Component

STEERING:LINKAGES

1,134 NHTSA complaints about steering:linkages issues across 41 makes and 260 models.

The steering:linkages is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 1,134 filings from 41 manufacturers and 260 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 105 crashes, 7 fires, 61 injuries, and 3 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD CROWN VICTORIA with 90 filings, followed by FORD F-150 and DODGE INTREPID. 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.

1,134
Complaints
260
Models Affected
105
Crashes
7
Fires
3
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 FORD CROWN VICTORIA 90
2 FORD F-150 58
3 DODGE INTREPID 47
4 FORD TAURUS 42
5 FORD FOCUS 29
6 FORD WINDSTAR 27
7 FORD EXPEDITION 20
8 DODGE RAM 20
9 FORD EXPLORER 19
10 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS 18
11 DODGE DURANGO 18
12 LINCOLN TOWN CAR 16
13 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 16
14 DODGE DAKOTA 16
15 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 16
16 DODGE RAM 2500 15
17 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 14
18 MERCURY SABLE 14
19 DODGE RAM 1500 14
20 CHRYSLER LHS 13
21 CHRYSLER CONCORDE 13
22 JEEP WRANGLER 12
23 FORD F-250 12
24 DODGE STRATUS 12
25 CHEVROLET BLAZER 12
26 TOYOTA CAMRY 11
27 JEEP CHEROKEE 10
28 GMC JIMMY 10
29 DODGE RAM 3500 10
30 CHRYSLER NEW YORKER 10

Recent Complaints

2021 JEEP WRANGLER

VIN: [XXX] I own a 2021 Jeep Wrangler that has 35K miles on it, very well taken care of and never off road. When i hit a bump my jeep shakes really bad to where it feels as if will make me crash due

2006 TOYOTA RAV4

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while making a right or left turn, there was a loud popping sound coming from the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. A

2017 FORD F-250

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH on uneven surface, the vehicle failed to remain in the lane. There were no warning lights illuminated. The veh

2019 FORD F-250

The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, he noticed that the front end of the vehicle was shaking. The contact drove to a local mechanic and the vehicle was diagnos

2019 PETERBILT 389

- The steering arm on the driver side of the Dana D-Series axle that was installed from the Peterbilt factory on a new 2019 Peterbilt 389 that was purchased new by Acord Transportation, Inc. is what f

2013 FORD F-150

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering would lock up without warning. The contact stated that excessive force would be needed to stee

2019 FORD TRANSIT

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, the steering wheel started to vibrate abnormally. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving above 60 mph

2004 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION A CLICKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. UPON INSPE

2013 FORD FUSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FUSION. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO LOW GEAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ENGAGE AND CONTINUED TO MOVE. THE EMERGENCY

2015 RAM 2500 Crash

TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY 101 AT 65-70 MILES PER HOUR, ONE QUARTER OF THE WAY INTO A HARD LEFT HAND TURN, THE STEERING ROD TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME LOOSE WITHOUT ANY IMPACT OR ANY OTHER FORM OF ROAD H

2016 RAM 3500

DRAG LINK FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. APPARENTLY THREADS STRIPPED OUT IN THE COUPLER NUT RESULTING IN TOTAL STEERING LOSS. *DSY

2014 RAM 1500

STEERING GEAR BOLTS BECAME LOOSE AT 28K MILES.

2014 RAM 2500

STEERING ROD ADJUSTING NUTS CONTINUE TO COME LOOSE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND GOING BACK TO THE DEALER NEXT WEEK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THIS ISSUE STARTED IN MAY AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED B

2005 TOYOTA TACOMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED A BRACKET ON HIS DRIVEWAY AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED, THE ST

2003 DODGE RAM 3500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA C

2003 HONDA ACCORD

2003 HONDA ACCORD. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE REPAIRS AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WITHIN THE PAST YEAR, THE TIMING BELT, SERPENTINE BELT, WATER PUMP, TRANSMISSION, H

2006 DODGE RAM 2500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT

2010 RAM 3500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THA

2007 DODGE RAM 1500

MY STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING SOUND WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE IS ONLY A RECALL FOR THIS ON SOME MODELS. IF MY VEHICLE IS DOING WHAT THE RECALL IS STATING A

2006 DODGE RAM 1500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE STEERING LINKAGE DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve steering:linkages issues?
The NHTSA has received 1,134 complaints about steering:linkages problems across 260 vehicle models from 41 manufacturers.
How dangerous are steering:linkages defects?
STEERING:LINKAGES issues have been linked to 105 crashes, 7 fires, 61 injuries, and 3 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most steering:linkages problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for steering:linkages issues is the FORD CROWN VICTORIA with 90 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.

Verify with FDA →