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 (72.1% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that closed with a recall campaign (98V009000).
Exterior Lighting:headlights complaints here are 12.9× the median for that category across the 719 model-years tracked on this site.
4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:headlights | 98 · 72.1% | Investigation closed | EA96019 → recall 98V009000 |
| Exterior Lighting | 9 · 6.6% | Investigation closed | EA96019 → recall 98V009000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 · 3.7% | Recalled | Recall 07V336000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc | 5 · 3.7% | Recalled | Recall 16E026000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor | 3 · 2.2% | Recalled | Recall 16E026000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components | 3 · 2.2% | Recalled | Recall 16E026000 |
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 136 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
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.
“1995 MARK VIII WITH A RECALL CONCERNING THE HEADLAMPS. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE DRIVEN DURING THE NIGHT TIME DUE TO HEADLIGHT…”NHTSA complaint 10208284 — filed 10/31/2007 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
“OEM HEADLIGHT SYSTEM FAILS TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE NIGHT TIME VISIBILITY WHICH CAUSES CONCERNS IN DRIVING AT NIGHT TIME DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. AT THIS TIME…”NHTSA complaint 10163304 — filed 07/24/2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
“MY HEADLIGHTS ON MY 95 LINCOLN MARK VIII ARE THE WORST ENGINEERED HEADLIGHTS THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN ON A LUXURY VEHICLE. THEY ARE NOT…”NHTSA complaint 10160658 — filed 06/24/2006 · 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 98 of 136 NHTSA complaints (72.1%), followed by exterior lighting (9), vehicle speed control (5), service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
136 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 12 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 3 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 16E026000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
4 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.
