Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 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 2,215,138 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 42,495 complaints — component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident date: Aug 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact remote started the vehicle from the office and walked up to the vehicle, and became aware that the front driver’s side vertical daytime running lights failed to function as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure might be rel... Read more
Incident date: Aug 17, 2025
The design of the turn signals has several severe driver distracting safety issues. This is ultimately a design issue due to the choice of buttons on the steering wheel instead of a turn signal stalk. The buttons do not always activate the turn signals. Deactivation of the turn signals is counter intuitive, pressing the opposite direction does not deactivate them, instead activating the direction... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2025
Both of my rear passenger door lock actuators stop working. The doors will not unlock from the inside when a passenger tries to unlock the door to exit the car. My break lights stay on . The ABS light turned on then it stopped turning on. The light bulbs inside the car in the second row stopped turning on .
Incident date: Aug 17, 2025
The headlight system malfunctioned. It is available for inspection upon request. The low beam failure error occurred, which led to an inspection of the headlight system. The wiring inside the headlight assembly failed. The insulation on bulb wires is crumbling everywhere and causing short circuits from exposed wire conductors. This causes a safety issue because the bulbs stop functioning, impa... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2025
Headlights turn off at night when set in the auto position and turn on when the car is off
Incident date: May 24, 2025
La guagua se apagó corriendo motor trancado quiero saber si tiene recall de la bomba de aceite es una kia sportage 2016 motor gdi [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
I am submitting this complaint regarding recurring safety-related defects on my 2023 Dodge Durango RT. 1.Uconnect Failure: The Uconnect infotainment/communication box has repeatedly failed, causing loss of access to critical vehicle functions. These failures affect visibility of system warnings, navigation, and driver settings, creating distraction and limiting awareness. 2.Driver-Side Daytime Run... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2025
Vehicle: 2023 Honda CR-V EX-L Problem: Headlights – poor visibility Complaint Description: The LED headlights on my 2023 Honda CR-V EX-L provide inadequate illumination at night. The beam is shadowy with dark zones, making it difficult to see pedestrians, signs, and road hazards, especially in rainy conditions. Even after checking alignment, the visibility remains unsafe. Other drivers often fl... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
There are clearly many design flaws on my 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. One issue I am having with this car is the Daytime Running Lights. These are expensive LED lights that should function for the life of the vehicle. Unfortunately, I believe there is a problem with the control module on the LED lights, and part of the driver's side light does not function. This is a clear safety issue, and... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
On [XXX] I was at a stoplight with my children and when it turned green I went to proceed and then I was moving slowly and it wasn't letting me go any specific speed and died in the middle of the road on a busy intersection at that leaving my children and I at risk of being potentially hit by another car, and it was in the evening time something could have happened to us Ladies as I have a [XXX] ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2023
The daytime running lights are out only on the drivers side of my vehicle. There are multiple other 2021 Durango's in my town that have the exact same issue.
Incident date: Aug 14, 2025
Water is entering the rear tail light assembly and dimming the tail light. The OEM seal has failed. I took this problem to my Dodge dealer, and they informed me that even with a Mopar extended warranty, they will not replace the tail light assembly because it is considered a "Bulb". That's a $2000.00 blub!
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
Daytime running lamps on both left and right side have failed and no longer working. Right side lamp failed first at roughly 95k miles on vehicle and was followed by left side failure at approximately 100k miles on vehicle.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The head light is intermittent. Sometimes if I drive it works fine, other times the main beam is out and the car displays a notification that says “check owner manual”. It’s not safe if I never know when my head light will work or decide to not work.
HYUNDAI
SANTA CRUZ
(2025) — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Aug 15, 2025
Incident date: Aug 12, 2025
Headlights are unable to be adjusted using the headlight adjuster leading to a safety issue when operating the vehicle at night. Headlights point down and don’t light up the road properly during night time driving.
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2017) — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Aug 14, 2025
Incident date: Aug 7, 2025
Lights shut off by themselves at night in auto mode in dark environments!
Incident date: Aug 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the front driver’s side headlight lens had detached from the headlight. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a detached driver’s front headlight lens. The contact was informed that the front driver’s headlight needed to be replaced. The vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2025
LED lights on headlight are gone out! Parking lights malfunctioning! Inspected by car shop and interfering with passing state inspection!
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
While parked all day with the ignition off and lights off, I returned to find the brake lights and third brake light illuminated. The lights stayed on even after moving the brake pedal. I discovered a small broken plastic bumper on the floorboard, which appears to be the brake pedal stop bumper associated with recall 22V011. This failure causes the brake light circuit to remain closed, leaving the... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
The right turn signal will click for a left turn after completing its right turn without physically pressing the turn signal. Has happened since buying vehicle, continues to happen now. Turn signal was replaced by dealership, problem not resolved. Have reconfirmed problem with dealership service manager as well as video evidence of issue. Issue happens at all speeds, idle to freeway speeds.
Incident date: Aug 7, 2025
Daytime Running Lights went out after 50K miles (warranty is out at this point). To fix this issue VW is requiring to change the whole light fixture, which costs more the $1,000. This is an outrageous expense to fix a single LED strip to support DRLs, and forces drivers to go without lights to avoid paying for it. This issue is VERY common on this model, with multiple online sources/forums with th... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
I was driving my car on a 100 degree day and and after about a block, a warning popped up on the little screen behind the steering wheel that said "Ignition switch off, safely stop the vehicle". I feel like the engine may have shut off, but I'm not sure as I just rolled to the side of the road and turned off my car as fast as a could. I waited a few minutes and turned it on, drove about a block, a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2025
I purchased a brand-new 2025 RAM 1500 Laramie, and from day one it has been a nightmare. Only TWO days after delivery, the truck completely died and had to be towed back to the dealership. Since then, it has been in for repairs FOUR separate times. The last time was [XXX], when it was towed again — and here we are, almost TWO MONTHS later, with my truck still sitting at RAM Greenway, untouched,... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2023) — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Aug 13, 2025
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
Headlights on this vehicle, since purchased, have not cast enough light in order to see in unlit backroads, or extrememly dim areas. I have to drive with my brights on constantly, in order to get enough light thrown onto the road, for the left and right sides, as well as the front. These were not working well since purchase. I took my child to a friends house in rural PA, and I literally could NO... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2025
Very premature headlight failure that ford refuses to acknowledge or repair under warranty. One headlight is more than $1200. Major safety concern.
Incident date: May 7, 2025
This over head dome light falls out of nowhere it hit me in the face while driving. There are alot of complaints about this but no recall
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2022) — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Aug 13, 2025
Incident date: Feb 26, 2025
The DRL has gone out on one of my headlights. The other has started to flicker. This is uncovered by their extended warranty and over $1600 per side to replace. It is becoming common to see many 2021-2023 with LED reflector headlamps with burned out DRL. It is an unserviceable part as well. Only can replace the entire assembly but no warranty will cover it as lighting is exempt as standard wear it... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the digital screen intermittently blacked out and several safety features were inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the resort block remained at 90%, and the same EMMC ID that should have been covered under NHTSA Cam... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the headlights became extremely dim before the failure was self-corrected. The failure was intermittent. Occasionally, the contact had to restart the vehicle for the headlights to illuminate properly. The contact stated that after the initial start-up, the vehicle hesitated, and there was an extensive am... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2025
Auto-dimming headlights do not work properly, not always dimming for oncoming traffic, and/or randomly switching between high and low beams without cause. This blinds and confuses oncoming traffic.
Incident date: Aug 4, 2025
At night when I turn on my headlights, they turn on, however they do not reflect properly causing severe dimming and inability to see farther than 1-2 feet in front while I am driving. This is a severe safety hazard. Changing the bulbs regardless of halogen or LED does not improve. Many forums have this issue and it is too unsafe to drive at night putting myself, my passengers, and people on the s... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2025
Condensation in 2024 Ford Lightning Tailgate light bar consistent with 2022 and 2023 model recall. For Reference - The Ford F-150 Lightning recall related to the rear light bar is 23S30, which is also NHTSA Recall No. 23V-418.
Incident date: Jul 30, 2025
Passenger side Lighting Control Module, becomes defective. Most obvious sign is the non operational passenger side running light/light bar. Other observations, may include sporadic flashing on high beam (assuming- as passenger side Lighting can be seen flicker/flashing passenger side, while driving. Another issue is an occasional non working passenger side front turn signal.
Incident date: Aug 11, 2025
My lights are set to auto but when driving they randomly switch off. The dash shows the switch from auto to off but the control is still set to auto. I have to manually switch the control off and then back on for the lights to come back on. I’ve also noticed a few times in the morning my lights are on. My switch is set to auto and my car is completely off but the lights are on. This is very unsa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2023
1 Brakes are making noise all times when in slow motion the brake paddle depressed ether is moving forward or reversing the repairs did not fix the problem. 1. Left Taillight show the when the vehicle is expose to water from rain or washed, evaporation and condensation will occur creating a film of running down inside of the assembled taillight and will last for days sometimes. That also cause the... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2025
1. Component/System Failed: Halogen headlamp assemblies (low beams) malfunctioned due to delamination of the reflective surface, causing dimming. Available for inspection upon request. I have had the issue for years. Hard to see at night. 2. Safety Risk: Dim low beams reduce nighttime visibility, increasing risk of collisions. Using high beams to compensate may blind other drivers, creating furt... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2025
My front passenger side turn signal goes into hyper flash and doesn’t work and my back driver side turnsignal and brake light does the same thing, so when I’m turning other divers have no clue that I’m turning that way which is dangerous, I’ve looked online and seen a lot of other drivers with this same issue and seems to not been resolved yet. I’ve paid a lot of money for this truck and... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
No Accident just routine maintenance finds that are concerning me . The car is 15 yrs old but over the years have had to replace the brake light bulb harness several times The brake light bulbs get too hot thus melting the bulb receptacle causing the brake lights not to illuminate. Have had vehicles come up behind me several times way too close for comfort because brake lights not working .
Incident date: Jul 25, 2025
Recall 24V-838 has been open on my vehicle since November 2024. I have contacted multiple dealerships and they have no updates on when parts will be available to complete the recall. Possible issues related to the recall pose serious safety concerns.
Incident date: Aug 9, 2025
I am unable to use the high beams. Low beams are very hard to see with making risky when driving at night. No warning lights.
Incident date: Jan 12, 2023
Both DRL stop working Both turn signals stop working
Incident date: Jul 25, 2025
Safety Defect Remedies on 2014 Cadillac SRX (VIN: [XXX] ) Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing as the owner of a 2014 Cadillac SRX, VIN [XXX] , to address two critical safety defects that I believe are the manufacturer's responsibility to remedy. Water Intrusion and Electrical Failure: My vehicle has a known defect where water from the sunroof consistently leaks into the trunk. This water repeatedly cau... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2025
BRAND NEW X5 BMW 50E CAME TO A STOP AND ENTIRE CAR WENT DEAD. NO START, LIGHTS, IN TOTAL DARKNESS WITH NO EMERGENCY LIGHTS. DASH SCREEN DID SHOW A DRIVE TRANE MALFUNCTION BEFORE IT TOTALLY DIED. CAR WAS REPAIRED AFTER 2 MONTHS AND REPLACEMENT PARTS MALFUNCTION. CAR STILL HAS ELECTRONIC ISSUES AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES SINCE MAJOR FAILURE. SAFETY ISSUE WITH NO EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND IF I HAD B... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2023
Water leaking and running into spare tire compartment in truck. Due to no recall alert and dealership won't do anything, now my dome light shorts out and water stain on ceiling liner by rear window.
Incident date: Jun 6, 2025
Both of my headlights had moisture. I replaced the driverside first because you could literally see water sitting in the headlamp. Then I replaced the passengerside a year later because it was doing the same thing that the driver side started doing. I have not had any accidents nor has there been any damage to the front of the car. It appears that this is a known problem. My adaptive part is still... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2025
Front Left Side Headlight Mount is Broken on my Vehicle. On Internet also many consumers are complaining about the Left Headlight mount Broken but no support from Toyota. Feel Safe but not sure when this Headlight might come out of the vehicle. This issue is there and already inspected by the Dealer but they dont care to cover under warranty.
Incident date: Jul 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the Push-to-Start feature failed to function as intended. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the brake lights failed to activate as designed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed stop-light switch. The contact was informed that the stopligh... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2025
The main head unit for the infotainment system, specifically the software. Upon failing a software update in August 2024, the vehicle started switching itself from English to Italian, from Standard to Metric units, the high beams would no longer function, the auto locking doors after 15mph would no longer work, the emergency pedestrian sensing braking was turned off, the entire infotainment screen... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2025
Purchased above vehicle on 7/12/25. Was advised no towing for 1st 500 miles. At 712 miles, I hooked my fishing boat up to the truck to go fishing. Initially, truck did not recognize my boat trailer lights (marker and tail lights). My previous truck was a 2023 Ram 2500 rebel that never had an issue with connecting my boat trailer electrical system. All lights worked as should. I still have the... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 Rivian R1S. The contact stated received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V085000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). The local dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the parts not being available. The contact stated that occasionally, during colder weather, the h... Read more