Consumer was driving at 30 mph when the right front passenger wheel came off. Vehicle was towed, and it was determined that the lower ball joints separated, and the axle cracked. Manufacturer stated that this vehicle was not included in the ball joint NHTSA recall 99V069000.....as aresult, of broken lower ball joint right front wheel detached and was lodged undeneath the body of the vehicle. The front end was on the ground, and fluid was leaking all over the road. Consumer called aaa and vehicle was towed T a local mechanic, who identified the problem as a broken right side lower ball joint. However, it was obvious to the mechanic that this was not a typical problen, and was not the result of naural wear. There was a technical servic ebulletin which applied to this vehicle. Mechanic replaced lower ball joint and cracked axle. In addition, had the ball joint on the other side replaced, even though it seemed to be tight, as a precaution so that this would not happen again.

- Cheshire, CT, USA