Component
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
435 NHTSA complaints about steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm issues across 39 makes and 184 models.
The steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 435 filings from 39 manufacturers and 184 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 101 crashes, 1 fire, 66 injuries, and 8 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the DODGE DAKOTA with 18 filings, followed by FORD EXPLORER and FORD RANGER. 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 | DODGE DAKOTA | 18 |
| 2 | FORD EXPLORER | 16 |
| 3 | FORD RANGER | 14 |
| 4 | DODGE RAM 1500 | 12 |
| 5 | DODGE RAM | 12 |
| 6 | FORD WINDSTAR | 9 |
| 7 | DODGE NEON | 9 |
| 8 | DODGE STRATUS | 7 |
| 9 | CHEVROLET S10 | 7 |
| 10 | PLYMOUTH NEON | 6 |
| 11 | MITSUBISHI GALANT | 6 |
| 12 | HUMMER H2 | 6 |
| 13 | FORD F-150 | 6 |
| 14 | FORD AEROSTAR | 6 |
| 15 | CHEVROLET CAVALIER | 6 |
| 16 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 5 |
| 17 | SATURN SL | 5 |
| 18 | LINCOLN LS | 5 |
| 19 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 5 |
| 20 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 5 |
| 21 | FORD MUSTANG | 5 |
| 22 | FORD FOCUS | 5 |
| 23 | DODGE RAM 2500 | 5 |
| 24 | DODGE DURANGO | 5 |
| 25 | CHRYSLER SEBRING | 5 |
| 26 | CHEVROLET IMPALA | 5 |
| 27 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 4 |
| 28 | GMC JIMMY | 4 |
| 29 | FORD CROWN VICTORIA | 4 |
| 30 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 4 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while making a turn, the vehicle experienced the death wobble. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independen
2019 JEEP COMPASS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO BROKEN LEFT FRONT KNUCKLE.
The right front wheel hub broke at the weld when turning in a parking lot. The part is available for inspection. Had this happened at freeway speed, the right front wheel would have departed the vehic
- 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
STEERING SHAFTKNUCKLE IS EXPOSED AND CORRODES RESULTING IN STIFF STEERING. STARTS OUT INTERMITTENT THEN GETS REALY HARD TO TURN, TRUCK HAS ONLY 62269 MILES ON IT AND THIS IS A COMMAN PROBLEM WITH THIS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN RELAY. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO VEERED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE VIPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A C
2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POSSIBLE SPINDLE ARM PROBLEM CAUSING PREMATURE TIRE WEAR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES TWICE, DUE TO THE DEFECT. THE DEALE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SPINDLE BROKE ON THE TIE ROD CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BUCKLE UNDERNEATH, AS A RESULT SHE LOST CONTROL AND T
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECREASE IN POWER. HE RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND WHEN DEPRESSING IT A SECOND TIME, THE FAILU
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE DRIVER STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH. HE WAS ON A SECONDARY ROAD WHEN THE RIGHT HAND STEERING KNUCKLE BROKE. THE DRIVER ALSO STATED THA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE RIGHT FRONT KNUCKLE JOINT BROKE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE NUDGED AGAINST THE CURB CAUSING THE WHOLE FRONT WHEE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH HE FELT A VIBRATION WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. WHEN HE PULLED OVER HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END SUSPENSION HAD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA PURCHASED NEW IN 2006. SHE STATED SHE WOULD HEAR A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE STEERING WHEEL UPON TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN VUE. WHILE EXITING A PARKING SPACE HE LOST HIS HIS ABILITY TO STEER. HE HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, IN WHICH A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER SEBRING TOURING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH SHE HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING. THE STEERING COLUMN ALSO TURNED UPSIDE DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE PASSENGER SIDE STEERING KNUCKLE FRACTURED; WHICH CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING. HE WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI G35 SEDAN. THE CONTACT FELT ABNORMAL PULSATION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND H
CALIPER BOLTS SEPARATING FROM SPINDLE CAUSING CALIPER TO FALL ON TO BRAKE ROTOR. LOSS OF BRAKING TO WHEEL, DIFFICULTY STEERING VEHICLE. SPINDLE (STEERING KNUCKLE) HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT AND RE TAPPED
Related Vehicle Components
Learn More
Related Safety Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm issues? ▼
How dangerous are steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm defects? ▼
Which vehicles have the most steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm problems? ▼
Where does PlainCars get its safety data? ▼
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.