NHTSA Complaint #10086525 — 2002 GMC ENVOY

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH PULLING A 3000 LB. BOAT AND TRAILER. I FELT SOMETHING CHANGE IN THE FRONT END AS THOUGH THE ALIGNMENT CHANGED AS I WAS DRIVING. I EXITED THE HIGHWAY, AND AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES A VERY LOUD POP CAME FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL. UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINT HAD COMPLETELY SEPARTATED FROM THE UPPER CONTROL ARM. THIS APPARENTLY OCCURRED AFTER THE BOLT THAT SECURES THE BALL JOINT IN THE UPPER CONTROL ARM EITHER SHEARED, FELL OUT, OR WAS NEVER THERE BEFORE THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO DAMAGE, AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AWAITING PARTS. MORE SPECIFICALLY, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE REPLACING THE UPPER CONTROL ARM AND UPPER BALL JOINT.