I was driving when the front end started making a weird noise. I thought it was my breaks so I continued for about 500 feet. I noticed my vehicle was not driving properly as I turned a corner. I got out a saw that the front left tire had fallen off and was leaning against the frame. I had the vehicle towed to my mechanic. He said the upper and lower ball joints had disintegrated. He also noted that the same thing was happening on the other side. As a result, he replaced both sides and fixed some damage to the axle that resulted from the tire falling off. He said the parts had been maintained properly (adequate grease) and that they were probably bad from the factory.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

While pulling out of the garage right wheel separated from the axle. Mechanic indicated that upper and lower ball joints broke previous to the accident, consumer heard a grinding noise, and he thought it was the brakes.

- Omaha, NE, USA

Wheel bearings failed at 35000 miles. Almost killed on interstate. Garage stated that they see this all the time and GM refuses to admit any liability.

- Avon, OH, USA

Lower ball joints wear out prematurely.

- Columbus, MT, USA

My vehicle is a 1999 GMC Jimmy. It has 65000 miles and I am the original owner and primary driver. The front hubs/bearings have both been replaced in the last 9 months, one at 50,600 miles, and nowone at 65,000 miles. The problem was not fixed by replacing the hub/bearings units. I was told yesterday that both of the front lower ball joints and an idler arm need to be replaced in addition to the hub/bearing. The shop working on the vehicle indicated that this was not normal at 65,000 miles, and that the condition of the ball joints made the vehicle unsafe to drive. I called GM and got absolutely no support from the district service representative since all of my repairs were not done at a GM dealership. The reason I stopped going to GM dealerships was poor service, inflated prices and recommendations for work to be done that wasn't necessary.

- Williamston, MI, USA

Vehicle was purchased in 02/01 with 32,195 miles. Within 7000 miles right side upper/lower ball joints and idler arm failed and were replaced. Approximately 2 months later, dealer had to replace the left upper/lower ball joints/ right lower ball joints, and the idler arm again due to being prematurely worn. Within an additional 11000 miles, dealer had to replace the lower ball joints on both the right and left sides and the idler arm again.

- Long Grove, IL, USA

I purchased a 1999 GMC Jimmy for my daughter. All through the warranty period, there have been problems that still have not been fixed.the brakes have never worked properly, parts inside the vehicle have fallen off, the antenna has fallen off, the electrical system (heating and cooling) has not worked properly, the outside mirrors and windows have not worked properly, the electrical system has buzzed when the radio is on, there has always been a banging noise underneath the vehicle. The left front hub assembly was replaced-didn't correct the probelm-had it replaced again 2 weeks ago-same condition still exists. They finally found the lower and upper ball joints on the passenger side were coming apart-replaced them-but noise (loud sometimes) is still there. Have been taking this vehicle in for repairs since I bought it-have been without the vehicle over 30 days in the warranty perioid. Now-after breaking down twice again in the last 2 months (a condition I've been trying to have them fix since 11/01) due to no power when I press on the gas-it's going in again. It is 2 hours one-way to the dealer (silviera, healdsburg, ca) for me. I believe they have been trying-but I think this vehicle is really now, and has always been a lemon. The vehicle has only 50,000 miles on it, and it is not dependable (never has been). After all these times in for service-taking a day off work every time to get it to them, I've had it. My daughter (college student) who I bought the vehicle for (I wanted her to have something reliable for college), now uses my car-so she won't get stuck all the time. I am ready to put the lemon law into effect with this vehicle.

- Manchester, CA, USA

Front upper ball joints breakage causing front wheel to come off and improper aligment-steering, battery problems, front passenger seat recliner handle breakage.

- Elgin, IL, USA

During yearly inspection mechanic noticed both front lower ball joints were broken. Consumer failed state inspection due to this. Consumer states that the front right pitman arm was gone when he went back for inspection on the second time, consumer is requesting reimbursement.

- Lowell, MA, USA