Component
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:U-BOLT, LEAF SPRING TO AXLE
29 NHTSA complaints about suspension:rear:springs:leaf spring assembly:u-bolt, leaf spring to axle issues across 12 makes and 26 models.
The suspension:rear:springs:leaf spring assembly:u-bolt, leaf spring to axle is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 29 filings from 12 manufacturers and 26 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 1 crash, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD TAURUS with 2 filings, followed by FORD F-150 and DODGE DURANGO. 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 | 2 |
| 2 | FORD F-150 | 2 |
| 3 | DODGE DURANGO | 2 |
| 4 | WORKHORSE W22 | 1 |
| 5 | VOLVO XC70 | 1 |
| 6 | VOLVO VNL64T | 1 |
| 7 | VOLVO VHD | 1 |
| 8 | VOLVO V70 | 1 |
| 9 | VOLVO 770 | 1 |
| 10 | VOLVO 660 | 1 |
| 11 | TOYOTA TACOMA | 1 |
| 12 | TOYOTA 4RUNNER | 1 |
| 13 | OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS | 1 |
| 14 | KIA SPORTAGE | 1 |
| 15 | KIA SOUL | 1 |
| 16 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 1 |
| 17 | HONDA PASSPORT | 1 |
| 18 | GMC SIERRA 1500 | 1 |
| 19 | FREIGHTLINER FLC120 | 1 |
| 20 | FORD FOCUS | 1 |
| 21 | FORD EXPLORER SPORT | 1 |
| 22 | FORD ESCORT | 1 |
| 23 | DODGE RAM | 1 |
| 24 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 1 |
| 25 | CHEVROLET K1500 | 1 |
| 26 | CHEVROLET ASTRO | 1 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2010 Ram 1500. The contact was driving for their local state vehicle inspection at 65 MPH when an abnormal humming noise was coming from the rear exterior of the vehicle. No warning
DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE NUT LOOSE ON 2014 KIA SOUL. *TR
BRAKE LINE BROKE/AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING/POWER STEERING RACK/REAR SUSPENSION,LEAF SPRINGS/RUST. *TR
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEW 2006 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT MOTOR TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL FAILURES. I HAVE ONLY HAD MY VEHICLE FOR 1 MONTH AND ANYTHING AND EVERY THING HAS GONE WRONG. I E
FAILURE OF REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM DUE TO UNKNOWN CAUSE. THIS RESULTED IN THE REPAIR OF THE AUTO TO THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THE CAUSE OF THIS IS UNKNOWN WITH NO KNOWN IMPACT TO THE AUTO (2001 VOLVO
THE 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WEAR OUT NEARLY EVERY MONTH. THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO SWAY WHILE DRIVING 55MPH ON FREEWAY OR WHEN CHANGING LANES. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE L
THE LEAF SPRINGS CONTINUOUSLY SQUEAK...AND ARE WAY TOO NOISY! I HAVE PERSONALLY TRIED TO CLAMP THEM DOWN...GREASE THEM..SO THEY DO NOT SQUEAK! I PLAN ON TAKING IT TO THE DEALER!
WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AT 60 - 65 MPH, A LOUD SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE HANDLING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS T
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH CONSUMER FELT VIBRATION, AND THEN NOTICED WHEELS ROLLING PASSED THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IT COASTED TO A COMPLETE STOP ON ITS OWN
WE HAVE A 2001 DUTCHSTAR CLASS A MOTORHOME, BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS NUMBER 28321. I AM WRITING FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. THE FIRST BEING THAT I AM REQUESTING INFORMATION ON POSSIBLE RECALLS THAT
EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE THE REAR END SAGS LOWER THAN SHOULD BE EXPECTED ON MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. I SAID SOMETHING TO THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE PURCHASING IT SO THEY COULD TAKE A LOOK AT THE
I HAVE OWNED THIS TAURUS SINCE, 1993-1994, IT HAD 43,000 MILES ON IT, FROM A DEALER (FLANNERY FORD). I HAVE HAD MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, WATER PUMPS (2) (ALMOST $1,000), BRAKES AND CALIPERS(TOO MANY TO
HAD TO REPLACE LEFT REAR LEAF SPRING DUE TO STRUCTURAL FAILURE; COULD HAVE CAUSED REAR AXLE TO DISENGAGE RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *LA
WHILE A MECHANIC WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE BOTH REAR MOUNT ARE WARP AND CORRODE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
BOTH REAR LEAF SPRINGS WERE RUSTED AND BROKE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF. AXLE BEARING OIL SEAL RETAINING NUT WAS MISSING. *AK
MULTPULE REPAIRS AND SAFETY FACTORS, TOO MANY TO JUST START RAMBLING OFF. TIRES, FRAME, A/C, ALTERATORS, VIBRATION, WHICH INTURN CAUSES EXHAUST LEAKS. THE LIST GOES FROM STRUCTURE TO ELECTRICAL.
TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SUSPENSION DEFECT. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
WHILE PUTTING AIR IN TIRE CONSUMER NOTICED REAR SPRING BOLT STICKING OUT UNDER VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.AK
U BOLTS CAME LOSE, LOST THE SPACERS OFF OF THE LEAF SPRINGS ON DRIVER'S SIDE, ALMOST LOST FRONT END OF VEHICLE. WHICH IS CAUSING THE ALIGNMENT TO BE OFF, CANNOT FIX.DEALER CONTACTED.*AK
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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.