Gm/upper ball joint separation
Defect Summary
This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. however, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. vehicle description: 1996-1997 4-wheel drive chevrolet blazer, gmc jimmy, and oldsmobile bravada sport utility vehicles. some owners have had to pay for replacement of the upper ball joints that have separated. gm is providing a special policy to these owners to cover upper ball joint replacement if the customer followed the recommended maintenance schedule for the chassis lubrication and the vehicle still required the replacement of the upper ball joints due to separation.
Safety Consequence
This could cause a loss of steering control of the vehicle.
Corrective Action
Gm has decided to conduct a customer satisfaction campaign to replace the upper ball joints on affected vehicles. this special policy is for a period of 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the date the vheicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. the upper ball joint replacement, due to separation, will be made at no charge to the customer during this period. owners can contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-862-4389, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, concerning this program.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from General Motors, Llc or involving Suspension.
FAQ: Recall 01I018000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 01I018000?
NHTSA recall 01I018000 was issued by General Motors, Llc on December 4, 2001. It addresses: Gm/upper ball joint separation. The recall affects approximately 0 vehicles, with the defect involving the Suspension component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized General Motors, Llc dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 01I018000 or the manufacturer campaign number NR (Not Reported). Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.