Owners describe multiple incidents where frontal and side-curtain airbags failed to deploy during crashes ranging from 20 mph parking collisions to 75 mph highway impacts. Drivers and passengers struck steering wheels, dashboards, and door pillars without any bag inflation, sustaining head lacerations, neck injuries, broken ribs, concussions, and spinal damage. Seat belt pretensioners similarly failed to tighten, allowing occupants to be thrown forward unrestrained.
A January 2020 NHTSA recall (20V024 / 20TA03) identified the problem: the airbag control module lacks electrical noise filtering and can misinterpret crash signals during severe impacts—especially underride crashes—causing incomplete or no deployment. The remedy is installation of a noise filter between the ECU and wire harness.
However, owners report extended delays obtaining parts at authorized dealers, with some waiting 30+ days or longer without resolution. One owner was involved in a crash while awaiting recall parts. Post-repair nondeployments occurred in at least one documented case. Additionally, SRS warning lights remained illuminated after recall completion at some dealers, who claimed extensive sensor and electrical diagnostics were required but not covered under the recall scope. Multiple owners took their vehicles to independent shops or were left unrepaired due to dealer unwillingness to complete diagnostics without additional charges.
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag nondeployment in frontal/side collisions
Frontal and side-curtain airbags failed to deploy during crashes despite impact severity meeting deployment criteria. Incidents span rear-end collisions (45–60 mph), side-impact T-bones, frontal barrier strikes, and rollover events. Owners report steering wheel and door pillar impacts without bag inflation, resulting in head, neck, chest, and shoulder injuries.
When: At time of crash; failure mileage 7,000–183,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during crash with significant impact force; Driver and/or passenger struck steering wheel, door pillar, or dashboard; Head, neck, chest, shoulder injuries sustained that could have been prevented by deployment; Multiple occupants impacted without protection
Repairs/costs cited: Installation of noise filter between airbag control module and wire harness per NHTSA recall 20V024
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 20V024 / Manufacturer Recall 20TA03 (Jan. 17, 2020): ECU from specific supplier lacks adequate protection against electrical noise in certain crashes (severe underride). Remedy: noise filter installation. Status: Recall incomplete; parts unavailable at many dealers; some repairs performed but nondeployments continued post-repair.
Seat belt pretensioner failure
Seat belt pretensioners did not engage or tighten during crashes, allowing occupants to strike interior components. Owners report inability to prevent forward motion during collisions. Failures occurred alongside airbag nondeployment in multiple incidents.
When: During crash events; specific mileage not consistently reported
Symptoms owners cite: Seat belt did not tighten or engage during impact; Occupant thrown forward into steering wheel or dashboard; Lack of restraint force despite pretensioner intended operation; Neck and spinal injuries from unrestrained motion
Repairs/costs cited: Recall remedy includes seat belt pretensioner as part of 20V024; however, pretensioners failed to engage even after repair in at least one case (narrative #15)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 20V024 addresses both airbags and seat belt pretensioners under same ECU electrical noise issue. Remedy same as airbags (noise filter). Post-repair failures reported in narrative #15.
SRS warning light malfunction and diagnostic failure
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) warning lamp illuminated on the dashboard with no clear diagnostic code or identified component fault. Multiple mechanics unable to diagnose the underlying issue despite multiple visits. One owner reported passenger-side airbag light blinking red when car off and displaying 'airbag off' message when car on.
When: Occurred while parked (engine off); diagnostic attempts ongoing or incomplete
Symptoms owners cite: SRS/airbag warning light on continuously; No diagnostic trouble codes or codes unreadable by standard scanners; Multiple repair visits unable to resolve or identify cause; Passenger-side airbag light blinking red when vehicle off; airbag status showing 'off' when vehicle on (narrative #2)
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #2: Dealer claimed complex repair involving sensors, electrical, and computer reset required; stated only airbag replacement covered under recall, not full system repair. Narrative #40: Four mechanics unable to diagnose cause despite review.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers reported to owners that SRS faults require extensive diagnostic and repair work beyond recall scope. One dealer (narrative #2) refused to complete repair without additional customer-paid diagnostics.
Airbag ECU/control module electrical noise susceptibility
Electronic control unit designed to receive crash sensor signals and deploy airbags and pretensioners lacks adequate electrical noise filtering. Certain crash types—particularly severe underride crashes and high-electrical-noise events—can cause incomplete or no deployment despite impact detection.
When: Upon electrical noise occurrence during crash; failure reported from mileage 7,000–183,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags fail to deploy despite crash sensor signal; Seat belt pretensioners fail to engage simultaneously; Nondeployment occurs in crashes with strong electrical noise (underride, multi-impact, rollover); Partial deployment reported in at least one case (narrative #25: passenger-side curtain bags deployed but front bags did not)
Repairs/costs cited: Noise filter installation between ECU and wire harness
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 20V024 / Manufacturer Recall 20TA03 (Jan. 17, 2020). Remedy available but parts distribution delays reported. Recall status incomplete as of multiple complaint dates (2020–2024). Field inspection requested in at least one case (narrative #6).
Recall parts unavailability and delayed implementation
Owners notified of recall 20V024 but parts required for repair unavailable at authorized dealers for extended periods (30+ days reported). Owners remain in vehicles with known electrical noise vulnerability to airbag/pretensioner system. One owner involved in crash while awaiting parts (narrative #6).
When: Recall issued Jan. 17, 2020; parts unavailability reported throughout 2020–2024
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received but no parts in inventory; Dealers confirm parts not available; no estimated arrival date provided; Owner unable to proceed with repair; Safety risk persists for extended period
Repairs/costs cited: Noise filter installation pending parts arrival
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 20V024 issued with remedy identified (noise filter) but parts supply chain failure; multiple dealers (narratives #6, #24, #27, #36) unable to obtain parts despite recall in progress for 30+ days and beyond.
Synthesized from 56 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.