Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint problems of the 2000 Plymouth Prowler

The lower ball joints fail constantly, I have had to replace my lower ball joints 3 times in 19,000 miles. Chrysler has recalled them and replaced them free for the first failure, but will not replace additional failures. A lower ball joint failure will cause loss of steering and will cause an accident. Every time they fail, they also destroy the rim. Chrysler knows very well that this is a problem, but will not cover the cost of replacements after they have repaired this item once. Every time there is a failure, Chrysler wants to sell you a complete lower control arm that cost $ 1200 dollars each. The lower ball joint usually fails when pulling away from a curb with the wheels turned, and there is a loss of steering at this point. Chrysler knows this is a problem, and should warranty this item for life as most of the Prowlers are very low mileage with less than 30,000 miles. Chrysler does have a recall kit that is available to dealers only that includes the ball joints only , but will not sell them to the public and we can only buy them with the complete lower control arm. This is a safety item that can & will cause an accident. The recall kit part number is ( cbbtc030).

The contact owns a 2000 Plymouth Prowler. In 2001, the contact first experienced failure with the front passenger side lower ball joint. The dealer replaced the lower ball joint at the cost of $1,800. In 2003, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 03v034000 (suspension: front: control arm: lower arm). The vehicle was taken to the dealer a total of five times for the failure. The most recent failure occurred on February 8, 2008. While driving approximately 5 mph, the front passenger side lower ball joint failed. The vehicle will be repaired. The failure mileage was 30,000 and current mileage was 120,000.

Consumer has been waiting since March of 2003 for parts. Suspension was broken. Dealer stated parts were not available.