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 (25.2% of complaints) — is covered by 3 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Air Bags complaints here are 3.0× 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 | 145 · 25.2% | Recalled | Recall 18V247000 · Recall 16V079000 · Recall 24V834000 |
| Steering | 111 · 19.3% | Recalled | Recall 05V540000 |
| Electrical System | 68 · 11.8% | Investigation closed | EA11002 |
| Engine | 64 · 11.1% | Investigation closed | EA11002 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 41 · 7.1% | Recalled | Recall 17V509000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 31 · 5.4% | 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 576 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 18V247000 · 2018 · reported 04/18/2018
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with 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 17V509000 · 2017 · reported 08/16/2017
If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing 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 16V079000 · 2016 · reported 02/10/2016
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the 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 05V540000 · 2005 · reported 11/30/2005
AN INSUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED TIE ROD NUT MAY LOOSEN, RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF A TIE ROD. THIS CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 06V472000 · 2006 · reported 12/12/2006
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE POWER ASSIST CAN BECOME INOPERATIVE, AND THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE INCREASED EFFORT TO APPLY THE BRAKES POSSIBLY INCREASING VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 06V470000 · 2006 · reported 12/12/2006
THIS COULD LEAD TO REDUCED VISIBILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 24V834000 · 2024 · reported 10/30/2024
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
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.
“DEFECTED AIRBAG. MY LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON MY 06 VW PASSAT. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES (LIKE ONCE A MONTH) TO…”NHTSA complaint 10249766 — filed 11/25/2008 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS HAD HIS AIR BAGS REPAIRED AT LEAST SEVEN TIMES WITHIN TWO YEARS…”NHTSA complaint 10243527 — filed 09/26/2008 · AIR BAGS
“AIR BAG FAULT LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME IT HAS COME ON. FIRST CAME ON 10/2006 DEALER REPLACED MALFUNCTIONING R/FRONT SIDE…”NHTSA complaint 10233531 — filed 07/08/2008 · 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 145 of 576 NHTSA complaints (25.2%), followed by steering (111), electrical system (68), engine (64). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
576 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 21 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V247000. 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.
