Component

STRUCTURE

18,600 NHTSA complaints about structure issues across 58 makes and 977 models.

The structure is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 18,600 filings from 58 manufacturers and 977 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.

Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 368 crashes, 108 fires, 762 injuries, and 51 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD EXPLORER with 1,908 filings, followed by DODGE RAM 1500 and TOYOTA CAMRY. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.

Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.

18,600
Complaints
977
Models Affected
368
Crashes
108
Fires
51
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 FORD EXPLORER 1,908
2 DODGE RAM 1500 1,537
3 TOYOTA CAMRY 569
4 JEEP LIBERTY 450
5 DODGE RAM 2500 424
6 NISSAN ALTIMA 393
7 ACURA TL 367
8 TOYOTA SIENNA 350
9 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 235
10 FORD ESCAPE 228
11 FORD TAURUS 223
12 CHEVROLET TAHOE 223
13 FORD F-150 202
14 CHRYSLER PACIFICA 191
15 FORD CONTOUR 162
16 TOYOTA TACOMA 161
17 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB 152
18 TOYOTA TUNDRA 149
19 BUICK LESABRE 144
20 FORD WINDSTAR 143
21 MAZDA MAZDA3 135
22 JEEP CHEROKEE 126
23 HONDA CIVIC 126
24 HONDA ACCORD 123
25 FORD EXPEDITION 123
26 HONDA CR-V 115
27 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 115
28 HONDA ODYSSEY 108
29 DODGE RAM 3500 102
30 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 100

Recent Complaints

2017 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were n

2014 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side A-pillar trim on the windshield started to detach. The contact received not

2013 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dea

2018 FORD EXPLORER

See attached document for complaint. I am in receipt of your multiple Important Safety Recall notices/letter and am very upset with your company. I keep receiving these recall notices/letters and I c

2015 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall rep

2016 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V347000 (Structure). However, the parts to do the recall repairs were n

2014 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact

2018 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer wa

2025 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR

See attached document for complaint.

2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER

See attached document for complaint

2019 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER

See attached document for complaint

2014 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact

2013 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact s

2018 FORD TAURUS

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the driver's side B-pillar trim blew off the vehicle by the slipstream. The contact had received notifi

2017 FORD TAURUS

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Taurus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V611000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact sta

2019 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the windshield. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and

2017 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer wa

2019 FORD FLEX

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V732000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the parts to do the recall repairs

2015 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing into the driveway at approximately 2 MPH, the rear-view camera image went blank. The vehicle had been experiencing interm

2015 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repa

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve structure issues?
The NHTSA has received 18,600 complaints about structure problems across 977 vehicle models from 58 manufacturers.
How dangerous are structure defects?
STRUCTURE issues have been linked to 368 crashes, 108 fires, 762 injuries, and 51 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most structure problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for structure issues is the FORD EXPLORER with 1,908 complaints.
Where does PlainCars get its safety data?
All vehicle safety data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database, which collects reports from vehicle owners about safety-related defects.

Data Sources

Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.

Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.

Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.

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