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:headlights (71.1% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Exterior Lighting:headlights complaints here are 13.0× the median for that category across the 719 model-years tracked on this site.
All 6 of the most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:headlights | 170 · 71.1% | Recalled | Recall 98V009000 |
| Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch | 10 · 4.2% | Recalled | Recall 98V009000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 · 3.3% | Recalled | Recall 07V336000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 6 · 2.5% | Recalled | Recall 16E026000 |
| Exterior Lighting:headlights:concealment Devices | 6 · 2.5% | Recalled | Recall 98V009000 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 · 1.7% | Recalled | Recall 98V009000 |
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 239 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 16E026000 · 2016 · reported 04/01/2016
A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing 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 07V336000 · 2007 · reported 08/03/2007
THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 92V166000 · 1992 · reported 11/18/1992
THE DAMAGED COMPONENT MAY BECOME DISLODGED DURING VEHICLEOPERATION, MAKING THE RETRACTOR VEHICLE-SENSITIVE LOCKING SYSTEM INOPERATIVE.THIS INCREASES THE POSSIBILTY OF A SERIOUS INJURY IN A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 98V009000 · 1998 · reported 01/21/1998
LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. 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 HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE PROVIDE VERY POOR LIGHTING. WHEN I DRIVE DURING THE NIGHT IT IS MUCH DARKER IN FRONT OF THE CAR THAN…”NHTSA complaint 758624 — filed 02/25/2002 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
“HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM. IT IS HARD TO SEE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT ON UNLIGHTED ROADWAYS.”NHTSA complaint 758615 — filed 02/25/2002 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
“LINCOLN IS AWARE THAT THE EARLY MARK VIII"S HAD A PROBLEM WITH HEADLIGHT SYSTEMS AND CHANGED TO "HID" LIGHTING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I WANT…”NHTSA complaint 758365 — filed 02/18/2002 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Exterior lighting:headlights issues are the most-reported category, cited in 170 of 239 NHTSA complaints (71.1%), followed by exterior lighting:headlights:switch (10), vehicle speed control (8), service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
239 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 16 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 7 reported injuries. 8 deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 16E026000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
6 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.
