DORMAN Complaints

I am reporting a serious safety issue involving a defective suspension part (lower control arm) manufactured by Dorman and purchased from an online auto parts retailer. On October 7, 2024, I ordered a Dorman lower control arm for my vehicle and had it professionally installed on November 7, 2024 at Johnston and Magwood Wheels & Tires. On November 8, 2024, at approximately 5:40 p.m., while I was driving and made a hard brake, I suddenly lost steering control and my front left wheel collapsed. Fortunately, I was the only one in the car and managed to avoid an accident. My vehicle had to be towed to a nearby shop (Kal Tire) and was later sent back to the original shop for further inspection. On November 12, technicians confirmed that the newly installed lower control arm had failed, which caused serious damage to the suspension. I paid $1,774.10 in repairs in order to make the car safe to drive again. This is extremely dangerous — if I had been driving on a highway or with passengers, it could have resulted in a major accident or injuries. When I contacted the retailer about the warranty, they only offered to refund the part itself and refused to take responsibility for the damages caused by this defective product. I believe this part should be investigated for safety defects. When I searched online, I noticed Dorman has had similar recalls on control arms, which makes me even more concerned. I am reporting this incident to NHTSA in hopes that you will look into this part to protect public safety.

The original fuel tank in this vehicle way rusty and leaking. I replaced the original tank with a Dorman model 576-372 fuel tank. The tank was installed in September 2021. The tank began leaking in February 2022. A repair shop discovered that the tank was defective and had failed. The Tank was discarded and replaced with a new unit. As no OEM parts are available the replacement was also and aftermarket part. That tank also was defective and began leaking within 90 days. A third aftermarket tank was installed and it also began leaking recently. When these leaks occur the tank fails in such a way that a large volume of fuel is spilled collects under the vehicle. As there seems to be only one company manufacturing these parts there seems be be a large potential that the issue will affect many vehicles.

2013- APRIL, RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN FOR A FEW MONTHS THEN STEERING BECAME TOO HARD, BARELY MADE TO DEALERSHIP. STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY REPLACED ALONG WITH INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT PART NO. 25979679 AT 38,643 MILES. 2019-DECEMBER RUBBING NOISE AGAIN AND SLIGHT SHIFTING OF CAR TO LEFT PULLING INTO PARKING SPOT, LOWER U JOINT ON INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WITH TOO MUCH PLAY LEADS TO STEERING SHAFT BEING INSTALLED PART NO. 25979679 INSTALLED AT 72,712 MILES. 2020-FEBRUARY RUBBING NOISE STARTING AGAIN CAR WILL BE CHECKED OUT ON APRIL 18TH. THIS CAR HAS HAD NO HARD USE SUCH AS COMMUTING OR MULTIPLE LONG DISTANCE DRIVING.*DT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU EQUIPPED WITH REPLACEMENT DORMAN HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES (PART NUMBER: 1592234). AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DEFECTIVE OUT OF THE BOX AND WOULD NOT INSTALL PROPERLY ONTO THE VEHICLE. THE ASSEMBLIES WERE MISALIGNED AND RESULTED IN DIMINISHED ILLUMINATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. ROCK AUTO (ONLINE) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-150 EQUIPPED WITH A DORMAN UNIVERSAL STARTER SWITCH. AFTER THE STARTER WAS DEPRESSED, THE SWITCH CONTROLLER FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO REMAIN RUNNING, EVEN WHEN IT WAS MANUALLY SWITCHED TO THE OFF POSITION. AS A RESULT, THE BATTERY AND STARTER OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STORE FROM WHERE THE EQUIPMENT WAS PURCHASED WAS CONTACTED AND THE INFORMATION WAS SUBMITTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000. THE PART NUMBER, SERIAL NUMBER, AND VIN WERE NOT PROVIDED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HAWK TRAILER, MODEL 132 (NA) WITH A DORMAN WHEEL HUB DUST CAP (PART NUMBER: 13913). WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT LOOKED THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE REARVIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE TRAILER WAS COMING APART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL HUB DUST CAP ON THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL BECAME DETACHED AND WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THERE WAS NO MILEAGE.

DORMAN VACUM PUMP IS FAILING ABOUT EVERY 2,000 MILES. THERE IS A "CHIRPING" SOUND ABOUT 3 DAYS BEFORE THE PUMP WILL FAIL. THE BEARING OF THE PULLEY WILL FAIL AND/OR THE SHAFT OF THE PUMP WILL BREAK. EITHER ONE RESULTS IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE LEADING TO VEHICLE HAVING NO POWER STEERING, AND NO BRAKES.

CPSC: DORMAN: CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE KIT THAT WAS INSTALLED IS UNSAFE. *SS THE CONSUMER STATED THE INSTRUCTION LABEL WAS MISLEADING AND DID NOT PROVIDE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO MAKE THE PROCESS SAFE. *JB

CPSC: AIRTEX FUEL PUMP, DORMAN, CONTROL ARMS, DEFERAL MOGUL CONTROL ARM, AND WHEEL HUB: CONSUMER STATED THE ITEMS SHE PURCHASED ARE NOW BEING RECALLED. BUT THERE ARE NO INJURIES AT THIS TIME. *SS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A DORMAN LUG NUT, PART NUMBER 611-084.1. WHILE INSTALLING A NEW WHEEL BEARING, THE CAP FRACTURED ON THE LUG NUT DURING INSTALLATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE.