NHTSA Complaint #10383956 — 2002 JEEP LIBERTY

I STOPPED TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER'S SNOW PANTS ON THE WAY FROM SCHOOL. BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I HEARD AND FELT MY TIRE DO SOMETHING. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS, BUT THE CAR WAS OBVIOUSLY UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. WHEN I GOT OUT, MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS AT ANGLES TO THE CAR. THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS GAVE OUT AND ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, THE BRAKE LINE WAS BASICALLY THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE TIRE ON. I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS ANYTHING UNUSUAL GOING ON UP TO THIS POINT, AS ANY SMALL STEERING ISSUES I HAD WERE MOSTLY WHEN THE CAR HAD JUST BEEN STARTED, SO WERE ATTRIBUTED TO COLD AND ICE. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER WAITING TO BE FIXED, SO THE OLD PARTS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE. *TR