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 (38.6% of complaints) — is covered by 5 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Air Bags complaints here are 4.5× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 83 · 38.6% | Recalled | Recall 19V010000 · Recall 17V627000 · Recall 21V638000 · Recall 17V017000 · Recall 12V492000 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 27 · 12.6% | Recalled | Recall 12V557000 |
| Engine | 20 · 9.3% | No official action | — |
| Service Brakes | 19 · 8.8% | Investigation closed | DP20004 |
| Electrical System | 16 · 7.4% | Recalled | Recall 17V177000 |
| Suspension | 13 · 6% | 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 215 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 19V010000 · 2019 · reported 01/09/2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger 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 17V627000 · 2017 · reported 10/06/2017
If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 17V177000 · 2017 · reported 03/14/2017
If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be 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 21V638000 · 2021 · reported 08/13/2021
An incorrect air bag may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 17V017000 · 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: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 12V557000 · 2012 · reported 12/03/2012
If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 12V492000 · 2012 · reported 10/09/2012
In the event of an accident necessitating the deployment of the right window curtain air bag, the improper stitching may cause it to deflate more quickly than intended, reducing the protection it may provide, resulting in an increased risk of injury to vehicle occupants. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO…”NHTSA complaint 11395430 — filed 02/09/2021 · AIR BAGS
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO, AND…”NHTSA complaint 11394615 — filed 02/04/2021 · AIR BAGS
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO…”NHTSA complaint 11353141 — filed 09/04/2020 · 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 83 of 215 NHTSA complaints (38.6%), followed by fuel/propulsion system (27), engine (20), service brakes (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
215 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 6 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 5 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V010000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
3 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.
