Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (46% of complaints) — is covered by 8 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Air Bags complaints here are 5.4× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 186 · 46% | Recalled | Recall 21V081000 · Recall 21V076000 · Recall 17V788000 · Recall 17V787000 · Recall 15V322000 · Recall 16V036000 · Recall 23V125000 · Recall 23V306000 |
| Structure:body | 35 · 8.7% | Recalled | Recall 04V331000 |
| Suspension | 24 · 5.9% | No official action | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 · 3.5% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 14 · 3.5% | No official action | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 11 · 2.7% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 404 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 21V081000 · 2021 · reported 02/16/2021
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 21V076000 · 2021 · reported 02/17/2021
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 17V788000 · 2017 · reported 12/11/2017
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Park it · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 17V787000 · 2017 · reported 12/11/2017
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Park it · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 15V322000 · 2015 · reported 05/28/2015
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 16V036000 · 2016 · reported 01/25/2016
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 11V352000 · 2011 · reported 07/13/2011
NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 06E065000 · 2006 · reported 07/17/2006
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V331000 · 2004 · reported 07/14/2004
IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT CRASH, THE FRAME RAIL SCOULD PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK, RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 23V125000 · 2023 · reported 02/24/2023
An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 23V306000 · 2023 · reported 04/28/2023
An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. HE STATED THAT THE PASSENGER ON AND OFF SWITCH REMAINS IN THE ON POSITION AND THAT IT HAS…”NHTSA complaint 10299679 — filed 01/13/2010 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING…”NHTSA complaint 10243449 — filed 09/25/2008 · AIR BAGS
“I HAD AN ACCIDENT AT STOWE MTN. RESORT ON ROUTE 108 THAT INVOLVED A FRONT END COLLISION ABOUT 20 DEGRESS FROM FRONT CENTER OF THE…”NHTSA complaint 10180947 — filed 01/28/2007 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 186 of 404 NHTSA complaints (46%), followed by structure:body (35), suspension (24), vehicle speed control (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
404 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 42 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 35 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.
Yes — 12 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 21V081000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
