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Suspension, steering, brakes and wheels

Problems with the rear axle: symptoms, cost and affected models

We have documented 60 faults with the rear axle in 55 cars. The most important by severity and frequency: corrosion of the rear multi-link axle eccentric bolts (Audi A4 B9), corrosion of the rear axle arm eccentric bolt nuts (Audi e-tron, Audi Q7 4M and Audi Q8) and corrosion of the eccentric bolts on the multi-link rear axle (Audi Q5 II).

Documented faults
60
44 of high or critical severity
Cars analysed
55
with at least one fault on this part
Affected models
55
car generations in our database
Garage repair
No data
No reliable published costs

2 sourcesHow we work

How it works and why it fails

Rear axle

The rear axle can be a torsion beam (a crossmember joining the two wheels) or an independent multi-link suspension. On several models, welds, crossmembers or fixing bolts have had manufacturing defects that manufacturers have corrected with recalls.

What to do

If the car pulls to one side, makes noises from the rear or the rear tyres wear unevenly, check the axle. Use the VIN to see whether your car has an outstanding campaign: these are usually free and quick inspections.

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 the rear axle. Open each one to see what other faults cause it.

Problems with the rear axle by car

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

  1. 1Critical severityFrequency: 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 severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi e-tronCorrosion of the rear axle arm eccentric bolt nutsAudi recalled several models, including the e-tron, built between 7 November 2019 and 16 April 2021 because the nuts on the rear axle arm's eccentric bolt can break through stress corrosion, with a risk of accident.
  3. 3Critical severityFrequency: 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
  4. 4Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q7 4MCorrosion of the rear axle arm eccentric bolt nutsAudi recalled the Q7 built between 7 November 2019 and 16 April 2021 because the nuts of the rear axle arm eccentric bolt can break through stress corrosion. The Safety Gate alert indicates a risk of accident.
  5. 5Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q8Corrosion of the rear axle arm eccentric bolt nutsAudi recalled the Q8 built between 7 November 2019 and 16 April 2021 because the nuts of the rear axle arm eccentric bolt can break through stress corrosion. The Safety Gate alert indicates a risk of accident.
  6. 6Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C3 Aircross ICracks in the rear axle crossmember due to insufficient steel hardness (built May-June 2022)Citroën recalled C3 Aircross I cars built between 24 May and 15 June 2022 because the rear axle crossmember may have insufficient steel hardness and crack, which compromises the mounting of the rear suspension.
  7. 7Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C4 IIICracks or fractures in the rear axle (built January-February 2023)Citroën recalled C4 III cars built between 26 January and 24 February 2023 because the rear axle may not meet specifications and may show cracks or fractures.
  8. 8Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C4 XRear axle cracks or fracture due to faulty welding (built January and February 2023)Yes: on C4 X cars built between 27 January and 24 February 2023 the rear axle may develop cracks or fractures because of a faulty weld, which worsens handling and increases the risk of an accident. Citroën is addressing it with a 2024 recall and a second alert in 2026 covering a wider period.
  9. 9Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalDS DS 7 CrossbackRecurring rear axle mounting problems across three successive campaigns (2019-2023)DS has recalled the DS7 Crossback in three successive campaigns over rear axle mounting problems: an unstable mounting (built 2019-2020), cracks on the hybrid version (2020) and a badly fitted adjustment element with a risk of loss of control (2022-2023).
  10. 10Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalFord RangerRear axle differential failure under heavy load and loss of tractionCampaign 22S30 covers 43,545 Rangers built from 1 September 2018 to 31 May 2019: under heavy loads, the rear axle differential can fail and leave the car without traction or lock the rear wheels.
  11. 11Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalFord TransitInsufficient rear axle lubrication causing rear wheel bearing failureRecall 24S57 covers Transits built between 26 September 2023 and 29 April 2024: the rear axle may not be lubricated enough, which causes the wheel bearings to malfunction and can lock the rear wheels, with a loss of control.
  12. 12Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase R W251Front and rear axle mounting bolts incorrectly tightened (2014-2015 units)In 2017 Mercedes recalled R-Class, M-Class and GLE models built between September 2014 and March 2015 because the front and rear axle bolts might not be properly secured, with a risk of overloading the remaining bolt and losing control.
  13. 13Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz GLC X254Faulty welding of the rear axle subframe mounts with risk of breakageYes: a Mercedes recall (code 3594808; KBA 14674R; Safety Gate alert SR/00587/25) covers just 127 vehicles, GLC and E-Class built between 12 April and 2 December 2024: the weld on the rear axle subframe mounts can break while driving and affect wheel guidance.
  14. 14Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz SLC R172Defective nuts on the rear axle tie rod ball jointYes, there was a preventive campaign: some SLCs built between January and May 2016 may have been fitted with nuts that do not hold the tightening tension at the ball joint of the rear axle tie rod. If it worked loose, control of the car could be reduced; the official service checks it with the chassis number.
  15. 15Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz SLK R172Defective nuts on the rear axle track rod ball jointYes, there was a precautionary campaign: some SLKs built in the first months of 2016 may have nuts that do not hold their tension at the rear track rod ball joint. If it loosened, the car's handling could get worse; the official dealer checks this using the chassis number.
  16. 16Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Sprinter 906Breakage of the leaf spring or its mount on the rear axleTwo separate campaigns have affected the rear leaf springs: one for units built between September 2009 and February 2011 (a weld bead on the leaf spring seat that can break) and another from April to November 2016 (a leaf spring mount that can split and lead to the spring breaking). Both can cause a loss of control.
  17. 17Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Sprinter 907Rear axle leaf spring defects: breakage and untempered clampsTwo campaigns affect the rear leaf springs: one for cars built between March 2018 and January 2019, whose leaf springs could break because of a manufacturing defect, and another from 2023 (1,655 cars) for untempered leaf spring clamps that can give insufficient preload and tilt the rear axle.
  18. 18Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel CrosslandRisk of cracks in the rear axle crossmember (two campaigns: 2019 and 2022)Opel has recalled the Crossland X twice for the same weak point: the rear axle crossmember can crack because the steel is not hard enough, first on 2019 units and again on 1,109 units built between 26 May and 15 June 2022.
  19. 19Critical severityFrequency: 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.
  20. 20Critical severityFrequency: 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.
  21. 21Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalSuzuki S-Cross IRear axle bolts without the coating that stops them working looseS-Cross vehicles built between 29 October and 17 December 2015 may have left the factory with rear axle mounting bolts lacking the friction-increasing coating, so they could work loose, come off or break and leave the car unable to be driven. It was put right with a recall in 2016.
  22. 22Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Crafter ICracks in the rear axle mounting plates on air-suspension modelsIn 2014, Safety Gate was notified (alert A12/0673/14) that on the Crafter with air suspension (5 t types 2EKZ and 2FJZ) the rear axle mounting plates can crack, with a risk of a self-steering effect and an accident. It covers units built from October 2006 to February 2014.
  23. 23Critical severityFrequency: 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.
  24. 24Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Touareg IIIRear axle control arm nuts that can break through stress corrosionVolkswagen recalled 3,741 Touareg IIIs built between September and November 2020 because the nuts on the rear axle arm's eccentric bolt could break through stress corrosion and the axle could shift at high speed. The DVSA (87 cars in the UK) refers to nuts made of non-conforming material and replaces them.
  25. 25High severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi e-tronUneven rear tyre wear caused by changes in the rear axle toe and camberAudi recalled the e-tron built from November 2019 to April 2021 because the toe or camber of the rear axle can change and wear the rear tyres faster and unevenly. A tyre worn down to the carcass can suddenly lose pressure.
  26. 26High severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q7 4MUneven rear tyre wear due to changes in rear axle toe and camberAudi recalled the Q7 from November 2019 to April 2021 because the toe or camber of the rear axle can change and wear the rear tyres faster and unevenly. A tyre worn down to the carcass can suddenly lose pressure.
  27. 27High severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q8Uneven rear tyre wear due to changes in rear axle toe and camberAudi recalled the Q8 from November 2019 to April 2021 because the toe or camber of the rear axle can change and wear the rear tyres faster and unevenly. A tyre worn down to the carcass can suddenly lose pressure.
  28. 28High severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Movano BRear axle nuts and U-bolts not tightened to the correct torque on the Movano B (May to July 2018)Yes: Opel recalled Movano B vans built in 2018 because the rear axle nuts (and, according to the DVSA, the U-bolts of the rear right leaf spring) may not have been tightened to the correct torque, which could affect the van's stability and increase the risk of an accident.
  29. 29High severityFrequency: OccasionalPorsche Cayenne IIIRear axle arm nuts out of specification and resulting rear geometry misalignment (recalls AMA9 and ANA1)In 2021 Porsche launched recall AMA9 for Cayenne cars built between 16 September and 31 October 2020, due to rear axle arm nuts that were out of specification. In 2022 recall ANA1 was needed because the rear axle geometry had been thrown out of alignment on some cars, causing uneven wear on the rear tyres.
  30. 30Medium severityFrequency: CommonCitroën XsaraWear of the rear axle and its bearings on the Citroën XsaraThe rear axle is the most cited fault on the Xsara: around 90 mentions out of 495 owner reports on fiches-auto.fr, with uneven tyre wear, noises and a floaty rear end; the repair may require reconditioning the whole axle. No public recall is recorded.
  31. 31Medium severityFrequency: 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.
  32. 32Medium severityFrequency: 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.
  33. 33Critical severityFrequency: RareAudi A5 IIRear axle arm nuts with stress corrosion on the A5Audi recalled cars built between 7-11-2019 and 16-4-2021 because the nuts on the rear axle arm's eccentric bolt can break from stress corrosion and the axle may move uncontrollably at high speed.
  34. 34Critical severityFrequency: RareAudi A6 C8Rear axle arm bolt nuts with stress corrosion in the A6Audi recalled cars built between 7-11-2019 and 16-4-2021 because the nuts on the eccentric bolt of the rear axle control arm can break through stress corrosion, and the axle can move uncontrollably at high speed.
  35. 35Critical severityFrequency: RareBMW Serie 6 E63/E64Rear axle carrier with faulty material joints (2008 recall)In 2008 BMW issued a recall for a short batch of 6 Series (E63/E64) because defects in a material joint of the rear axle carrier could cause the anchorages of the arms and struts to give way, causing a sudden change in the car's behaviour; it is replaced with a carrier of assured quality.
  36. 36Critical severityFrequency: RareIveco Daily VNon-compliant front axle fixing bolts on Dailys with Mecbal suspensionIn 2013 the DVSA recorded a recall of 19 Dailys with Mecbal suspension for a possibly non-compliant bolt on the front axle, which in the worst case could leave the axle unsafe. It affects only a handful of units with that equipment.
  37. 37Critical severityFrequency: RareMercedes-Benz Clase A W177Rear axle manufacturing defects: bolts and hub carriers on 2019 unitsYes: two European recalls from 2019 and 2020 affected 2019 A-Class cars, one for rear axle bolts that were not tightened properly and another for a right-hand rear hub carrier with inclusions or cracks, with a risk of losing control of the wheel.
  38. 38Critical severityFrequency: RareMercedes-Benz Clase E W214Faulty welding of the rear subframe bracket with risk of losing wheel guidance (2024 production)Yes: a campaign (KBA 14674R, alert SR/00587/25) covers 127 E-Class and GLC vehicles built in 2024 because the welds on the rear subframe brackets can break and release the links. Mercedes-Benz replaces the entire subframe.
  39. 39Critical severityFrequency: RarePeugeot 107Defective rear axle weld (2013 production)Gebrauchtwagenberater records a recall of around 25 Peugeot 107s from 2013: a badly executed weld on the rear axle could cause it to break.
  40. 40Critical severityFrequency: RarePeugeot 2008 IRear axle fixing bolts that could break (production of the first half of 2019)A 2019 recall (code JLU), logged for the Peugeot 2008 built from January to June 2019, warns that the rear axle fixing bolts could break and let the axle come loose while driving.
  41. 41Critical severityFrequency: RarePeugeot 307Risk of the rear axle mounting bolts working looseA 2006 campaign (ref. r2006116) recalled all Peugeot 307s over the risk of the rear axle mounting bolts working loose.
  42. 42Critical severityFrequency: RareSuzuki VitaraRear axle bolts without the correct anti-abrasion coatingIn a very specific production window (late October to mid-December 2015), the Vitara's rear axle bolts may have been made without the coating that stops them working loose, with a risk of them coming off or breaking. Suzuki recalled the affected vehicles.
  43. 43Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi A7 C8Rear axle arm nuts and realignment of toe and camberAudi recalled A7s built between 7 November 2019 and 16 April 2021 because the nuts on the eccentric bolt of a rear axle arm could break through stress corrosion. A second campaign corrected geometry misalignments that arose after the first.
  44. 44Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi A8 D5Rear axle arm nuts and wheel alignment and camber readjustmentAudi recalled A8s built between 7 November 2019 and 16 April 2021 because the eccentric bolt nuts on a rear axle arm could crack through stress corrosion. A second campaign corrected alignment and camber problems that appeared after the first.
  45. 45Medium severityFrequency: 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.
  46. 46Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase A W168Broken suspension springs, worn shock absorbers and rear axle bushes with playDEKRA cites broken suspension springs and rear axle bushes with play as typical defects of older A-Class W168s: 5.8% of cars under 50,000 km had running gear or steering defects, compared with a class average of 2.0%.
  47. 47Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Vectra BWear of the ball joints and bushes on the multi-link rear axle armsAccording to the Russian magazine Kolesa.ru, the outer ball joints of the rear arms and the bushes of the original trailing arms last about 80,000-100,000 km if properly fitted, and cheap replacement parts much less. Replacing them is laborious and requires a wheel alignment of the rear wheels afterwards.Appears at around 80,000 km
  48. 48Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 308 IIRear axle creakSome 308 II units built up to 2016 develop a loud creak in the rear axle. Injecting expanding foam can fix it; if not, the axle has to be replaced.
  49. 49Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 406Rear suspension play and power steering wearThe 406 has documented play in the multi-link rear suspension, mainly in the toe links, as well as leaks from the power steering pipes. The car feels loose and the tyres wear unevenly.
  50. 50Medium severityFrequency: 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.
  51. 51High severityFrequency: RareAudi A5 IIIncorrect rear axle toe and camber: uneven rear tyre wear on the A5Audi recalled cars built between 7 November 2019 and 16 April 2021 because the rear axle toe or camber could be altered and wear the rear tyres unevenly, with a risk of sudden loss of pressure.
  52. 52High severityFrequency: RareAudi A6 C8Incorrect rear axle toe and camber: uneven rear tyre wear on the A6Audi recalled cars built between 7-11-2019 and 16-4-2021 because the rear axle toe or camber could be altered, wearing the rear tyres unevenly and risking a sudden loss of pressure.
  53. 53High severityFrequency: RareCitroën C3 IIIRear axle crossmember out of specification (2022 production)Yes: a July 2023 campaign (ref. r2023220) covers vehicles built between 24 May and 15 June 2022 because of a specification problem in the rear axle crossmember, a structural suspension part.
  54. 54High severityFrequency: RareFord Fiesta VRecall over a possible welding problem on the rear axlefiches-auto.fr records that certain Fiesta V cars were recalled over a possible welding problem on the rear axle, with no further detail on dates or chassis numbers affected.
  55. 55High severityFrequency: RareSuzuki Swift IVRear axle bolts without the friction coating (campaign, Swift 2015)Swifts built between 29 October and 17 December 2015 may have rear axle bolts without the coating that alters the friction coefficient, and these could loosen or break.
  56. 56Medium severityFrequency: RareBMW Serie 2 F22Rear axle and damper replacement on the 240iAccording to the testimonials collected by fiches-auto.fr, one 240i owner (340 hp) had the rear axle and dampers replaced under warranty. It is an isolated case and no official campaign is on record.
  57. 57Medium severityFrequency: RareBMW Serie 7 G11Rear axle air suspension failureAccording to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, one owner describes faulty air suspension on the rear wheels from around 90,000 km. It is an isolated case among only three reports, not a fault documented as general.
  58. 58Medium severityFrequency: RareRenault TalismanNoises and play in the 4Control steering rear axleOn the Talisman with 4Control, the fiches-auto.fr page records noises, play and uneven handling sensations from the steering rear axle, plus anti-roll bar links that need replacing. It gives no counts and no official campaign.
  59. 59Low severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Micra IVAxle, suspension and dipped headlights flagged in TÜV inspectionsThe TÜV report summary from Gebrauchtwagenberater.de identifies the axle, the suspension and the dipped headlights as weak points of the Micra K13, along with the service brake on older examples.
  60. 60Low severityFrequency: 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.

Rear axle: compare prices in shops

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Problems with the rear axle by make

Problems with the rear axle in your car

5 cars have several documented faults with the rear axle. Choose yours to see only the ones that affect them, by engine and by year.

Audi 5

How much it costs to repair a fault with the rear axle

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 the rear axle?

Among those we have analysed: Audi e-tron (corrosion of the rear axle arm eccentric bolt nuts), Audi Q7 4M (corrosion of the rear axle arm eccentric bolt nuts), Audi Q8 (corrosion of the rear axle arm eccentric bolt nuts), 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 C3 Aircross I (cracks in the rear axle crossmember due to insufficient steel hardness (built May-June 2022)), Citroën C4 III (cracks or fractures in the rear axle (built January-February 2023)) and Citroën C4 X (rear axle cracks or fracture due to faulty welding (built January and February 2023)). In total, 55 cars with documented faults with the rear axle.

How much does it cost to repair a fault with the rear axle?

It depends a lot on the engine or car. At a dealer, from €0 to €0, including VAT, based on the 2 faults with a documented cost. The most expensive is corrosion of the rear multi-link axle eccentric bolts (Audi A4 B9).

What symptoms does a fault with the rear axle cause?

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

Sources

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

  1. Fiabilité Audi A4 : pannes, rappels et témoignagesfiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité Audi Q5 II : pannes, rappels et témoignagesfiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French