2002 Chrysler Sebring Convertible: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Sep 27, 2015 · Brakes, Suspension · SC

I purchased this vehicle last dec,2014.. It is a used vehicle though, its in very good condition. I was backing out of my drive way approx. 2 weeks after I bought it & the right side passenger side the suspension, arm & ball joint just fell out.. The day prior to this I heard a definite knock from that wheel base. In fact when I was backing out of the drive, I was on my way to the mechanic. Well, being stranded, I had to call a tow service to haul it in for repair.. They said they could replace it,& the charge for the assembly would cost $112.00 plus.. Having it replaced & repaired. It is now 10 months later & the knocking is back & my concern is that it will fall out when I'm driving causing an awful accident. This is wear I stand now w/ this issue that is recorded under your recall descriptions. Thank you..

Filed Jul 24, 2014 · Suspension · 107,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chrysler sebring convertible. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the rear passenger side wheel became fractured and folded under the vehicle. Also, the contact mentioned that moments later the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the upper control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred on the rear driver's side wheel. The failure mileage was 107,000 and the current mileage was 112,000.

Filed Nov 29, 2013 · Suspension · 70,000 miles · LA

My wife was pulling out of parking lot of store, right front ball joint socket disconnected causing damage to front end of car. Though this seems to be an issue for this make/model of car, my VIN was never recalled.

Filed Jul 16, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 112,085 miles · MI

On the way home from work the left front ball joint socket separated. I was going 50 MPH. On a straight road, no pot holes or bumps. There was a loud bang, front end dropped down, left front tire flipped sideways and there I was stuck on the side of the road. I have 35 years in the collision industry and do not understand how this happens, other than a poor part from the start. These parts should never separate. I checked for recalls and there are none on my car. But I would think there should be. I have insurance that will pay for repairs other than the ball joint. Going to have the other side replaced also. This happened at 5pm on a busy road, there was lots of traffic. I was pleased that nobody creamed me while I tried to gain control of car and man handle it off the road. I see many of the same complaints on here. This could have been a lot worse.

Filed May 24, 2011 · Suspension · 155,000 miles · FL

On may 22, 2011, I was driving my 2002 chrysler sebring convertible onto a main road here in florida and all of the sudden there was a huge thud, my car crashed to the ground, and it jolted forward after forcing a stop. I got out of the car and the body of my front passenger side had fallen on top of my tire. The police arrived and said that it was my control arm. I spent over $150 getting it towed numerous places and I was finally told that it was my front control arm and lower ball joint. They told me it was going to be $1500 to repair because my drivers side control arm and lower ball joint look like they are going to do the same thing. I went to the vehicle center section on my car insurance website and to my surprise there are three vehicle recalls for my year and model. I did not think that I was going to find anything, but there is a recall for the exact thing that happened to my car. I called the manufacturer and they said that my VIN does not match for any recalls. This is a very dangerous situation. The exact thing that is being recalled happened to me, but it doesn't seem to matter. Shouldn't my safety be number one? The police and towing company, as well as my parents, said that I am lucky to be alive. If I would have been on the highway that I was headed to and the control arm and ball joint would have broken/fallen off, I could have been seriously injured or worse. There needs to be justification for them to deny my claim. Just because it doesn't fall under their recall list doesn't mean it shouldn't. These types of parts are made to last in all other cars. My car is not that old, and this didn't just happen out of the blue. I think that my car should be checked out for the recall, otherwise the other one is going to do the same thing, and next time I might not be so lucky.

Filed Apr 11, 2011 · Suspension · 120,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chrysler sebring convertible. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the front end of the vehicle collapsed. The contact stopped the vehicle and noticed that the front driver side ball joint had separated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was told that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 10e059000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower arm). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 120,000.

Filed Dec 13, 2010 · Suspension · 73,000 miles · IL

Upper control arm broke!

Filed Aug 9, 2010 · Steering, Suspension · 80,000 miles · FL

My 2002 convertible chrysler sebring limited edition left steering axle ball joint fell out of place while I was driving at about 25 mile per hour. The vehicle has mileage of 80,000. I made a complaint to chrysler corporation after I found that there is a recall since october 2009 on the same part that failed and the same make and model. I was told by chrysler that my VIN was not on the list of cars recalled. I have already paid for the repair and seeking reimbursement from chrysler corporation.

Filed Sep 25, 2009 · Suspension · 7,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chrysler sebring convertible. Corrosion was present on the lower control arm ball joint seal. No repairs have been made. The failure mileage was 7,000 and the current mileage was 9,000. Updated 10/27/09 *cn the consumer stated the lower control arm ball joint seal boot failed. It deteriorated which caused separation of the ball joint. Updated 10/28/09.

Filed Jun 11, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 103,000 miles · GA

I bought the car brand new, added the extended warranty and had several things go wrong. Just to name a few: engine shut down without warning and had to be replaced when it was just over the 100,000 mile warranty even though oil changes and regular maintenance was done 3-4000 miles, transmission pan had metal shavings in it which resulted in poor performance, control arm had to be replaced after chrysler dealership told me the problem was the motor mounts(I did not need the mounts replaced and the repair was not done under warranty), water pump & thermostat housing(was told both weren't covered and should have been), rear window defroster replaced and/or fixed three times, driver power window regulator replaced(glass had to be replaced because of damage from the regulator, which I paid), visor vanity light-part ordered but "too late" when tried to have it replaced(was not notified that part was in), dash lights-on & off, headlights replace several times, hub seal replaced, passenger seat adjust arm broken, lighter inoperative, check engine light on first month I had the car!

Filed Apr 21, 2008 · Suspension · 80,244 miles · NJ

There was a creaking sound underneath the front passenger side seat when all of a sudden the front of the car dropped down and I had difficulty controlling the car. The right front ball joint had broken. Prior to this event I had been driving 55mph with 2 children in the car. Thankfully, I had dropped the children off and was traveling at 25 MPH when the failure occurred.

Filed Jan 29, 2007 · Steering · 50,000 miles · IN

Tl*- the contact stated that while backing out of a parking space and trying to make a turn at 5 MPH heard a pop, then the vehicle would not steer. The vehicle was towed and the driver determined that the tie rod separated into two pieces.