2013 Mazda MAZDA3 headlight problems

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

There seems to be a lot of people who own 2012 and 2013 Mazda 3 Sedans (with SKYACTIV-G 2.0L and Halogen Type Headlights) that are dealing with the same issue I am dealing with myself. I have just purchased a used 2013 Mazda 3 with Skyactive Technology and I noticed that when I was braking the headlights would pulse on and off and would continue while I braked. I have been told there is a TSB on this issue (attached) and Mazda is well aware of this happening. This concern is caused by inadequate alternator output controlled by the PCM when the battery is under a heavy load. They are to the point now of charging people for a doing the TSB on the car that is causing the problem of the alternator not producing the proper wattage to support both the headlights and the brake lights at the same time. There are numerous online forum entries that speak of this issue with 2012 and 2013 Mazda 3's. I am very concerned that my headlights may stop working which could result in my death or the death of my occupants of my vehicle not to mention the other motorists on the road around me if my head lights were to eventually fail at night due to lack of proper wattage to the headlights. There are videos on you tube that show these pulsing headlights on Mazda's. I believe that headlights are important enough safety issue that their failing could result in death if the headlights completely failed due to the known fault in these vehicles over time.

NHTSA complaint #11572005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

When driving at highway speeds and applying brakes, the headlights will pulse bright to dim for the duration of braking. I have seen this problem reported online by several dealers and it has a known software update to fix the problem, but it is not listed under the recalls for this vehicle. A similar problem exists on the 2014 Mazda's and a recall does exist for that vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11436434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE HEADLIGHTS DIM AND FLICKER UNTIL THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. NIGHTTIME VIABILITY IS SUBSTANTIALLY DIMINISHED WHEN APPLYING THE BREAKS AND FLICKERING SEAMS TO SEND A SIGNAL TO OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. THIS DEFECT OCCURS 100% OF THE TIME WHEN APPLYING THE BEAKS AT NIGHT WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON.

NHTSA complaint #11402981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKES ALL THE VEHICLES LIGHTS FLASHING FROM BRIGHT TO DEEM THE HEADLIGHTS, INSIDE PANEL LIGHTS FLASHING FROM BRIGHT TO DEEM MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT IT ACTS LIKE CAR IS LOSING POWER

NHTSA complaint #11402536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

ONGOING PROBLEM - REPORTED BY OTHERS IN MANY FORUMS. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED. DURING BREAKING HEADLIGHTS PULSE BRIGHTER AND DIMMER

NHTSA complaint #11395445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

LIGHTING:WHEN APPLYING BREAKS, HEADLIGHTS FLICKER. WINDSHIELD: LEAKS. ADHESIVE EXPANDED, CAUSING SEAL TO BREAK. WATER POURS IN ON DASH FROM SIDE DURING BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS OR CAR WASH. ADHESIVE ALSO EXPANDED ON GAUGE PANEL, CAUSING DISPLAY WINDOW TO LIFT. WAS THIS WAY WHEN PURCHASED. DID NOT NOTICE HEADLIGHTS AND WINDOW SEAL AT TIME OF PURCHASE.

NHTSA complaint #11315401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

DESCRIPTION THIS VEHICLE EXHIBITS THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DECELERATING (BY APPLYING THE BRAKES) WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON. THIS CONCERN IS CAUSED BY INADEQUATE ALTERNATOR OUTPUT (CONTROLLED BY THE PCM) WHEN THE BATTERY IS UNDER HEAVY LOAD. TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, THE CONTROL LOGIC OF THE PCM HAS BEEN CHANGED. MAZDA WILL NOT UPDATE THE PCM WITHOUT CHARGING CUSTOMERS A DIAGNOSTIC AND REPROGRAMMING FEE IN THE US.

NHTSA complaint #11309814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS FLICKER/PULSE. OVER THE LAST 6-12 MONTHS THIS ISSUE HAS BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED SO THAT IT HAS BEGUN REDUCING VISIBILITY. PLUS, NEARBY CARS ARE DISTRACTED, EVIDENTLY THINKING WE ARE IN DISTRESS. WE BELIEVE THIS CREATES AN ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC HAZARD. NOTE: INITIALLY, THE PROBLEM WAS ONLY NOTICEABLE WHEN SLOWING FROM AN INITIAL SPEED OF ABOUT 25-40MPH. NOW IT SEEMS TO HAVE ADVANCED TO HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED ABOVE ABOUT 25MPH.

NHTSA complaint #11289040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 20-60 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED SMITH HAVEN MAZDA (827 JERICHO TURNPIKE, ST JAMES, NY 11780, 631) 724-4070) AND MAZDA 112 (2112 NY-112, MEDFORD, NY 11763, (631) 256-1074), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED REFERENCE NUMBER: 1-2451813550 THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11287977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHILE DECELERATING. ESPECIALLY BAD WHEN BRAKING. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A LONG TIME, JUST DECIDED NOW TO REPORT IT. I SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE ONLINE.

NHTSA complaint #11281106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES, THE LIGHT FLASH ALMOST AS IF IT FLASHING MY BRIGHT LIGHT, NO MATTER WHERE OR HOW FAST OR SLOW I'M DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #11255206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY HEADLIGHTS DIM AND FLICKER, MOST NOTICEABLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. IT WAS BARELY NOTICABLE AT FIRST. MY SON-IN-LAW, WHO IS AN AUTO AND DIESEL MECHANIC, BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION IN DECEMBER 2017 WHEN HE WAS DRIVING IT. IT IS GETTING WORSE AND BECOMING MORE AND MORE OF A PROBLEM, MAKING IT HARD TO SEE, ESPECIALLY WHEN APPROACHING A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. I AM NOT SURE IF THE TAIL LIGHTS ARE ALSO EFFECTED, BUT COMPLAINT ID 11164134 REPORTED THAT THEIR'S WERE. MY EXPERIENCE WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSES ME TO WORRY THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FAIL ENTIRELY, LEAVING ME UNABLE TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS IS NOT A SINGLE INCIDENT; IT ALWAYS OCCURS EVERYTIME I DRIVE AT NIGHT, SO I AM PUTTING TODAY'S DATE IN THE "WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN" FIELD BECAUSE I CAN'T INDICATE THAT IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THE FOUR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM ALL INDICATE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES; I HOPE THERE DON'T HAVE TO BE INJURIES OR FATALITIES FOR THIS TO BE CONSIDERED SERIOUS ENOUGH TO WARRANT A RECALL. ALSO, THE SPEED DOESN'T MATTER, I HAD TO PUT IN A NUMBER SO I INDICATED 45 MPH, BUT IT HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY AT 80 MPH AS WELL AS ON CITY STREETS. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 49,259 MILES ON THE CAR. WHEN I BOUGHT IT IT HAD 33,370 MILES ON IT. LIKE I SAID, IT IS GETTING WORSE. IT IS MORE DISTRACTING DUE TO MORE PRONOUNCED FLICKERING AND DIMMING OF THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #11182189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHEN BRAKING.

NHTSA complaint #11160877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN DRIVING WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND I BEGIN TO SLOW DOWN, WHETHER COASTING OR USING THE BRAKE, MY HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER REALLY BAD. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IT HAPPENS 90% OF THE TIME. THERE ARE TIMES THEY FLICKER BAD ENOUGH THAT IT LOOKS LIKE I AM FLASHING MY HIGHBEAMS. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE OF HOW HARD IT MADE IT TO CONCENTRATE ON THE SURROUNDING AREA. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT ITS LIKE FOR SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME OR DRIVING TOWARDS ME. SOMETIMES THEY WILL ALSO FLASH A FEW TIMES WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY CONTINUE TO SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. SO IT IS STILL AN ONGOING PROBLEM FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT.

NHTSA complaint #11144676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHEN BRAKING OR IN PARKED. DRIVERS SEAT WOBBLES/ROCKS/SHIFTS WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #11129598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES

2013 MAZDA 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HEADLIGHT CONDENSATION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED.

NHTSA complaint #11100868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED AND FLASHED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MAXON HYUNDAI MAZDA (2329 US 22, UNION, NJ 07083). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO CRYSTAL MAZDA (220 RTE 22 WEST, GREENBROOKEE, NJ 08812) WHERE IT WAS ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000.

NHTSA complaint #11064824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

PCM DOES NOT REGULATE ALTERNATOR OUTPUT CORRECTLY CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS TO FLASH/STROBE AND HORN TONE TO FLUCTUATE WHILE BRAKING IN MOTION. THE HEADLIGHTS FLASHING COULD LEAD OTHER DRIVERS TO BELIEVE YOU ARE SIGNALING THEM, AND LACK OF POWER TO HORN REDUCES THE AUDIBILITY AND MAY NOT BE HEARD BY OTHER DRIVERS. DEALERSHIP/MAZDA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND HAS PROVIDED A "SOFTWARE UPDATE" TO FIX THE ISSUE, BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL, THUS REQUIRING CONSUMERS TO PAY $60-$100 USD FOR THE UPDATE IF OUT OF WARRANTY. ON NOVEMBER 22TH 2017 I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AND WAS BRAKING COMING TO THE RED LIGHT WHEN A VEHICLE ON A SIDE STREET WAVED AT ME AND PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME I USED MY HORN OF WHICH FLUCTUATED WITH POWER, I WAS ABLE TO AVOID THE CRASH BUT IT WAS A CLOSE CALL. I SUSPECT THE OTHER VEHICLE THOUGHT MY FLASHING HEADLIGHTS WERE SIGNALING THEM TO "GO AHEAD". I BELIEVE THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AS THIS ISSUE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE.

NHTSA complaint #11048713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE HEADLIGHTS FLASHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (MAZDA KNOXVILLE, 8814 KINGSTON PIKE, KNOXVILLE, TN 37923) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

NHTSA complaint #11046228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I HAVE A 2013 MAZDA 3I 5-DOOR HATCHBACK WITH APPROXIMATELY 61,000 MILES, 90% HIGHWAY DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK. AFTER HAVING THE BATTERY REPLACED (ORIGINAL) EARLIER THIS YEAR, I THEN NOTICED THAT MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLASH INTERMITTENTLY, AT THAT TIME. AS THE YEAR PROGRESSED, THE HEADLIGHT FLASHING, WHICH PRESENTS ITSELF ONLY UPON BRAKING OR DECELERATION, BECAME MARKEDLY INCREASED AND BRIGHTER, INCLUDING THE DASHBOARD INFORMATION SYSTEMS WINDOW INSIDE. I WENT TO AN AUTHORIZED MECHANIC, WHO FIRST PUT MY CAR ON DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH SHOWED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS VERY WEAK/WORN. SINCE I HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY, THROUGH A PRIVATE COMPANY, BUT ONLY UNTIL 60,000/5 YEARS, I RUSHED TO MAKE TIME FOR THE MECHANIC TO RECEIVE AUTHORIZATION AND REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH HE DID, AND MY CAR RUNS GREAT. THERE REMAINS, THOUGH, THE PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS FLASHING. SINCE THE MECHANIC DID RESET THE COMPUTER, WE WERE STUMPED. THEN MY HUSBAND FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM MAZDA DEALING WITH THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE, STATING THAT THE CAR MUST GO TO THE DEALER BECAUSE ONLY THE DEALER CAN RESET ALL THE PARTS OF THE COMPUTER. I THEN CONTACTED MAZDA, BUT HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE. I DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE MADE TO PAY FOR THIS ADJUSTMENT/REPAIR SINCE MAZDA APPARENTLY IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR. JUST GOOGLE IT, THERE ARE ALOT OF M3 OWNERS OUT THERE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS, MOST GOT RESOLVED BECAUSE THEY WERE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. GREAT FOR THEM, BUT THAT DOESN'T HELP ME. NOT ONLY IS THIS A PROBLEM FOR ME SINCE I DRIVE NEARLY 40 MILES EACH WAY TO/FROM WORK EACH NIGHT, BUT I AM TIRED OF OTHER DRIVERS FLASHING THEIR LIGHTS AT ME, HONKING, OR YELLING. IT IS MOST ANNOYING, NOT TO MENTION A SAFETY HAZARD, SINCE I AM A NIGHT-TIME/EARLY MORNING DRIVER, PREDOMINANTLY DRIVING IN THE DARK. PLEASE ADVISE.

NHTSA complaint #11043324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHILE APPLYING BRAKES. PROBLEM OCCURS ONLY WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. SOMETIMES CARS THINK I AM FLASHING MY LIGHTS AT THEM SO THEY WILL TURN THEIR BRIGHT LIGHTS ON. ONCE I ALMOST DROVE OFF THE SIDE OF A WINDING ROAD BECAUSE WHEN THE FLICKERING LIGHTS BOUNCED OFF OF THE GUARD RAIL REFLECTORS, IT WAS DISORIENTING

NHTSA complaint #11020491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE HEADLIGHTS ON A NEWLY PURCHASED USED 2013 MAZDA 3 FLICKERING WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING ON UNLIT STREETS AT NIGHT. TRYING TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS A COVERED MANUFACTURED ISSUE. THIS IS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND BEING DRIVEN.

NHTSA complaint #11019960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY KEEPS COLLECTING WATER WHICH SHORTS OUT THE HEADLIGHTS AND BALLAST. I KEEP FINDING THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WHEN RESEARCHING IT ONLINE. I CAN'T FIND ANY OBVIOUS WORN SEALS OR CRACKS. I'VE CHANGED MY LIGHTBULB 3 TIMES SO FAR IN SIX MONTHS. I FIND WATER EVERY TIME. MY LIGHT WILL MAGICALLY JUST GO OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING USUALLY AT NIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #11019224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN DECELERATING WITH HEADLIGHTS ON WHILE IN MOTION, HEADLIGHTS FLICKER UNTIL PRESSURE IS RELEASED FROM BRAKE PEDAL. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS CHARGED $26.38 FOR PCM REPROGRAMMING.

NHTSA complaint #10948403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER OR PULSE. THE FLASHING HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY NOTICEABLE WHEN FOLLOWING BEHIND ANOTHER CAR. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR MANY MONTHS.

NHTSA complaint #10944160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN BRAKING OR DECELERATING, THE HEADLIGHTS PULSE. IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE SIGNALING OTHER DRIVERS AT NIGHT (ALTHOUGH WHO KNOWS WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSEDLY SAYING) AND IT IS A SERIOUS HAZARD. THIS WAS PARTICULARLY A PROBLEM HEADING DOWN A MOUNTAIN AT NIGHT DURING A WINTER STORM TO HAVE OUR VISIBILITY GO IN AND OUT. THERE IS ALREADY A NOTICE OUT ACCORDING TO OUR MECHANIC, BUT WE RECEIVED NOTHING FROM MAZDA AND ARE BEING CHARGED TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER THAT IS SUPPOSEDLY CAUSING THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10926540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

EVERY TIME I SLOW DOWN (BRAKING OR JUST DECELERATING) THE LIGHTS FLICKER. THIS HAPPENS WITH HIGH OR LOW BEAMS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE BATTERY, BUT AFTER REPLACEMENT THIS CONTINUED.

NHTSA complaint #10863227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLIGHTS PULSE, LIKE OTHERS HAVE STATED WHEN DECELERATING, AS IN COMING DOWN A HILL WHILE GENTLY BRAKING. I AM PUTTING THE LATEST DATE OF OCCURRENCE, BUT ITS BEEN GOING ON SINCE ABOUT SUMMER OF 2015. WOULD LIKE THIS RESOLVED.

NHTSA complaint #10852943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN THE CAR DECELERATORS, OR MORE NOTICEABLY, WHEN I'M BREAKING, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER, ALMOST PULSING. IT HAS NOT GOTTEN ME INTO ANY TROUBLE YET, I'VE HEARD OF NEAR HITS BECAUSE OTHER DRIVERS THOUGHT THEY WERE ALLOWING THEM TO MERGE IN FRONT OF THEM. I'M MOST AFRAID THAT SOMEONE WILL THINK I'M THREATENING THEM BY FLASHING MY LIGHTS AT THEM. AS IF I'M ANGRY THEY CUT ME OFF AND FLASHING MY LIGHTS IN ANGER, FOR EXAMPLE. IT'S VERY RARE FOR THIS NOT TO HAPPEN WHEN IT IS DARK. MY BOYFRIEND IS ALSO AFRAID THAT THE LIGHTS ARE GOING TO GO OUT SPONTANEOUSLY, LEAVING ME IN THE DARK.

NHTSA complaint #10850937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN DECELERATING (BRAKING) HEADLIGHTS FLICKER. THIS MAKES NIGHT TIME DRIVING DANGEROUS & DIFFICULT.

NHTSA complaint #10818783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.