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.
Front end wearing tires and unstable front end, took vehicle to dealer, and I was instructed the front end ball joints were worn out after 3 years, and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. Why aren't the 1999 Dodge darangos included in the recall.
My 1999 Durango went through a whole front end at 50,000 miles and at 100,000 miles the same simtoms are present, why did'nt the 1999 year modle get recalled? Y friend has a 1999 and just hit 60,000 miles and had to rebuild the front end, the shop said there was 3/4 inch play in the ball joint.
Upper ball joint failure and replacement. Factory ball joints were not fitted with grease zerks to lubricate them. As a result they wore out and had to be replaced to avoid the wheels falling off.
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.
In July of 2003, I filed a complaint with the NHTSA, ODI# 10028924, complaining about my 1999 Dodge Durango having problems with its ball joints. After about 54,000 miles I was informed by three different places that my ball joints were extemely bad. So, I ended up paying $1300 to get it fixed. My question is why was this recall only for the 2000 to 2003" how can the exclude the 1998/1999 models. How can they be excluding the 1998/1999 models? I believe 1998 was the first year they came out? I have done some research on the internet and found that I'm not the only 1998/1999 with the same issues. What is my recourse on this matter"
- Westminster, CO, USA
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Vehicle vibrated at 55 mph. Dealer tested the vehicle, and several repairs were made, including the suspension. However, the problem recurred. The consumer stated this vehicle should be included in the upcoming recall for the upper ball joints.
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.
Premature wear of upper control arms, bushings and balljoints and lower control arm bushings on my 1999 Dodge Durango at 77,000 miles. Squeak was identified as the above problem by a technician named bill blackwood at allen samuels Dodge in fort worth, Texas on 12/14/04. The cost of repairs was said to be $2,312.54 (an unreasonable amount!). the service representative, Mr. Terry weber, admitted a problem with these parts, but siad the new recall only goes back to the 2000 models. I believe it shoud be extended to at least include the 1999 models asap.
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.
Consumer experienced several steering problems. During the last 8 months vehicle was serviced for this problem twice due to the ball joints malfunctioning. Consumer was aware of the Dodge investigation on Durangos and dakotas..
Vehicle vibrated while driving 20 mph or more and a knocking noise was heard when turning. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop, and mechanic determined that the upper ball joint and the upper control arm on driver's side needed to be replaced.
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.
Failure of upper and lower ball joints on my 1999 Durango. I was told if I didn't replace the uppers my tires could fall off and if I didn't replace the lowers I could loose my ability to steer.
I have been following the recall requests with diamler-Chrysler and the failing ball joints on the Dodge Durango. It appears that currently only the 2000 to 2003 models are being covered. This is somewhat appalling as the 1998 and 1999 Dodge Durangos suffer from the same problem. I curremtly own a 1999 model and presently the upper ball joints are failing. Why are the 1998 and 1999 models not included in the recall"???"
While driving at any speed vehicle wandered across the road. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop, and mechanic informed determinedthat both upper ball joints needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified. The upper and lower ball joints were replaced.
The upper ball joint is making a clicking noise when the vehicle is making turns, causing the suspension to shake. Consumer has conacted dealer for repairs.
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- Owensboro, KY, USA