Component

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

404 NHTSA complaints about air bags:sensor:occupant classification issues across 30 makes and 126 models.

Data updated August 2026. Counts render from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation standardized component field; severity flags cross-reference NHTSA ODI complaint flags for owner-reported crash, fire, and injury markers. This page is for informational purposes and does not replace NHTSA recall notices or a vehicle-specific inspection. Methodology · Corrections.

NHTSA ODI component intake brief

ODI category AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

404 filings · 126 models · 30 makes · vintage August 2026

  • FILINGS SPARSE 404 ODI rows
  • MODELS 126 nameplates citing this part
  • MAKES 30 manufacturers in corpus
  • CRASH 0.0% 0 crash-flagged
  • RANK #219 of 696 categories
  • SEV QUIET 0 deaths · 0 injuries
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION (this)AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLA…404FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANKFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAG…404SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS406SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGSSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FO…412
ODI filing volume neighbourhood: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION vs nearest complaint-total peers

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION sits SPARSE on ODI intake volume (#219 of 696 standardized categories) with a QUIET severity stamp (0 reported fatalities across 126 models). Open Subaru Forester (category leader) →

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION severity reading

The standout signal for air bags:sensor:occupant classification is severity: 0 reported fatalities and 0 injuries (QUIET stamp) on 404 filings (SPARSE volume).

Sparse categories can swing on a single high-volume nameplate; treat the leader row as the actionable signal, not the category headline alone.

Next step: compare Subaru Forester against FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK on filing totals before treating air bags:sensor:occupant classification volume as a purchase signal.

404
Complaints
126
Models Affected
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 Subaru Forester
68
2 BMW 328i
35
3 Subaru Impreza
32
4 BMW X5
16
5 BMW X3
16
6 MINI Cooper
14
7 BMW 328xi
10
8 MINI Cooper S
9
9 BMW 528i
7
10 Pontiac Solstice
6
11 BMW Z4
6
12 Tesla Model 3
5
13 BMW 540i
5
14 BMW 530i
5
15 BMW 525i
5
16 Nissan Altima
4
17 MINI Cooper Clubman
4
18 BMW 750li
4
19 BMW 535i
4
20 BMW 325i
4
21 BMW 3-Series
4
22 Audi A6
4
23 Toyota Sienna
3
24 Toyota Rav4
3
25 BMW 335i
3
26 BMW 330i
3
27 BMW 320i
3
28 Toyota Camry
2
29 Tesla Model Y
2
30 Suzuki SX4
2

Recent Complaints

2025 Lincoln Navigator

See attached document for complaint.

2017 Ford Expedition

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independe

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag light warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to

2020 Toyota Camry

See attached document for complaint.

2021 Honda CR-V

See attached document for complaint.

2015 Hyundai Sonata

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the front passenger’s side seat air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was take

2017 Subaru Forester

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the SRS warning light illuminated when a passenger entered the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was

2011 Lexus ES

The contact owns a 2011 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was flashing constantly. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagn

2015 BMW 535i

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message “Passenger Restraint Air Bag Malfunction" was displayed. The air bag warning light was illuminat

2014 Subaru Forester

My 2014 Subaru Forester has a defective passenger weight sensor in the passenger seat. This sensor has been subject to recall for the 2015-2018 model years. [XXX] Shouldn’t that be extended to the 20

2012 Suzuki SX4

The airbag sensor in the passenger seat failed. There is a known Supplemental Restraint System issue/recall in 2007-2011 Suzuki SX4s, however there has not been a recall for the 2012 model despite thi

2009 BMW Z4

The airbag sensor in my passenger seat has failed. I have been quoted approximately $2000 to repair this. However researching online I see BMW Service Bulletin SB-[XXX] which indicates this may be a w

2021 Tesla Model Y

The front passenger safety alert system fault warning appears Occupant Classification System (OCS) of Front Passenger Seat is faulty and Tesla said it’s not covered under warranty.

2017 Subaru Forester

In November 2023 I noticed a warning light indicating an issue with the passenger side airbag. Additionally I noticed that even when a passenger was sitting in that seat, the status light still displa

2014 Subaru Forester

Occupant Detection System (ODS) system failure causes the front passenger-side airbag system to malfunction, which could mean that the airbag may not deploy during a collision. Although other model ye

2018 Volvo Xc60

Hello, thanks for your time. I purchased my Volvo XC60 in late 2020 from my local Volvo Manhattan dealership. The vehicle was certified pre-owned with approximately 28k miles on it, and in excellent c

2018 BMW 540i

The vehicle throws a “passenger restraint system malfunction” every 5 minutes while driving. Based on discussions on bmw forums, this is a common issue among several models of BMW. The issue seem

2017 BMW 230i

BMW Passenger Restraint sensor failure due to a faulty sensor mat, so the passenger seatbelt will not lock or tighten when braking or in the event of an accident. Took it to the dealer and no evidence

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350

The door hinges are an issue with these cars many many people are expressing the same issues which is the door hinges fail and start popping and cracking. Mercedes isn’t issuing a recall or remedy for

2023 Tesla Model 3

The Occupant Classification System (OCS) in the passenger front seat has displayed an error multiple times and airbag turns on even when a toddler sits in seat. I’ve taken it to Tesla twice going a th

Verify with NHTSA · consumer-reported counts are not verified defect findings.