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.
: the contact stated both upper and lower ball joints were replaced in November 2004. Prior to having this repair completed, there was vibration in the steering while traveling at 60 mph or more. There is an NHTSA recall, #, 04V596000; suspension: Front: Control arm: Upper ball joint. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. Updated 2/28/2006 - the lower ball joint have been replaced twice. It hasn't been over thirty thousand miles since the were last replacement and they need to be replaced again.
The contact stated the vehicle was driving really hard. The contact's husband took the vehicle to a local mechanic, who found the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired at contact's expense.
On 10/24/02, I had to replace the upper and lower ball joints on the driver and passenger side of my 1999 Dodge Durango because I failed the state inspection and was told by the dealer that my truck was unsafe to drive. There was 46382 miles on the odometer in the vehicle at that time. My truck failed the state inspection on 11/29/05 because the upper and lower ball joints on the driver and passenger side of the Durango need to be replaced again! I now have 71508 miles on my odometer. That means I have driven only 25126 miles since the ball joints were replaced and now have to replace them again. Apparently this is a very common problem with Durango's and is a major safety issue. I see that Dodge is recalling all vehicles from 2000 onwards. Why are they not being forced to recall the vehicles prior to 2000. There can be many serious consequences if the suspension fails whilst driving the vehicle. Are you all waiting for people to die before you act?
- Malden, MA, USA
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The contact stated while driving his girl friend's vehicle there was a loud noise coming from the front driver's side. Upon inspection the mechanic determined that the upper and lower ball joints need to be replaced. The mechanic said the ball joints may have already been replaced one time. The mechanic said the replacement was due to defective ball joints. The service dealer said there was no recall.
Vehicle front end made a clunking noise and felt loose when driving on rough roads which was determined to be caused by cracked and loose ball joints. Dodge dealer repaired same but refused to cover under warranty or recall. Dealer also replaced L & R inner tie rod ends and steering gear, which they said were damaged by wheel play due to the bad ball joints. Old parts were kept by dealer, availability at this time is unknown.
The contact took vehicle to dealer for inspection on 10-20-05, and the inspection showed that all four ball joints were bad. He talked to the dealer, and they told him to call daimler/Chrysler. However, daimler/Chrysler told him that recall 04V596000 only included 2000-2003 models, and urged him to call NHTSA. He felt that it was abnormal for ball joints to malfunction that quickly. Also, felt this vehicle should have been included in the recall.
The vehicle's steering was imprecise at highway speeds and wandered in the lane. An alignment inspection found excessive play in the upper and lower front ball joints on both the driver and passenger side. A local Dodge dealer said that the parts were identical to 2000-2003 recalled ball joints, however, there isn't a recall on the 99 Durango ball joints. This defies logic, but that's why I'm here to file a complaint.
1999 Dodge Durango. The consumer took the vehicle to get new tires and was informed that the upper and lower ball joints were bad on September 30, 2005. The consumer has not had the problem corrected yet. The consumer contacted daimler/Chrysler, and they told her that vehicle was not apart of the recall and there was nothing they could do. File complaint#14116812 was placed on file with Chrysler.. updated 11/02/05.
1999 Dodge Durango major front suspension issues - fails state safety check- see numerous discussions on the web is the an engineering analysis underway? bad need repair: Both lower ball joints, 1 upper ball joint, both inside tie rods.
Contact states the ball joints on 1999, Dodge, Dakota are loose. The right/left sides are very loose. He cited a recall on the 1999 Dodge Dakota, but this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN although he it had the same problems as noted in the recall.
1999 Dodge Durango - bad ball joints/control arms front end this exact item was recalled on other Durangos, however, for some odd reason it has left the 1999 year off the recall. We hardly made it to a mechanic to fix before the front tires fell off. I drive this car regularly with 2-4 kids in it and would hate to see what happens if I were in an accident with these children and then it came back to you. Lucky for us this happened coming out of our driveway and not on the highway. The ball joints that were recalled in the 2000+ years are no different than the ones used in 1999 - this should have been recalled. There are hundreds of complaints listed on-line in various states for this problem. When is Dodge going to be held accountable for it? as we type this - we are speaking to daimler/Chrysler about the problem (not the first time for this) they are actually calling the dealership to see if we are a good enough customer and spend enough money there to deal with us"! we are also being told that if it fails a 2nd time, they might be able to help us?! so, we should continue to take a chance and drive our children around on the highway and such and hope it fails again to get our recall done"! this is crazy - there has to be a better way.
Consumer complained about an upper and lower ball joint problem.. contacted the dealer, who replaced the ball joints. Also spoke with diamler Chrysler. They said they were not lubed properly. But kept them there. Had problems with the vehicle pulling to the right. There was a recall but this vehicle was not inclded in the recall due to VIN. Had them replaced on July 27, 2005.
Consumer had a 1999, Dodge, Durango. There was a recall for later models, and the same problem was happening with this vehicle. It was inspected on July 25, 2005, and the upper and lower ball joints were defective. The tires were rubbing against the frame. Daimler Chrysler stated that because the vehicle was not part of the recall they will not pay for repairs. This was noticed approximately a month ago when going around a corner the front end shifted. Also, heard a loud clanking noise. When the vehicle was taken home consumer looked and saw the tires rubbed on the frame.
The vehicle is 1999 Dodge Durango. The consumer needed the tires replaced and he had an independent mechanic check the ball joints at the same time. The mechanic told him that the front top and bottom ball joints were going bad, this was in 12-2004. The consumer knew there was a recall on similar vehicles. He contacted the manufacturer and they told him that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The consumer had to get the engine replaced because of a sludge problem. The engine blew up because of the oil pressure had failed on the vehicle, on 7-17-05. About 3-4 months prior the consumer had the oil and oil filter changed; and the bearings replaced. On 7-19-05 the engine was replaced. He had them check the ball joints again on 7-20-05. They told him that they would be afraid for him to drive it off the lot. Consumer feels that the manufacture should replace this at their expense.
My 99 Dodge Durango 4X4 has had vibrations and noise in the front from when I purchased. The Dodge dealer earlier told me there were no recalls or hidden warranties on this product, VIN# [xxx]. my Goodyear dealer, inspected my Dodge and showed me that my upper and lower ball joints were bad (( moving over 1/2 in)) he said take it to your dealer, because this is not right. Dodge dealer also said that both right and left, upper and lower ball joints were bad and also that the hubs and wheel bearings. Were bad, and needed to be replaced for my safety. I called diamler Chrysler Corp. And asked if they would cover this mfg problem. I was given clam #13756706. The customer service person said they would not cover this problem because my VIN # not covered by the upper & lower ball joint recall. I could not believe this would not be covered, because when I looked up my 99 Durango on your site on complaints, I saw over 500 similar cases for 99 Durango, with ball joint and steering problems. Dodge said 99 not part of recall. I think the U.S gov. Needs to tell Dodge to include in recall all the Dodge Durango with this problem, please look out for the safety of the amer. People and not alow Chrysler Corp get away with this safety problem. I feel the amer people should not need to get the courts involved when we have an Agency that should protect the amer. People from defective products. I hope this ball joint problem etc. Does not became another "Ford - Firestone" situation. Dodge said they need to hear from you before they can do a recall on 1999 Dodge Durango's, (( with over 500 complaints of similar problems, how many more do you need!!)) I live in the Washington, D.C. area and when I drive I-495 beltway I hope you are not their when my front wheels fall off because of bad ball joints. Please do your duty and recall all Dodge Durango 1998 and up for upper & lower ball joints, steering etc. Please do your job and protect me and my family. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information a
My wife and I purchased a used 1999 Dodge Durango slt 5.9L in October of 2003. The Durango had approximately 55,000 miles. For the past few months we have noticed an odd ticking or clicking sound while turning corners. On 6/25/2005 (with approximately 77,000 miles) we replaced the front tires as they were very unevenly worn. While checking the wheels we noticed that both the upper and lower ball joints had failed on each side of the car. They did not snap but there was far too much play in the ball joints. The upper joints have since been replaced, we kept the old parts as proof if needed. We will keep the old lower ball joints when we are able to replace them. No accidents resulted of this failure, although this being our main vehicle and driven almost everyday it was a shock to find such a failure on parts that are gauranteed for far longer than 80,000 miles.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Manning, SC, USA