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, the consumer heard noises coming from the front of the vehicle. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and TR mechanic determined that both upper ball joints failed. There was no warning. The upper ball joint separated under normal conditions. There was damage in the left front suspension, steering gear, control arm, and the axle shaft were all replaced.
While driving there was severe vibration in the front end of the vehicle, dealership has inspected several times and stated nothing wrong with the vehicle.
2000 Dodge Durango (41K miles) steering wheel locks while driving, brake, and electrical system failures. Dealership has offered to buy back the car for $14K. The car was bought 6 months ago with 32K miles for $23K plus a trade in payoff amount for a 2003 Toyota rav4, which is in addition to the Durango purchase price. The offered amount is not sufficient to replace the defective car with a new or used car of comparable size/functionality. The dealership expects us to take a loss of $9K in addition to purchasing another car.
When driving over several bumps in the road steering becomes difficult. When this occurs, a squeaking noise is heard from the front end. As a result, consumer has difficultly controlling the vehicle.
- Hayward, CA, USA
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Vehicle has excessive play in the front wheels. Consumer suspects problem with upper ball joints. This problem is occurring on both sides of the vehicle, even when it is immobile. When vehicle is in motion noise can be heard in front of vehicle. Also, steering is very unstable when vehicle is moving at medium to high speed.
Transmission has failed two weeks after purchase date. The vehicles transmission went in reverse while the gear was in drive. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer refused to repair the vehicle free of charge because of the vehicles mileage, 37828. The consumer was under the assumption that the warranty was valid. The warranty was effective from 2002 (3 years/36K miles). The vehicle experienced multiple electrical problem. The indicator lights stopped working, hazard lights stopped working, the right rear passenger door lock failed and the left passenger window motor failed. The vehicle also experienced steering problems.
Since April 2003, I have expressed concerns about the steering on my 2000 Dodge Durango. One dealer told me I needed a tirod, then a steering box. Another dealer informed me the car did not have a steering box (rack and pinion) and that the car was fine. Now I hear that I am not the only one with complaints about the steering of these vehicles.
The steering, suspension, and wheels suck!!! on my 2000 Dodge Durango.N Feb. 15, 2003 while driving my Durango, it totally lost control, causing me to side swipe one car, then cause damage to a second and third car. I continue to drive a vehicle that I do not feel safe in. With four children I can not afford to purchase another car. If I could get out of my contract with Dodge and trade it in for a safer SUV, I would. When riding I constantly experience my rear wheels sliding to my right; this usually happens whenever I ride over pot holes or bumps in the street, which is practically evey couple dozen feet in the city. My driving experience with my 2000 Dodge Durango is so unsatisfying. Prior to me purchasing my Dodge, I was the owner of not one, but two Toyota Camry's. I made the choice not to go back to the Toyota dealer to purchase an SUV. Instead, as a token of my appreciation to my country. I thought it was best to purchase an american made vehicle; you know, keep the money at home. Every day I questioned that theory. Usually I'm not this harsh of a person, but when it comes down to my children's safety; well, I get pretty pissed. We limit our long distance traveling time. I totally do not drive when its raining, unless I absolutely have to. On highways I drive at least 5-10 miles under the speed limit; for fear of losing control. And to top things off I have this grinding type noise up and around my axle thing; that no one at the two Dodge repair garages seems to know what it is exactly. I had my ball joints replaced twice. One month after I got brand new brakes put on, they started to squeak. I was told that the majority of Dodge SUV's brakes squeak, its just how the manufacturers make them; go figure.
Trouble with steering, suspension. When going over bumps, can loose control of the vehicle, jumps all over the road. Also on slippery roads hard to control as well.
Steering makes popping noises when turning right or left. Steering has begun to freeze when turn to the right.mostly occurs on interstate on/off ramps.
The steering pump and rack failed while driving at 35 mph. Which made the vehicle difficult to steer. The power steering pump was removed and replaced along the steering rack.
Consumer has had several problems with the steering, the rack and pinion, gear assembly, steering column assembly and the clockspring have been replaced, even after the recall regarding the clockspring assembly, the vehicle continues to have steering problems, consumer states that prior to the clockspring failing, the steering wheel freezes until the wheel is forced past a point to free it.
When vehicle goes over a pothole, the steering wheel has a lot of play, feeling as if you are losing control of vehicle. Dealer has inspected the vehicle.
While driving steering malfunctioned, causing steering wheel to lock up. Driver must jerk the steering wheel in order to return to normal which may cause a crash.
Consumer was traveling 75mph, almost hit another vehicle on the side of bridge. Vehicle felt like someone was pulling it left to right. Problem was intermittent, but happened alot. Manufacturer didn't see it as a problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Laurel, MD, USA