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.
The consumer heard a noise in the front of the truck. The consumer believed that the problem may have been the ball joints. After the consumer had been looking on the web to find a possible source of noise and researched the ball joints which he unexpectedly found to be sealed and unable to lubricate. The consumer spoke with a dealer about the noise. The consumer had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle experienced uneven tire wear.
While traveling at any speed consumer noticed a loud noise coming from the front end. Vehicle was serviced three times, but the technician was unable to duplicate the problem.
At approximately 55K (5/03) miles I had to spend $1662 for work on my Dodge Durango's differential. It has been my experience that these types of problems don't come up until way over 100K+ miles. Then 11/03 it was mandatory that I replace all 4 ball joints. This also doesn't seem right since the car only had approximately 65K miles on it at that time. You would think when you take your auto to the dealer for all its scheduled maintenance and having spent $35K on it new, one wouldn't be having these sorts of expensive problems.
While driving, the consumer heard a loud knocking sound in the front end. The driver also stated the brake pressure was not normal. The driver pulled over and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer replaced the ball joints, bearings, rotors, knuckles, hubs and axle.
Fax fwd on behalf of barbara edens (tx) re defective suspension on a 2000 Dodge Durango slt w/5.9 engine, requesting immediate action by NHTSA re recall investigation on this issue. The consumer stated the manufacturer put a Dodge Dakota V6 engine suspension on the Dodge Durango when they should have put the Dodge Ram pickup suspension on instead. The control arms had to be replaced three times in the three years the consumer owned the vehicle. The manufacturer realized the error they made and is now correcting the problem, the consumer believed a recall should be enforced.
Purchased my Durango new in 2000. I drive less than 12,000 miles a year and currently I am at 31,000 miles and my warranty is up. I find out that the upper and lower ball joints and control arm need replacing because they are wearing prematurely. This was all under normal driving conditions, no off-road or erratic maneuvering. I feel these parts are defective and should be covered by daimler. The ball joints should not be replaced at 30,000 miles. I have never had to replace ball joints on any other vehicles I have owned in the past 19 years.
Without warning the front suspension collapsed. This occurred while the driver was driving 25 mph, causing the consumer to loose control of the vehicle and hit an embankment. The owner had the vehicle towed to the dealer. Please add any additional information. EA03-023
The ball joint holding wheel on vertical axle failed causing wheel to tilt 45 degrees from a straight angle. Luckily this happened when my wife was leaving the grocery parking lot and was not on main road driving higher speed, otherwise could have been fatal. EA03-023
When turning in either direction with minor road imperfections, vehicle jumps and pulls to the opposite direction. Also a noise can be heard coming from the rear of vehicle. Cause of the problem has not been determined. Vehicle would drift dangerously into opposite lanes when slight road bumps are present. Consumer stated tire and suspension seem to be bouncing more than normal. Tire pressure was changed from 31 psi to 40 psi with no improvement to wheel bounce.
While driving, the upper ball joint failed, which caused the consumer to lose control of the vehicle. The upper and lower ball joints on both sides were replaced.
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.
I purchased a used 2000 Dodge Durango at lee automall, saco, Maine, on 03-06-03. I was informed a 150 point check had been performed and the brakes were new on used vehicles on their lot. My first maintenance/oil change was 04/03 at lee automall, auburn, me. I provided a concern that the front brakes had been scwell'G at each slow down or stop and that brake dust was accumulat'G on the tire rims. The brakes were checked and I was informed that they were in excellent condition and that the scwell'G sound I was hearing is normal performance due to a new kind of brake pads that used car dealerships install on used vehicles. 2 days after the front brakes began to scwell again and brake dust was appear'G on the tire rims. 2 wks after svc/maintenance I noticed that each time I drove across a bump or cement bridge the Durango would jolt from one side to the other. Whereby, I had a difficult time control'G the steer'G. I brought the Durango in for svc/maintenance on 07/09/03 to lee automall in auburn, me for F/U care. I explained to the service rep that the front brakes cont'd to scwell and that the suspension was not perform'G well. I expressed that it was difficult to maintain control of the steer'G each instance that I drove over a bump or cement bridge. I phoned the service rep on 07/10/03 to receive a status on the vehicle. I was told that all 4 shocks (no good), 2 tires (worn-no tread), and a serpetine belt (cracked) had to be replaced. I owned the Durango for 3 months and I'm being told that all 4 shocks have to be replaced. I picked the Durango up on 07/12/03 and all was well until 07/13/03. The shocks were replaced, two new tires, and the brakes--I was told that the brakes are in excellent condition, a great amount of padd'G remained and that it is just a character flaw. As of 07/15/03 the front brakes continue to scwell, brake dust collects on the rims and I continue to have a difficult time handl'G the steer'G when I drive over a bump or a cement bridge.
I have a problem with a grinding noise, and turning radius problem that just started with regard to the 2000 Dodge Durango. My vehicle is obviously out of warranty, but have been told by quick inspection of non-dealer mechanic that this may be related to the ball joint problem that is being currently investigated and was urged to file complaint and get the vehicle inspected by a dealer asap.
The vehicle experienced failure of the front end at 45000 miles and had to have the upper/lower ball joints and lower control arm replaced. The vehicle is currently experiencing problems with the front end again. The vehicle feels as if riding on "clouds" when driving, even on dry pavement. Consumer does not have complete control of movement when driving. While driving on uneven road the suspension felt very loose.
At my 30,000 servicing I complained of a lot of creaking noises coming from front/back especially when going over bumps, or accelerating/turning up/down slight inclines. Dealer "loosened and re-torqued leaf spring mounting bolts". noise went away. About 7 months later, the noise returned and has worsened (now I am off warranty). Took it to a different dealer, who said that the original dealer should have replaced not just tightened leaf springs due to existing service bulletin. Also, new dealer charged me to test drive/diagnosis my car. Now they say "sway bar bushings" need to be replaced. They have ordered parts, but at my expense. I am only a few weeks off of warranty...the noise is much worse, happens front/back, stop/go, up/down-hill, going over bumps.
Consumer lost all steering, the vehicle was towed to the mechanic and indicated the front track bar and tie rod broke. When the tie rods broke, the left the front wheels were without the ability to steer and was unable to slow or stop. The entire rack assembly was replaced. Scc
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