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 (89.8% of complaints) — is covered by 5 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Air Bags complaints here are 10.6× 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 | 291 · 89.8% | Recalled | Recall 21V158000 · Recall 21V081000 · Recall 21E013000 · Recall 17V024000 · Recall 16V384000 |
| Electrical System | 7 · 2.2% | No official action | — |
| Structure:body | 6 · 1.9% | No official action | — |
| Engine | 4 · 1.2% | No official action | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 · 0.9% | Recalled | Recall 11V352000 |
| Tires | 2 · 0.6% | Investigation closed | PE08060 |
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 324 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 21V158000 · 2021 · reported 03/10/2021
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 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 21E013000 · 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 17V024000 · 2017 · reported 01/10/2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants 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 16V384000 · 2016 · reported 05/31/2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants 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 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
“TAKATA RECALL- FORD DEALERSHIP STILL HAS NO REMEDY FOR REPLACEMENTS EVEN THOUGH THIS RECALL WAS FROM 6-1-2016. RECALL NUMBER 16V384 FORD RECALL NUMBER 16S26. WE…”NHTSA complaint 11041771 — filed 10/31/2017 · AIR BAGS
“TAKATA RECALL - MY VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN THE TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL AND I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AS REQUESTED CONCERNING THIS RECALL. THEY…”NHTSA complaint 11041739 — filed 10/31/2017 · AIR BAGS
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V384000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR…”NHTSA complaint 11041709 — filed 10/31/2017 · 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 291 of 324 NHTSA complaints (89.8%), followed by electrical system (7), structure:body (6), unspecified/other issues (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
324 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 8 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 8 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 21V158000. 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.
