Component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

2,042 NHTSA complaints about exterior lighting:brake lights issues across 44 makes and 380 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:BRAKE LIGHTS

2,042 filings · 380 models · 44 makes · vintage August 2026

  • FILINGS MODERATE 2,042 ODI rows
  • MODELS 380 nameplates citing this part
  • MAKES 44 manufacturers in corpus
  • CRASH 2.1% 43 crash-flagged
  • RANK #107 of 696 categories
  • SEV FATAL 10 deaths · 26 injuries
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS (this)EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGH…2,042FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERYFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVE…2,045ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROLENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EX…2,048ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLYENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:CO…2,032
ODI filing volume neighbourhood: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS vs nearest complaint-total peers

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS sits MODERATE on ODI intake volume (#107 of 696 standardized categories) with a FATAL severity stamp (10 reported fatalities across 380 models). Open Chevrolet Malibu (category leader) →

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS filing-volume reading

The standout signal for exterior lighting:brake lights is ODI intake volume: 2,042 filings (MODERATE band · #107 of 696 standardized categories) across 380 nameplates. Crash-flag share is 2.1%.

Moderate-volume categories still show a fingerprint in the model table below, cross-check each nameplate's recall and investigation history before inferring a defect pattern.

Next step: compare Chevrolet Malibu against FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY on filing totals before treating exterior lighting:brake lights volume as a purchase signal.

2,042
Complaints
380
Models Affected
43
Crashes
30
Fires
10
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 Chevrolet Malibu
137
2 Pontiac G6
119
3 Chevrolet Trailblazer
96
4 Saturn LS
54
5 Chevrolet Blazer
54
6 Hyundai Sonata
48
7 Ford Taurus
48
8 Jeep Grand Cherokee
37
9 Chevrolet Cavalier
36
10 Mercedes-Benz Slk230
35
11 Volkswagen Jetta
34
12 Mercury Villager
28
13 Mercury Sable
26
14 Ford Windstar
26
15 Ford F-150
26
16 Ford Explorer
26
17 Chevrolet Venture
24
18 Pontiac Grand Prix
23
19 Chevrolet Lumina
23
20 Toyota Camry
20
21 Volkswagen Passat
19
22 Ford Focus
19
23 Saturn Aura
18
24 GMC Jimmy
17
25 Ford Ranger
17
26 Chevrolet Colorado
16
27 Hyundai Elantra
15
28 Honda Accord
14
29 BMW 325i
14
30 Ford Escort
13

Recent Complaints

2019 KIA Forte

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact was notified by her son that the third brake light was burned and was melting. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted a

2012 Ford F-150

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake lights and taillights failed to function as intended. The neighbor who was driving behind t

2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer for repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V438000 (Electrical System). While placing the

2021 RAM 3500

Both front ball joints wore out at 20,000 miles The 3rd break light leaks into the cab at 26,000 miles & won't be warrantied even though there's an active recall for our same truck, same part just di

2023 Ford F-150

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that the brake light located near the rear window was inope

2025 Ford Maverick

The contact owns a 2025 Ford Maverick. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the brake light located near the rear window was inopera

2023 Ford F-450 SD

Notable brake application pressure without brake light illumination. See attached file for details.

2019 MINI Clubman

The contact owns a 2019 Mini Clubman. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Left Brake Light Malfunction" was displayed. The vehicle returned to normal functional

2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V838000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off

2026 Tesla Model Y

The contact owns a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in the Standard Mode or in Cruise Mode, depressing the brake pedal, there was a delay with the brake lights illumin

2021 Ford Bronco

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that water was entering the vehicle through the roof. While the vehicle was parked, the vehicle started rolling down the hill. The contact state

2014 RAM 1500

The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the brake lights remained illuminated. The brake and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additi

2017 Ford Edge

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the center high-mounted third stop light was full of condensation, causing the light to become extremely dim. There was no warning light illu

2021 Ford Bronco

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the brake warning lamp remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the

2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The contact owns a 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning lights illumi

2023 Chevrolet Traverse

The contact's wife owns a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the right turn signal light illuminated and blinked intermittently. The contact's wife

2019 Dodge Journey

The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the rear brake lights intermittently illuminated independently. The brake warning light was illuminated.

2019 Ford F-150

The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-150. The contact stated that there was water inside the driver's side rear taillight, causing a malfunction of the rear brake lights. The contact stated that the brake l

2019 GMC Sierra 1500

The contact owned a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle before the vehicle jerked forward. There was no

2007 Pontiac G6

The contact owns a 2007 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the cruise control became inoperable. The contact stated that the cruise control inadvertently disengaged.

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