Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint Problems of Chevrolet Blazer - part 1

Nhtsa campaign id number: 01v200000 product campaign bulletin 01048 after nearly losing control on the interstate highway I decided to have the front end checked. The front ball joints need replaced. I further learned of the above mentioned references however, the dealership in ankeny was unhelpful, rude, and basically told me they don't have to do any work regardless of bulletins, etc. . . Each day the vehicle is harder to handle and a mechanic friend advised will start to cause additional problems with suspension. Why do we have policies both government and corporate when dealerships totally disregard all the rules. I have experienced this before and know of many others that dealerships left in dire straits. This is a problem I would like addressed for the good of all.

See all problems of the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

While driving (at about 5 mph) the driver's side front lower ball joint failed. The car dropped to that side, and steering control was lost. Luckily this happened as I was slowing to a stop before entering a highway. It appeared as though the wheel had been separated from the front suspension. After towing to a mechanic, I found that it was the lower ball joint that had failed, and the brake line had also been severed. As a result the shocks on that side were bent out of shape, and the shocks on the other side were stretched out (as it was pulled by the weight of the dropped side). Had I been on the highway or traveling at a higher speed, I have no doubt that a serious accident would have occurred with possible injury or death.

See all problems of the 1999 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

The ball joints on drivers side broke sent head on August 13, 2005. Contacted the dealer, they were of no help. Contacted GMC, they took a complaint. Did not hear any type of noise or any type of warning. This seemed to be a problem on the 4x4 vehicles.

See all problems of the 2000 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

While driving approximately 25 mph lower right front ball joint failed causing wheel to collapse. There was no noise at failure, only the feeling that a tire might have gone flat. Vehicle was towed to independent repair facility where mechanic determined that the remaining 3 ball joints were all "loose" and in need of replacement. All 4 ball joints were replaced. Vehicle had approximately 93000 miles at time of incident.

My 2001 chevy Blazer had uneven tire wear indicating the need for a front end alignment. During the inspection I was informed that the lower ball joints had to be replaced as well as the idler arm and should do the upper joints as well. I had never heard of a vehicle with 56,000 miles needing to have this done. Of course, now I hear of many owners having the same problem. The unexpected $900 bill was not pleasant! the mechanic said it was a common problem that he saw with chevy products. Do I have any chance of being compensated for the less than quality parts installed on my vehicle?.

See all problems of the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

Driver's side ball joints failed at 60,000 miles. Normal driving, this model had problems in the past 1997 with the same condition. Looks like they could not fix if you have more complaints. Had to repair at local auto repair shop. 200+.

See all problems of the 2002 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

I was told by the service manager at my Chevrolet dealership that the ball joints on my 2000 Blazer were in extremely poor condition and could fail at any time. In fact he said that the wheels could fall off the car. This seems like quite a safety issue for a 4 year old car with only 30,000 miles on it. He also said it was not surprising given the lack of quality parts used by Chevrolet in the manufacturing. While looking at customer reviews / complaints on edmunds. Com I notice at least 2 more people with the exact same problem. This is unacceptable.

Failure of the lower control arm ball joint resulted in high maintenance cost for replacement.

See all problems of the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

2000 Chevrolet Blazer 4-wheel drive with aprox 60,000 actual miles front ball joints need to be replaced. Mechanic states that the wheels could fall off over speeds of 35mph. Have scheduled replacement at cost of $800-$900. Will request old parts.

Noise from engine. Diagnosed as ball joints need replacing or wheels will fall off. Replaced upper and lower ball joints and idler arm for about 1200. 00. Now(June 19, 2012) at 100,000 miles, same noise coming from engine compartment. Looks like another ball joint replacement.

1. Two days ago, at 50 mph, I started having steering problems (quickly steering from left to right to stay on road). It is in the shop (only 84k miles) to the tune of $600 to replace both ball joints.

See all problems of the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

While driving the ball joints separated and broke. Consumer contacted the dealer. Was told she would have to pay. However, consumer found out through the manufacturer that her vehicle was included in the recall. Manufacturer contacted the dealer to let them know that consumer was included, and they need to repair the vehicle. However, the problem recurred, and the vehicle was still in the shop.

While driving 20-25 mph front end vibrated. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop, and mechanic determined that both front lower ball joints needed to be replaced.

Suspension failure all before 60,000 miles.

Lower ball joints worn only after 55,000 miles.

I turned the corner at an intersection and began accelerating. It felt like the vehicle had a flat tire so I pulled into a parking lot. Just as I stopped, the wheel fell under the vehicle. The ball joints broke on the front right wheel causing the whell to fall off the vehicle. There were no injuries due to how slow I was driving at the time. There was almost no warning before the wheel fell off. The dealer replaced the ball joints, bent control arm, broken tie rod, bent brake hose, axle, and sway bar links. There are a number of recalls for other chevy vehicles related to manufacturing issues with ball joints.

Rq 02 012/front control arm ball joints: while driving 35 mph, a humming noise would come from the front of the vehicle. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop and they informed the consumer that all upper and lower ball joints needed to be replace on both side of the vehicle. Manufacturer was notified and informed the consumer that the vehicle VIN # was not cover under that recall. Please provide any further information.

Had new tires put on because of uneven wear. Was told the cause of the wear was not due to misalignment of tires but because of worn ball joints. Tire dealer could not align tires. Did research on the internet and two items that seem to come up with the 2000 chevy Blazer are the bad contol arms/ball joints and bad 4 wheel drive computer module. Blazer has 42000 miles on it and is driven on good roads.

While driving consumer heard a clunking noise coming from the front lower ball joints. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

While driving at any speed consumer continued to hear a thumping sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an examination, and dealer determined that lower ball joints needed replacement.

While driving consumer heard a loud noise coming through the front end. Vehicle was taken to independent shop, and mechanic determined the need to be replace the upper and lower ball joints. Few months later, dealership replaced passenger's side hub unit at owner's expense.

Right wheel assembly slipped at highway speed, causing my vehicle to lurch to the right without warning. Only by my firm grip on the steering wheel, did I avoid a loss of control which almost caused a crash. Premature wear of this component is noted in other general motors SUV's (specifically durangos). The cost of replacement (1500) the costs of rental cars while my vehicle was under repair ( 400) are part of my claim. . . . . . Luckily no crash resulted from this failure.

Upper and lower ball joints failed.

2000 Chevrolet Blazer lower ball joints the vehicle has only 36,211 miles and the joints are worn out. Has there been any recalls on this problem. I talked to other owners and they also had or have this problem.

Recall 01v200000, lower ball joint separation: while consumer was turning into driveway a loud cracking and popping sound was heard. Several days later the lower ball joints separated coming out of the driveway. A recall was issued concerning this problem, but the consumer's vehicle was not included due to VIN.

I own a 1996 chevy Blazer I have seen recalls on the upper ball joints but this vehicle wears the ball joints out way more than a regular vehicle should I would have to say this is the sixth set of ball joints that were put on and I don't think I should be required to keep paying for these expensive repairs.

While driving at 10 mph front passenger's side tire blew out without warning. Dealer stated ball joints collapsed.

Nhtsa 01-I-018-000, this is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle description: 1996-1997 4-wheel drive Chevrolet Blazer, some owners have had to pay for replacement of the upper ball joints that have separated. Gm is providing a special policy to these owners to cover upper ball joint replacement if the customer followed the recommended maintenance schedule for the chassis lubrication and the vehicle still required the replacement of the upper ball joints due to separation. Consumer has the same problem. Dealer notified.

Give this voq to alberto jimenez.

Dt: every since the consumer purchased the Blazer in 2003 the lower ball joints had to replaced four times. The consumer was the only operator of the vehicle and she only drove the vehicle to work. The current mileage is 170,000. The lower ball joint has had to been replaced every six months.

The ball joints need to be replaced on my Blazer and I have only had it for about three months. The dealership has agreed to pay for all of it but $100. 00.

Consumer stated that ball joint snapped, causing the front wheel to come off. Dealer notified.

The wheel bearing had to be replaced less than a month after I had it. The dealer did not charge me for that. I had the vehicle for about two and a half months and the transmission went out. The dealer only covered 30% of the cost which was better than nothing.

Gm/Chevrolet cover-up on may, 07, 2003 our 1997 chevy Blazer was taken in for "recall" work. Wipers, electronic mirrors and ball joints. I might point out that the car only had 51,057 miles on it and ball joints normally last 100,000-150,000 miles easily, with proper care. My husband david, works at parkland natl auto as their machinist (28 years) and oversees the 'shop', hence that is where my vehicle gets its lube, oil and filter work. Gm/chev covered all repairs, except the lower ball joints. Theyve refused responsibility, unusual since uppers and lowers all work together. The upper ball joints were shot and the lower ones were absolutely thrashed. Since the car had barely 51,000 miles on it, we felt that gm/Chevrolet should cover all costs due to the use of inferior parts. A week after requesting compensation, we were denied a refund. Gm informed us that service manager at gilchrist chev in tacoma, told them we neglected service and because of his statement they would not help compensate us. We inspected the worn out parts that gilchrist Chevrolet had left in my Blazer. The parts were greasable and still full of grease! the next day (tues. 5/20/03) I went into gilchrist chev to speak directly with the service mgr bob cornet. He personally, that told gm, that regardless of whether or not the ball joints had been maintained, they were shot and required replacement. He claimed he never told them that we neglected maintenance. Gm is covering up their use of poor quality components in their vehicles, expecting people like us to foot the bill. They are clear to state that this is not a recall, however they are making repairs for free. Iif youve already paid for covered items they will reimburse. Still they maintain that the lower ball joints are not covered! it's a case of inferior parts being used in the manufacturing process and the costs being passed along to the consumer. The public should know of gm/Chevrolets current practice.

The front lower ball joints had to be replaced by the dealer. Ak ph.