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.
Unusual tire wear and noise from driver's side tire area for last several months. Premature severe failure of driver's side upper ball joint and lesser failure of passenger side upper ball joint. Both upper ball joints were replaced and realigned.
The contact stated the vehicle was driving really hard. The contact's husband took the vehicle to a local mechanic, who found the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired at contact's expense.
On 10/24/02, I had to replace the upper and lower ball joints on the driver and passenger side of my 1999 Dodge Durango because I failed the state inspection and was told by the dealer that my truck was unsafe to drive. There was 46382 miles on the odometer in the vehicle at that time. My truck failed the state inspection on 11/29/05 because the upper and lower ball joints on the driver and passenger side of the Durango need to be replaced again! I now have 71508 miles on my odometer. That means I have driven only 25126 miles since the ball joints were replaced and now have to replace them again. Apparently this is a very common problem with Durango's and is a major safety issue. I see that Dodge is recalling all vehicles from 2000 onwards. Why are they not being forced to recall the vehicles prior to 2000. There can be many serious consequences if the suspension fails whilst driving the vehicle. Are you all waiting for people to die before you act?
- Malden, MA, USA
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Told ball joints very bad in my 1999 Durango. Chrysler states my Durango is not on their list so I'm out of luck even though they know their ball joints are defective. Repair costs are mine they aren't responsible. If there is another recall they may reconsider. If they have defective parts should they not be held responsible or do I have to be injured or killed first.
The contact stated while driving his girl friend's vehicle there was a loud noise coming from the front driver's side. Upon inspection the mechanic determined that the upper and lower ball joints need to be replaced. The mechanic said the ball joints may have already been replaced one time. The mechanic said the replacement was due to defective ball joints. The service dealer said there was no recall.
Vehicle front end made a clunking noise and felt loose when driving on rough roads which was determined to be caused by cracked and loose ball joints. Dodge dealer repaired same but refused to cover under warranty or recall. Dealer also replaced L & R inner tie rod ends and steering gear, which they said were damaged by wheel play due to the bad ball joints. Old parts were kept by dealer, availability at this time is unknown.
The contact took vehicle to dealer for inspection on 10-20-05, and the inspection showed that all four ball joints were bad. He talked to the dealer, and they told him to call daimler/Chrysler. However, daimler/Chrysler told him that recall 04V596000 only included 2000-2003 models, and urged him to call NHTSA. He felt that it was abnormal for ball joints to malfunction that quickly. Also, felt this vehicle should have been included in the recall.
I have a 99 Durango that is making excessive noise coming from the front ball joints. I have had the car checked, and the problem is definitely from the front ball joints. I have been told my vehicle is not covered by this recall. If Dodge is truly concerned about driver safety, why do they limit the recall" if its a safety issue because of defective parts, then why don't they agree to review the vehicle? what recourse do I have"
The vehicle's steering was imprecise at highway speeds and wandered in the lane. An alignment inspection found excessive play in the upper and lower front ball joints on both the driver and passenger side. A local Dodge dealer said that the parts were identical to 2000-2003 recalled ball joints, however, there isn't a recall on the 99 Durango ball joints. This defies logic, but that's why I'm here to file a complaint.
1999 Dodge Durango. The consumer took the vehicle to get new tires and was informed that the upper and lower ball joints were bad on September 30, 2005. The consumer has not had the problem corrected yet. The consumer contacted daimler/Chrysler, and they told her that vehicle was not apart of the recall and there was nothing they could do. File complaint#14116812 was placed on file with Chrysler.. updated 11/02/05.
1999 Dodge Durango major front suspension issues - fails state safety check- see numerous discussions on the web is the an engineering analysis underway? bad need repair: Both lower ball joints, 1 upper ball joint, both inside tie rods.
Ball joint failure in my 1999 Dodge Durango. I have to replace ball joints in my 99 Durango, why are they not recalled like the 2000 model they have the same exact problem.
1999 Dodge Durango - bad ball joints/control arms front end this exact item was recalled on other Durangos, however, for some odd reason it has left the 1999 year off the recall. We hardly made it to a mechanic to fix before the front tires fell off. I drive this car regularly with 2-4 kids in it and would hate to see what happens if I were in an accident with these children and then it came back to you. Lucky for us this happened coming out of our driveway and not on the highway. The ball joints that were recalled in the 2000+ years are no different than the ones used in 1999 - this should have been recalled. There are hundreds of complaints listed on-line in various states for this problem. When is Dodge going to be held accountable for it? as we type this - we are speaking to daimler/Chrysler about the problem (not the first time for this) they are actually calling the dealership to see if we are a good enough customer and spend enough money there to deal with us"! we are also being told that if it fails a 2nd time, they might be able to help us?! so, we should continue to take a chance and drive our children around on the highway and such and hope it fails again to get our recall done"! this is crazy - there has to be a better way.
Consumer complained about an upper and lower ball joint problem.. contacted the dealer, who replaced the ball joints. Also spoke with diamler Chrysler. They said they were not lubed properly. But kept them there. Had problems with the vehicle pulling to the right. There was a recall but this vehicle was not inclded in the recall due to VIN. Had them replaced on July 27, 2005.
Consumer had a 1999, Dodge, Durango. There was a recall for later models, and the same problem was happening with this vehicle. It was inspected on July 25, 2005, and the upper and lower ball joints were defective. The tires were rubbing against the frame. Daimler Chrysler stated that because the vehicle was not part of the recall they will not pay for repairs. This was noticed approximately a month ago when going around a corner the front end shifted. Also, heard a loud clanking noise. When the vehicle was taken home consumer looked and saw the tires rubbed on the frame.
The vehicle is 1999 Dodge Durango. The consumer needed the tires replaced and he had an independent mechanic check the ball joints at the same time. The mechanic told him that the front top and bottom ball joints were going bad, this was in 12-2004. The consumer knew there was a recall on similar vehicles. He contacted the manufacturer and they told him that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The consumer had to get the engine replaced because of a sludge problem. The engine blew up because of the oil pressure had failed on the vehicle, on 7-17-05. About 3-4 months prior the consumer had the oil and oil filter changed; and the bearings replaced. On 7-19-05 the engine was replaced. He had them check the ball joints again on 7-20-05. They told him that they would be afraid for him to drive it off the lot. Consumer feels that the manufacture should replace this at their expense.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Folsom, CA, USA