Component
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
1,489 NHTSA complaints about visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior issues across 47 makes and 393 models.
The visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 1,489 filings from 47 manufacturers and 393 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 33 crashes, 25 fires, 35 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD EXPEDITION with 84 filings, followed by FORD RANGER and FORD F-150. 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 | FORD EXPEDITION | 84 |
| 2 | FORD RANGER | 51 |
| 3 | FORD F-150 | 40 |
| 4 | DODGE RAM | 39 |
| 5 | FORD EXPLORER | 28 |
| 6 | DODGE RAM 1500 | 26 |
| 7 | CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER | 26 |
| 8 | SUBARU ASCENT | 24 |
| 9 | GMC ENVOY | 23 |
| 10 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 23 |
| 11 | HONDA ACCORD | 21 |
| 12 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 21 |
| 13 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 20 |
| 14 | CHEVROLET TAHOE | 18 |
| 15 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 15 |
| 16 | DODGE DAKOTA | 15 |
| 17 | DODGE DURANGO | 14 |
| 18 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 14 |
| 19 | CHEVROLET CAVALIER | 14 |
| 20 | FORD F-250 | 13 |
| 21 | GMC JIMMY | 12 |
| 22 | CHEVROLET S10 | 12 |
| 23 | CADILLAC DEVILLE | 12 |
| 24 | TOYOTA HIGHLANDER | 11 |
| 25 | GMC SIERRA | 11 |
| 26 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 11 |
| 27 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 | 11 |
| 28 | HONDA CIVIC | 10 |
| 29 | FORD F-350 | 10 |
| 30 | BUICK RENDEZVOUS | 10 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the computer system malfunctioned, causing the instrument cluster to turn off unintendedly. Additionally, the do
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Tundra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V038000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). The contact stated that when the doors were locked, the side mirror
The driver side mirror is shaking and distorted. This issue happened right the first day I took the car home. I immediately contacted the dealership and they asked us to bring the car back to change a
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front driverâs and passengerâs side electric mirrors could not be adjusted from the front driverâ
The driverâs side door mirror shakes when going down the road. The image in the mirror becomes shaky. The passenger side is fine, this is only on the driver side. I have brought this into the deal
The mirrors are not convex, the do not meet safety standards for viewable angles. Impossible to use to back up.
The drivers side mirror vibrates causing distortion that makes it difficult to judge distances on highways. This issue seems to be a structural defect in the door not the mirror. Multiple people are c
Driver side mirror causes driver to be nauseous and eyesight to be distorted
Shortly after I bought the new car from a dealership in June 2025, I noticed the driver side mirror vibrates at speed above 60 mph, which makes the images in the mirror become quite blurry and makes i
See attached document for complaint.
Upon driving off the lot at highway speeds I noticed that the driver's side mirror was vibrating more than expected. Over the last few months of ownership and at almost 6,000 miles the vibration has g
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning lights
The contact owns a 2023 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was a loud explosion on the passengerâs side of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the ext
The part that failed is the driver side mirror cover. It has never been struck by anything and just flew off the side of the car while driving on the highway. This part flying off the car could cause
The driver side mirror vibrates causing a blurry image while driving
Wobbling vibration on exterior mirror, driver side. It looks like incoming vehicles shake sideways. This happens on any bumpy road and it is easier to observe at highway speeds. Also, every time I clo
I am very concerned about potential accidents for my self and others driving this vehicle. I have multiple close call accidents because the left view mirror does't have proper view to see cars on left
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the driver's side mirror vibrated abnormally. The failure caused the reflection in the mirror to be
Since new, the image/reflection of the driver side rear view mirror shakes and unsteady at speed. The passenger side rear view mirror is rock steady and stable with a clear image/reflection. This crea
Problem with side mirrors. When driving past 55 mph, the mirrors begin to shake so much so that vision becomes blurry. Makes it difficult to merge safely. Both mirrors are impacted, but the driver sid
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior issues? ▼
How dangerous are visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior defects? ▼
Which vehicles have the most visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior problems? ▼
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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.