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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DASH PANEL PAD CAN SHIFT INTERFERRING WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.
Safety risk
THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REMOVE A PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL PAD SO IT CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
11
73,262 mi
Air bags: frontal
4
—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
4
49,000 mi
Suspension: front
4
86,000 mi
Air bags
3
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
3
—
Vehicle speed control
3
—
Wheels: rim
3
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
2
—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
2
—
Power train: automatic transmission
2
35,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
2
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
2
—
Steering: rack and pinion
2
—
Wheels
2
—
Air bags: side/window
1
—
Electrical system
1
185,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling
1
86,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine
1
77,000 mi
Equipment
1
60,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights
1
69,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline
1
117,766 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
1
—
Power train: axle assembly
1
120,100 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
1
—
Seat belts: front: retractor
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
1
30,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system
1
—
Structure: body
1
205,000 mi
Structure: body: door
1
—
Suspension
1
—
Suspension: front: control arm
1
—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint
1
120,100 mi
Tires: sidewall
1
—
Tires: tread/belt
1
—
Unknown or other
1
—
The 1997 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.
