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.

1,016
Complaints
203
Models Affected
10
Crashes
30
Fires
0
Deaths

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

2013 FORD FLEX

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

2025 TESLA MODEL 3

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

2020 RAM 1500

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

2023 FISKER OCEAN

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

2021 TESLA MODEL S

The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side indicator was inoperable on the yoke steering wheel. The contact stated that t

2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320

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

2014 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

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

2016 KIA SEDONA

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.

2016 KIA SEDONA

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

2016 KIA SEDONA

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.

2013 HYUNDAI GENESIS

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

2015 HYUNDAI SONATA

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

2007 HONDA ACCORD

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

2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC

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

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

2000 CHEVROLET BLAZER

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

2009 HONDA ACCORD

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

2007 JEEP LIBERTY

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

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

2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve exterior lighting:turn signal:switch issues?
The NHTSA has received 1,016 complaints about exterior lighting:turn signal:switch problems across 203 vehicle models from 39 manufacturers.
How dangerous are exterior lighting:turn signal:switch defects?
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH issues have been linked to 10 crashes, 30 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most exterior lighting:turn signal:switch problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for exterior lighting:turn signal:switch issues is the PONTIAC GRAND AM with 57 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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