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Problems with headlights and lights: symptoms, cost and affected models

We have documented 85 faults with headlights and lights in 79 cars. The most important by severity and frequency: exterior light failure without warning (2006-2009 production) (Peugeot 307), faulty wiring under the floor: loss of lights, power steering and brake servo (Tonale 2022-2023) (Alfa Romeo Tonale) and out-of-specification electronic component in the built-in systems interface (BSI): lights, wipers and sat nav may fail (Citroën C-Crosser).

Documented faults
85
17 of high or critical severity
Cars analysed
79
with at least one fault on this part
Affected models
79
car generations in our database
Garage repair
No data
No reliable published costs

How we work

How it works and why it fails

Headlights and lights

Headlights and tail lights combine bulbs or LEDs, control electronics and sealed housings. Over the years they can lose brightness, cloud over, let water in or fail because of the electronics, and some models have had campaigns over lights that come loose or software faults.

What to do

Cloudy headlights give much less light: they can be polished and protected, or replaced if they are crazed. If water gets into a headlight or tail light, check the seal and the drains: moisture ends up damaging the LEDs and the electronics.

General explanation by MotorFiable. The specific faults of each engine and car, with their sources, are on the linked pages.

Common symptoms

The symptoms that come up most often in the documented faults with headlights and lights. Open each one to see what other faults cause it.

Problems with headlights and lights by car

Faults documented on specific cars, which occur with any engine. From most to least important.

  1. 1High severityFrequency: CommonPeugeot 307Exterior light failure without warning (2006-2009 production)On cars built between 2006 and 2009, the exterior lights can go out or fail without warning; Peugeot issued two recalls for this reason, and gebrauchtwagenberater.de independently documents a lighting problem on models from those years.
  2. 2Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo TonaleFaulty wiring under the floor: loss of lights, power steering and brake servo (Tonale 2022-2023)Yes: a Safety Gate alert from March 2023 (campaign 6574) covers 607 Tonales built between 15 September 2022 and 13 February 2023, whose wiring under the floor can knock out the lights, hazard lights, power steering and brake servo.
  3. 3High severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C-CrosserOut-of-specification electronic component in the built-in systems interface (BSI): lights, wipers and sat nav may failYes: an electronic component in the Citroën C-Crosser's built-in systems interface (BSI) may not meet the specification and cause the audio-navigation, the wipers and the exterior lighting to fail, with a warning light on the dashboard. The DVSA states that the BSI's build date is checked and the unit is replaced if it falls in the affected range.
  4. 4High severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C-CrosserBrake light switch with contacts contaminated by silicone greaseYes: in 2014 a campaign was registered because the brake light switch on the C-Crosser, built between April 2007 and June 2009, could have its contacts contaminated with silicone grease from the factory, and the brake lights might not come on when the pedal is pressed. The switch is replaced and its wiring harness cleaned.
  5. 5High severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai Tucson IBrake light switch failure from burnt contacts (2007 to 2009 Tucson)Yes: a 2013 campaign affects Tucsons built between May 2007 and February 2009. The brake light switch can fail and leave the lights either not working or stuck on, and the same signal can knock out the cruise control, the ESP and the shift lock that holds the automatic gearbox selector in P.
  6. 6High severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Carens IIIFaulty brake light switch: the lights may not come on when brakingA 2013 alert notified by Germany covers 2006 to 2011 Carens over a brake light switch fault, which can stop the lights coming on when the pedal is pressed or leave them on, and which can also affect stability control (ESC), cruise control and the automatic gear lever.
  7. 7High severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Optima IIIIntermittent brake light failure caused by a carbonised switchYes: in 2013 the British DVSA logged a recall of several Kia models, including some Optimas built between August 2010 and April 2011, because the contacts of the brake light switch could become carbonised. The switch is replaced.
  8. 8High severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Sorento IVIndicators that may fail because of the multifunction switchYes: Sorento and Sorento Hybrid units built between 1 April and 31 August 2022 (39,110 units worldwide) were recalled because the indicators could sometimes fail to activate, so other road users did not see the manoeuvre. It is fixed with a software update.
  9. 9High severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Sportage IIBrake light switch failureYes: the British DVSA registered two campaigns to replace the Sportage's brake light switch: one in 2009 for a defective switch (units built between September and October 2006) and another in 2013 for carbonised contacts that caused intermittent failures and could affect the ESC and cruise control.
  10. 10High severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Citan W420Central control unit (gateway) fails to initialise: dipped headlights and indicators may stop workingIn 2025 Mercedes recalled around 4,160 Citan, eCitan, T-Class and EQT vehicles built from 06/06/2024 to 23/12/2024 because of a software error in the central control unit: it may fail to initialise and leave the dipped headlights and indicators inoperative. It is corrected with a software update at the workshop.
  11. 11High severityFrequency: OccasionalMitsubishi LancerETACS control unit fault: headlights and wipers can stop workingYes: in 2015 a campaign was registered over a non-conformity in the ETACS electronic control unit of Lancers built between October 2008 and September 2010, as a result of which the headlights or wipers, among other systems, could stop working. The remedy described is to replace the control unit if its manufacturing date falls within the affected range.
  12. 12High severityFrequency: OccasionalMitsubishi Outlander IIETACS control unit fault that can leave you without headlights or wipersA non-conformity in the ETACS control unit could disable the headlights, the wipers or other systems on the 2008-2010 Outlander II. Mitsubishi corrected it with a recall (Safety Gate A12/1379/15) that replaces the control unit on affected cars.
  13. 13High severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 4007Out-of-specification electronic component in the Built-in Systems Interface (BSI): lights, wipers and satnav may failYes: an electronic component in the Peugeot 4007's Built-in Systems Interface (BSI) may not meet specification and cause the audio-navigation, the wipers and the exterior lighting to fail, with a warning light on the dashboard. The DVSA states that the BSI's production date is checked and the unit is replaced if it falls in the affected range.
  14. 14High severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Master IIIInsufficient earth on the towing socket: lighting failure and fire risk (2019)A campaign notified in the EU in October 2020 (code 0DAB) affects Masters built between 27 February and 7 November 2019: the earth connection of the trailer socket is insufficient, which can cause the trailer lights to go out and increase the risk of fire.
  15. 15Medium severityFrequency: CommonPeugeot 107Water leaks through the tailgate and rear light seals on the Peugeot 107 IOwners describe water getting in through the boot, rear light and door seals, wetting the boot or the floor; it is a sealing fault, with no official campaign, according to reports compiled by fiches-auto.fr.
  16. 16Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo GiuliettaTailgate wiring breakage from use (third brake light and number plate light)According to a German used-car guide, repeatedly opening and closing the Giulietta's tailgate fairly often breaks a wire in its harness, which can leave the third brake light or the number plate light not working.
  17. 17Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi A6 C6Loss of brightness of the xenon headlights over the yearsgebrauchtwagenberater.de notes that the A6 C6's xenon headlights lose brightness over the years, wear that German technical inspections (TÜV) go so far as to flag; fiches-auto.fr documents specific replacements between 75,000 and 198,000 km.Appears at around 75,000 km
  18. 18Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q3 IFlickering rear lights caused by a tailgate sensorSeveral owners report that the rear lights (brake and tail lights) flicker or fail to light when the brake is pressed, with the cause traced to a poorly closed or faulty tailgate sensor, not the bulbs.
  19. 19Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 6 E63/E64Water in the headlightsHeadlights with water inside have been reported on the E63/E64; one 650i owner quotes around €3,000 for replacing the headlights.
  20. 20Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C1 IWater leaks through the tailgate and rear light seals on the Citroën C1 IOwners describe water getting in through the seals of the tailgate, the rear window, the doors and the third brake light, wetting the boot or the floor; it is a sealing fault, with no official campaign, according to reports compiled by fiches-auto.fr.
  21. 21Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCupra AtecaSoftware fault in the headlight control unit (incorrect aim and dazzle, 2018)Yes: Auto Express cites for the Cupra Ateca a November 2018 recall for incorrect headlight aim, resolved with a software update; Germany's KBA records in 2018 a software fault in the headlight control unit of the Seat Ateca that caused dazzle.
  22. 22Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalDS DS 7 CrossbackWater ingress into the rear lights due to inadequate sealingSeveral DS7 Crossback owners, with different engines, document water getting into the rear lights because of inadequate sealing, with visible condensation and a risk of the light unit failing.
  23. 23Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat Panda IIIntermittent damp-related electrical faults: electric windows, headlights and startingFiches-auto.fr describes electric windows with broken cables or worn motors, temperamental headlights and difficulty starting on the Fiat Panda II, put down mainly to damp and poor contacts in the electrical connectors.
  24. 24Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Kuga IIIAutomatic high-beam system fault (recall 16753R)A fault in the driver-assistance control unit can make the automatic high beams switch on or off without the driver deciding it, dazzling other road users; Ford issued a recall in 2026 for several models, including the Kuga.
  25. 25Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Mondeo VSoftware fault in the LED cornering lights (headlights may switch off)A software fault related to the LED cornering lights can cause the headlights to switch off on Mondeo V vehicles built between May 2014 and December 2015; Ford corrected it with a software update of the lighting control module.
  26. 26Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Tourneo CustomFront camera module fault controlling the automatic high beamsAccording to Gebrauchtwagenberater, Ford recalled models such as the Tourneo Custom built between February and April 2026 because the control unit of the front camera module can switch the automatic high beams on or off for no reason and dazzle other drivers. It is fixed with software.
  27. 27Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalHonda CR-V IIDipped headlight failure from wear on the light switch wiring harnessHonda issued a recall in 2012 (United Kingdom) for CR-Vs built between November 2001 and September 2004, because the dipped headlight terminal in the switch harness can wear through movement and eventually leave the dipped headlights inoperative.
  28. 28Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalHonda CR-V IIIDipped headlight fault (wiring clamp)According to gebrauchtwagenberater.de, the KBA has a recall for a clamp between the wiring harness and the dipped-beam bulb, which can leave the dipped headlight not working on CR-Vs built in 2007.
  29. 29Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Sorento IVDaytime running light may not come back on after using the indicators or hazard lightsYes: in 2025 Kia recalled Sorentos built in 2023 and 2024 (123,701 units according to car-recalls.eu; KBA ref. 14998R) because, after using the indicators or hazard lights for more than five minutes, the upper part of the daytime running light may stay off. It is fixed by updating the software.
  30. 30Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda CX-5 ILED daytime running light failure due to corrosionYes: first-generation CX-5s built between December 2014 and December 2015 were recalled because corrosion can make the LED daytime running lights fail, so that they no longer come on.
  31. 31Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz EQC N293Headlight levelling out of specification: risk of dazzleIn 2023 Mercedes recalled 1,102 EQCs built in 2022 because the headlight levelling does not meet the specification. It can dazzle oncoming drivers or reduce the driver's visibility. The workshop checks the aim and corrects it if necessary.
  32. 32Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan X-Trail IVAdaptive LED headlights on the Nissan X-Trail switching between high and low beam for no reasonIn 2,246 X-Trail T33s built between January and October 2024 (UK figure), the adaptive LED headlight configuration may be out of specification and switch between high and low beam even when other vehicles are ahead. Nissan fixes it by updating the headlight control module software.
  33. 33Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 2008 IIWater condensation in the headlights and rear lightsSeveral Peugeot 2008 II owners have documented persistent condensation, or even visible water, inside the headlights and LED rear lights after rain; according to the accounts, Peugeot has gone as far as replying that it is "normal".
  34. 34Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalPorsche Cayenne IIHeadlight locking module that can come loose and detach the headlight (recall)In February 2012 Porsche recalled around 100,000 Cayennes built in 2011 and 2012 because the module that fixes the front headlight could come loose. According to Autopista, the repair takes about 45 minutes and is free of charge; the DVSA adds that, in rare cases, the headlight could detach from the wing.
  35. 35Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSubaru Forester IIIFaulty brake light switch (2019 campaign)Subaru recalled Foresters built between April 2007 and March 2017 because the brake light switch can be faulty and leave the lights not working, with a risk of rear-end collision. The European alert (RAPEX 22/2019) was notified by Germany.
  36. 36Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSubaru Forester IVFaulty brake light switch (2019 recall)Subaru recalled Forester models built between April 2007 and March 2017 because the brake light switch may be faulty and leave the brake lights inoperative, creating a risk of rear-end collisions. The European alert (RAPEX 22/2019) was notified by Germany.
  37. 37Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSubaru Impreza IIIBrake light switch damaged by silicone ingressYes: in the UK, Subaru recalled more than 6,900 Imprezas and XVs built between June 2010 and September 2016 because silicone gas can get into the brake light switch and stop the lights from coming on. The fix is to replace the switch.
  38. 38Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSubaru XV IBrake light switch with silicone ingressYes: Subaru recalled more than 6,900 XV and Impreza cars in the United Kingdom built between June 2010 and September 2016 because silicone gas can enter the brake light switch and stop the lights working. The repair is to replace the switch.
  39. 39Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Aygo IWater leaks through the tailgate and rear light seals on the Toyota Aygo IOwners describe water getting in through the third brake light seal and the floor and rear door seals, wetting the boot or the floor; it is a sealing fault with no official campaign, according to owner reports gathered by fiches-auto.fr.
  40. 40High severityFrequency: RareBMW Serie 2 Active Tourer F45Inner rear light clusters that can come loose (early-year units)On early-year F45 units, the inner rear light clusters could come loose because of defective mounts; gebrauchtwagenberater.de says BMW fixed it voluntarily ('kulant') on the affected units, without it being recorded as a mandatory campaign with a reference number.
  41. 41High severityFrequency: RareBMW X1 F48Rear lights that may come off (production from October 2018 to January 2019)Yes: BMW recalled X1 sDrive28i and xDrive28i cars built between October 2018 and January 2019 because a contaminated material in the rear light mounts can crack and let the light come loose or even fall off.
  42. 42High severityFrequency: RareDS DS 7 CrossbackSoftware error in the adaptive headlight that can dazzle (built January 2022-March 2023)DS recalled DS7 Crossback cars built between January 2022 and March 2023 because a software error can set the adaptive headlight beam too high, dazzling other drivers.
  43. 43Low severityFrequency: CommonDacia Sandero IIElectrical faults in the battery and the light switchThe Sandero II's original battery rarely lasts beyond four years, and the combined light and indicator switch on the steering column fails fairly often; these are cheap faults to fix but can stop the car passing the MOT.
  44. 44Low severityFrequency: CommonHyundai i30 IIMisaligned dipped beams and indicator faults at the technical inspectionThe same German technical inspection analysis describes misaligned dipped beams as a frequent problem of this generation, along with indicator faults that also appear in the following generation.
  45. 45Low severityFrequency: CommonRenault Clio IIClouding and yellowing of the headlightsThe polycarbonate plastic of the Clio II's headlights becomes cloudy and yellow over the years, reduces light spread and can end up causing problems at the MOT.
  46. 46Medium severityFrequency: RareBMW Z4 G29Headlight control unit damaged by supplierIn January 2020 an EU alert said the headlight control unit on Z4 G29s built 17 to 25 July 2019 may have been damaged in production, with a risk of short circuit and light failure.
  47. 47Medium severityFrequency: RareFord Mondeo IVSoftware recall over headlights and indicators (2010 cars)According to the KBA, a software error in one of the vehicle's modules can cause a variety of faults in the on-board electronics of Mondeo IV cars built in 2010: the headlights or indicators can switch on for no reason, or the headlights can switch themselves off.
  48. 48Medium severityFrequency: RareFord S-Max II2016 recall for headlights switching off unexpectedly and multimedia screen freezesIn June 2016 Ford recalled S-Max vehicles built before February 2016 because a software fault could switch the headlights off unexpectedly; fiches-auto.fr adds that the multimedia screen can freeze and cause a loss of steering wheel controls in 3 of the 24 cases it analyses.
  49. 49Medium severityFrequency: RareOpel Astra JIndicators that may not work properly on 2011 carsAccording to Germany's KBA, cited by gebrauchtwagenberater.de, Opel Astra J cars of the 2011 model year may have a fault that stops the indicators working properly.
  50. 50Medium severityFrequency: RarePeugeot 108Heated seat wiring that can cut power to the rear lights (2014-2015)A 2015 recall covers 108s built between June 2014 and April 2015: the wiring for the driver's seat heater could rub against the frame and be damaged, so the rear lights could stop working.
  51. 51Medium severityFrequency: RareToyota Yaris IVHeadlights that do not switch between main and dipped beam on Yarisses built in June 2020A December 2020 campaign covered Yarisses with projector headlights built between 02/06/2020 and 19/06/2020: the moving part that switches between dipped and main beam could deform and jam.
  52. 52Low severityFrequency: OccasionalAbarth 500Tailgate wiring breakage: failure of the third brake light and number plate lightGebrauchtwagenberater.de identifies as the most common weak point of the Fiat 500 a cable that breaks in the tailgate from repeated opening and closing, causing the third brake light or number plate light to fail; fiches-auto.fr also describes the tailgate harness as fragile. Neither separates out the Abarth version.
  53. 53Low severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 6 F12/F13Condensation in headlights and rear lightsThe headlights and rear lights of the 6 Series can build up condensation; the moisture corrodes contacts and can switch off some lighting function.
  54. 54Low severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X3 F25LED rear lights that stop working due to a faulty circuit boardAccording to Gebrauchtwagenberater.de, the X3 F25's LED rear lights often fail, mainly due to a faulty electronic circuit board.
  55. 55Low severityFrequency: OccasionalChrysler 300CElectrical faults: xenon lights, heated seats and climate and navigation controlsAUTO BILD says the 300C suffers faults with xenon bulbs, seat heaters and the climate control and navigation control units. It is a list from the used-car test, with no figures, causes or costs.
  56. 56Low severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C1 IIWater getting in through the rear window, under the driver's floor and at the rear lightsAccording to the fiches-auto.fr reports, several second-generation C1 cars suffer leaks: the rear window seal, water under the driver's floor and ingress into the boot and rear lights.
  57. 57Low severityFrequency: OccasionalDacia Duster IISide indicator failure caused by poorly protected wiringThe side indicator light can stop working because of a badly positioned connecting wire that rubs against the bodywork and wears or breaks; the replacement-part manufacturer Hella documents the fault on Dusters built between 2010 and 2018, which includes the early Duster II cars.
  58. 58Low severityFrequency: OccasionalDacia Duster IILighting and indicator faults in the Duster II inspectionAt the German TÜV the Duster II fails for lighting more often than average, specifically the indicators and the lighting system in general. It is a minor and cheap defect, distinct from the side indicator wiring problem seen on early units.
  59. 59Low severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai i10 IIThird brake light and lighting that fail or cause problems at the MOTOn the i10 II the third brake light appears broken or blown in several French testimonies, and the German TÜV reports problems with headlights and rear lights. These are faults with no mechanical risk, although they can cause a fail at the inspection.
  60. 60Low severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai i20 IIDipped headlights, rear lights and indicators failing inspectionAccording to the TÜV report cited by Gebrauchtwagenberater.de, on the i20 II inspectors most often flag the dipped headlights, rear lights and indicators. It is a low-cost issue with no mechanical risk.
  61. 61Low severityFrequency: OccasionalInfiniti Q30Electronics faults: rear sensors, camera and adaptive headlightsAccording to testimonials on fiches-auto.fr, the Q30 racks up electronic faults: 4 cases of general electronics and 5 of sensors, with faulty parking sensors and camera and adaptive headlights that do not work.
  62. 62Low severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Ceed IILight faults: dipped beam, front and rear lights and indicatorsThe TÜV report in Auto Bild shows that, from the third inspection onwards, second-generation Ceeds fail more than usual on dipped beam, front and rear lights and indicators.
  63. 63Low severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Picanto ILighting faults: rear lights, headlights and instrument panel bulbsOn the Picanto I, lighting is what fails most often at TÜV inspections, according to Gebrauchtwagenberater (rear lights and, to a lesser extent, dipped headlights), and fiches-auto has isolated cases of a headlight lens needing replacement and instrument panel bulbs that switch off.
  64. 64Low severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Picanto IIMisted headlights and faulty dipped beamsGebrauchtwagenberater reports that the Picanto II's headlights mist up 'fairly often' and that dipped beams feature among the recurring defects in TÜV inspections.
  65. 65Low severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Picanto IIIDipped beam misaligned at the second technical inspectionThe 2026 TÜV report, covered by Auto Bild and T-Online, says the Kia Picanto III too often reaches its second technical inspection (the TÜV) with the dipped beam badly aimed.
  66. 66Low severityFrequency: OccasionalLotus Elise S2Headlights with water or deteriorated lacquerThe seals of the Elise's headlights and foglights deteriorate and let in water, and the headlight lacquer can degrade; replacing them costs at least around £300 in the UK, according to evo.
  67. 67Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda 3 IIDefects in the front headlights of the Mazda 3 (BL) flagged in German technical inspectionsAuto Zeitung rates the headlights as the most-cited problem on the Mazda 3 BL, and Auto Bild, summarising the German TÜV, reports front lighting defect rates above average; neither specifies the cause.
  68. 68Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase C W204Moisture in the headlights and xenon headlight levelling faultsAutoblog reports moisture in the reflectors, especially on cars before the facelift, and Gebrauchtwagenberater cites the height adjustment of xenon headlights as a common source of problems.
  69. 69Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMINI Countryman R60Condensation inside the Mini Countryman R60 rear lightsGebrauchtwagenberater.de notes that the Countryman R60's rear lights often mist up on the inside, and the fiches-auto.fr entry warns that light seals that are not watertight allow moisture in.
  70. 70Low severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan AriyaLeft headlight beam misaligned on some Nissan AriyasIn 148 Ariyas built between March 2022 and February 2025 (UK figure), the left headlight beam may be misaligned. The DVSA records that the recall fixes it by adjusting the headlight to specification.
  71. 71Low severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Note ICracked, cloudy or misaligned headlightsThree sources from three countries agree that the Note I's headlights deteriorate: cracked housings (Polish owners), yellowing lenses (fiches-auto.fr) and damaged or misaligned headlights, a common fail point at Germany's TÜV (CarWiki.de).
  72. 72Low severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Qashqai IIIFinish wear: paint, plastics, misted headlights and fragile windscreenYes: several sources agree on finish defects in the Qashqai J12 - paint that chips or scratches easily, door mouldings that come unstuck, plastic noises from the dashboard, vibration in a wing mirror, headlights that mist up inside and a windscreen that cracks more easily than expected.
  73. 73Low severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Insignia AElectronic faults: satnav, xenon headlights and electric parking brakegebrauchtwagenberater.de reports that the Insignia A's electronics regularly give trouble: heated seats that fail, the IL900 satnav that freezes, xenon headlights and the electric parking brake.
  74. 74Low severityFrequency: OccasionalSeat León IIIWater leaks in the headlights and tailgateMotorMundial documents sealing problems in the Leon III's headlights and tailgate, that is, water getting in through inadequate sealing, along with poor quality windscreen wiper blades.
  75. 75Low severityFrequency: OccasionalŠkoda Octavia IIICondensation inside the headlightsA specialist garage documents condensation inside the Octavia III's headlights caused by deterioration of the perimeter seal, which lets moisture in; depending on the case, it is fixed by resealing the headlight unit or replacing it completely.
  76. 76Low severityFrequency: OccasionalSuzuki Grand Vitara IILighting defects (dipped beam and indicators)The AUTO BILD 2026 TÜV report puts the lighting of the Grand Vitara JT above average, especially the dipped beam and the indicators.
  77. 77Low severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota VersoFaulty lights on the Verso in German technical inspectionsAccording to the TÜV report summarised by Gebrauchtwagenberater, lighting is the Verso's weak point in the German technical inspection and frequently leads to re-inspections.
  78. 78Low severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Yaris IVBodywork sealing defects on the Yaris IV: roof, rear lights and bootAccording to testimonies on fiches-auto.fr, some Yaris IV owners report the roof coming away at the top of the windscreen, condensation in the rear lights or water getting into the boot. The entry does not detail any campaign for this defect.
  79. 79Low severityFrequency: RareAudi A5 IIHeadlight height adjustment failingGebrauchtwagenberater.de reports that the headlight height adjustment on the F5 A5 fails from time to time and that it is a known fault for years which has not been fully resolved.
  80. 80Low severityFrequency: RareAudi A8 D3Water leaking into the rear lightsAccording to fiches-auto.fr, the rear lights of the A8 D3 can let water in; the listing mentions 280 euros per unit, a figure from one report with no VAT indicated. This is a pattern drawn from owner reports, not a manufacturer recall.
  81. 81Low severityFrequency: RareHyundai i40Sudden failure of the daytime running lights on pre-facelift i40sAccording to Gebrauchtwagenberater.de, the daytime running lights of i40s built before the December 2014 facelift can suddenly stop working. The source gives no cause, cost or number of cases.
  82. 82Low severityFrequency: RareLancia MusaHazard warning lights switch on by themselves due to a switch fault on the Lancia MusaHella documents that on Lancia Musas with manual air conditioning and chassis numbers between 1050002 and 1057835 (Fiat Idea and Musa from 2003 to 2007, according to another of its entries), the hazard warning lights can switch on by themselves due to an internal switch fault. The fix is to replace the switch.
  83. 83Low severityFrequency: RarePeugeot 108Water ingress in the rear lights and tailgate latch failureAccording to testimonies on fiches-auto.fr, some 108s collect water in the rear lights, even after repairs, and in one case the tailgate latch had to be repaired three times in eight months.
  84. 84Low severityFrequency: RareRenault RafaleAutomatic headlight and camera fault on the RafaleThe fiches-auto.fr page records a testimonial from a 200 ch hybrid Rafale owner with a fault in the automatic headlights and the driver-assistance cameras. It is a single case with no cause or cost.
  85. 85Low severityFrequency: RareVolvo V40 IIRear left light stops working due to EMC softwareVolvo recalled 1,492 V40s from 2013-2014 because a software fault in the central electronic module could switch off the rear left light and trigger a warning on the dashboard.

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Problems with headlights and lights by make

Problems with headlights and lights in your car

6 cars have several documented faults with headlights and lights. Choose yours to see only the ones that affect them, by engine and by year.

Citroën 1
Dacia 1
DS 1
Kia 1
Peugeot 1
Toyota 1

OBD fault codes with headlights and lights

The codes the ECU usually stores when this part fails: what they mean, causes and what to check.

Frequently asked questions

Which cars have problems with headlights and lights?

Among those we have analysed: Peugeot 307 (exterior light failure without warning (2006-2009 production)), Alfa Romeo Tonale (faulty wiring under the floor: loss of lights, power steering and brake servo (Tonale 2022-2023)), Citroën C-Crosser (out-of-specification electronic component in the built-in systems interface (BSI): lights, wipers and sat nav may fail), Kia Sorento IV (indicators that may fail because of the multifunction switch), Hyundai Tucson I (brake light switch failure from burnt contacts (2007 to 2009 Tucson)), Kia Carens III (faulty brake light switch: the lights may not come on when braking), Kia Optima III (intermittent brake light failure caused by a carbonised switch) and Kia Sportage II (brake light switch failure). In total, 79 cars with documented faults with headlights and lights.

What symptoms does a fault with headlights and lights cause?

The most frequently cited in the documented faults: intermittent electronic warnings or sensor faults, water getting into the cabin or boot, screen or infotainment system freezes or restarts, engine fault warning light (check engine), esp warning light on or flashing and abs or esp warning light on.