Component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

1,149 NHTSA complaints about exterior lighting:brake lights:switch issues across 41 makes and 240 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:SWITCH

1,149 filings · 240 models · 41 makes · vintage August 2026

  • FILINGS MODERATE 1,149 ODI rows
  • MODELS 240 nameplates citing this part
  • MAKES 41 manufacturers in corpus
  • CRASH 2.3% 26 crash-flagged
  • RANK #142 of 696 categories
  • SEV QUIET 0 deaths · 12 injuries
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH (this)EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGH…1,149POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSM…1,149EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCHEXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS…1,146SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK1,163
ODI filing volume neighbourhood: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH vs nearest complaint-total peers

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH sits MODERATE on ODI intake volume (#142 of 696 standardized categories) with a QUIET severity stamp (0 reported fatalities across 240 models). Open Volkswagen Jetta (category leader) →

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH severity reading

The standout signal for exterior lighting:brake lights:switch is severity: 0 reported fatalities and 12 injuries (QUIET stamp) on 1,149 filings (MODERATE volume).

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 Volkswagen Jetta against POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) on filing totals before treating exterior lighting:brake lights:switch volume as a purchase signal.

1,149
Complaints
240
Models Affected
26
Crashes
22
Fires
0
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 Volkswagen Jetta
116
2 Chevrolet Blazer
71
3 Ford Taurus
66
4 Chevrolet Colorado
62
5 Volkswagen Beetle
39
6 Mercury Sable
37
7 Volkswagen Passat
36
8 Ford Mustang
33
9 Hyundai Sonata
24
10 Volkswagen Golf
22
11 Ford Windstar
22
12 Ford Explorer
21
13 Hyundai Santa FE
19
14 Hyundai Elantra
16
15 Pontiac Grand Prix
15
16 GMC Canyon
14
17 Mercury Cougar
12
18 GMC Jimmy
12
19 Ford F-150
11
20 Toyota Camry
10
21 Chevrolet Lumina
10
22 Chevrolet Astro
10
23 Pontiac G6
9
24 Ford Escort
9
25 Honda Civic
8
26 Chevrolet Suburban
8
27 Volkswagen GTI
7
28 Lincoln Town CAR
7
29 Chevrolet Malibu
7
30 Volkswagen NEW Beetle
6

Recent Complaints

2014 Ford Fusion

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, the contact’s daughter attempted to turn off the vehicle, and the brake lights remained illumina

2018 Mazda CX-5

The contact owned a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 35-45 MPH, the vehicle was shaking and rattling. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle wa

2007 Hyundai Santa FE

The contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while coming to a stop, the contact was informed by another driver that while coming to a stop the brake lights were inoperable. The contac

2017 Ford Mustang

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that after parking and turning off the vehicle, it was later discovered that the rear brake lights had remained illuminated. Upon inspection, t

2020 Nissan Sentra

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the word "Malfunction" was d

2019 Nissan Pathfinder

The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, she was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact st

2012 KIA Forte

The contact called on behalf of his wife who owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired

2008 Chevrolet Malibu

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while his partner was driving approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brake lights failed to activate or respond

2013 Hyundai Elantra

MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE STUCK AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR ME TO DRIVE. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO GET THIS REPAIR COMPLETED. IT STATES I HAVE NO ACTIVE RECALLS, HOWEVER, THE PA

2015 Ford Mustang

My break light switch pad is broken and is causing the car to not maintain speed and sluggish acceleration. I have seen other drivers report the same failure with their cars.

2003 Ford Taurus

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the brake lights failed to actuate as needed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift ou

2012 KIA Forte

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the brake light switch failed to operate as designed. The brake light would remain illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The c

2014 Hyundai Elantra

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake light was illuminated, and the brake pedal stopper pad detached. The dealer was made aware o

2018 Freightliner Cascadia

Break lights stay on when truck is moving. It confuses drivers following the truck.other motorists would not know whether the truck is slowing down

2015 Ford Mustang

Traveling on highway using cruise control at posted speed limit. Approached slowdown due to accident and applied brakes. Accelerated to limit (manually) after passing accident. I was in middle lane. V

2011 Hyundai Elantra

Brake pedal stopper deterioration. The brake pedal stopper pad deteriorates, allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. If the brake light switch plun

2015 Ford Mustang

Brake light switch pad broke , So the car thinks the brakes are on so it goes into "limp mode" and it starts turning off assist modes.

2015 Ford Mustang

The issue is the Brake Light switch stop pad on the brake pedal which is a rubber type of plug. At 70,000 miles the brake light switch stop pad cracked and fell into floor board (see pictures). When t

2015 Ford Mustang

Brake pedal pad failed, causing car to suddenly brake even though brakes were not being applied. Ford Dealership recommended replacing brake light switch assembly. Brake lights stayed on even after th

2015 Ford F-250

While driving on Interstate 10 just past SR129 in Florida my cruise control disengaged and my throttle pedal began working intermittently.Since there was no exit for about 12 miles I proceeded at the

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