Component

SUSPENSION:SUBFRAME/MOUNTING BRACKET

54 NHTSA complaints about suspension:subframe/mounting bracket issues across 13 makes and 29 models.

The suspension:subframe/mounting bracket is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 54 filings from 13 manufacturers and 29 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 2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the MERCEDES-BENZ C300 with 16 filings, followed by MERCEDES-BENZ E350 and TOYOTA TACOMA. 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.

54
Complaints
29
Models Affected
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 16
2 MERCEDES-BENZ E350 3
3 TOYOTA TACOMA 2
4 NISSAN MURANO 2
5 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER 2
6 MAZDA MAZDA6 2
7 HONDA CR-V 2
8 FORD RANGER 2
9 FORD ESCAPE 2
10 DODGE CALIBER 2
11 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 1
12 TESLA MODEL Y 1
13 TESLA MODEL S 1
14 SUBARU OUTBACK 1
15 NISSAN ROGUE 1
16 NISSAN QUEST 1
17 NISSAN PATHFINDER 1
18 NISSAN ALTIMA 1
19 MERCURY MONTEGO 1
20 HYUNDAI XG 350 1
21 HYUNDAI SONATA 1
22 HYUNDAI PALISADE 1
23 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 1
24 HONDA PILOT 1
25 FORD TAURUS 1
26 FORD FOCUS 1
27 FORD E-150 1
28 CHRYSLER SEBRING 1
29 CHRYSLER PACIFICA 1

Recent Complaints

2017 CHRYSLER PACIFICA

The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The vehicle was modified for wheelchair accessibility. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle started rocking abnormally. The contact s

2024 HYUNDAI PALISADE

The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that while driving at a slower speed than 60 MPH or attempting to make a left or right turn, there was an abnormal tapping sound coming fro

2022 HONDA PILOT

The contact's daughter owns a 2022 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal rattling sound. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that

2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E350

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated his wife had noticed that the steering wheel was off-center and turned to the left independently. Additionally, the contact stated while

2015 MERCEDES-BENZ C300

My car (vin [XXX] ) a 2015 Mercedes C300 is experiencing the same premature rusting on the subframe. I was told that while a lot of Mercedes are covered, mine is not for some reason but I'm at the sam

2008 CHRYSLER SEBRING

See attached document for complaint.

2009 HONDA CR-V

The contact owns a 2009 Honda CR-V. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired under an unknown recall by the previous owner. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic for maintenance whe

2008 FORD FOCUS

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated. The coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed

2012 FORD ESCAPE

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the vehicle was difficult to steer, and was veering to the left independently. No warning light was illum

2011 SUBARU OUTBACK

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated there was a clunking sound coming from the front suspension location and the vehicle started feeling unstable while driving approximately 30

2010 MERCEDES-BENZ E350

The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake line fractured and the low brake fluid warning light illuminated; however, the cont

2007 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER

The contact owns a 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while at the dealer for a scheduled service appointment, the mechanic became aware that the rear frame and the sub frame connectors wer

2013 NISSAN ALTIMA

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle began to wobble and almost crashed into another vehicle. The traction control warning light wa

2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH around a curve at night, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the subframe and the vehicle unintendedly ve

2011 MERCEDES-BENZ E350

2011 MERCEDES BENZ E 350. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE TO ROTTED SUBFRAME ON VEHICLE.

2008 TOYOTA TACOMA

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while receiving an oil change, the independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with 50% frame loss. The contact referred the failure to TS

2002 FORD ESCAPE

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and started drifting to the left. The vehicle was towed to the re

2010 FORD RANGER

2010 ford ranger rust of frame spare tire mount fell off, rear leaf springs mounting rusted off. rust hole in right frame. dealer: family ford, marietta,oh, and ford consumer service all giv

2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the contact heard an unusual noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and th

2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300

While driving home last night (with passenger), I experienced a sudden pull to left and wobble\oscillation of the car when I made steering corrections to prevent vehicle from going into oncoming traff

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve suspension:subframe/mounting bracket issues?
The NHTSA has received 54 complaints about suspension:subframe/mounting bracket problems across 29 vehicle models from 13 manufacturers.
How dangerous are suspension:subframe/mounting bracket defects?
SUSPENSION:SUBFRAME/MOUNTING BRACKET issues have been linked to 2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most suspension:subframe/mounting bracket problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for suspension:subframe/mounting bracket issues is the MERCEDES-BENZ C300 with 16 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.

Verify with FDA →