The lower ball joints move excessively (approx 1-1.5 inches) and are within 1 month of breaking and causing a major accident risking my life.
1996 GMC Jimmy suspension complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 49, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Vehicle failed inspection due to a defect in idler arm / lower ball joints. Contacted dealer.
The consumer was requesting reimbursement from the manufacturer for upper ball joints that were replaced prior to recall (01v‑200). *yh when the consumer had the upper ball joints replace, they were not replaced with gm parts. Updated
Consumer states that while driving the front wheel bearing broke, causing damages to the tire and rim. *jb the bearings for both sides require fixing. The upper and lower ball joints broke while the consumer was traveling and cut the rim ruining the front left tire. The dealer replaced the ball joints, the wheel and the tire.
There was a recall of 96 gmc jimmy's for independent front control arm upper: ball joints. We were advised that ours was not included in the recall. We experienced this problem at 53918 miles on jan. 8 2002. The lower ball joints were replaced along with 2 front tires that were worn and very dangerous because of the ball joint problem. Also replaced were: the belt tensioner, oil cooler lines, water and belt - at 54,000 miles. We received a 168.98 reimbursement from pontiac gmc as a "goodwill adjustment"(half of the ball joint replacement charge). They never acknowledge that this vehicle should have been included in the recall. Please include this complaint on this vehicle for problems which should have been included in a recall. Documentation of repairs available if needed. Thank you. *ts *nlm *dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12-12-02 cut-over to artemis**761991
Lower ball joints haved corrored. A recall has been issued on upper ball joints. Manufacturer has been notified. Please provide further information.
Consumer is not satisified with reimbursement received for work done on vehicle prior to safety recall g01048s to replace front suspension upper ball joints, dealer stated that lower ball joints needed to be replaced as well but was not under recall, consumer requesting full reimbursement for out of pocket expenses.
Consumer stated that vehicle is on its 3rd tranmission, the transmission dipstick and housing needed to be replaced due to rust forming on the tranmission fluid stick, also the rear axle seals wer replaced.
Original lower ball joints needed to be replaced at 41 months, 20,696 mileage by gmc dealer with gmc parts. The replacement ball joints again had to be replaced after 2 years, at 35,710 miles. The vehicle is not driven off road and serviced regularly. There seems to be a problem with the gm ball joints.
While making a turn at 15 MPH ball joint broke, cause unknown. Please give any further details.
Vehicle was experiencing exact problem as stated in recall# 98v150000 for the ball joints, dealer was contacted, and informed consumer that this vehicle was not included due to VIN. Please provide further details.
Had to replace all 4 ball joints nd according to shop that fixed it this is a common problem with jimmys like mine. Dealer said there were no recalls on mine but I checked on line myself and other 1996 jimmys had been recalled but they didn't include my VIN #. When trying to get information from gmc as to why they said it could be due to where the vehicle was made or that the ball joints used could be from a different manufacture. They refused to give out that info. Saying it was confidential. I tried going throught the bbb and when gmc got the complaint a lady called and said bbb would not help me and that there isn't a court in the country that could get the info. On where vehicle was produced or what ball joints were used on mine. Since mine is driven by my wife, has never been off road or abused, that the ball joints wore out before the tires, and that gmc has recalled similar vehicles leads me to believe mine were defective also! I have all the correspondance via email with gmc if you would like a copy. Thanks and please advise how to proceed. Ben shown feelling helpless against gmc.
During normal operation of vehicle at any speed it is difficult to maintain control of vehicle because of a "floating" sensation. Dealership has examined vehicle numerous times, and replaced various components, including steering box/ ball joints/ idler arm, and tires. Please provide any additional information / documentation.
This is the third set of balljoints I will be putting in. Its crazy !
Battery, alternator, and starter have failed and been replaced.
Consumer was traveling 10 MPH on a side street, front passenger's tire belt broke, and tire turned inward and wouldn't move. Dealership was aware of problem. *ak consumer was traveling 10 MPH when the front right upper ball joint broke, the tire pitched into the vehicle leaving the vehicle inoperable, the other 3 ball joints were also replaced due to significant wear.
While driving left ball joint broke, cause unknown. Please give any further details.
Steering loose & very noisey when turning or going over bumps, front suspension was very noisey. Both upper & lower ball joints very loose, replaced immediately or I could potentionally loose a wheel while driving. Had all four ball joints replaced along with loose idler arm.
Upper and lower ball joints very noisy and clunking. Dealer reported very loose and dangerous. Replaced immediately.
Suspension it hard/ rough,and it shakes. Dealership is aware of problem.
Consumer stopped at a red a light, pulled up and heard a bang. Consumer thought tire blewout. Pulled into a driveway, at that point vehicle wouldn't steer. It was towed to a garage. Upper left ball joint was broken. Consumer to have all the ball joints replaced to prevent it from happening on the other side.*ak
The ball joint broke on the front left side. Nlm
Noise was being emitted by suspension system. Noise appeared as a metal to metal sound that consumer felt was very unsafe, it felt like suspension was about ready to fall off. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
The vehicle wanders while driving, the dealer has replaced ball joints, tie rods, steering box, tires and shocks but the problems still exist, dealer has also performed 6 alignments. Nlm
Control arm upper ball joint broke while driving at highway speeds, causing tire to blowout, and wheel to break in half, resulting in vehicle losing control. Vehicle is at dealership for repairs. *ak
I was on the highway going at the speed of 45mph when the ball joint on the front passanger tire broke, causing me to go through 3 lanes without warning and almost flipping my car over. This is not the first time where I have almost lost my life due to manufacturer defects. Last year while driving on the highway, the wipers went out on me in the middle of a thunderstorm. The wipers died out on me a total of 6 times in the last 2 years with over 10 visits to dealers for repairs. The ball joint cracking caused the cv boot to be damaged, the stabilizer lines were damaged, the line cover was damaged, and the dealer found that all 4 ball joints were severly bad - not because fo driving but manufacturer defect. The car is only four years old how could so many things be bad on a car that isn't even 4 years old. The warrantly co. And manufacturer refuse to be responsible for damage caused to other components because of the broken ball joint. The engine cooler line is also bad, including the clamp which has been replaced already by outside source. The wipers have shut down more than once and it took over 10 visits to get them fixed - including paying out of pocket expense of $433.00. The car has almost cost me my life more than 6 times on the highway at high speeds. Sorry to say - this car has been nothing but a death trap from day one.
Ea 99 022/upper and lower control arm ball joint: front left wheel collapsed while traveling at 10 MPH. Towed vehicle to dealer, and informed consumer that upper ball joint broke off the socket. This vehicle was not covered under a manufacturer's recall due to VIN.
As I made a left hand turn there was a clunk and the truck veered to the right. I slowed and regained control and pulled on to the shoulder of the road just missing the gaurd rails. The passenger side tire was collapsed. The dealer confirmed the upper ball joint had snapped. Replaced both upper ball joints as the technician reported the driver side one was worn.
Right front wheel separated from vehicle. Dealer has repaired the vehicle.
While driving the left upper ball joint broke and pulled from the socket, all ball joints required replacement, all showing excessive wear.
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