Component
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
868 NHTSA complaints about suspension:rear:springs:coil springs issues across 26 makes and 82 models.
The suspension:rear:springs:coil springs is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 868 filings from 26 manufacturers and 82 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 5 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries, and 2 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD TAURUS with 471 filings, followed by MERCURY SABLE 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 TAURUS | 471 |
| 2 | MERCURY SABLE | 178 |
| 3 | FORD EXPLORER | 43 |
| 4 | FORD ESCORT | 42 |
| 5 | FORD CONTOUR | 12 |
| 6 | FORD FOCUS | 6 |
| 7 | MERCURY MOUNTAINEER | 5 |
| 8 | FORD WINDSTAR | 5 |
| 9 | MERCURY TRACER | 4 |
| 10 | DODGE SPIRIT | 4 |
| 11 | VOLVO V40 | 3 |
| 12 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 3 |
| 13 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 3 |
| 14 | PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM | 3 |
| 15 | MERCURY MYSTIQUE | 3 |
| 16 | DODGE SHADOW | 3 |
| 17 | CHEVROLET MALIBU | 3 |
| 18 | VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT | 2 |
| 19 | VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SPORTWAGEN | 2 |
| 20 | PONTIAC GRAND PRIX | 2 |
| 21 | LINCOLN CONTINENTAL | 2 |
| 22 | JEEP LIBERTY | 2 |
| 23 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 2 |
| 24 | HYUNDAI SANTA FE | 2 |
| 25 | FORD FORD | 2 |
| 26 | FORD F-150 | 2 |
| 27 | FORD AEROSTAR | 2 |
| 28 | DODGE NEON | 2 |
| 29 | CHEVROLET ASTRO | 2 |
| 30 | VOLVO S40 | 1 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-60 MPH and driving over the roadway, the rear coil spring fractured. There were no warning lights illu
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise and the rear of the vehicle jumped. The contact exited the vehicle and became awa
See attached document from complainant
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. The contact stated while driving at high speeds, the vehicle started to shake abnormally. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal thumping sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact disc
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that he noticed that the vehicle had been sitting lower than normal while parked. The contact did an inspection of the vehicle and noticed t
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer for maintenance service and was informed that three of the coil springs needed to be replaced. The vehicle wa
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE DETECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF TH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK VERANO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (PARK FORD OF MAHOPAC, 276 US-6, MAHOPA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE, CAUSING A STRONG VIBRATION AND NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND FELT THE VEHICLE LEANING TOWARDS THE DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE W
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE MADE A RATTLING NOISE. AS TIME PROGRESSED, THE RATTLING NOISE CHANGED TO A BANGING NOISE. ALSO, WHILE DRIVIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED CAUSING THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TO BLOW OUT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAG
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT NOTICED A SEVERE VIBRATION UNDERNEATH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER
I PARKED MY NISSAN VERSA IN A PARKING LOT WHILE I WAS AT WORK ALL DAY. I HADN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. WHEN I GOT IN TO LEAVE IN THE EVENING AND PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND WENT FORWARD A FEW INCHES
2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BROKEN SPRINGS PUNCTURED TIRES ON VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS BACKING UP FROM A PARKING SPACE, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE FRO
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE CHANGING THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE, HE NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT ON ANOTHER OCCAS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HONDA PASSPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE WHO NOTIFIED HIM THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE FAULTY. THE COIL
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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.