Component
SUSPENSION:REAR
5,796 NHTSA complaints about suspension:rear issues across 49 makes and 596 models.
The suspension:rear is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 5,796 filings from 49 manufacturers and 596 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 250 crashes, 26 fires, 210 injuries, and 25 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD WINDSTAR with 560 filings, followed by FORD TAURUS and HONDA CIVIC. 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 WINDSTAR | 560 |
| 2 | FORD TAURUS | 338 |
| 3 | HONDA CIVIC | 314 |
| 4 | FORD EXPLORER | 298 |
| 5 | ISUZU RODEO | 143 |
| 6 | MERCURY SABLE | 109 |
| 7 | FORD FOCUS | 104 |
| 8 | NISSAN PATHFINDER | 87 |
| 9 | DODGE RAM 1500 | 80 |
| 10 | CHEVROLET IMPALA | 79 |
| 11 | HONDA PASSPORT | 76 |
| 12 | FORD EXPEDITION | 76 |
| 13 | NISSAN ALTIMA | 75 |
| 14 | FORD F-150 | 75 |
| 15 | NISSAN TITAN | 71 |
| 16 | LINCOLN TOWN CAR | 70 |
| 17 | SUBARU OUTBACK | 58 |
| 18 | TOYOTA TACOMA | 55 |
| 19 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 53 |
| 20 | DODGE DAKOTA | 53 |
| 21 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 52 |
| 22 | HYUNDAI SANTA FE | 50 |
| 23 | DODGE STRATUS | 49 |
| 24 | TOYOTA TUNDRA | 48 |
| 25 | FORD MUSTANG | 48 |
| 26 | PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM | 43 |
| 27 | JEEP LIBERTY | 42 |
| 28 | SATURN VUE | 40 |
| 29 | DODGE INTREPID | 40 |
| 30 | FORD RANGER | 39 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being driven by a friend at 45 MPH, the rear axle detached. The driver was stranded by the roadside. The vehicle w
The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, his wife heard an abnormal whining sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and
The contact owns a 2017 Lotus Evora. The contact stated that there was a clunking sound coming from the rear suspension. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who was certified to work on Lotu
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low tire pressure warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that when she inspected the ve
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was a loud banging sound coming from the suspension on the driverâs side rear of the vehicle. The contact became
See attached document for complaint
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving 20-40 MPH the vehicle started shaking uncontrollably. The contact accelerated and as the vehicle stopped shaking. There was no wa
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started to wobble as if the steering wheel was being turned to the left and to the right r
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was a vibration heard and felt coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vibr
The contact owns a 2011 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while pulling forward at approximately 3 MPH, into his driveway, after the rotors, calipers and brake pads were replaced; there was an abnormally
The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lunged to the right. The contact stated that on several occasions while at
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while driving below 35 MPH, the sway bar fractured and detached from the subframe of the vehicle. There was n
2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO TOE LINK SUSPENSION ROD FAILURE. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL UNTIL AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE CRASHE
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 2 MPH over a speed bump, there was a loud cranking sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning light
2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO RUST ON REAR SUSPENSION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD AN UNDER COATING SPRAY APPLIED TO THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUSTING. THE CONSUMER STATED THE
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the rear wheels were going in a different direction. There were no war
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the tires were making a grinding sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the stability service and service tracking control lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independen
2012 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 20V-764 THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BEGAN ZIG-ZAGGING AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED
Related Vehicle Components
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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.