Front Suspension Upper Ball Joint Problems of Chevrolet Blazer - part 2

While making a turn at an intersection while driving approximately 0 to 5 mph, left/ front wheel unexpectedly collapsed. Local dealership determined that left upper control arm/ ball joint disconnected and caused the problem. Please provide any additional information / documentation.

See all problems of the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

Nhtsa recall 01-I-018-000/ manufcturer's recall 01049; vehicle was taken to dealer to have recall repairs performed on upper ball joints. Vehicle was denied service due to being over 100,000 mileage as stated in recall letter. Also, vehicle could lose steering. Currentl, vheicle is experiencing too much play, morethan normal in steering wheel. Manufacturer was notified.

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.

See all problems of the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

While consumer was driving at 5mph wheel caved inwards. Has not contacted dealer.

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

Consumer was traveling 30mph. As vehicle was going around a small curve driver's side front ball joint broke. Vehicle slid out of control but to a stop. Consumer was minutes from home to walk. Dealership didn't know what to tell consumer since it was out of warranty. Manufacturer suggested to take it to a Chevrolet dealer to be checked.

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.

Vehicle's left upper ball joint snapped. While driving the vehicles driver's side upper ball joint snapped. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repair. Soon after the consumer received a recall notice related to the upper ball joint (recall # 01048). The consumer requested reimbursement for the repairs already made but was denied.

At 61,000 miles left side upper ball joints broke off, causing the left front wheel to break off. Dealer notified, and replaced both upper ball joints.

Consumer was traveling about 30mph on highway and front wheel separated. He heard a slight noise and was able to pull over. Left driver's side wheel had came off. Dealership was aware of the incident, and insisted that vehicle was driveable. He had to have it towed. Left front upper ball joint separated damaging the rim. The customer states the part is defective.

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.

While driving at approximately 25 mph consumer lost control of vehicle and was able to bring vehicle to a stop. Dealership examined vehicle, and determined that right upper ball joint had collapsed. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

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.

2000 Chevrolet Blazer ball joint broke on the driver's side. ** answer required***. The abs light illuminated on the dashboard.

See all problems of the 2000 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

Nar 6-03-2003 recall campaign id number -01v200000. Defective ball joints.

Tire wear due to ball joints needed to be replaced. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further information.

Having vehicle serviced for an upper ball joint recall, noticed however that as a result of recall repairs front two tires have an uneven wear on them. Manufacturer stated did not have to do an alignment on vehicle after replacing upper ball joint.

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

While driving at any speed driver heard a loud noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the driver's side upper ball joint needed to be replaced.

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

The vehicle experienced the same defect with the upper control arm ball joint as stated in recall 01 v 200 000, however the vehicle identification number was not included.

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.

The upper ball joint was inoperative, which caused the steering wheel to tighten.