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 (46.6% of complaints) — is covered by 5 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Air Bags complaints here are 5.5× 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 | 68 · 46.6% | Recalled | Recall 19V001000 · Recall 18V775000 · Recall 17V024000 · Recall 21V158000 · Recall 21E013000 |
| Steering | 20 · 13.7% | Recalled | Recall 15V340000 |
| Service Brakes | 17 · 11.6% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 9 · 6.2% | No official action | — |
| Structure:body | 9 · 6.2% | No official action | — |
| Engine | 5 · 3.4% | 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 146 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 19V001000 · 2019 · reported 01/07/2019
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 · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 18V775000 · 2018 · reported 11/01/2018
If the air bag does not inflate as intended, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash. 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 15V340000 · 2015 · reported 06/02/2015
If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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 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
“I RECEIVED A LETTER IN MARCH OF 2017 STATING THAT THERE WAS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL REGARDING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IN MY CAR. THE LETTER…”NHTSA complaint 11182537 — filed 02/26/2019 · AIR BAGS
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: 19S01 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT…”NHTSA complaint 11173897 — filed 02/04/2019 · AIR BAGS
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V024000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME…”NHTSA complaint 11166307 — filed 01/10/2019 · 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 68 of 146 NHTSA complaints (46.6%), followed by unspecified/other issues (22), steering (20), service brakes (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
146 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 10 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V001000. 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.
