Component

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

2,697 NHTSA complaints about structure:frame and members:underbody shields issues across 44 makes and 378 models.

The structure:frame and members:underbody shields is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 2,697 filings from 44 manufacturers and 378 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 49 crashes, 16 fires, 37 injuries, and 1 fatality. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the TOYOTA TACOMA with 372 filings, followed by TOYOTA TUNDRA and TOYOTA 4RUNNER. 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.

2,697
Complaints
378
Models Affected
49
Crashes
16
Fires
1
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 TOYOTA TACOMA 372
2 TOYOTA TUNDRA 201
3 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 163
4 CHRYSLER PACIFICA 152
5 FORD RANGER 106
6 FORD WINDSTAR 86
7 TOYOTA SEQUOIA 73
8 HONDA ACCORD 67
9 FORD ESCAPE 65
10 ISUZU RODEO 54
11 NISSAN ALTIMA 46
12 HYUNDAI SONATA 43
13 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 39
14 DODGE CALIBER 36
15 JEEP WRANGLER 30
16 NISSAN PATHFINDER 28
17 FORD F-150 28
18 CHEVROLET TRACKER 26
19 FORD TAURUS 24
20 HONDA PASSPORT 19
21 HONDA GL1800 18
22 FORD FOCUS 18
23 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 18
24 FORD EXPLORER 16
25 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 15
26 KIA SPORTAGE 14
27 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 14
28 MERCURY SABLE 13
29 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 13
30 NISSAN MAXIMA 12

Recent Complaints

2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

While I was driving the vehicle on December 30, 2025 emerging on to the highway I heard a loud popping sound which I thought was one of the tires going flat when the plastic barrier underneath the car

2023 TOYOTA TUNDRA

Traveling on highwy bat 70 mph the fuel tank protection panel 77606/77641C came loose in the front after bracket support 77511 broke and the air pressure bent the protector down at the front and it hi

2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA

The unibody of this vehicle has become completely rusted/rotted to where the car is undriveable. This has been inspected by a service center, and I was told it is dangerous and beyond repair. I am s

2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The contact stated that while her son was attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; how

2020 FORD EXPLORER

See attached document for potential defect petition

2023 TESLA MODEL X

I was driving home from work within city limits at less than 30 miles per hour. The roads were waterlogged due to a thunderstorm and the next thing I knew i heard other vehicles near me honking and te

2012 TOYOTA TACOMA

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the undercarriage of the vehicle was significantly rusted. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dea

2020 HONDA INSIGHT

I was driving home from vacation when my engine splash plate came loose from my car on the interstate. The splash plate fell down and dragged on highway creating friction under my car. The metal had f

2024 TOYOTA BZ4X

On [XXX], while driving through a common roadway puddle at a safe speed, the front bumper on my BZ4X detached from the undercarriage shield and tore away from the clips. This type of damage is clearly

2022 TOYOTA TUNDRA

I have owned the truck since 2022 and since then the skid plate covering the gas tank has broken in the same place. The mount to the frame has broken and has dismissed the issue by stating external fa

2007 TOYOTA TUNDRA

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, there was a loud sound coming from the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and determined that the fuel tank

2015 MAZDA MAZDA6

The contact owns a 2015 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud clanking sound coming from the rear end on the passenger's side. The contact state

2019 HONDA CR-V

The contact owns a 2019 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, there was a scraping sound coming from underneath the vehicle. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, the contact disc

2023 TOYOTA BZ4X

I drove the car at 40mph through about 2 inches of standing water. This caused the undercarriage splash plate to become loose. It has not fallen off, but it will need to be repaired. The streets some

2020 GMC SIERRA 1500

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the parking brake was independently activated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle had a

2025 FORD F-150 HYBRID

The contact owns a 2025 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon inspecting underneath the vehicle, he noticed an abnormal amount of rust on the exhaust filter, brackets, exhaust system, muffler, bolt

2009 FORD ESCAPE

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance, who determined that the passenger-side front subframe was rotten. The front and rear unde

2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

The contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the driver's side front control arm fractured. Additionally, the contact noticed that the undercarriage was rusted. Th

2020 LINCOLN AVIATOR

The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a humming sound coming from the sunroof. Additionally, the contact noticed a fluttering sou

2017 TESLA MODEL X

Problem #1: The Components that failed are the front wheel fenders, they blew off while driving down the highway, they have since been repaired. the repairman said that these blow off all the time due

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve structure:frame and members:underbody shields issues?
The NHTSA has received 2,697 complaints about structure:frame and members:underbody shields problems across 378 vehicle models from 44 manufacturers.
How dangerous are structure:frame and members:underbody shields defects?
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS issues have been linked to 49 crashes, 16 fires, 37 injuries, and 1 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most structure:frame and members:underbody shields problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for structure:frame and members:underbody shields issues is the TOYOTA TACOMA with 372 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.

Verify with FDA →