When you think about it, the headlights are pretty important equipment on a car or truck. But in recent years, consumers have complained about illumination problems and automakers have had to issue numerous recalls to address various problems.
As we reported in September, Subaru recalled 188,397 model year 2017-2019 Imprezas. The left and right side reflex reflector and left side low beam reflector may inadequately reflect light.
If reflectors do not provide adequate illumination, the driver's ability to see may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash. Subaru has issued two additional recalls in 2022 to address exterior lighting issues.
But Subaru is not alone. In 2012 Honda recalled nearly 1 million older Civic and Pilot vehicles to repair the low beam headlight switch. The company warned there was a danger the low beam headlights could fail.
Defects in reflective film
In 2014 Acura recalled approximately 9,700 model-year 2014-2015 RLX vehicles in the United States to replace both headlight assemblies. At the time, the company said the reflective film backing material inside the headlights could delaminate, which could result in the vehicle no longer conforming to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, which regulates headlights.
According to Carproblemzoo.com, Acura RDX owners have reported at least 61 problems related to headlights. It cited owners who reported the headlights gradually got too dim to drive safely at night.
Also in 2014 Volkswagen recalled some model year 2012-2013 Passat vehicles manufactured from January 2011 through November 2012. Again, it was a headlight issue. The company said the low-beam headlight bulb could become loose and lose electrical contact.
Class-action lawsuit
More recently, Nissan settled a class-action lawsuit that claimed Nissan Altimas equipped with halogen headlamps had a defect that caused an interior reflecting surface of the headlamp to deteriorate, resulting in the dimming of the low beam headlights.
In agreeing to the settlement, Nissan denied all claims of wrongdoing and liability. However, beginning in December 2018 the company redesigned its headlight replacement parts.
Fast forward to 2021 and Stellantis recalled 36,929 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles whose headlights may suddenly not work, creating an obvious safety hazard.
In 2022 GM had to recall 740,000 small SUVs because of a problem with the headlights. But instead of being too dim, the lights in the recalled vehicles could create too much glare, posing a risk to oncoming traffic.
Then in September, Porsche recalled 193,000 Cayenne and Macan SUVs, Cayman S coupes, and Panamera sedans from the 2003 to 2020 model years. The company said the caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, causing the lights to be misaligned.
As a result, the company warned that the road may not be illuminated properly or there could be a glare to oncoming drivers, both of which may increase the risk of a crash.
Complaints continue
And those are just the recalls. Owners of other makes and models continue complaining to regulators and on social media about headlight issues.
ConsumerAffairs researchers have found instances of a number of Acura owners reporting their Acura RDX vehicles’ headlights were extremely dim, to the point where they cannot see the road and where drivers have even described the vehicles as “undrivable” at nighttime.
Several Ford owners have also reported their vehicles’ headlights are extremely dim, and even replacing the bulbs seems to make no difference, according to some owners. While new bulbs cost as little as $300-$400, replacements of the entire headlight assembly are substantially more expensive and can cost thousands of dollars.
Kia Telluride owners have also reported that the headlights on their SUVs are too dim, complaining that they are unable to sufficiently illuminate the road and safely navigate in dark and inclement conditions. Specifically, drivers report very poor peripheral visibility when using normal headlights.
According to our research, the issue appears to affect both the 2020 and 2021 Telluride, and only the lower-end models within each line (the ES, LX, and S models) as the higher-end (SX) models are equipped with brighter, LED lights. However, on the 2022 Telluride model, even the highest tier experiences the dim-ness problem.
Reports of automotive defects lodged with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) often lead to recalls. Drivers experiencing problems with headlights are encouraged to file a report here.