Airbags & Restraints Problems
67,977 owner complaints · 219 model lines · median failure at 68,000 miles
Among 67,977 owner complaints for airbags & restraints problems across 219 model lines, the most-reported vehicle is the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado (630 complaints, typically failing near 84,000 miles). Across all vehicles the median failure mileage is 68,000 miles and the typical repair estimate is $1,100.
Key numbers
| Total complaints (NHTSA) | 67,977 |
|---|---|
| Model lines affected | 219 from 33 makes |
| Median failure mileage | 68,000 mi |
| Typical repair estimate | $1,100 |
| Severity mix | 778 severe · 90 moderate · 0 minor (of 1,014 vehicle-year patterns) |
| Related serious reports | 294 alleged fires, 14,593 alleged injuries, 13,671 alleged crashes |
Worst vehicles for airbags & restraints problems
| Vehicle | Complaints | Typical failure mileage | Repair est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Chevrolet Silverado | 630 | 84,000 mi | $1,100 |
| 2008 Ford Fusion | 623 | 83,000 mi | $1,100 |
| 2007 Ford Fusion | 602 | 89,000 mi | $1,100 |
| 2009 Toyota Corolla | 568 | 83,000 mi | $1,100 |
| 2010 Ford Fusion | 548 | 80,000 mi | $1,100 |
| 2005 Toyota Corolla | 512 | 94,000 mi | $1,100 |
| 2007 Chevrolet Silverado | 503 | 88,000 mi | $1,100 |
| 2006 Toyota Corolla | 483 | 88,000 mi | $1,100 |
| 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe | 481 | 100,000 mi | $1,100 |
| 2007 Toyota Corolla | 460 | 87,000 mi | $1,100 |
| 2013 Nissan Altima | 434 | 25,000 mi | $1,100 |
| 2008 Ford Edge | 423 | 100,000 mi | $1,100 |
| 2011 Toyota Corolla | 414 | 57,000 mi | $1,100 |
| 2010 Toyota Corolla | 406 | 70,000 mi | $1,100 |
| 2006 Hyundai Sonata | 398 | 70,000 mi | $1,100 |
People also ask
What is the most common airbags & restraints problem?
Based on 67,977 owner complaints in the NHTSA database, the most-reported failure pattern in this category appears on the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. Complaint volume reflects how many owners filed reports, not proof of a defect rate.
At what mileage do airbags & restraints problems start?
The median failure mileage across vehicles in this category is 68,000 miles, but the range is wide — the 25th to 75th percentile on individual model lines can span tens of thousands of miles. Individual vehicles fail earlier or later depending on use.
How much does it cost to fix?
The typical repair estimate in this category is $1,100, with significant spread between model lines — complex components on luxury vehicles can cost several times more than the same repair on a mainstream car.
Are these complaints verified defects?
No. Owner complaints filed with NHTSA are unverified first-person reports. A high complaint count signals a pattern worth checking (open recalls, TSBs, investigations) — not a confirmed defect.
Other component categories
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Source: ProblemsByVin (CC BY 4.0), aggregated from public NHTSA complaint and recall data. Owner complaints are unverified; volume reflects reporting, not per-vehicle defect rates. See Data Sources & Methodology.