The subject vehicle purchased used when approximately one (1) year old, a 1999 Dodge Durango, 4-wheel drive 5.2L engine, has a failed power steering gear box. The symptom of failure is best characterized as an over boost. When the vehicle is parked on ice, or is jacked, engine running and the steering is turned with moderate force 2 to three inches in circumferential rotation the steering wheel will continue to turn for up to three quarters of a revolution without further input. The defect is more pronounced to the left, than the right. Shortly before vehicle reached the end of warranty mileage (36K miles) vehicle was taken for service to a local Dodge dealership (penske Chrysler Jeep Dodge 4505 West 96th street, indianapolis, in 46268 phone: 317-872-6200). Among the requested work items was the slight resistance (or pop) just right of center when turning to the left. In late 2003, after the reports of ball joint failures on Dodge Durango's I elected to closely inspect the ball joints and found some wear. The wear was not to the Dodge Durango manual limit, but I was uncomfortable with the wear, and the wear pattern evident on the front tires. All four (4) ball joints replaced with moog parts just prior to christmas 2003. When the vehicle was taken to the local Firestone for alignment (Firestone tire & service centers 8583 Michigan rd, indianapolis, in 46268 317-876-3983) I was advised the steering gear was suspect of being failed due to the "slow roll" condition noted above. Dodge dealership qureied as too part availability. My wife was told the steering gear was on back order. That the replacement part would be a new part number, and that there would be a minimum two (2) week wait. The NHTSA is encouraged to investigate steering gear box failures on Dodge Durango / Dakota vehicles and correlate all steering related reports to ensure a systemic design or quality control defect is not evident on these vehicles.

- Zionsville, IN, USA

I was on my way to work one morning and was just down the road from my home when all of a sudden, my steering wheel just started spinning around in my hands, a bolt about 3-4 inches had worked it's way out of the linkage. I applied my brakes, but the truck was coming down a hill and I ended up at the bottom of a 20 foot culvert. Luckily the vehicle didn't roll, or I probably wouldn't be here today. We had work done on it 6 months after we leased it (Dec, 1999) and were told they had to remove the steering column to fix the heater--after the accident, they had no recollection of doing any such work and even tried to tell me that we had not leased the vehicle from them, they never had that VIN# in their system. My insurance company investigated it and told me that over time, the vibration made the bolt fall out of the vehicle.

- Butler, IN, USA

Grinding noises and uncontrollable pulls to the right made the vehicle hard to control, especially when travelling on the highway - this causes an extreme safety problem. Brought the Durango to auto mechanic, he told us the left front tie rod needed replacement. Replaced tie rod end and found out left front wheel bearing is gone and is subject to seizure at any time. If this is not a safety hazard, I don't know what is because this front end suspension problem has the propensity to cause the vehicle to rollover when travelling on the highway or to tip on its side when driving upon back, city or Suburban streets.

- Bellingham, MA, USA

No summary listed for abov evehicle.

- Trail, OR, USA

Vehicle accelerates/ motor makes a knocking sound. Dealer replaced sparks, it caused vehicle to loose horse power and fuel economy. A new intake gasket was put in, and the computer was scanned to add a new code for more fuel. Problem was not solved.

- Manistee, MI, USA

Current problem: Ball joints and tie rods need to be replaced, although I complained several times about feeling there was a problem with the arms or something in that area, nothing was ever looked at because they could not produce same bump I felt, so they repeatedly told me there was no problem. When I took my Durango for new tires on May 1, 2001; the tire place robertson tire in tulsa, said the ball joints all needed to be replaced and the left front brake was toast. Since I did not put my concerns of the arms or ball joints in writing I have no proof that I had mentioned it to them the several times before when they performed other work on my vehicle. Also, we had numerous problems with the ABS brakes. We had to take it to the dealer 5 times before the problem was corrected, also I was told my brakes were fine on febrary 23, 2001 only to find out on May 2 they were not fine. The engine is using oil, which the dealer said is a gasket problem. The 4 wheel drive stays in 4 wheel drive even after taking it out. The left front window power window had to be replace early on because it was defective. Transmission seems to start in 2 at times but then goes away. East tulsa Dodge has fixed most of our past problems because it was still under factory warrenty. The ball joints and tyrods are not even under our extended warrenty we purchased. After reading your customer complaints, I am very concerned with the drive shaft problem, the air bag and seat belt problems and engine stalling problem.

- Kellyville, OK, USA

I was proceeding on a straight road on a bright, sunny day at about 45mph. I went to turn the steering wheel slightly and noticed that the tires did not respond. I turned the wheel again and there was no response. I immediately hit the brakes and the vehicle pulled to the right hand side of the road, stopping in the gravel on the shoulder. I called the Chrysler 800 service number and explained the situation to a representative. A wrecker arrived 30 minutes later and the driver turned white as a ghost when he spun the steering wheel in circles without any response. He indicated he was thinking about buying a Durango but not anymore. Evidently a 3-4 inch bolt had come loose from the steering column somewhere under the dashboard and this is the only thing linking the steering wheel to the front wheels. If this is the case, this represents a fatal design flaw in the Durango, and there should be an immediate recall. My son and I are very fortunate to be alive. Having worked for Ford for 10 years, I'm sure Chrysler is aware of this defect, but has estimated they will pay out less in wrongful death suits than the cost of a recall. I am outraged that a vehicle with this type of design flaw could be manufactured.

- Mishawaka, IN, USA