Engineering Analysis · Closed
LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT FAILURE
Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
This investigation led to a recall
NHTSA links this probe to recall campaign 97V201000.
Campaign 97V201000 predates our recall archive — check NHTSA.gov for details.
What NHTSA is examining
By letter dated november 6, 1997, the manufacturer advised this agency of its decision to initiate a safety recall campaign of the subject vehicles to correct the defect identified in this ea.the recall will also cover 1996 and 1997 chrysler cirrus/dodge stratus vehicles, as well as 1995 through 1997 chrysler sebring convertible and plymouth breeze vehicles equipped with identical lower control arm ball joints.an estimated total of 599,00vehicles are affected by this recall.the manufacturer's investigation disclosed that process variability, together with the ball joint housing cover crimping operation, can result in an ineffective seal that permits a loss of lubrication and accelerted wear of the ball joint assembly.this condition can lead to failure and separtion of the lower control arm ball joint.the recall is identified as nhtsa 97v-201 and a copy of chrysler's letter to nhtsa is attached hereto.
Vehicles under investigation
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation records, updated daily. An investigation is not a determination that a defect exists; many probes close without a recall.