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Suspension, steering, brakes and wheels

Problems with control arms, ball joints and bushes: symptoms, cost and affected models

We have documented 149 faults with control arms, ball joints and bushes in 143 cars. The most important by severity and frequency: corrosion of the rear multi-link axle eccentric bolts (Audi A4 B9), corrosion of the eccentric bolts on the multi-link rear axle (Audi Q5 II) and corrosion in the bolt and bushes of the front suspension arm (Citroën Jumpy III). At an independent garage, the repair costs from €300 to €750 depending on the engine or car.[1][2]

Documented faults
149
44 of high or critical severity
Cars analysed
143
with at least one fault on this part
Affected models
143
car generations in our database
Garage repair
€300–€750
Depending on engine and car, including VAT

5 sourcesHow we work

How it works and why it fails

Control arms, ball joints, bushes and drop links

Control arms (wishbones) connect the wheels to the body through ball joints and rubber bushes, and the drop links connect the anti-roll bar. They are wear parts which, on some models, give out sooner than normal or have had mounting defects corrected by the manufacturer.

What to do

Knocking over bumps, creaking when turning, a vibrating steering wheel or uneven tyre wear usually point to these parts. After replacing them, have the wheel alignment done. A badly worn ball joint can come apart: do not let it slide.

General explanation by MotorFiable. The specific faults of each engine and car, with their sources, are on the linked pages.

Common symptoms

The symptoms that come up most often in the documented faults with control arms, ball joints and bushes. Open each one to see what other faults cause it.

Problems with control arms, ball joints and bushes by car

Faults documented on specific cars, which occur with any engine. From most to least important.

  1. 1Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAudi A4 B9Corrosion of the rear multi-link axle eccentric boltsYes: Audi recalled A4 B9s built between November 2019 and April 2021 because the eccentric bolts that secure the rear axle arm can corrode and break. A second campaign in 2022, for the same build period, extended the recall to uneven tyre wear caused by the same loss of geometry.Repair: €0
  2. 2Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q5 IICorrosion of the eccentric bolts on the multi-link rear axleYes: Audi recalled Q5 II cars built between November 2019 and April 2021 because the eccentric bolts that secure the rear axle arm can corrode and break. A second campaign in 2022, for the same build period, extended the recall to the uneven tyre wear caused by the same loss of geometry.Repair: €0
  3. 3Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCitroën Jumpy IIICorrosion in the bolt and bushes of the front suspension armYes: a Stellantis and Toyota campaign (November 2025) inspects the front suspension arm mounting of the Jumpy and Spacetourer because corrosion can weaken the bolt and even break it, with partial loss of control of the car. The inspection and, if needed, replacement of the parts are free.
  4. 4Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalFord Transit CustomLower suspension arms with missing, partial or insufficiently penetrated weldsTwo 2020 campaigns (20S47 and 20S53) affect the Transit Custom's lower suspension arms: on vehicles from October 2019 to July 2020 welds may be missing or partial, and on vehicles from June to September 2020 the weld penetration of the left arm does not meet the specification. There is a risk of breakage and of an accident.
  5. 5Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalFord TransitLower suspension arms with missing, partial or insufficiently penetrating weldsTwo 2020 recalls (20S47 and 20S53) affect the Transit's lower suspension arms: in units built from October 2019 to July 2020, welds may be missing or partial, and in units built from June to September 2020 the weld penetration on the left-hand arm does not meet the specification. There is a risk of breakage and an accident.
  6. 6Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalHyundai TrajetCorrosion of the rear suspension armsIt does exist: Britain's DVSA recalled Trajets (and Santa Fes) built between 2000 and 2004 because corrosion could weaken the rear arms until they broke and affect steering control. The check measures the thickness of the metal and either applies wax or replaces the arms.
  7. 7Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMazda CX-7Lower front suspension ball joint that can seize or break through corrosionYes: a recall covers CX-7s built between May 2007 and August 2012 because water can get into the lower front suspension ball joint and cause corrosion and seizing; in the worst case the ball joint breaks and control of the steering can be lost. The complete lower arm is replaced.
  8. 8Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Vito W447Insufficient welding of the suspension transverse arm with risk of breakage (November and December 2019)Yes: 165 Vito and V-Class vehicles built between 25 November and 19 December 2019 may have a suspension transverse arm with insufficient welding that could break and impair braking and steering. Safety Gate classified it as an accident risk (alert 30/2021).
  9. 9Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalOpel Corsa EPossible failure of the joint between the steering knuckle and the lower suspension armYes: in 2015 Opel recalled the 2014-2016 Corsa E and Adam because the connection between the steering knuckle and the lower suspension arm could fail, with a risk of loss of stability and control of the car.
  10. 10Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalOpel Grandland IBreakage of the lower front suspension arm ball joint bolts (2024 build)Opel and Peugeot have recalled more than 32,000 Grandland, 3008 and 5008 models built between 2023 and 2025 because the bolts that fix the ball joint to the lower front suspension arm can break; if that happens, the wheel stops responding to the steering and the car can become uncontrollable.
  11. 11Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 508 IIProduction campaigns on the rear axle: mounting (2020) and cracks in the stub axles (2021)The Peugeot 508 II had two separate production campaigns relating to the rear axle: in 2020 for a mounting problem that could cause unstable handling, and in 2021 for possible cracks in the rear stub axles.
  12. 12Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot Expert IIIFront suspension arms: mounting bolts and joint broken by corrosionIn September 2025 a Peugeot recall (Safety Gate SR/03211/25) was published for Expert and Traveller vehicles built between September 2020 and June 2022: the mounting bolts and the joint of the front arms can break because of corrosion, causing unpredictable steering behaviour.
  13. 13Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalRenault FluenceRear axle stub axle bolt badly tightened on cars from February 2016Yes: Safety Gate alert A12/1664/16 covers Fluence cars built between 1 and 17 February 2016, because the rear stub axle bolt (right, left or both) may have been left untightened or badly tightened, with a risk of sudden loss of the wheel. It is a preventive and very narrow recall.
  14. 14Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalSmart ForfourFront left hub carrier with insufficient strength (2017 campaign)A Safety Gate alert (41/2017) and the DVSA cover Forfours and Fortwos built between March and June 2017 whose front left hub carrier may lack the necessary strength and break, with loss of control. It is checked and replaced if necessary at an official dealer.
  15. 15Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalSmart FortwoFront left steering knuckle with insufficient strength (2017 recall)A Safety Gate alert (41/2017) and the DVSA cover Fortwos and Forfours built between March and June 2017 whose front left steering knuckle may lack the necessary strength and break, with a loss of control. It is checked and replaced if necessary at an official service centre.
  16. 16Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTesla Model 3Recall for insufficient front suspension arm mounting (built 2019-2021)In December 2021 Tesla recalled the Model 3 and Model Y built between January 2019 and June 2021 because the mounting of the front suspension arms could be insufficient, with a risk of losing control of the vehicle.
  17. 17Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTesla Model YRecall for insufficient mounting of the front suspension arms (built 2020-2021)In December 2021 Tesla recalled Model Y and Model 3 cars built up to June 2021 because the mounting of the front suspension arms could be insufficient, with a risk of losing control of the vehicle.
  18. 18Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalToyota ProAce IISuspension arm bolts and lower arm ball joint (2016-2018)In March 2019 Toyota recalled Proace vehicles built between 2016 and 2018 over three suspension defects: deformed front and rear arm bolts that could break or come loose, and a lower arm ball joint that could become loose.
  19. 19Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Jetta VIDeformation of the rear axle trailing arm after an impactAccording to campaign 42G8 in the British register (DVSA), the rear axle trailing arm on Jettas built between October 2011 and August 2013 can become deformed in a rear impact or when reversing quickly over a high obstacle; if not detected, it can break later and cause a loss of steering control.
  20. 20Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolvo S80 IRecall: the front damper lower ball joint nut on the Volvo S80 can lose tensionIn January 2004 Volvo recalled the S60, S80 and V70 because the nut joining the front damper's lower ball joint to the suspension arm could lose tension owing to an out-of-specification tolerance; the DVSA speaks of possible suspension collapse (R/2004/012, 9,735 vehicles in the UK). It was corrected with a modified nut.
  21. 21Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolvo V70 IIRecall: the lower front shock absorber ball joint nut may lose tensionVolvo recalled the S60, S80 and V70 in January 2004 because the nut joining the lower ball joint of the front shock absorber to the suspension arm could lose tension due to an out-of-specification tolerance. It was corrected with a modified nut (DVSA R/2004/012; 9,735 vehicles in the United Kingdom).
  22. 22Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolvo XC90 IOuter ball joint pin breakage that can cause loss of steering controlA German buying guide reports that, according to the KBA, under extreme driving conditions the outer ball joint pin on XC90s from 2003 to 2006 can break and cause the car to lose the ability to steer. It lists this among the model's recalls; we have not found the official notice.
  23. 23High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAudi A4 B5Premature wear of the track rod end ball joints (1999 campaign)In 1999, 38,307 Audi A4s built between March and August 1998 were recalled in the United Kingdom: faulty seals could wear the track rod end ball joints prematurely and, if the warning noises were ignored, the pivot could come loose and affect steering control.
  24. 24High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAudi A4 B6Breakage of the aluminium front suspension armsOn 1.9 TDI versions, fiches-auto.fr documents fractures of the aluminium front suspension arms from 180,000-210,000 km, a safety fault because it can upset the car's directional control.Appears at around 180,000 km
  25. 25High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAudi A4 B7Breakage of the aluminium front suspension armsOn the 1.9 TDI versions, fiches-auto.fr documents fractures of the aluminium front suspension arms from 180,000-210,000 km, a safety fault because it can affect the car's directional control.Appears at around 180,000 km
  26. 26High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW X4 G02Weak X4 M suspension arm (2018-2019 recall)According to the fiches-auto.fr fiche, there was a recall of the X4 M built between August 2018 and August 2019 because of a weakness in a suspension arm component, with a risk of losing control of the vehicle.
  27. 27High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW X6 F16Unsuitable wishbone ball joint and front axle pivot (2018 recall)According to the fiches-auto.fr data sheet, X6s produced on 9-11 June 2018 had an unsuitable ball joint in the front left wishbone and an unsuitable pivot on the left arm, with a risk of breakage that would affect the steering.
  28. 28High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C3 IIFront subframe mounting bolts insufficiently tightened (2014 production)Citroën found that, in a batch of C3 II cars built in 2014, the bolts that secure the front subframe might not have been tightened sufficiently at the factory, with a risk of the assembly losing rigidity; the campaign, according to fiches-auto.fr, also affected the DS3.
  29. 29High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalFiat StiloBreakage of the front suspension wishbones and springsThe Stilo's front suspension wishbones are described as a fragile part that breaks fairly often, and broken front springs are also reported.
  30. 30High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalOpel Combo EDamaged steering linkage (track rods), with loss of stabilityIn 2019-2020 units, the steering linkage (track rods) can become damaged, with loss of driving stability and a greater risk of an accident; the Peugeot Rifter and the Citroën Berlingo III had an official campaign for a defect in the same component over a similar period.
  31. 31High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalRenault Twingo IIIRisk of a crack in the shock absorber and bearing noise from the front axleYes: Renault recalled Twingo III cars built up to 24 March 2015 over the risk of a crack in the tube of a shock absorber; a French reliability guide adds complaints of bearing noise from the front axle between 2015 and 2016 in the same area.
  32. 32High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalToyota RAV4 VPossible suspension arm crack on RAV4s built in September and October 2019According to the fiches-auto.fr entry, a May 2020 campaign requires the suspension arm to be replaced on RAV4s produced between September and October 2019 because of a risk of cracking. We have not verified the campaign in an official source.
  33. 33High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Caddy VDefective wheel control arm on the CaddyA defective wheel control arm can fail and bend the wheel to one side, making steering very difficult; campaign 40S5 covers 6,112 Caddys built between April 2021 and July 2022.
  34. 34Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonAlfa Romeo 156Alfa Romeo 156 suspension bush and arm wearThis is the most frequently cited non-engine fault on the 156: 75 cases out of about 244 reports on fiches-auto.fr. The upper and lower arms and the anti-roll bar bushes wear out and cause knocking, squeaking and uneven tyre wear.
  35. 35Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonAudi A6 C5Premature wear of the suspension arms and ball jointsAccording to owner reports on fiches-auto.fr, the A6 C5's suspension arms are usually replaced at around 100,000-110,000 km, with 11 cases of ball joints and reports of bushes (silentblocks) beyond 180,000 km.Appears at around 100,000 km
  36. 36Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonBMW Serie 1 E87Broken suspension springs and worn front-end bushesThe German TÜV Report, cited by gebrauchtwagenberater.de, notes that suspension springs on the E87 break fairly often; fiches-auto.fr adds front-end vibrations and worn bushes among owners' reports.Repair (garage): €400–€750
  37. 37Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonBMW Serie 3 E46Wear of the suspension bushes, ball joints and bushingsWith mileage, the suspension arm bushes, ball joints and bushings wear and cause vibrations, noises and less precise steering; fiches-auto.fr describes it as very recurrent between 60,000 and 180,000 km.Repair (garage): €300–€600Appears at around 60,000 km
  38. 38Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonCitroën Berlingo IIWear of shock absorbers, top mounts and drop links in the front suspensionIt is the most cited problem in a reliability survey on the Berlingo II: the front shock absorbers, top mounts, springs and anti-roll bar drop links produce recurring creaks, especially on poor roads or over speed bumps, with cases documented from 15,000 km.Appears at around 15,000 km
  39. 39Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonCitroën C4 IWear of shock absorbers, ball joints and wheel bearings on the front axleIn a reliability survey with 573 responses on the Citroën C4 (2004-2010), the front shock absorbers, ball joints and wheel bearings add up to 89 cases, with knocking, vibration and uneven tyre wear as the most cited symptoms.
  40. 40Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonFord Fiesta VWear of wheel bearings, shock absorbers, springs and ball joints in the running gearThe Fiesta V's wheel bearings, shock absorbers, springs and ball joints wear with use across the range, with noise that grows with speed and knocking from the ball joints, according to both sources consulted.
  41. 41Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonFord Focus IIPremature wear of shock absorbers, suspension bushes and wheel bearingsThe Focus II's shock absorbers, suspension bushes and wheel bearings wear out sooner than expected: a 2021 German technical inspection report points to wheel bearings as a frequent finding on units from the final years of production.
  42. 42Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonHonda Civic VIIIWear of the front suspension arm mountsThe mounts (bushes) of the front suspension arms on this generation of Civic wear relatively often and can cause an inspection fail; several French owners also document shock absorber problems and noises on the same axle.
  43. 43Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonJeep Grand Cherokee WKWear of the front axle ball joints and jointsYes: AUTO BILD names front axle and steering joints with play as the most striking TÜV (German inspection) defect on the 2005-2010 Grand Cherokee, and another article in the same magazine says its joints and bushes wear too quickly even with normal use.
  44. 44Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonKia Ceed IIWear of the steering ball joints and linkagesGerman periodic inspection reports point to the steering joints and suspension ball joints as systematic weak points of this generation, a pattern that matches owner reports of power steering faults and clicking noises when turning.
  45. 45Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonKia Sportage IVPremature wear of the steering ball jointsA German analysis of periodic inspections identifies wear of the steering ball joints as a weak point specific to the fourth-generation Sportage, unlike other generations of the model.
  46. 46Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonPeugeot 206Wear of the rear axle and suspension ball jointsOn the Peugeot 206 it is common for the rear axle mounts and the front suspension ball joints to wear out earlier than expected, with noises, vague steering and uneven tyre wear.
  47. 47Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonPeugeot 407Wear of suspension and steering ball jointsOn the Peugeot 407 it is common for the suspension and steering ball joints to wear out sooner than expected, causing noises, vague steering and uneven tyre wear.
  48. 48Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonPeugeot Partner IIWear of shock absorbers, top mounts and drop links in the front suspensionIn a reliability survey with 219 responses on the Partner Tepee (2008-2018), the front shock absorbers, top mounts, springs and anti-roll bar drop links account for 44 cases, the most cited system in the whole sample.
  49. 49Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonRenault Kangoo IIPremature wear of suspension drop links and steering ball jointsThe Kangoo II's front axle suffers premature wear of the suspension drop links and steering ball joints, a defect that fiches-auto.fr describes as recurring and shared with the Scenic and the Megane of the same era.Appears at around 75,000 km
  50. 50Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonRenault Laguna IWear of the rear bearings, ball joints and suspension bushesAccording to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the rear bearings wear early (rubbing) and the rear ball joints, drop links and bushes deteriorate, causing noises and imprecise handling. No official recall is on record.
  51. 51Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonRenault Laguna IIPremature wear of front and rear axle bushes and ball jointsThe Laguna II's rear bushes, ball joints and steering drop links wear out sooner than normal and are responsible for much of the suspension noise and uneven front tyre wear that workshops describe.Appears at around 80,000 km
  52. 52Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonSeat Ibiza IIIEarly wear of the front axle bushes, ball joints and shock absorbersYes: it is the most-cited non-engine fault among Ibiza III owners. The front axle bushes, ball joints and shock absorbers wear out sooner than expected, with noises and knocks that get worse over potholes and on roundabouts.
  53. 53Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonŠkoda Fabia IFront suspension wear (shock absorbers and bushes)The front suspension and bushes are the second most-cited non-engine fault on the Fabia I: 38 of the 140 responses in the fiches-auto.fr reliability survey, though the source does not say which part fails first in each case.
  54. 54Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonVolkswagen Passat B7Premature wear of the front suspension bushesYes: several sources document faster-than-normal wear in the front suspension bushes of the Passat B7, with cases reported at around 56,000 km, and associated uneven wear on the rear tyres that sometimes means the geometry has to be checked.Repair (garage): €400Appears at around 56,000 km
  55. 55Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonVolkswagen Tiguan IPremature wear of the suspension mounts (bushes) and multi-link rear axleYes: according to German inspection statistics (TÜV), the Tiguan I's suspension mounts are among the components with the most defects, and a French reliability site backs up the pattern with 16 complaints about suspension/shock absorbers and 8 about bearings out of 439 reviews; broken springs are more occasional and are usually down to overloading.
  56. 56Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonVolkswagen Touareg IPremature wear of the front bushes and tyresAccording to owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, there are 16 cases of front suspension wear with deformed bushes and 39 of rapid tyre wear, sometimes within a few thousand kilometres, due to links and tracking that cannot be adjusted.
  57. 57Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonVolkswagen Touran IWear of suspension bushes and shock absorbers with uneven tyre wearYes: fiches-auto.fr documents premature tyre wear (34 reports, with a first replacement cited at 47,000 km on the original Touran I and from 6,500 km on the facelift) and of suspension bushes and shock absorbers, and gebrauchtwagenberater.de independently confirms noisy front suspension arms and defective shock absorbers.Appears at around 6,500 km
  58. 58Critical severityRareFrequency: RareDS DS 3 CrossbackFront subframe bolt not tightened properly, with a risk of loss of control (built February 2021)DS recalled DS3 Crossbacks built in February 2021 because a bolt on the front subframe may not be tightened properly, which can cause a loss of stability and of control of the vehicle.
  59. 59Critical severityRareFrequency: RareFord Tourneo ConnectLower suspension arms out of specificationFord recalled 117 Tourneo Connect vehicles built between 3 March and 7 July 2022 because the lower suspension arms might not meet specifications and could break, with a risk of affecting the steering and losing control (Safety Gate A12/00090/23, code 22S70).
  60. 60Critical severityRareFrequency: RareHyundai Tucson IVRecall for incorrect thread on the steering ball joints (2025)In August 2025 Hyundai recalled 4,324 Tucsons built between 9 May and 2 June 2025 at the Nošovice plant in the Czech Republic: a non-conforming thread in the steering ball joints could, in extreme circumstances, reduce the car's ability to turn.
  61. 61Critical severityRareFrequency: RareKia Sportage VRecall for steering ball joint thread out of specification (2025)In May 2025, a recall (code 250S54) covered Sportage cars built between 12 and 27 May with a thread diameter larger than specified on the steering ball joint stem: the same type of defect that, over the same dates, led Hyundai to recall 4,324 Tucsons for an equivalent problem.
  62. 62Critical severityRareFrequency: RareMazda CX-3The bolt between the steering knuckle and the shock absorber can work loose and leave the car without steeringOn cars built up to December 2015, the bolted joint between the suspension steering knuckle and the shock absorber can work loose, which can leave the car unable to steer. Mazda corrects it by checking and retightening or replacing the joint at an official dealer.
  63. 63Critical severityRareFrequency: RareMINI Cooper F56Missing spherical washer in the steering ball joint (2019 batch)Yes: in cars assembled between 15 March and 8 April 2019, the ball joint at the end of the steering rack may be missing a spherical washer, which wears it until it breaks and can lead to loss of control. MINI recalled vehicles in that batch in October 2019.
  64. 64Critical severityRareFrequency: RareMINI Countryman F60Missing spherical washer in the steering ball joint (2019 batch) and outer ball joints wearing excessively (2016-2019)On the JCW Countryman assembled between 15 March and 8 April 2019, a spherical washer may be missing from the steering ball joint, which then wears until it breaks (October 2019 campaign). A German source also points to defective production of the outer ball joints on Countrymans from 2016 to 2019, with excessive wear until the link breaks.
  65. 65Critical severityRareFrequency: RarePeugeot 3008 IIIBreakage of the bolt securing the ball joint to the front suspension armStellantis recalled more than 32,000 third-generation Peugeot 3008 and 5008 (and Opel Grandland) built between July 2023 and February 2025: the bolt securing the ball joint bracket to the lower front suspension arm can break, with a risk of noise, vibration when braking and, in the worst case, loss of directional control.
  66. 66Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo 147Wear of the front suspension bushes, arms and ball jointsThe front suspension bushes, arms and ball joints on the Alfa Romeo 147 wear fairly often, mostly between 100,000 and 200,000 km, and tend to cause noises and uneven wear of the front tyres.Appears at around 100,000 km
  67. 67Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo 159Wear of the front suspension bushes, wishbones and ball jointsThe front suspension of the Alfa Romeo 159 has built up reports of worn bushes, wishbones and ball joints, with noises and uneven wear of the front tyres as the main symptoms.
  68. 68Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAudi A1 ISuspension noises and wear: bushes, control arms, ball joints and springsfiches-auto.fr lists 11 cases of suspension noise on the A1: bushes, shock absorbers, ball joints and even a broken front spring at 89,000 km; one case needed a control arm kit at around 93,000 km.
  69. 69Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAudi A3 IWear of suspension and steering bushes and ball jointsAccording to the fiches-auto.fr owner reports, there are 9 cases of worn bushes, 5 of wheel bearings and 8 of steering parts, with ball joints that deteriorate and reduce precision.
  70. 70Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAudi A8 D3Air spring failure and worn suspension bushesOwners mention noises from the front suspension, failing air springs and worn bushes. According to fiches-auto.fr, the suspension accounts for 8 mentions out of 62 reports. This is a pattern drawn from owner reports, not a manufacturer recall.
  71. 71Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 2 Active Tourer F45Worn front bushes and tyres/brake pads that wear out sooner than expectedfiches-auto.fr gathers several testimonies of worn front bushes and engine mounts with vibrations, along with front tyres and brake pads that wear out sooner than expected, in some cases from as early as 17,000-20,000 km.
  72. 72Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 3 E90Wear of shock absorbers, bushes and suspension bearingsWith mileage it is common for the E90 to need shock absorbers, bushes or suspension bearings: fiches-auto.fr places several cases between 150,000 and 170,000 km, and gebrauchtwagenberater.de cites German TÜV inspection data that flags springs and shock absorbers as a frequent point of attention.
  73. 73Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 5 E39Premature wear of the front arm bushes on the BMW 5 Series E39According to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr (317 for the 1995-2003 5 Series), there are 16 cases of front arm bushes with play, vibrations and vague steering, and 8 of ball joints.
  74. 74Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 7 E65Wear of the front suspension arms and bushesAccording to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, the 7 Series E65's front suspension arms, bushes, bearings and ball joints appear in 8 of 64 testimonies. No mileage or cost is given.
  75. 75Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW X1 E84Noises and wear in the suspension, bushes and bearings of the X1 E84According to fiches-auto.fr, the suspension, bushes and bearings account for 23 mentions out of 315 reports on the X1 E84: creaks, premature tyre wear and bearing noise from around 170,000 km.
  76. 76Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW X5 E53Wear of the bushes, ball joints and suspension arms on the X5 E53According to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr (206 for the 2000-2007 X5), there are 12 cases of bushes, 3 of ball joints and play in a suspension arm at around 100,000 km, with vibrations.
  77. 77Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalChrysler 300CPlay in the suspension control arms, ball joints and track rod endsYes: AUTO BILD says the TÜV (the German inspection body) often criticises the 300C's axle and steering joints for play, specifically the control arms (Querlenker), load-bearing ball joints (Traggelenke) and track rod ends (Spurstangenköpfe). The magazine points out that the floorpan and axles are shared with the old Mercedes E-Class (W 210).
  78. 78Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCitroën Berlingo IWear of the rear axle arm bearingsThe Citroën Berlingo I page and that of its twin cite wear of the rear axle arm bearings: knocking, the rear of the car sitting low and unevenly worn tyres. The Berlingo page has 21 reports.
  79. 79Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalFiat Punto IIIWear of the shock absorbers, bushes and ball joints in the front suspensionThe Fiat Punto (Grande Punto/Punto Evo/Punto) has accumulated testimonials of dried-out shock absorber top mounts and worn bushes and ball joints in the front suspension, with noises over bumps and in corners as the main symptom.
  80. 80Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalHyundai i20 IRear shock absorbers, bushes and ball joints with premature wearfiches-auto.fr documents rear shock absorbers weakened from 40,000 km, with leaks and noises from bushes and ball joints, among first-generation i20 owners.
  81. 81Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalHyundai Tucson IWear of steering ball joints, axle mounts and driveshafts picked up at TÜV inspectionsAccording to the used-car listing on gebrauchtwagenberater.de, backed by TÜV reports, worn axle mounts, driveshafts and steering ball joints are among the defects that most often make first-generation Tucsons fail the inspection. There are no figures or official campaign.
  82. 82Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMazda 2 IIMazda 2 (DJ) front suspension knocking and suspension arm recallAccording to owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, there are cases of front suspension knocking on the Mazda 2 (2 or 3) and the page mentions a July 2016 recall over the joint of a suspension arm on cars built up to December 2015.
  83. 83Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMazda 3 IIWear of bushes and shock absorbers in the rear suspensionThe suspension axle of the Mazda3 BL is one of the points most often flagged in German TÜV inspections; French owners document worn bushes and shock absorbers, and one case of an anti-roll bar that had to be retightened at 30,000 km.
  84. 84Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMazda CX-7Play in the steering ball jointsThe 2015 DEKRA report, covered by Autofácil, cites play in the steering ball joints among the problems of the Mazda CX-7 (2007-2011) after 100,000 km. It is not the same fault as the lower front suspension ball joint campaign, although both are worth checking on a car of that era.
  85. 85Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase E W213Wear of the suspension arms with play from around 150,000 kmSeveral owner reports describe a known wear of the suspension arm bushes on the E-Class W213, with noticeable play from around 150,000 km in some cases.
  86. 86Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMINI Cooper F55Wear of wheel bearings and suspension bushes on the Mini F55According to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, some owners of this Mini have wheel bearings that grind in proportion to speed and wishbone bushes or shock absorber top mounts that need replacing. This is a source of owner reports, not a campaign or manufacturer data.
  87. 87Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMINI Cooper R50Wear of the suspension bushes, ball joints and armsAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the Mini R50's suspension has 9 mentions of ball joints, 7 of arms and 5 of bearings, with wishbone bushes wearing out early (one case at 220,000 km).
  88. 88Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalNissan Almera IIWear of the driveshaft gaiters and bushes on the Nissan Almera N16According to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the front axle and suspension account for about 16 mentions out of 90: eight of driveshafts or gaiters (one at around 40,000 km), worn bushes causing vibrations, and shock absorbers.
  89. 89Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalNissan Micra VEarly suspension wear and steering noise from worn bushesInspection reports in Germany point to the suspension as a recurring weak point of the Micra V, and owner testimonies describe shock absorbers that feel tired at around 100,000 km, with associated steering noises from worn bushes.
  90. 90Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalNissan Primera IIIWear of the suspension arms and shock absorbers on the Nissan PrimeraAccording to the fiches-auto.fr reports, there are 5 cases of shock absorbers and several of suspension arms replaced between about 60,000 and 210,000 km on the Primera.
  91. 91Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalNissan Qashqai IIPremature wear of the front suspension and rear bushesAutopista points out that the Qashqai's front suspension and rear bushes can fail sooner than expected, especially with frequent urban use; a compilation of owner accounts records a similar number of suspension cases.
  92. 92Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalNissan X-Trail IIIFront suspension wear: bushes, shock absorbers and wishbonesYes: several owners describe noises and wear in the X-Trail's front suspension - top mounts, shock absorbers, bearings and bushes - and caradisiac also records a case of replacing the front wishbones.
  93. 93Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalOpel Corsa CEarly wear of wheel bearings, driveshaft boots and rear shock absorbersA German used-car guide points to wheel bearings, driveshaft boots (gaiters) and rear shock absorbers as common failure points on the Opel Corsa C at the technical inspection (TÜV/MOT).
  94. 94Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalOpel Mokka AWear of shock absorber mounts and front suspension bushesThe fiches-auto.fr entry cites worn shock absorber mounts between 30,000 and 60,000 km, bushes that force the front axle to be redone and metallic clunks over bumps; the Mokka X entry mentions worn shock absorbers and ball joints.
  95. 95Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 5008 IPremature wear of the suspension bushes and steering wheel vibration at 120-130 km/hSeveral owners describe vibrations at motorway speed (120-130 km/h) that went away after replacing worn suspension bushes. This is a pattern in owner reports, not a manufacturer campaign.
  96. 96Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot Partner IWear of the rear axle arm bearingsThe Peugeot Partner I page and that of its twin cite wear of the rear axle arm bearings: knocking, the rear of the car sitting low and unevenly worn tyres. The Berlingo page has 21 reports.
  97. 97Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalRenault Espace IVPremature wear of suspension ball joints and bushesBall joints are the most cited suspension part: 34 of 537 testimonials, with cases of deteriorated bushes between 50,000 and 165,000 km and broken shock absorber springs from 100,000 km. It shows up as noises and play.
  98. 98Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalRenault Espace VNoises and play in the front suspension ball joints and bushesOwners describe knocking over small bumps and play in the front axle joints (23 cases out of 275), with wishbones replaced at 58,000 and 85,000 km. The page also cites a 2016 campaign for incorrect wheel alignment.
  99. 99Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalRenault Vel SatisPremature wear of the suspension ball joints, drop links and shock absorbersAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the Vel Satis's suspension accounts for 29 cases: ball joints (8), shock absorbers (8), bearings (8), drop links and bushes (3). The fiche attributes part of the wear to the car's high weight; it is a sample of owners.
  100. 100Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalSeat AlteaThe shock absorbers and their joints can wear out before 50,000 kmAltea owners describe worn shock absorbers, top mounting bearings and suspension ball joints in under 50,000 km; a German technical inspection report confirms that shock absorbers, springs and driveshafts are a common reason for failure in inspections of this model.
  101. 101Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalSeat ExeoPremature wear of the shock absorbers and suspension armsAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, some owners report shock absorbers replaced at 20,000 km, an upper arm that cost more than €800 and knocking from the anti-roll bar and its links. There is no public recall or bulletin.
  102. 102Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalSeat León IIIFront suspension noises from drop links and shock absorbersMotorMundial already flagged suspension noises and vibrations in the cabin as a weak point of the Leon III, and owners describe creaking over bumps, humming between 90 and 100 km/h and clunks on uneven surfaces, almost always from worn drop links or shock absorbers.
  103. 103Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalŠkoda Octavia IFront suspension wear (shock absorbers and bushes)The front suspension (shock absorbers and bushes) accounts for 7 of the 87 Octavia I owner responses in the fiches-auto.fr reliability survey, though the source does not pinpoint which part fails first in each case.
  104. 104Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalŠkoda Octavia IIFront suspension wear (shock absorbers, bushes and ball joints)Adding together shock absorbers, bushes and ball joints, the front suspension accounts for 14 of the 248 Octavia II owner responses in the fiches-auto.fr reliability survey.
  105. 105Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalŠkoda RoomsterWear of the front suspension bushes and wishbone mounts9 reports on fiches-auto.fr cite worn bushes causing creaks, vibrations and noises: front axle pivot bushes at 60,000 km and front wishbone brackets at 285,000 km.
  106. 106Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalSuzuki S-Cross ISteering ball joint wear at the third inspection at seven yearsIn the German TÜV, seven-year-old S-Cross vehicles going through their third inspection show loose steering ball joints too often, according to the TÜV-Report 2024 cited by dpa. It is the chassis weakness that report highlights, alongside the front lighting and oil leaks.
  107. 107Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTesla Model SPremature wear of the front suspension and bushes on the Model SThe fiches-auto.fr entry records 3 suspension mentions in 21 testimonies: premature wear of front parts, collapsed air suspension and faulty bushes, with one case that required replacing the whole wishbone at 40,000 km.
  108. 108Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTesla Model XPremature wear of the suspension wishbones and ball joints on the Model XThe fiches-auto.fr profile cites 3 suspension mentions among 10 Model X reports, including a taxi 90D with 255,000 km that needed running gear work and had premature wear of wishbones and ball joints.
  109. 109Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalToyota RAV4 IIPlay in the front suspension wishbones and anti-roll bar linksAccording to the fiches-auto.fr page, some RAV4 II owners report front wishbones with play (one case at 140,000 km) and fragile anti-roll bar links. Around 4 cases are documented.
  110. 110Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolvo S60 IIPremature wear of the Volvo S60's bushes and shock absorbersAccording to fiches-auto.fr, owners cite premature wear of bushes (silentblocks) and shock absorbers, along with bearing and alignment problems that cause uneven tyre wear.
  111. 111Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolvo V60 IPlay in the steering ball joints and axle suspension flagged by the TÜVAccording to the TÜV Report cited in a German buying guide, the V60 I is flagged fairly often for axle suspension and steering joints, as well as excessive brake disc wear. The guide gives no percentages or specific years.
  112. 112Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolvo V70 IIWear of the suspension wishbones and shock absorber top mounts on the front axleGebrauchtwagenberater identifies the front axle as the big weak point of the 2000-2007 V70: faulty wishbones (Querlenker) and shock absorber top mounts (Domlager) are «not a rarity». It also points to frequent wear of the wheel bearings.
  113. 113Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolvo XC70 IIWear of the suspension arms and front shock absorber top mounts on the Volvo XC70Gebrauchtwagenberater describes the front axle as the big weak point of the second-generation V70, of which the XC70 is the crossover version: according to the article, finding defective suspension arms and shock absorber top mounts is common. It gives no mileages or costs.
  114. 114Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolvo XC90 IDeterioration of suspension ball joints and arms, and front axle noisesThe 2015 DEKRA report cited by Autofácil points to the deterioration of ball joints and suspension arms as one of the two causes of the previous XC90's poor result. A German guide adds that the early cars, up to the May 2006 facelift, have front axles that knock.
  115. 115High severityRareFrequency: RareAlfa Romeo GiuliettaBadly installed rear suspension arms or shock absorbers (2010 campaign)Yes: between February and May 2010 Alfa Romeo recalled Giulietta cars over possibly badly installed suspension arms; fiches-auto.fr places a campaign on the rear shock absorbers on the same dates, which affected fewer than 100 cars.
  116. 116High severityRareFrequency: RareFord Focus IVFront suspension recall campaigns (tightening torque and a defective steering knuckle)Ford recalled Focus IV units twice over the front suspension: in 2019 because the mounting bolts might not have been tightened to the correct torque, and in 2022 because of an incorrectly manufactured steering knuckle (stub axle carrier). Both campaigns cover very specific manufacturing batches, not the model's whole production run.
  117. 117High severityRareFrequency: RareOpel Vivaro BInsufficiently tightened bolt and nut on the lower suspension armIn April 2015 Opel recalled the 2015 model year Vivaro B because the bolt and nut of the lower suspension arm could be insufficiently tightened, which could compromise steering control while driving.
  118. 118Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonVolkswagen Golf IVBushes, ball joints and front shock absorbers can wear out earlier than expectedSeveral owners report knocking noises from the front axle due to wear of the bushes, ball joints and shock absorbers, especially beyond 200,000 km. It is not a manufacturer campaign, but a recurring pattern in the fiches-auto.fr testimonials, with no single mileage threshold.
  119. 119Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonVolkswagen Golf VSuspension arm bushes and front bearings wear earlier than expectedYes: the front suspension arm bushes ("Querlenkerbuchsen") and the wheel bearings have to be replaced more often than usual, according to gebrauchtwagenberater.de; the fiches-auto.fr testimonies confirm the same pattern with noises and wear on the front axle.
  120. 120Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonVolkswagen Polo IVFront suspension arms, bushes and ball joints wear out earlier than expectedYes: the front suspension arms ("Querlenker") are, according to gebrauchtwagenberater.de, one of the most repeated weak points of the Polo IV, with wear of the bushes and ball joints; in 2008 (9N3 facelift) Volkswagen introduced the front geometry of the Polo V, which reduced the problem on the last cars.
  121. 121Medium severityRareFrequency: RareBMW Serie 2 Gran Tourer F46Premature wear of the front suspension arms and bushesAccording to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the lower arms, bushes and front strut top mounts of the 2 Series Active/Gran Tourer can cause knocking, creaking and vibrations; one report cites wear of a front wheel bearing at around 93,000 km.
  122. 122Medium severityRareFrequency: RareBMW Serie 4 F32Worn shock absorbers and bushesAccording to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, there are 2 cases of faulty shock absorbers and 1 of faulty bushes among 103 reports on the 4 Series. No official recall is recorded.
  123. 123Medium severityRareFrequency: RareBMW Serie 7 F01Wear of the control arm bushes and air suspension bellowsAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, on the 7 Series F01 the suspension arm bushes and the air bellows "don't last long" because of the car's weight; one owner replaced the front bushes at 130,000 km. There are few cases and no official data.Appears at around 130,000 km
  124. 124Medium severityRareFrequency: RareFiat 500LPremature wear of ball joints and shock absorbers on the Fiat 500LAccording to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, some owners had worn shock absorbers at 55,000 km (covered by warranty) and worn ball joints at 85,000 km with no cover from Fiat. There are few cases and no official recall.
  125. 125Medium severityRareFrequency: RareMazda 3 IWear of shock absorbers, bushes and wheel bearings on the Mazda 3 (BK)According to the reports gathered by fiches-auto.fr, worn bearings, shock absorbers and bushes with noises and vibrations are cited on the Mazda 3 BK (5 cases), as well as anti-roll bar problems (4 cases).
  126. 126Medium severityRareFrequency: RareMercedes-Benz GLK X204Premature wear of suspension arms and ball jointsAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, some GLKs suffer from fragile suspension arms and abnormal tyre wear; the page cites arms, bearings and ball joints, and the car pulling to one side. The category adds up to 4 reports out of 92.
  127. 127Medium severityRareFrequency: RareRenault Koleos IIWorn bushes and bearings causing vibrationsAccording to testimonials collected by fiches-auto.fr, 6 Koleos II owners cite vibrations from worn bearings or bushes, and one case of play in a steering ball joint at only 16,800 km. There is no official campaign.
  128. 128Medium severityRareFrequency: RareRenault Trafic IISuspension ball joint problemsAlongside gearbox and electrical problems, Auto Express reports complaints from Trafic II owners about the suspension ball joints. The review does not specify the axle, mileage or cost, and other owners say they have had no problems.
  129. 129Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCitroën Berlingo IWear of links, bushes and shock absorbers in the suspensionThe pages cite early knocking from wear of anti-roll bar links, ball joints, bushes, springs and shock absorbers, made worse by use under load (24 reports on the Berlingo page, more than 37 on the Partner page).
  130. 130Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalHyundai Santa Fe IIWear of the anti-roll bar links and ball jointsThe anti-roll bar links are frequently replaced from around 80,000 km according to the Santa Fe II reports, along with cases of shock absorbers (12) and ball joints (5).
  131. 131Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMazda 3 IIINoises and knocking from the front suspension due to shock absorbers and bushesSome Mazda3 BM cars develop creaking or knocking in the front suspension with use, attributed to the top mounts, shock absorbers, bushes or front bearings; a German used-car guide confirms that springs and shock absorbers are among the usual reasons for failing the German inspection (TÜV).
  132. 132Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMazda 5 IPlay in the rear suspension bushesThe 2015 DEKRA report, as reported by Autofácil, cites play in the rear suspension bushes among the notable faults of the Mazda5 (2005-2015) after 100,000 km. The source does not separate generations or give a cost.
  133. 133Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMazda CX-5 INoises and wear in the front suspension ball joints, bearings and shock absorbersWith use, some first-generation CX-5s develop knocking or humming noises from the front end, attributed to wear in bearings, shock absorbers and ball joints; a German used-car guide confirms that the suspension and front axle joints are among the usual reasons for failure in the German inspection (TÜV).
  134. 134Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase B W246Wear of the front suspension bushes and ball jointsThe front arm bushes, the drop links and the upper shock absorber mounts are known wear parts on the B-Class W246, according to a German magazine; a French reliability site reports testimonies of imprecise geometry and uneven tyre wear on high-mileage cars.
  135. 135Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase C W202Wear of the anti-roll bar bushes and front axle ball jointsA knocking noise from the front axle of the W202 usually indicates wear of the rubber anti-roll bar bushes, the steering ball joints or the suspension ball joints, according to German Wikipedia.
  136. 136Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMINI Cooper R56Noise and wear of the front bushes, drop links and shock absorbersKnocking and creaking from the front end of the Cooper R56 are caused, according to the testimonies collected, by wear of the bushes, the anti-roll bar drop links, the ball joints or the shock absorbers themselves.
  137. 137Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot Partner IWear of links, bushes and shock absorbers in the suspensionThe pages cite early knocking from wear of anti-roll bar links, ball joints, bushes, springs and shock absorbers, made worse by use under load (24 reports on the Berlingo page, more than 37 on the Partner page).
  138. 138Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalRenault Captur IINoises and vibrations from the front endA group of Captur II owners report vibrations and extraneous noises from the front end, along with faster-than-expected wear on the front tyres; we have not found a press analysis confirming a design defect, so we document it as a recurring owner complaint and not as a confirmed fault.
  139. 139Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalSeat Toledo IIWear of the suspension bushes and ball jointsThe fiche records 9 mentions of suspension and steering: 4 of bushes and 3 of ball joints. The cases range from 50,000 km (warped brake discs, covered under another heading) to over 195,000 km. This is a pattern drawn from owner reports, not a manufacturer recall.
  140. 140Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalToyota RAV4 VFront axle knocks and rattles in the RAV4 cabinAccording to the fiches-auto.fr entry, knocks from the front axle over speed bumps and creaks are the most cited issue on the RAV4 V: around 6 cases of rattles among 35 accounts.
  141. 141Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen ID.3Noise or creaking from the front axle due to the suspension drop linksThis is a recurring complaint mentioned by workshops and used-car buying guides: the Volkswagen ID.3 can develop knocking or creaking noises from the front axle, attributed mainly to the anti-roll bar drop links and other front suspension bushes, made worse by the car's weight.
  142. 142Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen ID.4Noise or creaking from the front axle caused by the suspension drop linksIt is a recurring complaint mentioned by workshops and used-car buying guides: the Volkswagen ID.4 can develop knocking or creaking noises from the front axle, attributed mainly to the anti-roll bar drop links and other front suspension bushes, made worse by the weight of the car.
  143. 143Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Passat B8Underbody noises: loose undertray or dry bushesSome Passat B8s produce a rattle from underneath that Auto Express attributes to a loose undertray or to suspension bushes that need lubricating.
  144. 144Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Polo VFront bushes and shock absorbers can wear sooner than expectedSeveral owners describe noises and play in the front axle - shock absorbers that start to leak oil or bushes that wear out - between 36,000 and 110,000 km, with warning signs ranging from vibration when braking to a softer feel in the suspension. It is not a manufacturer campaign, just a recurring pattern in owner testimonies.
  145. 145Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolvo C30Wear of the wishbones, ball joints and shock absorbers in the Volvo C30 suspensionAccording to the fiches-auto.fr reports, the C30's suspension accounts for 10 cases of wishbones, ball joints, drop links and shock absorbers, with examples such as two wishbones at 200,000 km. It is an owner pattern, not an official campaign.
  146. 146Low severityRareFrequency: RareAudi A1 IICreaking rear bushes and an occasional click in the steering (40 TFSI)A single owner of a 207 hp A1 40 TFSI, recorded by fiches-auto.fr, describes creaking in the rear suspension bushes and an occasional click in the steering when turning sharply at very low speed; we have found no further cases to confirm a widespread pattern.
  147. 147Low severityRareFrequency: RareNissan Note IICreaking suspension arms and anti-roll bar bushesAccording to testimonials on fiches-auto.fr, some Note II models with the 1.2 engine notice creaking in the suspension arms from around 5,000 km and noises from the anti-roll bar bushes.
  148. 148Low severityRareFrequency: RareŠkoda Fabia IIIWear of the suspension and anti-roll bar bushesThe testimonies record worn suspension bushes from around 70,000 km and anti-roll bar bushes at around 86,000 km, as well as shock absorber noises when manoeuvring in reverse. These are minority cases out of 117 testimonies.
  149. 149Low severityRareFrequency: RareVolvo V70 IIIWear of the rear axle wishbone bushes on the Volvo V70gebrauchtwagenberater.de states that on the V70 the rear axle wishbone bushes (Querlenkerlager) cause problems. It is the only source we have found: there is no campaign and no mileage or cost figures.

Problems with control arms, ball joints and bushes by make

Problems with control arms, ball joints and bushes in your car

6 cars have several documented faults with control arms, ball joints and bushes. Choose yours to see only the ones that affect them, by engine and by year.

Citroën 1
Mazda 1
Peugeot 1
Toyota 1
Volvo 2

How much it costs to repair a fault with control arms, ball joints and bushes

Sorted from the most expensive repair to the cheapest. Prices in Spain including VAT (parts and labour); what each figure includes is on its page.

How we calculate costs · The most expensive repairs across all engines

Frequently asked questions

Which cars have problems with control arms, ball joints and bushes?

Among those we have analysed: Mazda CX-7 (lower front suspension ball joint that can seize or break through corrosion), Volvo V70 II (recall: the lower front shock absorber ball joint nut may lose tension), Volvo XC90 I (outer ball joint pin breakage that can cause loss of steering control), Audi A4 B9 (corrosion of the rear multi-link axle eccentric bolts), Audi Q5 II (corrosion of the eccentric bolts on the multi-link rear axle), Citroën Jumpy III (corrosion in the bolt and bushes of the front suspension arm), Ford Transit Custom (lower suspension arms with missing, partial or insufficiently penetrated welds) and Ford Transit (lower suspension arms with missing, partial or insufficiently penetrating welds). In total, 143 cars with documented faults with control arms, ball joints and bushes.

How much does it cost to repair a fault with control arms, ball joints and bushes?

It depends a lot on the engine or car. At an independent garage, from €300 to €750; at a dealer, from €0 to €0, including VAT, based on the 5 faults with a documented cost. The most expensive is broken suspension springs and worn front-end bushes (BMW Serie 1 E87).

What symptoms does a fault with control arms, ball joints and bushes cause?

The most frequently cited in the documented faults: knocks or creaks from the suspension over bumps, uneven tyre wear, abnormal play in the steering or noises from the front axle, abnormal vibrations or unstable idle, creaking or clicking when turning the steering wheel and car pulls to one side or steering wheel is not straight.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. 1.Fiabilité BMW Série 3 (1998-2005)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. 2.BMW 1er E81, E87, E88: Schwachstellen und ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  3. 3.Fiabilité Volkswagen Passat (2010-2014): pannes et témoignages de propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. 4.Fiabilité Audi A4 : pannes, rappels et témoignagesfiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. 5.Fiabilité Audi Q5 II : pannes, rappels et témoignagesfiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French