Component
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
827 NHTSA complaints about structure:body:roof and pillars issues across 43 makes and 256 models.
The structure:body:roof and pillars is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 827 filings from 43 manufacturers and 256 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 37 crashes, 3 fires, 74 injuries, and 12 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the CHEVROLET CORVETTE with 98 filings, followed by FORD EXPLORER and CHRYSLER SEBRING. 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.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHEVROLET CORVETTE | 98 |
| 2 | FORD EXPLORER | 39 |
| 3 | CHRYSLER SEBRING | 38 |
| 4 | CHEVROLET CAMARO | 30 |
| 5 | JEEP LIBERTY | 21 |
| 6 | FORD MUSTANG | 19 |
| 7 | MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE | 17 |
| 8 | CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE | 16 |
| 9 | JEEP WRANGLER | 15 |
| 10 | PONTIAC FIREBIRD | 10 |
| 11 | MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER | 9 |
| 12 | NISSAN MAXIMA | 8 |
| 13 | PONTIAC G6 | 7 |
| 14 | OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS | 7 |
| 15 | HONDA ACCORD | 7 |
| 16 | DODGE VIPER | 7 |
| 17 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 7 |
| 18 | VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO | 6 |
| 19 | NISSAN ARMADA | 6 |
| 20 | MERCURY CAPRI | 6 |
| 21 | HONDA S2000 | 6 |
| 22 | FORD RANGER | 6 |
| 23 | DODGE SHADOW | 6 |
| 24 | CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE | 6 |
| 25 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 5 |
| 26 | VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE | 5 |
| 27 | TOYOTA CELICA | 5 |
| 28 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 5 |
| 29 | SCION TC | 5 |
| 30 | SATURN VUE | 5 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud whistling sound coming from the upper panel of the roof. The vehicle was t
The contact owns a 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. The contact stated that the vehicle was recently purchased. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, other drivers were waving to contact, attemp
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that the roof panel had detached and was tilted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an estimate for the repair was provided. Th
The contact owns a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS450. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, a loud popping noise had occurred, and suddenly the panoramic glass sunroof exploded, causing
Sunroof part behind the windshield came off due to the bond adhesive deteriorating and cause part coming off and causing road hazard
The contact owns a 2017 BMW I3. The contact stated that there were discolored bubbles developing on the roof of the vehicle. The roof of the vehicle was delaminating. Upon further inspection, the cont
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE450. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front roof panel detached and flew off the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaire
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the driver's side roof panel. The contact continued driving. The contact sta
I am the owner of a 2020 Kia Telluride with less than 60,000 miles, and I am experiencing a significant issue with the paint peeling off the top of my vehicle. The car is always parked in a garage and
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the roof rails were inoperable. The contact stated that the roof rail on
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the power liftgate failed to close as needed. The contact was able to manually close the liftgate. Additionally, the roof was leaking nea
See attached document for complaint
See attached document for complaint
See attached document for complaint
See attached document for complaint
See attached document for complaint
See attached document for complaint
See attached document for complaint
See attached document for complaint
Related Vehicle Components
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.