Component
WHEELS:SPACE SAVER WHEEL
8 NHTSA complaints about wheels:space saver wheel issues across 4 makes and 7 models.
The wheels:space saver wheel is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 8 filings from 4 manufacturers and 7 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 1 crash, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the CHEVROLET S10 with 2 filings, followed by TOYOTA RAV4 and FORD F-150. 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.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHEVROLET S10 | 2 |
| 2 | TOYOTA RAV4 | 1 |
| 3 | FORD F-150 | 1 |
| 4 | FORD EXPEDITION | 1 |
| 5 | DODGE RAM 1500 | 1 |
| 6 | CHEVROLET MALIBU | 1 |
| 7 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 1 |
Recent Complaints
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE WHEEL THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE DOES NOT FIT ONTO THE FRONT AXLE. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE W
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE WAS 17 INCHES AND THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE 18 INCHES. THE SPARE TIRE WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED I
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED THAT HIS SPARE TIRE HAD FALLEN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CABLE WIRE HAD FAILED AND APPEARED FRAYED. THE CONTACT PURCH
WE PUT NEW TIRES ON THE TRUCK 245/75 R16. THE STOP ON THE WHEELS IS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO KEEP THE FRONT TIRES FROM RUBBING ON THE METAL AND WEARING THE RUBBER OF THE INSIDE WALLS ON THE TIRES. *JB
THE SPACE SAVER WHEEL IS MADE OF STEEL, AND THE VEHICLE WHEELS THAT CAME ON THE VEHICLE ARE MADE OF ALLOY. THE SPARE SAVER WHEEL ONLY REQUIRES 3 LUGS:NUTS, WHILE THE VEHICLE WHEELS REQUIRE 5 LUGS:NUT
THE CABLE HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE TO WINCH SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE SPARE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VECHILE AND CAUSED SEVERAL CARS TRAVELING BEHIND TO TAKE ADVASIVE ACTION TO MISS THE
TURN SIGNALS MALFUNCTIONED. THE A/C STOPPED WORKING DUE TO A FAULTY EVAPORATOR. THE STABILIZER BAR BROKE ON RIGHT SIDE WHICH CAUSED DRIFT/PULL. ENGINE COOLANT/ANTIFREEZE LEAKED. THE BALL JOINT FOR
THE SPARE TIRE THAT IS ON THE BACK OF THE 1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER ZR2 , BLOCKS YOUR VIEW. ESPECIALLY TO SMALL VEHICLES. I HAVE HAD 1 ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS. *NLM
Related Vehicle Components
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Related Safety Data
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.