My front tires feel like they are going to break off the vehicle due to the lower ball joints,steering control arm, inner and outer tie rods; accelerates all by itself. Will not lock shifter with key out of ignition. Ecm is faulty because it shuts the lights off,turns engine,all lights, off . Unpredictably! Seat belts do not engage when stopping. If I were to be critically injured because of malfunctioning of said vehicle? Who would take responsibility of my safety and well being? This all happens while operation of vehicle. Traveling on the freeway at 55 MPH. Abs malfunctions as well even when driving 15 MPH.
1996 Chrysler Cirrus: ball joint or control arm failure
17 of the 160 complaints about the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 17
- of this car's complaints
- 11%
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Ball joint or control arm failure by model year
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chrysler cirrus. The contact stated that the driver was traveling 42 MPH when the steering wheel became excessively loose. This made it difficult for the driver to maintain control of the vehicle. The vehicle independently veered off the road, and crashed into a electric pole, yet the vehicle did not stop. She then crashed into a second pole, jumped a creek and crashed into a tree as the vehicle came to a stop. The air bags did not deploy. The seat belts did not restrain the driver as she plunged into the steering wheel. She then exited the vehicle through the driver side window. The driver sustained injuries to the neck, shoulder, chest and a minor concussion. She also suffered short-term memory loss as a result. A police report was available. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 97v201000 (suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint) which could potentially cause a loss of steering control. The contact was unaware that the vehicle was ever repaired in regards to the recall. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was approximately 180,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 chrysler cirrus. While driving approximately 25 to 30 MPH on normal road conditions; the front driver side tire disengaged from the vehicle. The contact was able to safely drive into the emergency lane. Roadside assistance towed the vehicle to the residence. An authorized dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The federal safety agency campaign id number 09e056000 (suspension; front control arm: lower ball joint) is related to the failure. The VIN was included in the recall defect; however, the dealer refused to repair the vehicle per the recall remedy. The vehicle is inoperable and has been not repaired. The contact had concerns of the safety risk involved. The failure and current mileages were 100,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 chrysler cirrus. While driving 30 MPH, the driver's side lower tie rod dropped from the vehicle and the tire turned at a ninety degree angle. The contact left the vehicle to get a tow and, when he returned, the police removed the vehicle. Chrysler stated that the vehicle had previously been repaired according to the federal safety agency campaign id number 97v201000 (control arm: ball joint separation). The current and failure mileages were 80,000. Update 09/10/08 *cw updated 09/16/08
The drivers side tie rod completely separated from the wheel as the car was being backed down a driveway. This made the car immediately uncontrollable. Fortunately this happened at very low speed in the drive. My wife was driving the car and she had our 3 year old son in the car. If this would have happened at high speed a terrible accident could have occurred. The shop that fixed the tie rod said that they have had many of the cirrus' with this failure. The joint on the tie rod installed by the manufacture was a sealed type and had dried out and rusted away.
While backing into garage, right front tie rod end broke. Dealer contacted. *ak dealer found the ball and socket had rusted badly causing the socket to fall off the ball. Manufacturer notified.
Front lower ball joint broke, and front right ball joint went outwards to the ground. Dealer stated it was a problem with lateral arms. Please provide any further information.
Tie rod end broke at right front wheel, wheel turned sideways and car was completely uncontrollable. Road was dry and the car slid straight ahead. Replace both outer tie rods
While driving and making a turn to either side vehicle will make a clicking noise because ball joints had separated. Please provide more information.
When turning wheel in either direction there is a loud clicking sound, metal to metal. Vehicle has been at dealer for 4 months, replaced swaybar/ wheel bearings, and lower control arm. Did not remedy problem.
While driving 60mph on expressway, was turning a corner near home at 5mph when outer tie rod broke. Driver lost control. Vehicle stopped suddenly. Was towed to dealer & mechanic indicated tie rod should not have broken due to vehicle being new. Been in contact with dealer for tie rod part.
While driving at 70 MPH and without prior warning front control arm lower ball joint broke, causing the vehicle to drop to the ground.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint can separate due to loss of lubrication.
- Risk
- Separation of the ball joint could cause a loss of steering control increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the ball joint end housing cover seal for leakage with a high pressure air tester and the rubber boot will be visually inspected for damage. If the cover seal leaks or the boot is damaged, the lower control arm will be replaced.
Recall number 97V201000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus?
17 of 160 owner complaints about the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus (11%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 1995.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus?
There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus
VIN decoder
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