Component

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

7,639 NHTSA complaints about structure:frame and members issues across 50 makes and 685 models.

The structure:frame and members is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 7,639 filings from 50 manufacturers and 685 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 197 crashes, 21 fires, 212 injuries, and 20 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the TOYOTA TUNDRA with 551 filings, followed by FORD WINDSTAR and FORD TAURUS. 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.

7,639
Complaints
685
Models Affected
197
Crashes
21
Fires
20
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 TOYOTA TUNDRA 551
2 FORD WINDSTAR 489
3 FORD TAURUS 484
4 TOYOTA TACOMA 374
5 ISUZU RODEO 337
6 HYUNDAI SONATA 240
7 MERCURY SABLE 174
8 FORD RANGER 137
9 HONDA PASSPORT 134
10 FORD F-150 132
11 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 122
12 CHRYSLER PACIFICA 122
13 NISSAN PATHFINDER 97
14 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 78
15 FORD ESCAPE 73
16 TOYOTA SEQUOIA 70
17 HONDA ACCORD 69
18 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 68
19 FORD EXPLORER 65
20 HONDA GL1800 53
21 DODGE DAKOTA 53
22 CHEVROLET LUMINA 52
23 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 50
24 FORD FOCUS 50
25 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 49
26 KIA OPTIMA 44
27 TOYOTA SIENNA 41
28 KIA SPORTAGE 40
29 JEEP WRANGLER 40
30 DODGE CALIBER 39

Recent Complaints

2015 NISSAN ROGUE

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed over a bump in the roadway, the vehicle shuddered and swayed to one side and made an abnormal clunki

2015 AUDI Q5

The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the rear subframe was extremely rusted and could not pass a safety inspection. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, but the vehicle was not re

2008 TOYOTA TUNDRA

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the rear subframe of the vehicle was extremely rusted. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic to be inspected, and it was dete

2006 HUMMER H3

The contact owns a 2006 Hummer H3. The contact stated that the frame was rusted on the driver's side. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact looked underneath the vehicle and was

2008 CHEVROLET COLORADO

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for a service appointment, the contact was informed that the sub frame underneath t

2014 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The contact stated that while cleaning underneath the vehicle, the contact discovered that the subframe was severely corroded. The dealer was made aware of t

2008 KIA SEDONA

The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that upon having a state safety inspection performed on the vehicle, the contact was informed by a mechanic that there was severe corrosion on th

2006 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while having a routine oil change by an independent mechanic, the contact was informed that the frame was rust on the vehicle was

2011 TOYOTA TACOMA

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while attempting to have an inspection completed on the vehicle, the contact was informed by the mechanic that the inspection could not b

2013 GMC SIERRA 1500

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while having the vehicle inspected, the vehicle failed inspection due to the rear subframe being detached from rust. The contact stated

2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER

The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while the front tires were being replaced, corrosion was found underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired b

2009 TOYOTA TACOMA

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that after maintenance service on the vehicle, it was discovered that the front subframe of the vehicle was severely corroded. The vehicle was

2010 RAM 2500

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that while performing routine maintenance on the vehicle, the contact observed that the passenger’s and driver’s side support rails on th

2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud banging sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the cont

2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for service, the independent mechanic discovered rust on the front driver's side subframe. Additionally, the su

2019 JEEP COMPASS

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the sound i

2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was on a lift at an independent mechanic, the independent mechanic found rust on the subframe. There were no

2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that on several occasions, while driving at undisclosed speeds and then parking the vehicle, the contact observed oil leaking from the vehicle

2015 MERCEDES-BENZ C300

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle for the State Inspection, the contact was informed that the rear subframe was rusted, and there was a hole o

2017 FORD ESCAPE

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the ABS sensor lights was illuminated. Additionally, the engine block was previously replaced and there were unknown failures with the wind

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve structure:frame and members issues?
The NHTSA has received 7,639 complaints about structure:frame and members problems across 685 vehicle models from 50 manufacturers.
How dangerous are structure:frame and members defects?
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS issues have been linked to 197 crashes, 21 fires, 212 injuries, and 20 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most structure:frame and members problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for structure:frame and members issues is the TOYOTA TUNDRA with 551 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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