NHTSA action number : PE03032 NHTSA recall campaign number : N/a make : Dodge model: Durango manufacturer : DaimlerChrysler corporation year : 1999 component : suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint the upper ball joints on my 1999 Dodge Durango were totally unserviceable with less than 60K miles. The right front was so bad, the service technician remarked that he was surprised that the wheel did not fall off. I had the vehicle aligned at sears twice in two days and the vehicle still wandered so I had a third alignment done (third in 8 days) and there was over 1 inch of movement from the upper ball joint.

- Ft Bragg, NC, USA

Ball joint failure @ 33,684 and 45,000 miles

- Vernon, NJ, USA

Consumer stated that while driving and without warning the ball joints are wearing. Dealer notified.

- Covington, LA, USA

Consumer took the vehicle into the dealer for a front end problem. The dealer stated the lower ball and the upper ball joints needed to be replaced. The ABS light illuminated and also the engine seemed to bog down, the dealer found excessive oil in the intake manifold.

- West Haven, CT, USA

1999 Dodge Durango. Just replaced ball joints and inner tie rod ends due to excessive wear in only 65000 miles. A potentially dangerous situation for not only myself but my newborn and 3 year old in the car with me. Apparently there is a tsb out on this but Chrysler needs to concider a recall.

- Hopkinton, MA, USA

Upper ball joint replacement repatedly, within 1 year.

- Thorndike, MA, USA

Upper left & lower right ball joint failed to pass pa inspect at 15,000 miles (1st year of ownership, purchased vehicle new). The upper left ball joint was very close to failure at time of inspection. At 32,000 the lower left & upper right ball joints where replaced due to failing inspection. Currently a 62,000 on vehicle and seeing excessive wear on first replacement interval.

- Malvern, PA, USA

On December 27, 2002 I brought my Dodge Durango to just cruisin, Inc to have my annual state inspection performed. I was notified that I failed inspection due to out of specification conditions on my front suspension. The vehicle had 62,810 miles at the time of this inspection. They notified me that they believed this to be a premature wearing of the parts. On 1/17/03, the ordered parts had been received, and I had them replaced. Just cruisin removed and replaced both lower ball joints, the left upper ball joint, and both inner tie rod ends. I did not notify Chrysler of this problem yet. Today, I read an article regarding 4 accidents and 81 complaints of premature wear on the front suspension of Dodge Durangos and decided to file this complaint. I also intend to contact Chrysler regarding recoupment of my expenses. Because the parts were replaced w/ factory parts, I probably will still need to replace w/ the redesigned parts when they come out.

- Harleysville, PA, USA

I have a 1999 Dodge Durango. The ball joints wre out and I had the driver's side wheel fall off while going down the road. I spent several thousand dollars in repairs at a Dodge dealership. Has there been a recall or other similar incidents? thanks, kenneth lowrie

- Irving, TX, USA

1. ball joints wore out prematurely at less than 30K000miles. 2. air conditioning unit failed at less than 30000 miles and dealer was not able to fix over the course of 1+ year.

- Berkley, MA, USA

Premature wear- upper and lower ball joints. Both had to be replaced.

- El Paso, IL, USA

The upper and lower arm ball joints were replaced at the owner's expense before the vehicle reached 100000 miles.

- Toddville, IA, USA

Upon getting vehicle inspected it failed due to worn ball joints. Both of the lower ball joints and upper drivers side ball joint must be replaced. After speaking with several mechanics and looking thru your complaints it is obvious that this is a common occurance with this vehicle. Please help.

- Festus, MO, USA

1999 Durango obviously has ball joint problems what is Dodge going to do about it? the dealer is charging a fortune to fix a faulty part. Dose someone have to die before Dodge owns up to its mistake. Lower ball joints on the Durango SUV vehicles are prone to rapid wear out and looseness. The problem is frequently encountered even if the vehicle is never driven off-road. The O.E. lower ball joints are of a compression loaded, metal-to-metal bearing design. The design has a tendency to allow bearing looseness and load change on the bearing as the suspension moves through its full range of travel. This may easily lead to rapid wear out.

- Chalfont, PA, USA

My 1999 Dodge Durango, purchased new, has worn out major components in the front suspension, particularly the ball joints and control arms, after just 4 years and 60,000 miles. After talking to the local dealership and several other Durango owners, this is a common issue with this vehicle.

- Plainfield, IL, USA

I failed inspection due to ball joints. Upon taking 99 Durango to the dealer, was told both upper and lower ball joints on both passanger and driver side need to be replaced. I have 60,000 miles and I don't think that all this should be wrong.

- North Oxford, MA, USA

While traveling on highway vehicle will go from side to side and vibrate. Had to replace ball joints and tie rods. Please fill in additional information. Ts.

- White Bear Lake, MN, USA

Consumer states of having problems with ball joints. Please add more information.

- Marshfield, MA, USA

Left upper ball joint is worn out and needs to be replaced. Contacted dealer.

- Homer Glen, IL, USA

When applying brakes they will grab, but then they release and vehicle rolls to a stop. Took vehicle to dealer, and they were going to replace calipers and upper ball joints.

- Follston, MD, USA