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.
We own a 2000 Dodge Durango. We experienced vibration in the front and strange noises. Mechanic checked front end of vehicle. Said that front right upper ball joint was defective to the point where it was unsafe to operate. He showed us the abnormal "play" in the front and said the wheel could easily separate from the chassis. He replaced this ball joint, but warned that the other three (consisting of lower and upper ball joints on left side, and lower ball joint on right side) are also bad and will need replacing in the very near future. Also said the universal joints in the rear will need to be replaced in the near future. This is all after we spent more than $200 to replace rear wheel axle bearings.
I own a 2000 Dodge Durango with 50,000 miles on it. (bought brand new). In August I took it in for service to my dealership, and told them about a noise in the front end. They checked it out, and told me I need upper and lower ball joints, at the cost of $1500. I have not yet had them replaced. I feel that there is a major problem with Dodge's ball joints, from the recent tv reports. I think the factory should recall these vehicles and fix what is needed. I have a statement from the dealership stating that these ball joints need replacing, if you need a copy of that, I will be glad to mail you one. Thanks, joan yuenger.
While driving 55 mph, the lower ball joint snapped. As a result the front passenger side wheel had come off and the consumer lost control of the vehicle. The consumer was forced to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the autobody but the problem has not been resolved. Chrysler had not contacted the consumer at this point.
I had heard that there was a known issue with the Dodge Durango ball joints going out before 60,000 miles. I took the SUV to the dealer and they tried to tell me there was nothing wrong. I went to a different dealer and they replaced my entire lower control arms.
PE 03-032, front suspension upper ball joint failure: The upper ball joints prematurely wore out and the wheel separated. The front end vibrated while driving. Both upper and lower ball joints were diagnosed as bad. EA03-023
Front end bad noticed uneven front tire wear and replaced tires also replaced front rotors and brakes also shocks front end still has shaking problems. Ball joints are suspected due to the abnormal tire wear also had a 4 wheel allignment and balance done all said to be correct. Still having the same problem after spending alot of time and money.
Had read about the complaints on Dodge Durango 1998-2003 models with premature wear on the ball joints. Have just had to replace both joints because the car was shaking terribly on the highway, and it is only 3 and 1/2 years old. Thought that this was a little too soon, but have never owned an SUV and am only familiar with normal cars. Do not use my Durango off road, and only tow a boat twice a year.
I own a 2000 Dodge Durango slt plus 4X4, with 27,000. Miles. (original owner)the drivers side ball joints were leaking, the dealer ship replaced all 4 ball joints under warrenty. The steering had started to become unstable. How ever, the front brake rotors had to be replaced because of corrosion, at my expense.
Had to replace upperball jonts at 50K miles on my 2000 Durango. After complaining of noise at 30K miles. Dealer stated could not find or report problem. When taken in for new tires and wheel alignment, dealer said they had to replace ball joints on right side. I forgot about my noise complaint and wow, the noise went away with the replacemnt of the ball joints. Now the left side is having the some noise at 65K miles.
2000 Dodge Durango - upper and lower ball joints failed in the front suspension and had to be replaced with only 40,500 miles. After many comunications with the area man for daimler Chrysler they finally paid for the repairs. Cost on this repair was estimated at $1000. Costly repair with this few miles.
Consumer states the other day he went to have a front end alignment done, and was told that it could not be done because both the upper and lower ball joints were worn beyond limits. Consumer did not have the work done because of the cost.
With reference to a 7/23/03 newspaper article from the NHTSA regarding 81 complaints alleging that the front suspension ball joints are wearing out prematurely on the Dodge Durangos, I would like to add my vehicle to that count. On 7/16/02 I had the right front upper control arm replaced on my 2000 Dodge Durango to remedy a noise problem. This was done at the auto dealer at my expense.
Consumer took vehicle into the dealer to inspect the front end since it felt like it was waving. Dealer replaced both sides, upper and lower ball joints.
I have a 2000 Dodge Durango, and I have been experiencing, front suspension problems.when you are turning or driving at any rate of speed it makes a creeking noise, and a clicking noise. I took it to Goodyear and they told me the ball joints need to be replaced, upper and lower. There is only 52000 miles on my truck, I took it to the dealer and they said they can not duplicate the problem. The cost for repair is over $1000 dollars. With all the complaints you are reciiveing I think there should be a recall and the dealers should be repairing the problems at there expense.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Richmond, IN, USA