Problem: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
NHTSA recall 89V237000 · Dec 27, 1989 · 634,000 vehicles
Problem: THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
Risk: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
Fix: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
Shadow
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
Shadow
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
Shadow
22mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
Shadow
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
Shadow
21mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Shadow
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
Shadow
19mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags Frontal
15
9
0
8
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Engine › Gasoline
10
1
3
0
—
Electrical system Ignition › Module; Wiring › Interior/under dash
4
0
1
0
—
Exterior lighting Brake lights; Headlights
4
1
0
0
—
Power train Automatic transmission; Axle assembly
4
0
0
0
—
Suspension Front; Rear › Springs › Coil springs
3
1
0
0
—
Steering Steering wheel/handle bar
3
1
1
1
—
Vehicle speed control
2
2
0
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
1
1
0
0
—
Seats Front assembly › Recliner
1
1
0
1
—
Seat belts Front › Anchorage
1
1
0
0
—
Parking brake Conventional
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Nov 14, 2003 · 111,632 miles · crash · 1 injuryAir bags › Frontal MY DAUGHTER HIT A POT HOLE, HER AIR BAG DEPLOYED GIVING HER A VERY BRUISED FACE, SWOLLEN, BLACK EYE, NUMEROUS SCRATCHES AND CUTS AND A BURNED HAND. HER CAR IS NOT DAMAGED AT ALL EXCEPT FOR THE AIR BAG BEING DEPLOYED. EMERGENCY ROOM DOCTORS SAY THIS NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. *LA
Oct 15, 2000 · fireEngine and engine cooling › Engine RECALL 89V237000/ ENGINE:GASKET:VALVE COVER: VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH UNDER THE HOOD, LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Jan 29, 2000 · crash · 1 injuryAir bags › Frontal VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG FROM AN IMPACT OF 15 MPH. DEPLOYMENT CAUSED CHEMICAL BURNS ON DRIVER'S LEFT HAND/RIGHT WRIST/CHIN, AND NECK. ALSO, RECEIVED BRUISES AND SCRATCHES. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK
Sep 21, 1999 · 1 injuryAir bags › Frontal WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ,TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT ,DRIVER MADE A QUICK STOP AND DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING BURNS AND BRUISES ON FACE AND CHEST. *AK
Sep 21, 1999 · 1 injuryAir bags › Frontal WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH SLAMMED ON BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING SOMEONE, AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER'S JAW WAS INJURED, HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL. *AK
Sep 6, 1998Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline THERE IS SMOKE COMING OFF OF THE ENGINE FROM LEAKING OIL. *AK
Mar 18, 1999 · 1 injuryAir bags VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG CAUSED BURNS TO ARMS, STOMACH, CHEST, CHEST AND A BROKEN STERNUM.
Dec 22, 1998Exterior lighting › Headlights PLASTIC HEADLIGHT COVERS HAVE TURNED YELLOW, NIGHTTIME VISIBILITY IS IMPAIRED.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA93009 · opened Apr 21, 1993 · closed Jul 22, 1994STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION There is no summary currently available