Ball joint separation

An NHTSA Engineering Analysis into Plymouth vehicles. Closed 10 February 2003.

Investigation
EA02033
Type
Engineering Analysis
Opened
26 November 2002
Closed
10 February 2003

What NHTSA investigated

Odi has received complaints that the subject vehicles have had one or both of their lower ball joints separate and cause the front of the vehicle to drop to the ground.daimler chrysler?s assessment of the ball joint failures is that the joint failure may be precipitated by the loss of joint lubrication.the loss of lubrication could result in accelerated wear and possible joint separation. Daimler chrysler believes that the loss of joint lubrication is the result of leaks or tears in the rubber boot that protects the ball joint.these leaks or tears could be caused by contact with other internal parts of the ball joint or torsional loading that twists the boot.by letter dated february 4, 2003, the manufacturer advised this agency of its decision to initiate a safety recall campaign for all of the 11,698 subject vehicles built from january, 1997 to march, 2001 to correct the defect identified in this ea (copy attached).the action is identified by NHTSA as recall no. 03V-034.

The recall that followed

  1. Plymouth — Suspension: Lower Arm03V0340005 February 200311,698 vehicles

Vehicles covered

MakeModelModel years
PlymouthPROWLER1997–2001

Source

From NHTSA’s investigation file, rebuilt daily. To report a problem with your own vehicle, go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. All open investigations.