2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Jul 15, 2015 · Steering · OK · crash

2006 jeep grand cherokee. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle steering and tie rod assembly issues. *smd the consumer stated on april 13, 2015, the steering locked up and the left front tie rod failed and caused an accident. The consumer was driving 30 MPH when the accident happened. He also side-swiped another vehicle, before coming to rest. The consumer stated other suspension components were damaged as well.

Filed Nov 29, 2012 · Suspension · 97,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 jeep grand cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the front passenger side tire assembly detached from the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle would not move any farther. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic advised the contact that the rocker arm, ball joints, tires, and the front passenger side tire assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that the vehicle was not included in any recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 97,000. Returned by usps. 2nd attempt on 1/4/2013 failed.

Filed Aug 18, 2011 · Body, Suspension · 132,240 miles · MI

Long story short my wife heard a noise in the passenger side front end. I had her stop by belle tire (where tires came from) to check it out. They said the passenger side lower control arm bracket separated from the frame and was not safe to drive! Belle said they had never seen anything like it! I had it taken to town & country collision in flat rock (an a-1 shop) and they said they can't fix it unless they replace the whole frame! I also have a friend that's an insurance adjuster who has never seen anything like it! I'm wondering if there were ever any incidents in your system for anything like this? I will offer to give you the vehicle, as I did with chrysler in my complaint to them, for investigative purposes? I know from my years of work in the automotive industry that there were salt spray tests & requirements on most chassis parts. People are astounded that a 15 year old jeep that's never been in an accident and is garaged and kept clean and maintained and still running like top could have a failure as this! Any assistance or direction you can provide is appreciated.

Filed Apr 3, 2011 · Suspension · 45,102 miles · OR · crash

The oem nut holding the pinch bolt to the upper control arm in my 2006 jeep grand cherokee limited came loose and ultimately fell off. This caused the upper control arm to separate from the vehicle, which resulted in the front driver's side wheel and hub assembly breaking off from the axle while in motion. The vehicle came to a stop with three intact wheels and the driver's side wheel underneath the body. Fortunately, the vehicle was not at highway speed or severe injury or death would have been probable, due to the loss of the entire assembly and the loss of all brake system hydraulic pressure, as the brake line was also severed. The oem nut holding the pinch weld to the upper control arm appears inadequately designed to withstand routine removal and retightening for service such as wheel alignment and suspension adjustments. There appears to be inadequate engineering thought into ensuring, at a minimum, a simple mechanism to securely fasten the nut (e.g., cotter pin, serrated flange, or other locking feature). This is a severe oversight given the potential danger associated with an upper control arm separation at speed.

Filed Aug 17, 2009 · Steering · 31,000 miles · CA · crash

I have a 2006 grand cherokee with 30,000 miles. While driving on a residential road, the steering gave out and the vehicle crashed into cars on the right - the vehicle was going around 15mps. Upon inspection the actual inner ball joint that threads into the power steering unit broke free causing the front right wheel to cut loose. The threads were stripped off of the ball joint that connects the rod into the power steering unit. My insurance adjusters quote did not include the steering rack/rod as he did not believe it broke due to the impact in the accident. The threads in the power steering unit are fine. Chrysler's investigation determined are not responsible and there was no component failure. The damage on the vehicle was all front end (bumper, grill, etc) and there is no damage on any of the steering components, just the failed threads. If the steering did fail and the vehicle was on the highway this accident could have been very severe. The steering rack has been replaced and the old parts are available for inspection.