Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

20,105 NHTSA complaints about air bags:frontal issues across 44 makes and 786 models.

The air bags:frontal is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 20,105 filings from 44 manufacturers and 786 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.

Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 14,871 crashes, 243 fires, 13,039 injuries, and 233 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the HONDA ACCORD with 564 filings, followed by HONDA CIVIC and TOYOTA CAMRY. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.

Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.

20,105
Complaints
786
Models Affected
14,871
Crashes
243
Fires
233
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 HONDA ACCORD 564
2 HONDA CIVIC 557
3 TOYOTA CAMRY 441
4 FORD TAURUS 434
5 FORD F-150 423
6 DODGE CARAVAN 377
7 TOYOTA COROLLA 314
8 FORD ESCORT 306
9 DODGE NEON 305
10 FORD FOCUS 288
11 CHEVROLET S10 279
12 DODGE RAM 258
13 PONTIAC GRAND AM 256
14 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 248
15 FORD RANGER 234
16 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 229
17 DODGE RAM 1500 227
18 FORD EXPLORER 226
19 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER 215
20 NISSAN ALTIMA 215
21 CHEVROLET CAVALIER 204
22 FORD MUSTANG 199
23 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 193
24 CHEVROLET BLAZER 186
25 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 179
26 DODGE INTREPID 176
27 DODGE DAKOTA 176
28 HYUNDAI SONATA 160
29 MAZDA 626 154
30 NISSAN SENTRA 146

Recent Complaints

2012 DODGE DART

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated while driving. The contact stated that after the first failure, the vehicle was

2017 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE

See attached document from complainant

2011 HONDA CR-V Crash

The contact owns a 2011 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph in inclement weather, the vehicle slid on ice and collided with a steel pole, breaking the pole. The contact was un

2017 LEXUS RX Crash

The contact owned a 2017 Lexus RX350. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH on the highway, another vehicle that lost control and crashed into the contact's front and side of the vehicle. The dri

2012 GMC SIERRA 1500 Crash

My passenger air bag deployed or went off as i was driving home from work and made such a loud noise that i crashed my 2012 GMC Sierra 1500. I was startled and scared and disoriented and others around

2004 GMC SIERRA 1500

When to start truck and air bag in steering wheel exploded.

2008 LINCOLN MKZ

Acutely while driving, the brake petal went all the way to the floor. The brakes slowly slowed the car but didn’t stop it. Car was towed to the dealership May 21st. I was refused a loaner. Despi

2005 HONDA ACCORD Crash

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V182000 (AIRBAGS) The contact stated two days later on June 4, 2021, while driving 60 mph, when the

2019 NISSAN VERSA Crash

I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THE CAR. BECAUSE OF TIRES AND AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING. I WAS NOT INJURED BUT THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. AND THE ACCIDENT IS BEING BLAMED ON ME. COULD SOMEONE CONTACT ME ABOUT THIS

2017 DODGE CHARGER Crash

I WAS ABOUT TWO CAR LENGTHS BEHIND AN 18 WHEELER ON HWY 231 SOUTH BOUND IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA. I WENT TO GET OVER TO THE LEFT TO PASS, WHEN MY VEHICLE STARTED TO HYDROPLANE AND SWAY SIDE TO SIDE. MY

2014 FORD MUSTANG

I HAVE A CONFIRMED ISSUE WITH MY SON'S PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE LOCAL DEALER WOODY ANDERSON FORD WAS NOT ABLE TO SCHEDULE REPAIRS UNTIL MARCH 17TH AND WOULD NOT OFFER A LOANER EVEN FOR THE DAY OF T

2019 TOYOTA CAMRY Crash

I HAVE A 2009 CAMRY THAT I LEASED ON 3/8/19. ON 10/9/19 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, NOT CITED, THE CAR THAT HIT ME FROM THE REAR DOING 90 MPM UPON INPACT PUSHED IN FROM SOUTH BOUND TO EAST BOUND.

2012 FORD FUSION

2012 FORD FUSION VIN [XXX] (THE VEHICLE VIN SECTION OF THIS COMPLAINT WOULD NOT ALLOW ANY ENTRY SO I HAVE ENTERED IT HERE). THIS VEHICLE'S VIN IS ON NHTSA AND FORD RECALL LISTS FOR DEFECTIVE PASSENG

2015 TOYOTA RAV4 Crash

FRONT END COLLISION- DIRECT HIT-2015 TOYOTO RAVE 4 -AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.CAR A HIT CAR B, CAR A GOING 50, HIT CAR B GOING 15 MPH. CAR B TOTALED

2018 VOLVO XC60 Crash

ON THE EVENING OF NOVEMBER 20, 2018 MY FAMILY AND I WERE IN A CAR ACCIDENT. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY HUSBAND'S NEW XC60 THAT HE HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED. AS THE FIVE OF US SAT STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC L

2006 BMW 525I

PASSENGER AIR BAG RESTRAINT LIGHT IS ACTIVATED.

2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350

WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH. SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SDS) MALFUNCTION. TOOK CAR TO NEAREST MERCEDES DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG IGNITION SWITCH WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND

2008 LINCOLN MKZ

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V384000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RE

2007 MERCURY MILAN

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY MILAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V384000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE

2004 TOYOTA MATRIX Crash Fire

TAKATA RECALL - WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, THERE WAS A SLOW UP, AND I BRAKED, BUT STOPPED RIGHT AT THE REAR BUMPER OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. HOWEVER, ANOTHER CAR WAS COMING BEHIND ME AND COULDN'T S

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve air bags:frontal issues?
The NHTSA has received 20,105 complaints about air bags:frontal problems across 786 vehicle models from 44 manufacturers.
How dangerous are air bags:frontal defects?
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL issues have been linked to 14,871 crashes, 243 fires, 13,039 injuries, and 233 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most air bags:frontal problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for air bags:frontal issues is the HONDA ACCORD with 564 complaints.
Where does PlainCars get its safety data?
All vehicle safety data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database, which collects reports from vehicle owners about safety-related defects.

Data Sources

Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.

Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.

Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.

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