Dt: june 30 2005 the left front ball joint broke while driving. The consumer was driving 35 MPH. There was a noise, sparks were flying, and the consumer lost steering control and bounced off a curve. There were no warning lights on the vehicle. The vehicle was recently inspected in may and no problems were reported. There was a recall, but the consumer was not aware of it. The consumer noticed there was a corrosion problem with the ball joint. The consumer didn't have the recall number. The vehicle is now having repair work done. Chrysler is willing to pay the repairs. The bearings had to be replaced, the left front wheel bearing was replaced twice.
1996 Chrysler Sebring: ball joint or control arm failure
44 of the 342 complaints about the 1996 Chrysler Sebring describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 44
- of this car's complaints
- 13%
- typical mileage
- 76,000
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 4 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Ball joint or control arm failure by model year
What owners say
The federal safety agency campaign 00v421002; daimler chrysler issued a lower ball joint recall. This vehicle is not included in the recall. The consumer was driving 55 miles per hour when all of a sudden he heard a popping noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The consumer lost control of the vehicle before coming to a complete stop on the side of the road. The consumer took the vehicle to the shop and results showed that the lower ball joints needed to be replaced. *jb ball joint snapped and resulted in the wheel turning sideways. As a result the driveer lost control of the vehicle. When vehicle finally came to rest the tire was totally destroyed and under carriage sustained damage. *sb
The consumer received recall notice in 1999. The federal safety agency's recall # 99v066003. When taken to get serviced, they did not service the vehicle, they only inspected it. The consumer was told that the ball joints where fine. Recently, the consumer was involved in an incident where he was driving on the highway at approximately 55 MPH. The front left ball joint broke causing him to loose control of the vehicle, he was able to avoid an accident. He again took the vehicle to get serviced and was told that they would only cover the ball joints and not the additional damage.
The vehicle's rh tie rod was extremely rusted and pitted. As a result the tie rod failed while the consumer was backing out of a parking space. *nm the consumer had both tie rods replaced. *tc
Problems with ball joints on 1996 chrysler sebring.*mr the vehicle was recalled in dec 1997 and the dealer stated they were only required to visually inspect the front ball joints and elected to replace the left side only under recall #750. In nov 2002 the right front ball joint assembly fell apart without warning.
While turning, the front passenger side lower ball joint failed. The consumer had the vehicle towed to a dealership. The dealership's mechanic repaired the problem once, but the consumer is still experienced having problems. Recall number 97v‑201-000. Please provide more information.
While driving 5-10 MPH the front passenger side wheel fell off due to the separation of the lower lateral arm ball joint. The vehicle was recalled for this problem before the current consumer owned the vehicle. Please provide any additional information.
Dealership is not performing recall oov421002 for the lower ball joints within a reasonable time frame.
I was involved in an accident caused by a defective front end. The ball joint fell totally out of the control arm causing major damage to vehicle under carriage and panels.
Right/left ball joints fell off while vehicle was mobile.
Consumer is still having problems after recall has been performed on the vehicle. Recall#00v421002 lower ball joint. Please provide the dealer name, address and number. Mr
Dealership could not perform recall 97v201 for ball joint replacement due to lack of parts and tools that were stolen. Another dealership replaced both deteriorated ball joints and informed consumer that both ball joints were completely deteriorated and was hazardous. *tt
Service bulletins that may apply
- Vehicles exhibiting front coil spring creaking, popping, or squeaking
- Conditions with light knocking or tapping noise being heard from the rear shock rear while traveling over...
- Intermittent popping sound coming from the front of the vehicle may be heard from either side
- A squeaking or hard rubbing noise may be heard from the rear of the vehicle when traveling over bumps
Related recalls
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly, dirt and water can intrude. Also, mmc has added the potential of leaking moisture, which can cause the ball stud to corrode.
- Risk
- This condition could cause the lower lateral arm ball joint to separate, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. This campaign supercedes mmc's previous safety recall campaign, see 99v‑066.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the lower lateral arm ball joint for wear. Ball joints that exhibit wear beyond the established tolerance will be replaced with newly designed lateral arm ball joints. Ball joints that are within the established tolerance will be cleaned and a special sealant will be applied to prevent intrusion of moisture.
Recall number 00V421002 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly, dirt and water can intrude.
- Risk
- This condition could cause the lower lateral arm ball joint to separate, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the rubber boots, and if the boot is damaged, they will replace the lower lateral arm and ball joint on the affected vehicles.
Recall number 99V066003 · Recall details
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 Sebring ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 1996 Chrysler Sebring?
44 of 342 owner complaints about the 1996 Chrysler Sebring (13%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 1996.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1996 Chrysler Sebring?
There are 3 recalls and 4 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1996 Chrysler Sebring
No deployment 15Brake failure 14Stalling 13Fire or smoke 10Grinding brakes 7Water leak 7Premature wear 6
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1996 Chrysler Sebring?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history