Component
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
1,016 NHTSA complaints about exterior lighting:turn signal:switch issues across 39 makes and 203 models.
The exterior lighting:turn signal:switch is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 1,016 filings from 39 manufacturers and 203 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 10 crashes, 30 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the PONTIAC GRAND AM with 57 filings, followed by CHEVROLET MALIBU and FORD EXPLORER. 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 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 57 |
| 2 | CHEVROLET MALIBU | 49 |
| 3 | FORD EXPLORER | 47 |
| 4 | OLDSMOBILE ALERO | 35 |
| 5 | FORD TAURUS | 35 |
| 6 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 33 |
| 7 | CHEVROLET CORSICA | 31 |
| 8 | CHEVROLET LUMINA | 28 |
| 9 | FORD F-150 | 26 |
| 10 | PONTIAC GRAND PRIX | 24 |
| 11 | DODGE CARAVAN | 20 |
| 12 | FORD RANGER | 19 |
| 13 | CHEVROLET BERETTA | 19 |
| 14 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 18 |
| 15 | CHEVROLET IMPALA | 17 |
| 16 | BUICK REGAL | 17 |
| 17 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 16 |
| 18 | MERCURY SABLE | 14 |
| 19 | DODGE RAM 1500 | 14 |
| 20 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 14 |
| 21 | FORD THUNDERBIRD | 13 |
| 22 | DODGE NEON | 13 |
| 23 | CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO | 13 |
| 24 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 11 |
| 25 | MITSUBISHI GALANT | 10 |
| 26 | DODGE RAM 2500 | 10 |
| 27 | PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER | 9 |
| 28 | OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS | 9 |
| 29 | JEEP WRANGLER | 9 |
| 30 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 8 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact recently purchased the vehicle. When the vehicle was purchased, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle had a failure with the steering wheel. T
The contact owns a 2025 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the turn signal button on the steering wheel was activated but was unresponsive. Th
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH and approaching a stop, the left turn signal failed to function as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact
The contact owns a 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the right turn signal was activated; however, the right turn signal failed to function as intended. In a
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driverâs side indicator was inoperable on the yoke steering wheel. The contact stated that t
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK320. The contact stated that while making a left or a right turn, the turn signal indicator failed to illuminate as designed. The vehicle was taken to an indep
Turn signal malfunction. Right turn signal will not reset. Vehicle indicates a continuous right turn signal when in operation. Have had at least two instances where traffic has pulled out in front of
There are two issues I believe both are connected. Number 1. Sometimes when I put on the left blinker either nothing happens at all or the wrong blinker (right side) will go on instead of the left.
The problem is the multi function switch. In the AUTO mode, the head lights go off randomly. This is a super dangerous at night. Also, when the left turn signal is activated, sometimes the flasher doe
Malfunctioning indicator stalk/switch. Left blinker either won't function or will cause right blinker to indicate. Dangerous because creates confusion to other drivers and is a distraction.
The multi function switch on the steering column has a short within its components. When driving at night with the headlights on and I activate the multi function switch to change lanes, the headlight
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ACTIVATING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY FLASHED RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS WERE ACTIVATED, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATO
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE TURN SIGNAL AND EMERGENCY LIGHT INDICATORS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN IND
2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR TURN SIGNAL SWITCH REPAIRS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHUT OF WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER W
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND EVEN WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WAS NOT ACTIVATED. UPON INSPECTION, THE TURN SIGNAL I
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNAL LEVER FAILED TO REMAIN IN POSITION. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL EXCESSIVELY WITHOUT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DID NOT WORK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT A SWITCH P
2015 TOYOTA SIENNA LIMITED DEFECTIVE BRAKE SYSTEM DESIGN. THE CONSUMER STATED TOYOTA HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THE INAUDIBLE TURN INDICATOR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ISSUE WAS WHETHER OR NOT THE BRAK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THA
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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.