NHTSA Complaint #10153297 — 1999 CHEVROLET BLAZER

WHILE DRIVING (AT ABOUT 5 MPH) THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE CAR DROPPED TO THAT SIDE, AND STEERING CONTROL WAS LOST. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS SLOWING TO A STOP BEFORE ENTERING A HIGHWAY. IT APPEARED AS THOUGH THE WHEEL HAD BEEN SEPARATED FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. AFTER TOWING TO A MECHANIC, I FOUND THAT IT WAS THE LOWER BALL JOINT THAT HAD FAILED, AND THE BRAKE LINE HAD ALSO BEEN SEVERED. AS A RESULT THE SHOCKS ON THAT SIDE WERE BENT OUT OF SHAPE, AND THE SHOCKS ON THE OTHER SIDE WERE STRETCHED OUT (AS IT WAS PULLED BY THE WEIGHT OF THE DROPPED SIDE). HAD I BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY OR TRAVELING AT A HIGHER SPEED, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED WITH POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH. *NM