Front Suspension Upper Ball Joint problems of the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer - part 1

Right side upper ball joint separation.

Front upper ball joint failure, replacement required, parts not available.

Ball joints were designated as possibly beginning defective, but were not replaced. Repairs would only be made after the joint failed, even with proper maintenance.

Upper ball joint breakage at 55mph.

Upper ball joint collasped, luckily the car was being driven @ low speed or this could have been a very serious accident!!!!.

While driving at 30mph on a well paved road, heard a loud bang. Two seconds later, another loud noise was heard, and the Blazer tilted to the left like have a blown tire. Luckily, we were going at slow speed and managed to pull the Blazer to the curb. After told to the nearby service station, the mechanic said the upper ball joint on the front driver side was pulled off the socket. Subsequently, the wheel rim was cut and tire was blown. After learning that there was a recall of this kind on 1996 Blazer, I called gm and gave the VIN. The customer service said my vehicle is not in the recall list and there is nothing he can do. The car is well maintained, oiled and lubricated every 3000 miles. I cannot imagine if this had happened on the free way. This is a dangerous defect that all Blazer owner shall know.

In July of 2002 the upper ball joints wore out and were replaced under a factory recall order. Just over one year, the upper ball joints wore out again. Dealer/ manufacturer would resolve the problem free of charge.

Consumer had problems with the upper ball joints. Also stated that while driving the upper ball joint separated and the tire fell off. Dealer was contacted. Dealer fixed and knows about the problem but the vehicle was fixed under warranty. Ph wheel and upper ball joints were replaced.

Dealership is refusing to do recall for the upper ball joint, unless vehicle has already experience the defect stated in the recall. Ts.

Nhtsa# 01 I 018 000 & 01 v 200 000/ball joint separation: consumer states that the left front upper ball joint separated and causing loss of steering. Dealer contacted and informd that the vehicle was not cover under the VIN#. Feel free to provide any further information.

Our dealer said that our upper ball joint is a safety risk. We have not had an accident yet, but the dealer claimed that there is danger of the front suspension failing.

Consumer took vehicle in to have tires serviced, and was told at that time that their was a recall on his vehicle for the upper ball joint. Consumer had never received any notification. Consumer contacted the manufacturer, and was given the run-a-round, but they never sent him the recall letter. Now the manufacturer is fusing to send the letter stated that the vehicle has past the mileage. Ts.

Upper ball joint failed while turning into driveway. I went to carrons chevy dealer in marshall,mi. To see if my Blazer was under a recall since my friends 1996 GMC jimmy is for the problem. It wasn't but get this, there are other's (blazer's) under recall for the upper ball joint failure with a VIN code before and after my vehicle's VIN code. I believe that they all should. Just before my ball joint failed my family and I were going down the highway at speeds up to 70 mph. I would hate to think what might have happened at that speed if the ball joint had failed. My truck is at a shop now getting fixed at a cost of 180. 00 so far. They have to get up and see what other damage might have been caused by this failure. I know my Blazer has alot of miles on it but I also have a chevy lumina van with 125,000 miles and a Ford mustang gt with 135,000 miles and I have not had any suspension failure. Thank you for your time.

Consumer was traveling about 45mph on a side street, and when making a right turn, upper balljoints boke. Dealership was aware of problem.

While driving at approximately 20 mph, there was a noise coming from front of vehicle, and it felt as if there was a flat tire. When attempting to stop, brake pedal went to the floor, and the right front wheel fell off. Dealership examined vehicle and determined that upper control arm/ ball joint snapped. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

While changing lanes vehicle swerved. Driver stopped vehicle, and upon visual inspection noticed that ball joint broke off.

While driving, w/o warning right front end collapsed. Appears to be failed upper ball joint. Had regularly lubed every 3k miles. Also damaged front rim by tearing away metal. Very lucky my wife and daughter were not at full speed.

Front tires were getting quite worn out and rotating was not helping. Was forced into replacing all four at 49559 miles - well before the 60000 miles warranty on the the tires. The tire shop said that I need two front lower ball joints and an idler arm. The dealership said that I needed two front upper ball joints also. The dealership added that the joints should last a lifetime if properly lubricated - which I had taken care of. Asked the Chevrolet customer service about a replacement schedule for the ball joints and was told to ask the dealership. Bottomline - did not get a replacement schedule from either place. The dealership warned that the joints could break while driving and reading some of the other complaints to NHTSA scared the heck out of me. Ended up getting the lower and upper ball joints on either side along with the idler arm replaced at a cost of $800. The Chevrolet customer service gave a bunch of platitude about how sorry they were that the warrany had expired and that they could not help me.

Left upper ball joint broke, the wheel buckled causing ~$1. 5k in damage. Dealer points to lack of maintenance. However, the suspension was lubed every 3000 miles - records available. Photos of damaged parts available. Damaged parts removed from vehicle and are available for NHTSA inspection. This type of failure seems to point to design problems compromising safety of this vehicle.

Ea99022, front passenger's ball joint broke, which could have caused a loss of steering control. Dealer said the other 3 ball joints, seem like they may break also. Please provide further information.

Vehicle upper ball joint driver side was dry causing vehicle to collapse while driving, pregnant woman sustained physical injuries other passenger sustained neck and back injuries.

Driving on normal paved road at about 25 mph, right upper ball joint failed, causing wheel to lock and cant at 45 degree angle (top in/bottom out). This caused partial loss of steering control. Had vehicle been moving faster, the likely result would have been a roll and serious injury. Dealer inspected and said that all ball joints needed replacement despite the fact that the lower ball joints were replaced one year earlier (on 15 Sep 98 at 43302 miles). This means that the two lower ball joints were not acceptable after only 22,946 miles). Vehicle has only been used for normal, on-road driving, and has had routine maintenance (including lubrication). This continued and frequent failure of this safety related part implies a serious design defect. I required deeler to supply me with the replaced ball joints should they be needed for inspection.

While driving at 57 mph both upper ball joints failed , rubbing against tire rim, and causing loss of control. Dealer claimed both front ball joints were worn out and there was insufficient amount of grease.

Front drivers side wheel buckled under while turning left at intersection. Diagnosis was the left upper ball joint was broken. Dealership blamed the breakage on maintenance. However - I have maintenance records which prove that 11 zerks where greased during the 3k mile oil changes. Maintenance records are proven up to 38k. Between 38k and 48k - maintenance was performed my owner - and all zerks where greased based on manufacturers recommended schedule. **background -- over the last 1. 5 years before the breakage I had noticed "suspension" noises coming from the drivers side. Clicking - or movement could be sensed from the front. I dismissed it as being wear on the front struts -- obviously that was a mis-interpretation.

Upper ball joint pulled out of the socket, causing spindle to fall and cut the rim in half, resulting in a loss of tire. The dealer would not replace because the warranty had expired.

Upper left front ball joint broke, dealer claims lack of maint. We have records showing vehicle was serviced every 5000 miles. Including complete front end lube. Gm will not reimburse or admit to any fault do to the warranty was not applicable. Public should be aware of chevy Blazer ball joints breaking and wheels falling off at high speeds. Safety should always come first. Gm should acknowledge this.

When driving at any speed there is a loud banging noise coming from the front suspension of the vehicle, and there is shaking within the steering wheel due to the upper control arm/ ball joint wearing out. It had to be replaced.

The right front upper ball joint broke. When that happened, the wheel went side ways. Had the vehicle towed to dealership to find out what really happened.

The front ball joint broke, causing the driver's and passenger's wheels to fall off, causing an accident.

Upper left ball joint broke, causing the wheel to fall off the vehicle. Please give any further details.

Owner states that front upper arm/ball joint failure caused her wheel to come off, owner fears for her safety.

Upper ball joints separated, causing the front wheel to vibrate while driving at any speed. Recall 95v080000 dealt with this issue; but, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to model and VIN.

While turning into a parking lot the upper ball joint on the driver side broke causing tire to come off the vehicle, the consumer had all four ball joints replaced. Nlm.

While driving 50 mp upper ball joint broke, causing loss of control cause unknown. Please give any further details.

While driving 50 mph the upper right ball joint broke, causing wheel to split, resulting in loss of control.