Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint problems of the 1999 Lexus GS300

The contact owns a 1999 Lexus Gs300. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, the entire front end dropped to the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where the contact was informed that the driver's side lower ball joint would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred two months later. The vehicle was towed back to the mechanic and the passenger's side ball joint was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 163,000.

The contact owns a 1999 Lexus Gs300. The contact stated when driving at approximately 60 mph, the steering wheel would shakes abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop several times where the tires were replaced twice, a lower ball joint was replaced, and the vehicle was re-aligned and balanced multiple times. The failure persisted. The vehicle was not further repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 135,000. Updated 11/03/10.

I own a 1999 Lexus Gs300. I've heard some creaking noises coming from the front suspension leading up to the failing of my lower ball joints. Before it failed I brought it to firestone on ft. Lewis, wa to get a suspension inspection where they did not see or hear anything from my suspension. So a week later (January 15th 2007) I was driving in seattle, wa when the lower ball joint failed. The result of that was body damage due to the vehicle crashing down onto the wheel and a snapped abs sensor wire. Just to repair this vehicle to be able to drive was to replace the ball joint and new tires that all together amounted to about almost $600 dollars for a part was about $50-60 dollars. The cost of repairing my vehicle isn't an issue but this is a very serious malfunction or defected item that needs to be reviewed. I've waited to file a complaint to see the amount of people effected by this and since than there were more than a dozen instance where the ball joint has or had failed causing damage and in time will cause death or serious injury to people not aware of this problem I. E on a freeway where people can't stop in time to avoid it or the actually wheel coming off the vehicle and hitting another vehicle. Most of these instances has happened at low speeds, side streets or parking lots. Like I said before I waited to file a complaint to see the amount of people effected by it and to also compile more information. . Read more...