Component

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

8,504 NHTSA complaints about tires:tread/belt issues across 50 makes and 729 models.

The tires:tread/belt is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 8,504 filings from 50 manufacturers and 729 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 563 crashes, 10 fires, 882 injuries, and 119 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD EXPLORER with 2,064 filings, followed by FORD F-150 and FORD RANGER. 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.

8,504
Complaints
729
Models Affected
563
Crashes
10
Fires
119
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 FORD EXPLORER 2,064
2 FORD F-150 372
3 FORD RANGER 322
4 FORD EXPEDITION 213
5 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 188
6 FORD F-250 158
7 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 156
8 FORD F-350 153
9 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 107
10 FORD TAURUS 104
11 TOYOTA SIENNA 85
12 FORD F-250 SD 80
13 FORD EXCURSION 80
14 TOYOTA CAMRY 75
15 CHEVROLET MALIBU 71
16 FORD F-350 SD 69
17 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR 64
18 HONDA CIVIC 60
19 BUICK LESABRE 60
20 GMC SUBURBAN 59
21 FORD E-350 59
22 DODGE RAM 2500 59
23 HONDA ACCORD 57
24 DODGE RAM 57
25 TOYOTA TACOMA 56
26 CHEVROLET TAHOE 53
27 GMC SIERRA 52
28 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 51
29 FORD E-450 47
30 FORD FOCUS 44

Recent Complaints

2023 CHEVROLET MALIBU

Tread started separation on driver front tire

2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

Tire size 205/50R17 Tire belt broke without warning and caused a large bubble in the side of my tire. Tire was out of balance and the cars stability was immediately reduced while on the highway. Had t

2024 NISSAN ROGUE

Took my Nissan Rogue in for simple oil change, and was told I need NEW tires after 18,000 miles

2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

265/50R20 Cooper Evolution H/T, all 4 tires have cracks all the way around each tire, possibly sidewall defects. Tires were purchased new from Bob’s tire in Attalla, Alabama.

2021 MAZDA CX-5

The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5 equipped with Firestone Tires, Tire Line: Destination LE3, Tire Size: 225/55/R19, DOT Numbers: 17XEFLE320725 and 17XEFLE321524. While the vehicle was parked, the con

2018 HONDA CR-V

The contact rented a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at unknown highway speeds, the lane departure malfunctioned. The vehicle was jumping while driving and became uncontrollabl

2021 LEXUS RX

The tire (Bridgestone Ecopia 422 Plus 235/55R 20 102V M+S) failed within seconds while driving on the highway at 70 MPH. Luckily I did not lose control and was able to steer the car from the middle la

2021 MAZDA CX-5

We took our car to the Mazda dealership for routine maintenance. The technician found circumferential cracking along the sidewall/tread junction of all 4 tires. We were told that this suggests tread s

2024 BMW I4

The contact owns a 2024 BMW i4 equipped with Pirelli Tires, Tire Line: P Zero XL, Tire Size: 255/40/19, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the passenger's s

2015 DODGE DURANGO

Goodyear Fortera HL, M&S 265 / 50R 20, tread separated from driver side rear tire, [XXX] at 11:15am, while driving speed limit on [XXX] . The tire was not flat (see photos), but the tread was complet

2024 VOLVO XC60

While driving about 40 MPH on a two land road the sidewall blow out . Right before I got a low tire pressure warning from my vehicle.

2024 NISSAN SENTRA

The contact owns a 2024 Nissan Sentra equipped with Hankook Tires, Tire Line: Kinergy GT with Kontrol Technology, Tire Sizes(Rear): P205/60/R16, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated that upon inspect

2022 PETERBILT 389

The contact owns a 2022 Peterbilt 389 equipped with Goodyear Tires, Tire Line: Marathon LHS, Tire Size: 11R22.5, DOT Number: 1MY3TTYBW0324. The tires had been replaced prior to the failure. While driv

2011 FORD TAURUS

Last June I noticed the car constantly shaking. Took it to Goodyear plaza tire in Alexandria mn and they said they didn't find anything wrong and it's normal to have tires feel like they are shaking w

2022 MAZDA CX-5

The four 225/55 R19 tires’, purchased 05/02/25 and available for inspection upon request, asymmetrical tread design has 5 treads & 4 troughs across its width. The center tread and the adjacent one t

2011 FORD F-250

The tires were installed on 8.22.2025 and on the following Thursday, August 28, 2025, all of the tires had low pressure. I returned to the Orange City, FL Tire Kingdom per the managers' (Brittany) re

2020 MERCEDES-BENZ C 300

BOTH the front tires in my 2020 Mercedes C300 developed sudden belt separation while driving at highway speed this past weekend. These tires were installed by Mercedes of Delray Beach Florida as part

2021 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500

With 33k miles on the original tires on my 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD. Driver's side rear ire self destructed going down the highway at 70mph. Was not towing at the time. LT275/65R20 126/123S E

2020 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500

As I was driving I got a really bad vibration once I pulled over to check it out I discovered the tire was separating . The tires had about 10,000 miles on them. I have another tire that just recently

2020 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500

While driving home I noticed a vibration in the steering wheel. Once I got home I looked over the tires because I had one start to come apart a month ago so I was worried another one was doing the sam

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve tires:tread/belt issues?
The NHTSA has received 8,504 complaints about tires:tread/belt problems across 729 vehicle models from 50 manufacturers.
How dangerous are tires:tread/belt defects?
TIRES:TREAD/BELT issues have been linked to 563 crashes, 10 fires, 882 injuries, and 119 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most tires:tread/belt problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for tires:tread/belt issues is the FORD EXPLORER with 2,064 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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