Component
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
41,098 NHTSA complaints about exterior lighting issues across 66 makes and 1162 models.
The exterior lighting is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 41,098 filings from 66 manufacturers and 1162 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.
Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 657 crashes, 898 fires, 365 injuries, and 10 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the TOYOTA PRIUS with 3,216 filings, followed by CADILLAC SRX and CHEVROLET MALIBU. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.
Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TOYOTA PRIUS | 3,216 |
| 2 | CADILLAC SRX | 1,421 |
| 3 | CHEVROLET MALIBU | 1,233 |
| 4 | NISSAN ALTIMA | 1,066 |
| 5 | DODGE DURANGO | 926 |
| 6 | HYUNDAI SONATA | 879 |
| 7 | PONTIAC G6 | 831 |
| 8 | KIA SORENTO | 762 |
| 9 | MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS | 710 |
| 10 | FORD EDGE | 650 |
| 11 | ACURA RDX | 555 |
| 12 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 548 |
| 13 | CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER | 523 |
| 14 | HONDA CR-V | 495 |
| 15 | HONDA ACCORD | 476 |
| 16 | SATURN OUTLOOK | 460 |
| 17 | BUICK LACROSSE | 459 |
| 18 | GMC YUKON | 424 |
| 19 | FORD F-150 | 399 |
| 20 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 384 |
| 21 | CHEVROLET IMPALA | 377 |
| 22 | DODGE RAM 1500 | 356 |
| 23 | AUDI A4 | 338 |
| 24 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 329 |
| 25 | HYUNDAI ELANTRA | 323 |
| 26 | KIA OPTIMA | 311 |
| 27 | GMC SIERRA 1500 | 310 |
| 28 | SUBARU OUTBACK | 297 |
| 29 | MERCEDES-BENZ C300 | 288 |
| 30 | DODGE CHARGER | 286 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2025 Ram 2500. The contact was made aware that the VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V059000 (Exterior Lighting, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recal
The contact owns a 2025 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V059000 (Exterior Lighting, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet av
I am filing a complaint regarding a premature failure of a critical safety-related lighting component on my 2022 Volkswagen Atlas. The driver-side headlight daytime running light (DRL) has failed. Af
Vehicle started show MULTIPLE errors on dash from blind spot not working , lane assist not working, AEB need to be checked,rear brake light not working, turn signal not work, lane assist not working a
There was a recall on headlight leaking and this happened to my left headlight no damage but leaking and this caused headlight to not work
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side headlight failed to function as intended. In addition, the front passenger side
The 3rd brake light in the tailgate malfunctioned This is required to pass New York State safety inspection A Jeep dealer replaced the part No warning on the dashboard of this light failing
The electrical system fails, and the battery is not charging sufficiently. When the auto start/stop engages, the car does not restart in traffic. Requested a battery test at the dealership in May 2025
Manufacturer has not reimbursed recall repair paid out-of-pocket despite complete documentation and extended delay. Which was opened on 10/3/2025 the repair was done back in Feb 2024 !
Tesla decided to remove the safety unlock illuminated button from its front trunk (frunk) sometime in mid 2025. This can be a safety issue which was present in earlier models and against the Federal M
This complaint is about other cars affecting me while Iâm driving at night. Around 50% of oncoming traffic is using dangerously bright headlights. It is so bright that itâs physically painful to m
The contact owns a 2025 Ram 1500. The contact stated the display screen was blank. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V059000 (Exte
Daytime running light on passenger side has failed. Repair is complex and estimated at a minimum of $1200 for a part that should last for the lifetime of the car. Numerous other reports of this iss
Headlights are very dim due to degradation of the reflective projection surface. Internet searches indicate this is a common problem for the 2013-2015 Acura RDXs. The only solution is to replace the e
Both daytime running lights failed simultaneously. Not covered by warranty and told that they would cost >$5,000 to repair. There have been hundreds of these reported and it should be a recall
The contact owns a 2026 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V059000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact called several dealers and was informed that
To Whom It May Concern; Again having ongoing issues and problems with my 2025 crosstrek. Just got it back from the dealership after it being there for over 3 weeks. I was returned to me with a na
Low beam lights quit randomly, running lights did once too. This has happened multiple times so I switch to hi beams before I crash. This is a documented safety issue and recall should include my car
Led Daytime running lights burnout. No repair by ford without replacing whole housing. No covered under warranty.
My speedometer was jumping from 0 to 20 mph while in park. A couple weeks later it did it while I was driving, I was going 25 mph and it jumped to 55 mph. I took it to the shop that day and all 4 of m
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Data Sources
Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.
Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.
Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.