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.
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
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that the passengerâs side air bag warning light was illuminated while driving. The contact stated that after the first failure, the vehicle was
See attached document from complainant
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
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
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
When to start truck and air bag in steering wheel exploded.
Acutely while driving, the brake petal went all the way to the floor. The brakes slowly slowed the car but didnât stop it. Car was towed to the dealership May 21st. I was refused a loaner. Despi
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
PASSENGER AIR BAG RESTRAINT LIGHT IS ACTIVATED.
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
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
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
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
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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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.