Component
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:U-BOLT, LEAF SPRING TO AXLE
28 NHTSA complaints about suspension:front:springs:leaf spring assembly:u-bolt, leaf spring to axle issues across 14 makes and 27 models.
The suspension:front:springs:leaf spring assembly:u-bolt, leaf spring to axle is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 28 filings from 14 manufacturers and 27 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 3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the VOLVO 770 with 2 filings, followed by VOLVO VOLVO TRUCK and VOLVO VNL64T. 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 | VOLVO 770 | 2 |
| 2 | VOLVO VOLVO TRUCK | 1 |
| 3 | VOLVO VNL64T | 1 |
| 4 | VOLVO VNL | 1 |
| 5 | VOLVO VN770 | 1 |
| 6 | VOLVO VN610 | 1 |
| 7 | VOLVO 420 | 1 |
| 8 | SUZUKI GRAND VITARA | 1 |
| 9 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 1 |
| 10 | NISSAN KICKS | 1 |
| 11 | MAZDA MAZDA6 | 1 |
| 12 | KIA RIO | 1 |
| 13 | JEEP WRANGLER | 1 |
| 14 | HUMMER H2 | 1 |
| 15 | HONDA CR-V | 1 |
| 16 | GMC JIMMY | 1 |
| 17 | FORD TAURUS | 1 |
| 18 | FORD MUSTANG | 1 |
| 19 | FORD F250 | 1 |
| 20 | FORD F-250 | 1 |
| 21 | DODGE RAM | 1 |
| 22 | DODGE INTREPID | 1 |
| 23 | DODGE CARAVAN | 1 |
| 24 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 1 |
| 25 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 | 1 |
| 26 | CHEVROLET IMPALA | 1 |
| 27 | CHEVROLET G30 | 1 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Kick. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 20-25 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, the vehicle suddenly lost control causing the veh
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds there was a loud noise present coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken
The contact owns a 2004 Hummer H2.The contact stated while driving at 35MPH, the contact stated the vehicle loss of control and forward momentum to the vehicle which caused the vehicle stalled and los
TL* THE CONTACT OPERATES A 2019 VOLVO VNL 760. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE U-BOLTS USED TO CONNECT THE FRONT AXLES TO THE FRONT LEAF SPRINGS FAILED TO HOLD TENSION CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL ORIENTATI
I WAS TURNING LEFT ONTO A MAIN HIGHWAY AND I HEARD A CLICKING NOISE, A LOUD THUD AND SCRAPING NOISE ONTO THE ASPHALT. I COULD NOT MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. I COULD HAVE BEEN STRUCK BY OTHER CARS THAT ARE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING, THE FRONT AXLE OF HER VEHICLE BROKE. HONDA ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $6,000 FOR THE DAMAGE SINCE TH
THE ENTIRE CAR IS DEFECTIVE, THOUGH IT DOES NOT STATE IT IS A LEMON. I PURCHASED IT USED. I HAVE REPLACED MANY MAJOR PARTS THAT ARE NOT CONSIDERED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, SUCH A DRIVER'S DOOR HINGES AN
2005 FORD MUSTANG FUEL SYSTEM, REPLACED DUE TO SYSTEM FAILURE WHEN FILLING CAR WITH GAS, IT BROKE AGAIN FORD WILL NOT OR CAN NOT FIX, MANUAL 5-SPEED TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED 2 TIMES AND GOING OUT AGAIN
CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEALING NOISE IN THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF VEHICLE. SHE WAS NOT SURE WHETHER IT WAS A TIRE, TIE ROD OR SUSPENSION. WHEN SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO KIA, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH A LOUD BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE LEAF SPRING BROKE. THE MECHANIC SHOP
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED (PULLING INTO PARKING LOT) FRONT AXLE BROKE IN HALF AND WHEEL FELL OFF. IF THIS WOULD HAVE OCCURRED AT HIGH SPEED, COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS DANGER ON THE ROAD. *LA
I PURCHASED MY MAZDA 6S IN FEBRUARY OF 2003. I HAVE LOVED THIS CAR SINCE THE DAY I FIRST SAW IT. IN DECEMBER OF 2003, I BEGAN HEARING GRINDING/MOANING SOUNDS FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION AREA WHEN MAKI
FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON NY THRUWAY AT 65 MPH. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED FOR SERVICE. PARTS DAMAGED INCLUDED REPLACING THE COIL SPRING, THE STRUT, AXEL, TIRE, AND AXEL BEARING. *LA
WE PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE ROLLX CONVERTED MINIVAN AND A 2001 CHRYSLER ROLLX CONVERTED MINIVAN WITH AN ELK ROOF ADDITION CONVERSION FROM THE ROLLX CO. IN SAVAGE MINN. ABOUT A YEAR AGO. WHEN WE RECENTLY
WHILE DRIVING AXLE ASSEMBLY SLID OUT CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
THE PROBLEM IS IN A NEW HITCH I JUST PURCHASED MANUFACTURED BY VALLEY INDUSTRIES, OF LODI, CALIFORNIA. KIT CAME WITH TWO 7/16" SQUARE U-BOLTS, WHICH REQUIRED DRILLING HOLES INTO THE FRAME TO INSTAL
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE U BOLT FELLOFF. CONSUMER DID NOT NOTICE THIS UNTIL A WEEK AFTER WHEN HE WAS HAVING OIL CHANGED IN VEHICLE.*AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT STEER AXLE TIRES ARE EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE WEAR, THE LEFT SIDE FRONT UBOLT FAILED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE INNER SIDEWALL OF A TIRE. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING HEARD A LOUD NOISE, TRIED TO PULL OVER, UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE. BOLT THAT HOLDS TENSIONOR SNAPPED AND BROKE IN TWO.DEALER CONTACTED.*AK
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING U-BOLT PROBLEMS. HAD THEM REPLACED 3 TIMES. *JG
Related Vehicle Components
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Related Safety Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve suspension:front:springs:leaf spring assembly:u-bolt, leaf spring to axle issues? ▼
How dangerous are suspension:front:springs:leaf spring assembly:u-bolt, leaf spring to axle defects? ▼
Which vehicles have the most suspension:front:springs:leaf spring assembly:u-bolt, leaf spring to axle problems? ▼
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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.