Component
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
205 NHTSA complaints about suspension:front:springs:air suspension system issues across 24 makes and 68 models.
The suspension:front:springs:air suspension system is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 205 filings from 24 manufacturers and 68 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 4 crashes, 5 fires, 7 injuries, and 1 fatality. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the LINCOLN CONTINENTAL with 49 filings, followed by CHRYSLER IMPERIAL and MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS. 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 | LINCOLN CONTINENTAL | 49 |
| 2 | CHRYSLER IMPERIAL | 14 |
| 3 | MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS | 12 |
| 4 | FORD EXPEDITION | 9 |
| 5 | LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER | 8 |
| 6 | LINCOLN TOWN CAR | 6 |
| 7 | PETERBILT 357 | 5 |
| 8 | LINCOLN MARK VIII | 5 |
| 9 | CADILLAC DEVILLE | 5 |
| 10 | RAM 1500 | 4 |
| 11 | LINCOLN NAVIGATOR | 4 |
| 12 | LINCOLN MARK VII | 4 |
| 13 | CHRYSLER NEW YORKER | 4 |
| 14 | LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT | 3 |
| 15 | FORD FOCUS | 3 |
| 16 | FORD CROWN VICTORIA | 3 |
| 17 | CHRYSLER SEBRING | 3 |
| 18 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 2 |
| 19 | MERCURY SABLE | 2 |
| 20 | MERCEDES-BENZ S500 | 2 |
| 21 | MERCEDES-BENZ 500 | 2 |
| 22 | LAND ROVER LR3 | 2 |
| 23 | JAGUAR XJ8 | 2 |
| 24 | GMC ENVOY | 2 |
| 25 | FORD TAURUS | 2 |
| 26 | FORD F-350 | 2 |
| 27 | FORD EXPLORER | 2 |
| 28 | DODGE RAM 3500 | 2 |
| 29 | DODGE RAM | 2 |
| 30 | DODGE CARAVAN | 2 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the vehicle was lower to the ground. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic
The contact owns a 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle lowered significantly and started bouncing. The contact stated that she depressed the brake p
When I parked my car there was a loud hissing sound near left front end but no smoke or anything from under the hood. When I drove it again I received a warning of (MALFUNCTION) when I was turning lef
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION QUIT FUNCTIONING ALL TOGETHER DEALERS BACKED WITH SAME ISSUE ON LARGE # OF VEHICLES. WAS INFORMED PARTS TO FIX ARE BACKORDERED AND CAN'T BE TOLD IF IT'S SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDI
WHEN BELOW 20 DEGREES THE AIR SUSPENSION LOSES ITS ABILITY TO MAINTAIN PROPER RIDE HEIGHT. SOMETIMES THE TRUCK WILL SIT NOSE DOWN, REAR DOWN, OR ALL BUT ONE CORNER DOWN. USUALLY AFTER SITTING OUTSIDE
WHILE WORKING UNDER THE TRUCK THE AIR SUSPENSION FAILED CAUSING THE TRUCK TO DROP. I HAVE ALSO BEEN DRIVING THE TRUCK AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE FRONT OR REAR DRIVERS AIR BAG DEFLATES ALMOST CAUSI
WE HAVE A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR ( THE SECOND WE HAVE OWNED) THE AIR SUSPENSION HAS NEVER WORKED AS WELL AS THE FIRST NAVIGATOR. THE RIDE WAS VERY GOOD FOR THE FIRST 50 THOUSAND MILES THEN WHEN IT W
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR RISE SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE FAILED AND WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BOUNCE ABNORMALLY WHEN DRIVING OVER ANY TYPE OF ROAD BUM
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S-600. WHILE HE ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS AIR IN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LAND ROVER LR3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPRESSOR FOR THE AIR SUSPENSION HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES ON HER VEHICLE. A WEEK AFTER THE MOST RECENT REPAIR, THE VEHICL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JAGUAR XJ8. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE LOWERED AND BEGAN BOUNCING UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF SUSPENSION, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVE
I WAS DRIVING ON 95 NORTH LEAVING FLORIDA AND THE FRONT END OF MY CAR DROPPED. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH. FEARING FOR MY LIFE I ATTEMPTED TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT IT WAS VERY HARD TO EVE
LAND ROVER'S RANGE ROVER SPORT SUPERCHARGED WAS DESIGNED WITH A HYDRAULIC SUSPSENSION SYSTEM THAT BREAKS DOWN AFTER OR AROUND JUST 1000 MILES. AFTER A CUSTOMER HAS PURCHASED A NEW SPORT FROM LAND RO
AS I WAS DRIVING THE AIRMATIC SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSE THE CAR TO LOWER TO AN UNDRIVABLE HEIGHT, I CHECKED AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL. *TR
THE ELECTRONIC AIRMATIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A YEAR! WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE VECHILE IS UNDRIVEABLE BECAUSE THE FRONT END FALLS ON THE FRONT WHEELS. *TR CAN YO
2002 MERCEDES BENZ S500 SPORT. AFTER VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF A VERY LOAD GROWL CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE RIGHT SIDE. IT WAS APPARENTLY THE AIR COMPRESSOR AND IT WOULDN'T SHUT OFF. THE GRUMBLE OR
THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM IN MY MERCEDES BENZ S500 FINALLY FAILED AFTER ACTING UP FOR SOME TIME. THE WHOLE CAR SUDDENLY SANK TO THE GROUND AND MADE DRIVING UNSAFE AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. MY RESEAR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE LOWERED WHEN HE SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. AS OF OCTOBER 30, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILU
DROVE CAR FINE ALL DAY ON SATURDAY. SUNDAY AM, PUT SON AND WIFE IN CAR, STARTED OUT DRIVE WAY AND CAR GAVE NOTICE THAT CAR WAS TOO LOW. WALKED AROUND EXTERIOR OF CAR AND FOUND THAT RIGHT FRONT SUSPENS
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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.