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.

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 m

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 na

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve exterior lighting issues?
The NHTSA has received 41,098 complaints about exterior lighting problems across 1162 vehicle models from 66 manufacturers.
How dangerous are exterior lighting defects?
EXTERIOR LIGHTING issues have been linked to 657 crashes, 898 fires, 365 injuries, and 10 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most exterior lighting problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for exterior lighting issues is the TOYOTA PRIUS with 3,216 complaints.
Where does PlainCars get its safety data?
All vehicle safety data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database, which collects reports from vehicle owners about safety-related defects.

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.

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