Component
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR
624 NHTSA complaints about suspension:front:springs:torsion bar issues across 29 makes and 102 models.
The suspension:front:springs:torsion bar is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 624 filings from 29 manufacturers and 102 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 13 crashes, 2 fires, 13 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the CHEVROLET ASTRO with 148 filings, followed by FORD F-150 and GMC SAFARI. 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 | CHEVROLET ASTRO | 148 |
| 2 | FORD F-150 | 108 |
| 3 | GMC SAFARI | 71 |
| 4 | FORD EXPEDITION | 63 |
| 5 | FORD EXPLORER | 28 |
| 6 | FORD F-250 | 16 |
| 7 | FORD TAURUS | 8 |
| 8 | FORD CONTOUR | 8 |
| 9 | NISSAN FRONTIER | 7 |
| 10 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 7 |
| 11 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 7 |
| 12 | NISSAN ALTIMA | 6 |
| 13 | FORD WINDSTAR | 6 |
| 14 | DODGE RAM | 6 |
| 15 | JEEP WRANGLER | 5 |
| 16 | DODGE CARAVAN | 5 |
| 17 | PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER | 4 |
| 18 | GMC JIMMY | 4 |
| 19 | CHRYSLER LEBARON | 4 |
| 20 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 4 |
| 21 | PLYMOUTH BREEZE | 3 |
| 22 | EAGLE VISION | 3 |
| 23 | DODGE STRATUS | 3 |
| 24 | DODGE NEON | 3 |
| 25 | DODGE DURANGO | 3 |
| 26 | DODGE DAKOTA | 3 |
| 27 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 3 |
| 28 | CHEVROLET VAN | 3 |
| 29 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 3 |
| 30 | SATURN VUE | 2 |
Recent Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE "DEATH WOBBLE" AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE TORSION BAR SNAPPED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND THEN THE REAR AXLE PULLED THE DRIVE SHAFT FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A AU
VEHICLE HAD BANGING UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S FEET WHILE GOING OVER THE SLIGHTEST BUMP. ALSO VERY LOOSE FRONT END SWAY. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THE REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT TORSION BAR MOUNT, CORRECTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 GMC SAFARI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE FRONT TORSION BAR ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SNAPPED IN HALF. THE ENTIRE DRIVER SIDE FRONT END DROPPED DOWN ON TH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 GMC SAFARI. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. THE VEHIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH HE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOWER THAN THE OT
I STEPPED INTO MY VEHICLE TO GO TO WORK, AND THE TORSION BAR BROKE. SNAPPED INTO TWO PIECES. WAS THANKFUL I WAS NOT DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND THE MECHANICS, THAT THEY HA
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A RESIDENCE WHE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE FORCE OF THE BUMPS ARE FELT WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SAGS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO THE TORSION BAR LOSIN
I HIT A VERY SMALL POTHOLE. HEARD CLUNKING AND RUBBING NOISES. WAS TOLD SWAY BAR WAS CRACKED RIGHT IN HALF, NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT WOULD CREATE TENSION ON OTHER PARTS. HAD CAR TOWED. SWAY
GMC SAFARI VAN WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, NEXT MORNING IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT HAD COLLAPSED AND WAS JUST 2 INCHES OFF THE PAVEMENT, INNER FENDERS WERE TOUCHING THE TIRES. DISCOVERED THAT THE T
EXCESSIVE FRONT TIRE WEAR ON INSIDE EDGE OF TIRE - BOTH TIRE. MY PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT END ON MY 2005 4X4 ACCORDING TO THE GM, THE CAUSE: 4WD MODELS Z-HEIGHT TRIM INCORRECT, RESULT IS TOE OUT. THIS
ON 11 APR 2005, I PURCHASED A 1999 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA FROM A NH DEALER, WITH APPROX. 74000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN ONE WEEK, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED FOR A BAD WATER PUMP, AND DRIVER'S WINDOW SWITCH. DURI
NOTICED THAT TRUCK HAD A LEAN TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN TAKING LEFT TURNS, TRUCK WOULD LIST AND LEAN EXCESSIVELY TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TROUBLESOME IN DOWNHILL TURNS OR UNDER ADVE
AFTER ONLY OWNING MY VEHICLE FOR 8 MONTHS, AND BEING TOLD IT WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION, IN A MATTER OF 3 DAYS, MANY PROBLEMS OCCURRED. MY 4WD LIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING, ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.
I HAD JUST PARKED MY CHEVROLET ASTRO AWD IN THE GARAGE AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE DRIVERS SIDE TORSION BAR SNAPPED. THE FRONT END WAS SITTING ON THE SUSPENSION STOPS. I AM LUCKY THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN
TORSION BAR BRACKET CRACKED IN HALF ON RIGHT FRONT. THIS CAUSED TORSION BAR TO DROP DOWN AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO GO OUT ON 45 DEGREE ANGLE. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY AN EMPLOYEE WOULD
DEFECT IN STEERING/ BROUGHT TO DEALER/ REPLACED GEAR ASSEMBLY, AND FRONT TORSION BAR LINKS. *JB
1993 GMC SAFARI ALL WHEEL DRIVE 7-PASSENGER STANDARD WHEEL BASE VAN WITH 42" TORSION BAR FRONT SPRINGS AND 182,000 MILES. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TORSION SPRING BROKE INSIDE THE ADJUSTER SLEEVE AT TH
DT: THE TORSION BARS ARE BREAKING AND IT DROPS THE SUSPENSION. DO NOT HAVE ANY STEERING. CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS COMING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE TORSION BAR. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED GM, THEY SAID TH
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve suspension:front:springs:torsion bar issues? ▼
How dangerous are suspension:front:springs:torsion bar defects? ▼
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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.