I am writing in regards to a 2001 Honda Accord that I own. I have close to 76,000 miles, and I have always done every recommended service with a local Honda dealer here in canandaigua, NY. On June 21, 2007 I took the Honda to dealer for a noise in the rear of the car, it turned out to be rear stabilizer joints, both of them were replaced. Not even a week later, I am driving home from a short trip and hear this loud pop like my tire blew up. I had no idea what was happening, the next thing I knew something was scraping the road, and I could see some smoke in the rear view mirror, I somehow stopped the car and my mother and I get out. Fortunately, we weren't killed, a lower ball joint separated and pulled the axle out of the transmission and fluid leaked all over. I never expected this from a Honda, especially when I took good care of the car. My next question was the life expectancy of a lower ball joint, was it something that could go or break apart. Also, I would like to know how this could happen with no warning signs. When repairing the car I had the dealer check the other ball joints on the other side, and they noticed some play or movement in them. So they replaced the upper and lower ball joints on the other side. Which was also odd to me that 3 out of 4 ball joints needed replacement at such low mileage. I had the car inspected at the Honda dealer in October 2006, and during an inspection I understood that ball joints were to be looked at. If so, how come I was not informed of any rust in the ball joints at that time. How could they possibly have gotten so bad in 8 months time to cause such a catastrophe.

- Geneva, NY, USA