Component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

41,098 NHTSA complaints about exterior lighting issues across 66 makes and 1162 models.

Data updated August 2026. Counts render from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation standardized component field; severity flags cross-reference NHTSA ODI complaint flags for owner-reported crash, fire, and injury markers. This page is for informational purposes and does not replace NHTSA recall notices or a vehicle-specific inspection. Methodology · Corrections.

NHTSA ODI component intake brief

ODI category EXTERIOR LIGHTING

41,098 filings · 1162 models · 66 makes · vintage August 2026

  • FILINGS MASS 41,098 ODI rows
  • MODELS 1162 nameplates citing this part
  • MAKES 66 manufacturers in corpus
  • CRASH 1.6% 657 crash-flagged
  • RANK #13 of 696 categories
  • SEV FATAL 10 deaths · 365 injuries
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (this)41,098ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING39,068SUSPENSION45,891STRUCTURE:BODY46,325
ODI filing volume neighbourhood: EXTERIOR LIGHTING vs nearest complaint-total peers

EXTERIOR LIGHTING sits MASS on ODI intake volume (#13 of 696 standardized categories) with a FATAL severity stamp (10 reported fatalities across 1162 models). Open Toyota Prius (category leader) →

EXTERIOR LIGHTING filing-volume reading

The standout signal for exterior lighting is ODI intake volume: 41,098 filings (MASS band · #13 of 696 standardized categories) across 1162 nameplates. Crash-flag share is 1.6%.

Heavy intake categories like this one often reflect a shared supplier or a stressed FMVSS test, open the affected-vehicles table to see whether filings cluster on a few platforms or spread evenly.

Next step: compare Toyota Prius against ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING on filing totals before treating exterior lighting volume as a purchase signal.

41,098
Complaints
1162
Models Affected
657
Crashes
898
Fires
10
Deaths

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

2025 RAM 2500

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

2025 RAM 2500

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

2022 Volkswagen Atlas

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

2024 Jeep Compass

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

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300

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

2021 Dodge Durango

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

2021 Jeep Gladiator

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

2019 Subaru Forester

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

2017 Acura MDX

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 !

2026 Tesla Model Y

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

2008 Scion XD

This complaint is about other cars affecting me while I’m driving at night. Around 50% of oncoming traffic is using dangerously bright headlights. It is so bright that it’s physically painful to my ey

2025 RAM 1500

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

2021 Volkswagen Atlas

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

2013 Acura RDX

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

2021 Land Rover Defender

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

2026 RAM 1500

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

2025 Subaru Crosstrek

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 nail

2008 Pontiac Grand Prix

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

2021 Ford F-150

Led Daytime running lights burnout. No repair by ford without replacing whole housing. No covered under warranty.

2018 KIA Sorento

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

Verify with NHTSA · consumer-reported counts are not verified defect findings.