The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.
The risk
SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Chrysler Cirrus | 1995, 1996, 1997 |
| Chrysler Sebring | 1995, 1996, 1997 |
| Dodge Stratus | 1995, 1996, 1997 |
| Plymouth Breeze | 1995, 1996, 1997 |
Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysler Cirrus | 1995 | 369 | 7 |
| Chrysler Cirrus | 1996 | 160 | 7 |
| Chrysler Cirrus | 1997 | 69 | 4 |
| Chrysler Sebring | 1995 | 132 | 3 |
| Chrysler Sebring | 1996 | 343 | 7 |
| Chrysler Sebring | 1997 | 210 | 5 |
| Dodge Stratus | 1995 | 318 | 7 |
| Dodge Stratus | 1996 | 554 | 7 |
| Dodge Stratus | 1997 | 349 | 4 |
| Plymouth Breeze | 1995 | 0 | 1 |
| Plymouth Breeze | 1996 | 182 | 6 |
| Plymouth Breeze | 1997 | 155 | 4 |
Other suspension recalls in 1997
30 of the 268 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1997 concerned the suspension; CHRYSLER CORPORATION filed 640 campaigns in all.
| 97V196004 31 Dec 1997 | VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC |
| 97V239001 30 Dec 1997 | GREAT DANE TRAILERS, INC. |
| 97V196005 29 Dec 1997 | MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED |
| 97V190004 8 Dec 1997 | STARCRAFT RV, INC. |
| 97V214000 1 Dec 1997 | SHOREMASTER, INC. |
| 97V190003 1 Dec 1997 | JAYCO, INC. |
| 97V190005 28 Nov 1997 | COACHMEN RV COMPANY |
| 97V196002 24 Nov 1997 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1997