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: Mar 3, 2025
The left turn signal is intermittent, it works most of the time, but many times the button on the yoke will not turn on the turn signal. Tesla wants $265 to fix it even though I still am under the factory warranty. After a quick internet search this appears to be a known problem. Because there is no turn yoke (which is a very poor design and that should be recalled) I have to rest my finger on ... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Additionally, the contact stated that th... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2023
I cannot use put my windows up/down, cannot open the trunk, cannot use interior lights, cannot unlock my gas lid. Due to a broke. Electronic part called the GM5
Incident date: May 15, 2025
My Fisker Ocean ICC infotainment screen and the lower climate and sound control panel have stopped functioning. Initially it was restarting on its own once in a while. Once it was able to get booted up, all eletronics, vents and sound controls were still working. However, ICC has now been blacked out and stays in start loop every 5 mins. I have fully lost the climate control and sound system. ... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2025
Passenger side DRL burn out
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
Entire front right headlight assembly and module failed with no headlight, turn signal, park light etc. There is no visible external damage to the assembly although there is some moisture inside assembly. From internet search, it appears that this is a very common failure. Cost is over $2500 for replacement from local mechanics and over $3300 from Mercedes dealerships with little to no warranty fo... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2025
Drl is half burnt out. The led is not replacable and drl is a part of a safety item that is required to be road legal. Not only has my 2022 f150 lariat with the quad led headlights have this drl led burnt out, many on the f150 forums and facebook groups for 2021-2023 are having the same exact issue. A safety item like drl should be recalled if it is not repairable.
Incident date: May 14, 2025
Daytime running lights have burned out separately but does not have a bulb replacement solution. The entire headlight has to be replaced causing a safety issue in daytime visibility and price gouging from Ford Motor Company.
Incident date: Feb 20, 2025
The headlight module failed in the middle of driving at night and caused me to pull over and get the vehicle towed. Took to the dealership and apparently it’s been an issue with these trucks and the headlight module fails and then burns out both headlights. There is no recall and is not covered by my factory warranty.
Incident date: May 9, 2025
Headlight on passenger side is no longer working causing unsafe visibility issues. While under warranty, the car was taken in for service at a Kia dealership twice for the same problem but during this time frame, the headlight issue was only occurring intermittently. Both times no repair or replacement was made and I was told the headlight was fine. The headlight ended up experiencing complete fa... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2025
The running lights went out on the front passenger side. These are LED lights and should last longer than 60k miles. These can’t be repaired and have to be replaced. I got quoted $1,650 without labor for one.
Incident date: May 7, 2025
I attempted to get a safety recall (headlamp assembly defect) addressed at my local Subaru dealership. The vehicle is still under warranty, and I was told I may be able to get a loaner or rental. However, when I arrived, I was informed that the dealership only has 9 loaners and does not offer rental coverage at all, even for warranty customers. I had already spoken to someone about my need for a ... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2018) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
May 14, 2025
Incident date: May 14, 2025
1. Headlight low/high beam keeps going out and comes back on. It seems like the wiring harness overheating, bulb is fine but continues to go out and on. 2. Transmission, does a very aggressive down shift at gear 6 it makes the car jump and if it happens too much, my car won't accelerate..I got it repaired once and it took dealer almost 30 days but it did not fix the problem..I could not afford to ... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2022) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
May 14, 2025
Incident date: May 9, 2025
OnStar Module factory defaults/Malfunctioning - Power button don’t turn on so there’s no internet connection. This effect all the safety features in the car. Please recall. There has been numerous incidents reported online to this particular default.
Incident date: Mar 14, 2024
Headlamps went out at low mileage (36000 @ 2 years old). Not full headlamp just a portion. Cant see as good at night on passenger side.
Incident date: May 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Side Marker light Fault Detected" was displayed. The contact stated that after a visual inspection, the contact became aware that both side marker lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the side marker light assembly. The vehicle was not r... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact that the headlights were intermittently inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated that the instrument panel lights, the brake lights, and the turn signal lights were inoperable. The contact who is a mechanic, had inspected the fuses, the fuse box, and other unknown parts, but found no failures. The dealer was notified of the failure. Th... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
May 13, 2025
Incident date: Nov 13, 2022
Over time, I noticed the low beam headlights seemed dimmer and attributed it to my older eyes and night driving. (the high beams work great) Yes, it's available for inspection Currently it's nearly impossible to drive at night without using the high beams. This is only an option when there's no oncoming traffic. There have been times when I've had to use the high beams with an oncoming car (safety... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and at night, the headlights independently turned off. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the lighting control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic advised the contact of NHTSA Campaign Number... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the check engine, air bag, and the fuel pump relay failure warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the exterior lights failed to operate as needed, and the vehicle occasionally failed to start. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagn... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2025
Electrical system is currently failing. I was informed that I need a PDC wiring kit to replace the fuse box and the entire vehicle must be rewired. USB Charging ports DO NOT WORK. Cigarette lighter ports to charge cellular devices do not work. Every time the service department at the dealership fixed a component to repair the radio a fuse was blown in another area of the vehicle in 2024. Currentl... Read more
HYUNDAI
ELANTRA HYBRID
(2022) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
May 12, 2025
Incident date: May 11, 2025
The Fisker Ocean was delivered with door handles that have major physical defects, including entrapment inside the vehicle in the case of 12V power loss and users unable to enter the vehicle. In my case, I have installed an emergency door hatch release myself in the trunk of the car to prevent entrapment. I have also ordered the new Gen2A door handles manufactured by Chevalier. These Gen2A door ha... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at night, the headlights were significantly dim. The contact stated that the VIN was previously included in Nissan Campaign Number: PC807. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that an appointment could not be scheduled due to the pandemic. The contact stated that upon contacting the dealer later, the dealer i... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2021) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
May 12, 2025
Incident date: Dec 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Freightliner XC-S. The contact stated that while attempting to make a turn, the contact was informed by another driver that the turn signals and the high beam headlights were inoperable. The contact was informed that the exterior lighting failed to function properly, making it difficult to identify that the contact was attempting to turn. The dealer was contacted. The vehic... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2023) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
May 12, 2025
Incident date: May 1, 2025
The rear LED tail light assembly does not function. There appears to be moisture causing the LED lights to not function. Vehicle was recently serviced and was quoted $1800 for repairing the assembly. I'm concerned from a safety perspective as the tail lights will not be visible when driving at night. In addition, I see a lot of Dodge Durangos on the road where the rear tail light assembly has ... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the contact became aware that the front headlamps had intermittently failed to provide proper illumination, greatly reducing nighttime visibility. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After... Read more
Incident date: May 11, 2025
The car first does not respond to the key fob and when you look inside the dash is on despite not using push-to-start and you have to use the manual key to open the door. Then the car alarm will go off and continue not to repond to the KeyFob until you, once again, use the manual key to unlock and silence th e car. The only solution I have gotten is t... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2025
The following recall was supposedly corrected by my Dodge dealer in Watertown, CT: NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V723000 Manufacturer Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) Components EXTERIOR LIGHTING The headlight lenses were replaced and in 2 years time, the driver side lense is always fogged up and as a result I cannot see at night due to the dimness. I have brought my car to the dealer, and they said to contac... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2025
DISPLAY PANEL FREEZES AND IT ALSO DISPLAYS AS BLANK AND I DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE RADIO OR THERMASTAT CONTROLS REVERSE BRAKING SYSTEM FAIL FOR PARKING
Incident date: Aug 12, 2016
First battery needed replaced every year then few weeks ago with no warning light or messages that battery was dieing the battery died again it was replaced then it started reving up and down on its own while driving so it goes faster then slower on its own when it feels like it.. TPS wont show tire pressure cant relearn tire positions now dash lights works usually then don't bright lights don't w... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2025
Excessive oil consumption, shudder in motor while driving . Check engine light cam on. Visibility in headlights very low and high beams only working sometimes.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2015) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
May 9, 2025
Incident date: May 8, 2025
The passenger side rear tail light assembly (with built in blind spot unit) has noticeable condensation in the unit. This has intermittently caused a hyper blink situation with use of hazards and directionals, as well as causing the lamp assembly to not function at all creating a lighting and safety hazard. I have had this evaluated by the dealer, and was quoted $2,453 for a new light assembly t... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2025
My left blinker randomly comes on but if I turn on the right signal the left goes off and right doesn't work and will eventually work normally again
Incident date: May 9, 2025
The past year vehicle drivers side signal light and mirror light stays on when vehicle is turned off causing the battery to drain on the vehicle. Independent mechanic ran test unable to find issue. Multiple owners of the Honda crv are experiencing the same issue with out any help from Honda causing dangerous situation in operations vehicle. Turn signal randomly will go off when driving the vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
The driver's side headlamp assembly (one complete piece, LED lighting) has a thin strip at the top that is used for daytime running lights. These are automatically on when the vehicle is on and it's not yet dark. In early 2024, this driver's side thin strip daytime running lights stopped working entirely. I've learned that the entire headlamp assembly must be replaced, rather than being able to j... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2025
The rear light bar and reversing lamp assembly, which was part of a safety recall, is filled with water and the lights are malfunctioning again. Ford is telling me that the replacement part has a 1 year warranty so that I would have to pay over $1600 for a replacement. This is a widespread issue with many of these trucks. Ford admitted that it was a manufacturing defect with the original part. How... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
When the windshield wipers are turned on all the dash lights go out. There were no warning lights to warn me of an issue with the electrical system. I called a Jeep Wave Specialist, and I was told to take my Jeep to a dealer to diagnosis the problem.
Incident date: May 7, 2025
Rear Racetrack LED lightning is failing due to water intrusion. This could also possibly cause electrical issues to the license plate lights and back up camera. When in bad weather, other drivers could fail to see the back of my car, and could get into an accident. Yes, dealer stated that the cost is 1500 to fix. The Durango has 60K miles. Dealer only. No warning just a fellow driver reported my ... Read more
TOYOTA
RAV4 PRIME
(2022) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
May 8, 2025
Incident date: Mar 14, 2025
The rear tail light bar and back up light has moisture in it. It no longer works, the back up light also does not work. This is a known defect and there is a recall for this issue on many Ford Lightning pickups. For some reason my truck is not included in the recall. The vehicle is available for inspection. I have no illumination when backing up, I feel this is an unsafe condition. The dealer has ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2025
The part they replace the rear light bar that you have a recall for also fails in the exact same manner causing my reverse lights to stay on while driving.
Incident date: Apr 17, 2025
Was driving at night and my lights went off and the radio turned off and right back on a second later. It’s like the system rebooted. Drove fine.
FORD
CROWN VICTORIA
(2003) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
May 7, 2025
Incident date: Jun 7, 2024
The contact's owns a 2015 Acura RDX. The contact stated that the front headlights had become dim, which made it difficult and unsafe to operate the vehicle while driving at night. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V792000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufac... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2025
I brought this vehicle into the dealership for safety recall 15s39. There were no problems with the vehicle prior to taking it in. When I received the vehicle back from the dealer they had admitted to not completing all the steps in the safety recall. Now that I have the vehicle the dealer returned it to me with the following issues: all of the interior and exterior lighting including the headligh... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
We had a warning light go on on the dash advising there was an issue with the driver's side side marker lamp. In looking at the lamp, it is still illuminating, just not as bright as normal. This is a known issue with Audi - several complaints have been made already and there is even a recall on certain vins. My vin was not included in this so the cost is falling on me (in the form of $6200 not inc... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2015) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
May 7, 2025
Incident date: May 7, 2025
Rear brake lights did not work, but high mount brake light functioned normally. I found a safety recall for the 2019 Ford Ranger for the same condition (19S43). This safety recall identifies connector C442 as the root cause for the incident. Based on this information, I located the connected. I disconnected the connector, did visual inspection. Visual inspection did not find any bent pins, so... Read more
Incident date: Mar 30, 2025
Defective daytime running light, passenger side, that does not fully illuminate. I’ve noticed this on several of the same make, model, and body style (with the same DTRLs).
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
This is an update to my previous complaint 11655582. Hyundai replaced the left headlight assembly on 5-5-25. Email I sent to Hyundai this morning: "I drove the car Tuesday evening and noticed the same problem as before the left headlight replacement. Later, at nearly 10:00 PM, I took the car to a dark road with little traffic to get a better look and to take the attached pictures. The outside te... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2025
LED Headlight burned out and is not possible to change or remove, dealer indicated it is not something that normally goes out, and wants to charge $2,000
Incident date: Feb 12, 2025
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to express my deep frustration and serious concerns regarding the repeated and dangerous failures I have experienced with the battery systems in three separate Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles – model years 2022, 2024, and now 2025 4xe. In each case, I encountered a complete battery failure within the first 3,000 miles of the car’s life. These failures have no... Read more