Component
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS
253 NHTSA complaints about exterior lighting:back up lights issues across 33 makes and 127 models.
The exterior lighting:back up lights is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 253 filings from 33 manufacturers and 127 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 3 crashes, 6 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD THUNDERBIRD with 14 filings, followed by CHEVROLET MALIBU and FORD TAURUS. 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 | FORD THUNDERBIRD | 14 |
| 2 | CHEVROLET MALIBU | 11 |
| 3 | FORD TAURUS | 9 |
| 4 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 7 |
| 5 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 7 |
| 6 | CHEVROLET S10 | 6 |
| 7 | DODGE RAM | 5 |
| 8 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 4 |
| 9 | PLYMOUTH NEON | 4 |
| 10 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 4 |
| 11 | FORD CONTOUR | 4 |
| 12 | DODGE NEON | 4 |
| 13 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 4 |
| 14 | CHEVROLET IMPALA | 4 |
| 15 | CADILLAC SEVILLE | 4 |
| 16 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 3 |
| 17 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 3 |
| 18 | PONTIAC BONNEVILLE | 3 |
| 19 | LINCOLN CONTINENTAL | 3 |
| 20 | LEXUS RX350 | 3 |
| 21 | ISUZU RODEO | 3 |
| 22 | FORD RANGER | 3 |
| 23 | FORD ESCORT | 3 |
| 24 | DODGE DURANGO | 3 |
| 25 | DODGE CARAVAN | 3 |
| 26 | CHRYSLER LHS | 3 |
| 27 | CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT | 3 |
| 28 | CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER | 3 |
| 29 | CHEVROLET TAHOE | 3 |
| 30 | CHEVROLET CAVALIER | 3 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, he noticed moisture inside the rear taillight fixture, which the contact stated could lead to an electrical malfunct
The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that the driverâs side backup light was inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who pe
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle, she became aware that the taillights were retaining water. As a result, the taillight brake lamps failed to f
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that during heavy rains, water seeped into the vehicle through the taillights. Upon investigating, the contact stated that he observed what appe
The contact's daughter owns a 2015 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the middle rear taillight, known as the racetrack light, frequently burned out due to moisture entering the brake light housin
The body control module failed on a main road at night. My inside lights and dash lights emergency flasher along with the outside lights shut off. The car behind me had to swerve around me to keep fro
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. While refueling, the contact discovered that cracks had formed on both sides of the middle brake light housing. She then noticed that water from the cracks had
2021 CADILLAC ESCALADE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE WERE INTENSELY BRIGHT.
2020 Ford Edge. Consumer writes in regard to rear reflector assembly. Consumer stated that the rear reflectors collect condensation. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILUR
2013 PORSCHE CARRERA. CONSTITUENT WRITES IN REGARDS TO MANUFACTURER OR DESIGN DEFECT WHICH CAUSES BACK UP LAMPS TO ILLUMINATE PROPERLY. *LD *JS
2011 TOYOTA VENZA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BACK UP LIGHTS LACK ADEQUATE LIGHTING WHEN BACKING UP IN THE DARK AND SUN VISORS WERE NOT MADE LONG ENOUGH OR EQUIPPED WITH EXTENDERS, TO BLOC
MY 2012 FORD MUSTANG HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS STARTING WITH THE VEHICLE IN THE PARK POSITION. ALL OF THE APPROPRIATE LIGHTS ON THE DASH COME ON, BUT THE CAR WILL NOT CRANK UNTIL I PLACE THE GEAR
THE INFORMATION SYSTEM IN MY CAR GAVE ME THE SYMBOLS FOR THE RIGHT BACK LIGHTS. I CHECK AND REALIZED MY LIGHTS WERE OUT. I OPENED THE WIRING IN THE TRUNK. THE BROWN WIRE ON THE OUTER SIDE BURNED THROU
DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND THE REVERSE BEZEL FELL OFF, BROKE AND THE PART IS TOO EXPENSIVE! *TR
I FOUND THAT MY REVERSE LIGHT WAS OUT LATE IN JULY AND TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. I'VE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT IN THE E46 MODEL AND I AM WONDERING IF THERE
REVERSE LIGHTS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE ARE NOT WORKING WITH 580 MILES ON THE CAR AND AFTER 1 MONTH OF OWNERSHIP. *TR
DASH CLUSTER MALFUNCTION FOR ALL GAUGES. AT THE TIME OF MALFUNCTION, REVERSE LAMPS TURN ON. IF MALFUNCTION OCCURS AT NIGHT, DASH ILLUMINATION ALSO SHUTS DOWN. GAUGES ZERO OUT, TOP OUT THEN FLUTTER AT
YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING OUR 2011 MERCEDES ML550 ON A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY, AND SUDDENLY LOST MY BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND REVERSE LIGHTS, DUE TO A RODENT EATING THE WIRING OF THE CAR. THIS I
I HAVE 2002 FORD WINDSTAR AND MY REAR LIGHTS ( TAIL LIGHT, BACKUP LIGHTS AND INDICATORS ) KEEPING GOING OFF QUITE OFTEN. IT HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN A SPAN OF 3 MONTHS AND THE DEALER OR OTHER MECHANICS HA
THE REAR BACK UP LIGHT PANEL HAS A PLASTIC COVER OVER IT. MINE FELL OFF AND I AM HAVING A TERRIBLE TIME REPLACING IT. I CONTACTED CADILLAC, BUT THEY DON'T SELL THAT PIECE ANYMORE. THEY HAVE REDESIGNED
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.