Component
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
1,006 NHTSA complaints about suspension:front:macpherson strut issues across 35 makes and 195 models.
The suspension:front:macpherson strut is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 1,006 filings from 35 manufacturers and 195 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 14 crashes, 2 fires, 19 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the PONTIAC GTO with 156 filings, followed by DODGE CARAVAN and DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. 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 | PONTIAC GTO | 156 |
| 2 | DODGE CARAVAN | 52 |
| 3 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 51 |
| 4 | FORD TAURUS | 46 |
| 5 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 45 |
| 6 | HONDA CIVIC | 41 |
| 7 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 34 |
| 8 | NISSAN MAXIMA | 30 |
| 9 | FORD WINDSTAR | 21 |
| 10 | CHEVROLET MALIBU | 20 |
| 11 | TOYOTA AVALON | 18 |
| 12 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 17 |
| 13 | LINCOLN CONTINENTAL | 17 |
| 14 | PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER | 16 |
| 15 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 14 |
| 16 | NISSAN PATHFINDER | 14 |
| 17 | CHEVROLET CAVALIER | 14 |
| 18 | HONDA ACCORD | 13 |
| 19 | FORD FOCUS | 12 |
| 20 | CADILLAC DEVILLE | 12 |
| 21 | MERCURY SABLE | 10 |
| 22 | DODGE INTREPID | 9 |
| 23 | FORD CONTOUR | 8 |
| 24 | CHEVROLET LUMINA | 8 |
| 25 | TOYOTA COROLLA | 6 |
| 26 | SUZUKI SIDEKICK | 6 |
| 27 | OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE | 6 |
| 28 | MERCURY MYSTIQUE | 6 |
| 29 | KIA SEDONA | 6 |
| 30 | CHRYSLER LHS | 6 |
Recent Complaints
Right Rear Rancho Strut failed. Available till I return it. Could have lost control of vehicle. Confirmed by mechanic. Inspected by mechanic. No warnings at all. Discovered issue Feb 2026. Installed J
Front right (passenger side) shock absorber assembly rusted out and separated from shock strut mounting bracket.Shock strut retaining nut is stick attached , but entire upper mounting bracket is separ
I was driving and would hear a squeaking sound when turning right. Then I started to hear rattling I pulled in my driveway that has a curb and noticed an object sticking out that looks like it should
2015 DODGE DART. THE CONSUMER STATED UPON PURCHASE THERE WAS ONLY ONE KEY FOB PROVIDED, PROBLEMS WITH THE WIPER MOTOR, AND FRONT STRUTS WENT OUT AFTER 2 WEEKS OF PURCHASE.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that he had noticed oil leaks on his garage floor. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where he was informed that all four of the strut
I ran over a pothole in NYC at approx 10 mph. The air suspension light came on and a warning message for service and to not driver over 35MPH. I brought the vehicle to the dealership and was told they
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. WITHIN WEEKS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE STRUT MOUNTED SYSTEM. FURTHERMORE, AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD ON BOTH SIDES OF
2003 INFINITI QX4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FRONT STRUT TOWER SEVERE RUSTS AND CRACKS RECALL ISSUES. *SMD *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD THUMPING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED DURING
THE SUB FRAME BROKE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. ENTIRE SUB FRAME HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. STRUTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. CALIPER AND ROTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONTROL ARM HAD TO BE REPLAC
MY 2009 DODGE CALIBER STARTED EMITTING SOME TERRIBLE SOUNDS WHILE BEING DRIVEN IN THE CITY YESTERDAY (10/20/2016). THIS OCCURRED WHEN TURNING AND DRIVING OVER ANYTHING BUT SMOOTH ROAD. STEERING AND
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS ABNORMALLY CLOSER TO THE GROUND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE COMPRESS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH OVER A BUMPY ROAD, THE VEHICLE RODE ROUGHLY. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE STRUTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUT ASSEMBLIES FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. DURING THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HEARD AN INTERMITTENT LOUD NOISE NEAR THE FRONT OF THE V
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD RATTLE WHEN DRIVING OVER ANY TYPE OF ROAD BUMP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WO
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC AZTEC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE NOTICED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER ST
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S COIL SPRING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND TH
2007 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STRUTS REPAIRS *TGW WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR A REGULAR MAINTENANCE CHECK-UP, HE WAS INFORMED THE STRUTS WERE LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND NOTICED THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN
Related Vehicle Components
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.