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 12, 2024
My lights keep going out as I`m driving at night time so i can not go any where at night time I was almost hit head on this the second time this happened when I called Kia 3 times now the dealer i purchased it at they keep giving me a run around I have the extended warranty also electrical warranty which i paid extra for they still want to tell me these things aren`t covered.My vehicale has not ha... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2024
I just got this 2015Acura RDX And went to drive it at night the lights are absolutely horrendous. I actually almost got into a couple of accident, I also couldn't see the island in the middle of the road or the sidewalks. Trying to turn right Into a driveway I went over a curve because I couldn't even see where I was going, because of these lights. If I would have known this was a problem, I woul... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
Tire pressure yellow warning light on. RDC module ordered but repair not completed. After starting the car at a gas station, multiple warning lights appeared in red including "car on a raised lift in red" which signifies car is to be taken directly for service. Drove to local mechanic one mile away. While observing the car with engine running at idle, ALL dashboard lights and functions stopped... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2024
Bulb - Third Brake Light Assembly: replace the third brake lamp asm. its broken. Common issue with Chevy malibus 2016-2018. The bulb in the back of the rear window which is an added indicator that the vehicle is braking. Cars are almost crashing my car when i break to turn. I have a young son in the car and this is dangerous especially if this is a common issue amount chevy malibu drivers. There ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2023
At night, drivers frequently flash their bright lights at my vehicle, "complaining that my high beams are on." Sometimes, they turn on their brights at me and leave them on until our vehicles pass. My high beams are NOT on. This is a safety hazard from my vehicle if the low beams are adjusted too high, an increased hazard when the driver of the approaching vehicle flashes their lights at me, an... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2023
The gear selection lights near the gear shift go on and off for no apparent reason. I can not see which gear I am in at night. I am afraid that this is indicative of a more serious electrical problem. I am still under warranty because I purchased Added Care Plus from directly from Jeep that covers me through the end of December 2024. I took the vehicle to Jeep Dealer CH Urness Motors in The Dalle... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
Headlight not working properly.
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2022) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 19, 2024
Incident date: Feb 19, 2024
The high beams of the vehicle are no longer operational. Changing the light bulb does not solve the problem. As per the dealer, the entire unit must be replaced. The failure occurred while driving in the night.
Incident date: May 1, 2023
UNKNOWN - Looked into recall information regarding this vehicle. KBB.COM specified a headlight issue that has not been repaired on my vehicle.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2024
Both fog lights have had to be replace due to the inside reflectors getting so hot, the bulbs are melting them with the potential to cause a fire. This vehicle is a 2015 bought brand new and has 52000 miles on it.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
This vehicle has LED headlights. The low beam cutoff is very sharp and very close to the vehicle. The contrast between the lit area and the darkness beyond makes this even worse. You can not see an adequate distance for safe driving at night. To make it worse, there are these “black” areas just below the cutoff line. These shadows are distracting when driving. Further, when the “steering ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
Wiring harness on the vehicle is being completely replaced due to "rodent damage" according to the dealer. I am not an automotive engineer but if compromised wiring finally fails while driving I suspect a number of systems could be affected. There was no indication of this problem during vehicle operations. My insurance company agreed to pay for this about $7200. I have owned the vehicle for ten m... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2024
Initially we had check engine light on and we felt that the car had difficulty to start after stopped at traffic light. We had to restarted the engine to solve the stall problem. We took the car to a mechanic and he changed oxygen sensor and spark plugs but the problem came back. Then we received the recall letter realized it was exactly the same problem we had. The mechanic re-examined the car an... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
Let me start by saying I am an electrician. I have had several electrical problems with this car, most recently my Headlights come on intermittently. I start my car and turn the headlight switch on, sometimes it takes up to 20 minutes for them to kick on. I have checked the batteries, the Fuses, the grounding connections, and the switch. This is very dangerous, and I have already spent money tryi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2023
Exterior Lighting. Low beam headlights/assy. are too dim. Due to the flawed design the reflective film backing material inside the projector lens for the low beam, the headlights delaminates. This is in the projector/reflective and has nothing to do with the bulbs, which have been replaced multiple times. It is so dim that I did run off of the road into a ditch, but due to the low speed, there was... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 2, 2023
The inside of my truck has condensation. The inside lights console don’t work. Because water comes in by the rear top headliner.
Incident date: Feb 17, 2024
While we were driving in the mountains, the wiring harness shorted and fried all 4 of our front bulbs, causing us to have no visibility while driving on unlit back roads in Colorado. Toyota has a known TSB for this issue but claims it's not a safety issue, and has a kit to repair the issue, charging us $500 to install the kit. When asking about this 2 different employees explained it was a design ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
I was driving my vehicle and the vehicle suddenly started giving warnings. The gas pedal lost all power immediately and the car started to slow down. I then stepped on the brake pedal to bring the car to a complete stop and turned on the hazard light. However, after around 5 minutes, the car completely shut down and the hazard light also stopped functioning.
Incident date: Feb 16, 2024
The automatic High Beams have been a issue with the Ridgeling since 2021. I have a 2023 Ridgeline and live in a area where properly working high beams are needed to work properly. Honda's dealerships have no answers to this problem, and some of the service writers aren't even aware of it. This is a defect in this vehicle that needs to be addressed. Please contact Honda and make the repair this de... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2023) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 16, 2024
Incident date: Feb 16, 2024
The tail lights get condensation inside which causes the brake lamp not to be as bright, and when in freezing tempures it acutuly freezes making it worest. Tesla replaced it once and the same day the new tail lamp had condensation I reached out to Tesla and now they are stating "Tesla's tail lights are not actually sealed. There is a small pin hole in the center of the light to allow the transfer ... Read more
GMC
YUKON DENALI
(2015) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 16, 2024
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
Instrument panel turns off on and on during driving. No ability to see speed, acceleration, engine heat, fuel, or any lights at all (unable to see warning lights like engine light or airbag or tire pressure and not even able to use blinkers or high lights). Problem occurs during driving (will even turn off and on many times within same driving session) but will also happen while car is sitting jus... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
The left front headlight assembly failed this includes the low beam headlight and turn signal and parking lights. Subsequently the turn signal and emergency flasher for the entire car failed. After having the assembly replaced the mechanic found that the turn signal flasher problem wass related to a blown fuse. The headlight assembly failure was diagnosed as being caused by water in the light a... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2021) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 16, 2024
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
Incident: I have been almost rear ended numerous, numerous times despite having my turn signal on an appropriate distance from my turning point. Safety Issue: The rear signal lights are small and are only located on the bumper. The location of these signal lights are way too low for most driver's to even notice them! The signal lights also look like reflectors on the rear bumper especially in bro... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
The traction control/service abs system on dash came on following the loss of vehicle cruise control while driving on busy 3 lane of traffic during hill climb causing instant loss of vehicle speed. Was last told by local mopar dealer no parts available, no idea when available. Vehicle had no cruise or traction control. Only 39,000 miles on vehicle currently. Independent service center pulled code... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2019) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 16, 2024
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
The hi-beam function in the headlights are inoperable. I recently purchased this vehicle and the service department at the dealership of purchase confirmed afterwards that the hi beam function does not work. I do not understand how this is not a safety recall on all 2020 Tellurides as there are many forums from individuals who have experienced the same issue. Simply replacing the faulty system kic... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night and approaching either an incline or decline, the contact became aware that the headlamps failed to provide adequate top and bottom coverage of the roadway. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who adjusted the headlamps, tilting the headlights furt... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2020
The lighting in my dashboard, screen (to include backup camera) aill go blank and turn blank periodically. When this happens -I cant access heating/cooling settings, rearview camera or other settings.
Incident date: Feb 6, 2024
Brake master control system failure with constant issues over 80k miles. Forward running lights control housing has not held a light fixture since day one and dealership wants to charge for light replacement. It’s a faulty part and burnt through the housing. Olathe Toyota refused to repair under warranty saying it was a customer issue but is clearly a safety problem. Irresponsible dealer mana... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
Found condensation on both headlights. Took to dealer and they stated that it was caused by rock chips and Genesis will not cover the cost of repair. I talked to Genesis corporate office and they said condensation is normal and they will not repair it. I took my car to a body shop and they said the cracks are coming from where the screws attach to the headlights. All the cracks on the headlight... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
1)Headlights. I have had issues with my headlights since day one. They are so dull I upgraded the bulbs with the brightest LED bulbs available which did not help my legs did not get any brighter, I've had my headlights adjusted four different times which still did not help. I drive with my brights on anytime I have to drive at night and I still can hardly see anything on the road. It is not my eye... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
Blind zone detection system and door latch system failures. The blind zone detection system is inconsistent and at times remains on with bright lights impairing the drivers ability to see at night. With this inconsistency the driver cannot rely on it properly detecting vehicles within the blind spot. Another known issue is the inability to put down windows with the drivers side door. The alert for... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2024
Tail light assemblies on vehicle develop moisture inside of them when it rains. Tesla claims that this is normal and refuses to service the part. The concern is that the electronics inside the light assembly will be damaged by the moisture. This places the burden on the consumer to frequently test and inspect the tail light for an impending failure of the light which may inadvertently occur durin... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
Rh and Lh low beam headlamps keep burning out have replaced the bulbs in both lamps 3 times in 9 months issue causing sudden problem driving at night currently now found the connector on both lamps have melted and required replacing Dealer wanted $3500 to replace both headlamp assemblys as there was an issue with the connectors there was no warning when the lamps went out
HONDA
CR-V HYBRID
(2024) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 14, 2024
Incident date: Dec 30, 2023
The tail light on my car leaks and condensates - this is a problem with ALL Aston Martin Vantages and DB9's made from 2005 through 2017. The problem is that Aston Martin never had a fix and instead sells defective lights as a replacement when they fail from the condensation only to be assured they will eventually fail again.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2024
Over time, the halogen headlights have dimmed to the point where night-time driving and driving in rain/fog/snow are unsafe. This is not due to the halogen bulb itself, nor clarity of the lens housing, but rather the reflector. This appears to be a very common problem, confirmed by many other RDX owners. NHTSA should issue a recall for this part as they have done for similar issues facing the 2014... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
Campaign/NHTSA# 23S30/23V418 Issue Date 2023-06-09 Description On your vehicle, it may be possible that your reversing lamps may not function due to microscopic cracks that can develop in the vehicles rear lightbar. If a microscopic crack is present, condensation can potentially enter the reversing lamp lens through these cracks and cause electrical failure to the reverse lamps. Safety Risk This m... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
Vehicle was taken in for a oil change. At check-in I was told that I would be given a rental vehicle due to the overhead rails recall, leaking inside the vehicles at that time I advised of a gas smell which I have been smelling for several years and it was getting stronger. I was told that there was something wrong with the fuel pump and it would need to be replaced and they would also be replaci... Read more
Incident date: Jan 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Wagoneer. The contact stated while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that a software update was needed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle failed to recognize the key... Read more
CHEVROLET
MALIBU ECO
(2013) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 14, 2024
Incident date: Jan 4, 2024
When Vehicle is operated with the head lights in auto mode the operator is unable to activate the High Beam head lights with the paddle. The operator has to switch the headlights to a manual mode and then may activate the bright lights. The vehicle is not equipped with auto high beams. Vehicle was return to dealer service department. Dealer Contacted Chrysler / Jeep and said this is normal and no ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2024
There seems to be a lot of people who own 2012 and 2013 Mazda 3 Sedans (with SKYACTIV-G 2.0L and Halogen Type Headlights) that are dealing with the same issue I am dealing with myself. I have just purchased a used 2013 Mazda 3 with Skyactive Technology and I noticed that when I was braking the headlights would pulse on and off and would continue while I braked. I have been told there is a TSB o... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2023) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 13, 2024
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. 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. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool co... Read more
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2023) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 13, 2024
Incident date: Feb 13, 2024
my drivers side tail light burned out. I replaced with the recommended bulb Sylvania 3057. several months later, the same tail light became very dim, and upon removing the assembly, I noticed the sockets for the bulbs were melting. I was told by the Ford dealer service writer that this was caused by poor quality bulbs. The tail light assembly was damaged requiring a new assembly, new sockets. I am... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn with the turn signal activated, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power. Upon deactivating the turn signal indicator, the contact stated that the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The check warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who deter... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2023
The vehicle just lost power at 75mph on [XXX] heading home to Princeton, ME, started vibrating really bad misfiring then we pulled over the Kia Sorento stalled. Then would not start back up. It’s been using over a quart a week since we got it from the dealership in Bangor, Maine. We got it towed home our mechanic looked at it and noticed oil on the plugs and said we probably need a new engine. L... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2023
While driving at night, with rain and fog, the low beam headlights became extremely dim which made it impossible to see the road. Surprisingly both low beam headlights went dim, not effective at all, I had to depend on my fog lights for a bit of visibility. Could it be the headlamp, turn signal switch on the column that has gone bad?? So dangerous, my wife was almost shaking as we slowly made o... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2023
My brake lights constantly go out. My fuses keep blowing. Every time I try to adjust my mirrors the fuses blow for the mirrors and brake lights. Also my headlights keep blowing and the headlight harness has been changed and everything. It is very dangerous not having brake lights, or being able to adjust my mirrors.
Incident date: Feb 13, 2024
I drove my wife’s car (this Acura RDX) the other night and was surprised how poorly I could see with the dim lights. When I was approaching on coming traffic on a rural two line road in the rain and at night, I could not see the center or edge of road line at all. Basically had to look for the elevation or texture difference of the road and grass on the side of the road. It was a very unsafe and... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2024
I purchased this vehicle in October 2023, it was sold to me is as a certified vehicle. The issue came to my attention when I drove out the first night after the purchase. I took the car back to the dealer. Turns out the service department is aware of the issue and recommended a stereo installation shop. I went to headlight business, collision repair company, stereo shop, a total of six different o... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2024
The is WATER in my right front FOG lamp and I don't know how it got in there, but Tesla says they can't get water out of it and can't reseal it, but is willing to let me pay $504 to replace a light... this is yet another Billionaire abusive practice by Elon Musk to generate cash flow and revenue for his failing company. Telsa also asked for $15,000 for a new battery, which the "software" said it... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2024
During a rainy evening I could not see with the wipers on max speed and the headlights on low beam. I couldn't see the road unless a car was in front of me or I turn on my high beams. My son was in the car with me and several times I had to go at a crawling speed and still barely stayed on the road because of low visibilty. This has happened more than once and I feel unsafe driving now because I f... Read more