NHTSA Complaint #10153360 — 2004 JEEP LIBERTY

WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER, THE LEFT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT ON MY VEHICLE BROKE WHILE I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT MAKE ANY UNUSUAL NOISES NOR WERE THERE ANY NOTICEABLE PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE PART BREAKING. WHEN THE BALL JOINT BROKE, THE WHEEL WAS ALSO DAMAGED. WHEN I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED INTO A JEEP DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2003 JEEP LIBERTY'S FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED ON THE 2004 MODEL. THE MECHANICS AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THIS PART SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO LAST MUCH MORE THAN THE 1 YEAR, 9 MONTHS & 40,000 MILES OF MY VEHICLE LIFE. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED THE COST OF REPLACING BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS (EXCEPT FOR A $100 DEDUCTIBLE) AND I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE DAMAGED WHEEL. ($317.55). WE WERE AWAY FROM HOME AND HAD STOPPED FOR SOMETHING TO EAT AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED. JUST THINK OF THE POSSIBILITIES IF WE WERE ENROUTE OR RETURNING VIA THE EXPRESSWAYS AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 55 AND 70 MPH. I HAVE CONTACTED DAIMLER/CHRYSLER CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY SEEM UNWILLING TO DISCUSS THIS POSSIBLE DEFECT ON THIS VEHICLE. *JB