Component

SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER

440 NHTSA complaints about suspension:rear:shock absorber issues across 37 makes and 185 models.

The suspension:rear:shock absorber is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 440 filings from 37 manufacturers and 185 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 6 crashes, 1 fire, 5 injuries, and 1 fatality. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the LINCOLN CONTINENTAL with 19 filings, followed by FORD TAURUS 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.

440
Complaints
185
Models Affected
6
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 19
2 FORD TAURUS 15
3 FORD EXPLORER 15
4 TOYOTA TACOMA 12
5 DODGE CARAVAN 12
6 TOYOTA CAMRY 10
7 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 10
8 FORD MUSTANG 9
9 NISSAN ALTIMA 8
10 FORD FOCUS 7
11 CHEVROLET LUMINA 7
12 SUBARU IMPREZA 6
13 MERCURY SABLE 6
14 GMC V SERIES 6
15 FORD RANGER 6
16 FORD CONTOUR 6
17 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 6
18 FORD WINDSTAR 5
19 DODGE STRATUS 5
20 CHEVROLET VENTURE 5
21 CHEVROLET CAVALIER 5
22 CADILLAC DEVILLE 5
23 SUBARU LEGACY 4
24 PONTIAC GRAND AM 4
25 DODGE RAM 4
26 DODGE INTREPID 4
27 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 4
28 CHEVROLET S10 4
29 CHEVROLET MALIBU 4
30 AUDI RS6 4

Recent Complaints

2020 FORD EXPLORER

I was replacing the rear struts on 12/5/25. I noticed that both speedlogix vertical links were cracked in the exact same location. I called Speedlogix and they said they no longer carried those links

2022 FORD BRONCO SPORT

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact called the local dealer several times but was info

2023 HYUNDAI SANTA CRUZ

The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while hauling a trailer and attempting to accelerate at various speeds, the vehicle was bouncing, and the tires was losing traction

2025 HYUNDAI PALISADE

The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that while hauling a trailer and attempting to accelerate at various speeds, the vehicle was bouncing and the tires lost traction before be

2021 FORD EXPEDITION

See attached document for complaint.

2023 FORD BRONCO SPORT

The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact had taken the vehicle for scheduled maintenance and was informed that the rear shocks were leaking and needed to be replaced. The contact stated

2017 FORD ESCAPE

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon inspection at a local dealer, it was noticed that the 16 lug nuts for all four tires were swollen and the rear shocks needed to be rep

2021 FORD BRONCO

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that the passenger’s side rear shock was blown. While driving 35 MPH over a bump in the road, or while driving over a wet surface, the rear of

2020 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle drove over a pothole and made a metallic clunking sound. The vehicle was taken to the deale

2006 FORD ESCAPE

2006 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO RUSTED OUT REAR SHOCK MOUNTS.

2013 FORD FUSION

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact lost control and the vehicle was swerving side-to-side on the roadway. The vehicle was t

2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, he heard abnormal knocking sounds coming from the rear of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated.

2005 LEXUS LS430

The contact owns a 2005 Lexus LS430. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the rear suspension was bouncing excessively causing the vehicle to be difficult to control and maintain in the la

2016 CADILLAC SRX

2016 CADILLAC SRX CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD THE RECALL NOTICE ON THE TOE LINK ADJUSTERS AND TIRE WEAR IN THE REAR TIRES, THEY WERE BALD, AND BOTH REAR TIRES HAD CORDS SHOWING.AFTER REPLACING THE TIRES

2017 FORD EXPEDITION

The rear shocks/struts have each failed twice so far. I have had both replaced once, and the rear passenger side replaced through Ford. I am being told by El Cajon Ford the rear driver's side needs to

2015 GMC YUKON

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME UNSTABLE WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STATEN ISL

2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, AN UNUSUAL SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN

2013 TOYOTA TACOMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOWER THAN NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALLEGHENY TOYOTA (722 ALLEGHEN

2013 NISSAN ALTIMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE THE REAR SHOCKS REPLACED. LATER, THE SHOCKS MADE AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS

2010 TOYOTA RAV4

2010 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PREMATURE FAILURE OF REAR SHOCKS IN VEHICLE. *SMD

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve suspension:rear:shock absorber issues?
The NHTSA has received 440 complaints about suspension:rear:shock absorber problems across 185 vehicle models from 37 manufacturers.
How dangerous are suspension:rear:shock absorber defects?
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER issues have been linked to 6 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, and 1 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most suspension:rear:shock absorber problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for suspension:rear:shock absorber issues is the LINCOLN CONTINENTAL with 19 complaints.
Where does PlainCars get its safety data?
All vehicle safety data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database, which collects reports from vehicle owners about safety-related defects.

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.

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