Click and Clack: Is losing a wheel on a CR-V common?

Dear Tom and Ray

I have a ‘97 Honda CR-V that has a persistent problem: The front wheels keep falling off. First the left front wheel fell off while turning left at an intersection. Then the right one fell off while traveling 50 mph on a state highway. Luckily, there was a cop behind me when it happened, and he flipped on his lights while I struggled to the shoulder. Finally, a few days ago, the left front wheel fell off again, while I was turning left to go out of my neighbor’s driveway. My question is, Are Honda CR-Vs known for this sort of behavior? My various mechanics have claimed there’s a design flaw that leaves the weight of the car resting on the lower ball joint at the wheels. Is this in fact the case, and have other CR-Vs dropped a wheel or two? ­— Jerome (more…)