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: Oct 27, 2021
My headlight keep going out on my 2015 dodge charger I had both replaced and now the driver side went out again please help
Incident date: Jun 2, 2021
1) Front right driver headlight warning message, keeps illuminating. Mechanic, noticed wires are burning inside compartment. Safety issue burning wires may cause entire electrical system to burn out causing a fire and not having headlights. Vehicle being serviced 10/29/21 2) Driver Brake light message illuminated, replaced light 2 mo ago, as of today 10-28-21, brake light out again. Vehicle being... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2021
Lighting for speed and RPM indication failed. Unable to read speed at night. Lighting is not individually replaceable. Entire cluster must be replaced.
MINI
COOPER CLUBMAN
(2010) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Oct 29, 2021
Incident date: Oct 27, 2021
I bought the car used 10 days ago, 3 days ago, the electrical indicator flashed, so I parked the car. I thought it was a glitch. It was very rainy. I woke up the next morning and it had spontaneously combusted on the inside driver's footwell, obvious flames had been on windows and whole car reeks of smoke. I cant even get inside of the car with the physical key. I could have been inside when the c... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 26, 2021
The Navigation screen system is flickering and goes completely black and kept coming on and off Switching from USB to navigation to radio to home screen And sometimes affect the signal lights also when I pull out the USB under the armrest it's super Hot ... I was wondering if its a Recall also I have 2 friends having the same problems on Chevrolet suburban 2020
Incident date: Jan 31, 2021
On my '21 Durango, the backup camera has been so horribly bright at night that I have come to putting my hand or a towel over the screen so that I can look at my side mirrors when backing up. I have visited the dealer and their resolution was to lower the brightness setting which had no effect on the backup camera. This is a huge safety issue backing up at night whether it's in a parking lot or dr... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2021
All rear lights do not work. I have had the bulbs and fuses replaced the only lights that work are the side markers. Front headlights, I have had the bulbs, fuses, and all components replaced or checked to determine why front passenger headlight was working intermittently and now longer works at all high or low beams, driver side front only high beam works. I was informed there was a recall on ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2019
The lighting (headlights) on low beam are very poor. We live in a rural area and the lighting supplied by the headlights is very poor, making it hard to see items in the road and curves. Turning a corner and staying on the road can be problematic. The lighting forces driver to drive with high beams on to attain minimally sufficient lighting. The bulbs have been replaced with no increase in forward... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2021
I am experiencing the exact same issues described in a previous recall of 2006 to 2007 model affecting the brake lamp switch. My brake lamps remain illuminated after release of the brake pedal, and the ESC light illuminates on the dash
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
Head lights, very dim/low visibility. Marker/daytime running light went out. I’ve been having to use high hi beams at nights because my low beams are very dim which can be a safety concern for other drivers as well as not being able to see more than 10 feet in front of me. The AC E knob also stays on when trying to turn it off and does not start the compressor to make the air cold
Incident date: Sep 19, 2019
the low beam headlights are so dim it is a safety concern. new bulbs do not help!
Incident date: Oct 25, 2021
The alarm system goes off at random times throughout the day, headlights stay on after the alarm activates, interior dash warning lights flicker and voltage fluctuates with sound. Happens if Key Fob is in my pocket or not. Events started in Oct 2019 and continued until Sep2020, when I unplugged the hood alarm activation switch. This disabled the alarm from going off at random times but didn't ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2017
My headlights have not worked properly since I bought the vehicle in February of 2017. I took it to the dealership I got it from (Stephen Wade Chevy) and explained the problem. They replaced the bulb and maybe the wires but I can't remember (I still have the paperwork from it if needed). The headlight worked for a short time and then would sporadically quit working here and there. Now, the wires l... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2021
I purchased this vehicle on 7/25/2021 and didn't drive it at night until 6 days later. When I turned on the headlights, I was shocked to find that they only illuminate a very small portion of the road, hindering my ability to see traffic in front of me, or anything else that may be on the road beyond a few feet. It's as if I'm driving in a dark tunnel, and also cannot see the side of the road. If ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2021
Driver side airbag dash light goes on and off (mostly on). No accident or previous deployment of the airbag. Also, while under warranty the tail light and break light wiring was replaced as they would burn out approx. every 6 months. One light after another: tail light, break light, blinker, etc. It's happening again... seems to be a wiring or component issue. Have to keep bulbs in the car w... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2021
This car started to make loud engine noises which caused the car to shut off then it restarted on it's on I finally got it to parking lot when I cut it off it still was rattling and clacking like I was cranking it up on the left side of engine so I waited till about 30 minutes what ever it was it killed my battery then it started back up again but then through a check engine light on but when I go... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2017
Headlights (low beam)keep going out. Bulbs have been changed repeatedly but immediately go out. Sometimes it will go on when I drive over a bump but will be out next time I start my car. Researching message boards this is a known issue with this model.
Incident date: Oct 25, 2021
The projector low beam lighting is NOT providing enough light output to be safely driven at night. I did a search online and it seems this is a well-known issue among RDX owners. It looks like there were enough complaint for the 2014 RDX, but no safety recall done on the 2015 models. It is extremely dangerous to drive this vehicle at night and I hope a recall is enforce before someone gets kill... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2021
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Dashboard and yes. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? car display has unexpectedly rebooted while I was driving, my display rebooted. It crashed when my passenger was attempting to read the release notes while I was driving. It was night, and after it rebooted, the part of t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2014
Inside headlight wiring insulation became brittle and falls off leading to potential shorts and equipment failure. Additional wiring throughout engine compart shows similar degradation and failure. Split wire housing to protect wires from engine heat also show signs of decay, exposing wires to excess heat and inducing failure of insulation. This is not a turbocharged engine and has lower engi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 17, 2021
when driveing at night the head lights are very very dim and the kia dealership can not adjust the head lights any more it is very very bad driveing at night what can you do to fix this problem.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
The contact owns a 1999 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the headlights were dim while driving the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the headlights were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaig... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2021
When I drive at night or early in the morning when it is still dark out, my headlights turn off fully and I have to pull over for 20 to 30 mins to try and turn them back on
Incident date: Feb 28, 2021
The driver's side brake light and tail light has failed completely and the passenger side brake light and tail light fails intermittently. This is a safety issue that should be recalled. The vehicle only has 50k miles on it and I should not have to pay $800 per tail light to fix it!
Incident date: Oct 16, 2021
Both Headlights went out within a week of each other while driving at night
Incident date: Oct 2, 2021
Both front headlights fail to work. They went out at the same time. Using high beams to drive after dark in the meantime.
Incident date: Oct 25, 2021
The exterior housing units prematurely wear out and allow moisture to cause failures of the lights. The makes driving at night hard, because you can barely see. GM tried to give some customers a rebate, but this required owners to pay out of pocket at first for repairs, and this causes me an undue burden because I don't have that kind of money. This is very dangerous and GM should recall this.
Incident date: Sep 28, 2021
In Sep 2021 I purchased this car. During the first drive after dark I noticed the headlights were very dim and the high beam only extended to just go just past the front of the car. these are the up-level HID lights. I didn't do anything right away as I rarely drive at night and then in well-lit areas. There is also considerable condensation inside primarily the passenger side light. On Oct 23... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
Lowbeam headlight projector malfunction. Even with replacement, low beam lights are not lighting the road.
Incident date: Jul 21, 2021
The headlights in general are very dim and don't shine out to create an illuminated peripheral view. Also, both high beams have completely stopped working.
Incident date: Apr 6, 2020
The Headlights for my car - Cadillac 2014 SRX At night the headlights are not bright enough to see and driving is dangerous. The car is available for inspection upon request. I was driving at night making a turn and I hit a small sign post on a back road because I could not see it! I put others at risk driving with my high beams on blinding the oncoming cars. If people are walking on the road ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 15, 2021
I received a letter from Cadillac that they were aware of an issue with the moisture in the headlights on my vehicle, and were offering a credit towards replacement of the headlights. At the time, I did not have an issue, but a year later my lights became significantly dimmer making it unsafe to drive. I reported the issue to Cadillac in July of 2021 and was told to take it to a dealership for a d... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2021
My Tesla is under a recall for bad memory. My Tesla constantly reboots. I often have to wait several minutes from when I get in the car until it is ready to drive with all functions. I sometimes am forced to drive with the center screen not working. This takes away my backup camera. A required safety feature. Tesla says the part is not available. I request a reliable loaner until they get the part... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2021
My low beam lives are so .com at nite. It is very hard to see.I replaced with others. But they are dim and kept blowing out. Took to Kia dealer for problem. They said I needed to purchase there factory bulbs. I had them replace both. And still they are to dim to drive at night. It is a very bad safety issue. Especially if it is raining out.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2021
My 2020 Ram 1500 truck's dash lights, instrument panel, and radio screen randomly flash bright then dark, over and over. It is very distracting and a potential safety hazard especially when driving at night as the flashing changes quickly by going from bright to dark and back and forth. This lighting or electrical issue is very distracting while driving. This occurs randomly while driving, whil... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2015) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Oct 21, 2021
Incident date: Oct 21, 2021
The headlights are very poor. Can hardly see at night. They're no better when on high beams.
Incident date: Oct 18, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact was informed that the taillights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the taillight assemblies replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2021) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Oct 21, 2021
Incident date: Sep 28, 2021
On 9/28, I purchased my vehicle from Fairfax Volkswagen. On that date, I noticed the error message on the display, but the salesman said it was nothing to worry about. That following week, I noticed several vehicles flashing their lights at me. Later that evening, I discovered the left headlight day running lamp was not functional, and the high beam would not turn off. In addition, I notice the ri... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2014
The brake light bulb has melted and burnt out the brake light housing assembly multiple times, I have purchased multiple brake light housing assembly and the issue continues. Clearly this is a manufacturing defect that is a safety/fire hazard.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2014) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Oct 21, 2021
Incident date: Mar 1, 2018
I have a 21014 Chevy K1500 Silverado ([XXX]). In 2019 the vehicle started having issues: Steering system started “fighting” me. When at very low speeds (trying to navigate slow turns as in a parking lot or stopped and starting a turn) the steering system would go back the opposite direction so hard that it would almost pull a muscle in my arm, seemingly wanting to go back to top dead center. ... Read more
ALFA ROMEO
GIULIA
(2017) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Oct 20, 2021
Incident date: Oct 6, 2021
The driver's side headlight vertical adjuster failed causing the headlight beam to be directed upwards at about a 40 degree angle. I understand from searching the internet, that this is an ongoing problem. I have a new assembly on order and when received I will have it installed. At that time the old, broken assembly will be available for inspection. This causes the light to not be directed to ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at nighttime, the front headlights turned off independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to his destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2019
I purchased my 2012 Dodge Durango two years ago and it has been one of the most stressful issues I have ever hadz. Two days after purchasing it all the lights lit up my dash board the head lights wouldn’t go on the heater or air wouldn’t work and my windows in front would not roll down. This usually happens when I start it in the morning but it also will happen when I’m driving I almost got... Read more
Incident date: Oct 20, 2021
My husband keeps replacing the left passenger side brake light and when he called the dealer he was told that they know of the issue but there isn’t a recall on it. Today 10/20/21 he went to replace the bulb again because it was out he noticed that as he was pulling the bulb the light came on. When he moved the harness around the light bulb would turn on and turn off. He went to autozone and one... Read more
Incident date: Sep 21, 2021
When driving at night headlights, and all lights goes off.(I do not drive much after dark, but this needs to be addressed). It has happened a few times this past year, thought it was me, yet my daughter used the car and she had it happened 4 or 5 times.Sometimes it happens when you use directional lights. No warning when it happens, which is very dangerous .There is only less than 68,000 miles. Su... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2021
When driving at night, the headlights appear to be pointed excessively in a down direction leaving me with a dark shadowy area within my line of eyesight. Headlights checked at dealership and reported back as no issues. My Kia owners manual states in chapter 4 page 129 that the headlight beam levels are automatically adjusted depending on the number of passengers and weight in the trunk and oth... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2021
Service electronic stability control light comes on and brake light comes on and off at times
Incident date: Jan 8, 2021
I own a 2014 Kia Sorento LX and a short time ago, on a drive from NC to FL, the headlights started to fail. One day it was the low beam on the driver side and then it was the high beam on the passenger side. It varied and was random. I would have the bulbs replaced or replace them myself. After time, the "eyelash" went out on one side as well. One evening, driving home, all of the headlights went ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2021
Headlights (low beams) are way too dim making driving in the dark impossible. Replacing bulbs and aligning lights did not correct problem. Driver in another car said headlights were barely visible on their end.
Incident date: Oct 19, 2021
Appears the Jeep in order to save money has put people in a dangerous issue the vehicle has NO dash light in the day time in less you turn on the parking lights or headlights, I understand that daytime running lights are not required ( SHOULD BE A LAW )there are no daytime running lights so NO dash lights and on a over cast day you can not see the speedometer. I have looked on the Wranglers owners... Read more