Defect Categories

35 Recall Component Categories

Q: Which components have the most recalls?

The top recalled components historically are Equipment (3,187 recalls), Electrical System (2,344 recalls), Steering (1,646 recalls), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1,577 recalls), Suspension (1,434 recalls).

Every recall in our database is classified by the affected vehicle component. Browse 35 categories spanning 30,236 recalls.

35 of 35

Equipment 3,187 recalls · 34,605,464 affected
Electrical System 2,344 recalls · 106,608,988 affected
Steering 1,646 recalls · 40,866,416 affected
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 1,577 recalls · 70,516,826 affected
Suspension 1,434 recalls · 39,658,011 affected
Power Train 1,377 recalls · 80,884,370 affected
Fuel System, Gasoline 1,361 recalls · 77,894,261 affected
Structure 1,154 recalls · 44,239,764 affected
Engine And Engine Cooling 951 recalls · 38,651,912 affected
Exterior Lighting 898 recalls · 45,602,729 affected
Air Bags 897 recalls · 214,761,022 affected
Service Brakes, Air 891 recalls · 4,374,453 affected
Visibility 839 recalls · 41,386,785 affected
Seat Belts 818 recalls · 57,175,632 affected
Tires 734 recalls · 48,932,557 affected
Wheels 438 recalls · 4,429,717 affected
Latches/locks/linkages 330 recalls · 42,125,122 affected
Vehicle Speed Control 278 recalls · 19,120,706 affected
Back Over Prevention 265 recalls · 27,759,963 affected
Seats 243 recalls · 13,162,499 affected
Fuel System, Other 215 recalls · 7,537,605 affected
Parking Brake 173 recalls · 3,695,926 affected
Fuel System, Diesel 144 recalls · 1,573,204 affected
Trailer Hitches 116 recalls · 539,940 affected
Child Seat 107 recalls · 31,559,805 affected
Equipment Adaptive/mobility 59 recalls · 40,517 affected
Forward Collision Avoidance 40 recalls · 1,078,343 affected
Other 32 recalls · 106,528 affected
Electronic Stability Control (esc) 24 recalls · 1,834,992 affected
Lane Departure 12 recalls · 27,542 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 (3,187 recalls), Electrical System (2,344 recalls), Steering (1,646 recalls), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1,577 recalls), Suspension (1,434 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.