Component
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
221 NHTSA complaints about air bags:frontal:driver clockspring/spiral cassette issues across 21 makes and 86 models.
The air bags:frontal:driver clockspring/spiral cassette is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 221 filings from 21 manufacturers and 86 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 2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT with 31 filings, followed by VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN and JEEP WRANGLER. 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 | VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT | 31 |
| 2 | VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN | 27 |
| 3 | JEEP WRANGLER | 11 |
| 4 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 6 |
| 5 | TOYOTA TACOMA | 6 |
| 6 | VOLKSWAGEN CC | 5 |
| 7 | MERCEDES-BENZ C250 | 5 |
| 8 | TOYOTA PRIUS | 4 |
| 9 | TOYOTA COROLLA | 4 |
| 10 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 4 |
| 11 | SUBARU OUTBACK | 4 |
| 12 | MERCEDES-BENZ C300 | 4 |
| 13 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 4 |
| 14 | BMW 528I | 4 |
| 15 | VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SPORTWAGEN | 3 |
| 16 | VOLKSWAGEN GOLF | 3 |
| 17 | RAM 1500 | 3 |
| 18 | NISSAN ROGUE | 3 |
| 19 | DODGE JOURNEY | 3 |
| 20 | AUDI Q3 | 3 |
| 21 | VOLKSWAGEN EOS | 2 |
| 22 | TOYOTA TUNDRA | 2 |
| 23 | TOYOTA HIGHLANDER | 2 |
| 24 | TOYOTA 4RUNNER | 2 |
| 25 | PONTIAC VIBE | 2 |
| 26 | NISSAN VERSA | 2 |
| 27 | MERCEDES-BENZ GLC300 | 2 |
| 28 | MERCEDES-BENZ CLA 250 | 2 |
| 29 | KIA OPTIMA | 2 |
| 30 | HYUNDAI VELOSTER | 2 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the buttons on the steering wheel became inoperative. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The message "Engine Power Reduced" was displayed. After waitin
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light intermittently flashed on and off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, wh
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the v
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the controls on the steering wheel became inoperable. In addition, the air bag warning light wa
The contact's husband owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the horn initially failed to operate as needed. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V459000 (Air Bags
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that on seven occasions, the clock spring failed while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking s
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The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the front passengerâs side seat belt retractor failed to extend or retract
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagno
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at various speeds, the horn failed to function while needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic w
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the passengerâs side the A-pillar applique trim had a split in the middle causing rainwater and dirt to enter the vehicle. As a result
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was not skidding a
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that two independent mechanics were sent to the res
The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the horn was inoperable and there was no audible sound while depressed. The contact stated that the fail
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The v
The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q3. The contact stated that the horn became inoperable and additionally, the hand controls were not functioning as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while their son was driving in a parking garage at approximately 3 - 4 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the driver had
The contact owns a 2013 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH the "air bag" warning light illuminated and the horn became inoperable. The contact stated that the fail
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the front tires independently braked on and off quickly. The contact stated that the "Down Hill" symbol, traction control,
Related Vehicle Components
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.