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: Aug 24, 2024
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 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 part... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
The clockspring has failed and there are recalls on similar models of Tiguans of the same year.
HYUNDAI
SONATA HYBRID
(2015) - AIR BAGS
Apr 10, 2025
Incident date: Apr 7, 2025
The contact owned a 2016 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle crashed into a deer that jumped into the middle of the roadway. During the crash, the vehicle was destroyed, but no air bags were deployed. The driver sustained a concussion, neck and back injury, which later required medical attention. The front passenger sustained... Read more
Crash
3 injured
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
Front passenger air bag light came on without provocation and remains on. Have noticed multiple recalls of similar situations with VW air bags being recalled. It appeared to start with the detection of weight change in the seat. It would not deactivate when a small child sat in the front seat. Now the passenger air bag light just continuously stays on regardless of adult, child, or nothing is th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2025
Car has been having issues related to recall but is not on list.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
I was hit from the rear while my vehicle was at a stop. The vehicle was going estimated 50mph and moved my vehicle about 12 feet colliding with the vehicle in from of me. I would think the impact of the front collision should have been enough to have the airbags deploy. The camry was totaled.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 9, 2025
Dealer can not complete recall as they have no parts - I tried 2 times in the last 6 months
Incident date: Mar 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the message "SRS Air Bag Malfunction detected" was displayed. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V8650... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda MX-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V695000 (AIR BAGS); however, the parts to do the recall repair were 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. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
I am writing to bring to your attention a concerning issue regarding the instrument panel of the 2016-2020 Kia Sorento. My car - 2017 Kia Sorento. In approx. 2021, I noticed a small 2 cm crack resembling a razor blade cut on my instrument panel (Part Number: 84710-C5000WK, also 84710-C6000WK and 84710-C6001WK). At the time, I did not find this defect alarming as it was minor and located far from... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
Airbag warning light is blinking.
Incident date: Apr 5, 2025
Passenger side front airbag reports as inoperable.
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2019) - AIR BAGS
Apr 9, 2025
Incident date: Dec 21, 2023
The contact owned a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at 17 MPH at night, he failed to see a trailer ahead on the road and rear-ended the trailer. The air bag warning light was illuminated before the collision. The contact stated that the trailer’s brake lights were not illuminated. The Forward Collision Avoidance feature failed to alert the driver that there was a ve... Read more
Crash
1 injured
DUCATI
PANIGALE V4 S
(2025) - AIR BAGS
Apr 9, 2025
Incident date: Apr 8, 2025
Driver side seat belt air bag popped while driving down the road and now the seat belt will not retract. shows that this is a known issue in my year model but this is not a recall for my specific vin.
Incident date: Apr 7, 2025
I had an accident where I hit a cement post dead center of the front of the car and no air bags deployed. Also, Nissan will not reimburse me for and of my medical expenses etc.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 9, 2025
Hello. I am following up with the previous safety report I submitted for my vehicle. I just received an updated repair estimate citing the parts that will need replaced (pdf attached). I also confirmed with the service advisor that the functionality of the safety restraint system may be impacted by this issue, however, Tesla still wants to charge drivers $1,300 for this repair.
Incident date: Jan 23, 2025
Air bag light coming on and off intermittently. Known recall affecting bmw 540 models around this vin number. BMW says this particular vin not affected, but if NHTSA adds vin to list, they will fix.
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2021) - AIR BAGS
Apr 9, 2025
Incident date: Mar 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer w... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 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 not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
There has been an open recall since December 2023, which Toyota has not provided a remedy. I have been the dealership several times to get my oil change and to get new tires. They did not mention anything about the open recall nor did they fix it. The subject vehicles have Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors in the front passenger seat, that could have been improperly manufactured. Saf... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
I took my car to the dealership for the recall on the airbag and was told they are unable to replace it at this time due to a parts issue. I live in Hawaii and from my understanding high temperatures and humidity exacerbate the issue and I am concerned for my safety and the safety of others.
Incident date: Mar 30, 2025
I am the second owner of this vehicle and lately my passenger airbag sometimes doesn’t turn on due to a harness connected to the occupant plate being faulty. When the issue first occurred I contacted my local Subaru service center and explained my situation and told them I had seen there was a recall for my exact issue. They informed me that the repair had already been done on my vehicle and the... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2019) - AIR BAGS
Apr 8, 2025
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
ihave?opntitle.2011fordfusionseflexfuel1OFTHEEXPENSIVEMACHANICALREPLACE ,TOREPAIR/ELECTRONICASSISTSHUTOFFTOMANUALSTEER:FORDWILLREPLACEAIRBAGREPAIR:DRIVEABLE'RUNS:ELECTRONICPOWERSTERINGASSISTANCESHUTOFF':DRIVABLE;REPAIRPALSAYONWED'.STEERINGASSIST/#VIN.TOO15YEARS,FORDDEALER,SERVICETELLSMEMILAGEW/YEARSOLDNOAPPLYbut$.288.00.DIAGNOSIS{FORDPROCONTACTCENTEROFEXCELLENCE./DIAGNOSIS288.00-300.00/SERVICEMAN/... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet availab... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2024
AIR BAG RECALL IN DECEMBER 2023 STILL NO REMEDY AVAILABLE !
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); 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 contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a clicking and humming sound coming from ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
The vehicle has two indicator lamp warnings. One warning for a rear seatbelt monitor fault and one warning for the driver's seatbelt monitor fault. When these seatbelt monitor faults occur the airbags throughout the vehicle are no longer operational. The safety risk of not having operational airbags is extremely high and puts all passengers at risk of serious harm or death. The vehicle is curre... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The headrest in the passenger seat deployed without a car accident. Just randomly when the car was parked. Jeep dealership wants to charge me 140 dollars to inspect this and the air bags. Supposedly both have recalls but they have “expired”. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2025
I am having an issue with the driver's front airbag clock spring assembly in my 2014 Hyundai Sonata. I see that there is a recall on the 2011-2014 Elantra vehicles, 2011-2013 Sonata vehicles, and 2011-2014 Sonata Hybrid vehicles for up to 15 years, but my 2014 Sonata is having the same issue. My car is not a hybrid, but what do I need to do in order to get this covered? Everything that the recall ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2025
Instrument tech here. I Checked all fueses. Ran wire traces and found no brakes in wiring. Faulty seatbelt pertitioners.This should be a recall.
Incident date: Feb 12, 2025
Air bag light is on again. This car has had other recalls / complaints for airbags before. Airbags are safety , to protect drivers and passengers. This needs to be addressed.
Incident date: Apr 5, 2025
I went to Maplecrest Ford in Unión New Jersey to resolve this recall which is to include a Lead Frame replacement because the truck dropped gears and I almost crashed thanks to this recall they refuse to fix the issue only state to me they reprogrammed what was to be done and they said the rest is not their issue because the title is salvaged. Whether or not the title is salvaged it is their res... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2015) - AIR BAGS
Apr 8, 2025
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Apr 7, 2025
There is a warning on my car saying “front passenger safety restraint system fault”. The Tesla service center says the fix requires an air bag replacement and to replace the seat sensor. Does this not impact the safety of the passenger? This is the second model 3 I’ve owned that continuously has this fault. I feel like this model should be recalled since it is such a widespread issue. I deal... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Fiat 124 Spider. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V694000 (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 experienc... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2025
Our vehicle has had zero accidents the airbag light showed up on dashboard stating check airbags. Then as far as electrical the headlights seem to turn on there own at times. We feel this perhaps is a recall not known yet.
Incident date: Apr 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Enclave. 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while at a stoplight, an Audi truck crashed into the rear of the vehicle, allegedly due to being distracted by a cell phone. The air bags did not deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained broken bones, whiplash, chest injuries, and a broken toe; her knee was swollen, and she had head, neck, and foot injur... Read more
Crash
1 injured
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2023) - AIR BAGS
Apr 7, 2025
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that while driving approximately 7 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle suddenly shut off, causing the driver to lose control of the steering and crash into a tree. During the crash, the vehicle sustained front-end damage, but no air bag had deployed. No injuries were reported, and no police report was taken. The vehicle was later tow... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Camry. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the parts to do the recall repair were 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. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not ex... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Charger. 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts no... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2018) - AIR BAGS
Apr 7, 2025
Incident date: Jan 1, 2019
Tesla is aware of a common regarding an occupancy sensor in the passenger seat of their vehicles that impacts functionality of airbags and the restraint system. The error code is RCM_a056. A simple search of the code will show a myriad of ongoing issues with their vehicles
Incident date: Aug 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (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 experie... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 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 not... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
This notification continues to pop up on my screen and when going to the dealer they are stating that my VIN number is not effected but I continue to get this notification. Safety is put to risk when the airbag is turned off while driving in the event of something terrible happening. We are not protected. The Dealer will not inspect this without having to pay out of pocket for a diagnostic.
Incident date: Apr 5, 2025
Passenger Occupant Detection system is faulty. Airbag service system indicator light comes and goes. The vehicle has been seen by an independent service center and they say this is a common issue with dodge and thus issue should be covered by dodge.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
MVC involving 7 vehicles. My truck was rear ended, pushed into on coming traffic where i was hit in the front fender, bumper and side wall of front right side ( passenger side). The rear bumper was rolled under the truck and the front right side was pushed inward towards driver side. The front passenger seat was pushed toward the driver seat. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED!!!
Crash
3 injured
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
Recall has been available with no fix since 2023 They are not providing a repair time I feel unsafe driving the car
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
GMC has failed to repair/replace airbag due to recall