Component

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

897 NHTSA complaints about tires:temporary/emergency spare tire issues across 34 makes and 202 models.

The tires:temporary/emergency spare tire is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 897 filings from 34 manufacturers and 202 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 20 crashes, 11 fires, 15 injuries, and 3 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD F-150 with 59 filings, followed by FORD EXPLORER and CHEVROLET S10. 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.

897
Complaints
202
Models Affected
20
Crashes
11
Fires
3
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 FORD F-150 59
2 FORD EXPLORER 49
3 CHEVROLET S10 43
4 FORD RANGER 40
5 TOYOTA SIENNA 32
6 FORD EXPEDITION 31
7 CHEVROLET ASTRO 30
8 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 26
9 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 26
10 TOYOTA TUNDRA 19
11 TOYOTA TACOMA 16
12 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 15
13 DODGE RAM 2500 15
14 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 15
15 FORD F-250 13
16 CHEVROLET TAHOE 13
17 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 13
18 JEEP CHEROKEE 12
19 GMC SONOMA 12
20 DODGE RAM 1500 12
21 DODGE CARAVAN 12
22 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER 11
23 FORD TAURUS 10
24 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 9
25 CHEVROLET BLAZER 9
26 HYUNDAI ACCENT 8
27 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER 8
28 CHEVROLET MALIBU 8
29 TOYOTA CAMRY 7
30 HONDA ACCORD 7

Recent Complaints

2023 AUDI Q5

The contact owns a 2023 Audi Q5 equipped with a Vredestein Spare Tire, Tire Line: Spare Wheel Space Master, Tire Size: 195/75/R18, DOT Number: DVVB. The contact stated that AAA was called to the scene

2005 LEXUS RX

Unexpectedly found steel cable has snapped off & the spare tire was gone Like to report this could be a safety issue leading to an accident for fellow driver.

2015 HYUNDAI GENESIS

I was checking to see if my spare tire was inflated. When I noticed it needed air, I removed the tire from my trunk and saw that it had split apart. This tire has never been used. I know this because

2013 FORD F-150

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound and became aware that the spare tire had almost struck another vehicle that was followi

2001 SATURN SL

The problem is with the Firestone Tempa Spare T115/70 R14 spare tire. This tire came with the car when new, and has never been used. Tire date of manufacture is 42 2000. I periodically check its air p

2003 DODGE RAM 1500

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was an abnormal thump, prompting the contact to look through the review mirror, where he observed that the spare

2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. No warning light was illuminated. The contact looked in the rear-view mirror

2022 JEEP COMPASS

2022 JEEP COMPASS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO VEHICLE HAVING NO SPARE TIRE.

2011 FORD RANGER

The spare tire fell off the vehicle, including the hoist, while driving down the road. The frame crossmember holding the hoist is rotted through, with virtually no other rust anywhere else on the body

2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that six months after purchasing the vehicle, the vehicle experienced a tire blowout and upon looking for the spare tire kit, he became aw

2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

The tire exploded while in the trunk of the car on 7/27/22 around 6:45PM. The tire says it was made in France. The US pat appears to be 3838726. Also has a RH 476 or maybe it is RH 475. Tire size: T

1998 DODGE DAKOTA

52019555 For Dodge Dakota Pickup Spare Tire Hoist Wheel Carrier Winch Hanger. Defective Spare Tire Hoist Wheel Carrier Winch Hanger The Spare Tire Hoist Wheel Carrier Winch Hanger contains soft rub

2008 TOYOTA SIENNA

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the spare tire hatch control cable snapped and dropped the spare tire onto the roadway. The vehicle rode o

2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

We were taking the tire off to fix a problem so we used the Jack that was provided with the car. While my arm was under the car, the Jack bended, folded, and dropped the car straight down on the pavem

2016 RAM PROMASTER 3500

The contact owns a Roadtrek Simplicity RV built on a 2016 Ram Promaster 3500 chassis. The contact stated that while in a parking lot, a fellow motorist informed her that something had been dragging un

2019 KIA FORTE

I rented a Kia Forte from Avis. I got a flat tire that was not repairable. I called AAA. There was no spare tire. I learned that Kia and many other manufacturers now do not provide a spare tire.

2017 VOLVO XC60

2017 VOLVO XC60. CONSUMER STATED THAT VOLVO VEHICLES ARE UNSAFE DUE TO NO LONGER HAVING SPARE TIRES IN VEHICLES. *LD *JS

2001 FORD F-150

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT THE RESIDENCE, THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE SPARE TIRE

2010 FORD E-150

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD E-150 EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN LTX M/S TIRES, SIZE: PT245/70 R16. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROA

2016 ACURA MDX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SIDEWALLS OF THE SPARE TIRE, WHICH WAS STORED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, WAS WEARING THROUGH AT THREE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. THE TIRE WAS TAKE

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve tires:temporary/emergency spare tire issues?
The NHTSA has received 897 complaints about tires:temporary/emergency spare tire problems across 202 vehicle models from 34 manufacturers.
How dangerous are tires:temporary/emergency spare tire defects?
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE issues have been linked to 20 crashes, 11 fires, 15 injuries, and 3 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most tires:temporary/emergency spare tire problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for tires:temporary/emergency spare tire issues is the FORD F-150 with 59 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 →