Component
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
1,132 NHTSA complaints about exterior lighting:tail lights issues across 42 makes and 335 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:TAIL LIGHTS
1,132 filings · 335 models · 42 makes · vintage August 2026
- FILINGS MODERATE 1,132 ODI rows
- MODELS 335 nameplates citing this part
- MAKES 42 manufacturers in corpus
- CRASH 1.4% 16 crash-flagged
- RANK #146 of 696 categories
- SEV INJURY 1 deaths · 16 injuries
Filing-volume peers
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS sits MODERATE on ODI intake volume (#146 of 696 standardized categories) with a INJURY severity stamp (1 reported fatalities across 335 models). Open Chevrolet Malibu (category leader) →
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS model-concentration reading
The standout signal for exterior lighting:tail lights is model concentration: Chevrolet Malibu accounts for 45 filings (4.0% of this category) out of 1,132 total.
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 STEERING:LINKAGES on filing totals before treating exterior lighting:tail lights volume as a purchase signal.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chevrolet Malibu | |
| 2 | Saturn LS | |
| 3 | Chevrolet Trailblazer | |
| 4 | Mercury Villager | |
| 5 | Jeep Grand Cherokee | |
| 6 | Toyota Camry | |
| 7 | Hyundai Sonata | |
| 8 | Ford Taurus | |
| 9 | Chevrolet Venture | |
| 10 | Ford Contour | |
| 11 | Dodge Durango | |
| 12 | Pontiac Grand Prix | |
| 13 | Mercury Sable | |
| 14 | Mercury Mystique | |
| 15 | Ford Explorer | |
| 16 | Chevrolet Blazer | |
| 17 | Ford Focus | |
| 18 | Dodge Neon | |
| 19 | Dodge Caravan | |
| 20 | Pontiac Grand AM | |
| 21 | Mercedes-Benz Slk230 | |
| 22 | Honda Civic | |
| 23 | GMC Yukon | |
| 24 | Ford F-150 | |
| 25 | Chevrolet Cavalier | |
| 26 | Cadillac Deville | |
| 27 | Nissan Frontier | |
| 28 | Nissan D21 | |
| 29 | Jeep Cherokee | |
| 30 | Ford Thunderbird |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that an ambient warning light appeared on the instrument cluster, indicating that the rear passenger’s side taillight unit was
The contact owns a 2007 Mercury Montego. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towe
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2016 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that water had accumulated in the tail lights, causing the lights to become inoperable. The contact stated that he had noticed an abnormal water
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the driver's and passenger's side taillight housings were filled with water. Th
The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact was pulled over by a Police Officer, and was informed that both taillights were inoper
Rear lights located both on the tailgate and body of the vehicle. The lights covers failed to remain adhered to the lights themselves and fell off and are partially adhered as a result of what appears
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact discovered that the rear taillights were inoperative, and the taillight housings were full of water. No
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Acadia. The contact stated there was an abnormal squeaking sound coming from the vehicle while depressing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehic
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving on the highway at an undisclosed speed, the contact pulled over by the local Police because the taillights were inoperable. The
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
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware of condensation inside the rear taillight assembly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or r
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the rear windshield exploded without impact. The contact stated that the rear fogger had been activated independentl
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the driver’s and passenger’s side taillights failed to illuminate as designed. The contact called the deale
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the contact was notified by another driver that the rear taillights were inoperable. No warning light was illumi
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Maverick. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the taillight detached from the taillight housing. The contact stated that the taillights were set a qu
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was informed that parts for the repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitche
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 128I. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the headlights and taillights became inoperable. The engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated
The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the rear taillights failed to function as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independen
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact’s husband observed condensation in the rear gate light bar. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where
Related Vehicle Components
Verify with NHTSA · consumer-reported counts are not verified defect findings.