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: Jan 28, 2022
my subaru has 12,ooo miles on it and in the past week has died on me. When you try to start the car and depress the brake, the brake locks and you cannot push it anymore, in addition, the battery does not turn over. On the first occasion, we tried to jump start the car but the battery read as normal activity and the car would not start after that. The car just started up for no apparent reason t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2022
First I will say I am an experienced driver with 40 years of driving experience and owned may automobiles. This is the first automobile I have owned with LED headlights. During my product research, car review magazines touted LED headlights as superior. Sadly, I have not found this to be the case. I have found with the LED headlights, there is a very distinct horizontal line, almost a focused,... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2022
Hello, Tesla has released an update that will turn on the side camera when the blinker is activated. At night, the blinker can blind the camera making it difficult if not impossible to see any object. I'm concerned that this can cause the driver to turn into another car at night. The picture attached is with the hazard lights on and you can see how one camera works correctly and the other has a... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2022
Passenger side headlight and driver's side tail light not working. Bulbs have been replaced and tested as to being good. Went on internet and found this to be a very common problem with Dodge and Chrysler vehicles, many times requiring replacement of the TPIM. Grounds have been checked as good. Dealer says repair requires replacement of the TIPM for $1,600.00!! Vehicle lighting are safety items co... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2021
My brake lights constantly burns out and I’m having to repair them every month. My brake lights also stay illuminated when I am pressing the brake which does not show that I am stopping or slowing down. This is a MAJOR safety issue that needs to be repaired
Incident date: Jan 25, 2022
1. My headlights tends to keep going out, I’ve replaced them 3 times since getting the vehicle. The most recent change was a month ago. Also my car keeps making this weird humming/ purring sound which started 3months ago and is very unsettling. I had to get a new engine last February after my car cut off on me and the kids heading to my family out of town.
Incident date: Dec 27, 2021
I was driving and a LOUD cracking popping noise started coming from the dash. The stereo went dead and the instrument panel went dead. I was startled at the noise and almost lost control of the car. I can’t see my speed or other functions of the car. Honda has no permanent fix for this.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2020
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while attempting to replace the rear taillight blubs, she had noticed that the bulbs had melted into the connectors which results in loss of rear taillight use. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing a taillight wiring harness replaced but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Nov 26, 2021
The headlight assemblies are poorly designed and accumulate moisture. The water condenses on the inside of the headlight housing reducing lighting output. In sub zero temperatures the condensation freezes, further reducing light output. The reduced light output reduces the amount of usable light illuminating the roadway. The water/ice can also produce reflections/glare which may impair oncoming dr... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
The main headlights on the McLaren MP4-12C are susceptible to condensation, and mold that cannot be cleared as it is internal. This is caused by a faulty seal, or glue, holding the top clear glass, to the plastic molding which allows condensation to happen, causing the mold. Almost all McLaren MP4-12C's have the moldy headlights, reducing visibility and creating a hazard for the driver, as well a... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2021
dealership found this Honda one brake light blub only with 26764 miles in early 2021. I complained to Honda, they claimed and a case 12786775 and let me called them, then told me "out of warranty". Honda then closed the case. This is a quality of light blub issue, not warranty. In fact 1. Dealership said it is not often saw, only saw a few, you are unluck. One out of 10000 blub can like that. 2. I... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2021
1. ABS SYSTEM- ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM SENSORS GOES OUT AND NOT WORKING CORRECTLY READING WHICH CREATES SAFETLY HAZARD IN PREVENTING POSSIBLE COLLISIONS 2. LIGHTING-INTERIOR INSTRUMENT PANEL-LIGHT DIMS AND OR GOES OUT COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING WHICH CREATES SAFTELY HAZARD IN VEHICLE OPERATION. 3. WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM AND RESERVIOR DEFECTIVES- WIPER MOTOR ISSUES AND LEAKAGE FROM FAULTY TUBING ... Read more
MERCURY
GRAND MARQUIS
(2003) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 27, 2022
Incident date: Jan 23, 2022
The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that upon purchase of the vehicle, he received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V861000 (Exterior Lighting). Over time, the contact stated that the headlights and taillights would intermittently fail to operate without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the recall repair was performed. Despite the recall repair... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2022
My 2014 Nissan Altima has dangerously dim headlights. At night driver and passengers cannot tell the lights are on. In foggy, rainy, and snow conditions at night, they are virtually useless. I have had new bulbs installed, which did not improve the problem. I have been told the problem emanates from a manufacturer defect in the headlight assembly. Both headlight assemblies must be replaced, which ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2022
During night driving, with normal headlights on (not high beams), I am frequently flashed by high beams of oncoming vehicles, sometimes for long time intervals. One truck driver that I was following intentionally shined a bright light at his side view mirror which reflected onto my face, temporarily impairing my vision as I passed the truck. I have taken the car to the Subaru dealership and spoken... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
The low beam headlights are almost non existent. The only way to get sufficient lighting for nighttime driving is to use the hi beam lights exclusively. There is no safe speed to operate vehicle with only the low beams. It is not an issue with bulbs, but rather the entire headlight assembly. I will put a date in the "additional details" box, but it is an issue that has been an ongoing degradatio... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving, the brake light was illuminated. The contact stated that at the time she was not depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that when she was switching gears from either drive or reverse the brake light only illuminates once in gear and does not turn off. The contact also stated that the traction control warning l... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2022
The tail light on the tail gate accumulates water and causes the light to go out. This could cause the entire brake light to short and could result in a rear end collision. 85 percent of the Dodge Durangos I see have the same issue. This isn’t a wear and tear problem, the lights weren’t sealed properly from the factory. Attached are just a few photos demonstrating the problem. Dodge owes it to... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2017) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 27, 2022
Incident date: Jan 27, 2022
Driver side headlamp assembly highbeam function inoperative, lens shutter does not activate. Vehicle operator is unable to safely see road, hazards and surrounding area in front of the vehicle when function is commanded to on. This puts other the vehicle operator, other vehicle operators and bystanders in the area at high risk of death or severe injury. The condition has been replicated by 3 cer... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2022
I have been receiving a marker light warning for both the left and the right marker lights. These warnings are intermittent but fairly persistent. The marker lights appear to be operating correctly. After a review of online forums this issue appears to epidemic in the 2017 Audi Q7. Audi has indicated the only way to fix the problem is a complete headlight replacement running between $4,000 to $... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA CRUZ
(2022) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 26, 2022
Incident date: Jan 20, 2022
Halogen headlights too dim, even on high beams. Called dealership and was told they couldn’t switch to a brighter bulb. Was also told I couldn’t convert to LED headlights without voiding warranty; that if I wanted LED headlights I should have “purchased a higher trim model”. I purchased the SEL with activity package trim and you would think an almost $40,000 vehicle would have better hea... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2020
The seals on the headlights let moisture in, causing the lights to be dim.
Incident date: Jan 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Tundra. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V688000 (Exterior Lighting, Electrical System) however, the dealer informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified o... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Tundra. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 21V688000 (Exterior Lighting, Electric System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. T... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
Headlight delaminated causing passenger side low beam to be so dim it doesn’t look like it’s illuminating. Pulled bulb to replace to identify it illuminates just as bright as driver side. Opened a case with Acura to which they referred me to go to the dealership and if they agreed they would consider it covered. 10 min into the diagnosis the tech agreed with me. Acura then denied my case indic... Read more
Incident date: Jan 24, 2022
Interior lights stays on at night while driving and when parked. Tried turning it off but it won’t turn off
Incident date: Jan 24, 2022
I was driving at night switched headlights to high beams - few minutes later switched back to low beams and ALL LIGHTS dash and head lights went completely out . Tried to pull head light knob and nothing - pitch black . Luckily i was a short distance from my home. This is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ! I have found 33 complaints (so far) about this same problem. This definitely should qualify and b... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amou... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
Running lights are dim (30% as bright as new) due to failed cup reflectors in the headlight assembly.
Incident date: Jan 24, 2022
There is a light sensor in the digital instrument cluster that dims the brightness during the day that it makes the instrument cluster un-readable.
Incident date: Jan 24, 2022
Headlights are so dim that you cannot see to drive at night or after dusk. I have to use the high beams in order to drive at night, so I drive with the high beams, then other drivers are flashing their lights at me to dim my lights, I can’t believe there is no recall on this problem because if there is a safety problem, it would be driving at night and not being able to see where you are going. ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 23, 2022
I PURCHASE THE CAR FROM A CAR LOTIN THE CITY WHERE I LIVE I GOT THE CAR IN MARCH OF 2020 I DROVE THE CAR FOR 3 MONTHS ONE OF MY HEAD LIGHTS STARTED TO SHORT OUT SO IALEVIEATED THE PROBLEM TWO MONTHS LATER A MOTOR MOUNT WENT BAD I HAD IT REPLACED AFTER THAT MY SENSOR S STARTED TO MALFUNCTION
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2020) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 23, 2022
Incident date: Jan 22, 2022
The infotainment screen brightness is set too high, such that turning the brightness setting down enough for the infotainment screen to not be too bright turns the backlighting on the instrument cluster down to where it's almost unreadable. In this specific case I was trying to use Apple Maps through Carplay for navigation in an unfamiliar rural area, where lighting on the roads is almost inexiste... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2022
Both headlight high beams went out at the same time. I no longer have working high beams and from the internet research this is a known problem with no recall issued.
Incident date: Jan 20, 2022
I noticed an air bubble looking thing on my radio screen. You can see it in the attached video which is just one example from recent. Then my screen starting doing things on it's own. Changing from on thing to the next on it's own. I spoke with my mechanic who was having similar issues and told me about a group he is part of because there are so many people with this same issue. The screen is dela... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at night with the low-beam headlights activated, the illumination from the headlights was extremely dim, causing a visibility hazard for the driver. The headlight bulbs were replaced on several occasions, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the headlight assemblies neede... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2022
I am writing because this is an accident, just "waiting to happen." I buy a new car every 3 or 4 years. I purchase every option, and even purchase the extended warranty package to 7 yrs, because of all the electronics in newer cars. I have never noticed on any of them, what I believe is an unsafe driving condition, until now. On my 2020 Kia Sportage...at night, when dark, and you turn off eithe... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2020
Everything worked good until I had to take my car to the dealer for knock sensor, air bag check, software update, and my engine was also part of the affected engine recall... well ever since then I have had to replace my car battery a few times and now I just invested in a battery charger because now my cars battery gets drained whether or not I use it? I asked the dealer on a couple of occasions ... Read more
PONTIAC
GRAND PRIX
(2007) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 21, 2022
Incident date: Jul 15, 2021
The multifunction/turning signal switch is malfunctioning. It started in 2012 about a year after I purchased the car. The brights would randomly turn on without me touching the switch and then the brights would turn on when I'd use my turning signal. I delt with it for several years, but eventually it got so bad that the brights wouldn't even turn off at all. I would have to drive with my finger ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2021
When I first bought this Volvo there was condensation in both of the headlights then took it for a test drive and I really liked it and when I got back the dealer said if I was to buy it he would take care of both headlights so I assumed that he did but I bought it and left and was driving and then a code came on in the car saying low beam out I was like oh [XXX] so took it back to them they had m... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2022
Headlights and taillights constantly burning out. Taillights have melted sockets on both driver and passenger side and it seems the fuses are burning for anything powering the exterior lights. This is a safety hazard from not being seen on the road by other vehicles to a potential fire hazard.
Incident date: Jan 19, 2022
While driving on HWY to work the automatic high beams would go to low followed by the automatic cruise control would cancel with a warning stating it was unavailable. It did this three times on the way to work in the morning and once in the afternoon going home on the same day, one of the times it would not let me turn ACC back on stating it was unavailable. The following day it happened again on ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2015
The headlights are extremely dim. Have been since I purchased the car in 2015 and has worsened since. I’ve seen that this is a recurring issue with ACURA. It is unsafe for my family and Acura is charging upwards of $2700 to have this issue resolved.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
My car is a 2011 ford edge sport awd and the brake lights will stay on after using the brakes. It is available for inspection. It is a safety hazard because others around me are not always seeing an accurate signal. I have not taken it in to be looked at yet, i just have been lifting up on the brake pedal after i use the brakes. there is on warning or notifications stating the brake lights are sti... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle at night, the low-beam headlights were extremely dim, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who examined the vehicle but found no issues with the vehicle. The low-beam headlights were replaced however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not yet notified... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
Brake light system failed and had to be replaced. Infotainment screen failure.
Incident date: Jul 30, 2021
Brake lights - left brake light works intermittently, and often does not work. 3rd brake light (top center) has quit working. Both are issues with cracks in the circuit board, which googling has shown to be a known issue. Faulty, poorly designed or constructed parts!
Incident date: Jan 20, 2022
Driving home at night my main headlights randomly turned off while moving and went completely dark. The headlight setting was set to always on at the time of the incident. I quickly tried flipping to the auto setting and the head lights came back on. I drive 50 yards and they went back off. Fortunately I was not to far from home and kept switching back and forth to keep the lights on. I see s... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2022
Bought vehicle new in 2020, has 41K miles. Tonight, I noticed when arriving home that the entire center light on the lift gate is not functioning. I also do not have tag lights and my rear camera is non-functioning. At night, the back of the vehicle is not lit very well without that center light plus the tag is not illuminated. I appears this is a common issue with the Durango. I feel is pose... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2022
I want to make a complaint because the engine in my 2005 dodge ram 1500 Magnum stalling very often, engine stalling on the traffic freeway couple of times that I have to restart the vehicle quick, good thing cars going slow. The most scary time was when I was making a right turn on this busy avenue and the engine stalled and almost got hit by other's cars the engine stalling very often that alread... Read more