Component
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
1,619 NHTSA complaints about exterior lighting:turn signal issues across 44 makes and 329 models.
The exterior lighting:turn signal is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 1,619 filings from 44 manufacturers and 329 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 22 crashes, 26 fires, 21 injuries, and 10 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the CHEVROLET MALIBU with 170 filings, followed by PONTIAC GRAND AM and OLDSMOBILE ALERO. 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 | CHEVROLET MALIBU | 170 |
| 2 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 123 |
| 3 | OLDSMOBILE ALERO | 94 |
| 4 | CHEVROLET IMPALA | 64 |
| 5 | CHEVROLET CAVALIER | 44 |
| 6 | DODGE RAM 1500 | 32 |
| 7 | SATURN ION | 30 |
| 8 | CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO | 25 |
| 9 | FORD EXPLORER | 23 |
| 10 | FORD F-150 | 22 |
| 11 | PONTIAC GRAND PRIX | 20 |
| 12 | FORD TAURUS | 20 |
| 13 | CADILLAC DEVILLE | 20 |
| 14 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 19 |
| 15 | OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE | 17 |
| 16 | BUICK REGAL | 17 |
| 17 | VOLVO S70 | 16 |
| 18 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 16 |
| 19 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 14 |
| 20 | CHEVROLET CORSICA | 14 |
| 21 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 13 |
| 22 | FORD RANGER | 13 |
| 23 | FORD FOCUS | 13 |
| 24 | DODGE RAM 2500 | 13 |
| 25 | BUICK LESABRE | 13 |
| 26 | DODGE CARAVAN | 12 |
| 27 | PONTIAC SUNFIRE | 11 |
| 28 | KIA SEPHIA | 11 |
| 29 | CHEVROLET CAMARO | 11 |
| 30 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 11 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, while making a right turn, the right turn signal blinked extremely fast. The contact stated that while
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the turn signal flashed two or three times and then stopped. In addition, the doors independen
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and pushing down the turn signal lever, the lever rose back unintendedly, causing the turn signal
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while replacing the instrument cluster, the contact discovered that the turn signals were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer,
The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q7. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, an orange triangle warning symbol and a message that the "Driverâs side Front Marker De
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the center taillight was inoperable. The halo light was working as designed and then ceased operating. The headlights also became inoperable
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 3 MPH, the power steering fault, the turn signal, advance-trac alert, and power train warning lights illuminated. The contact st
SCCM Internal failure that the dealer is calling an Air Bag Clock Spring failure. Safety Recall 33B and 14B already exist for my make and year of vehicle, but do not cover my VIN. The turn signal ge
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with left turn indicator light activated, the message "Turn Signal light Fault Detected"
The backup camera system is not available, no camera visibility on any of the cameras, no sensors detection, blinkers only lit for 2 seconds and after that they are turned off automatically. Vehicle i
Turn signal will not turn on when button on steering wheel is depressed.
The contact owns a 2024 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while using the right turn signal, the signal seized and failed to turn off and remained engaged. The vehicle was taken to the Tesla Serv
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driving assist and another unknown warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to th
The buttons on the steering wheel stick and do not work. These include the turn signals and also bright lights and windshield wipers. They stick on my car, and I am renting a 2024 model 3 that they st
I have been supplied with a number of these turn signal switches that have a failure in the left rear output. There is no indication to the driver that the left rear turn/hazard signal is not working
The contact owns a 2024 Kia EV9. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the turn signals became inoperable while attempting to switch lanes. The contact stated that the instrument panel was also ino
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the turn signal was not operating as designed. The contact stated that the t
See attached document for complaint
Since purchasing this vehicle in October 2023 I have had multiple issues with the fuel door not opening, the turn indicator light not working, the backup cmera and sensors continue to engage the rear
I install an after market right side tail light assembly on my Jeep liberty, light is âplug and playâ during check out I found the whole light assembly was improperly wired so I sent back to Amaz
Related Vehicle Components
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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.