I am fortunately not reporting on a failure per SE or an accident, I am reporting a potentially deadly flaw in the lighting system of many new vehicles (like for instance my 2008 Honda Fit). The problem is that anytime the car is started the instrument panel is totally lighted up and stays that way not matter what the actual visibility is. As a consequence it is quite easy to forget to turn on the head lights even at night when leaving a brightly lighted place (like a gas station). This has happened to me a few times: I would tank the car, start the engine, see the lighted instrument panel and drive off into a dark street. Of course you realize after a few seconds that you have no headlights but those 2-3 seconds could be fatal, the only indicator that the head lights are on is a small green icon that it is easily not noticed among the lighted panel. The situation is also dangerous at dusk when the lighted panel again gives the impression that the headlights are on. A few days ago I passed a car driven on a nearby interstate by a woman who had not headlights on and was driving in a situation of advanced darkness; as I passed her car I noticed the glow of her lighted instrument panel. Since one's eyes easily adjust to darkness it is very easy not to notice the problem. I hope nobody has been already victimized by this not so intelligent system.

- West Lafayette, IN, USA

2008 Honda Fit sport - dash lights are on all the time, not just when headlights are turned on as is typical of every other car I have ever driven. This design has caused me on several occasions to drive for miles at night thinking that my headlights were on. Twice now, a car has pulled out in front of me because they could not see my approaching vehicle in the darkness. Had there been an accident I would have been responsible. If the dash lights were linked to the headlights I would immediately be alerted that my headlights were not on at night. I believe that this is a significant and critical safety issue that should be addressed and remedied by Honda motor co. I further believe that Honda should be required to issue a recall in order to fix this safety related issue. It is only a matter of time before some unfortunate Honda Fit driver is involved in a vehicular accident as a result of what I feel is a safety design fault. I have not notified Honda motor co. Of this issue because in past I have made suggestions of improvements for the Fit and Honda replied with a letter from their legal department informing me that they do not / will not accept any suggestions from anyone who is not an employee of their company. I intend to inform consumer reports of this issue in the hope that they may comment about it for the benefit of their readers, many of whom may have purchased a Honda Fit based on cr's vehicle reviews / recommendations.

- Leesburg, FL, USA