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: Sep 12, 2025
Daytime running lights are both inoperable. This is a known issue with these vehicles. Both went out at the same time and are $2000 to replace. It’s a robbery.
Incident date: Sep 11, 2025
Back up camera delay in lighting up when car is started
Incident date: Sep 11, 2025
Their is an issue with the headlight assembly where condensation gets in obscuring headlight clarity and potentially damaging the head light assembly electrical components. My vehicle is only 3 years old, never been in a front end accident, and out of warranty and the dealer quoted $1,655.86 to replace it.
Incident date: Jun 9, 2025
I am the owner of a 2024 GMC Yukon (VIN: [XXX] ), purchased from Hatchett Buick GMC on [XXX]. This vehicle was purchased at a high price with the expectation that it would provide reliability and keep my family safe. Unfortunately, that is clearly not happening. The Yukon continues to suffer from severe power loss that neither the dealership nor GM technicians have been able to diagnose or repair... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2025
The fuel gauge in the gauge cluster turns on and off unexpectedly and without reason for extended periods of time. The gauge will also do what I like to call hieroglyphic numbers, essentially unreadable lettering clearly due to an electrical malfunction. This is very distracting as a driver and has put me in a very near death experience from the fault. This problem makes it impossible to read the ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2025
Drl is only half on seems that this is a common problem and a safety problem for it is a lighting issue
Incident date: Sep 10, 2025
The right headlight is filling up with condensation which is shorting out the battery. Replaced it more condensation is back in it. Mechanic says seals are no good says its a common problem in all lincolns. Lights and adaptive module cost well over 5K for one light not including the labor. This is a potential for a fire hazard.
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2021) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 12, 2025
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
The design of the backup light is awful. There is a single light that is about two inches long and an inch high under the license plate. When you back up in a parking lot like at Walmart, other drivers cannot see the light and keep driving by like you are not moving. We have had several close calls because of this. Kia should be forced to change the design
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
Auto High Beam. Very sensitive. Sometimes they don't go on when they should and sometimes, they stay on blinding oncoming traffic. I have researched this problem and also have been told this is a known problem with this particular model and year - not just my vehicle.
Incident date: Sep 5, 2025
Water intrusion severe in both taillight assemblies with normal rain. Safety issue due to water dimming or completely blocking out the bottom light Car has less than 40k miles.
Incident date: Sep 8, 2025
Daytime Running Light failure at 36K Miles on one side. Entire assembly requires warranty replacement with ACC sensor calibration. Appears to be a common issue.
Incident date: May 13, 2025
Drivers left front daytime running lights failed after <4 years from warranty replacement. 3rd set of lights in under 7 years on this vehicle.
Incident date: Aug 4, 2025
Front headlights were replaced under warranty after daytime running lights both stopped working in Oct. 2021. Similar problem now on 9/4/25 approximately 4 years later, and BMW is leaving me to foot the bill on a barely 7 year old vehicle, forcing me to have 3 sets of lights on a car that is 7 years old.
Incident date: Aug 23, 2025
I bought this car used from Honda Dealership. It had 84,000 mileage on it and since then. The headlights are so dim and I can’t see you have to drive with high beam on every time I go at night I’ve changed almost we like 56 different types light bulb, but still nothing still worst. If I used one for the manufacturer one it’s nothing it’s literally dark outside. I can’t see nothing and an... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 5, 2025
Left turn signal stopped working. I learned to find out that it’s not replaceable. The whole headlight assembly needs to be replaced the cost of it over $1000. My vehicle is only four years old. Why isn’t it on a recall or replaceable by the manufacturer on the warranty?
FORTUNE
TORMENTA M/T FSR310
(9999) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 11, 2025
Incident date: Sep 18, 2024
I am writing to formally escalate a serious safety issue with my 2014 Nissan Altima. My vehicle is affected by the known halogen headlamp delamination defect, which Nissan has previously acknowledged in a warranty extension and service campaign. Recently, because of the dangerously dim headlights, I struck a speed bump and damaged my vehicle. More importantly, I nearly hit pedestrians crossing th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2025
I’ve had entertainment issues. This morning I was driving on a 65 MPH highway when the LED screens on the dashboard went completely black, including the driver side with the speedometer. After approximately 10 seconds the driver’s side came back on, but all of them are warning lights were illuminated. At the same time the LED screen with the entertainment system performed a restart which took ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2025
Passenger side headlight which is a sealed headlight has moisture creating dimmed visibility a night -how does a sealed headlight get moisture in it unless it’s defective - the car only had 23,000 miles when problem started
Incident date: Aug 29, 2025
Headlights does not display full visibility. It seems as if the headlights are cut off with blind spots. Headlights doesn't have full visibility. Headlight projection is not 100 percent. Dealership technician have said Kia doesn't have a fix for it. When its very dark outside their are blind spots. Vehicle smokes from the exhaust. Upon acceleration it feels rough with trembling effect.
Incident date: Jun 9, 2025
Headlamp light came on in vehicle in December of 2024 and dealership replaced module which I had to pay for. 4 months later light came on again and dealership replaced module again at their cost, light came back on again right after the 2nd replacement of module. Dealership is not sure what to do but recommends replacing Headlamp at my cost but not sure that will fix the problem. I have been drivi... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the high beam headlights failed to illuminate as designed. The contact researched and learned of an undisclosed Technical Service Bulletin concerning the failure with the halogen bulbs on the 2020 Kia Telluride. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The dealer confirmed that the VIN was not under recall or covered u... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Sep 24, 2024
While driving at night in a poorly lit area, I could barely see. I turned on the high beam but it blinded on coming traffic. I checked into this and found out Nissan was sued for this and had a short (approximately 3 months) period when you could get it fixed for free from the dealership. No recall issued even though Nissan was well aware of this. But when I tried to get it fixed, the dealership ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2025
When opening driver side door the interior lights do not turn on! This is a hazardous situation at night entering the truck and turning on the ignition.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Dec 28, 2024
The passenger side daytime running lamp has burned out in one section. Ford says in order to replace this the whole headlight must be replaced at a cost of $1,400. Daytime running lamps are a requirement for safety and the inability to repair the running lamp without replacing the entire headlight poses a safety risk to both the driver and other vehicles on the road.
Incident date: Sep 6, 2025
Automatic headlight dimming system malfunctioning. Headlights randomly activate to high beams and dim under all low light conditions. The system is unsafe as it blinds oncoming traffic under all conditions and the driver in particular in fog. It continually intermittently cycles up and down between low and high beam while driving. The Honda dealer replaced the system sensor but the problem has ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2024
3 Years of a recall with no remedy by the manufacturer. Repeated inquiries with the same answer. Electronic Stability Control, Cruise Control, and Keyless Entry all disabled. Check Engine Light on continuously. Brake lights stay on for extended periods of time.
Incident date: Jun 23, 2025
Low beam headlight won't work. Dealer advises that the whole assembly has to be replaced at a cost of over $1,500. It doesn't make sense to me that, for safety's sake, replacing a light bulb (cost = $120) translates into a full dismantling of the front grill and fender to replace the entire headlight assembly. This is a serious safety issue
Incident date: Jan 17, 2025
Both Headlights suddenly became very dim WHILE I WAS DRIVING. On normal lights there is almost no light beam coming out at all, and on bright lights there is slightly more lighting, but there is also what looks to be a large shadow across the light beams. I’ve had it checked and there are NO bulbs burnt out.
Incident date: Sep 6, 2025
Rear light bar was replaced under Recall 23S30 on April 30, 2024. At the time, light bar had moisture inside and was no longer functioning. Now same issue has presented itself with the new part. Rear lightbar works sporadically or not at all. This means that the red part of the light bar flashes randomly while driving, probably confusing other drivers. This also means the reverse lights do not... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
When one of my back up lights went out it shorted out the back up video camera. After replacement, found out from Ford that the wiring of the lighting is tied also into the video camera system. After replacement the camera shorts out and is not replaceable.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
Rear overhead break light ripped off while driving down the road.
Incident date: Sep 8, 2025
Low beam headlights would work and some times not work and then one day they stopped working completely. We've had everything checked out and there is no explanation as to why this is happening. Replaced headlights, relays, and checked wiring.
Incident date: Sep 7, 2025
My problem is with the headlights, in that the condenser lens for the low beam lights has clouded so badly that driving at night has become so dangerous. I have changed the bulbs twice in an effort to correct the problem to no avail. And with the sealed unit not able to be disassembled to clean the lens, my only option is to replace the units at approximately $800 each. This condition in my opinio... Read more
Incident date: Sep 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Camaro. The contact stated that the passenger’s side daytime running light bulb was blown. The contact called two dealers and an independent mechanic and was informed that the passenger’s side headlight module had to be replaced to repair the failure. The contact stated that the cost of repair was too expensive for a single light bulb. Due to the failure, the ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2025
This issue relates to NHTSA Recall 24V344 / VW Recall 919A as the repair for this recall has already been applied to my vehicle. Despite that, while driving, my vehicle experienced a complete electronics shutdown, including loss of the instrument cluster, center display, and rearview camera. This occurred after the recall 919A software update was applied. As such, I believe the safety of my self a... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2025
Driving at night , headlights low beam were weak and did not project far enough for me to see objects, the headlights cut off with complete darkness above a certain height I feel the car is unsafe to drive at night in low light situations , also raining conditions make the weak headlights worse
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
I was driving along and got a warning to pull over due to low power. This is the third time this has occurred and is a well--documented failure point for this vehicle. I go in for "repair", things are checked and sometimes software is updated and then within months the problem returns. Very unsafe being stranded on a high speed, two land rural road at night. It has been flat bedded to the de... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2025
My low beam headlights have diminished in their effectiveness / intensity over time such that I fear driving at night due to possible danger of an accident. If I do have to drive at night, I have to use my high beams...which is also totally unacceptable, and illegal in post places. I have taken the car to the Acura dealership to explain the problem and determine the proper fix. I felt like this... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2025
The right headlight has stopped working as of 1 week ago. The car was returned to the KIA dealership for this issue as well as a hesitation while driving and a chronic bumping sound in the car while driving. The car was kept at the dealership for 3 days Sept 3,4 & 5 2025 and the headlights per the dealership were realigned. The Right headlight was on at the dealership but on Sept 6 2025 is back ou... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
I've replaced the headlights 4 times and the daytime running lights 20 times! Bought and installed 2 entire headlight assemblies... 5 days later right headlight blew out. Ive entered many complaints about this 1 vehicle and conveniently for Hyundai NO recalls!!!! Continuous oil level issue reported the very first time I put the car in the shop.
Incident date: Aug 18, 2025
2021 gv80. Drivers side headlight failed while on vacation. Had newly formed condensation in headlight and must have shorted it had to drive back home with no turning signal and no headlight. Had the shop look at it when I got home and confirmed the unit was bad. Dealer is charging around 2,500-3,000.00 for headlight replacement
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2014) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 6, 2025
Incident date: Aug 26, 2025
Headlight does not provide adequate illumination at night, making riding extremely dangerous.
CUMMINS
ONAN QG 2800I
(9999) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 4, 2025
Incident date: Sep 2, 2025
The racetrack lighting on the tailgate had water in it and dodge refused to repair or replace...now I have no racetrack lighting and no tag light and they still will not help.
Incident date: Sep 4, 2025
When I signal a lane change, the lights flicker or turn off completely. Happens often.
Incident date: Sep 4, 2025
The headlights on my 2018 Altima SL are INCREDIBLY dim. I have tried two different LED manufacturer's bulbs with the same result. It is beyond dangerous to drive my car at night. Sadly, my floodlights are FAR brighter than my low beams. There are countless complaints for this issue over the past few years. It sounds like their solution was less than desirable for most customers. This should ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2025
I can not drive at night because I can see at all and I am afraid I am going to crash..The lights are so dim that it seems that they are not even on..I have to turn my high beams on just to see and I was warned that I can recieve a ticket for driving with high beams on..I went to the Nissan company and they said there was nothing they could because they didn't honor the recall on the headlight as... Read more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2024
Acura recalled 2014 vehicles for delamination of reflector film within headlights that results in decreased light output. The RDX was not included, but many - like mine - have experienced this issue. I purchased the RDX in 2017 from an Acura dealer as a certified, lease return vehicle. I began to notice dimming of the low beams within the first year. I had the plastic outside of the headlights ... Read more
NEXEN
ROADIAN HTX
(9999) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 4, 2025
Incident date: Dec 31, 2019
Regarding the Safety Recall mentioned below, I reached out to Rivian Service Center. They are not giving me an ETA to fix this and no alternate is given. Is there anyways NHTSA help me by making Rivian Automotive LLC take responsibility and address the issue sooner than later ? They dont have a fix for below safety recall and no ETA on when they can fix it. Its really disappointing to see the lac... Read more