The problem
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.
The 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.
The fix
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.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 00V421002 (00V421002) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 967 |
| Manufacturer | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| Component | Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint |
| Report date | December 18, 2000 |
| Owners notified | May 21, 2001 |
| Vehicles affected | 393,796 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the suspension
- 1995 Chrysler Sebring suspension problems 46
- 1996 Chrysler Sebring suspension problems 85
- 1997 Chrysler Sebring suspension problems 36
- 1998 Chrysler Sebring suspension problems 35
- 1999 Chrysler Sebring suspension problems 33
- 2000 Chrysler Sebring suspension problems 16
- 1995 Dodge Avenger suspension problems 59
- 1996 Dodge Avenger suspension problems 59
- 1997 Dodge Avenger suspension problems 19
- 1998 Dodge Avenger suspension problems 17
- 1999 Dodge Avenger suspension problems 13
- 2000 Dodge Avenger suspension problems 4
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 00V421002 repair free?
Yes. Chrysler dealers will fix the problem at no cost: 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.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 393,796 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.