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.
2000 Durango with 80,000 miles. Upper ball joint failed causing the upper control arm (and drivers side wheel) to separate from the vehicle. The truck violently veered and skidded until it came to rest on the side of the road. Luckily this occurred at only about 25 mph, two minutes before, the vehicle was at highway speeds! EA03-023. Updated
My 2000 Dodge Durango has 48,000 miles and the front right upper ball joint is failing. My Dodge dealer advised me to not take the vehicle out of town. They are unable to get the parts to repair it. I have a pre paid vacation coming up that will now require a car rental. Something needs to be done and soon.
Consumer stated the upper ball joint experienced premature wear. Dealer notified. While going slowly over a speed bump, the right upper ball joint broke, which left the tire in a 45 degree angle. Consumer later learned that the joint wasn't packed properly with grease from the factory. Both ball joints were replaced at no cost to the consumer. EA03-023
Consumer states that upper ball joint is wearing out prematurely. Dealer notified. When making a left turn front end locked causing consumer to drive into a ditch.
I also had new tires put on and I was told I needed upper ball joints replaced on my 2000 Dodge Durango. It seems I am not the only one with this problem. There should be a recall on this before someone gets seriously hurt.
Purchased a used 2000 Dodge Durango through a Chrysler auction in conn. Through enterprise car sales in January 2003. They attended that auction on our behalf. The SUV had aprx. 35,500 miles on it. Currently it has 41,379 miles on it. Since we purchased the vehicle it had been pulling to the right when it went over bumps etc. But we thought it was just due to being a SUV on a truck body. We just brought it into an automotive shop to be looked at as it seemed to be getting worse. We had to replace the right upper ball joint. The shop strongly recommended that we not risk driving the vehicle. We repaired the Durango at a cost of aprx. $255. It is no longer pulling to the right. Our VIN is [xxx]. the ball joints have worn out prematurely and we will continue to incur cost for additional ball joint cost in the future, in addition we have concern over safety of the vehicle due to the ball joints. Chrysler should have known of this problem on this specifically vehicle when they sold it through the auction. I would like Chrysler to inspect all of our balljoints and replace as necessary and also be reimbursed for the cost that we have just incurred. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
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.
There was a loud squeaking and clunking noise coming from front suspension when going over bumps. Vehicle also pulled very hard to the right. Had it aligned two separate times with no noticeable differences. Took to a alignment shop, and was told the upper ball joint was loose. They recommended taking to dealer for warranty work on suspension before alignment. Dealership made 'repairs' to front and rear suspension (8-2002) now (7-2003), vehicle is leaning towards the driver side while parked. It is 2" lower on driver side then passenger side. Also, now hearing another squeaking sound from front suspension when going over bumps. Vehicle also dives hard when it hits a bump at 35-65+ mph. Almost lose control of vehicle. I don't feel safe driving it now after hearing about the investigation on the suspension. I have a 2 year old son and a baby girl due August 30th. All of the complaints online sound identical to what my Durango is doing!
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.
This complaint is related to the Dodge Durango front suspension upper ball joints and control arms wearing out prematurely. At 28,433 miles I experienced front suspension problems. The local Chrysler dealership could not find anything wrong. At 38,801 miles "they" were able to pinpoint the problem and replaced the front and rear sway bar bushings and inner and outer tie rods. At 45,390 miles the problem reocurred and the tie rods, upper ball joints and control arms were replaced again! after reading the related article on your website, I wanted to express my concern and encourage you to further your investigation.
At 2 mph the driver's front tire fell off, causing over $2000 damage. Vehicle was resting on the wheel. Upper ball joints had failed. Front end had been checked by mechanic two months prior, was within specs.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Elkton, MD, USA