Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Exterior Lighting (48.8% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Exterior Lighting complaints here are 8.5× the median for that category across the 719 model-years tracked on this site.
5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 146 · 48.8% | Recalled | Recall 15V519000 |
| Electrical System | 78 · 26.1% | Recalled | Recall 14V355000 |
| Air Bags | 28 · 9.4% | Recalled | Recall 06V417000 |
| Steering | 23 · 7.7% | Recalled | Recall 09E005000 |
| Suspension | 9 · 3% | No official action | — |
| Exterior Lighting:headlights | 9 · 3% | Recalled | Recall 15V519000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 299 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 15V519000 · 2015 · reported 08/14/2015
Headlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles, both of which increase the risk of a vehicle crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V355000 · 2014 · reported 06/23/2014
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09E005000 · 2009 · reported 02/17/2009
A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 06V417000 · 2006 · reported 10/31/2006
IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS SHORTED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE LOW BEAMS AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY…”NHTSA complaint 10683023 — filed 02/12/2015 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS LOSS POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED…”NHTSA complaint 10682702 — filed 02/11/2015 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
“LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, SOMETIMES THEY WILL NOT COME BACK ON UNTIL CAR IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON SOMETIMES THEY DON'T COME…”NHTSA complaint 10682698 — filed 02/11/2015 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Exterior lighting issues are the most-reported category, cited in 146 of 299 NHTSA complaints (48.8%), followed by electrical system (78), air bags (28), steering (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
299 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 16 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 16 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15V519000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
