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.

1,619
Complaints
329
Models Affected
22
Crashes
26
Fires
10
Deaths

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

2016 KIA SOUL

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

2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX

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

2025 CHEVROLET EQUINOX

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

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS

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,

2018 AUDI Q7

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 "Driver’s side Front Marker De

2015 GMC ACADIA

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

2012 FORD EXPLORER

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

2024 RAM 3500

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

2024 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500

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"

2024 TESLA MODEL Y

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

2025 TESLA MODEL 3

Turn signal will not turn on when button on steering wheel is depressed.

2024 TESLA MODEL 3

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

2016 MERCEDES-BENZ C300

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

2024 TESLA MODEL 3

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

2016 FREIGHTLINER MT55

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

2024 KIA EV9

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

2016 KIA SEDONA

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

2022 FORD MAVERICK HYBRID

See attached document for complaint

2024 VOLVO XC90

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

2002 JEEP LIBERTY

I install an after market right side tail light assembly on my Jeep liberty, light is “plug and play” during check out I found the whole light assembly was improperly wired so I sent back to Amaz

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve exterior lighting:turn signal issues?
The NHTSA has received 1,619 complaints about exterior lighting:turn signal problems across 329 vehicle models from 44 manufacturers.
How dangerous are exterior lighting:turn signal defects?
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL issues have been linked to 22 crashes, 26 fires, 21 injuries, and 10 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most exterior lighting:turn signal problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for exterior lighting:turn signal issues is the CHEVROLET MALIBU with 170 complaints.
Where does PlainCars get its safety data?
All vehicle safety data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database, which collects reports from vehicle owners about safety-related defects.

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.

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