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.
While driving 45 mph consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front. Suddenly, vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that both frontal upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.
Too much play in the steering wheel while driving 30 mph or more. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop, and mechanic determined that both upper / lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The dealer was not notified.
While driving 20 mph consumer heard a loud squeaking noise coming from the front. Vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that both frontal upper ball joints needed to be replaced due to worn out parts.....replaced all upper ball joints at $446.55.
Consumer states the upper ball joints wear out prematurely. The consumer stated that when the vehicle was purchased it had the upper ball joints replaced.
Took vehicle in for rountine rotation and alignment of tires. Wasn't allowed to leave with vehicle until the upper ball joints were replaced because they were in such bad shape. The vehicle had bearly 40,000 miles on it. Have now had all front ball joints, upper and lower replaced because of the bad wearing of them.
- Oviedo, FL, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
The Dodge Durango we bought new had to have new upper ball joints replaced along with new tie rods in order to have the front end aligned properly. It had been wearing the tires out on the outer edge too fast since new. These parts should not have worn out that fast; instead they were defective from the beginning. I believe this is a design defect in all the Dodge durnago. If you do a recall you should not start with just the 2000 year models; you should start with the1998, the first year, and do every year up until the new 2005 models. The earlier Durangos are just as bad as the later ones on this item. I hope you take this into consideration when you issue your recall notice in the future. We had to have these replaced at our own expense..
While driving on various road speeds vehicle experienced instability and driver control. Problems. Consumer had the front tires aligned, but the actual cause was later identified as the front upper ball joints. Consumer had the old ball joints replaced at her expense.
Had taken vehicle for inspection in December 2002, and was informed upper ball joints needed replacing due to being worn out. At the next inspection, December 2003, the upper ball joints had the same problem again. In June 2004 the upper ball joints were replaced; in December 2004 the upper & lower ball joints had to be replaced after not passing inspection. There was no popping noise heard before each replacement of ball joints.
Complaint received via E-mail." My Durango is a 1999 and had to have its upper and lower ball joints replaced this last year. Dealership that I purchased it from, which also does all of my maintenance, monitored their demise. At first mention, I was unable to afford the repair, and asked them to hold off. After about 6 months, I was told that they were so bad that it was unsafe to put my vehicle on the road in the condition they were in. Therefore, I had the repair done. I am very disappointed that my vehicle is not being considered in the recall.
Upper ball joint manufacturers defect for 1999 Dodge Durango slt 4X4. Recall was recently issued for 2000-2003 Dodge Dakota's and Durango's, but should also include the 1998 and 1999 years. All years of the 1st generation Durango's use the same defective ball joints.
1999 Dodge Durango,4X4, 68,000 miles. Front end compnonents (upper and lower ball joints) are worn causing knocking noise and unsafe driving condition.
I own a 1999 Dodge Durango which had to have the upper and lower ball joints as well as the control arms replaced at a cost of $1200. As an owner of a Durango, I do not feel the recall should be limited to model years 2000 to 2003. It is evident that the faulty parts used by Dodge were used in model years prior to 2000.
I heard of the Durango/Dakota recall on 12-10-2004. I own a 1998 Durango and I have replaced ball joints 3 times. I submitted a complaint to the NHTSA several years ago (ODI number is: 10030636) and have not had any responses. I do not understand why the 1998, 1999 models were not included in the recall, especially since the initial complaints of bad ball joints involved these model years. Do I have any recourse at this point? I still have receipts for all work done. Thank you.
This past summer I traded a 1999 Dodge Durango at a local dealership for a new vehicle. Approximately a year before then, I had trouble with the vehicle pulling to the right and the left, and the front end was popping loudly when a sharp left or right turn was made. My wife turned the wheel sharply to the left and right while sitting in our carport, and the whole spindle looked like it could detach at any moment. I took the Dodge Durango to the Firestone service center at the cortana mall in baton rouge the next morning for repair, and the store manager called me with the bad news: Upper and lower ball joints were gone. They replaced the ball joints immediately; my wife was going out of town the next day in this vehicle. I understand there is a recall of 2000 and up Dodge Durangos due to this problem, but I respectfully ask you to look into other year models as well. I will be waiting for a response.
Uneven tire wear. It was determined that the ball joints needed to be replaced. Also have replaced all power windows because they have failed. The rotors have been replaced.
I had the upper and lower ball joints in my 99 Durango replaced 7/03 by my servicing dealer. In 5/04 I again needed to replace the upper ball joints, again done by my local dealer. I was driving and heard a loud grinding and squeaking noise in the front end of my vehicle along with vibration. It appears that once again I need new ball joints. This will be the third time in less than 2 years I have to replace the ball joints in my truck. I would like to know if the 1999 Durango will be covered in the possible recall concerning defective ball joints.
I have a 1999 Dodge Durango that my mechanic has told me that I need new ball joints etc. That is the second shop that has told me that. However the recall is only for Durango's of 2000-2003. Why" I can get you a written estimate from my mechanic if necessary. Please advise. Can I take my Durango in for the recall" I am concerned about our safety. Thanks, diane.
Upper control arm ball joint failure. Both sides. First failure within 11K miles, replaced by dealer under warranty. Second failure at 56K miles. Both occasions caused concern when vehicle started to swerve on road depending on grading of road. Dealer refused to admit problem. Later stated that Chrysler was aware but didn't feel there was a problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Buckatunna, MS, USA