Component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH

32 NHTSA complaints about exterior lighting:back up lights:switch issues across 13 makes and 29 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:SWITCH

32 filings · 29 models · 13 makes · vintage August 2026

  • FILINGS SPARSE 32 ODI rows
  • MODELS 29 nameplates citing this part
  • MAKES 13 manufacturers in corpus
  • CRASH 6.3% 2 crash-flagged
  • RANK #369 of 696 categories
  • SEV FATAL 10 deaths · 0 injuries
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH (this)EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LI…32ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWAREELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTON…33Tether, Lower Anchor (on car seat or vehicle)Tether, Lower Anchor (on car…33VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGESVISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER…31
ODI filing volume neighbourhood: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH vs nearest complaint-total peers

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH sits SPARSE on ODI intake volume (#369 of 696 standardized categories) with a FATAL severity stamp (10 reported fatalities across 29 models). Open Volkswagen Jetta (category leader) →

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH model-concentration reading

The standout signal for exterior lighting:back up lights:switch is model concentration: Volkswagen Jetta accounts for 2 filings (6.3% of this category) out of 32 total.

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 Volkswagen Jetta against ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE on filing totals before treating exterior lighting:back up lights:switch volume as a purchase signal.

32
Complaints
29
Models Affected
2
Crashes
1
Fires
10
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 Volkswagen Jetta
2
2 Dodge Neon
2
3 Dodge Caravan
2
4 Volkswagen Passat
1
5 Volkswagen Beetle
1
6 Tesla Model Y
1
7 SAAB 9000
1
8 Pontiac Bonneville
1
9 Plymouth Neon
1
10 Nissan Versa Note
1
11 Jeep Cherokee
1
12 Hyundai Genesis
1
13 GMC Sierra
1
14 Ford Focus
1
15 Ford Explorer
1
16 Ford Bronco
1
17 Eagle Talon
1
18 Dodge SRT-4
1
19 Dodge RAM 3500
1
20 Dodge RAM 2500
1
21 Dodge RAM 1500
1
22 Dodge RAM
1
23 Dodge Durango
1
24 Dodge Dakota
1
25 Chevrolet Suburban
1
26 Chevrolet Sonoma
1
27 Chevrolet S10
1
28 Chevrolet Corvette
1
29 Chevrolet Blazer
1

Recent Complaints

2020 Tesla Model Y

In a recent software update, my Model Y’s backup camera has essentially become inoperable. Sometimes the backup camera does not display, or if it does the video feed lags significantly from real time

2009 Hyundai Genesis

The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that she noticed that the brake lights would not illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated there was no warning ligh

2015 Nissan Versa Note Crash

2015 NISSAN VERSA NOTE SV SUFFERS FROM FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH INTERMITTENT AND DOES NOT LIGHT UP THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. CONSEQUENTLY, WHEN THE BRAKE LIG

1996 Chevrolet Blazer

THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT ISSUES WITH THIS TRUCK: 1. THE WHEELS ARE MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING; REPLACED BRAKES, ROTORS, HAD TIRES ROTATED, BALANCED AND NEW ALIGNMENT DONE WITH NO HELP

1995 Pontiac Bonneville

TAIL LIGHTS, BACKUP LIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS, AND DASH LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. THE FAULT WA S THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE WHICH HAD A RECALL ISSUED. PONTIAC WAS NOT WILLING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE R

2003 Volkswagen Passat

REGARDING RECALL 07V063000. I OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT THAT HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON ALL DAY. I HAD NO IDEA THERE WAS A PROB

1999 Volkswagen Beetle

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON 4/30/07 PER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06E049000. HOWEVER, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT OPERATE NORMALLY. THE

2005 Dodge SRT-4

***MODEL IS INCORRECT BECAUSE TRUE MODEL, 3500 PICKUP, IS NOT OFFERED AS SELECTION*** BACK UP LIGHTS WOULD ONLY WORK WHEN SHIFTER WAS HELD IN REVERSE. BACK UP LIGHTS EVENTUALLY BECAME INOPERATIVE

2005 Dodge RAM 3500

BACK UP LIGHTS WOULD ONLY WORK WHEN SHIFTER HELD IN REVERSE. EVENTUALLY BACK UP LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE. DIAGNOSED BY MECHANIC AS SWITCH FAILURE. NOT REPLACED YET. *NM

2004 Dodge RAM 2500

I HAVE A 2004 DODGE RAM 2500 WITH A 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE SENSOR IN MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION THAT TURNS ON MY REVERSE LIGHTS FAILED. I REPLACED MY SENSOR AND THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. I AM CONC

2000 Volkswagen Jetta

I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT YET ANOTHER FAILURE OF THE SAFETY/SIGNALLING LIGHT SYSTEM ON MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. RECENTLY, MY REVERSE LIGHTS CEASED TO FUNCTION, REDUCING VISIBILITY WHEN BACKING UP AT NI

2001 Ford Focus

THE LIGHT BULB AND FUSES OF THE REAR TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS MELTED TOGETHER MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE THE LIGHTBULBS, THUS THE ENTIRE TAIL LIGHT HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE WHEN IT WAS FIN

2002 Volkswagen Jetta Fire

TAILIGHTS BURN OUT FREQUENTLY. COMPONENT CAUGHT FIRE.

1998 Dodge Durango

VEHICLE ACQUIRED IN JULY OF 2004. ALL COMPONENT SYSTEM FAILURES LISTED HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THAT TIMEFRAME. ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO TWO (2) FREEZE PLUGS THAT FAILED BETWEEN THE REAR OF THE ENGINE AN

1987 Ford Bronco Fatal

I HAVE A 1987 FORD BRONCO XLT THAT I BOUGHT FROM J AND L AUTO. IT HAS NO BRAKE LIGHTS, NO BLINKERS AND THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE STUCK ON BRIGHT. THE BACK WINDOW IS PLEXY GLASS, ALSO NONE OF THE HOSE ARE H

1997 Ford Explorer

CONSUMER IS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND STATED HAS HAD TO REPLACE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH 3 TIMES IN 5 YEARS. SWITCH CONTROLS FUNCTIONS OF HEAD LIGHTS, WIPERS, HIGH/LOW BEAMS, ETC. THE MOST

1996 GMC Sierra

THE BACK UP LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH. NLM

1995 Eagle Talon

REVERSE LIGHT FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE BACK UP LAMP SWITCH . *YH

1994 Chevrolet Sonoma

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL STOP AT ANY GIVEN TIME. IF CONSUMER JIGGLES CIRCUIT BOARD THEY WILL COME BACK ON. BUT, PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. *AK THE WIPER MOTOR WAS REPLACED TWICE AND ELECTRICAL CONNEC

1998 Dodge Dakota Crash

ENGINE EXPERIENCES ROUGH AND LOW IDLE, AND STALLING, DEALER HAS REPLACED THROTTLE BODY, MANIFOLD GASKETS, AND VALVE BODY, HOWEVER STALLING STILL EXISTS, DEALER STATED THE COMBINATION OF STOPPING, SHIF

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