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 ball joints on my 1999 Dodge Durango are failing and are in need of replacement. I have noticed the symptoms of the failure over the past 20-30,000 miles. My vehicle has only 80,000 miles on it. This is a very expensive repair that I can't afford to make at this time. I've been reading numerous reports that have complained about this exact same issue. I'm hoping a recall will be issued before something tragic happens to me, my passengers or other drivers.
Excessive ball joint wear on 1999 Dodge Durango. I have been experiencing problems with my Durango for nearly 3 years. I took the vehicle to the dealership complaining of "clunking" coming from the front end when the sterring wheel is turned sharply to the left or right when making turns (I.e. parking in a parking spot). The vehicle was still well within the warranty period and the dealership indicated that they could not "replicate" the noise. I have since experienced excessive tire wear that required replacement of all 4 tires under with under17,000 miles on the vehicle. During my last tire rotation (at an independent shop) they indicated that there is excessive wear on the front and rear ball joints and currently my vehicle has 27,580 miles. Combining these factors I believe there is no question that the parts are defective, and with numerous other owners experiencing the same type of problems, I believe it is a widespread safety hazard that should be addressed.
Vehicle was taken to the dealer for a routine inspection, and mechanic determined that both frontal upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to worn out parts.
1999 Dodge Durango. - replacement of front end upper and lower ball joints at 59553 miles. Previously told that lubrication was all that was needed by Dodge dealer. Later told that front end alignment could not be guaranteed when replacing wore tires. Now at 70K miles, the front end is squeaking again. Same sound that originally appeared at or near 30K miles.
I had my upper and lower ball joints replaced on my 1999 Dodge Durango on 11/10/04. All four joints showed unusual wear and the drivers side were very close to failure.
No crash. I am writing to let you know that only because of an honest Dodge mechanic that I happened to meet I was warned to have my ball joints and tie rods examined on my 1999 Dodge Durango. I had no notice that there was anything wrong with them. My Durango had approximately 52K miles on it. Nearly all highway miles, no offroading. I had to replace these at a cost of nearly $2,000. I investigated at the time and found out that I was lucky that my tire had not fallen off. I am submitting this to you because I was told that there is an existing investigation ongoing on this subject and I wanted you to be aware of another case. Thank you!
PE 03 032/front suspension, upper ball joint failure. While getting a tune-up mechanic determined that all four ball joints needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified.
I heard popping and grinding noises coming from the front underside of the car. They began when I turned the wheel, then worsened rapidly to a constant noise. I took the car to the mechanic and was told my lower ball joints, front wheel bearings and upper control arms had deteriorated. He said it was lucky my tires stayed on and that the parts should not have to have been replaced so early in the vehicle's life. The Durango is a 1999 model and had 81,500 miles on it at the time of repair (March 26, 2004). The repairs cost $1657.78. This afternoon I had to take the vehicle to the mechanic again for sqeaking. He oiled the same parts and said they looked bad again and would most likely need to be replaced soon. I have only gone 10,000 miles since the last repairs were done. I contacted Dodge, however, they said there was nothing they could do.
The consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for routine maintenance. The mechanic informed the consumer the front upper and lower ball joints needed replacement due to corrosion. Please fill in additional information.
I don't who else to go to, Dodge Durangos need a recall on several issues. Ball joints for one, plenum gasket, and the computer brain system is junk and Dodge will not take any responsibility for these issues. These trucks cost too much money to have the issues they have. These are lemons and once you buy it your stuck with it. I have owned mine a little over 2 months and I think I have been able to drive it a total of 3 weeks, not all in a row. It is junk and how can I resell junk? I don't want to have someone come back to me because I sold them junk, but I can not afford to own this vehicle. Something should be done.
We had the truck checked out prier to purchase in Nov. Of 2003 and were told it needed ball joints. The dealership had the ball joints replaced. At this time the truck had 51K miles on it. Sept of 2004 I took the truck in to have the brakes checked due to shaking and they informed me that the ball joints were out of tolerance and needed to be replaced. I had the lowers replaced again at 59000 miles.
While driving there was a popping noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer in which they found that the upper and lower ball joints were completely worn out. The cover under the hood was ripened, the black guard under the front of the vehicle was hanging, the coolant resevoir was leaking, the power steering fluid leaked, the A/C was not cooling due to an open wire from the low push switch, and the fuel gauge did not read properly.
My wife and I own a 1999 Dodge Durango and have been told by a Dodge dealership and a Goodyear service center that the front upper and lower ball joints need replacing. The vehicle has approximately 64,000 miles. The dealership offered $50 off the total price (approx. $800) when I told them I knew of reported problems and thought that replacement of these parts at 60,000 miles seemed premature. Please advise. David swanson
Vehicle was squeaking when hitting bumps. Consumer took the vehicle to dealer, and was told that water has seeped into the rubber boot and into the ball joints, causing them to rust. There was no lubrication and the ball joints were loose.
PE 03 032/front suspension: Upper ball joint failure. Consumer was concerned about the front tires that were experiencing excessive wear, and a crunching noise could be heard while driving. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed consumer that front ball joints needed to be replaced. The consumer stated that all 4 ball joints are bad. Consumer stated that she is on her third set of front tires and only has 81,000 miles on the vehicle.
Consumer jacked up the vehicle for a brake repairs. Consumer noticed that the passenger side upper and lower ball joints were loose. Consumer contacted the dealer to make an appointment for inspection and repair.
While driving at any speed vehicle made a popping noise, and steering became difficult. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the entire front and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The dealer reported the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The consumer was not able to get a loaner vehicle until the repairs were made.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lewisville, TX, USA