Component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS

253 NHTSA complaints about exterior lighting:back up lights issues across 33 makes and 127 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:BACK UP LIGHTS

253 filings · 127 models · 33 makes · vintage August 2026

  • FILINGS SPARSE 253 ODI rows
  • MODELS 127 nameplates citing this part
  • MAKES 33 manufacturers in corpus
  • CRASH 1.2% 3 crash-flagged
  • RANK #248 of 696 categories
  • SEV QUIET 0 deaths · 4 injuries
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS (this)EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LI…253ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNKELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: RE…256POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINTPOWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVER…258EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGAT…263
ODI filing volume neighbourhood: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS vs nearest complaint-total peers

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS sits SPARSE on ODI intake volume (#248 of 696 standardized categories) with a QUIET severity stamp (0 reported fatalities across 127 models). Open Ford Thunderbird (category leader) →

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS severity reading

The standout signal for exterior lighting:back up lights is severity: 0 reported fatalities and 4 injuries (QUIET stamp) on 253 filings (SPARSE volume).

Sparse categories can swing on a single high-volume nameplate; treat the leader row as the actionable signal, not the category headline alone.

Next step: compare Ford Thunderbird against ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK on filing totals before treating exterior lighting:back up lights volume as a purchase signal.

253
Complaints
127
Models Affected
3
Crashes
6
Fires
0
Deaths

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

2017 Ford Edge

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

2013 MINI Clubman

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that the driver’s side backup light was inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who perf

2017 Ford Escape

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

2019 Ford Fiesta

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

2015 Dodge Durango

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

2017 Ford Escape

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

2017 Chevrolet Cruze

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 NA

2021 CADILLAC ESCALADE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE WERE INTENSELY BRIGHT.

2020 Ford Edge

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 911 Carrera

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

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

2012 Ford Mustang

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

2008 Mercedes-Benz C300

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

2003 Cadillac CTS

DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND THE REVERSE BEZEL FELL OFF, BROKE AND THE PART IS TOO EXPENSIVE! *TR

2002 BMW 330ci

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

2012 Volkswagen Jetta

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

2006 Ford Five Hundred

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

2011 Mercedes-Benz Ml550

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

2002 Ford Windstar

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

2003 Cadillac CTS

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

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