Component
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
113 NHTSA complaints about suspension:rear:springs:air suspension system issues across 19 makes and 40 models.
The suspension:rear:springs:air suspension system is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 113 filings from 19 manufacturers and 40 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 0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the LINCOLN CONTINENTAL with 27 filings, followed by LINCOLN TOWN CAR and FORD EXPEDITION. 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 | LINCOLN CONTINENTAL | 27 |
| 2 | LINCOLN TOWN CAR | 16 |
| 3 | FORD EXPEDITION | 12 |
| 4 | LINCOLN NAVIGATOR | 9 |
| 5 | LINCOLN MARK VII | 4 |
| 6 | MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS | 3 |
| 7 | LAND ROVER LR3 | 3 |
| 8 | LINCOLN LINCOLN | 2 |
| 9 | GMC ENVOY DENALI | 2 |
| 10 | FORD F-250 | 2 |
| 11 | FORD EXPLORER | 2 |
| 12 | CHRYSLER IMPERIAL | 2 |
| 13 | CHEVROLET VENTURE | 2 |
| 14 | VOLVO 780 | 1 |
| 15 | VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG | 1 |
| 16 | SUBARU DL | 1 |
| 17 | PONTIAC PONTIAC TRUCK | 1 |
| 18 | OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE | 1 |
| 19 | OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA | 1 |
| 20 | OLDSMOBILE AURORA | 1 |
| 21 | MERCEDES-BENZ S600 | 1 |
| 22 | MERCEDES-BENZ E320 | 1 |
| 23 | MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E55 | 1 |
| 24 | MAZDA MPV | 1 |
| 25 | LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER | 1 |
| 26 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 1 |
| 27 | GMC YUKON XL | 1 |
| 28 | GMC ENVOY | 1 |
| 29 | GEO PRIZM | 1 |
| 30 | FREIGHTLINER MT | 1 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked the contact heard a hissing noise coming from the vehicle. The contact noticed the rear suspension on the d
I PURCHASED MY 2006 ENVOY BRAND NEW IN 2006 FROM WYATT JOHNSON IN CLARKSVILLE TN . THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION BAGS GAVE OUT IN 2010, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO I TOOK MY SUV TO GET REPAIRE
2006 ENVOY DENALI. CONSUMER WRITES STATES GAS NEEDLE STOPPED FUNCTIONING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS NEEDLE BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE IN THE BEGINNING AND SINCE THAT TIME, THE NEEDLE HAS BEEN STUCK ON
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S-600. WHILE HE ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS AIR IN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E 55. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HE HEARD 2 LOUD POPS AND THEN THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. SPARKS FLEW ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A MAJ
2001 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR SUSPENSION. *NJ THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO WARNING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *JB
THIS CAR HAS AN AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM WHICH HAS A SEVERE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS NO SPRINGS, INSTEAD EACH SHOCK ABSORBER HAS A PNEUMATIC SYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR WHEN BOTH
IMPROPER CAMBER SETTING AND BUSING SETTLEMENT/WEAR IN REAR SUSPENSION CAUSING NEGATIVE CAMBER ON REAR WHEELS CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR ON INSIDES OF REAR TIRES. *TR
AIRMATIC WARNING KEEP COMING UP, SAY THE CAR IS TO LOW STOP. *TR
MY 2007 TAHOE HAS HAD A TRANSMISSION/SLIP/BUMPING PROBLEM AND IT WAS FIRST NOTICED BY ME ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I GOT IT BACK IN APRIL. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE THE MORE THAT I DRIVE IT. IT HAS 5900 MILES O
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RIDE VERY HARD OVER ROUGH TERRAIN. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE SUSPENSION FAILED,
2002 SILHOUETTE, 39000 MILES. FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. HAD REPAIRED, WITHIN 50 MILES AFTER PICKING UP FROM DEALERSHIP, THERE WAS A GRINDING WHEN TURNING RIGHT. BOTH HEATED SEATS DIDN'T HEAT. D
HAD 2000 MERCEDES S500, CAR IN GARAGE FOR A WEEK, NOTICED THE CAR IS VERY LOW, TIRES ALMOST RUBBING THE INSIDE OF THE FENDERS, TURNED CAR ON AND WARNING MASSAGE SAID " CAR IS TOO LOW, STOP AERONAUTIC
DEFECTIVE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM IN LINCOLN CONTINENTAL RESULTS IN EXTREMELY UNSTABLE AND UNSAFE DRIVING. BLOWN AIR BAG WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE RESULTED IN REAR END CRASHING DOWN AND LEAVING CAR INOPERA
1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR AIR SPRING REAR SUSPENSION, IDLER AND PITMAN ARM WERE ALL REPLACED BEFORE RECALL NOTICE WAS ISSUED. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR SUSPENSION DID NOT ACTIVATE THE SHOCKS ACCORDINGLY AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SAT LOW ON THE GROUND. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INSIDE OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER REAR TIRES WORE DOWN TO THE CORE DUE TO IMPROPER ALIGNMENT TO THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
FAILURE OF REAR AIR SUSPENSION WHILE DRIVING. FOUND PREVIOUS MODIFICATION TO REAR HEIGHT SENSOR, REPLACED BALL JOINT BRACKETS WITH BOLT, WASHER, AND NUT. "DEALER NOT RESPONSIBLE", BUT THEY DID ADJUS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DASH BOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, CHIMED AND RINGED. AS A RESULT OF THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, NONE OF THE DASH BOARD SENSORS WORKED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL 95V204
REAR AIR BAG SUSPENSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST ON THE GROUND AND THE GAS TANK WAS BELOW THE VEHICLE'S RIM. *NM
Related Vehicle Components
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve suspension:rear:springs:air suspension system issues? ▼
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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.