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.
Bought my Durango new in May 1998. The automatic transmission started shifting improperly in July 2000. Took it to a Dodge dealer because it was still under warranty (31,418 miles). They dropped the transmission pan and pronounced it doa (pan was full of metal shavings). Should have seen the writing on the wall but I loved this vehicle. Took it to an inspection station for safety & emissions tests in may of 2006. It failed for bad ball joints. I asked the manager why his mechanics seemed to pay special attention to the front end during inspection and his reply was it was very common to find bad ball joints on approx. 50% of all 1998-2000 Durangos. Had my mechanic replace upper & lower ball joints, both sides, at 74,064 miles, to the tune of $701 plus tax. I then started hearing about other Durango owners with similar ball joint woes. I went online and started researching. Found a site where folks like myself with the same ball joint problems, some with accidents, were trying to get NHTSA to do something. I guess people actually have to die first before NHTSA will step in and tell an auto manufacturer they need to fix their faulty products. I also learned that the 1998-2000 Durangos were built on the Dodge Dakota pickup chassis. A Dakota weighs about 4,600 lbs. While a Durango 4X4 weighs in at 6,400 lbs. It's no wonder the 1998-2000 Durango front-ends were falling apart. Seriously, what kind of idiot engineers does Dodge have working for them. Sometime later I heard that Dodge rushed the Durango into production in 1998 to compete for the SUV market bucks and didn't have time to engineer a new chassis so they just modified the Dakota chassis without beefing it up. When people started to complain about ball joints and such, they built a whole new chassis for Durangos in 2001. I stumbled across this site today while researching another vehicle I'm thinking about buying.
The cv joint came out ruin the lower ball joints which caused rubbing on my inner rim, after a while it has cause the inner rim to to break out while I was driving. We have replaced the cv joint, wheel hub bearing, upper and lower ball joints and the steering ball joint. Now the lower ball joint is still hitting the inner rim and I can't drive
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, he noticed an abnormal noise from the front end. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis, who stated that the front upper and lower ball joints would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000 updated 02/11/2014
I own a 1998 Dodge Durango. I have replaced the ball joints once. At a regular tire rotation, I was told they are wearing out again. Based upon research - this is an existing problem with Durango models from 1998 to the present. A recall of the Durango is needed to address this.
I took vehicle to my mechanic, complaint regarding left front brake. Already had new brakes, rotors replaced one year ago. Mechanic found that the ball joints need replaced. Vehicle has 59,000 miles on it, and has already had ball joints replaced, during a tsb repair bulletin, several years ago, on my 1998 Dodge Durango, 4X4. Mechanic says that spindles need replaced, along with ball joints. Premature failure, vehicle should drive for 100,000 miles before a failure such as this on the ball joints. Currently waiting on parts from dealer, to replace worn parts, had extended warranty, but already ran out in May 2005. Am also having bushings replaced, due to extreme temps in phoenix area. Will cost over $3000 to do the repairs, which should either be recalled by DC, or covered under warranty. Will also call and complain to dealer.
- Mesa, AZ, USA
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1998 Dodge Durango developed problems with the front hub assembly and the upper and lower ball joints.** answer required***. in the year 2000 the consumer had the rear differential totally replaced.
The consumers 1998 Durango needed both front and rear upper and lower ball joint replacement. The consumer experienced a spin out accident due to front end instability and bad tie rod ends. The consumer suggested that the front tires wore out in one year.
Consumer have a 1998 Dodge Durango, with ball joints problem and had to replace the whole front end. The consumer believes the older models should also be recalled.
Ball joints had to be replaced in my 1998 Durango in 2002. I kept hearing popping noises from the front wheels when I turned into a parking space or came to a stop sign.
Consumer has concerns for the numerous repairs and the safety of the vehicle. (nar) the vehicle's left lower ball joint (three times), right inner tie rod (twice), left inner tie rod, left upper ball joint and right upper ball joints had to be replaced. The ball joint and tie rod problems caused steering and suspension problems. The consumer request reimbursement for all the tire rod and ball joint repairs.
While driving approximately 5-10 mph the right front wheel shook. Would hear noises every time steering wheel was turned, stopping or even braking. Took vehicle to mechanic, who determined that upper ball joints separated. Also, the steering knuckle separated, and the suspension moved. Mechanic indicated that this was causing the shaking problem. Vehicle would need to be lubricated every 2-3 months. After having the vehicle serviced the consumer stated that the left side began having the same problem.
Ball joints replaced at 60K miles. At 45000 the consumer noticed that eh vehicle's ride was not smooth. The dealer replaced the lower ball joints. At about 60000 miles the consumer heard a screeching sound in the front end when driving slowly around curves. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who indicated that the tie rods and upper ball joints needed to be replaced.
Upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to premature wear. The consumer complained to the dealer about an unusual intermittent noise which was coming from the joint area. (nar)
1998 Dodge Durango slt ball joints have worn out twice. Loose steering, drifting in lane, difficult not to over steer. Diagnosed by Dodge dealer 12/27/2001 at 71,000 miles and had been bad for a long time. Replaced upper, lower, and tie rod ends on 4/23/02 not at Dodge dealership. Diagnosed again by Dodge on 9/23/2004 at 103,000 miles and replaced lower ball joints again, at the dealership.
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.
The consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and the mechanic placed the vehicle on a diagnostic machine for analysis. The mechanic determined that the upper and lower ball joints needed replacing. The consumer had taken the vehicle in for repairs in light of the national publicity concerning the defective ball joints. There was excessive play in the front shocks which leaked oil. The control arms and the ball joints were replaced.
While driving at 55 mph, the consumer heard a roaring sound coming from the front. Also, when turning corners, there was a clicking sound coming from the front wheel hub. The dealer examined the vehicle, but was unable to resolve the problem.
Consumer complained about a transmission problem. Vehicle hesitated when driving. The front differential pin failed and seized to the pinion shaft the upper and lower ball joints were replaced.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- St. Peters, MO, USA