NHTSA Complaint #756356 — 1999 VOLVO S80

FRONT RIGHT WHEEL COLLAPSED AND FOLDED UNDER CAR RESTING ON THE OUTSIDE RIM. POLICE WERE SUMMONED BUT MADE NO REPORT BECAUSE NO OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE OCCURRED AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF NEGLIGENCE. I DEMANDED THAT FARMERS INSURANCE HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED BY THEIR ENGINEERING FIRM. THE ENGINEER SAID DAMAGE WAS CONSISTENT WITH HITTING A POTHOLE AT 30-40 MPH AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF EXISTING METAL FATIGUE. THERE WAS NO POTHOLE AND SPEED WAS 12 MPH (WHILE SLOWING ON A STEEP DOWNHILL FOR A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT). THERE WAS NO "IMPACT DAMAGE" TO ALUMINUM TIRE RIM (AS YOU WOULD EXPECT IF YOU HIT AN OBJECT HARD ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE WHEEL TO FOLD). ENGINEER WAS "UNABLE TO EXPLAIN THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE." I CONTINUE TO PURSUE WITH FARMERS INSURANCE BECAUSE I BELIEVE A BALL-JOINT FAILURE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT BALL JOINTS ON NHTSA'S SITE AND I SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN SEP 2000 FOR BALL JOINT REPLACEMENTS. I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER ABOUT THE RECALL. EITHER MY CAR WAS NOT AFFECTED OR VOLVO FAILED TO DELIVER THE LETTER TO ME. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION YOU HAVE THAT WOULD HELP TO CLARIFY THE CAUSE OF THE RIGHT-WHEEL FAILURE.