THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND HEARD A LOUD "POP" FROM THE FRONT WHEEL AREA. WITHOUT WARNING, THE CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED, WHICH CAUSED SEVERE INJURIES FOR SOME PASSENGERS. INSPECTION REVEALED THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE HAD SEPARATED. RELATED INVESTIGATION PE 02-044. *JB