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.
This is the 2nd time that the upper control arm ball joints need to be replaced on this vehicle. The 1st time was only 1 year after vehicle was purchased (new). Now 3 years later, they need to be replaced again.
We had to replace both upper and lower front ball joints on a 1999 Dodge Durango with 43,270 miles on it. We were told that they needed to be replaced due to the saftey hazard that they posses being worn. We were told that if they weren't replaced, eventually, the tire could fall off while we were driving it. We spoke to two different Dodge dealer service writers and both acknowledged that this is a known problem with the Dodge vehicles.
Consumer stated that vehicle was taken in for a oil change and was pulling to the right. Dealer stated that upper and lower ball joints have 2 inches of play, which could have caused the pulling to the right. Upper and lower ball joints were replaced.
On 7/28/03 I had the tires replaces on my 1999 Dodge Durango and have it realigned. The mechanic informed me that it could not be done due to the looseness of the upper ball joint. I had the documented information to give to the dealership. They informed me that until a recall was issued that I would have to pay or ride around until the wheels fell off. I have small children and wish that this situation would be handled in the quickest manner.
The consumer stated the steering was very unstable. Took vehicle in for a front end alignment and the dealer noticed that the front ball joints and tie rod needed replacement. The dealer also removed and replaced both control arms. The engine light was on. When the vehicle was started the RPM's are high. Engine control modulator and injector wire harness was replaced.
The dealer noticed that upper and lower ball joints were worn out at 55,000.. the dealer stated the ball joint wear was normal. Consumer disagreed being as though he owned two other Chrysler vehicle's with 127,000 and 155,000 miles on them and the ball joints had not worn out.
I own a 1999 Durango and was told that my upper and lower ball joints ( left & right ) along with the tie rod ends were worn out after I took it to the dealer because of tire wear and was told it would cost $1,400 to repair. This SUV only had 65,000 miles on it and was never taken off-road. I am now aware that this problem is not limited to a few owners. I have been telling every Durango owner I see about this safety issue ( many already have had the ball joints replaced ) and encourage them to complain to the NHTSA about this problem.
I just read an article in the wsj about reported failures of the ball joins on the front suspension. I just wanted to let you know that in may, 2003, I took my 1999 Dodge Durango in because it was shaking severely in the front tire area. As it turned out, the ball joint had to be replaced. Since you are investigating this problem, I thought I should report it. It was replaced by mac's auto II in brighton, NY.
Ball joints have worn on my 1999 Dodge Durango. An $850 repair was necessary. At only 75K this kind of major repair should not be necessary. A gentleman at the tire dealer where I had my tires replaced indicated he sees problems with these Durangos all of the time. All of the problems he sees are related to worn ball joints.
Upper and lower ball joint failure. Issue was identified at oil change with dealer at 52000. They said the upper and lower ball joints and upper control arms would need to be replaced, costing $1700! I asked why this was happening, and my service advisor indicated that this was a common occurence on Durangos. I asked why and he told me that it was a defect in the design. He also indicated that this would need tyo be done but it was not urgent because it wan't a safety issue.problem again identified by dealer at 56000 oil change. I had the upper and lower ball joints replaced by a private shop. I told them I wanted this front suspension work and they said they would look at it because they've never seen a front suspension fail at only 57K! they looked at it and determined the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced but hte control arms were ok and could be reused. This defect also cost me 2 tires as the suspensions failure caused my two front tires to 'cup'. date of incident is the date of the repair: 6/21/03.
Consumer states that when turning corners heared a "clunking" noise, and experienced loss of vehicle control. Dealer diagnosed it as front suspension failure, and replaced the upper and lower ball joints, inner sway bar and bushings.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Harrisburg, PA, USA