2001 Chrysler Sebring: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Aug 3, 2017 · Suspension · 130,000 miles · TX

I was taking my son to school and as I turned the corner the ball joint completly popped real loud and my left rear tire caves in completely. Then a week later the right side rear did the same thing except I was on a long stretch road and a loud pop, tire caves in and I started swirling uncontrolably. Unknown as to why or how it just all a sudden popped. I did fix both rear ball joints my receipts are with oriellys auto. And also steering suspension is sounding funny and no mechanic can find the problem.

Filed Mar 25, 2015 · Suspension · 193,466 miles · NC

It was christmas eve we were leaving a friends house headed home I was at a stop sign making a right turn when I started to smell rubber burning but assumed it was the car ahead of me I started to pick up speed I was in a 35mph zone when we heard a loud boom I pulled over at a local park. I looked to see my driver side back tire was facing inward and would not stand straight I call my father inlaw who is a mechanic and he replaced the lower control arm. I am now having to replace the front passenger side now because it is sitting on the side of the road for a second time.

Filed Jan 20, 2015 · Suspension · 99,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chrysler sebring. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear driver's side. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ball joint and the control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 09f056000 (suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000. Updated 3/24/15

Filed Nov 30, 2010 · Suspension · 104,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chrysler sebring convertible. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact heard a loud banging noise. The contact pulled over and shut the vehicle off. Upon examining the vehicle, he noticed that the front passenger side wheel became loose. The ball joint fractured from the control arm. The vehicle had not been repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were approximately 104,000.

Filed Jun 16, 2010 · Engine, Suspension · TX

S10 appropriate handling-letter from regarding 2001 chrysler sebring *tgw the consumer stated when he turned the steering wheel to the left or the right, he could hear a grinding sound. The dealer found the left lower ball joint was worn, which was the cause of the noise. Also, the front struts, oil pan and cooler lines were all leaking, and the drive belts were cracked. The heating and air condition controls were not performing as designed.

Filed Apr 14, 2008 · Suspension · 37,200 miles · CA

On my 2001 chrysler sebring one of the ball joints on the passenger side front wheel separated in a parking lot, causing the wheel to become detached. The mechanic determined it was rusted out which was surprising since the car only had 37k miles. The vehicle was in michigan and ohio for 5 years and california for 2 years. The mechanic was surprised and he said it normally takes over 100k miles for this type of problem. There were no injuries and the car was repaired (with replacement of all ball joints and the control arms) and I have the parts.

Filed Dec 17, 2007 · Steering, Suspension · 136,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chrysler sebring. While driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel locked and the driver side front wheel assembly detached when making a left turn. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure; however, he replaced the driver side front axle and both front ball joints. Approximately two months later, while driving 5 MPH, the steering wheel locked. The contact stated that he had to turn the vehicle off and restart it for it to perform normally. As of december 17, 2007, the mechanic had not inspected the vehicle. The failure mileage was 136,000 and current mileage was 138,888.

Filed Mar 20, 2006 · Steering · 62,285 miles · VT

On turning into a main street in our town from a driveway, the inner and outer tie rod ends on the right front wheel on my car pulled apart, resulting in a complete loss of steering control. Due to the low speed involved, I was able to force the car to the curb with no further damage. I had been driving on interstate highway I-89 earlier, and had this failure occurred then, complete loss of control, and the possible death or injury to my wife and I would have occurred. The car was towed to vermont tire, here in south burlington, where the tie rod ends (401-1704 & 401-1737) were replaced and the front end was re-aligned. I have the old parts for inspection, if desired. Total mileage on the car was 62285. Note, the tie rod ends normally thread together. In this case corrosion allowed these parts to pull apart completely. Except for about a half inch at the very top of the threaded end of the rod, the rod could be inserted and withdrawn with little or no resistance, and this is how the failure occurred. There was no warning in the steering control of the car to indicate the failure was about to occur.

Filed Jan 9, 2006 · Suspension · 63,192 miles · OH

While driving in rush hour traffic on a busy interstate, the right front ball joint failed catastrophically and the front end began to shake violently. Fortunately I was able to stop quickly and pull into the median. I had the car at the dealership only 2 months prior with "popping" noises in the front suspension. The service department performed an inspection and said "all front end components tight and sound /no failures detected". Less than 2,000 miles later, the ball joint failed! What is even more concerning is that the same exact symptoms were experienced 2 years ago and many components of the front suspension (including both ball joints) were replaced. The first occurrence of this problem was at 37,000 miles and cost me $598.66 (since the warranty only covered to 36,000 miles - ironic, huh?). The most recent failure occurred at 63,000 miles and cost me $693.06. Upon driving the car into the garage after being towed, the service manager said that the ball joint popped completely out of it's joint and showed me that the tire was only barely hanging on. He also said I was "lucky" that I hadn't went 20 more feet on the freeway because the tire would have fallen off and there would have been much more damage and possibly injury. The dealership made the repairs but would not cover any of the expenses. The dealership also would not accept responsibility or refund the cost for the faulty inspection that was performed 2 months prior to the catastrophic failure of the ball joint.

Filed Jun 30, 2005 · Suspension · 53,190 miles · OH

Front top ball joint snapped when pulling out of a parking spot. No warning, had to be towed for repair. Found damaged control arms on both sides when replacing both front top and bottom ball joints. Only 53,000 miles on the car! Intend to write to chrysler.

Filed Jun 21, 2005 · Suspension · 62,000 miles · AK

Dt: caller said the wheel fell off in driveway without warning. The top upper ball joint gave way, leaving the bottom ball joint to hold the tire. Dealer said this was normal. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet. Caller has not had it fixed.

Filed May 25, 2005 · Suspension · 70,000 miles · NY

Upper ball joint in passenger side rear suspension failed causing the wheel to fold inward with an associated temporary loss of vehicle control. New part was installed and upon inspection, the old ball joint appeared rusty and corroded.