Component

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER

577 NHTSA complaints about suspension:front:shock absorber issues across 34 makes and 200 models.

The suspension:front:shock absorber is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 577 filings from 34 manufacturers and 200 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 17 crashes, 1 fire, 16 injuries, and 8 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD TAURUS with 24 filings, followed by DODGE DAKOTA and FORD EXPLORER. 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.

577
Complaints
200
Models Affected
17
Crashes
1
Fires
8
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 FORD TAURUS 24
2 DODGE DAKOTA 18
3 FORD EXPLORER 17
4 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 16
5 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 15
6 DODGE DURANGO 15
7 DODGE CARAVAN 15
8 TOYOTA TACOMA 14
9 FORD RANGER 14
10 DODGE RAM 13
11 MERCURY SABLE 11
12 DODGE RAM 2500 11
13 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 11
14 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 10
15 TOYOTA CAMRY 9
16 JEEP CHEROKEE 9
17 FORD F-250 9
18 DODGE RAM 1500 9
19 FORD F-150 8
20 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 8
21 NISSAN PATHFINDER 7
22 FORD AEROSTAR 7
23 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY 7
24 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER 6
25 FORD FOCUS 6
26 CHEVROLET S10 6
27 CHEVROLET BLAZER 6
28 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 5
29 PONTIAC GTO 5
30 PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER 5

Recent Complaints

2026 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500

The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH on a dirt road in Death Valley National Park for 30 miles, the passenger’s side front shock failed, the

2020 CHRYSLER PACIFICA

The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independe

2020 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon raising the front passenger's side power window switch, the window rolled up and then rolled back down unintentionally. The vehicle

2016 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH exiting a residential area. The front wheel axle came apart. The contact's husband removed the shocks. The contac

2022 FORD ESCAPE

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while having a routine oil change and maintenance performed, the dealer informed the contact the struts were worn and needed to be replaced

2021 FORD BRONCO SPORT

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for regular maintenance, he was informed that the shock absorbers were leaking. The vehicle was

2020 CHEVROLET CORVETTE

2020 CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO RUSTING SHOCK TOWER HOUSING.

2015 CADILLAC ESCALADE

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the electric magnetic shock was inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was n

2021 JEEP GLADIATOR

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH on concrete pavement, after transitioning from the concrete pavement to asphalt, the front end of the vehicle bottomed o

2015 GMC YUKON

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME UNSTABLE WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STATEN ISL

2008 NISSAN VERSA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENDLY MADE A LOUD NOISE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE VEH

2007 CHEVROLET EQUINOX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SHOCKS AND THE BRAKES ENGAGED INDEPENDE

2009 FORD F-250

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHENEVER DRIVING OVER A ROAD BUMP IN THE ROAD OR A POTHOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO

2005 FORD ESCAPE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK ABSORBER BECAME DETACHED. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FRAME WAS PERFORATED DUE TO RUST. THE V

2007 DODGE DAKOTA

2007 DODGE DAKOTA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS VEHICLE REPAIRS RELATED TO SHOCKS *TGW THE DEALER ONLY INSTALLED A RIGHT SHOCK, BECAUSE THE MOUNT FOR THE LEFT SHOCK HAD A BROKEN WELD AND THE SHOCK WAS

2001 GMC SONOMA

IN THE LAST 6 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS; BOTH UPPER AND LOWER AND SHOCKS ALL AROUND FOR THE SECOND TIME. I DO NOT GO OUT 4-WHEELING AND BASICALLY DRIVE MY VEHICLE ONLY IN TOWN DRIVI

1994 MERCURY SABLE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND THE FRONT STRUT BROKE ON BOTH SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL 94E03

2005 FORD F-250

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH, BOTH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BEGIN TO ABNORMALLY SHAKE AND VIBRATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS

2007 TOYOTA CAMRY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT NOTICED HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKING FROM THE SHOCK ABSORBERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE A MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT T

2008 DODGE RAM 1500

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHOCKS WERE LEAKING AND WOULD CAUSE BOTH FRONT TIRES TO SHAKE WHEN DRIVING ON ANY UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES. THE APPROXIMATE SPEED WAS

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve suspension:front:shock absorber issues?
The NHTSA has received 577 complaints about suspension:front:shock absorber problems across 200 vehicle models from 34 manufacturers.
How dangerous are suspension:front:shock absorber defects?
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER issues have been linked to 17 crashes, 1 fires, 16 injuries, and 8 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most suspension:front:shock absorber problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for suspension:front:shock absorber issues is the FORD TAURUS with 24 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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