Component
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
201 NHTSA complaints about suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly issues across 23 makes and 75 models.
The suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 201 filings from 23 manufacturers and 75 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 16 crashes, 2 fires, 25 injuries, and 2 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD WINDSTAR with 86 filings, followed by FORD FOCUS and FORD EXPLORER. 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 | 86 |
| 2 | FORD FOCUS | 7 |
| 3 | FORD EXPLORER | 6 |
| 4 | TOYOTA 4 RUNNER | 5 |
| 5 | CHRYSLER SEBRING | 5 |
| 6 | NISSAN TITAN | 4 |
| 7 | DODGE DURANGO | 4 |
| 8 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 3 |
| 9 | HONDA CIVIC | 3 |
| 10 | FORD F-150 | 3 |
| 11 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 2 |
| 12 | NISSAN SENTRA | 2 |
| 13 | MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS | 2 |
| 14 | MERCURY COUGAR | 2 |
| 15 | LINCOLN TOWN CAR | 2 |
| 16 | FORD RANGER | 2 |
| 17 | DODGE RAM 3500 | 2 |
| 18 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 2 |
| 19 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 2 |
| 20 | CHEVROLET K1500 | 2 |
| 21 | VOLKSWAGEN GOLF | 1 |
| 22 | TOYOTA SUPRA | 1 |
| 23 | TOYOTA COROLLA | 1 |
| 24 | TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA | 1 |
| 25 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 1 |
| 26 | STERLING ACTERRA | 1 |
| 27 | SATURN LS | 1 |
| 28 | PONTIAC MONTANA | 1 |
| 29 | PONTIAC GRAND PRIX | 1 |
| 30 | PONTIAC BONNEVILLE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered with an abnormal sound coming from the rear passenger's side wheel. The check e
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the loca
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and axl
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently came to a complete stop. Upon inspection, the contact notice
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, he heard the rear driverâs side tire rubbing against the axle and then saw smoke coming from the tire. N
2012 CADILLAC SRX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SERVICE REAR AXLE SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED THE SERVICE REAR AXLE MESSAGE. THE REAR AXLE FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. THE C
The contact owned a 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound, and the driver's side rear tire had seized due to
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle began to drive rough; the contact felt that the steering wheel was disconnected from the front wheels whenev
The contact owns a 2007 Honda Element. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the contact drove over a pothole and noticed that the driverâs side control arm on the rear axle fractured and detache
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, the contact heard a roaring noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 20 mph, there was a loud noise heard then the vehicle collapsed. The contact steered the steering wheel to move the vehi
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, there was a loud abnormal sound coming from the rear passengerâs side of the vehicle with black smoke coming from the
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH THE REAR AXLE BEAM BECAME FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. A PRIVATE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE
CONSUMER STATED FIRST OWNER VEHICLE: THE VAN REAR TIRE AXLE FELL OFF. THOUGHT HUB BEARING. WAS BAD BUT I FOUND THE REAR AXLE SUSPENSION BROKEN. IT IS RUST, SAME AS FORD WINDSTAR PROBLEMS REAR AXLE
2007 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RIGHT FRONT AXLE AND TIRES REPLACED ON VEHICLE AT LOW MILEAGE. *SMD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A TIRE REPLACEMENT WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED IN TWO PLACE
2012 DODGE RAM 3500 LARAMIE. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE CONTROLLER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED A DEALER HELPED HIM INSTALL A UNIVERSAL BRAKE CONTROLLER, BUT IT DID NOT WORK CORRECTLY. THE CO
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR AXLE SUDDENLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. SEVERAL HOURS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED
ON A RECALL FOR A FAULTY ECM (ENGINE CONTROL MODULE). THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN, HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER. NISSAN COVERED THIS ECM. DURING THE REPAIR THE MECHANIC NOTED THAT THE R
2000 FORD WINDSTAR: CRACKED REAR AXLE AND CORROSION AND RELATED FAILURES OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME. WE ARE WRITING TO REPORT A REAR CRACKED AXLE AND FAILED, DAMAGED AND CORRODED FRONT SUB-FRAME ASSEMBLY
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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.