Air conditioning failure on 1998 Dodge Durango. Charged with R134 with a leak detection dye. Found dye pouring out bottom of heater core housing. Evaporator failure and was told by my mechanic that the evaporator is made from real inexpensive "pop" metal and is subject to a high failure rate on this type of vehicle. Quoted $900-1100 to remove dashboard and install new evaporator.

- Mckees Rocks, RI, USA

I purchased a 1998 Dodge Durango in March of 1998. The car was brand new with 3 miles on it. The car was excellent until about 52,000 miles. 1st repair, water pump. At about 56,000 transmission rebuild. At about 61,000 heater core, and power steering fluid leaking. At 77,000 transmission rebuild again. At about 80,000 miles, steering wheel started to stiffen up and very difficult to turn wheel they told me I needed a new rack and pinion. Durangos do not have rack and pinions, they have gear boxes. At about 94,000 transmission rebuild. At 106,000 trasnmission rebuild and installed a transmission cooler this time around along with an aftermarket transmission gauge which tells me the temp of the trans(price was $125 for gauge and wiring). Called Dodge was like talking to my dog, they said that it wasn't their problem. I swore to all my friends and relatives that the day I buy another Chrysler is the day I eat S*!!! Dodge cars and trucks suck, their customer service is crap and I had to spend money $$$ out of my own pocket for repairs alone almost $9,500, out of which Chrysler kept saying its not our problem. You know when its their problem, when they screw with someone who isn't just joe schmoe walking in to buy a car. Someone with a degree in law so that they can royally ge smacked in the face and help all the other unfortunate ones who are stuck with Dodge sucks (trucks). Whoever wants to buy a Dodge, be prepared for a rude awakening. They are going to rape you!

- Norridge, IL, USA

I have been advised by my Goodyear mechanic that my 1998 Dodge Durango is not safe to drive because all upper and lower ball joints are wore out and need to be replaced. The vehicle has 82000 miles on it. The repair is going to cost over $400.I have receipts that show regular maintenance is preformed on the vehicle. I think someone is not doing there job, because it seems that there are a lot of complaints about this problem. As well as major media coverage. On your complaint form you ask how many deaths. Well I'm glad I didn't have any to list.how many people have to die before you people decide to react to this complaint. I have also had to replace the front A/C evaporator core at a cost of $750. No deaths to report in this case either (sorry).this is the first Dodge I have ever owned. It may be my last. I am replacing to 4 ball joints as we speak... because I am concerned with my family's safety. Even if you are not. Thanks for letting me vent... tom bottoms

- Campbellsville, KY, USA

While driving my vehicle in congested traffic, the air conditioning unit released all of the R-134 a into the enclosed cab. I was exposed to the substance for quite awhile before I realized what had happened. I finally pulled off of the road, and exited the vehicle. I had severe headaches and nausea for a couple days. If I had an infant in the vehicle, there could have been a death due to this malfunction.

- Marietta, PA, USA

I had a complete automatic transmission failure at just over 60,000 miles. I contacted Dodge and they acted as if it wasn't their problem. Cost me $2000 dollars for a complete rebuild. Then after one month of having transmission redone the air conditioning went and cost me another $800 dollars. I complained again and again was treated as if it were my fault. I have a friend that works for a local Dodge dealership and he told me that Dodge does know about this problem and are denying it exists because of the large number of recalls that would result. He said they did a study and found out that the transmissions that were installed from '97 until 2000 were to small to handle the payload of the Durango. They have since fixed that problem but will not admit to earlier damages to the earlier models. By the way, Dodge only charges the dealers $400 dollars for the rebuild kits.

- Boardman, OH, USA

I have complained with this previously but now have a more in depth complaint. I took my truck to the shop to finally have the air ducts checked. After removing the complete dashboard, the mechanic found a door which was broken that was causing the air to flow out the feet ducts instead of the dash vents. The door broke because some sticky-back foam got unstuck and stuck to something else putting the door under strain and finally breaking it. The foam, I believe, was to keep down the noise of the door opening and closing. Anyway, when that part in question was ordered, part #21, a door was sent but it wasn't the correct door. After intense investigation by the local Dodge dealer, it was determined that the manufacturer could not produce the correct door because the numbers in their system didn't match the numbers on the door. I have all the numbers written down, unfortunately they are not with me. I can produce them if needed. When inquiring with other dealers about the door, we found they also had run into the problem and had no solution for their customers as well. We found out that this is a nation-wide problem and those dealers who actually have the part on their premises will not give them up for fear of needing them for their own customers. I am appalled that a manufacter can not or will not produce a much needed part to a consumer and will brush them off. I spent right at $500 for a someone to tell me that they can't do anything to help me. I live in a very hot part of the country and have spent many days sweltering in my vehicle. This is an absolute outrage and I demand either a fix or a reimbursement for my hard-earned money or really both. I need cool air and I need to fix my broken pocket book. When I ever get rid of this vehicle, I will never buy another daimler product. It is sad to think they can't even service or supply parts for their own creations. Please don't ignore this complaint. I haven't gotten anywhere with Dodge and I feel ignored. Thanks.

- Cruger, MS, USA

Needed to replace evaporator core on a 98 Dodge Durango. Had the same problem with a 1994 Plymouth, Voyager a little more than a year ago. Have been told by a friend that works as a service advisor for a dealer that Chrysler has problems with evaporator cores. Seems to me, he may be right, since I've replaced 2 in 2 different Chrysler vehicles at $700 each in just a little over a year. I have never had this problem with any other make vehicle that I've ever owned, plus it seems that this new of a vehicle should not need an evaporator core already. Air conditioner just started blowing warm air. Husband bought a charging kit and charged the air conditioner. It worked for a very short time, then was blowing warm air again. We could hear a hissing or leaking noise under the dash board on the passenger side of the vehicle. Confirmed by garage that it was an evaporator core that needs replaced. We were also told at the auto parts store where we bought the charging kit that there had been five people in that day who had also bought charging kits for Dodge Durangos.

- Cogan Station, PA, USA

I stopped at a service station to have the air checked. When he put air in the tire, it was leaking more. The tire repair station took the tire off the rim and noticed that the tire was splitting from the inside out. He said he has never seen that happen before....splitting from the inside out. The tire is no good anymore and I still have a lot of tread left on it. He took my spare off, from under the vehicle and noticed that it has been hot and melted the rubber from the exhaust. I have smelled rubber before but thought that was from the air conditioner that I have been having so much trouble with since I bought the vehicle. It has caused an electrical shortage before. The air conditioner is leaking freon and every few months, I have to go have it filled. Can't find the leak and have taken it to 4-6 different dealers for the problem. When running the air conditioner, moisture runs down the sides of the dash vents with all the windows closed. The last dealer I took it took, told me that they can't find the leak and believes it is somewhere in the dash. They have been too busy and shorthanded to get to it right now. I have also complained to several dealers about the floor between the drivers seat and passenger seat. I lay my purse on there and when I go to town and pick my purse up, the bottom of my purse is really hot. When I drive for a long period of time, my foot that runs the gas pedal gets really hot and swollen from the heat coming from the same area. The dealers have all told me that nothing was wrong. When I first bought the vehicle I noticed a noise in where I thought it was the brakes and took it to the shop. I found out that the suspension was falling apart and bolts were missing. Luckily, there was no accident over that. Manufacturers need to be more cautious.( dot number: Tire size: 31X10.50R )

- Concord, AR, USA

Air conditional has not cooled properly since we bought vehicle, during summer hot months the vehicle is unable to keep the inside cool and comfortable. First trip to dealership was 5 days from taking ownership, I have been to 3 dealerships over the past 1 1/2 yrs and no one has been able to fix this. Most say I'm crazy. Brakes have squeaked constantly not only during morning hours. Pad have been replaced once at 9000 miles and did not help and now at 29,000 miles it's extremely loud pad were checked last week and still they say it's normal. Engine is pinging on acceleration and has since we bought vehicle, once again dealership is saying this is normal we have tried higher octane fuel and also mid to supreme gas and it still continues, I can only get roughly 280 - 290 miles to a tank of gas. When I met the dealer rep he informed me tires were wearing badly and to be sure we rotate these tires every 3000 miles which we have done. Tires have now worn out and dealership is saying that this is normal. Some how this differs if I had not rotated them then they would have worn out differently but due to the rotating it's evenly worn out and now they won't take care of this problem.

- Richmond, VA, USA

Air conditioner not cooling, required tsb repair. Mjs

- Tempe, AZ, USA

Air conditioner out of order.

- Rowland He, CA, USA

Compressor failed.

- Yorba Linda, CA, USA