Component

WHEELS:HUBCAP/COVER

116 NHTSA complaints about wheels:hubcap/cover issues across 28 makes and 77 models.

The wheels:hubcap/cover is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 116 filings from 28 manufacturers and 77 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 7 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD EXPLORER with 10 filings, followed by KIA SPORTAGE and KIA RIO. 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.

116
Complaints
77
Models Affected
7
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 FORD EXPLORER 10
2 KIA SPORTAGE 5
3 KIA RIO 4
4 FORD F-150 4
5 FORD RANGER 3
6 DODGE DAKOTA 3
7 CHRYSLER 300M 3
8 TOYOTA RAV4 2
9 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2
10 PONTIAC AZTEK 2
11 GMC SONOMA 2
12 GMC JIMMY 2
13 FORD TAURUS 2
14 FORD FOCUS 2
15 FORD ECONOLINE 2
16 DODGE RAM 1500 2
17 DODGE DURANGO 2
18 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2
19 CHEVROLET MALIBU 2
20 CHEVROLET BLAZER 2
21 BMW 325I 2
22 VOLVO 770 1
23 TOYOTA COROLLA 1
24 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER 1
25 TESLA MODEL Y 1
26 SUBARU SVX 1
27 SATURN LS 1
28 RAM 2500 1
29 PONTIAC SUNFIRE 1
30 PONTIAC MONTANA 1

Recent Complaints

2013 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Express 3500. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the exterior rear wheel cover liner detached from the wheel. The wheel liner cover missed crashing into a

2025 NISSAN KICKS

The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH and making a turn, the front passenger's side hubcap detached. The contact stated that the bumper warning light was i

2023 TESLA MODEL Y

I bought aftermarket wheel covers for my Model Y from Tesmanian in August 2023. One flew off while driving in July 2024, and it was an extremely scary situation. I did not hit any pothole or strong bu

2013 TOYOTA RAV4

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Rav4 equipped with four Continental Tires, Tire Line: Cross Contact LX; Tire Size: 225/65/R17, DOT Number: A32YHOOB0224. The contact stated that while the vehicle was pa

2022 BUICK ENCORE GX

Within first couple months of ownership we had a wheel insert come off. We had it replaced at dealer Dec 2022 and noted it was two small bolts holding on the insert to actual wheel. The screws (2) a

2021 RAM 2500

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated while approaching a stop sign or stop light, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle had to be placed in park and restarted. While driving at an undetermi

2021 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG GLB35

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB35. The contact stated he became aware that 3 out of 4 of the wheel-hub caps were missing. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the f

2014 FORD EXPLORER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL MADE NOISE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HUB WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BAR

2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 05V161000 (PARKING BRAKE) AND 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE DEA

2010 CADILLAC SRX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE WHEELS SEIZED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT W

2000 FORD EXPLORER

BEARING BROKE ON FORD EXPLORER. WHEEL WAS ALMOST OFF THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY GOING SLOW. *TR

2005 NISSAN ALTIMA

CAR WOULD STALL AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN STOPPED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT MY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS FAILING AND THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE IT FOR APPROXIMATELY $6

2003 FORD F-150 Crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY SNAPPED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND THE PASSENGER S

2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE PLACING NEW TIRES ON THE VEHICLE, THE BOLT MOVED OUT OF POSITION. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND REMOVED THE TIRE FROM THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE CENTER

2002 BUICK CENTURY

WHEN I HAD AN OIL CHANGE AT ABOUT 32,000 MILES THE MECHANIC INDICATED THE OIL WAS A QUART LOW. I HAD THE COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHED AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES AND THE MECHANIC NOTED OIL IN THE ANTIFREEZE. A

2000 TOYOTA RAV4

2000 RAV4. THE WHEEL IS FAILING, DISINTEGRATING. SEVERAL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE WHEEL RIM, AND THE INNER PART OF THE WHEEL - THE SPOKES - IS SEPARATING FROM THE OUTER PART. THIS IS THE SECOND WH

1998 FORD RANGER Crash

THE SPINDLE ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE SPLIT IN HALF CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. MY SON LOST CONTROL AND DAMAGED THE RIGHT FRONT BUMPER AND FENDER. BUT FOR THE GRACE O

2000 FORD F-150 Crash

WAS ON A SLICK ROAD. I WAS GOING 15 MILES AN HOUR, WHEN MY 2000 FORD F-150 SPUN COMPLETELY AROUND. WHEN THE TRUCK SPUN AROUND IT WENT TOWARDS THE DITCH BACKWARDS. WHEN I HIT THE DITCH THE TRUCK FLIPP

2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER

3 MONTHS PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 19TH, 2006, I HAD MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL BREAK AWAY FROM THE CAR. WHEN THE CAR FINALLY HAD STOPPED FROM 45 MPH, I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THAT THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL WAS S

2002 DODGE RAM 1500

RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BROKE OFF. *NM

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve wheels:hubcap/cover issues?
The NHTSA has received 116 complaints about wheels:hubcap/cover problems across 77 vehicle models from 28 manufacturers.
How dangerous are wheels:hubcap/cover defects?
WHEELS:HUBCAP/COVER issues have been linked to 7 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most wheels:hubcap/cover problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for wheels:hubcap/cover issues is the FORD EXPLORER with 10 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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