Component
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:BULBS
15 NHTSA complaints about exterior lighting:brake lights:bulbs issues across 4 makes and 8 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:BULBS
15 filings · 8 models · 4 makes · vintage August 2026
- FILINGS SPARSE 15 ODI rows
- MODELS 8 nameplates citing this part
- MAKES 4 manufacturers in corpus
- CRASH 0.0% 0 crash-flagged
- RANK #428 of 696 categories
- SEV QUIET 0 deaths · 0 injuries
Filing-volume peers
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:BULBS sits SPARSE on ODI intake volume (#428 of 696 standardized categories) with a QUIET severity stamp (0 reported fatalities across 8 models). Open Hyundai Sonata (category leader) →
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:BULBS severity reading
The standout signal for exterior lighting:brake lights:bulbs is severity: 0 reported fatalities and 0 injuries (QUIET stamp) on 15 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 Hyundai Sonata against ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM):SOFTWARE on filing totals before treating exterior lighting:brake lights:bulbs volume as a purchase signal.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hyundai Sonata | |
| 2 | KIA Forte | |
| 3 | RAM 2500 | |
| 4 | KIA Sportage | |
| 5 | KIA Soul | |
| 6 | Hyundai Tucson | |
| 7 | Hyundai Elantra | |
| 8 | Ford Ecosport |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the "Check Brake Light" message was displayed on the instrument panel, and the screen indicated that the rear brake light bulb was defec
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while the brake pedal was depressed, the rear driver’s side and rear passenger’s side brake lights failed to illuminate as designed. No warnin
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse, the vehicle seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to an
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and depressing the brake pedal to slow for traffic or a traffic signal, the contact required more force to d
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that on various occasions, the brake lights and turning signals failed to illuminate as designed. The contact stated that she replaced the bu
The contact owns a 2014 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the windows needed to be scraped from the inside. The driver was unable to see the roadway. The brake light became inoperable. The vehicle was
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated she noticed that the driver’s side brake light bulb was inoperable. The bulb was replaced; however, the failure recurred several times. The vehicle
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while replacing the brake light bulb on the passenger’s side, the contact became aware that the brake light housing was melted, causing the b
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the message "Check Brake Lights" displayed. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. How
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the rear taillights failed to illuminate upon depression of the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had tak
The lights bulbs have burned out multiple times. The hole where the bulb fits is misshapen and is very hard to install new light bulbs (practically impossible). Reported to dealership. They said it is
Tail lights continually kept burning out. Eventually, after a few installs, tht last one melted requiring they full assembly to be replaced. The first side went out on the right a couple of years prio
The brake light is constantly going out since I purchased this car in 2013 see other ocmplaints https://www.carproblemzoo.com/hyundai/sonata/brake-light-problems.php
I am having trouble with the exterior lights on my vehicle. That includes brake lights, tail lights, head lights, turn signals (front and rear). I am constantly replacing them as one or several are al
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE BULB BURNED OUT AND THE SOCKET APPEARED BROWN AND MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LIBERTY HYUNDAI DEALER, LOCATED AT:
Related Vehicle Components
Verify with NHTSA · consumer-reported counts are not verified defect findings.