Component
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
4,785 NHTSA complaints about suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint issues across 35 makes and 248 models.
The suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 4,785 filings from 35 manufacturers and 248 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.
Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 238 crashes, 11 fires, 154 injuries, and 6 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the DODGE DURANGO with 1,128 filings, followed by JEEP LIBERTY and DODGE DAKOTA. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.
Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DODGE DURANGO | 1,128 |
| 2 | JEEP LIBERTY | 966 |
| 3 | DODGE DAKOTA | 631 |
| 4 | TOYOTA TUNDRA | 144 |
| 5 | LINCOLN LS | 143 |
| 6 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 120 |
| 7 | MITSUBISHI GALANT | 99 |
| 8 | CHRYSLER SEBRING | 94 |
| 9 | DODGE AVENGER | 86 |
| 10 | LINCOLN TOWN CAR | 69 |
| 11 | FORD CROWN VICTORIA | 67 |
| 12 | MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE | 54 |
| 13 | GMC JIMMY | 52 |
| 14 | TOYOTA SEQUOIA | 48 |
| 15 | EAGLE TALON | 45 |
| 16 | FORD F-150 | 41 |
| 17 | TOYOTA TACOMA | 40 |
| 18 | FORD EXPLORER | 39 |
| 19 | HONDA ACCORD | 34 |
| 20 | DODGE STRATUS | 34 |
| 21 | DODGE RAM 1500 | 34 |
| 22 | DODGE RAM 2500 | 33 |
| 23 | JAGUAR S-TYPE | 28 |
| 24 | FORD F-250 SD | 21 |
| 25 | CHEVROLET S10 | 20 |
| 26 | CHRYSLER CIRRUS | 17 |
| 27 | CHEVROLET LUMINA | 17 |
| 28 | TOYOTA 4RUNNER | 16 |
| 29 | MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS | 16 |
| 30 | DODGE INTREPID | 16 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, there was a thumping and clicking sound coming from the front of the vehicle before the front passen
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while reversing, the contact noticed an abnormal sound before the vehicle stopped. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, th
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving on the highway at 55 MPH, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the front passengerâs side, and the vehicle started t
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 55 MPH, the contact became aware that the vehicle was not exceeding 55 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine w
See attached document for complaint.
Lower ball joint broke Lower control arm collapse causing the to come off
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the steering wheel suddenly pulled to the right and front driver's side wheel detached from underneath the
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the front passengerâs side tire detached. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road. The vehicle
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that there was an unknown abnormal sound detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent tire cen
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that moments after exiting the freeway, the front end of the vehicle began to shake and vibrate. While driving approximately 5 MPH, there was a
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was a clicking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the d
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the front passengerâs side of the vehicle. The contact s
The contact owns a 2016 Ford-250. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced severe shaking and vibration after driving over bumps on the roadway. The vehicle was
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, she heard an abnormal rubbing and squeaking sound coming from underneath both front wheel wells. The vehicl
Complete failure and separation of the lower ball joint. Caused the wheel to fall off, damaging the front fender and jamming the front door making the door stuck closed. Fortunate we did not crash int
The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passengerâs side tire inadvertently detached. There was no warning light illuminated. The ve
The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that after making a left turn, the front driver-side wheel detached and no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to an in
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, he depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to engage. As a result, the contact crashed into a sm
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at various speeds, an abnormal sound was heard coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was ta
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the front driverâs side tire detached from the vehicle. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. T
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Data Sources
Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.
Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.
Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.