Component
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
404 NHTSA complaints about air bags:sensor:occupant classification issues across 30 makes and 126 models.
The air bags:sensor:occupant classification is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 404 filings from 30 manufacturers and 126 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 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the SUBARU FORESTER with 68 filings, followed by BMW 328I and SUBARU IMPREZA. 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 | 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
See attached document for complaint.
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
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
See attached document for complaint.
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the front passengerâs side seat air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was ta
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
The contact owns a 2011 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that the passengerâs side air bag warning light was flashing constantly. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was dia
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message âPassenger Restraint Air Bag Malfunction" was displayed. The air bag warning light was illumin
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] Shouldnât that be extended to the
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
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
The front passenger safety alert system fault warning appears Occupant Classification System (OCS) of Front Passenger Seat is faulty and Tesla said itâs not covered under warranty.
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
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
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
The vehicle throws a âpassenger restraint system malfunctionâ every 5 minutes while driving. Based on discussions on bmw forums, this is a common issue among several models of BMW. The issue
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
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 isnât issuing a recall or remedy f
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. Iâve taken it to Tesla twice going a
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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.