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: Feb 1, 2024
The design of the car which uses turn signal buttons on the steering wheel instead of the traditional stalks creates a critical safety hazard. When attempting to use a turn signal while the steering wheel is turned (which happens when pulling out for circular driveways, making two very quick turns, or in emergency maneuvers), it is nearly impossible to find these buttons and be able to press the c... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
Piece of junk since June when I paid $3,000 for it and have put $1200 into it and still broke down and won’t start (ignition switch/key) and I refuse to pay for it to be fixed nor fixing it myself.. Has to be called home sweet home very soon and I need it fixed by GM asap or lawyer will be involved and I’m not sinking anymore into it then I have.. GM products are junk!!! Repair it
DODGE
CHALLENGER
(2023) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 4, 2024
Incident date: Feb 3, 2024
This has been a recurring safety issue problem! The front turn signals repeatedly have indicated on etiher side that the bulb is burned out and hence do not light up nor flash when this occurs. Some folks chalk this up to it is normal for bulbs to burn out so I have been replacing them when this happens. But, a new bulb doesnt always work! It gets to be a game of try this bulb and then that bul... Read more
Crash
DODGE
CHALLENGER
(2023) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 4, 2024
Incident date: Nov 16, 2023
The high beams do not work when the lights are in the "Auto" position. When the lever is pushed forward to manually turn on the high beams, nothing happens but when it is pulled back the high beams will come on so long as it is being held back. The high beams will only work correctly when the lights are in the "ON" position. I have had this Jeep at the dealership three times and they cannot dia... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2024
Headlights Recall from 8/2022 still has no remedy available. NHTSA Recall Number22V624000
Incident date: Jan 27, 2024
*From day one of purchase there is a random, frequent loud buzzing/whining through the speakers(with our without the radio on). Dealership had no idea how to fix and Chevrolet said there was no known issue, so no help. *The running lights constantly short out. We continually replace them and they short out again! *We have replaced all four door handles! Cheap chrome plastic is not going to ho... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2024
Both low beam light suddenly go out at the same time.
Incident date: Feb 4, 2024
In colder temperatures, the instrument gauge cluster begins flickering like there is a loose connection. Online research indicates there are many honda fit owners who are experiencing the same thing and the problem appears to be related to the solder joints that expand and contract in cold/warm temps, causing connectivity issues.
Incident date: Jul 13, 2019
The Low beams on my headlights are so dim, I have a really horrible time seeing when driving home from work at night ; so bad, that my husband and son tried driving to see for themselves and now worry about me driving at night in my car. I’ve heard numerous complaints about this issue, and I thought there was a recall on this problem .
Incident date: Feb 3, 2024
Instrument cluster lighting is too bright even on lowest setting. Combined with poor side visibility from headlamps it is easy to hit object or pedestrians when turning on unlit areas. Have run over a curb three times and damaged two wheels because they can't be seen from the overly bright instrument lighting at night.
Crash
Incident date: Jan 26, 2024
Both High Beam headlights failed. Turning on the High Beam illuminates the blue indicator light on the dash, but no change occurs in exterior illumination. The dangers of high speed highway driving (70 MPH) go way up. There is no backup in case the low beam also breaks. And the cost to repair is extremely expensive.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2024
* Component/ system that has malfunctioned and failed - The Driver side tail light circuit board and pig tail malfunctioned. The connector has corroded and the plastic plug housing looks melted on the earth / brown wire. This in return damages the the ground connection for the tail light rendering the turn signal the reverse light and the brake light inoperable on the effected side. YES, MY VEH... Read more
Incident date: Jan 26, 2024
The low beam headlights are extremely dim. This brightness of the low beams have slowly gotten worse over the years. Replacing the bulbs have not increased the brightness at all. Driving at night is nearly impossible without relying on the high beams to assist with vision.
QUALITY CARGO
BOX TRAILER
(2021) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 2, 2024
Incident date: Dec 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated there was water and condensation accumulating in the exterior cab mounted third brake light. The contact stated that water was leaking into the cabin of the vehicle from the brake light. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake light and the rear window needed to be... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 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 local dealer was contacted. The contact called another local dealer, Curry Subaru Service (3040 E Main St, Cortlandt, NY 10567) and was informed that the parts were on backorder. The contact stated tha... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
Headlight / Dashboard design of this vehicle is defective. With DRL lights only on, the dashboard fully lights up, misleading a driver into believing they have their headlights and taillights turned on. This kind of defective design is not limited to Toyota, can also be seen on many other Honda and Nissan vehicles. This needs to be addressed urgently, as many drivers drive without correct illumi... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2024
The failing component is the passenger side daytime running light. This light no longer illuminates. After searching for a fix for the problem, this appears to be a very common problem for the VW Atlas Cross Sport. The vehicle is available for inspection. The daytime running light has not been working since the vehicle hit about 55,000 miles. No warning of the daytime running light being out.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
At 9:37 a.m. on January 26, I was driving on Freeway 60. The three cars in front of me braked suddenly. I stepped on the brake quickly, but after I stepped on the brake for 3 seconds, the speed of the car still did not slow down, and it directly hit the rear of the car in front.Afterwards, on the Tesla app on, an alarm was displayed, saying that at 9:37, there was a problem with the steering wheel... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The headlight reflector has become so foggy that it does not illuminate anything further than 5 feet in front of it. The light does not spill onto the road. This has caused other drivers to be unaware of my presence at night, and lead to one turning into my lane and running me off of the road, popping my tires and ruining my car’s alignment.
Crash
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Over the last year or two, my headlights have dimmed more and more to the point that I really can only drive at night with my high beams on. The bulbs have been replaced and that has not improved things so it is not a bulb issue.
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
The vehicle’s forward collision warning, the land departure warning, the rear cross traffic warning, the blind spot monitoring have all been having issues since the first week of the car. I’ve taken the car into the shop over 10 times since the summer of 2022 on initial purchase. Each time the vehicle comes in and Volkswagen says they cannot fix it and a future update is coming and will fix it... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The Vehicle head light comes on while the vehicle head light switch is at off position and when you hit the remote on off button the light turns off. And later comes back on again . And at night driving the light goes off and on some time .it just black out on road can we get advise if this is recall issue since we seen many customers having complaints about the same issue on website and also on f... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2024
Low beams headlights are very dim .Very dangerous to drive in to drive at night.
Incident date: Jan 31, 2024
The headlamps were recalled in August of 2022 and almost 18 months later there is still no remedy for these defective and unsafe headlights.
Incident date: Jan 21, 2024
The low-beam headlights are extremely dim making it difficult to see while driving at night without using high-beam lights.
MERCEDES-BENZ
GL450
(2011) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 31, 2024
Incident date: Aug 31, 2022
Please look at the new Crosstrek models with my headlights. Subaru's are well known for their AWD capabilities and ease to drive through snow. The headlights on this model are shaped like a bowl and after 5 minutes of driving in snow the headlight bulbs are completely covered and you cannot see. The lights are almost a U shape facing forward and the way they are shaped causes all of the unmelte... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2024
The lighting on the entire interior infotainment area will randomly go bright and dim all by itself. I was almost in an accident on the interstate due to this. It was blinding and distracting to have the lighting dim and then go bright. It has been randomly doing this for about a month. I called GMC and they said they had no record of this happening on other vehicles, however when I searched for... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2011) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 31, 2024
Incident date: Jan 28, 2024
Water intrusion into the rear taillights causing LED assembly to burn out. This potentially renders the vehicle not visible to other drivers at night time without running lights.
Incident date: Jan 31, 2024
The L.E.D light strip on the back of the car completely failed so now the whole middle of the rear is non working. Without this working now it is not as safe driving at night because other vehicles might not be able to notice me as well as usual. This has been a continuing problem with absolutely no interest in fixing it or repairing the problem with the manufacturer or dealership which is costing... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2010) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 31, 2024
Incident date: Dec 12, 2023
I have had my headlights replaced 3 times by a certified mechanic within the last year. While I was driving on the highway, my low beams and high beams on both sides went out. Extreme safety issue!
Incident date: Jan 9, 2024
MY WINDOWS BEGAN TO ROLL UP SLOWER THAN USUAL. WHEN I ROLL MY WINDOW UP SEEMS LIKE MY LIGHTS WOULD DIM. BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. ON THIS PARTICULAR DAY, I PARKED MY CAR. IT SEEMED TO BE RUNNING JUST FINE BEFORE I TURNED IT OFF. HOWEVER, WHEN I WENT BACK OUT TO TURN IT ON, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN NOR WOULD THE GEAR MOVE. ONCE I SAT FOR HOURS WAITING FOR A FAMILY MEMBER TO ASSIST ME. THE FAMILY MEMBER C... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jul 11, 2023
Low beam reflector has failed and the low beams do do not provide safe/adequate lighting making it nearly impossible to see while driving at night creating danger for the driver as well as others on the road. This seems to be a known issue that Acura will not address
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that after having the car washed, the racetrack lights and license plate lights became inoperable. There was an abnormal burning odor detected while driving at unknown speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The con... Read more
ALFA ROMEO
GIULIA
(2024) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 30, 2024
Incident date: Jan 27, 2024
Automatic headlight dimming does not function properly. In automatic mode it rarely turns on the high beam lights. If they are on anything bright such as a reflection from a road sign or bright building lights on the side of the road turns off the high beams. After they go off they rarely turn back on. I now only use them manually.
Incident date: Jan 30, 2024
A few times there has been condensation collecting in the passenger front head light. This time the condensation has damaged the headlight to where it does not work anymore.
Incident date: Jan 29, 2024
When driving my 22 Subaru Forester at night, I’ve noticed the headlight projection has rectangular dark spots which causes a huge distraction and a blind spot that moves when steering. I’ve noticed that I’m not the only person that has encountered this issue. I’m bringing it into the dealership to bring this to their attention and to see what they can do about this. I really hope Subaru fi... Read more
CHRYSLER
PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2019) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 30, 2024
Incident date: Jan 29, 2022
I have taken the delivery of this car on May 2023 and has been having many issues including but not limited to rear seatbelt malfunction that needed replacement. Recent major issue is constant 'check engine light on' for various issues. Below is the 'F' and 'I' items from 'initial quick test log' as of [XXX] and also attaching detail log file. No resolution or action has been taken after several t... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
The cars first started telling me randomly that it needed service to the stabilitrak and the. Would disappear, the next component was the anti theft activated and after turning car off..next time I tried to turn on, it acted as if battery was dead and locked my key in ignition. Fixed itself a couple hours later. Next time it gave me issues all of these components started to come on at same time wh... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2024
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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had no... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLC 300
(2018) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jan 29, 2024
Incident date: Jun 17, 2023
Water has been collecting in the right hand side of my racetrack taillight on my 2017 Durango causing my entire strip to burn out completely. It seems as though debris and bugs have also made their way into the tail light as both are visible and trapped within the light assembly. The taillight flickers upon starting the car and then completely stops working. I attempted to dry the light out by rem... Read more
Incident date: Nov 2, 2023
I am having the same head light issue they had a recall for the 2021 Grand Cherokee Recall #21V797000. I keep my headlights in the auto position the only wat to turn the high beams is to reach around the steering wheel and put the light switch in the manual mode. Please help
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
Headlights are exceptionally dim, especially low beams. Recall for other models within same year not considered valid for this particular car. Ongoing but has gotten worse.
Incident date: Nov 16, 2022
The race track lighting on the vehicle which is the back lights has a factory defect and fills with water from rain and shorts out. Now my lights do not work and can also cause my brake lights and other lights to fail or cause an electrical fire. God forbid. This is a known problem but dodge has not made it a recall yet and should. The part is 1200 without installation.
Incident date: Jan 22, 2024
Humming from cooling fans in headlights. Very distracting sound that only shuts off when headlights eventually go off.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
Lights are very dim no matter what kind I use on my head lights low beams
Incident date: Jan 12, 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 said it should work but no error codes are presented. De... Read more
Incident date: Jul 30, 2022
When I lift the switch to turn on the right turn signal, the high beam headlights flash on and off. It switches from auto to on then back to auto. I'm not moving the switch front to back, only up and down.
Incident date: Jan 28, 2024
The rear running lights on my new Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid SE were not working as they were wired improperly from the factory. I was pulled over by a policeman driving at night because my car was not visible at night due to the lack of running lights. This is very dangerous as this is a factory defect that can cause rear end collisions! I immediately made an appointment with Toyota and the deal... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2024
The vehicle has had no accidents or front impacts but has extensive moisture/condensation build up in both front headlamp housings. I intermittently receive a "adaptive headlight failure "warning in cold temperatures until the vehicle warms up. Night driving visibility is being affected as a result of the lens being covered with said moisture/condensation. I see many 5 series vehicles with the sam... Read more