Component
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
233 NHTSA complaints about exterior lighting:fog lights issues across 37 makes and 120 models.
The exterior lighting:fog lights is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 233 filings from 37 manufacturers and 120 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.
Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 5 crashes, 13 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD MUSTANG with 9 filings, followed by CHRYSLER PT CRUISER and FORD THUNDERBIRD. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.
Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FORD MUSTANG | 9 |
| 2 | CHRYSLER PT CRUISER | 9 |
| 3 | FORD THUNDERBIRD | 8 |
| 4 | VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT | 6 |
| 5 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 6 |
| 6 | FORD F-150 | 6 |
| 7 | PONTIAC GRAND PRIX | 5 |
| 8 | FORD EXPLORER | 5 |
| 9 | CHEVROLET AVALANCHE | 5 |
| 10 | MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE | 4 |
| 11 | MAZDA MX-5 MIATA | 4 |
| 12 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 4 |
| 13 | HONDA CIVIC | 4 |
| 14 | FORD RANGER | 4 |
| 15 | DODGE NEON | 4 |
| 16 | CHRYSLER SEBRING | 4 |
| 17 | CADILLAC CATERA | 4 |
| 18 | TOYOTA 4 RUNNER | 3 |
| 19 | OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE | 3 |
| 20 | OLDSMOBILE AURORA | 3 |
| 21 | MITSUBISHI GALANT | 3 |
| 22 | HONDA ACCORD | 3 |
| 23 | GMC ENVOY | 3 |
| 24 | FORD ESCAPE | 3 |
| 25 | DODGE DURANGO | 3 |
| 26 | DODGE CARAVAN | 3 |
| 27 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 3 |
| 28 | CHEVROLET TAHOE | 3 |
| 29 | CHEVROLET IMPALA | 3 |
| 30 | VOLVO 850 | 2 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the independent mechanic for a service appointment, the contact requested that the driver's side fog light be repla
See attached document for complaint
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving, the driverâs side fog light housing melted. There was an abnormal odor of smoke. There were no warning lights illuminate
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact noticed that there was a burn mark and a bubble in the front driverâs side fog light. The contact stated that heat from the bulb melted the cover. Th
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at night, the driverâs and passengerâs side fog lights were very dim. The dealer was made aware of the failure but infor
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A CLICKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE LIFTER MADE CONTACT WITH TH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM 3500. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOG LAMP GLASS COVERS FRACTURED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNO
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HUMMER H3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 27 MPH, THE ABS, FOG, TRACTION, AND TPM INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT MORE TIME WAS NEEDE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ODOR AND EVIDENCE OF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT DEACTIVATE UNLESS THE FUSE WAS REMOVED AND REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE FOG LIGHT OPERATED INTERMITTENT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BUMPER FOG LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS FRACTURED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 53 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT INNER FENDER HAD BECOME DETACHED FR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED HIS FOG LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE BU
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT BOTH FOG LIGHT LENS AND ATTACHED WIRING WERE BURNED. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE FLAM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 INFINITI QX4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO A POLE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT DRIVE
2010 C300 MERCEDES BENZ. CONSUMER STATES THE FOG LIGHT IS DEFECTIVE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT SIDE GLASS FOG LIGHT COVER CRACKED WITHOUT ANY EXTERNAL FORCE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUME
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH A PEDESTRIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE LEFT FRONT BUMPER WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CALLED THE FIRE D
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE DRIVERS SIDE FOG LIGHT IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE WHERE THE FIRE WAS EXTIN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WITH THE FOG LAMP ILLUMINATED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING COLU
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Data Sources
Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.
Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.
Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.