Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim, NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,245,377 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports, when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report, that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints, specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened, feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 42,929 complaints - component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
rear third brake light is leaking water into the cab and causing water stains on the headliner. I am worried about it eventually causing an electrical short or more water damage. I don't have a rear window that slides open and the rear glass has never been replaced nor has the third brake light all original from factory.
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An undisclosed dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall r... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2018) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 19, 2023
Incident date: Aug 29, 2023
While driving down the freeway at 6:00 AM in the morning, the headlights flashed on and then off intermittently. I thought nothing of it and then they went out completely and would not come back on right away. I was driving in complete darkness and thankfully the bright headlights still worked. After this incident, my left headlight completely stopped working and the right-side low beam will co... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2023
9/13/23 Got into my vehicle to head home around 9:15PM , headlights would not turn on. Tried switching from automatic to manual turn on no success. Could not unlock passenger doors from drivers side switch, had to exit car with key to unlock doors. There was a warning on the cluster above the steering wheel that says “ WARNINGS AND INFORMATION NOT AVAILABLE. DRIVE WITH GREATER CARE! Mileage woul... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
I haven’t had a call back from the dealership it has been over a year since I’ve heard anything from them to get the recall fixed.
MERCEDES-BENZ
AMG EQS
(2023) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 19, 2023
Incident date: Jun 11, 2023
I was driving at night and the headlights suddenly turned off for about 5 seconds and then it will come back on. Don't know whats going on with its headlight.
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
On 06/23/2023 i went to team Nissan located at 70 Keller st . took it in while purchasing new tires from tire warehouse told me about repairs that needed done that was still under warranty with team Nissan. when i took it to team Nissan they refused my warranty by telling me my car issuer was not any issue that they repaired back in July of 2022 for the amount of over 2thousand dollars. team Nissa... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2010 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that after activating the headlight switch, the headlights would blink off and on twice before turning off. The contact stated that the failure was present on both the low beam and high beam headlights, making the vehicle undrivable at night. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who uninstalled an aftermarket remote starter... Read more
Incident date: Sep 16, 2023
I demand answers for the issues I have been facing with my vehicle. I have been to multiple dealerships, but none of them have been able to provide a satisfactory solution. The dashboard lights have abruptly turned on, rendering various features such as radio, HVAC, power steering, brakes, cruise control, and others useless. Every time we have read the codes, different issues have been identified ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 3, 2023
UConnect screen delaminating, changing setting, turning on/off heat, ac, temps, seat warmers, making calls, changing radio stations, all while driving. Unable to use any bluetooth features. All the jumping around on the screen and adjustments while driving is a HUGE distraction and safety concern for distracted driving. Dealers will not replace without charging at minimum $2000, and replacement op... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2022
My taillights will not come on. It's not a fuse because if it were the the dash lights would also be out, but they're not
Incident date: Sep 22, 2021
The high beams on the vehicle are non functional and are an essential component of the vehicle for safety reasons. Any person driving the highway at night or that lives in a rural low light area will find it impossible to drive the vehicle safely. A mechanic has attempted to identify the problem and was unable. The vehicle does not display any codes of a mal function even after running a diagnosti... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2022
Purchased my Telluride as a Certified Preowned a few days ago. Tonight, I noticed that the headlight high beams aren't working correctly. The driver's side high beams work correctly when turned on, however the high beams on the passenger side will not turn on. I attached a video.
Incident date: Aug 4, 2023
Both high-beam headlights stopped working simultaneously, creating a safety concern.
Incident date: Jun 6, 2023
Both rear taillights fill up with water and shorts out the light bulbs. This makes the brake lights and turn lights non-functional. The taillights were replaced with OEM Ford parts and the new ones leaked as the previous ones. The water in the taillight assemblies could short out the wiring harness and the computer tied to it. The corrosion and rust on the wiring harness could cause fault codes up... Read more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2020
Headlights are dangerously dim, contacted manufacturer and were told that we missed the settlement on this issue. We purchased this vehicle after the settlement so of course we missed it. My son drives this car to and from college two and a half hours away. I cannot understand why nothing is being done. When he drives at night, he has to have high beams on and even then, they are not the brigh... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2023
Since the last over-the -air (OTA) software update, numerous systems have malfunctioned and then fixed themselves. The exception is the dashboard lighting problem to be addressed by NHTSA Recall # 23V-576, FCA Recall # 88A which also started with the latest update, is continuous, not intermittent. I feel the most serious malfunction is when a turn signal will not turn off, irregardless of manual c... Read more
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2015) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 16, 2023
Incident date: Sep 13, 2023
Headlights on vehicle “droop” after driving 20 minutes or more. They start off okay and then become non existent l, pointing directly down toward the pavement in front of the vehicle and you can’t see more than 1 car length in front of you. You must turn the vehicle off and then back on to reset the headlights to drive. This is a huge safety issue for driving at night.
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLA 250
(2018) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 15, 2023
Incident date: Sep 4, 2023
I have 2015 outlander sport has 100k miles on it and I had the transmission replaced at 62000 miles at the dealership but now I have a hesitation engine when go over 70k per hour on the highway and airbag service sign on for no reason and the fog light with the led light off with no reason too.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 3500
(2024) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 15, 2023
Incident date: Jul 16, 2023
The interior lights stopped working and the drive side sun visor won’t stay up and the beep never worked when I back up to something to close
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
Ford is non-responsive in fixing 3 recalls for my vehicle. I have been attempting to get a repair scheduled for over 6 months and keep getting told I will eventually get a call.
Incident date: May 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the passenger’s side headlight was inoperable. The headlamp failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact that there was condensation in the headlight housing. The contact was informed that the headlight housing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was cont... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLA 250
(2017) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 15, 2023
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
As I was driving on the freeway on my way home from work, my car just started giving off warning signals That my brake lights were no longer working and my tail lights were no longer working. Which almost caused a serious accident Due to the car behind me not being able to tell that I was coming to a stop. When I got home I did a little research to see if I can see what the problem was and I come ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
Hello my left front headlamp failed. Initially both my headlights were sweaty/foggy, which started early 2021 but no light present. This is a safety issue especially when driving at night. It is available for inspection. The vehicle was inspected at the dealer Galpin VW. AFS light came on when system failed.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2022
I have a Kia Telluride 2020 that was certified pre-owned and had past the safety inspection. After a few minutes of using the hi-beams, they shut off and reverted to low-beams. The dashboard icon still showed the hi-beams we're on but they were not. They have continued to not engage.
Incident date: Jul 14, 2023
Felt the truck lurch, then airbag dash light came on, as well as the orange wrench light. Then, odometer and instant mpg read both read as zero even though I had a full tank and was going 55 mph. I couldn’t tell how fast I was going on the highway. Have not been to dealer yet, but found a recall online for the exact same problem to do with a 2013 recall on F150 for molded lead frame.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brake lights intermittently failed to illuminate. The brake lights occasionally illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electrical Stability ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 14, 2015
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the coolant warning light was frequently illuminated due to low coolant. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the engine hose and other engine parts were replaced. Despite the repair, the coolant light returned soon after the initial repair. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where the failure was link... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and upon shifting into reverse (R), the vehicle failed to respond, and the gear shift indicator light failed to illuminate. The power train warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer, where grease was added to the transmission rim; however, the failure recurred while attempting to reve... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHCS
(2020) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 14, 2023
Incident date: May 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the headlights were very dim while driving at night. Additionally, the contact stated that a black square shadow would appear in the illumination of both headlights which also impaired her vision while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who found no defect with the vehicle. The contact was then referred to the manuf... Read more
Incident date: Sep 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH at night, she became aware that the headlights were extremely dim. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the vehicle required a software update. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure t... Read more
Incident date: Sep 14, 2023
High beam headlights completely stopped working while driving at night on an unfamiliar road during a road trip. They both stopped at the same time and have not worked since and they are not burnt out.
Incident date: Sep 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, he smelled a rubber burning odor. A message indicating that the turn signal was inoperable was displayed. The contact stated that he pulled to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The contact noticed that there was smoke coming from the rear passenger's side taillight. The contact stated that he opened ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2023
Low beam headlights have very poor throw which degrades while driving. After driving the vehicle for 30 minutes, both left and right headlights point downward and do not throw light down the road. Cutoff is steep, with light only going about one car length. The fault is variable and somewhat random, with sometimes just one headlight drooping. The car must be driven for this to happen - does no... Read more
FORD
FUSION ENERGI
(2020) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 14, 2023
Incident date: Jul 31, 2023
It appears that there is a problem with the bright-lights and turn signal. When I turn on the left blinker my bright lights come on. When the turn is complete the bright lights go out. This happens during the day and night. During the day when I flash my bright lights the left turn signal comes on. Dodge forums has a lot of complaints about this with no fix. There are no warning lamps or error... Read more
Incident date: Sep 14, 2023
The low-beam headlights gradually dim over time. Dim headlights can pose a safety risk, preventing drivers from seeing a safe distance ahead. This is not very safe to drive the vehicle at nighttime, my fear and the safety of my family to continue driving this vehicle. Acura should voluntarily recall the 2015 Acura RDX, due to defective headlights. It's outrageous that Acura hasn't recalled it. Th... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2023) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 14, 2023
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
While driving, my turn signals, power windows and lights stopped working. I believe this is due to the Footwell Module recall, but the dealer will not replace the module because there isn't a remedy for the recall. It's been 5 months now.
Incident date: Sep 13, 2023
High beams stopped working, although the dash light indicates they are on. No change in light intensity from low to high beam.
Incident date: Sep 12, 2023
Low beam headlights have shadows that prevent me from seeing all of the roadway at night. Vehicle has been presented to multiple dealerships that have failed to correct this potentially dangerous issue. The last dealership stated it was "normal" and no fix is available. The issue did cause me to hit a tire on the interstate earlier this year and continues to make night driving hazardous. I will co... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2023
Headlight vertical aim control malfunction, TONS of f series BMWs affected.
Incident date: Jun 12, 2023
The racetrack light bar located on the trunk door is dimming due to water intrusion from the poor/lack of sealing on the light. This lack of sealing keeps making water go in to the light, thus reducing the car's visibility at night. A lot of Durangos have this problem and there is no fix from the dealer, other than buying a new $1,300.00 light. The only thing we can do is to actually drain the ... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLC 300
(2018) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 13, 2023
Incident date: Sep 7, 2023
Headlights turn off after using the turn signal switch. Started happening once in a while but now it happens not only after using the turn signal switch but the headlights will turn off for a few seconds and then turn back on. Other times they will just flicker for several seconds. This is a SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. The headlights turning off or flashing at night is not a safe way of driving. There ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2023
I am making a complaint about my 2021 corolla SE because I am constantly running into issues that cost and are not my fault as to why these issues have come about. I bought my car in March 2021, in May 2021 my car hit a bump in the highway and cracked my rim and bust my tire. Luckily I have alloy and tire coverage so I did not have to come out of my pocket. Next, my two front tires are constantly ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
Projection lense for low beam is very dim. Unable to see road work low beam head light
Incident date: Aug 28, 2023
Taillights aren’t staying on. The break and signal lights work however, after driving the vehicle for a few minutes the taillights go out. I can turn the switch from auto to on but after about 5 minutes each time they are going off
Incident date: Aug 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts ... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2019) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 11, 2023
Incident date: Aug 31, 2020
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and slowing down, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V020000 (Exterior Lighting). On another occasion while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle fa... Read more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the headlights were flickering. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V686000 (Exterior Lighting) and 22V842000 (Visibility) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the local d... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V544000 (Exterior Lighting), 23V413000 (Suspension) and 23V577000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was made aware of ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2022
These headlight assemblies commonly develop significant water ingress problems as they age. Owners report issues in wet climates even when these cars were relatively new, resulting in bulb ignition problems as water finds it way into the ballasts, resulting in high-voltage shorting. The water in the headlight housings also "fogs" up the forward lens, resulting in a poor distribution of light out t... Read more