Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint problems of the 1997 Chrysler Town & Country

Auto in generally very good condition, with 110000 miles on odometer. I bought from Chrysler dealer in 2004 with 90000 miles on odometer. I noted a fairly sudden "friction" in the steering (I. E. Slow to return to center after a turn). Entered a parking lot to inspect, stopped, then turned the wheel to enter a parking space and the left ball joint broke (was not moving). Repair shop (not the dealership) replaced the "permanently lubricated" original joint with after-market part which includes a grease fitting for future lubrication. The shop found that the other ball joint had a grease point, indicative of previous replacement, and lubricated that joint. In my judgment, this is a very critical failure; it could easily have resulted in injury or death. The car is too new and the mileage is too low to justify this as normal wear, and the shop foreman said "we see these all the time". I believe Chrysler should look at this and a recall or improvement may be in order.