NHTSA Complaint #10759460 — 2009 JEEP PATRIOT

TOOK VEHICLE IN TO TIRE SHOP TO REPLACE TIRES. DURING INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE LOWER RIGHT CONTROL ARM WAS BROKEN. WHILE THAT MAY BE COMMON FOR A 5 YEAR OLD VEHICLE, THAT SHOULD NOT BE COMMON FOR A 39K MI VEHICLE THAT HAS SPENT THE MAJORITY OF ITS LIFE SITTING IN A DRIVEWAY OR GARAGE. MECHANICS AT SHOP STATED THAT IF IT WAS NOT REPLACED, VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN OVER 40 MPH DUE TO AN INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF WHEEL SEPARATION AND DAMAGE TO VEHICLE/PERSONS IN VEHICLE. REPLACED RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM AND ALL FOUR TIRES, AS WELL AS RIGHT BALL JOINT WHERE CONTROL ARM CONNECTS AS RECOMMENDED BY SHOP. SAME ISSUES ARE RECURRING AGAIN 13K MILES LATER. ISSUES INCLUDE: LOOSE STEERING, POOR STEERING CONTROL OVER 55 MPH, ADDITIONAL WEAR ON FRONT TIRES AND BRAKES.