NHTSA Complaint #10186039 — 2003 JEEP LIBERTY

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP LIBERTY WHICH HAD BEEN RECALLED. A CRASH OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE FAULTY BALL JOINT ON THE VEHICLE. ON FEBRUARY 22, 2007 THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WAS A CLOUDY BUT DRY DAY AND WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE, IT BEGAN TO MOVE LEFT TO RIGHT AND THE VEHICLE MADE A SHARP LEFT TURN CROSSING INTO THE LEFT LANE, ULTIMATELY STRIKING THE LEFT GUARD RAIL ON THE RAMP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP THAT CHRYSLER RECOMMENDED. AN INVESTIGATOR FOR CHRYSLER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A LOOSE BALL JOINT, BUT THE CONTACT BELIEVED IT WAS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 55,000. *AK CONSUMER STATES SHE BELIEVES THAT A LOSS OF LUBRICATION WHICH LEAD TO CORROSION, ACCELERATED WEAR AND SEPARATION FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE IN WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF JEEPS DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. CONSUMER ALSO STATES KNOWN FACT OF DEFECT IN 2002-2006 AROUND FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT. *04/23/07TR