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: Mar 6, 2023
The vehicle headlights have failed on multiple occasions. The cause of the failures was ingress of water into the sealed headlamp assembly. The problem was reported to Toyota. Toyota took no action regarding the reports. The entire headlight assembly was replaced three (3) times at our expense. The problem persists. Attached is a photograph of the second (replaced) clearly showing water insi... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 2500
(2023) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Mar 6, 2023
Incident date: Jan 23, 2023
Left Headlamp Assembly and Driver’s Window Regulator were replaced under Warranty and now have reoccurred and both need replacing again. My car just reach 60K miles. This began 6 months ago so I haven’t been able to drive at night or during storms nor crack my window to talk to strangers. I am a Realtor and feel my safety is at risk. This headlight problem was going on in 2011 & 2012 yet B... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2023
The headlight was flickering. For a week before it burnt out completely. A flickering headlight causes a distraction to other drivers. Not to mention a LED light shouldn’t burn out in one year.
Incident date: Mar 5, 2023
The high beams quite working
Incident date: Oct 12, 2022
Headlights are very dim. Because of dimness of my headlights, others car were not able to see me and came in front of me, the lights are so dim that I can’t see at night, rain, snow and just simply can’t see the line. I’m going to take my car into to dealership to formally get diagnosed but apparently his is ongoing problem on this models
Incident date: Oct 12, 2022
A Retaliatory Action to cause personal harm. Believe original vin was placed on this car because of a complaint against medical doctors now under investigation. Took pictures and other proofs. Note on this vehicle says there are hazard mercury arts used on vehicle like lighting and lists other parts and advises removal to be done as hazardous materials etc. can upload photo of it.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2023
Two safety related issues are present on the vehicle, confirmed by dealership, and being actioned via FCA star tickets: 1) Blinkers are blinking at a non-standard speed 2) Side view cameras are intermittently disabling themselves, requiring dealership intervention each time Service records attached
Incident date: Mar 6, 2023
The headlights have gone extremely dim making it really hard to see in the night. I have tried replacing bulbs multiple times but it doesn’t help. Reading on forums it seems many folks are hitting the same issue and are pointing to the housing/reflector going bad. Please take a look at this as it seems similar issue has been reported and recall issued for other models from Acura.
Incident date: Feb 27, 2023
I smelled a burning scent through my vent while driving..Driver side headlight had burned out. I’ve seen the same issue with a wiring harness that needed to be replaced with a previous charger that I had that was recalled
Incident date: Mar 4, 2023
From initial purchase, the headlights never seemed bright enough and often at night it appeared as though they were not turned on at all. Nearly 3 years after owning the vehicle, research online revealed a systemic issue with the headlights. Local dealership quoted replacement cost at over $3,000. Safety impact was reduced visibility in low light situations, and pedestrians/other drivers were una... Read more
Incident date: Dec 14, 2022
The gauge cluster is not working.
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2012) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Mar 4, 2023
Incident date: Mar 4, 2023
The headlights on my vehicle became extremely dim. I kept changing the bulbs and there was no improvement. It was very dangerous at night and my wife wouldn't drive the vehicle because she was unable to see the road as the lighting was so dim. I scrubbed the exterior lenses with clarifying kits. I changed the bulbs again and again. Finally I went online and found a forum that said this was a comm... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2023
When it rains, the lights inside start flashing, it throws a check engine light and error messages about chasis control and braking system, the lights inside flicker, turnsignals and flashers stop working, the car goes into limp mode and you can't turn the car off .
Incident date: Feb 3, 2023
Tonight (3/4/23) while driving in the dark my headlights turned off while driving 45 mph. This is the 2nd time this has happened. It happened last October as well. I turn on my brights, turn them off again and the headlights are working normally again. Both times that this happened, I was driving with the lights in auto mode.
Incident date: Jan 21, 2023
My headlight bulbs have been replaced and checked 2x by the used auto superstore which I will not name at this time ! and by the manufacturer (dealer) but once it’s dark out and the automatic brights come on and either both or one side goes completely out only to come back on sometimes or not at all which is very dangerous especially at night !
Incident date: Feb 28, 2023
On Feb 14th 2023 I hit a deer. Got out of my jeep to check damage. Had a broken headlamp overall seemed OK & repairable. Got back in the jeep & continued driving. When I got home & parked in my garage I noticed an odd smell. Looked at the jeep noticed a small fire. Backed the jeep out of the garage & called the fire department. By the time the fire department arrived the entire front of the jeep w... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Mar 3, 2023
For at least 3 years starting in 2019 the headlights have been getting dimmer and dimmer. I had to use the high beams to see at night. Polishing the headlights did not help nor did changing the bulbs as it's the projector lens that has to be replaced.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
The TIPM is not working and while driving the headlights turn off. This is very unsafe and impairs the driver
VOLKSWAGEN
ROUTAN
(2010) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Mar 3, 2023
Incident date: Mar 3, 2023
Headlamp mechanism defect. Running headlights were so dim, I could barely see the road at night. My car only has 65,000 miles on it and I rarely drive at night. However, I did notice that the headlights seemed very dim the past few months and was trying to figure out if it was a setting issue (automatic/manual/etc.) or actual headlamp issue. Nothing worked. When I made a 100 mile drive in the ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2021
Headlights are so dim that it is unsafe to drive at night. I filed a complaint with Acura and then, per their instructions, I had the dealer do a "discovery". They charged me for the evaluation and then declined covering the reparation. They want to charge $2300 to replace the entre headlight housings.
TOYOTA
COROLLA CROSS
(2023) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Mar 3, 2023
Incident date: Mar 3, 2023
Low beam headlights do not supply enough light to see the road. Have tried many headlight bulbs and no change in visibility. Brought vehicle to Prime Acura and was told that the housing needed to be replaced, was told i would be responsible for this. This occurred when automobile had 75-80k miles. I am forced to drive with high beams at all times in order to see the road.
Incident date: Feb 24, 2023
Left side light is very dim, very unsafe to use at night time. We cannot drive it at night.
Incident date: Jan 28, 2023
No remedy for Subaru Impreza recall WRG22. THE HEADLIGHT RECALL WAS ISSUED IN AUGUST OF 2022 AND SUBARA DOES NOT HAVE THE PART(S). EMAIL FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA ON 3/3/2023 Dear XXXX XXXXXX: Thank you for contacting Subaru. Please continue to work with your Subaru Retailer about the WRG22 recall and part number. We do not have the approximate date when the parts will be available. That inform... Read more
Incident date: Nov 18, 2021
The ioniq 5 has a one pedal driving mode, where the car will come to a complete stop without needing to press the brake pedal, similar to other EV's. In this mode, the gas pedal operates differently then in a conventional car - pressing the pedal approximately 1/3 of the way down represents neutral, where the car coasts. Pressing the pedal less then that - between 1/3 and not pressing it at all,... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2023
I bought this car used and never thought to check any problems associated with headlights. The first time I drove it at night, I stopped to see if the lights were even working. I took it to my local garage who has taken care of all my vehicles from Chevrolet S10 to BMW X5. They changed out the bulbs and made no difference. He then contacted various auto parts companies to order the housing for bot... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2023
Low beam lights are insufficient to see the road. Very dangerous
Incident date: Aug 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with an auto light feature that allowed the headlights to turn on at night while the dash light would become dim. However, the contact stated that the headlights had been turning on during daytime, which was impairing his vision of the road. Additionally, the instrument panel lights were becoming dim, prevent... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2023
Both the left and right turn signals have had to be replaced over 5 times EACH since I purchased the car in 2018. The first time it happened I took it to the dealer and they said the lighting harness was the problem and they replaced it at no cost since it was under warranty. Then the right one went out and again they replaced the harness free. Then the left went out again and since replaced harn... Read more
Incident date: Dec 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed in a parking lot, she suddenly saw a blinding glare and then crashed into a light pole. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that her two infant children were inside the vehicle with her and that there were no injuries. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed. The vehic... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 9, 2023
Dash display is showing "Right Front Marker light malfunction" message even though the marker light is fully functional and operational. Message only appears when headlights are ON. Vehicle will NOT pass Massachusetts inspection with warning light ON, EVEN though light is fully functional. Audi service code is C11A615. Audi service center is quoting a $5300 repair cost.
Incident date: Feb 24, 2023
While driving in the one pedal driving mode (“iPedal”), it is possible to rapidly slow the vehicle while keeping the accelerator pedal slightly depressed, which is the expected result for this regenerative braking mode. While rapidly decelerating in this mode, however, the brake lights do not illuminate while the accelerator pedal is slightly depressed. Even though regenerative braking is act... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2023) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Mar 2, 2023
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
Head light control knob on the blinker handle. While driving, using the blinker, the headlights' turn knob is extremely sensitive. It has happened several times. Driving at night, turn on the blinker to go right, it also scrolls the headlight control and turns them off. HIGHLY dangerous in my opinion. Safety concern for myself and other drivers Mentioned this to Kingdom Kia of Rolla, MO. Servic... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2023
The original low beam bulbs (halogen) melted the cover making visibility abysmal. I’ve replaced the bulbs with a LED option, and still very low visibility. There is seemingly no difference between the headlights being on and being off.
Incident date: Nov 6, 2022
The vehicle liftgate no longer properly latches and has opened suddenly. The interior audible warning sound continuously alerts and the interior lights sometimes fail to turn-off. The 'Liftgate Ajar' warning light remains on. This problem seems similar to the recall on 2011 Lincoln MKX.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
High- beam headlights are not working. Indicator on the dashboard says they are on but they don’t change from low beam.
Incident date: Feb 28, 2023
INTERMITTANTLY BOTH HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING. LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE (LCM) PROBLEM ?
HONDA
CR-V HYBRID
(2020) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Mar 1, 2023
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
Both front headlights provide very little visibility and do not shine far enough down the road to be safe at high speeds, especially in the mountains/low light areas. Have been waiting on a remedy from Subaru since being notified of the recall in October 2022.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
Both headlights have moisture located on the inside of the glass. Saturated with BIG BEADS of water. Both headlights fogged up so bad they were basically useless. There is no front end damage, car has been well cared for. Lewiston Idaho Nissan dealer could care less. Owner replaced BOTH Headlights at his own expense.
TOYOTA
COROLLA CROSS
(2023) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Mar 1, 2023
Incident date: Feb 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 McLaren MP4-12C. The contact stated that mold was developing in the lens covering the headlights, causing the headlights to be foggy. The contact stated that the failure was affecting his vision of the roadway while driving and was causing a glare for oncoming drivers. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the headlight housings needed to be repla... Read more
Incident date: Jan 23, 2023
The headlights are so dim that the Cadillac SRX is unsafe to drive at night. The dealer says that it is a known defect but will only give a small discount to replace the headlight assemblies. These cars are unsafe at any speed ! This car has been garage kept and is very low mileage. Please respond to this. Thanks !
Incident date: Nov 23, 2022
Recently the "Service Side Detection System" light came on. Now the blind side monitoring doesn't work. While driving all of lights on the dash, radio, and headlights turned off. I was unable to see the road, my speed, or anything within the vehicle. I did some research and this is a vary common issue with these vehicles and nothing has been done to correct it.
Incident date: Dec 13, 2022
Rear tailgate lights red and white fill up with water and stop working. Cruise control jumps up 10mph when passing signs, very scary!
Incident date: Dec 17, 2022
Tail lights shine bright and cruise control cuts off it has happened to me going down the interstate
Incident date: Jan 18, 2023
Back tail track light has water intrusion from a bad gasket that dodge installed on these durangos and I'm scared that it will cause an electrical fire
Incident date: Nov 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Journey. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V723000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealers: East Carolina Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat (3401 S Memorial Dr, Greenville, NC 27834: (888)848-5262), Outer Banks Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (3000 N Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948:... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2023
High Beams failed with no notice and are non-operational. Took to dealership and was told the issue was a design issue and was told that KIA would not cover the defect. Contacted KIA customer service and they denied to cover the repair. A simple Google search shows there are multiple incidents of this happening.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
Headlight housing has failed to where lights are so dim, the vehicle has become too unsafe to drive at night unless using high beams. This problem for my vehicle is known by Acura, with their only solution being to replace the entire headlight housing. Replacing the bulbs is not the issued. There is a manufacturing defect on the reflective coating for the light housing which deteriorates over time... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLE 350
(2020) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 28, 2023
Incident date: Jun 1, 2020
I have had to replace both the driver side and passenger side headlight assemblies in this vehicle. This a defect with Acura RDX and should be recalled. The Acura dealership confirmed the headlights were dimmer than the daytime running lights and would not pass inspection. I replaced the left headlight in 2018 and the right one in 2022. Even after costly replacement, the lighting is still very dim... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2023
The headlights grew very dim over the last couple years. I replaced the bulbs and it made no difference. Finally, this winter, they got so dim that I couldn't drive it at night, anymore. I took it to repair shop to see if something was wrong with electric system, and they found no problems, just little light coming from the headlights. I went on line and found lots of people having same problem ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2023
Got a problem with dim headlights in my Acura RDX change the bulb and still not working properly. I can’t see at night. Dim headlights present a significant safety issue for drivers and pedestrians,