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
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2022) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 7, 2023
Incident date: Feb 6, 2023
Illuminated Emblem failed due to apparent water intrusion. It caused drivers side head lamp to operate improperly. At first it caused headlamp to flicker, as if a short. Then it caused headlamp to remain on when it shouldn't. It would NOT cut off. Therefore, risk of battery going dead and being stranded. It could also cause trouble driving, therefore causing a wreck. My vehicle is currently in the... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2023
When the sun is facing the rear of the car, the rear turn signals do not activate, and the turn signals flash rapidly. It is exactly what happens in this youtube video: https://youtu.be/dHwMCdlJfYQ This is a danger, because my car will not properly signal when I change lanes or take a turn. Subaru will not look at the vehicle. In this post in a community of owners for this vehicle, an owner sta... Read more
Incident date: Jan 26, 2023
Auto dimming headlights do not function as intended. At night the headlights will go from regular to bright and back again with no other vehicles on the road. System appears to be confused by road sign reflections. Also does not always go from bright to dim when encountering oncoming vehicles.
Incident date: Dec 6, 2022
The transmission is going out, they’ve replaced it and it’s still a bad transmission. Having a bad transmission could cause the car to shut off in the middle of the road causing an accident. My engine is constantly overheating, my car gives me warnings to stop the car because of overheating. I can’t even drive on the expressway because i’m scared my car is going to blow up or something. Th... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2016) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 6, 2023
Incident date: Jan 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact researched online and became aware that the VIN was subjected to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V685000 (Exterior Lighting) and 22V842000 (Visibility); however, the parts for both recall repairs were unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the recalls and confirmed that parts for both recalls were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notifi... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2011) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 6, 2023
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
Recently, I have noticed that my SUV has not had good luminating ability so I naturally assumed it was a faulty or weak bulb. I have since then changed the bulbs to LED and still the same issue exists, I cannot see 3 feet in front of me at night. It is a danger to me, my occupants and others. It seems that the headlamp assembly is delaminating from the inside causing the reflective piece to be... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2023
Both high beams suddenly stop working. Kia systems report high beams are functional. Also low beams have reduced brightness resulting dangerous driving conditions at night. Kia claims both headlight assemblies need to be replaced at an estimated repair of $2370
Incident date: Feb 5, 2023
Both low beam headlights burn out at the "same time". This has happened twice in 1 year. I have not had any inspections done yet. If this happens at night or in a tunnel it could be life threatening. Purchased used from a friend who has taken care of the vehicle. I have not checked with him to see if he ever had it happen due to he is no longer living here. First time I just replaced both bulbs an... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2023
The car cuts off during driving and when u crack it back up the dash light do not work. But then the dealership said its a known issues but the car just needs to be reset...... but cutting off while driving can be dangerous. It's something a car should not do
Incident date: Feb 2, 2023
The headlights on the 2022 Kia EV6 do not provide enough illumination for proper night driving. They are full and barely shine enough for 10 feet out from vehicle. This causes concern for object avoidance and proper identification from oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Kia made adjustments to later year 2022 model years, European models get Matrix lights, and all 2023 model years. IIHS rated 2022 ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
Headlights have started flickering. The dash lights and radio also went out completely and came back on after a few seconds.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2023
Automatic highbeam system stays on hi for oncoming vehicles, flashes oncoming vehicles, dims for road signs.
Incident date: Jan 31, 2023
High beams are not working on both headlight assemblies. Car uses a bulb with 1 filament and actuator to simulate a high beam and both headlight assembly actuators failed on a car with 51k miles. Hyundai has a TSB for this issue, so they are aware of this issue and this needs to be a recall, not just a TSB as this is a major safety issue.
Incident date: Nov 8, 2022
Something isn’t right with how water travels to and gets into the Front Headlights of these cars weaking the seals and damaging the multiple modules of these headlights my front passenger headlight out of nowhere started forming condensation in the headlight which shorted almost every module in there it barely works now. I have a coworker with with same exact model and year as mines and he said... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2023
This issue involves our headlights or lack of lights. Driving the car at night on a dark expressway revealed a frightening issue. Our dim lights were so weak we couldn’t see 10 feet in front of us. We had to use our brights the entire way and took the car to be checked a few days later. We then found out Cadillac had settled a lawsuit regarding faulty lights with SRX models through 2015. They... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2022
Since this vehicle was purchased new the automatic high beams have not worked correctly and will often stay on for incoming traffic. There is no fix for this issue at the moment. Mentioned this issue to Honda Corp and dealership and never heard a response from over two years ago. Brought vehicle recently to other dealer and mentioned my vehicle still has this issue. They completed an unrelated sof... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2023
Automatic headlight auto bright does not work correctly. Sometimes does not dim to regular headlight and goes back and forth without oncoming cars also.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
Low beam headlights reflector screen failure. Cannot see road when low beams are on at night
Incident date: Sep 6, 2022
The headlights on Acura 2014 RDX are very dim. There has already been some recalled, however, there needs to be more. I am not able to drive my car at night unless it is an emergency due to a lack of visibility. The only way to see beyond 3 feet in front of the car is to turn on the brights. This is a huge safety risk to my family and other drivers on the road. The dealership confirmed that t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that he had to manually hold the high-beam headlights switch with his left hand while driving for the high-beam headlights to operate as needed. The contact stated that the high-beam headlights would deactivate and not operate as needed without the switch being held. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact too... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2023
The headlamp assembly lenses have become warped and frosted due to excessive heat from the bulb and defective heat dissipation from the headlamp assembly . Poor visibility at night, as light output is significantly diminished creating a safety hazard..
Incident date: Jan 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Journey. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V723000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was notified of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The m... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the low beam headlights failed to produce adequate illumination to see the roadway while driving. The contact was unable to drive the vehicle at night. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the headlight assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2023
My high beam lights have stopped working. The system says it is working fine as the notifications for high beams come on but the lighting does not change.
Incident date: Jan 28, 2023
My car was parked in the car port. The rear back light on the driver side caught on fire. The police and fire department were called. I was not at home at the time, my neighbors used a plastic container to put out by time the fire department got there. The firs department stated that is was faulty wiring. I am waiting for the report from police, fire department, and insurance representative. ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
High beams fail to light No warning lights, H beam indicator light functions but no activation. No codes on OBD2 reader. Have not taken to dealer for this problem because no recall. Very likely to replace on my own if no recall as I am a mechanic.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2018) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 2, 2023
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
High Beam issues. It started out with one high beam out, and I figured the bulb needed replaced. When I looked into it, I learned the low beam and high beam share a single filament bulb. Later on, the high beam seemed to work again. And now it is not working again. Apparently it has to do with the mechanical "curtain" inside the housing that everyone is having issues with.
Incident date: Jan 27, 2023
Vehicle low beam headlights are extremely dim, so dim that to see property at night, the high beam lights must be used constantly. This blinds oncoming traffic and risks a head on collision. General Motors will not replace the headlight assembly. The low beam headlight assembly interior housing is coated with a shiny reflective plastic material. Over time, the heat from the halogen bulb degrad... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2023
The cluster panel dimmer toggle for my 2022 Jeep Compass does not work correctly anymore. It stays very bright even at night and I cannot adjust it darker. I took it to my local Jeep dealership for service and they said it's a software problem and they cannot fix it until Jeep recalls it and fixes it themselves. The instrument panel is so bright that I cannot drive my car at night because it cau... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The contact stated that the Hybrid charging system was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V077000 (Hybrid Propulsion System). The contact stated that shortly after the repair, the battery failed to hold the expected charge. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that a... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2023
This problem only applies to the base model of the 2015 Acura RDX because Acura installed Halogen Headlight bulbs, only in the base model, they get too hot for the reflective finish on the inside of the headlight assembly. The heat ruins the finish so there is very little reflective properties to cast light out in front of the car. You cannot see very well in the dark with low beams and cannot see... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2018) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 2, 2023
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
When automatic headlights are on there are time that the headlamps will turn off when engaging the turn signals until turn signals are disengaged.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
Left headlight is stuck in high-beam mode.
Incident date: Dec 23, 2022
When driving at night or in diminished lighting, the headlights will turn on but the taillights do not. The taillights will only activate if the headlight switch is moved to the on position. When the headlights activate, it gives the driver the appearance of everything is operating as designed when in fact there are no taillights illuminated.
Incident date: Nov 25, 2022
-Total electrical system failure (dealer confirmed starter generator). -After a short time of cautions followed by warnings, engine and all electrical components quit working. (no hazard lights). no way to warn other drivers on the road or highway to a malfunctioning vehicle -dealer confirmed starter generator needs replacement. waiting on part (60+ days and counting) -caution and warnings starte... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2022
I am the original owner of this 2015 Nissan Altima and I am having difficulty seeing when driving at night. The headlights are very dim. I recently (12/9/22) took my car in for service for a separate recall dealing with the hood latch. I mentioned the issue with the dim lights to them at that time and they inspected my headlights. They inspected my lights and agreed that they were dim and they in... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2023
The contact owns Nineo F2-H11 Replacement Led Bulbs. The contact received recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21E084000 (Exterior Lighting), however the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that he had not been able to reach the manufacturer because the manufacturer phone numbers provided in the recall remedy notes were invalid. The contact stated th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V686000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Additionally, the contact stated that a recall notice was received confirming that the remedy was availa... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
The brake lights stay on even after the car has been turned off. There was no warning. The brake bushing? had to be replaced. This is a known problem of 2012 - 2015 models and I believe 2016 has the same issue.
Incident date: Nov 23, 2022
There is an outstanding recall (NHTSA 22V686, Ford 22C22) for Front Park Lamp Flicker. The original notice stated the fix would be available in January. January is now past, and no updates on the status of this fix has been provided by Ford. I am filing this complaint in an effort to obtain an update on when this fix should now be expected.
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2019) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 1, 2023
Incident date: Dec 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2019
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V544000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and other unknown dealers were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2023
My lights have conditions and when it rains one of my lights do not come on until it is dry. I have replaced two bulbs since 2020. Now my steering wheel warning light came on, I had steering wheel fluid put in, and it's still hard to turn, and the warning light is still coming on with StabiliTrak warning light
Incident date: Jan 31, 2023
Gear selector sticks at start-up and doesn't raise up to engage the car out of park. Have turn off the vehicle and re-start for the gear selector to raise. Trunk hatch will sometimes raise only part-way. Interior light panels for trunk button do not illuminate.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
This vehicle is under Safety Recall 22C22 and NHTSA Campaign Number 22V686000. Ford said a remedy was supposed to be available January 2023. There still has not been a remedy put out by Ford to fix this safety issue. Ford also has not put out any updated info as far as this recall is concerned.
Incident date: Jan 31, 2023
Driving at night and low beam headlights both went out at the same time. The only way to drive safely was to use high beams. Opened hood and passenger's side light came back on, very dimly, and then went out again as soon as the left turn signal was initiated. Even the high beam lights flicker when the left turn signal is used. This is completely unsafe because there is no way to see without blind... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2022
The dim headlights must lose their reflective material around them as they get dimmer with age. I've replaced the headlight bulbs with stock headlight dim bulbs and there wasn't any improvement in visibility. I then replaced the bulbs with the brightest ones NAPA has and minimal improvement. I asked my car mechanic about this and he said they are known for this. He had just replaced the whole ass... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2020
The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model-X. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the center display intermittently turned blank while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that upon engaging the turn signals, there was no ind... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2023
I got my car from Buick of Long Island City I was giving the wrong key mess up battery the car will not start and I crashed
1 injured
1 deaths
Incident date: Mar 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 03V327000 (Exterior Lighting) and 14V400000 (Electrical System) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.