Can struts last 200,000 miles?

Yes, it’s possible for struts to reach 200,000 miles, but it’s not guaranteed. Most struts wear out sooner, typically around 60,000 to 100,000 miles, with longer life depending on where and how you drive, road conditions, and how well the suspension is maintained.

Understanding strut longevity

Struts are a central component of a vehicle’s suspension, combining a shock absorber with a coil spring to control ride quality and handling. Their lifespan varies widely because wear is influenced by external factors as well as the vehicle’s design and maintenance history. While some high-quality setups can approach or exceed 150,000 miles, reaching 200,000 miles often requires favorable conditions and careful upkeep.

Factors that influence strut life include the severity of road conditions, driving style, and how often the vehicle carries heavy loads. Below is a breakdown of the main variables at play.

The following factors influence how long struts last.

• Driving conditions and road quality, especially frequent potholes, rough pavement, or unpaved roads


• Miles driven and cumulative wear over the life of the vehicle


• Driving style, including aggressive acceleration, hard braking, and rapid cornering


• Vehicle weight and cargo load, which increase strut stress


• Climate and road treatment, such as winter salt or sand that corrodes mounts and seals


• Suspension design and the quality of the struts themselves (OEM vs aftermarket)

Understanding these factors helps car owners estimate when replacement may be needed and how likely a 200,000-mile life is for their specific situation.

Signs that struts may be worn

Detecting worn struts early can prevent handling issues and uneven tire wear. Look for a combination of symptoms rather than a single cue.

• Excessive bouncing or a ride that feels unsettled after bumps or expansion joints


• Nose-diving or squatting forward noticeably during braking


• Leaking hydraulic fluid around the body of the strut (a clear sign of seal failure)


• Uneven or accelerated tire wear, especially on the front tires


• Increased body roll or instability during cornering


• Clunking, creaking, or knocking noises when hitting bumps or potholes

When these signs appear, a professional inspection is advised. Replacing struts as a pair is commonly recommended to maintain balanced handling.

How to extend strut life

While you can’t reverse wear, you can take steps to maximize strut life and maintain safe, predictable handling.

• Schedule regular inspections, especially after hitting large potholes or curbs


• Maintain proper tire pressure and tire health to reduce uneven loading


• Keep the vehicle properly aligned to minimize abnormal suspension wear


• Avoid overloading the vehicle and drive to avoid aggressive maneuvers


• Replace worn components in pairs to preserve balanced damping and steering response


• Choose high-quality original equipment (OE) or recommended aftermarket parts to match vehicle design

These practices don’t guarantee 200,000 miles, but they can help maximize the time your struts remain effective and your ride safe.

Replacement considerations

When struts approach the end of their life, replacement becomes a matter of safety, performance, and cost. Replacing worn struts typically involves labor and parts costs, and many vehicle owners opt to replace the entire strut assembly (including the coil spring) for reliability and ease of installation. Prices vary by vehicle type, region, and whether you replace in pairs or all four corners. A professional estimate will reflect parts quality, labor rates, and any related suspension components that may also need attention.

Ultimately, while 200,000 miles on a set of struts is within the realm of possibility, it is less common than shorter lifespans. A prudent approach is to treat strut health as part of regular car maintenance and to plan replacements based on performance, safety signs, and professional diagnostics rather than mileage alone.

Summary

Struts can endure long lifespans under favorable conditions, but typical wear occurs earlier, around 60,000 to 100,000 miles. The chance of reaching 200,000 miles depends on road quality, driving style, load, climate, and maintenance. Regular inspections, mindful driving, proper alignment, and timely replacement (often in pairs) are the best strategies to maximize strut life and preserve ride quality and safety.

Is it worth replacing struts on an old car?

Yes, it is worth replacing struts on an old car, especially if they are worn, because it will restore vehicle control, improve safety, and extend the life of other suspension and tire components. Worn struts can lead to a bumpy ride, poor handling, and uneven tire wear, while new ones will bring back a stable and confident feel, particularly during braking and cornering. 
You can watch this video to learn when to replace shocks and struts: 59sKYB Americas Corp.YouTube · May 19, 2014
Benefits of replacing worn struts

• Improved safety: New struts improve control during emergency maneuvers, reduce stopping distance, and provide a more stable feel while driving. 
• Restored handling: They help restore the vehicle's original ride quality, making it feel tighter and more controlled, similar to when it was new. 
• Longer tire life: Proper strut function ensures better tire-to-road contact, which prevents uneven wear and extends the life of your tires. 
• Reduced strain on other parts: Worn struts can put extra stress on other components like ball joints and tie rod ends. Replacing them can reduce this strain and prevent premature wear on those parts. 

Signs that you need new struts

• Bumpy or bouncy ride: The car may feel like it's "pogo-sticking" after hitting a bump. 
• Excessive body roll: The vehicle sways or leans excessively when cornering. 
• Uneven tire wear: You may see strange wear patterns on your tires due to changes in alignment angles. 
• Visible leaks: Oil or fluid leaking from the strut housing is a clear sign of a failure. 
• Nose-diving during braking: The front of the car dips more than it should when you brake. 

This video explains the signs of worn shocks and struts: 54sEngineering ExplainedYouTube · May 13, 2015
When to consider replacement

• At 50,000 to 75,000 miles: Industry experts often recommend replacement in this range, as most shocks and struts have degraded significantly by this point, even if you don't notice the signs. 
• After 7 to 8 years: Time alone can cause these components to wear out, so replacement is a good idea after this many years, regardless of mileage. 
• If the car is a long-term investment: Replacing the struts is a worthwhile investment if you plan to keep the car for many more years. 

Can struts last 200,000 miles on Reddit?

There is no interval. You replace them when they wear out and any reputable mechanic can tell you when that is if you can't assess it yourself. Have gone anywhere from 120k to well over 200k.

What's the worst that can happen with bad struts?

When your vehicle's shocks and struts are worn out, the car can bounce, causing a reduction in road holding force. This bouncing can also cause accelerated tire wear including cupping or scalloping of the tires (when pieces of rubber are gouged out of the tire).

Can struts last 150,000 miles?

As a general guideline: - Shock absorbers/struts: 50,000 to 100,000 miles. - Control arms: 90,000 to 100,000 miles. - Ball joints: 70,000 to 150,000 miles.