NHTSA Complaint #11663917 — 2020 HONDA PILOT

I am writing to formally report a safety concern related to a recent maintenance issue on my Honda vehicle. Approximately one month ago, I had my vehicle serviced to address an issue with the rear tailgate lighting. Although the issue was supposedly repaired, I discovered during nighttime driving that the tailgate lights were still not functioning properly. Despite the headlights being on, the rear tailgate lighting failed to illuminate, creating a serious safety hazard. I was nearly involved in a rear-end collision with a truck due to this malfunction. Upon stopping and inspecting the vehicle, I confirmed that the tailgate lights were not working as intended. This problem raises serious concerns, especially considering the dealership performed a multi-point inspection at the time of service. The malfunction was not detected or corrected adequately. Additionally, I question the reliability of these inspections, as there have been inconsistencies in their findings. For example, one inspection indicated that my brakes were fine, but just three weeks later, another inspection claimed they required replacement. The main issue, however, is that the tailgate lights were supposedly repaired but were not correctly configured to turn on automatically with the headlights. This oversight directly jeopardized my safety and the safety of others on the road. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this matter and determine whether there is a broader issue with the repair or inspection protocols being followed by Honda service centers, particularly regarding rear lighting systems and multi-point inspections. Thank you for your attention to this urgent safety concern. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)