Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint Problems of Dodge Avenger - part 1

The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that since 2010, both lower ball joints failed. The contact was driving 35 mph when the driver side ball joint failed and the tire began to lean. After having the driver side repaired, the passenger side failed when the contact was driving 45 mph, causing the contact to spin around and end up facing oncoming traffic. The contact referenced recall 00v421002 (suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint) but had never been notified. The failure mileage was unknown. The current mileage was approximately 140,000.

See all problems of the 1998 Dodge Avenger 🔎.

The lower control arm on the left side is going and I've gone to deluca Chrysler in haverhill MA twice and both times told me that it was already serviced and when I asked him what side was serviced he couldn't answer me and I asked him if they could check my since it should still be covered under recall warranty he told me no and just today I was told that any repair like control arms, tie rods, ball joints and struts are supposed to be repaired in pairs and they only repaired the right side on 8/6/02.

See all problems of the 1996 Dodge Avenger 🔎.

I was driving out of a fast food restaurant, and without any sign or warning my tire snapped off my axle! the service department at the local Dodge dealership was closed so I had to have my car towed to another place that also works on my car whenever I have problems. The part that needed to be fixed was the "lower arm control" on the driver's side of my car. I was very lucky that day, because not more than 15 minutes before this incident I had just driven home, approx. 10 miles, on the highway in 5 o'clock traffic!! I did not get hurt!! I was never mailed a recall notice about the lower arm control; not even in 1999 or 2000!!!!!!!!! I bought my car brand new from Dodge, so I feel like I should have been in somebody's computer system to be able to receive recall notices!!!! now, that I had to pay for the part to be fixed out of my pocket, how do I go about getting reimbursed? I got both the driver's side and passenger side lower arm controls replaced.

: the contact stated while driving at various speeds there was excessive play in the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the repair shop who determined the front lower ball joints had separated and needed replaced. The manufacturer was alerted and explained for the contact to call the NHTSA regarding the issue. Updated 6/30/2006 -.

See all problems of the 1999 Dodge Avenger 🔎.

Per two separate recall notice I received from daimler Chrysler, I brought my 1996 Dodge Avenger into a dealership to have the lower lateral arm ball joints inspected and resealed. Upon taking it to the dealership they inspected and both times they told me no further work was needed. Specific instructions from daimler Chrysler say,if the ball joints are not damaged or worn, the ball joints will be sealed. This was not done to my vehicle and on 11/21/05 while driving I lost the ability to steer when the ball joint separated.

1998 Dodge adventure. Consumer took vehicle for a state inspection which approved the vehicle. Twenty days later on 7-26-05 the ball joint fall off the vehicle. The consumer heard a loud popping noise, and then consumer5 lost total control of the vehicle, and it hit a road sign and ran through another . There had been no other problems with the vehicle. The consumer had the vehicle towed to home. Consumer had another state certified inspection mechanic look at the vehicle, and they told him there was no way it should have passed inspection. When he contacted the diamler/Chrysler manufacturer, they said would send someone out to look at the vehicle, this was on 8-1-05. A police report was issued.

The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Avenger. In 2005, while driving approximately 55 mph, the contact lost control and the vehicle pulled to the right. She depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle would not stop. The vehicle crashed into a dirt hill. She had the vehicle towed to a repair shop and was informed that the lower ball joints failed. A police report was filed. The contact paid for the repair. One year later, the failure recurred. The vehicle is currently parked at her residence. Dodge wants to conduct an investigation on her vehicle, however, they are asking her to pay out of pocket for the repairs. The contact refuses because she believes this is a manufacturer defect. The VIN, engine size, and number of cylinders were unknown. The failure mileage was 128,000 and current mileage was 140,000.

The manufacturer refused to honor the lower ball joint recall 00v421000 due to their data base, the recall was already performed six months after the consumer bought the vehicle. The consumer never took the vehicle in for a recall because she was never notified. Records indicated that there was no owner.

Dodge Avenger 1996, ball joint and axle broke. Recall campaign# 99v066003. This problem occurred while the vehicle was in motion. The consumer expects reimbursement. The consumer received the recall letter in the mail 1 year later. The consumer was denied reimbursement because the receipt was not typed it was hand written.

(1) 1997 Dodge Avenger was driven (2) left side lower balljoint failed (pulled out of lateral control arm), wheel turned to the left, contactedfender, puller axle out of transmission. This all happened at parking lot speed. (3) car was towed to my house then Dodge dealer after I learned of previous recall issues. Dodge gave me an estimate of $1,200 for repairs (that included perhaps free replacement of the lower control arms pending approval from Chrysler rep. Chrysler rep was a no show and could not commit to a day that he could inspect the car. I repaired the car myself (new left and right lower control arms, a rebuilt axle, and transmission oil. I notified Chrysler of the above events. They do not want to pay for the repair parts (napa parts). They offered to take the car back to the dealer and replace the control arms and axle. I already paid for them at napa. I still need to take it for an alignment.

See all problems of the 1997 Dodge Avenger 🔎.

I experienced 2 failures of the control arm lower ball joint on my 1998 Dodge Avenger. The right side failed on 4/18/04 - I had vehicle towed to dealer for repairs, dealer denied failure was caused by recalled ball joint issue and dealer performed recall inspection on the left side at that time also. The left side then failed on 4/25, only 5 days after the dealer "inspected" the ball joint in compliance with the recall - unbelievable! this time the left wheel came off which had the potential for a severe if not fatal accident! my daughter had just exited the interstate and went around a very sharp exit ramp bend. I had the vehicle towed to the Dodge dealer for repairs, and again the dealer is denying the recall failure. I secured the old parts from the left side - and clearly there is corrosion in the ball joint that cause failure of the ball stud. I talked to the shop-tech doing the repair work and he commented on how you could see the corroded metal in the ball socket and then where the break occured you could see the shinny metal. I am trying to deal with daimlerchrysler corporate on reimbursement for costs of the actual repairs and for collateral damage to the tires and wheels. Beyond that however, I am greatly concerned regarding the "inspection" not catching the imminent left side failure only 5 days later - this to me demonstrates a potential flaw in the recall requirements; and, I am greatly concerned that there may be others out there that may not be as lucky as my daughter was in avoiding a very serious or fatal accident from this type of failure - I think more drastic measures should be instituted. Dave lojek.

While driving at 45 mph consumer heard a loud snapping sound coming from the front of the vehicle. Also, the front tires were squealing and bouncing severely. Consumer lost control of the vehicle, and it rolled into a ditch on the right side. Dealer examined the vehicle, and determined that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.

I was driving on the side streetwhen my front wheel bent inward and my car dropped to the ground. Had it towed to dealership and he claimed to fixed it. So about 1 week later, while on the express way going about 65mp my lt. Drivers side tire bent inward causing my to be all over the road in rush hour. But somehow I mananged to control the car and not have any vehicle crash nor damanges. It is a wounder I and here to talk about it. Still fussing with carlot!.

While driving 55 mph, the lower later arm ball joint separated and caused the front left wheel to detach. The vehicle wasinvolved in a collision. Tthe driver lost control and the vehicle hit a bridge. The lower lateral arm ball joints were inspected twice befrore this failure, once on on 6/5/2001 under NHTSA recall# 00v421002. During the inspection the dealer's technician found no problem and no repairs were done.

While driving 30 mph front ball joints failed. Consumer pulled over to check. Then, consumer managed to drive home. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

While driving consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front end. Dealership mechanic informed consumer that front lower arm ball joint wore out. But the problem was not yet resolved.

If my vehicle is involved in a recall, I should not have to pay to have my vehicle "diagnosed" to see if it is defective, especially when I have inspected it and know that the "ball joint" recall for my 1998 Dodge Avenger is a definite problem.

I recently had my front-end ball joints replaced on my 1998 Dodge Avenger at ken nelson auto plaza in dixon, IL. This problem was a recall I had done already in may of 2001. Recall #967 from NHTSA. They were suppose to put newly designed lateral arm ball joints on my vehicle at that time. The "new" ball joints didn't last one year and 8 months. I was told I had to pay for the repair this time, for which I did. The cost was $312. 60. I do not believe I should be paying for the material defects that were under the original recall work which failed in such a short time.

After making an appointment to have recall 00v421000 repairs done was told that parts were not available , after waiting for an hour. Scared to drive vehicle due to fear of its safety.

Recall to inspect the lower lateral arm ball joints and replace them if necessary. The consumer has replaced the lateral link twice prior to receiving the recall notice.

Recall 00v421002 repairs on lower ball joint was done , and dealer knocked vehicle out of alignment. Also, dealer would not fix alignment for free because recall did not cover it. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated that vehicle needed an alignment. Please add VIN.

Consumer had recall 00v421002 lower ball joint boot, done on 12 June 2001. Dealer did not replace ball joint. On 25 June 2001 while driving 5 mph driver side of vehicle dropped. Dealer had to replace broken ball joint.

In sum, I was driving the above vehicle and about to make a right hand turn and there was a sudden jerk and the drivers side front of the vehicle had collapsed onto the ground. The drivers side lower ball joint had cracked causing the wheel to fall off and causing major body damage to the front end and the front fender. Also causing damage to the brake lines and the drive axle. This sudden crash also has caused soreness to my back and neck. On June 12, 2001 I had taken my vehicle to midway Dodge, 4747 s pulaski, chicago IL 60632, 773-376-8060 for recall #00v421002, which was for the inspection of the lower lateral arm ball joint for wear. I was told that my vehicle had passed the test designed for this recall and nothing was done. On 25jun01 my ball joints from my vehicle failed causeing the above damage and injuries.

The contact received recall 00v421002 five years ago. When she took the vehicle to the dealership they stated there was nothing wrong with the ball joints. The ball joints were making an intermittent clung at that time. The problem got progressively worse. The contact states it sounded like the wheel was going to fall off. The vehicle was taken to the dealership on October 19, 2005. They stated there was excessive wear on lower ball joints, and they should be replaced soon. The vehicle was checked at two other places ,and they stated the same thing. When she called Chrysler, they insisted that the dealership had to do the work. Chrysler then called the dealership, and they stated the recall was on the boot that covered the ball joint and it was not sealed properly. The dealership stated the boot was not damaged, it was just the ball joint.

Consumer received recall 00v421002/ lower ball joint failure in mail and contacted dealership to have this defect repaired. Dealership stated that they would have to hear from manufacturer, and service was refused. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

Recall 00 v 421 002/lower ball joint boot: vehicle taken to dealer , yonker Ave Dodge inc. , yonker, NY; phone# 914/964-0700, for manufacturer's repairs. Later on, dealer released vehicle back to consumer without informing dealer that recall repairs were not done. Informed consumer that they were not aware of this recall by manufacturer. Please feel free to provide us with any further information concerning this matter .

Lower ball joints,duplicate letter responded to by michael jordon on 4-1-03 reference 10004221. The consumer experienced problems with the vehicle after the recall was performed, however the dealer told the consumer the problems he was experiencing were not related.

See all problems of the 2000 Dodge Avenger 🔎.

Consumer took vehicle into dealer to have recall 99v066003 repairs done. Consumer was informed by dealership that unknown component next to lower contral arm ball joint was torn and is not included in recall. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

Creaking noise from front suspension. Received recall 967 and dealer did not use any parts to correct problem. The dealer stated the parts on the vehicle were not damaged. Prior to the recall notice the consumer had the ball joint replaced on the left side. The consumer tried to get the other ball joint replaced, however the dealer stated the recall had already been performed.

Received notice #00v421002. Contacted dealership. Took vehicle to dealership. Had lower ball joints and control arm replaced under recall. Currently, remedy has failed 4 months later. This is causing tires to experience uneven wear and lose air.

Prior to recall notification consumer states when turning wheel and driving, vehicle makes a noise, dealership advised consumer that left lower control arm and right outer axle needed to be replaced, consumer started to experience the same noise on March 28, 2001 that he experienced back in December 2000, consumer then took vehicle back to dealership and assumed part would be covered under recall, dealership did not charge consumer, however the part number for this particular part was not apart of the recall according to the dealership, however dealership did not charge consumer stating it was a goodwill gesture even though consumer was experiencing the same symptoms as in December 2000, this time the right upper ball joint needed to be replaced, consumer is seeking reimbursement for the initial repair done in December 2000.

Defective nuts came off the bolts on the ball joints on the driver's side lower control arm which caused ball joint to cease which may have caused a crash. Previously, this vehicle was part of the lower ball joint recall.

The vehicle was inspected for recall of the lower ball joints (99v-066), less than four months (4-Aug-00) later the vehicle was taken to the dealer for another problem when the mechanic informed the consumer that the vehicle was in need of front lower ball joint, the consumer was forced to pay for the repair because the dealer stated this problem was not covered under recall. Nlm.

While driving the lower lateral arm ball joint failed causing the driver to loose control of the vehicle, the vehicle hit a stone wall, was thrown into the air and landed on top of another vehicle, the drivers sustained injuries to his face and back, the passenger sustained a fractured sternum and has pain in her back, chest, legs and suffers from headaches. Nlm.

Upon receipt if recall 99v066, ball joint ball joint failure ,the dealer was notified. Dealer inspected the vehicle and concluded that the vehicle was not affected by the recall. After that inspection ,the tire separated from the vehicle, resulting in major damage to the vehicle. The vehicle has been towed to the dealer. Manufacturer will be notified.