2001 Chrysler Sebring Convertible: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed May 3, 2015 · Suspension · 89,200 miles · KY

I was driving on savannah springs drive (a patio home community) and I heard a horrible noise and stopped. I though I had a flat tire but when I got out and looked, my left front wheel had off. (the balljoint came loose from the control arm) the car was not drivable and had to be towed home. We just purchased this car on 4/23/2015 from new life auto in noblesville, in and drove it home to louisville, ky on i65. The car drove great and I took it out for a drive and turned into a neighborhood less than 1/2 mile from my house when this happened. I was on a very busy road prior to this and thank the lord that I was not on that road when it happened. The tow driver said I would have totaled the car and hit someone else. No injuries occurred and not other vehicles were involved. We see there is a recall on the control arm and wonder if we are covered.

Filed Jul 29, 2014 · Suspension · AZ

Just turning off the main busy road from driving 40-45mph and onto a small residential narrow street doing 25mph I suddenly heard very loud clunking noises si I immediately stopped the car and got out and noticed that my rear drivers side tire was slanting inward. It turned out to be that my rear upper ball joint had busted . Was told by the tow truck driver that if it would of happened a few seconds earlier while driving 40 MPH on the main road, that I would of had a serious crash. Due to my tire buckling in from the ball joint breaking in half. The entire suspension on the car needs repaired. Front and back. All bushings, ball joints are totally worn down to almost nothing. Shocks/struts all no good.

Filed Nov 10, 2012 · Suspension · 75,000 miles · FL

The ball joint on the control arm assembly can fail causing the ball stud to wear through the control arm housing resulting in noise and/or separation of the ball stud from the housing.

Filed Nov 10, 2010 · Suspension · 240,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chrysler sebring convertible. While driving approximately 55 MPH the contact lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a crash. The police appeared on the scene and the driver was injured. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the rear drivers side upper ball joint fractured from the control arm. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 240,000.

Filed Feb 24, 2010 · Steering, Suspension · 139,039 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chrysler sebring. While driving 25 MPH the front suspension collapsed causing the front driver side tire to come off. The vehicle was not drivable so the contact had the vehicle towed to a local mechanic. The local mechanic replaced both outer tie-rods, left drive axle, the lower control arm, and the left lower ball joint. A local mechanic informed the contact that the right lower ball joint also would need to be replaced soon. The contact called the manufacturer regarding a recall for the suspension front, control arm lower ball joint but the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated this vehicle should be added to the recall. The failure mileage was 139,039 updated 4/19/10 *cn chrysler informed the consumer the matter would not be investigated due to the high mileage on the vehicle, even though a recall had been issued. Updated 06/18/10.

Filed Nov 6, 2004 · Steering · 55,000 miles · OH

I own a 2001 chrysler sebring convertible that I bought new for my wife. She drives it daily and I have it serviced regularly. The car has 63,000 miles on it. This past week I took it to my mechanic to have new front brakes replaced. After he road tested it, he told me that I needed two new outside tie rods. He explained that because there is no way to lubricate them, they will wear out and could cause an accident. My concern is that I have owned many vehicles over my life (55 years old) and this is one area that I have never had to deal with. I find it disturbing that manufacturers can build a car with sol little regard to the potential that you could not be able to control a car due to faulty design. How difficult would it have been for tie rods to have grease fittings to keep them from premature wear out. Can anything be done from your agency's perspective to force manufacturers to make a vehicle that is mechanically safe? The accident that didn't happen is why I am writing to you. I would hate to have to explain that my wife was involved in an accident because of a lack of a grease fitting. Your response and whether chrysler should be responsible is requested. Thank you.