This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
While driving at high speeds vehicle shook, causing the driver to slow down. Consumer contacted dealership, and mechanic determined that the upper ball joints wore out prematurely.
Rotors and pads were replaced every 13.000 miles. The last time vehicle was repaired the rotors/pads were replaced. Consumer stated brakes were replaced four times. Also, upper ball joints were replaced at 50.000 miles.
I am the original owner of a 1998 Dodge Durango with 69000 miles. My passenger side front wheel is making a clicking sound anytime that I turn the vehicle. I have discussed this with a local mechanic. He in formed that he has had this complaint before and has determined it to be the upper ball joints. I have called plaza Dodge in holiday Florida in which they informed me that there is no recall on this issue. I will be getting this looked into further to have it repaired by my mechanic. I have read many reports since being informed of this problem and I am concerned for all owners of this vehicle and the Dakota. This problem could become life threatening if not corrected.
Vehicle was taken to the dealer for a routine check up and the mechanic determined that both frontal wheels came off and that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.
- Bayfield, WI, USA
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While driving at any speed a squeaking sound was coming from the front end. Dealer checked the vehicle, and found that the upper ball joints were severely worn out. The cruise control never worked. (intermittent problem)
Consumer stated that vehicle was driving as if it needed an alignment. But when she took vehicle to dealer, and mechanic determined that suspension system malfunctioned. Also, ball joints cracked in half. Consumer was told that if she hit a hard bump front tires would have fallen off. Consumer never received recall or any warning.
I had my 1998 Dodge Durango checked by my mechanic after a friend had told me of the new story regarding ball joint failure. Indeed the mechanic said both ball joints were in terrible condition and required replacement. The mechanic stated that it was very unusual to have to replace this part at such a low mileage, 72,000 miles, but that it is very dangerous to be driving the vehicle in the condition the parts are in. I feel this should be a recall item as there appears to be numerous incidences of this part failing prematurely.
1998 Durango premature ball joint failure. My Durango required ball joint replacement 13 months after the original purchase of this new vehicle, and for over the last year I have noticed that the problem has returned. I'd like to get the problem fixed, but I'd like to see if you are going to recall them. They really need to be recalled.
I have a 1998 Dodge Durango and was told that I needed new ball joints on the front of the truck. I had heard there is an investigation going on due to so many complaints on the ball joints in the 1998 to 2003 Durangos. If I had not taken it in for a routine oil change this would not have been caught and there would have been an accident. The reason it was caught was the service consultant at Dodge asked if I had checked the front end alignment lately. I said no and told him to check it. He called back with the ball joint problem that will now cost me $1800. It is very strange that they asked to check my front end alignment with an investigation going on.
The dealer replaced upper and lower ball joints on both sides if my 1998 Dodge Durango in Jan 2003. Vehicle had 69572 miles. Cost to repair was $2540.64. This complaint is in reference to NHTSA defect investigation of Dodge Durango front end problems and ball joint separation NHTSA action number: PE03032
I had heard about a program aired on T.V. regarding the upper ball joints going bad prematurely on the Dodge Durango. I took my vehicle to my regular mechanic to have it checked. I was told that both the upper and lower ball joints were bad. I made an appointment and had them replaced at a Dodge dealer. I was told that since there was not an official recall, I would have to pay for it. My life and that of my family were at jeopardy and I believe I should be fully reimbursed for the costs associated with repairing the vehicle.
The dealership noticed that the upper and lower ball joints were worn out, and needed to be replaced while performing a 3000 miles warranty service. The factory back ordered the parts.
1998 Dodge Durango upper and lower ball joints failed, requiring replacement. Vehicle was out of warranty by approximately 10,000 miles. Repairs performed at local non-dealer shop.
I own a 98 Dodge Durango slt 4X4. Within 1000 miles after I purchased the vehicle at 57,648 miles, a minor popping noise developed in the front of the vehicle, approximately in the area of the front left wheel. The noise recently got so bad that we took it to the Dodge dealership to have it diagnosed and fixed (at 80,000 miles). Upper and lower balls joints were blamed. Chrysler volunteered to cover the cost of fixing the lower ball joints, but would not cover the upper ball joints. Due to financial constraints and the refusal of our private warranty company to cover the cost of fixing the upper ball joints, we did not have the upper ball joints replaced. The popping noise is much louder now and my wife and I are very concerned about carrying our family in this vehicle. I have never had a vehicle have ball joints ware out so quickly, even after 100,000 miles.
I have a 1998 Dodge Durango with 98,000 miles on it and will now have to have the ball joints replaced for the second time. The first time was when the truck had about 45,000 miles on it (August 2000). Then I had to have the bushings on the steering bracket replaced in April 2002. Then the squeaking and popping noises returned in January 2004 and have gotten worse. I finally took it to a dealer here in raleigh, nc and they said the ball joints are bad again. The dealer said that someone actually pierced the boots and tried to lube the ball joints. It is my understanding that these Dodge ball joints are the non-greasable kind. What is being done to get Dodge to acknowledge this obvious faulty part and begin a recall of it. I'm out over $1,500 because of these faulty ball joints. I would appreciate any information that you have on this issue.
Replaced upper ball joints again, first was on 7/7/03 39,414 miles on my 1998 Dodge Durango, now again 3/25/04 45,452 miles 1st time was under warranty, now out of warranty it cost me $853.23 will I have to have them replaced again @6K miles, we were never told there may be a defect and to be cautious. The consumer doesn't understand why his vehicle is being omitted from the ball joint recall.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Wethersfield, CT, USA