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 4, 2025
📝 Complaint: 2014 Cadillac SRX Dim Headlights Subject: URGENT SAFETY HAZARD AND DEFECT: Severely Dim Headlights on 2014 Cadillac SRX (Affecting 2010-2016 Model Years) – Failure to Act Despite Class Action and NHTSA Complaints Vehicle Information: * Year: 2014 * Make: Cadillac * Model: SRX * VIN [XXX] 4 * Owner/Complainant [XXX] r * Contact [XXX] [XXX] m 1. The Defect and Safety Hazar... Read more
Crash
BENTLEY
FLYING SPUR
(2020) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 9, 2025
Incident date: Dec 9, 2025
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -I have received a "Check Brake Light" warning several times now, even after replacing the bulbs. I have replaced them twice now in the past 6 months and the issue persists. I believe it to be a faulty sensor or something similar. Yes, it is available to inspect upon request. How was your safety or ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2025
I have had two 2016 Town & Country’s both of which have the same issue of the automatic high beam occasionally not turning off for oncoming vehicles. I have in fact been pulled over because they failed to turn off for a Michigan state police officer. The problem occurs most when on a large divided highway such as an interstate or in curves. This has been an issue ongoing with both of them and th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2025
My issue is with the volume of the turn signal. when you are driving you cannot hear it.On the highway you have no idea that it is on. I almost was in an accident when I was unaware it was on and someone pulled out in front of me Talked with the dealer that stated all 2024 Escapes are they way. It is very unsafe
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
The centered high mounted brake light overheated during normal vehicle operation. The plastic bulb socket and housing melted, causing the bulb to dislodge and fall into the interior of the vehicle. The bulb was extremely hot and burned holes through an interior fabric item that was stored in the rear cargo area for less than 15 minutes. There was no collision or modification involved. This created... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2025
Notice significant rust or corrosion on my 2010 Subaru Legacy, especially on the subframe. Had it professional inspected and confirmed on December 6, 2025 because it was making a squeaky noise when I applied the brakes. I purchased this vehicle 02/15/20 used, was not told about corrosion. Bought vehicle at Maxon Buick GMC in Union, New Jersey. Also,my headlight bulbs keeps going out every year sin... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 2500
(2024) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 8, 2025
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
Automatic Headlamp Leveling System malfunction causing safety issues with nighttime driving.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
Subject: RECALL VIOLATION: Kia on the Boulevard (Philadelphia) - Refused Remedy, Charged $199, Returned Unsafe Vehicle Vehicle Information: [Year] Kia Optima Hybrid Dealership Name: Kia on the Boulevard Dealership Address: 11295 Roosevelt Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19154 Complaint Description: 1. The Safety Incident: While operating the vehicle, I experienced a catastrophic engine failure. Thick sm... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2024
While driving on the interstate in light snow and mostly clear and semi dry roads, ice accumulates on both the head lights and the foglights to a degree that they no longer project enough light to see far enough ahead at even moderate speeds. When I pulled over to inspect them, the surface was coated with a mix of ice and dirt rendering them useless. Ambient temperatures were between 24 and 30 d... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2025
The problem is with the Infotainment system. It was replaced once under warranty but is again malfunctioning. The infotainment system controls some critical features of the vehicle. One instance is when trying to calibrate tpms after a low condition, it is impossible to get control of the display as it makes "Ghost" selections or is hung up. Resets both hard and soft do not work. Removing the nega... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
SPRINTER 2500
(2020) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 7, 2025
Incident date: Nov 7, 2025
On multiple occasions, the vehicle’s infotainment system has malfunctioned, and when this occurs, the turn signals stop working entirely. This failure has happened while the vehicle was in active use, including during a long trip, leaving us without functioning turn signals for an extended period. This creates a serious and immediate safety hazard for both the occupants of the vehicle and other ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 30, 2025
I am writing to respectfully request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) consider adopting a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard requiring vehicles to provide a clear driver alert when headlights and tail lamps are not illuminated in low-light conditions. Although many vehicles offer automatic headlights, these systems can be disabled without the driver’s knowledge... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2025
The backup camera in the dark on this vehicle is unusable. Someone will eventually run someone over. I have added brighter lights everywhere on the back of the vehicle and the camera is still useless at night. The dealer told me it looked fine to them (they checked it in a lit garage). There are hundreds of complaints across all forums.
Incident date: Dec 7, 2025
Headlights will completely go out at night just at random, sometimes it's only one and sometimes it both completely. Yet the High beams and fog lights will work when activated even when the regular lights will not. Has been an ongoing issue for a while now, and upon talking to other Jeep Grand Cherokee owners of around the same year model they complain that there's do it randomly as well, and I've... Read more
HONDA
CIVIC TYPE R
(2025) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 7, 2025
Incident date: Nov 8, 2025
The vision. Are no good and the ears
Incident date: Jul 16, 2024
Electrical gremlins present at time of purchase (3/14/2025). Entered service and repair on 3/17/2025 and remained for 30-45 days. Upon coming to retrieve vehicle electrical malfunctions still present upon entering vehicle in the service bay, alerted advisor. Car was checked back into service immediately and remained for 60-90 days. Between March and December I have had continuous electrical gremli... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
My vehicle originally showed more than 10 open safety recalls in the FordPass app and at the servicing dealer. I saved screenshots of each recall. After Ford performed a remote over-the-air software update, all but one recall suddenly disappeared from the app even though no physical repairs were done and no documentation was provided. NHTSA still shows Recall 25V543 as incomplete, involving BCM s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
The headlights on my RAV4 do not shine far enough in front of the vehicle and have a straight line cut off at top of beam. While driving in rural areas of the California foothills this issue is dangerous. As you go up and down and wind around rural roads you cannot see far enough ahead to see what might be lurking in the dark. We've had this car Since August 2nd 2025, 3500 miles to date and don't... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2025
I got this car right at the beginning of 2020, I didn’t even KNOW HOW to use my high beams until 2-3 years in. I used them all of 4-6 times and they magically stopped working. I don’t need them often so I didn’t notice right away. I’ve known for a while now but didn’t know I could submit a form like this. And no way in hell am I paying that much money for something that broke after a few... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2022
I get ads for Sirius XM that occupy navigation while the vehicle is moving. The ad does not go away on its own, i have to manually dismiss the ad. I've owned the car for one year and i've gotten about 5 of these ads for SiriusXM. I even made a Sirius account and opted out of all in-vehicle messaging and continue to get the ad. It is always while im driving. Nobody can make it stop. I never used Si... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2025
Headlight humming / headlight unit failure. Known issue with Mazda but they refuse to repair unless I pay $2k for a new headlight. Vehicle has less than 50k miles and this is a know issue for 2019-2023 CX5s.
Incident date: Nov 7, 2025
Passenger side headlight failed and malfunctioned partially, DLR works properly but low beam light failed without notice. there is no warning lamp or message displayed to warn driver the headlight is failed
Incident date: Nov 14, 2025
Vehicle will all of a sudden shut off with out warning while driving. It has shut off while in motion going about 25miles per hour . I hurry and put it in park and restart it. It has restarted every time. Sometime the lights on the dash will flash for a moment but has only done that 2 times out of the 10 that it has shut off while driving
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
Headlights flicker off and then back on at random times while driving. I've been unable to reproduce the issue on command in any way. No warning lamps or anything by the truck. The first couple times while driving at night I thought it was my eyes because it happened when I was looking away like when turning around a neighborhood corner and checking for traffic. Now, I've noticed it happening ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving in inclement weather, the rearview camera became inoperable, and moisture was visible in the displayed image. The contact also stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle did not need to be restarted. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numb... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
Previous recall 05V505 has been completed but the issue has returned the issue has been intermittent for a fee months but the tail light has been non op for a few months, i have tried different sockets and bulbs to no avail. The issue has not caused any incidents but i have no brake light on the drivers side due to melting on the lamp itself aswell as the pins on the connector are warped
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
Headlight shut off when truck slows down
POLESTAR
POLESTAR 2
(2022) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 4, 2025
Incident date: Dec 4, 2025
What failed? There have been a couple instances of the screen (IHU) rebooting while just driving down the road. This temporarily disables the HVAC (including defroster) and turn signal sounds. It is unclear which ADAS functions are impacted. It is available for inspection upon request, if you visit me in NC. How was safety put at risk? Disabling the defroster could cause the windshield to fog u... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2021
The headlights are fogging up on the inside of headlight with condensation. This problem will lead to two issues. The ability to see at night and I believe the plastic lens will become damaged over time. My friend who has the same type of vehicle including year has the same issue. His vehicle was in a accident. The part for the headlight was $1500. I looked inside the headlight and their ar... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2025
Auto high beams constantly tun on and off due to reflections from road signs. Other times when cars are coming at you, and they should turn off, they stay on blinding the oncoming drivers.
Incident date: Oct 3, 2023
I own a new manual 2024 Ford Mustang GT now with 800 miles. When turning on the unit on 2 occasions, one on November 20 and another on December 3, documented with photographs and videos, the unit presents a black screen with no image. Either in reverse or drive without the possibility of viewing any image. The agency was notified and commented that these failures had never occurred.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2002) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 3, 2025
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
Six weeks ago the alternator and battery had also been replaced. My Hyundai Santa Fe Sport turbo engine, exhibited a persistent rubber-like odor for approximately three weeks after the latest maintenance. During this period, the push-start button intermittently failed, requiring multiple attempts to engage, and the vehicle experienced noticeable shaking. After being parked, smoke began to emerge f... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
The low beam headlights lights on my 2013 Acura RDX are very dim, and replacing the bulbs does not make any difference. I have read multiple reports that this is a common problem where the reflective material inside the projector style housing breaks down over time, and that the only fix is to replace the entire headlight assembly on both sides. Due to the poor lighting, I have had several near ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
At night when I am driving, the headlight goes off. The light switch does not work on some settings. I never know when or where this dangerous situation is going to happen. Therefore, I try to avoid driving at night, as much as possible. This problem was addressed to Kia more than a year ago. They keep saying that they don't see a problem.
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2017) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 3, 2025
Incident date: Nov 26, 2025
The quad LED headlamps keep going out on the truck. It is the vertical side of the light that goes out. I have seen many other F150 with the same issue.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
Driving in sub-freezing temperatures with snow/rain falling and slush on the road, the headlights iced over with thick slush and ice and reduced visibility to dangerous levels requiring me to pull off the road and chip off the ice putting myself in a dangerous situation being on the side of the road during a storm.
Incident date: Dec 3, 2025
My headlights have deteriorated to the point that the vehicle can’t be driven at night. GM/Cadillac acknowledged this as a problem with this particular model. I sent an email to the Cadillac CEO, Rory Harvey. I received a call from an executive assistant stating that this issue was addressed prior to my report. I stated I could not use the vehicle at night due to safety issues. Her response was ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 11, 2025
Notifications come on indicating that “Front Left side marker light defective.” Identical error message for the right side marker.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 2500
(2024) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 2, 2025
Incident date: May 6, 2025
Recently the radio and display system in the vehicle stopped working properly. It was basically ghosting all commands. It could not be controlled by knobs, touch screen or voice command. the dealer stated that the screen delaminated and was causing the issue. This is a safety concern because the radio was calling 911 randomly and I was unable to stop it, it was turn on and off features in the v... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2024
Very limited while driving in the dark cause head lights go off and can’t drive in the rain or snow cause wipers turn off not save for my family and I and other drivers on the road Thai all happen, After the dealer (Lithia Chevrolet of Redding, CA) performed GM recall programming on the Serial Data Gateway Module (SDGM) and related software updates, my truck began having serious electrical failu... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
While driving in snowy conditions the headlights become covered with snow to the point of not illuminating enough to see. Which then makes trying to find a spot to pull over safely to wipe them becomes extremely dangerous. The snow covered lights happens quickly. Creating hazardous driving conditions. The data provided is the most recent. This happens every winter since purchasing this vehicle. I... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
Daytime running lamp failure and fog light failure. Daytime running lamp failure causes poor visibility and the failure defect defeats its entire purpose for use. Fog light failure creates poor visibility during fog conditions and could result in not being visible to other drivers.
Incident date: Nov 2, 2025
On November 30th, 2025 I drove southbound from Milwaukee to Chicago, leaving at approximately 5:30 a.m., on I-41. There was a winter storm warning in effect. Approximately every twenty miles I needed to stop and deice my headlights as light output had diminished to almost zero, resulting in extremely dangerous visibility. I have experienced similar problems in Manitoba and western Minnesota. In ... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2024) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 1, 2025
Incident date: Oct 4, 2025
My 2021 Dodge Durango drivers side daytime running light went out around 55,000 miles. I do have an extended warranty through the manufacturer, but was informed that this is not a covered part despite it being a known issue and a “max care warranty”. The reason being that it is considered a “bulb” however to replace it requires the entire new left headlamp assembly to be replaced, per the ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2025
Water erosion to the wiring harness to the front headlights led to an outage of the LEDs on glad of the vehicle.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
My vehicle experienced failure of both the driver-side DRL (Daytime Running Light) and the passenger-side front turn signal within a short period of time. On this model year, both components are part of a sealed LED headlight assembly with no replaceable bulbs. The only repair option is full headlight assembly replacement, quoted at $800–$1,200 per side plus labor. This is a safety issue becaus... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2025
My vehicle experienced failure of both the driver-side DRL (Daytime Running Light) and the passenger-side front turn signal within a short period of time. On this model year, both components are part of a sealed LED headlight assembly with no replaceable bulbs. The only repair option is full headlight assembly replacement, quoted at $800–$1,200 per side plus labor. This is a safety issue becaus... Read more
MACK
ANTHEM (AN)
(2024) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 1, 2025
Incident date: Oct 15, 2025
Vehicle: 2025 Kia Sorento (leased) VIN: [XXX] Mileage at failure: 11,345 Incident dates: March 23, April 27, November 28–December 1 Type: Loss of power / electrical failure / safety hazard Complaint Description: I am reporting repeated electrical failures and complete loss of power in my 2025 Kia Sorento that created unsafe situations for myself and my children. The first failure occurred on... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2019) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 1, 2025
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
My car has been having electrical problems. First, airbag sensor caused every yellow warning light to go on. Now my infotainment center with maps either goes black or too dark to see all the time. Hyundai has an update for this infotainment center but they cannot update it. It will not update. I am driving relying on maps and all of the sudden it cannot be seen. Very dangerous. I had this ... Read more