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
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2018) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 8, 2022
Incident date: Sep 3, 2022
The light of the roof inside. Mainly problem of a lot of cars !
Incident date: Sep 8, 2022
Recently purchased vehicle. Did not test drive at night or we never would have purchased. While driving at night, the low beams cast a black, unlit area in front of the vehicle. It's so bad that anyone crossing the street in front of vehicle would not be seen. It is incredibly dangerous, yet the dealer says the lights are set to manufacturers specifications. This is a serious safety issue. It ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2022
Bright headlights do not work. Known problem. Not covered by warrant after 60,000 mile. I unsafe condition of vehicle. KIA should address recall.
Incident date: Sep 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 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. 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 made aware of the issue and informed the contac... Read more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2022
Headlight Switch is faulty when in Auto. Lights shut off randomly while driving at night and when your car is parked and turned off all the lights will come on and drain your battery. I have had the lights shut off on me a dozen times roughly and had to replace a $300 battery because of the lights turning on and draining it. I have been stuck in bad situations with the battery dead and driving dow... Read more
ALFA ROMEO
GIULIA
(2017) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 8, 2022
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
It is impossible to adjust the headlights so as not to blind oncoming drivers. Some are forced to pull over. This is an ongoing issue, which the dealer says is due to faulty design and cannot be fixed.
Incident date: Sep 8, 2022
The headlights flicker off when the turn signal is applied and also sometimes on bumps in the road. This could be very dangerous because there are no headlights when they’re supposed to be on. The dealer told me that they’ve seen that issue before, but told me there’s no recalls on my model and year, so I have to pay to replace a multi function part. I wrote to Kia as well and they told me ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
Having to replace the headlight bulbs weekly. They go out without any warning until I cannot see while driving. Taillights need replacement about 30-60 days. Again without any warnings. Safety issue in my opinion. Definitely a defect from Kia. Unsafe and replacing bulbs weekly is not practical. [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Incident date: Dec 18, 2020
Headlight low beams are dangerously dim. When driving at night the headlights are so dim it is impossible to see.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the headlight assembly had begun to delaminate which reduced the effectiveness of the headlights illumination. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they confirmed that the failure with the headlight assembly and order the replacement headlights. The contact had the driver’s side headlight replaced; however, the failure persisted. ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2022
Low beam headlights are so dim it is unsafe to drive at night.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
Front headlights covers are turning brown inside and ford motor company states to wait till it get worse and it a 2022 escape SE it should be replaced due to the care is new this problem is filed Carothers states and none of the ford companies are willing to replace them due to it’s too much for new ones and it looks like it my problem now the I have the car This matter needs to be fixed and no... Read more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2021
The Brake lines are not coded so the brake line rusted and when brakes got applied they burst causing accidents for no pressure and can’t stop. Air bags light stays on and will not go out. I have put new lights bulbs in truck but lights are still dim.
Incident date: Aug 11, 2022
Headlights go off without warning while in auto driving at night . Has occurred 2 in the month of August 2022. Can be turned back on by twisting the control nob to on. Poses a dangerous situation on the dark county roads that we drive if not quick enough to manually turn back on.
Incident date: Mar 31, 2022
Headlight recall is not being done even though the dealership did the test and said lights failed. I'm on month 4 waiting for a replacement. Claim code# NIZ-11408256001-1145581. Dealership info: Five Star Nissan - 839 Warren Dr, Warner Robins, GA 31088.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that after having her vehicle serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V749000 (Exterior Lighting, Electrical System) the exterior and interior lights would turn off while driving at various speeds, with the check engine and oil warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that upon using the turn signals, the headlights would interm... Read more
Incident date: Aug 29, 2022
Brake lights stay on when the car is turned off. It is draining the battery and I cannot drive the car. No Hyundai dealers near me have availability until October or after.
Incident date: Sep 6, 2022
The gas gage on the dash is not reading properly my car said I had 1/8 of a tank and then driving down the interstate my car dies in the middle of the road lights went out power steering
Incident date: Sep 4, 2022
Auto high beams consistently fail to turn on or off at appropriate times, rendering them unreliable and unsafe. I was forced to disable them because of several incidents in which they failed to stay on while driving on dark rural roads or failed to turn off with oncoming traffic.
Incident date: Apr 13, 2022
Received a recall notice from Nissan USA that said headlights could dim below acceptable levels. Took the vehicle into Colonial Nissan in Charlottesville VA in April 2022. Dealership confirmed our car had the problem but said no parts were available. I have checked back every 30 days since then and am always told no parts are available and Nissan can’t say when they will be. We have ceased dri... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2022
Low beam headlights are so dim, Si don't allow my wife to drive at night. Had dealer look at them and change bulbs with a small improvement, but after a while they have gotten so dim that even I don't like driving at night.
Incident date: Apr 13, 2022
In April 2022,I Took my vehicle down to the Tracy California Nissan dealership. I was part of the class section lawsuit to have my headlights replaced because they are so extremely dim and to also had a recall for the hood latch serviced. I was told that my headlights were just fine. That per Nissans instructions, the dealerships were to lightly clean the headlamp area, take it into a darkened roo... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2021
Low beams (both) became so dim as to be unsafe to drive at night due to reflector becoming very clouded. Many other owners have reported the same issue. FYI: low beam bulbs are good, high beam lights are fine, car has only 75k miles and is seldom driven at night
Incident date: Sep 5, 2022
The headlights on this vehicle are obnoxiously bright! I get flashed by oncoming drivers constantly at night. I even get flashed by pickup trucks. I'm not sure if it's the main headlamps or the fog lights. It does seem like the fog lights have really poor beam control. When driving on a country road at night I can tell the fog lights are lighting up the tops of trees by toggling them on and off. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2022
My oil light would flash on when coming to a stop. I was notified my car was low on oil my last oil change. However I was not made aware as to how much. About 2000 miles afterwards when checking the oil it looked to be empty. The oil light would again flash on when coming to a stop but then go back off seconds later. The dipstick was dry. I added the appropriate amount of oil to show in the safe z... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2022
The "auto" headlight function keeps malfunctioning. It will randomly shut off the headlights and not turn back on. Numerous forums have reported the issue. This is extremely dangerous when driving at night.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
The headlights are increasingly failing. They are so dim that i can not safely drive at night. They burn out easily. I have to replace them about 4 times a year now. In the first few years of owning the car the headlights were fine. But now it is a major safely issue for myself and others on the road. It seems like with age the headlights or components are wearing out. I am considering getting ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2022
Multiple times when driving at night, all of the vehicle's exterior lights sudden turn off. We have been able to get the lights working again by turning the headlight switch on and off several times. Obviously, this is an extremely hazardous situation leaving us with no visibility in the dark and other vehicles cannot see us wither. We have not had this issue investigated by a dealership yet, b... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2019
The low beam bulb seems to be fine. But the road is barely visible at night. Could be the reflector got damaged over the time? No warning lamps or messages.
Incident date: Aug 24, 2022
2010 Honda CR-V. Based on a HONDA dealer report and diagnosed in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 27, 2022. The A/C compressor, coil and A/C system clutch burned out during a trip through high dessert on Interstate 15 north from California to a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. Temperature 107 degrees, heavy raining and in the middle of flash warning storm. According with Mechanic and HONDA Service advisors ... Read more
INDIAN
CHIEFTAIN LIMITED
(2018) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 4, 2022
Incident date: Sep 3, 2022
Loss of front lighting (headlight,Auxiliary lights). High Beam Indicator in dash blinking. Happened numerous times on trip. Would have been extremely dangerous in the dark. Being a motorcycle it makes it hard for other drivers to see me. The motorcycle is available for inspection and I will contact dealer on next day of business . Error codes open circuit high beam and open circuit low beam.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
The daytime running lights on both front headlights have stopped working with 45k on the odometer. Tesla service center has refused to cover the safety issue because the car warranty is 5k over warranty mileage. The vehicle no longer has working day time running lights. After doing some research this is a common problem with 2016 to 2020 model s and x and Tesla motor company is refusing to repair... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2018
My head lights are very dim and they often causes me to run off the side of the road and I can't see objects until they are right up on me.
Incident date: Aug 13, 2022
The Auto lights sensor turns lights on/off at random during dark/night driving. The high beam auto sensor keeps the high beams on, so you do not notice losing driving lights. I found this out by accident, when I started losing my trailer lights at night. Quick fix, turn the light switch to on, instead of auto. NOTE - Cost me over 1000.00 to find that out. Re-wire the trailer, replace the 7-way pl... Read more
MERCURY
GRAND MARQUIS
(2003) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 2, 2022
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
The lighting control module failed. Even after recall 2 years later and only 9 thousand miles Oem part replacement under recall and recall part has failed no tail lamps work no turn signal lights. Only brake lights It’s a common problem even after recall replacement It’s worked fine for 8 thousand miles now lights don’t work all the time
Incident date: Mar 8, 2020
Trying to cut off and jerks when stopping vehicle
Incident date: Aug 29, 2022
SC197 completed 11/06/2020, SC212 completed 07/272021. recently found brake fluid leak results on my garage floor several times, but not after each use of vehicle? Also having to replace brake light bulbs often ,because apparently one will fail and all remaining stay on as if one was riding the brake pedal?
Crash
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
r rear taillight and brake light does not work and no indicator light to warn me. Do not know how long its been out. Afraid to drive. Had it checked and found special policy n182180270 . I contacted dealer and they said it would be $69.00 to just verify issue. contacted manufacture and was told it was out of coverage by less than 100 days. The vehicle has less than 40,000 miles and stays in garag... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2022
My car is affected by recall 17V773000, though it is not listed. Dealership refusing to fix.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
While vehicle is set to AUTO on the headlights, they will randomly shut off while driving.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
The door locks will unlock and lock by themselves. Without anything being touched. It does it so often that it will run the battery dead at night as the headlights come on every time the vehicle unlock is triggered. Also the horn will sound for no reason. Unprovoked at all hours. No warning whatsoever.
Incident date: Aug 17, 2022
Approximately 3 weeks ago my teenage driver called me at work to inform me that his display was "black" and he had no radio. When asked to provide more details, he said that the display screen in the care, which is a touchscreen that is divided into 4 sections (phone, navigation, climate, radio) was not functioning like intended. This screen also displays the backup view when in reverse. He also s... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2021
Dim lights do not provide adequate lighting. Even after replacing bulbs, amour of light given off on dim setting does not provide adequate lighting for safe night driving.
Incident date: Aug 22, 2022
The safety of the vehicle and individuals are put into a potentially dangerous position due to the knowledge that Nissan has concerning the headlamps of Nissan Altima. This is a known issue that the headlamps are defective and are dimming due to deamination, they have already settled a class action case of Suarz v. Nissan North America, Inc. My car is affected by this issue but I never received no... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
Multifunction switch that operates turn signals, hi lo beams, wiper blades fails due to poor quality plastics. There are so many failures the part is not available nationwide. The part that fails is not the multifunction switch but the “steering console upper assembly” that receives and mounts the multifunction switch. This is a $400 pile of garbage that renders the vehicle dangerous to drive.
Incident date: Jul 21, 2022
My 2012 dodge durango sxt, rear turn signal stop flashing, front turn signal works, but not the rear .no turn signal or brakes lights
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
My Vehicle has been with me since I’ve had It since 32,000 miles it’s up to 87,000 miles now The first thing I had to replace the starter at 32,000 the alternator and CV axle on the passenger side and the clutch is second and third clutch And the inside dome lights an the dash lights shorted out all went out the day after I got it now since then at 84,000 the The front clip just fell off goin... Read more
1 injured
HYUNDAI
SONATA HYBRID
(2017) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Aug 30, 2022
Incident date: Jun 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle shifted into Limp Mode with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and several DTC codes were cleared and the accelerator pedal assembly was replaced. Shortly after receiving the repair, the failure reoccurred and the vehic... Read more