Ball Joint Failure Info...please Read

[skrracing]

OK guys...I know I keep harping on this...But if you own a KJ this is a real problem that must be dealt with.

I just got off the phone with the NHTS and they have had reports on other failures that are not 02-03s...

If you had a failure or early replacement...PLEASE report the failure or early replacement so that we can get other years listed for the recall. The stupid heat shield did nothing to solve this problem. This would include an early replacement...A ball joint should last many years...Not just 25000 miles.

Here is a link to make a report...PLEASE do so if you had a failure.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

Be sure to include all the info they need and an email address.

I looked at just the 04s and their was 7 failures...yes 7...and those are just the one reported... I know 4 others guys just myself that had a failure and did not report it...Please do this ...it will help or save a lot of folks a lot of problems in the future.

I hate to bash anyone but this is a real safty issue and needs to be addressed. I love the KJ and plan to stick with it...but this is a problem we all need to keep in mind.

Thanks. later...Clint

[bauchdon]

While turning right into a parking lot at about 5 miles per hour in my 2002 Jeep Liberty, I experienced a catastrophic failure of the lower ball joint on the right side. The ball joint dropped and the bolt at the bottom of the ball joint struck and severely dug into my 5 month old Jeep Chrome alloy wheel. This all took place at traveling about 5 miles per hour and traveling only about 10 feet. I just had the vehicle towed to a local repair facility for repair. Please note that I did have the vehicle serviced at 20,005 miles in response of the lower ball joint recall, at which time the ball joints were replaced and heat shields installed to avoid future failure of the ball joints. The vehicle now has 38,600 miles, which means these new ball joints only lasted 18,600 miles, with absolutely no off road driving! I will be calling the Jeep dealership this Monday morning for their input and hopefully support of making good on this severe failure. I thank God that this failure took place at 5 miles an hour and not while on the highway as I know that I may very well have been killed. I tried to submit a complaint via the NHTSA Web Site but kept getting errors when I tried to submit, I will be calling them on Monday morning to submit the complaint!

[RenegadesHaveSwitchBlades]

I too just suffered a catastrophic lower left Ball Joint separation on my 2003 Liberty Renegade. I am getting NO help what-so-ever from Chrysler and am getting very frustrated.

I too thank God that it happened while turning left into my parking lot at work after lunch. Had it happened ANYWHERE else in my daily commute, I am sure I would be dead. I can post many more details if anyone is interested but I mainly replied to see what kind of response the previous poster received regarding their incident. Anyone else have any experience with this?

[smoto99]

I have a 2002 Jeep Liberty that had a very similar catastrophic failure of the lower left ball joint in a shopping center parking lot. My wife had noticed a noise coming from the front end but it stopped. 4 days later the ball joint failed. There was a recall on the ball joint in 2004 and I had it replaced at that time.

[RenegadesHaveSwitchBlades]

After considerable effort, I was able to get Chrysler to reimburse me for the repairs and towing plus give me a front end alignment. I'm not sure if it was the letter I wrote to the Ohio Attorney General or the new NHTSA investigation opened up on June 6th. Either way I'm glad to be getting my money back but I am still unsatisfied with the help I got from Chrysler.

[satan]

Jeep recalls 2002-2006 Liberty SUV
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060801/...ot/jeep_recall

See also http://www.ilovejeeps.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16907

[DAVETRISH1915]

I also have had the ball joints on my 2003 Jeep Liberty Sport re-called and replaced on 11-10-2006. Yesterday 6-08-2008 while driving at 5mph, coming off a bridge, the front left ball joint went out. The tire just folded under the Jeep. Thank God I was only going 5mph. I was informed by the dealer that the ball joint will be covered for the life of the Jeep. While this is a good thing, It is also a bad thing. Does this tell me that it might happen again? Will I be on the highway going 65mph next time? I pray to God that it never happens again. I just thought everyone should know, it seems they are willing to warrent the ball joints for the life of the jeep, so it could happen over and over.

[Rick K]

Just for general information, most government-mandated recalls are good for the life of the vehicle, not just the current owner. So while they don't expect the recalled part to fail again, if it does it will be covered.