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.

2,245,377 Total Complaints

140,173 Reported Crashes

56,794 Reported Fires

8,580 Reported 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

How to Read NHTSA Consumer Complaints › How NHTSA Investigations Work › Used Car: 7 Recall Checks to Run First › The Takata Airbag Recall: Full Story › OBD-II Codes Explained › All Articles ›

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Showing 129,250 complaints - component: AIR BAGS

Incident date: Jul 11, 2026

- The passenger-side Occupant Detection System (ODS) sensor, which is part of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) airbag system, has failed. This component was previously replaced under a Subaru safety recall completed in May 2020. The SRS airbag warning light is now illuminated again, indicating a failure of the same system. The vehicle and failed component are available for inspection upon r... Read more

Incident date: Dec 12, 2025

The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while idling at a stop, the vehicle was rear-ended. During the crash, the driver's seat unexpectedly reclined backwards, and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact received an on-site assessment by the paramedics but declined to be transported from the scene. The contact later sought medical attention for whiplash, a concussion, a... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jul 18, 2026

Manufacturer and dealer failed to remediate safety recall after seven weeks under the pretense that the dealer is not authorized to order more than 2 parts every 7 days. But I am not aware of a federal, state, nor county regulation establishing such restriction. The restriction thus seems to be self-imposed and therefore under the control of the manufacturer.

Incident date: Jul 18, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver’s side side-curtain air bag deployed unexpectedly. There was no injury reported. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

Incident date: Jul 19, 2026

No deployment during head on collision totaling vehicle of faulty air bag

Crash

Incident date: Jul 23, 2026

I called the manufacturer, Nissan Consumer Affairs at [XXX] - After entering my VIN# the automated computer system stated there is no recalls for my vehicle, even though your NHTSA Vehicle Safety Website lists the following recall: February 09, 2023 Manufacturer Recall Number: PC947 NHTSA Recall Number: 23E-012 Recall Status: Recall Incomplete Please advi... Read more

Incident date: Apr 4, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that four local dealers were contacted. The contact was informed that parts were on back order. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure associated with the unrepaired recall repair.

Incident date: Jul 22, 2026

What happened: A franchised Hyundai dealership installed aftermarket window tint on a new 2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition prior to sale without disclosing it as a dealer add-on. When the vehicle was brought in for an active manufacturer safety recall concerning the rear quarter-window glass, the dealership informed us that the official factory recall remedy (applying a protective s... Read more

Incident date: Jun 29, 2026

Driving at 75 miles per hour on highway. We Heard an explosion, and airbags deployed. There was no collision or front end hit, there was no warning lights or sounds, no deceleration. My husband was somehow able to pull to the side, we were not injured, except for the airbag hitting me in the head, egg noted. No EMS treatment. Police report confirms this, when towed, the tow guy noticed loud clang... Read more

Incident date: Nov 15, 2025

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V312000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired; however, the contact was informed that the part to do the recall repair was on back order. The contact stated that the New York State Department of Motor... Read more

Incident date: Sep 7, 2025

i was involved in a fairly significant accident at 55mph and another vehicle pulled out in front of us. Our Honda pilot had significant front and side damage on passenger side and not air bags deployed at all. This is and was alarming to us. So much so we did not feel safe in keeping the vehicle after the $26,000 repair. I did suffer minor injuries with my neck (surgery required and arm iss... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jul 14, 2026

The contact owned a 2012 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle, causing the vehicle to rear-end the vehicle in front, resulting in a three-vehicle crash. The impact caused the hood to unlatch, and the hood flew up. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's grandson was a passenger in a rear-facing car seat, and the contact was un... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jul 17, 2026

**Incident Report — Tesla Model Y Safety System Failure** The subject vehicle, a Tesla Model Y equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology and advanced safety features, was involved in a collision at an estimated impact speed of 40–45 MPH. The vehicle's onboard recording system captured the incident and clearly documents the impact dynamics, vehicle speed at impact, and the contributing ... Read more

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Jul 22, 2026

While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle suffered a sudden, simultaneous failure of multiple electrical and safety systems. Without warning, the Check Engine light, VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) light, Traction Control light, and SRS Airbag light all illuminated simultaneously on the dashboard. Immediately upon illumination of these fault lights, the vehicle lost computer-assisted stability ... Read more

Crash 3 injured

Incident date: Jul 9, 2026

The contact owns a 2009 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the contact became aware that the steering wheel air bag and the front passenger's side air bags had deployed unexpectedly. The contact stated that the windshield was fractured from the air bags deployment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a... Read more

Incident date: Sep 1, 2025

I was t-boned on the front side panel near the door at a high rate of speed. I would estimate well above the posted limit of 35 mph and my front and side airbags failed to deploy. I have video from the intersection and dash cam demonstrating the impact. My head hit off the steering wheel causing a concussion, neck and spine dislocations, bruising, and cracked xiphoid, dislocation on the left side ... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jul 17, 2026

My vehicle is losing power from the battery showing battery needs to recharge and its full charged have to turn interior lights off

Incident date: Dec 10, 2025

I was stopped at a Red light & was hit from behind at approximately 55-60 Mph.And was pushed into a full size pick up truck in front of me at appx 35 feet. NOT ONE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. I have a fractured neck at C2, a bulge at C5-C6 , my screws in my lumbar fusion backed out, and my lower lip is missing a chunk out if from hitting the steering wheel. Add in severe bruises that turned black in the amb... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jul 20, 2026

I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND SEAT BELT DIDN'T HOLD ME IN PLACE AND AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL.

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Sep 1, 2025

The contact owns a 1995 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the front driver’s and passenger’s air bags deployed unexpectedly, with heavy black smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact was advised by a bystander to shift the vehicle into park(P) and exit the vehicle. The emergency services were contacted, and the driver was transported to a hospital for treatment of ... Read more

1 injured

Incident date: Feb 3, 2026

Repeated warnings on dash that the airbags are inoperable - see dealer followed by center screen warning that the SOS systems is inoperable. Then the center display shuts down. Consequently I have to reset the back up camera system by going into vehicle settings to reactivate it.

Incident date: Jun 15, 2025

My primary safety complaint is that the automatic emergency-call function failed during an actual airbag-deployment collision even though the SOS indicator was green and appeared to show that the system was operational. The vehicle is a 2023 Volkswagen ID.4, VIN [XXX]. On XXX, at approximately 8:04 a.m., while traveling southbound on Columbia Pike near Trader Joe’s, the vehicle was involved in ... Read more

Crash 3 injured

Incident date: Jun 1, 2026

Defect in engine block causing coolant intrusion.

Incident date: Jul 17, 2026

I purchased fgis car from a used car dealership, for over $6,000.00 , which is not a ton of money, but plenty enough to not have instant issues. Since my purchase in june 30, 2026, i have already had all of these issues occur. There is white smoke coming from the left tail pipe, it is sluggish when you push on the gas, there is black soot constantly on my rims that is extreamly hard to remove, th... Read more

Incident date: Jul 20, 2026

I drove very slowly over a speed bump by my local public high school and my airbags deployed. My hand was burnt from the airbag, my insurer gave me 14K + to repair the car, but that was not enough and so I took the money and bought a different car. furthermore because of this , my insurer increased significantly my monthly premium. My young children were in the car and were terrified. My insurer a... Read more

Incident date: Jun 30, 2026

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that over time the horn intermittently became inoperable; however, the horn operated while in the middle of making a turn. The contact was concerned about the failure because the horn and the air bag in the steering wheel were connected by the clockspring. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehi... Read more

Incident date: Jul 8, 2026

In an accident where car collided with a concrete barrier on the highway at high speed, front drivers side, airbags did not deploy. Vehicle is available as of now, problem has not been reproduced, insurance representatives totaled the car but did not check the airbags, no warning lights or symptoms prior.

Crash

Incident date: Dec 31, 1969

Upon impact driver's side and passenger side airbags did not deploy.

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: May 25, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V189000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the parts were ordered. The contact stated that parts were ordered two months ago, and the parts had not yet been delivered. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, and a case was filed. The contact... Read more

Incident date: Jul 15, 2026

Front passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) failed on its own, without accident, misuse, or modification, at low mileage. The fault disables proper airbag deployment logic for the front passenger seat. Tesla has issued multiple service bulletins acknowledging this as a known condition. **Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):** [XXX] **Model Year:** 2019 **Make:** Tesla **Model:** Model 3 ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 14, 2026

The contact owns a 2007 GMC Yukon XL. The contact state that when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated with an audible chime, and the message "Service Air Bag" was displayed. The contact was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver’s side front impact sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified... Read more

Incident date: Jun 25, 2026

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac ATS. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V329000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown 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: Jul 10, 2026

My SRS light went on without being in an accident. Around the same time I noticed that there was a recall reported (NHTSA Recall Number 26V-227) which states that the vehicle may deploy airbags without cause by going over a pothole etc. I took my vehicle in to the Honda dealership and they confirmed that my SRS ECU needs to be replaced bc it detected an airbag deployment but since it already deplo... Read more

Incident date: Feb 6, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle with a passenger inside the vehicle, the air big warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to two separate dealers to be inspected, and it was determined that the air bag sensor module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer wa... Read more

Incident date: Jul 21, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side air bag occupant sensor failed to identify a passenger seat in the seat. A dealer was contacted. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that PODS had failed and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the engine was consuming an excessive amount of e... Read more

Incident date: Mar 13, 2026

Front crash with no airbag deployment and no emergency braking. Currently at The Metal Shop in Warm Springs Va. Told by insurance it is totaled. Sustained mild concussion from head trauma. Head hit steering wheel. I notice many Sprinters for sale for parts after similar front end collisions. No warning lights.

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jun 22, 2026

The contact's wife owned a 2006 Ford Fusion. The owner received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V001000 (Air Bags) and 21V158000 (Air Bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The contact's wife no longer owned the vehicle. The manufacturer was unreachable.

Incident date: Jul 1, 2026

NHTSA Safety Complaint – Acura RDX Driver-Side Airbag Module Availability Vehicle: 2013 Acura RDX VIN: [XXX] Component: Driver-Side Airbag Module Part Number: 77810-TX4-A40ZA-MOD My 2013 Acura RDX was vandalized in January 2026, and the driver-side airbag module was stolen. My mechanic contacted Rallye Acura to obtain the required replacement OEM part. The required component is the Driver Side... Read more

Incident date: Oct 1, 2025

Failure to replace airbags

Incident date: Jun 30, 2026

I was quoted $3,000 to replace defective mat sensor in seat so that the airbag light will go off and my vehicle can be inspected. My family can’t afford this fix and I’m stressed out and do not know what to do. My vehicle was not in an accident nor was anything done that would cause damage and result in this fault. I am aware that the 2019 Santa Fe has an extended warranty for this exact defec... Read more

Incident date: Jul 12, 2026

I am writing to report an accident involving my son who was driving Tesla 2024 Model-3 on July 18th 2026 approximately 10:15 AM EST. He was returning home from his volunteering with Emergency medical Service(EMS) when the vehicle's steering wheel suddenly froze. while attempting to maneuver the vehicle to safe location , it collided with a roadside barrier. fortunately , my son was not injured... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Jul 20, 2026

2013 Jeep Wrangler, which is currently subject to a manufacturer-issued “Do Not Drive” safety recall involving the driver’s airbag. Upon learning of the recall, I immediately acted responsibly by delivering my vehicle to Romano Chrysler Jeep in Fayetteville, New York, so the required safety repair could be completed. My Jeep has now been at the dealership for more than six weeks because the... Read more

Incident date: Mar 17, 2026

The contact owned a 2007 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags); and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list because the recall repair was completed and the contact no longer owns the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted.

Incident date: Jul 10, 2026

I was driving down the road and my airbag instantly deployed in my face without cause or notice. I became completely disoriented as it hit my hand and face with severe force and was extremely loud and shocking. I thank God that I had just let off the gas and didn't hurt anyone else. If I had panicked or was going through an intersection, experiencing a turn, coming to a stop, or someone in front o... Read more

1 injured

Incident date: Jan 1, 2026

During an accident the driver side airbags did not deploy. The vehicle was rammed on the rear passenger wheel area. The impact was significant enough to have the curtain airbags on the passenger side go off, but the only person in the vehicle was myself, the driver.

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jul 20, 2026

Front air bags did not deploy upon impact at approximately 40mph

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jul 19, 2026

There is a yellow air bag (SRS) safety restraint critical wire harness underneath the seats and it's loose and hanging down touching the floor with lots of slack, very easy for a water bottle or any object to roll under there and pull it loose, which would disable a critical passenger safety system. This issue is reported by many drivers including myself, photos attached are from multiple people... Read more

Incident date: Aug 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V099000 (Seat Belts). While driving approximately 45 MPH and approaching an intersection, the air bag warning light illuminated. There was an abnormally loud sound like a gunshot coming from the vehicle, and smoke was inside the vehicle. The front passenger’s seat belt unexpectedly deployed and r... Read more

Incident date: Jul 18, 2026

During a collision on July 7, the airbag initiated but did not deploy. The car is available for inspection upon request. The safety of the driver was put at risk because the airbag did not deploy when intiated. The driver is not injured, but the car cannot be driven due to the airbag posing a risk to the driver. No one has inspected the vehicle. A call was made to Honda Headquarters on Friday, Jul... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Jul 18, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V189000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the 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 stated that parts are limited and that there were 20 other vehicles awaiting parts availa... Read more

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Consumer Safety Complaints

What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?

How to interpret what you read

If you've experienced a defect

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