Component
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
2,676 NHTSA complaints about suspension:front:springs:coil springs issues across 35 makes and 176 models.
The suspension:front:springs:coil springs is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 2,676 filings from 35 manufacturers and 176 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 28 crashes, 5 fires, 16 injuries, and 2 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD TAURUS with 1,039 filings, followed by MERCURY SABLE and FORD WINDSTAR. 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 | FORD TAURUS | 1,039 |
| 2 | MERCURY SABLE | 311 |
| 3 | FORD WINDSTAR | 289 |
| 4 | FORD FOCUS | 125 |
| 5 | FORD CONTOUR | 111 |
| 6 | CHEVROLET MALIBU | 62 |
| 7 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 49 |
| 8 | MERCURY MYSTIQUE | 47 |
| 9 | HONDA ODYSSEY | 37 |
| 10 | FORD ESCORT | 27 |
| 11 | SAAB 9-3 | 25 |
| 12 | MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS | 25 |
| 13 | MERCEDES-BENZ E320 | 20 |
| 14 | LINCOLN CONTINENTAL | 18 |
| 15 | FORD RANGER | 18 |
| 16 | SUBARU LEGACY | 17 |
| 17 | HYUNDAI ACCENT | 17 |
| 18 | FORD F-150 | 17 |
| 19 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 15 |
| 20 | OLDSMOBILE ALERO | 15 |
| 21 | NISSAN VERSA | 13 |
| 22 | NISSAN ALTIMA | 12 |
| 23 | HYUNDAI SANTA FE | 11 |
| 24 | VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT | 10 |
| 25 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 10 |
| 26 | SUBARU OUTBACK | 8 |
| 27 | OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS | 8 |
| 28 | MERCURY VILLAGER | 8 |
| 29 | MAZDA MX-3 | 8 |
| 30 | VOLVO XC70 | 7 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, he observed a loud noise emanating from the passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle swerved violently to t
The contact owns a 1998 Mercedes-Benz E430. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the passengerâs side front coil spring collapsed. The contact referenced NHTSA Action Number: PE07021. No warning
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while reversing at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal booming sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the front spring
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for a routine inspection, he was informed that the front coil spring was fractured and needed to be rep
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving over bumps in the roadway, there was an abnormal crunching sound coming from the front driverâs side of the vehi
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH, he heard an abnormally loud sound coming from the front driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated upon tak
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer for maintenance service and was informed that three of the coil springs needed to be replaced. The vehicle wa
The contact owns a 2006 Volvo XC70. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the front suspension springs fractured. The contact heard a loud clicking sound. There were no warning lig
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a ticking sound and then heard something detach from the vehicle. The contact pulled over and
I HAD THE LIFT GATE OPEN LOADING GROCERIES AND IT ALL OF A SUDDEN RELEASED AND CAME DOWN AND STRIKING MY HEAD AND NECK AND I QUICKLY PUSHED IT BACK UP AND IT JUST DROPPED DOWN AGAIN BEFORE I COULD GET
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND EXITED THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS IL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE VEHICLE. UPON PULLING OVER AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT COIL
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HARBOR NISSAN (4336 TAMIAMI TRAIL, PORT CHARLOTTE, FL) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V449000 (AI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING NOISE. UPON OPENING THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE AND A PIECE OF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE FRONT COIL SPRING DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING, PUNCTURING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CO
2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MANUFACTURERS REFUSAL TO REIMBURSE CONSUMER FOR LABOR COST OF FRONT COIL SPRINGS FAILURE RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD...UPDATED 05/17/17 *BF THE CONS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT, A CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED A
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED BECAUSE BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE FRACTURED. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT TH
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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.