Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

307 NHTSA complaints about air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module issues across 35 makes and 128 models.

The air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 307 filings from 35 manufacturers and 128 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 110 crashes, 11 fires, 121 injuries, and 2 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the HONDA ACCORD with 47 filings, followed by HONDA CIVIC and FORD F-150. 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.

307
Complaints
128
Models Affected
110
Crashes
11
Fires
2
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 HONDA ACCORD 47
2 HONDA CIVIC 18
3 FORD F-150 16
4 HONDA CR-V 10
5 NISSAN ALTIMA 9
6 HONDA ODYSSEY 7
7 HYUNDAI TUCSON 6
8 CHEVROLET IMPALA 6
9 ACURA TL 6
10 FORD TAURUS 5
11 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4
12 TOYOTA CAMRY 4
13 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 4
14 FORD WINDSTAR 4
15 BUICK LESABRE 4
16 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 3
17 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 3
18 SATURN VUE 3
19 NISSAN MAXIMA 3
20 GMC JIMMY 3
21 FORD FOCUS 3
22 FORD EXPEDITION 3
23 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE 3
24 CHEVROLET TAHOE 3
25 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3
26 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 3
27 CHEVROLET CAVALIER 3
28 VOLKSWAGEN GTI 2
29 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO 2
30 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 2

Recent Complaints

2017 BUICK ENCLAVE

See attached document for complaint

2017 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE

See attached document for complaint

2017 BUICK ENCLAVE

See attached document for complaint

2015 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE

See attached document for complaint

2016 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE

See attached document for complaint

2016 GMC ACADIA

See attached document for complaint

2003 NISSAN MAXIMA

See attached document for complaint

2015 GMC ACADIA

2015 GMC ACADIA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SAFETY RECALL 22V-246.

2021 POLESTAR POLESTAR 2

While driving and using my horn the vehicles horn and airbag module fell off. Rendering the horn inoperable and the airbag dangerously loose. Trying to get Polestar to replace the whole module.

1995 TOYOTA T100

Within about 30 seconds of pulling out of my driveway on a dead end street, and thus driving very slowly, the driver's side airbag suddenly exploded. Thankfully there was no one else on the road and I

1999 HONDA CR-V

1999 HONDA CR-V. CONSUMER WRITERS IN REGARDS TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 20V-026. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER INITIALLY STATED THAT THE BOLT ON THE INFLATOR WAS STRIPPED AND RECOMMENDED A NEW STEERING

2021 TESLA MODEL Y

SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED A FEW DAYS AFTER DELIVERY AND TESLA REPAIRED AFTER TWO WEEKS OF REPORIITHE ISSUE.*DT CONSUMER STATED AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS CHANGED.*JB

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

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKES WOULD ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DOTHAN DODGE(4074 ROSS CLAR

2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500

2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATORS SAFETY RECALL. *LD *TR

2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500

2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATORS SAFETY RECALL. *LD *TR *JS *JS *JS

2013 TOYOTA COROLLA

TOYOTA RECALL: TAKATA AIR BAG INFLATOR PURCHASED DEC 2 2016 AT RON CARTER CADILLAC. AT TIME OF PURCHASE I ASKED IF IT HAD ANY TAKATA PARTS. ANSWER WAS NO. NO MENTION OF INFLATORS BEING TAKATA! CALL

2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

RECALL SUBJECT: AIR BAGS > FRONTAL > DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE WE RECEIVED THE LETTER OF RECALL FOR ALMOST ONE YEAR, BUT EVERY TIME WE CHECK WITH VW, THEY KEPT REPLIED THE PARTS HAVE NOT ARRIVE.THA

2007 HONDA RIDGELINE

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT S

2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

ALL STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONS HAVE STOPPED WORKING INCLUDING THE HORN. THE AIRBAG ICON SHOWS AN "ERROR" MESSAGE. THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CRACKING SOUND WHEN IT TURNS. IDENTICAL PROBLEM AS IN THE NHT

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module issues?
The NHTSA has received 307 complaints about air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module problems across 128 vehicle models from 35 manufacturers.
How dangerous are air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module defects?
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE issues have been linked to 110 crashes, 11 fires, 121 injuries, and 2 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module issues is the HONDA ACCORD with 47 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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