Suspension complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% | 1,000 miles |
| 2023 | 8 | 2% | 0 miles |
| 2022 | 14 | 2% | 36,000 miles |
| 2021 | 13 | 1% | 79,000 miles |
| 2020 | 9 | 1% | 34,000 miles |
| 2019 | 11 | 1% | 62,000 miles |
| 2018 | 23 | 1% | 24,000 miles |
| 2017 | 12 | 1% | 24,000 miles |
| 2016 | 17 | 1% | 42,000 miles |
| 2015 | 11 | 1% | 40,000 miles |
| 2014 | 10 | 1% | 51,000 miles |
| 2013 | 20 | 1% | 16,000 miles |
| 2012 | 19 | 1% | 80,000 miles |
| 2011 | 14 | 1% | 71,000 miles |
| 2010 | 16 | 2% | 25,000 miles |
| 2009 | 4 | 1% | 35,000 miles |
| 2008 | 11 | 3% | 61,000 miles |
| 2007 | 16 | 3% | 56,000 miles |
| 2006 | 25 | 4% | 54,000 miles |
| 2005 | 49 | 4% | 57,000 miles |
| 2004 | 118 | 6% | 16,000 miles |
| 2003 | 14 | 3% | 30,000 miles |
| 2002 | 20 | 2% | 64,000 miles |
| 2001 | 35 | 3% | 66,000 miles |
| 2000 | 41 | 4% | 70,000 miles |
| 1999 | 43 | 4% | 89,000 miles |
| 1998 | 132 | 10% | 124,000 miles |
| 1997 | 204 | 7% | 86,000 miles |
| 1996 | 21 | 6% | 178,000 miles |
| 1995 | 44 | 7% | 117,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-150. The contact stated that soon after purchasing the vehicle, the wrench warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V341000 (Suspension); and related the recall to the warning light being illuminated. The contact stated that several appointments were scheduled with the local dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer failed to service the recall after each visit. The contact was recently informed that the dealer did not have the tool needed to repair the vehicle and was waiting for another dealer to provide the tool for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,200.
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was vibrating abnormally while driving at approximately 70 - 80 MPH. The contact stated that the failure had not occurred at slower speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer 4 times; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The tires were replaced, the rims were replaced, and an alignment was performed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 490.
The contact owned a 2023 Ford F150. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 70 MPH, the driver's side wheel and axle detached, the driver lost control, and she crashed into the guard rail. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver sustained injuries to her body, including burns, bruises, and neck and shoulder pain. The driver received medical attention in the emergency room. The air bags were deployed. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not informed about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 178.
The vehicle is experiencing an immediate, uncorrected mechanical steering safety defect where the internal steering geometry physically slips out of specification while driving at highway speeds. During a comprehensive diagnostic tear-down by an authorized manufacturer technician at Porter Ford on September 24-30, 2026 (RO #56117630), a structural component hardware failure was verified and documented in writing. The master technician explicitly noted that the 'steer head alignment was slipping out of spec' and that the root cause was a defective 'worm gear stake causing steer head slip.' Despite three consecutive dealership service alignment attempts, the internal steering mechanism continues to slip while the vehicle is in motion. …
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving on uneven terrain, there was an abnormal clanking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that a front shock suspension needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to an unknown Technical Service Bulletin. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,240.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed there was oil leaking from the rear passenger's side wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear axle bolt was faulty, and the rear axles needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the rear axles under warranty. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,361.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the rear-end of the vehicle was making an abnormally loud sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the rear-end had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact the vehicle was not covered under a related recall or under an extended warranty. The vehicle was repaired by the independent mechanic. Additionally, the contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera image was black. The contact stated that while reversing and towing a trailer on one occasion, the failure recurred, causing the tailgate of the vehicle to hit the trailer, and the tailgate sustained damage. …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 45-50 MPH on the freeway, the navigation screen turned blank, and the speedometer decreased to zero. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear end of the vehicle was detaching. The dealer determined that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was then taken to unknown local dealer, where it was determined that the rear axle was in good condition. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and denied the contact's buyback request. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
Related recalls (1)
Suspension › Rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 F-150 vehicles.The stabilizer rod fasteners may not have been tightened properly during manufacturing, which can allow the rod to shift out of position.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the stabilizer rod fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA investigations
Rear suspension spring breakage
In July 1998, Ford submitted a part 573 notification to NHTSA concerning broken rear springs on certain 1997-98 Ford f150 trucks, with four-wheel drive.Ford stated that fatigue fracture of the rear springs May occur if the spring are over stresses(sic) by vehicle overloading.the broken piece of the spring leaf May splay inward, damaging the fuel tank and causing fuel leakage.Ford also stated that a broken spring…
Independent front suspension torsion bar
Three consumers have reported failure of one of the two front suspension torsion bars in the subject vehicles.in one case the failure occurred while the vehicle was in operation, and the vehicles were parked when the other two failures occurred.no crashes have been reported.torsion bar failures are considered to be fairly uncommon and in each of the reported cases, the failures occurred at relatively low…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford F-150 years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (204), 1998 (132), 2004 (118), 2005 (49) and 1995 (44) model years. Suspension complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Ford F-150 suspension problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 26V-577 (rear, Sep 9, 2026). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford F-150 suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles; 49% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front (156 mentions), followed by the front › springs › torsion bar (106).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.