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.
Oil pressure indicator would go off and the pressure gauge would drop to nothing. Driving car stopped running in intersection. Car was towed to Dodge who repaired car. Light is still on and pressure continues to drop to nothing intermittently. Dodge has list of repairs needed. Initial Dodge assessment at purchase stated new ball joints needed in Feb 2003 at 57,000 miles.
Consumer was driving on the highway and suddenly engine's oil pressure meter dropped to zero. Then, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. She took vehicle to dealer to get serviced, but the engine light still came on. Also, mechanic determined that the vehicle had worn out upper and lower ball joints. Vehicle could not pass inspection due to the engine light.
During a routine oil change and inspection, it was determined that the upper and lower ball joints on my 1999 Durango are in need of replacement. I have less than 71,000 miles on this vehicle. The recent recall of year models 2000-2003 should also include at least the 1999 and possibly 1998 models that are constructed with the same faulty ball joints. This issue must be addressed by the manufacturer as it is a serious safety concern for anyone riding in one of these vehicles.
(1) turning into home driveway; (2) driver side upper ball joint broke (3) replaced driver and passenger side upper and lower ball joints, parts not available.
I hear that you have recalled 600,000 Dodge Durangos, and I cannot find what vehicles are involved and your web site has the information buried so deeply as to be criminal. I need information on my 1999 Durango and what the effects can be. I am concerned about the front ball joints. I have seen that they have a tendency to fail after a certain number of miles a certain speed. Please inform me of the latest recalls concerning this problem.
See attached letter to daimler Chrysler. The complaint involves the failure of my Dodge Durango. My car pulled to the right, even though my steering wheel was straight. I have the precise suspension system and ball joints on my automobile, as the recently-recalled 2000 - 2003 Dodge Durangos. Yet the 1998 and 1999 models were not included in the recall. I had my automobile repaired for $1,139.40 to avoid injury to myself and my family and am seeking reimbursement from daimler Chrysler. The consumer stated that the vehicle also had a tie rod problem. Failure to correct this problem may result in the wheel falling off. The consumer stated that the vehicle door squeaks. Door hinge was lubricated. The service dealer stated on the invoice that the vehicle had once been in an accident.
While driving 45 mph, the driver side tire separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The mechanic informed the consumer that the upper/lower ball joints and the tie rod needed to be replaced.
There is a loud squeaking noise in the front end when vehicle is driven over a bump or turn. Vehicle was taken to the dealership, who indicated that the upper and lower ball joints were rusted and needed to be replaced. The parts were replaced, but the failure recurred. The consumer stated that he had the same problem at 70518 miles. The consumer feels he should be reimbursed.
Both lower ball joints failed. Prior to this on 8/14/2003 both upper ball joints failed and were replaced. The current recall excludes the 1999 Dodge Durango, although this is exactly the same problem the recall of the 2000-2003 models is addressing.
1999 Dodge Durango 4WD. Within the last twelve months I had to replace the ball joints, wheel bearings and everything else that goes with it on both the left and right front tires. With all the problems from the 1998 to 2003 models, I do not understand why the 98 and 99 models are not included also. Vehicle has less than 80,000 miles.
1999 Dodge Durango ball joints failed placing out of spec stress on wheel bearing. Wheel bearing failed, causing vehicle to have sever control problems at 75 mph fully loaded. Bearing failure destroyed antilock system making vehicle very difficult to stop. Dealer replaced antilock parts and bearing but did not have balljoints due to high demand. Balljoints not replaced due to cost - car not currently driven.
I had to have all of the ball joints on my 1999 Dodge Durango slt 4X4 (at 57,594 miles) replaced. The dealer told me that the ball joints were on "national backorder" of >1 month. He offered to replace the upper and lower control arms (the come with the ball joints installed) at a cost of over $2300. Since the dealer said the vehicle was unsafe (right upper ball joint was close to failing), the extended warranty company paid for the work. My cost was, fortunately for me, only $25. However, these ball joints are obviously poorly designed. I do no off-roading at all and over 50% of the miles I put on the car are highway. I have no aftermarket accessories on the suspension. There is no reason why these ball joints should fail so soon. All years of the 1st generation Durango (1998-2003) should be included in the current recall. The control arms and ball joints are basically the same for all years, so all suffer from the same poor design. His visit (the one in which the control arms were finally replaced) was the 3rd time I had complained (two times at a dealership that has just gone out of business and then this time at this other dealership) about the ball joints. I first asked for them to be checked out when the 60 minutes story came out about the ball joints (Oct. 2003). Then I asked again earlier this year. This dealership said they were fine both times. Just after this second visiti took the vehicle to Firestone for an alignment, they said that the couldn't align the front end properly because the ball joints were worn. When I confronted the dealership a couple days later, they said the Firestone person did not know what they were doing and that I shouldn't worry about it. Then the dealership I was dealing with went out of business and I asked again when I took it to the new dealership and they replaced the control arms (see above). Sincerely, scott.
Contacted daimler/Chrysler Corp. After hearing on cbs news about the potential problem with ball joints and the Dodge Durango--they told me to replace them and to move on--that they were not recalled at the time. We had the problem identified when the vehicle had around 65,000 miles on it and monitored the situation closely until we were informed the joints could break at any time. I am concerned and upset that the 1999 models are not included in your recommended recall. We had to replace the upper and lower ball joints in March 2004 and was informed that the 1999 suspension is no different from that of the 2000-2003 models. Would like to have NHTSA include all models of the Dodge Durango in their recommended recall. It is a very dangerous situation and one the manufacturer should bear the burden of repairing at their expense or reimbursing owners who already had to make the repair.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Clever, MO, USA