Recall - Front Lower Ball Joint Replacement: Overview
September 2006Dealer Service Instructions for:
Safety Recall No. F23 -- Lower Ball Joints
Effective immediately, this recall (Safety Recall F23) cancels and supersedes Safety Recall C36 Lower Ball Joints. Please remove and discard from your files all copies of Safety Recall C36 (dated December 2003). All vehicles involved in Recall C36, whether completed or not, must have this recall performed.
Models
2002-2006 (KJ) Jeep(R) Liberty
NOTE: This recall applies only to the above vehicles built through March 15, 2006 (MDH 031510).
IMPORTANT:
Some of the involved vehicles may be in dealer new vehicle inventory. Federal law requires you to stop sale and complete this recall service on these vehicles before retail delivery. Dealers should also consider this requirement to apply to used vehicle inventory and should perform this recall on vehicles in for service. Involved vehicles can be determined by using the VIP inquiry process.
Subject
Water may enter into the front suspension lower ball joints on about 820,000 of the above vehicles. This can cause the ball joint to corrode and separate. Ball joint separation can result in a loss of steering control and could cause a crash without prior warning.
Repair
Both front suspension lower ball joints must be replaced.
NOTE:
Ball joint heat shields must also be installed on 2002 and 2003 model
year vehicles that did not have Safety Recall C36 performed.
IMPORTANT:
Owners involved in this recall will be notified in phases by model year (oldest-to-newest) based on parts availability.
Parts Information
Special Tool
Completion Reporting and Reimbursement
Claims for vehicles that have been serviced must be submitted on the DIAL or DealerCONNECT System. Claims submitted will be used by DaimlerChrysler to record recall service completions and provide dealer payments.
Use the labor operation number and time allowance shown.
Dealer Notification
All dealers will receive three copies of this dealer recall notification letter by mail. To view this notification on DealerCONNECT, select "Global Recall System" on the Service tab, then click on the description of this notification.
Owner Notification and Service Scheduling
All involved vehicle owners known to DaimlerChrysler are being notified of the service requirement by first class mail. They are requested to schedule appointments for this service with their dealers. A generic copy of the owner letter is included.
Enclosed with each owner letter is an Owner Notification postcard to allow owners to update our records if applicable.
IMPORTANT:
Owners involved in this recall will be notified in phases by model year (oldest-to-newest) based on parts availability.
Vehicle Lists, Global Recall System, VIP and Dealer Follow Up
All involved vehicles have been entered into the DealerCONNECT Global Recall System (GRS) and Vehicle Information Plus (VIP) for dealer inquiry as needed.
GRS provides involved dealers with an updated VIN list of their incomplete
vehicles. The owner's name, address and phone number are listed if known.
Completed vehicles are removed from GRS within several days of repair claim submission.
To use this system, click on the "Service" tab and then click on "Global Recall System." Your dealer's VIN list for each recall displayed can be sorted by: those vehicles that were unsold at recall launch, those with a phone number, city, zip code, or VIN sequence.
Dealers must perform this repair on all unsold vehicles before retail delivery. Dealers should also use the VIN list to follow up with all owners to schedule appointments for this repair.
Recall VIN lists may contain confidential, restricted owner name and address information that was obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles of various states. Use of this information is permitted for this recall only and is strictly prohibited from all other use.
Additional Information
If you have any questions or need assistance in completing this action, please contact your Service and Parts District Manager.
Customer Services Field Operations
DaimlerChrysler Corporation