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 (55.1% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Exterior Lighting complaints here are 9.7× the median for that category across the 719 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 76 · 55.1% | Recalled | Recall 15V861000 |
| Electrical System | 23 · 16.7% | Recalled | Recall 05V206000 |
| Steering | 18 · 13% | Investigation closed | PE14021 |
| Wheels | 8 · 5.8% | Investigation closed | RQ04007 |
| Exterior Lighting:headlights | 6 · 4.3% | Recalled | Recall 15V861000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 4 · 2.9% | Investigation closed | PE14021 · DP05005 |
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 138 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 15V861000 · 2015 · reported 12/22/2015
A loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 06E056000 · 2006 · reported 06/13/2006
FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 05V206000 · 2005 · reported 05/09/2005
IF THIS OCCURS, THE INSULATOR MIGHT EXPERIENCE CHARRING OF THE OUTER LAYER, BURNING ODOR, OR SMOKE WHICH MAY ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A FIRE. 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 2004 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER…”NHTSA complaint 11123818 — filed 08/31/2018 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
“THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE FAILED ONE NIGHT. THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WENT DIM AND MY SIGNALS WOULDN'T WORK ON THAT SIDE. EVENTUALLY THE ENTIRE THING FAILED…”NHTSA complaint 11097684 — filed 05/23/2018 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
“MY CAR WAS RECALLED FOR A FAULTY LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE AND WAS REPAIRED IN JUNE 2014 BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. TODAY THE LIGHTS EXPERIENCED THE…”NHTSA complaint 11061531 — filed 01/09/2018 · 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 76 of 138 NHTSA complaints (55.1%), followed by electrical system (23), steering (18), wheels (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
138 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 2 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 3 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15V861000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
3 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.
