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2025
After starting the car, two messages appeared on the dash board. Center Gauge read: SRS Restraint System Malfunction Service Required Fuel Gauge read: SRS (in red) Took the car to our certified mechanic. After his diagnostic check- He... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2021) - AIR BAGS
May 14, 2025
Incident date: May 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Ariya Engage. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 2 MPH in a parking lot, as he depressed the brake pedal and was about to shift the vehicle to park (P), the vehicle inadvertently accelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle jumped the curb and crashed into a building head-on. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy, and the front c... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 8, 2025
There is an active recall for my vehicle involving the passenger airbag potentially not deploying. This is a huge safety risk and the remedy is still not available. The active recall was first initiated in December of 2023.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
Component: Driver airbag assembly required replacement Risk: Airbag assembly seems serious & life-threatening if not functinal Inspected & replaced by: By Tesla service center Symptom: Horn stopped working
Incident date: Oct 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (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
MERCEDES-BENZ
E300
(2017) - AIR BAGS
May 14, 2025
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
I received a safety recall notice (Campaign Number: 24V227000 / Subaru Code: WRA24) for my Subaru Outback. I contacted multiple Subaru dealerships in my area, and they all told me that the repair parts are not available and there is no clear ETA for when they will arrive. This recall relates to a safety issue, and I am concerned that my vehicle may not be safe to drive, especially at highway speed... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2025
My 2018 accord sport started randomly started popping up a “supplemental restraint system problem” on my dashboard. It’s turns on and goes away randomly. I went to my local Honda dealer and I asked them about it and they had to preform a diagnostic for $250. Our Honda dealer wants to charge $4000 to repair it. I wrote to American Honda and submitted a support ticket, they asked for a new Di... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
Panoramic Sunroof bonding and bolts loose causing constant horrific cracking/clanking sounds due to shifting of glass. Possible frame and airbag damage, possible glass falling, possible injury/accident/death. Can cause issues with airbags deploying and water leaks. Mercedes mechanic said it's the worst case/noise he has heard in any Mercedes. Same make/year/model has been recalled in other plants.... Read more
FORD
F-150 LIGHTNING BEV
(2023) - AIR BAGS
May 14, 2025
Incident date: May 13, 2025
A light was coming on and off shortly after my husband and I purchase the vehicle from Landers in covington tn. On 10/24/24 I showed the manger of store AJ. And he advise me to make sure I address this with the service department. Misty was the lady that did my oil change and tire rotation that day. I showed her the picture, she couldn't tell me what it meant, but she started that it was probably ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 13, 2025
Active Headrest system deployed without collision on the passenger side. Could have impacted passenger and caused serious head injury. Vehicle was taken to dealer and directed me to Chryslers customer hotline. They were reluctant to do anything and were trying to put the blame on me. They said they would call back in the next 2-3 business days to examine the vehicle after much back and forth. Ther... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
Service safety restraint system. Airbags are potentially at risk to not deploy if a wreck was to occur. This failure has caused the airbags to be shut off despite anyone sitting in the seats that is supposed to activate them on when weight is applied to the seat. Has not been inspected but I would like for it to be inspected on behalf of the Chevy dealership at their cost.
Incident date: May 9, 2025
I have had multiple issues with this vehicle. After having it for a few months while on a road trip the car begin high pitched beeping and several warning lights displayed with messages stating Audi pre sense malfunction: contact customer service/ AES/AEB unavailable. Safety System: malfunction: See Owners Manual. Drive System malfunction. Three warning lamps illuminated as well. I wasn’t sure w... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2025
On [XXX], I was involved in a major accident while driving my 2024 Nissan Altima SV. I was traveling at approximately 20 mph when another vehicle hit my vehicle from front right coming at a speed of not less than 80 mph. The impact was significant enough that it totaled my car. The accident took place near [XXX] . Despite the severity of the collision, none of the airbags deployed—including th... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that his wife was driving the vehicle and was involved in a crash while stopped on a main road. A vehicle from behind crashed into the entire rear end of their vehicle at 30 MPH. No property damage was reported, and the vehicles came to a stop upon impact. The air bags were not deployed. The contact's vehicle did not have to be towed. No war... Read more
Crash
1 injured
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2017) - AIR BAGS
May 13, 2025
Incident date: May 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (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: Apr 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, other individuals informed the contact that there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. Additiona... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Chrysler 300. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V198000 (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. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. P... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
Engine overheating and causing multiple problems
Incident date: May 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the check engine, air bag, and the fuel pump relay failure warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the exterior lights failed to operate as needed, and the vehicle occasionally failed to start. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagn... Read more
FORD
F-150 LIGHTNING BEV
(2024) - AIR BAGS
May 13, 2025
Incident date: May 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES350. 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2024
On [XXX], I was involved in a car accident in Saint John, Indiana, while driving my 2017 Toyota Sienna. The vehicle was hit on the passenger side, but none of the airbags deployed. As a result, I sustained serious injuries including cervical disc herniations, nerve compression, and ongoing pain. Since then, I’ve been unable to perform daily tasks, drive, care for my children, or work as I did be... Read more
Crash
1 injured
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2022) - AIR BAGS
May 12, 2025
Incident date: May 12, 2025
The vehicle was in a front end collision and the airbags, not one single airbag deployed. This is vehicle malfunction.
Crash
Incident date: May 12, 2025
While driving my 2018 Honda Odyssey at approximately 35-40 mph on a regular city road, the passenger-side front airbag deployed suddenly and without any impact or external trigger. The road was clear, traffic was light, and no collision occurred before, during, or after the event. The airbag deployment was abrupt and loud, startling me and posing a serious safety risk to both myself and my passeng... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2024
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. VIN tool confirms parts no... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2021) - AIR BAGS
May 12, 2025
Incident date: May 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (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: Apr 16, 2025
I was making a left turn in stopped traffic. Lanes 1 and 2 yielded die to bumper to bumper traffic...as I crossed into lane 3 at 5 to 10 mph...struck by a vehicle going 55 mph plus in opposite direction. My vehicle spun into 3rd vehicle. I hit my head 2 times on driver windows. No airbags deployed. I suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: May 11, 2025
On 10-17-24 these warning lights came on: 1. Pre-collision System 2. Hybrid System 3. Airbag 4. Safety Connect red light And Intermittently: 1. Slip Indicator 2. Brake System Cruise control would not set, and displayed "E3". ------- Component failed: Dealer determined that the driver's side door harness had been chewed by a rat that had entered the under dash area "somehow". They said it couldn't... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2025
On 5-3-2025 I rolled my vehicle end over end at least 6 times at a high speed. One of my vehicle safty options was "Advanced SRS airbags" During the crash my vehicles side airbags deployed but my drivers steering wheel air bag did not. As a result of them not deploying I smashed my face into the steering wheel and windshield. I suffered a shattered nose, broken jaw, broken hand and a concussion. I... Read more
Crash
1 injured
VOLKSWAGEN
GTI
(2024) - AIR BAGS
May 10, 2025
Incident date: May 10, 2025
I was driving down the highway when the passenger side curtain airbags deployed for no reason. Air bag deployment stunned the driver, but fortunately did not cause accident.
Incident date: May 10, 2025
I was driving and the passenger active headrest exploded randomly without any impacts happening
Incident date: May 1, 2023
Accident caused by brakes slipping and failing to stop even when pushed all the way down to the floor. Air bags failed to deploy. Resulting in a total loss estimate after accident.
Crash
1 injured