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
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS (this)EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHT…1,132STEERING:LINKAGES1,134EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCHEXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS…1,146VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAG…1,118
ODI filing volume neighbourhood: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS vs nearest complaint-total 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.

1,132
Complaints
335
Models Affected
16
Crashes
35
Fires
1
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 Chevrolet Malibu
45
2 Saturn LS
35
3 Chevrolet Trailblazer
32
4 Mercury Villager
27
5 Jeep Grand Cherokee
24
6 Toyota Camry
21
7 Hyundai Sonata
19
8 Ford Taurus
18
9 Chevrolet Venture
17
10 Ford Contour
16
11 Dodge Durango
16
12 Pontiac Grand Prix
13
13 Mercury Sable
13
14 Mercury Mystique
13
15 Ford Explorer
13
16 Chevrolet Blazer
13
17 Ford Focus
12
18 Dodge Neon
12
19 Dodge Caravan
12
20 Pontiac Grand AM
11
21 Mercedes-Benz Slk230
11
22 Honda Civic
11
23 GMC Yukon
11
24 Ford F-150
11
25 Chevrolet Cavalier
11
26 Cadillac Deville
11
27 Nissan Frontier
10
28 Nissan D21
10
29 Jeep Cherokee
10
30 Ford Thunderbird
10

Recent Complaints

2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

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

2007 Mercury Montego

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

2023 Audi Q4 E-Tron

See attached document for complaint.

2016 Honda HR-V

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

2017 Ford Escape

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

2014 Dodge Durango

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

2014 Toyota Highlander

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

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning BEV

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

2024 GMC Acadia

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

2013 Hyundai Sonata

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

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

2017 Ford Edge

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

2016 GMC Sierra Denali

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

2017 GMC Yukon

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

2016 GMC Yukon Denali

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

2023 Ford Maverick Hybrid

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

2019 KIA Sorento

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

2010 BMW 128i

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

2016 FIAT 500x

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

2015 Ford Edge

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

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