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.
1999 Dodge Durango. I had the right front ball joint replaced in 2004 and now it is bad again (same one), which indicates that these wear improperly and there should be a recall. If I continue to dive my vehicle, I could get in a series accident or I have to come up with around $800 for a second time on the same part..
We bought our Durango used in Feb 06. Feb 20th took it to dealership because front brakes were locking up ( replaced pads and had rotors resurfaced - $381). On Sep. 9,06 took it in because the front end was vibrating terribly and was told that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. At that time, the vehicle had 95,328 mi. We had over $891.83 in repairs and alignment and had to turn around and have the tires replaced because of excessive wear due to the defective ball joints ( another $800+).
Upper and lower ball joints repaired twice, two sets of front tires because of uneven wear due to ball joints, in two years time. Truck isn't driven any longer, first time ball joints went out lost control of the truck and hit a ditch, these trucks are dangerous and need to be taken off road period. Currently looking for an attorney.
I am here to complain about the ball joints on our 1999 Dodge Durango! I just found out on Monday that we have to replace them again. This will be the second time. First time was in 2004 w/ 65K miles on the vehicle. Now 3 years and 30K miles later I have to do it again!! first time cost me around 400 dollars and this time it will be around 325 B/C my friend works at the local shop! this can be very dangerous if the person driving it don't know anything about cars. I have see numerous pictures on the internet of wrecks caused by the failure of the upper and lower ball joints!! we have a 1 yr old and it scares us to know this happens all the time to the 98 and 99 Durango's. the way you can tell these are going bad is when you hit a bump you notice a vibration in the front suspension area continue after you hit the bump. They recalled the ones from 2000-up but not these. There should be a class action lawsuit!!!!! its ridiculous that foreign vehicles are made better than american!! there is no reason for this. Vehicles are expensive enough let alone changing the ball joints every 30K miles!!!!!! our next vehicles will be foreign!!! I hope my comment goes somewhere other than in and out of ears/eyes. I emailed Dodge on Monday and have yet to hear back!! probably won't!! thanks for your time and website!!!!!!!!!
ABS light & brake warning lights come on intermittently while driving, when lights were on brakes were touchy. And forget trying to slow or stop when it's raining. Front driver side control arms, ball joints, and bushings replaced. Upper and lower A-arm bushings have been replaced several times due to noise in front end. Dodge dealer could not diagnose this noise or any problem when we took it to them. After two days of it sitting at the dealer we mysteriously had a badly leaking water pump. When we decided not to have the dealer complete the repair they made us pay them a diagnostic fee of $78! two sets of brand new brakes squeaked annoyingly after repeated attempts at lubrication and cleaning, rotors now need replacing. Rear passenger, & front driver power window motors replaced, twice for the rear one. Bad brakes & bad suspension did not mix well when you're a mother of four very active kids. Sometimes I was scared to drive. The cost has become ridiculous and at times unreasonable.
- Lancaster, CA, USA
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I had been experiencing vibration throughout vehicle while driving so I took to our mechanic. Had to replace all four ball joints and U-joint and get an alignment. I now have a lot of play in the steering, and am constantly correcting it just to go straight. Had looked at again and they could not find any problems. I found out that the ball joints had been recalled for years 2000-2003, but why not 1999??
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the vehicle failed inspection because the tie rod and brakes needed to be replaced. The mechanic noticed that the ball joint was cracked. When driving downhill at 60 mph, a rattling noise was heard coming from the front end of the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 58,000.
- the contact owns a 1999 Dodge Durango. The mechanic stated that they were unable to authorize an alignment on the vehicle until the upper and lower ball joints had been replaced. The contact had no warning that there was a recall on the upper and lower ball joints. According to the repair shop this failure occurs frequently with Dodge Durango's. the contact is aware of the safety risk involved while driving the vehicle. The dealer also replaced the inner tie rod ends. The consumer provided the invoice for service performed on vehicle. Updated 05/21/07
- the contact has a 1999 Dodge Durango and complained about two ball joint failures. At 50013 miles contact had to take the vehicle to his local dealership who replaced the lower right ball joint. At 92000 contact took vehicle to zrubek's for a front end alignment and the repair shop stated to the contact that they had to replace the two upper ball joints, and two inner tie rods. Updated 1/29/2007 -
This vehicle was in the shop due to warning light trouble when shop technician discovered that both the lower ball joints and the upper right ball joint have worn out. They recommended I search for recall information as they have dealt with this problem may times.
Constant ball joint wear on my 1999 Durango. Ball joints don't normally wear this fast on other vehicles. Won't pass inspection due to bad joints, repeatedly.
Ball joints on 1999 Durango slt plus 5.9L 4X4 going out again at 55,000 miles. Noted by Goodyear service man during routine oil change. Replacing with moog aftermarket ball joints (ones that can be greased regularly). This is second set of ball joints for SUV. First set of ball joints and tie rod was replaced at 22,000 miles under warranty by dealer.
I noticed a loud clunking sound coming from the front end of my 1999 Dodge Durango. Upon having it inspected, I was advised that the upper and lower ball joints on both sides were no good, due to a lack of lubrication caused by faulty seals. The mechanic advised me that while other years of the Durango had been recalled for the same problem, mine did not have a recall. However, I was advised that the damaged ball joints are subject to failure, which could cause the entire front wheel assembly to come off the car. In researching this problem, I found that the problem is just as common in the 1999 model years as other (recalled) years. Apparently, there have not yet been enough injuries or deaths yet from 1999 year vehicles. Sure hope I'm not one of the stats that finally forces a recall.
My 1999 Dodge Durango failed inspection due to failing upper and lower ball joints on both sides of the vehicle. In addition, the failure of the ball joints led to the failure of the outer tie rods on both sides. The inspector advised me to not drive the vehicle until the repairs were made due to their potential to cause a serious accident.
I have been reading the existing complaints, and would like to add mine. I just had a failed wheel bearing on the driver's side of my 1999 Dodge Durango repaired. The service manager stated that he didn't know if or when the right hand side one would fail, but also that both lower ball joints were defective. The cost of just the wheel bearing repair was expensive, but the ball joint repair would be nearly double that. Our problem is that we just cannot afford the repairs on this vehicle. In the past six months, we have had to replace a faulty transmission sensor and the wheel bearing. We now have learned of the ball joint failure, as well as the failure of the air conditioning system, plus a rear wheel ABS sensor that failed. All told, we are now facing over $2000 in repairs, this after spending $1500 for the prior ones. I have seen over 500 complaints about the ball joints on this year of car. Please force a recall before someone gets seriously injured. Thank you.
There was a noise coming from the front end of the vehicle at various speeds and tire wear was abnormal. I took the vehicle to an independent repair shop. Upon initial inspection, the upper and lower control arm ball joints were loose and needed to be replaced on both sides. The inner tie rods also had to be changed due to the loose ball joints. The total cost of repairs, even with my military discount was $950. The vehicle had only 65298 miles on the odometer when it was taken to the shop. Luckily I noticed the problem before the ball joints separated and caused an accident. This problem put my life and my family's life in harms way. 1999 Durangos should have been a part of the recall on ball joints. There is a NHTSA recall campaign id # 04V596000 regarding the upper ball joints. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall. However it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. [xxx]. updated 07/16/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Having noticed excessive front tire wear & poor steering performance I took my 1999 Dodge Durango (78000 miles) in for alignment/tire balance. Was told that the problem was that the upper & lower ball joints were shot. Was forced to replace the ball joints & tires (less than 25K on the tires) to the tune of $1200.
Front end began vibrating. Took to dealer and was told both the upper and lower ball joints are worn out and need replaced. If not replaced, entire suspension is in danger. Repair to exceed $700. I called Chrysler for help in paying for repairs as I've been a loyal Chrysler consumer for 16 years - having purchased 4 Chrysler vehicles. Ball joint failure on these vehicles is a well documented problem. Chrsyler refused to help because I bought the vehicle from a bank and not the dealer - the first Chrysler vehicle I've purchased that did not come direct for the dealer.
I've been complaining of abnormal noises coming from my 1999 Dodge Durango since may of 2003, to 2 different Dodge dealer service departments. The steering is "loose" and the tires wear unevenly no matter how many times I have them rotated. After a very scary road trip where I almost veered off the highway several times, I brought the Durango to a private mechanic. They immediately detected the problem of faulty ball joints and a bad rear axle and differential. When the mechanic called Dodge to order parts, he was told that this is a common problem with Durango's and the parts were in stock. Repairs consisted of new upper and lower ball joints, new front tires (with alignment) repair and rebuild rear axle and differential. This was all paid for by me personally because my extended warranty expired in June 2005. However, I believe it would have been covered under the warranty if in May 2003 the Dodge mechanics would have figured out what the problems were. There was a water leak at the right rear window. Updated 04/10/06.
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- Roayl Palm Beach, FL, USA