NHTSA Complaint #10655348 — 2002 HONDA ACCORD

AS I SLOWED TO MAKE A U-TURN (TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT) ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE. THE CAR COLLAPSED ON TO THAT WHEEL AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE RIGHT AXLE WAS PULLED OUT IN THE PROCESS. AS I WAITED FOR THE TOW TRUCK I LOOKED AND NOTICED THE SHAFT WHERE THE SCREW CONNECTS TO THE BALL JOINT WAS SPLIT IN HALF. IT WAS A LOUD FRIGHTENING MOMENT AND NOW THAT WHEEL WAS STICKING OUT AWAY FROM THE CAR WITH THE OTHER STILL IN PLACE. I LIFTED THE CAR UP WITH THE JACK...THE CARS FENDER EDGE COLLAPSED ONTO THAT TIRE AND I WAS AFRAID THE SHARP PRESSURE COULD MAKE IT BLOW. I AM THANKFUL THIS HAPPENED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WITH NO TRAFFIC AT A LOW SPEED. I HAD JUST FINISHED DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 20 MILES THAT MORNING AND WONDERED WHAT IF THIS WOULD HAVE BROKEN ON ME ON THE FREEWAY GOING THROUGH A HILLY CURVE OR HITTING A POTHOLE. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE BALL JOINT AND AXLE WHERE REPLACED BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORST WAS THE MESSAGE THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME, AND I KNEW IT ALSO. *TR