Defect Categories

35 Recall Component Categories

Q: Which components have the most recalls?

The top recalled components historically are Equipment (3,157 recalls), Electrical System (2,297 recalls), Steering (1,639 recalls), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1,573 recalls), Suspension (1,422 recalls).

Every recall in our database is classified by the affected vehicle component. Browse 35 categories spanning 29,994 recalls.

35 of 35

Equipment 3,157 recalls · 33,899,924 affected
Electrical System 2,297 recalls · 104,812,666 affected
Steering 1,639 recalls · 39,735,834 affected
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 1,573 recalls · 70,505,437 affected
Suspension 1,422 recalls · 39,581,806 affected
Power Train 1,362 recalls · 79,994,340 affected
Fuel System, Gasoline 1,358 recalls · 77,635,649 affected
Structure 1,135 recalls · 42,344,061 affected
Engine And Engine Cooling 949 recalls · 38,606,810 affected
Air Bags 889 recalls · 213,979,472 affected
Service Brakes, Air 887 recalls · 4,368,219 affected
Exterior Lighting 884 recalls · 45,437,618 affected
Visibility 835 recalls · 41,231,107 affected
Seat Belts 809 recalls · 55,375,797 affected
Tires 732 recalls · 47,882,992 affected
Wheels 435 recalls · 4,426,221 affected
Latches/locks/linkages 329 recalls · 41,814,455 affected
Vehicle Speed Control 278 recalls · 19,120,706 affected
Back Over Prevention 255 recalls · 27,181,580 affected
Seats 239 recalls · 12,217,600 affected
Fuel System, Other 213 recalls · 7,493,525 affected
Parking Brake 173 recalls · 3,695,926 affected
Fuel System, Diesel 140 recalls · 1,546,011 affected
Trailer Hitches 116 recalls · 539,940 affected
Child Seat 106 recalls · 31,500,144 affected
Equipment Adaptive/mobility 46 recalls · 37,980 affected
Forward Collision Avoidance 38 recalls · 621,145 affected
Other 32 recalls · 106,528 affected
Electronic Stability Control (esc) 24 recalls · 1,834,992 affected
Lane Departure 11 recalls · 26,529 affected
Hybrid Propulsion System 11 recalls · 586,515 affected
Electronic Stability Control 8 recalls · 99,399 affected
Communication 7 recalls · 1,556,218 affected
Service Brakes, Electric 2 recalls · 153,128 affected
Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Autohold Brake System/brake Hold 1 recall · 7,745 affected

Vehicle Component FAQ

What is a "vehicle component" in a NHTSA recall?

NHTSA classifies every recall by the affected vehicle system or component — for example AIRBAGS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, or STEERING:LINKAGES. Component categories let you quickly see which subsystems are recalled most across the entire industry.

Which components have the most recalls?

The top recalled components historically are Equipment (3,157 recalls), Electrical System (2,297 recalls), Steering (1,639 recalls), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1,573 recalls), Suspension (1,422 recalls).

How can I find recalls for a specific defect?

Pick a component below to see every recall ever filed against that system, across all manufacturers and years. Each entry links to the official NHTSA recall record.