Component

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

2,927 NHTSA complaints about steering:linkages:tie rod assembly issues across 43 makes and 369 models.

The steering:linkages:tie rod assembly is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 2,927 filings from 43 manufacturers and 369 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 189 crashes, 10 fires, 135 injuries, and 3 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD F-150 with 206 filings, followed by DODGE DURANGO 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.

2,927
Complaints
369
Models Affected
189
Crashes
10
Fires
3
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 FORD F-150 206
2 DODGE DURANGO 159
3 DODGE INTREPID 129
4 DODGE DAKOTA 116
5 FORD TAURUS 112
6 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 89
7 FORD WINDSTAR 84
8 DODGE RAM 2500 76
9 FORD EXPEDITION 75
10 CHRYSLER CONCORDE 58
11 DODGE RAM 3500 51
12 FORD EXPLORER 50
13 FORD ESCORT 48
14 DODGE RAM 1500 48
15 DODGE STRATUS 43
16 MERCURY SABLE 41
17 DODGE CARAVAN 41
18 CHRYSLER LHS 39
19 BUICK LESABRE 33
20 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS 29
21 AUDI A4 29
22 LINCOLN TOWN CAR 26
23 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 26
24 FORD CROWN VICTORIA 25
25 FORD FOCUS 24
26 CHRYSLER PACIFICA 23
27 AUDI A6 23
28 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 22
29 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR 21
30 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY 20

Recent Complaints

2025 CHEVROLET BLAZER

The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V433000 (PARKING BRAKE). The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle vibrated abno

2021 NISSAN ROGUE

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stopped in the middle of the roadway. The contact exited the vehicle to inspect the ve

2024 VINFAST VF 8

See attached document for complaint.

2022 NISSAN ROGUE

The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, the front passenger’s wheel locked up, and the vehicle failed to steer as intended. The vehicle was steered to t

2016 KIA SEDONA

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle lost motive power and drove forward about

2025 HONDA PILOT

The contact owns a 2025 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 5 MPH and making a left turn, the power steering assist failed without warning. The driver attempted to compl

2025 BMW M440I

The contact owns a 2025 BMW M440I. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at speeds under 20 MPH, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the steering column. The vehicle

2023 CHEVROLET EXPRESS

The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that while pulling into the driveway, the front driver's side wheel turned sideways. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that

2022 GMC YUKON

The contact owns a 2022 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, wh

2017 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on uneven terrain or roads, the rear of the vehicle was pulling to the left or the right. There was no wa

2022 NISSAN ROGUE Crash

The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, there was a popping sound detected. The vehicle veered to the left, lost control, and crashed into an unknown Jee

2022 NISSAN SENTRA

The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was not aligned. Additionally, while making left or right turns,

2010 JEEP WRANGLER

The contact owns a 2010 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the tie rod drag link detached, causing the steering wheel to continually spin. No warning lights were illuminated.

2021 NISSAN ROGUE

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while his wife was pulling out of the parking lot, the steering wheel suddenly pulled to the right and the front passenger's side tire bec

2012 KIA OPTIMA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and driving over a bump in the roadway, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from underneath the front end

2020 NISSAN SENTRA

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front passenger's side wheel was wobbling excessively. There were no warning lights illuminated. The

2021 NISSAN SENTRA

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and pulling out of a parking lot on a leveled road surface, the vehicle hit a pothole, and upon attempting to make a turn

2020 NISSAN ALTIMA

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. No warning light wa

2012 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal sound, and the steering column was inoperable, and the vehicle was immovable.

2016 FORD F-350

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle experienced the death wobble. The contact stated that the steering wheel and the front end of the vehicle wa

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve steering:linkages:tie rod assembly issues?
The NHTSA has received 2,927 complaints about steering:linkages:tie rod assembly problems across 369 vehicle models from 43 manufacturers.
How dangerous are steering:linkages:tie rod assembly defects?
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY issues have been linked to 189 crashes, 10 fires, 135 injuries, and 3 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most steering:linkages:tie rod assembly problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for steering:linkages:tie rod assembly issues is the FORD F-150 with 206 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.

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