VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS WHEN THEY WERE ATTACHED TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS.
Safety risk
IF THE BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS ARE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED, THEY CAN LOOSEN AND ULTIMATELY, RESULT IN FRACTURE OF THE BALL JOINT STUD. IF THE BALL JOINT FRACTURES, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE ON THE TWO BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS. VEHICLES WITH LOOSE BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS WILL EITHER HAVE THE FASTENERS TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION, OR IF NECESSARY, THE BALL JOINTS WILL BE REPLACED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Safety risk
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND CHANGE, IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES.
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
18
66,000 mi
Suspension
12
90,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
7
56,400 mi
Suspension: front
6
118,000 mi
Electrical system
5
60,000 mi
Steering
5
60,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
5
60,000 mi
Power train
4
75,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls
4
51,000 mi
Air bags: frontal
3
15,000 mi
Air bags
2
—
Engine
2
60,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly
2
49,568 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
2
—
Equipment
2
60,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline
2
60,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint
2
54,000 mi
Tires: sidewall
2
—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
2
48,300 mi
Engine and engine cooling
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system
1
60,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
1
102,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
1
54,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
1
77,297 mi
Power train: axle assembly
1
38,000 mi
Seat belts
1
98,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor
1
—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust
1
54,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic
1
60,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
1
—
Structure
1
—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar
1
55,281 mi
Suspension: rear
1
—
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems
1
60,000 mi
Unknown or other
1
100,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior
1
—
The 2000 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2002 model has 4 times 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.