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: Dec 17, 2022
I am 5'9 and it is not possible for me to see the whole dash. The steering wheel blocks the low third of the dash. Cannot see important information. Also, the headlights do not put out nearly enough enough light. Have to turn on fog lights to see well.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
Headlights are too dim. This poses a safety risk while driving at night. I contacted the dealer, only requesting a price of replacing the bulb (before I researched it is more than just the bulb). I was informed that this is a known issue. No one inspected it. There are no warning lights. I would like to file a complaint so a recall can be issued and owners do not have to pay out of pocket expenses... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
The headlights in the vehicle are malfunctioning. The daytime running lights are dimming and failing. The vehicle was inspected by the dealership and they state that both headlights need to be replaced at a cost to me of $8,500, and they further claim that the issues indicates the entire headlight assembly is failing and has to be replaced. After looking at this issue online, it appears to be a... Read more
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2008) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 3, 2023
Incident date: May 1, 2020
Multiple times the van will intermittently stall while driving down the road or stopped in traffic. First the dash lights flicker, speedometer and rpm gages go to 0, and warning lights such as esp, traction, abs, airbag, battery etc flicker on and off and occasionally hear almost a spark through radio speakers, then everything shuts off, both electrical and mechanically. When that happens I lose p... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2023
Headlamp Lens Issue Vehicle Manufacturers Must Correct ISSUE 1. The increase in pedestrian-vehicular accidents and fatalities is, at times, related to the driver not seeing the person in time to stop. Not seeing a person in time may be related to poor street lighting or a decrease in front visibility caused by fogged headlamp lenses. Current nighttime traffic has a variety of vehicles operating wi... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
BEETLE
(2009) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 2, 2023
Incident date: Jun 1, 2020
Headlamps do not stay illuminated regardless of speed. This issue occurs each time the car is used. This is a hazard when driving in low light conditions as others cannot see the vehicle and lack of lighting impairs ones ability to see the road. This issue has not been investigated by a service center. There are no warning indicators that the lights are not functioning. The issue was present when ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2020
My 2016 Cadillac SRX has faulty just like the rest of the 2010 to the 2015 Cadillac SRXs front headlight assemblies that you cannot see at night and then they eventually just die out because of moisture getting in I've had to replace mine and it's cost me $2,400 to replace them GM is very well aware of this issue this is a dangerous situation people cannot drive at night we cannot drive during inc... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2022
I noticed headlights not working low or high beam. LED lights around head lights worked and fog lights but no headlights. I normally keep it on auto, but I tried all positions and none of them worked.
HYUNDAI
TUCSON HYBRID
(2022) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 2, 2023
Incident date: Jan 2, 2023
The headlights on the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Ltd are a road safety hazard. The dealer says they are not aware of the issue, which makes no sense all you have to do is google it and see others with the same issue. Turning on the headlights creates a dark shadow. I have to drive with my brights on when turning, and most of the time at night. The bottom shadow moves with every movement. ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2023
When I first purchased the vehicle (brand new in 2020), the condensation in the tail lights occurred but the Honda dealer replaced it since it was under warranty. It’s still happening and it’s even more severe now risking the brake and turn lights burning out. The same Honda dealer now refuses to replace them despite the tail lights still being under the 3 year 36,000 mile warranty.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2022
Known issue by Infiniti. Front (driver's side) headlight main bulb shorted out. Condensation "traveled" in the the assembly, but did not vent out. Replacement bulbs do not resolve the issue. The first time it happened, it occurred in December 2017 and was replaced by Infinity of Lynnwood (that was also the last month of the warranty). Now, the same one shorted out again at the end of December 2022... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2022
2018 Chrysler 300 The vehicle's LCD screen has become delaminated which causes the backup camera to black out. The control of the radio, air conditioning, navigation, and other features controlled by the "radio" portion of the car to become dysfunctional. The car will randomly beep, change air temperatures, stop navigation, cause the loss of hands-free communication. Reset radio stations.This is a... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2021) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 2, 2023
Incident date: Dec 31, 2022
During winter/snow driving snow accumulates on the headlights and causes a partial to total loss of visibility. This has happened multiple times during winter months. Cleaning the headlights requires exiting the vehicle in a potentially dangerous situation. This may occur after every few miles or less depending on the conditions.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2021
The headlights on the 2015 Acura RDX are so dangerously dim that it isn't safe to drive at night or in any other low-light condition. The low-beam reflector itself has oxidized and is not reflective at all, and no amount of brighter bulbs or clean outside lenses can solve the issue. The only recourse is to replace the entire housing. A quick online search shows that this is a common complaint a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2022
A low-beam headlight is too dim to drive at night, especially during rain
Incident date: Jan 1, 2018
The headlights on my vehicle have been very dim, to the point of being unsafe to drive at night, and especially in inclement weather. Driving at night time in low light conditions the road is barley visible, especially during precipitation. I have replaced the bulbs for both headlights multiple with no improvement to visibility. I have also tried having the headlight lenses cover polished, whic... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
Both of head lights are too dim for the 2015 RDX. Not enough lights to safely drive in the night. Commonly known for headlight reflector deterioration; plenty of others have experienced same issue (link below) and it's costly to fix the defect by Comsumer; please ask the car maker to recall and repair the defect https://community.cartalk.com/t/acura-rdx-2015-dim-headlights/180589/15 Similar rec... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2021
Low beams gradually got dim and I cannot drive at night with low beams on a huge safety concern as I cannot see driving at night without my high beams on. There must be a recall on these models as there are numerous complaints for this issue.
Incident date: Dec 30, 2022
Auto high beam headlights do not function properly. The high beams will turn on or will not turn off high beams when approaching another vehicle. High beams will turn off when the system sees another light source, such as a pole light, several hundred feet off the road. High beams will also turn on and off for no apparent reason.
Incident date: Dec 30, 2022
Rear "Racetrack" break light filled with water and now has stopped working.
Incident date: Jul 15, 2018
My tail and brake lights sometimes work sometimes doesn't. Rear window brake light stays illuminated when car is turned off causing battery to drain. This problem has been on going for years. I can sometimes wiggle bulbs and make them work for a while but problem has been persistent for too many years. Tired of replacing bulbs.
Incident date: Dec 26, 2022
Problems with the cvt transmission, the heater doesn’t blowed hot air.
Incident date: Dec 24, 2022
It is clear that it's a manufacturing problem with the seals for the headlights in this vehicle. There are many of the same complaints concerning visibility and water log inside the headlamps. I am having this same issue. Because of the water log inside of the headlamps, this could cause electrical damage. The seals in these headlamps aren't sealing correctly and water from rain is flooding the in... Read more
CHEVROLET
TRAILBLAZER
(2005) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 30, 2022
Incident date: Dec 30, 2022
FOR SEVERAL YEARS THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY. NOW, THEY ARE MOSTLY OFF WHICH MEANS I CANNOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE AT NIGHT ANYMORE UNLESS I WANT TO BLIND PEOPLE OR GET STOPPED. I HAVE CHANGED HEADLAMPS, RELAYS AND FUSES TO NO AVAIL. NOW, I SEE THAT MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL SUV HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME ISSUE BUT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS YEAR M... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2022
Racetrack lighting seems to be defective and water has entered and lighting has stopped working and has become a problem driving without it.
Incident date: Dec 30, 2022
While driving the all the the service lights came on on the dashboard and the system as well as the stabilitrak notification. The car begin to not want accelerate and I had to put on the hazard lights on a drive very slow home. Upon arrival home the car would not start but would not power off either and the a "Shift to Park" warning message is displayed.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2021) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 30, 2022
Incident date: Dec 22, 2022
Vehicle had no high beams. Vehicle has no running lights at night. Rear console climate control intermittently works. Idles at 1500 on a cold start. Vehicle doesn’t have power steering when started in a cold day. Have to turn off and on to fix.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
Component that failed is daylight running lights and is available for inspection. Daylight running lights are important to be seen easier by other vehicles and pedestrians, since they don’t work my vehicles is more difficult to be seen during the day. Confirmed by service center. Unknown if inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others, most likely not. No warning li... Read more
Incident date: May 18, 2022
Rear tail light housing compartments fill with water causing lights to go out or short. This needs to be turned into a recall for the manufacturer to fix, since there are many other owners of the same vehicle complaining about the same safety issue.
Incident date: Oct 12, 2022
The right rear quarter panel stop turn signal light started to retain moisture then the turn signal and stop light stopped working all together. the light is an LED and therefore cannot replace just the bulb. I am having no luck finding the correct replacement as any search turns up a part discontinued by Chevrolet.
Incident date: Dec 29, 2022
Recall 21v-00d was registered DEC 2021, notice said waiting for parts. It's been OVER 12 months and no parts yet? Also, the phone number Tesla has listed on the recall notice and their recall info on your website goes to a self-service site that states to use your Tesla app to schedule a repair so there is no way of contacting the company directly to find out about the status of the recall.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2021) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 29, 2022
Incident date: Jul 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V554000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact h... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2022
Hooded projector lights provide very limited vision on dark roads. We hit a deer and have significant damage to our vehicle due to this issue. Our brights do not come on either. Nothing happens when we select the bright option.
Crash
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2021) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 28, 2022
Incident date: Dec 28, 2022
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 was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact h... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 535I. The contact stated that the driver’s side headlamp had condensation inside the headlamp housing. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who replaced the headlamp housing. The contact stated that the failure recurred with the passenger’s side headlamp housing and the driver’s side replacement headlamp housing. The failure had caused the turn signals to... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2022
My 2022 Gladiator with only 2700 miles on it locked up at a stop light. Every light on the dash was blinking, and the wipers came on. I couldn’t move the shifter, or turn the Jeep back on. Hazard lights would not come on initially. Not being able to move the vehicle or turn on hazard lights on a busy 6 lane road was extremely scary. I have never had a vehicle do anything like this before. I had ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 28, 2022
Driving home tonight there was a car in front of me so my low beams were on. I saw a deer approaching from the right side of the roadway while at the same time dropping down into a small dip in the road and because the headlights are so low I lost sight of the deer as it was then in the shadows with no illumination because the headlights were now facing further downward. I had to turn my high beam... Read more
DODGE
CHALLENGER
(2018) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 27, 2022
Incident date: Jan 19, 2022
My headlights keep going dim I’ve only owned this car a year in January. I’ve changed them 5 times also the electronic stability control supposivly was fixed and they changed me an arm and a leg it keeps glitching I hate going to the dealership because I feel as tho because I’m a female they want to just charge me all this money cuz I’m vulnerable and also I believe my vehicle was hacked a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2022
My car was involved in an accident and one headlight was smashed. I found out from my body shop that was my car was recalled and they have no way to fix my headlight. I called Subaru and they told me that the body shop could just put another head light in. But when I talked to the body shop, they cannot just put a headlight in because of the recall. No one is able to help me and now I am out of a ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 24, 2022
I was driving one night and the headlight out indicator on the dash lit up showing the passenger headlight to be out. This limited my ability to see the road as I now only had one headlight operational. Upon further inspection, the halogen bulb was found to be in working order, but the wiring harness has lost its insulation. On both the driver and passenger side the insulation on the internal wire... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Kia K900. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the headlights ceased to operate as needed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V210000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not includ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2022
Headlight assemblies are so dim, even after replacing headlamp bulbs, that the vehicle is unsafe to drive at night. Nissan and dealer are unwilling to correct under the class actio Suarez vs Nissan eventhough vehicle was presented and confirmed needing repair during the time period
Incident date: May 6, 2022
Back in 2020 I believe there was a known headlight issue with Cadillac vehicles. Communication was sent out to owners for a headlight reimbursement program. We unfortunately didn't receive any communication regarding this. Back in March 2022 my husband had a work trip which required him to travel hours away and during the evening. This is what prompted me to call the Cadillac Customer Service nu... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2022
I have had (2) headlight assembly replacements on my Touring due to water infiltration into the housing causing obscurity of the beam. I am now having a third headlight assembly problem due to water infiltration. This is under standard wear conditions and no damage to the components. I've heard other drivers having the same issue. Honda is refusing to resolve the issue for me.
Incident date: Dec 27, 2022
This complaint is regarding a Horton ambulance chassis, model 6xx. On this model, the LED-based high intensity emergency lights are connected to the vehicle brake light circuit, causing two of the high intensity red rear-facing emergency lights to illuminate solidly when the vehicle's brake lights are activated, in addition to the normal intensity brake lights designed for the purpose. This result... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2022
I have owned my car for a little over 4 years and I just bought a two pack of lightbulbs in sept 2022 for the headlights. And I replace my bulbs every couple of months bc they go out. This cannot be normal. This is becoming expensive as a 2 pack is $50 x3 times a year. I've had them replaced at a shop where it was over $125. I've checked to make sure I'm buying the right ones. And I just find this... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2022
Head lights quit working. I had two children in the car with me and it was night time, and I could’ve collided with another car. This just happened tonight, so I have not taken it to the dealer yet or a certified mechanic. There were no warnings of any kind before this happened.
Incident date: Dec 26, 2022
This is not about my car, but instead many different cars. When a cars lights are set to it's parking lights or running lights position, often located on the turn signal stalk, at night it appears to the driver that their headlights are on, when in fact only the "parking lights are on in front. This is a problem, but not what I'm reporting. When in the parking light position (at night), it appears... Read more
Incident date: Dec 6, 2022
headlights fill with moisture and condensation causing headlights to not function properly and creates a safety issue when driving at night. Condensation also results in premature headlight bulb failure. This problem is well documented by customers of these vehicles however no repairs of this manufactured defect have been provided by the manufacturer.
Incident date: Dec 20, 2022
During show fall the snow gathers in the head lamp dishes causing them to fill and block out the light. This causes me to pull over and clear the head lamps so I can see about every mile or two. This is a known problem due to not having heat to melt the snow from the head light. Jeep knows this since there are companies out there selling heated head lamps. I was almost hit last week during the big... Read more