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: Jan 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the low-beam headlights failed to illuminate as needed. The contact stated that the driver’s side low-beam headlight had stopped functioning as designed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the bulb; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage wa... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2025
I brought veh to Covina Kia on 1-6-25 for recall (SC299B) of headlight high beams failure. George Arroyo refused to take my veh in telling me my warranty had expired. I told him the safety recall had to be addressed. I insisted mileage doesn’t not void a safety recall. He finally took veh in. My veh has been at dealership for 16 days and has not been touched. It is obvious dealership doesn... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2025
BATTERY DIED, FOB DIDNT WORK 2 TIMES HAD TO HV TOWED, RIGHT FRONT LIGHT SEEMS AS IT HAS A SHORT, OVERHEATED OUT OF NOWHERE, NOW ALL HEADLIGHTS AND BACKLIGHT INCLUDING BRAKE LIGHT NO LONGER WORK. VERY UNSAFE AND UNABLE TO DRIVE. EVERYTHING IN THE RECALL HAS HAPPENED EXCEPT FOR CATCHING ON FIRE. THE TOW HITCH, I DONT HAVE ONE SO IT WASNT COMPLETED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS UNSAFE AND VERY DANGEROUS. PE... Read more
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2016) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 21, 2025
Incident date: Jan 3, 2025
The rear marker light that is on the tailgate of my Lariat has water in it and no longer works. this reduces the visability of the vehicle. There is a recal to repair this exact problem issued for my yr vehicle but not my specific vin.
Incident date: Dec 29, 2024
Oem Headlight shadowing on brand new car moves all over the place. It mimics child or wildlife. The reduced area is unsafe.
Incident date: Nov 20, 2024
When engaging the right turn signal and upon completing a right turn, the left turn signal activates three times when the signal stalk returns to the center position. Took vehicle to Honda dealership where it was confirmed. Honda dealership replaced turn signal switch. Vehicle continuing to experience this problem, intermittently. This is a potential safety risk as other vehicles will see the left... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2025
Ever since the 2nd day I owned the car which I purchased on [XXX], the interior lighting, sunroof button and roadside assistance button operate themselves when it's colder then 40 degrees outside, the lights blink, the sunroof button doesn't work and the roadside assistance gets called repeatedly. All this is very distracting while driving, especially in the evening time. I have video recorded it... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2022) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 20, 2025
Incident date: Dec 16, 2024
There are two systems that are a hazard and dangerous on the Silverado EV. The First one is the Automatic High Beams. The Auto high beams will continuously flash other drivers on the road. This can blind other drivers and possibly case a crash. The other Dangerous safety feature on the vehicle is the Automatic Emergency Braking. The AEB feature when crawling behind another vehicle in bumber to bum... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER
(2015) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 20, 2025
Incident date: Dec 30, 2024
1) The headlights went out along with the rear taillights. 2) Could have caused a crash. 3) No. 4)No. 5) No. Someone had to tell me the break lights were out and then we noticed that the headlights were also out as well. We notified the kia dealership of the problems and were told that a diagnostic of the problem would cost $150 plus repairs.
Incident date: Jan 19, 2025
When driving in or snowy conditions, the recessed headlights fill with snow, slush ice rendering the headlights useless. It can be very hard to see as the headlights are essentially covered.
Incident date: Jun 21, 2024
While driving on the highway at approximately 60MPH, both display screens went completely blank. The A/C stopped working and radio speakers also stopped working. After about 30 seconds, the system had reset and came back on as if it was the start up sequence. I could not tell if it affected steering/braking since I was on a relatively straight road and light traffic but it was highly disconcerting... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2025
The automatic high beam feature in late model Honda Ridgelines presents significant safety concerns. There are two primary issues: 1. Activation Speed and Sensitivity: The auto high beams only engage when the vehicle reaches speeds above 40 mph, which is higher than many competitors. Furthermore, the system frequently toggles between high and low beams, particularly when encountering yellow road ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 23, 2024
Headlights on these vehicles go out around 40,000 miles due to issues during their manufacturing. The repair costs $2,500+. The issue is known by Mazda and is widespread but they refuse to recall.
Incident date: Jan 19, 2025
The headlights have dimmed so much that I can’t even drive the car at night. We spent $80 to replace the bulbs and that didn’t help. The headlights are extremely unsafe.
Incident date: Oct 10, 2024
Battery discharge, no dash lights. 15000 miles.
Incident date: Oct 23, 2024
Tail lights cracked with very minimal impact. Plastic casing on tail lights appears brittle and defective.
Incident date: Dec 4, 2023
My electrical fixtures have failed or blinks off and on, on its own.
Incident date: Nov 7, 2024
I purchased this vehicle on January 1, 2025. I drove it last night for the first time after dark. The headlights were so dim I could hardly see to drive. I had to use my brights except when a car was coming towards me, then I put them on dim and slowed way down. Leaving them on bright would have endangered other drivers and myself. I purchased the car with no warranty so now I either drive only du... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2014) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 18, 2025
Incident date: Jan 5, 2021
Passenger side vertical DRL is not working.
Incident date: Aug 20, 2024
The dash and infotainment shut down and went completely blank screen while driving. No speedometer. No information on how fast I was going.
Incident date: Dec 4, 2024
Passenger side headlights assembly has a daytime running light that stopped working properly. There is no longer a fully functioning running light that decreases visibility to other vehicles. The manufacturer will not replace and the it cannot be repaired without a full headlight assembly replacement that is not affordable.
Incident date: Jan 12, 2025
Truck lost power and died while making a low speed right turn. Attempted to start vehicle but was unable to immediately after losing power, after trying again for about 30 seconds I was able to get it to start and pull it off the road. I lost control of the steering as the steering wheel locked up. When I turned it back on the truck required me to roll the driver window down and back up and radio ... Read more
HYUNDAI
TUCSON HYBRID
(2025) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 17, 2025
Incident date: Jan 5, 2025
I believe that all Tesla have an issue where the brake lights do not turn on soon enough when the vehicle is slowing down especially at slower speeds and I feel this makes them get in a lot of rear end accidents at lower speeds. I've seen many videos online of people getting hit and the car in front of them is braking and the Tesla slows down with no brake lights then the vehicle behind them hits ... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 17, 2025
Incident date: Dec 22, 2021
This vehicle has gone through 5 headlight bulbs in the last year. 3 were on the driver side. 2 on the passenger side. Bulbs will last only 3 to 6 months. No damage seen to either headlight assembly and not electrical short can be found. Date listed is last replacement for driver side
Incident date: Jan 16, 2025
We leased our jeep [XXX and started having Software (SW) issues in December 2023. We were informed in June 2024, after having multiple SW issues, from dealer senior mechanic that 90% of the first wave 2024 Jeep Wranglers had SW issues. Our jeep was a first wave unit, we were not informed of a possible SW during test drive. There's been two SW updates that I know of, one in late Jun 2024 and anoth... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2024
Passenger side DRL assembly on headlight has failed. Dealer says the DRL is not repairable and the headlight assembly requires replacement. The safety of myself and others was put at risk by the absence of 50% of my vehicles DRL system, which diminished my visibility on the roadway. There were no indications of failure until it occured.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
DRL lights have gone out at under 3 years.
Incident date: Dec 20, 2024
I am reporting a safety defect in my 2024 Acura ZDX, which poses a serious risk. The vehicle, purchased on 11/15/2023, has been in the shop for 35 days and has only 1,300 miles. It experienced recurring electrical failures, including blown fuses, door chimes, and ambient light and window malfunctions. After several weeks of diagnosis, the dealer discovered that a wiring bundle running from the en... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF R
(2024) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 16, 2025
Incident date: Dec 4, 2024
Both drl leds around the housing failed. Twice now. This is a know issues with 21+ f150s
HONDA
ACCORD HYBRID
(2023) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 16, 2025
Incident date: Jan 14, 2025
When I bought has brake problem have extended warranty and all Protections on place bucking after starting at 1 to 5 then when stooping. Lights panel seems not correct not illimious one lighting panels to see going on and off 2 times mileage is broken I recorded mileage to fro. Work only 20 miles incorrect values sense I bought .
Incident date: Dec 23, 2024
Both Front headlight DRL failed at 40K miles. This poses a safety risk for other vehicles on the road
Incident date: Dec 26, 2024
Front DRL on the headlights no longer work making it difficult for other vehicles to have a clear sight of vehicle.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
On January 15, 2025, my front panel went completely blank (black screen) moments after driving off a parking lot. I pulled over, turned the car off to try to reset it, but didn’t work. Tried this 3-4 different times in different locations. I also had no exterior lights working. My main lights, brake and headlights were not functioning. This was very stressful and luckily it was still daylight, s... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2014
The day time running light on the driver's side has gone out. Being a lighting issue, this affects visibility of the vehicle and therefore is a safety issue.
Incident date: Dec 23, 2024
The headlights automatic dim function is dangerous. It will repeatedly flash the brights or high beams at on coming vehicles as they approach and even when they are quite close as you pass head on. This will blind oncoming traffic and most likely cause road rage in some susceptible people. The function is sometimes automatically turned on and difficult to turn off. When in dark areas where hig... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
The automatic headlight dimming is extremely unreliable and often dims just when approaching illuminated speed limit signs, or puts high beams ON when approaching another vehicle at night. Bad sensor I think.
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
This issue closely resembles Audi recall campaign 97CB (NHTSA campaign ID 16V642000), with details available at [XXX] . In my case, the marker light itself is functioning properly, but the vehicle is displaying a false error message: "Front Right Side Marker Light Defective." This poses safety risks because the erroneous warning distracts drivers from the road and could lead to the system failing ... Read more
Incident date: May 18, 2024
When vehicle was 3.5-4 years old, the LED "halo" around the headlight assembly went out. This part is a fixed part of the assembly and unrepairable and requires the owner to replace the entire headlight assembly. An LED headlight should not be going out after only 3.5-4 years. I have noticed this is a common complaint on online forums for the Subaru Ascent. Normally, this would just be a cosmetic ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
I keep on getting a message that states that my right side marker light is defective even though it is working just fine. I looked online and see that it is a common issue with 2017 Q7 in particular but not exclusively. The cost from the dealer is more than $7,000.00.
Incident date: Oct 23, 2024
Getting error message again regarding "Front Right Side Marker Light Defective". This issue was already addressed back in late 2024 by my local Audi service center, but has popped back up again for the second time. My car has a little over 100K and has no other problems. There was an Audi recall Campaign 97CB (NHTSA campaign ID #16V642000) that addresses this exact issue and applies to some affect... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2024
After charging my car from ~20% to 80% over the course of ~8 hours, I powered on the car, reversed out of my parking space, and began driving. Shortly after (<1 min), I noticed that both my Instrument Panel screen and my Infotainment screen had shut off and were black. I continued driving for another 2-3 minutes before pulling into a parking lot. In the lot I powered the car on and off many times,... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
I bought my vehicle in May of 2019. In May 2021 my car had 34,000 miles on it and the passenger side headlight was out. I took it to the dealership and they replaced my left headlight assembly (vehicle was under warranty). In October 2024, I noticed that my headlight on the passenger side was out again. My vehicle had 56,426 miles on it. I called the dealership (South Point Dodge Chrysler Jeep R... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2016) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 14, 2025
Incident date: Jan 14, 2025
My 2011 Mini Cooper had to go to my mechanic because I have no turn signals, no dash or interior lights and my front windows will not go up or down. My mechanic determined the problem to be the Footwell Control Module. My mechanic did not/can not repair because it has to be programmed at a Dealership. My dad also has a 2011 Mini Cooper and he has been notified that there is a recall for his VIN #... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2024
Instrument cluster failure and turn signal malfunction while highway driving. No interior sounds, including no lane change warning or near collision warning signals, and no audible confirmation of signal; no exterior blinker activated despite use by driver. Instrument cluster went blank. Safety at risk and accident occurred: approaching car from rear passenger side hit front right side of our car ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 21, 2024
Taillamps are inadequate at night. You can barely see these cars ahead because the taillamps are only lit up by a tiny dot of red light at the corner of each taillamp at night. Drivers of these vehicles are in danger of being rammed at night.
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
I’ve been having issues with my Gas Gauge not recognizing how much gas I have in my car. I can fill my tank up, and the gas light constantly stays on. I’ve been looking online and came across other Hyundai owners having the same problem. I also have been having what seems to be an electrical issue where my passenger door, does not open and it’s intermittent which also seems to be connected t... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2024
All Toyota Highlanders with the LED projector headlights come from the factory with the lights aimed far too high.
Incident date: Sep 25, 2024
The Daytime running LED lights are commonly known to go out in this years 2021 VW atlas cross sports. The car gives a check light for these lights and each light had to have the entire headlight replaced. 1500 a peice. This causes issues with being able to get inspection stickers. I can’t even get a headlight bc this part is on back order bc this is such a common problem with this car. These par... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH at night, the high beam headlight became inoperable. The contact stated that the high beam on the sign was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed that the high beam headlights had failed due to a shutter in the headlight housing that opened and cl... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2021) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 13, 2025
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
My screen is delaminating on a 4 year old vehicle. This should not be happening and was told by my local Dodge dealership that it is not covered under a warranty, nor my extended warranty or a recall. This is poor manufacturing. My vehicle does not sit in direct sunlight.