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.
Took my vehicle to dealer for routine service. When I went to pick up the vehicle, I was told that the ball joints were in such bad condition that they could not release the vehicle to me without replacing them because of the potential for an accident. They said that the replacement parts were backordered because of so many similar situations and that it might take a week or more until I received my vehicle back. The vehicle had roughly 20,000 miles on it and it was still under warranty. If this is such a common and hazardous problem, why no recall?
With just over 16K miles on my 2002 Dodge Durango, I noticed my front passenger side tire wearing badly on the outer edge. Upon jacking the vehicle under the lower control arm, I found that the upper ball joint had excessive looseness when the tire/spindle assembly was shaken. I also found slightly less play on the drivers side. The upper controlarm/ball joint assemblys were replaced under warranty but I am concerned of whether this will happen again in another 16K miles.how can I be assured the dealer replaced the parts with an improved version? the worn tire due to this obvious defect is incidental damage according to the dealer and is not covered under the warranty and so I must replace it myself. I am not happy about this either.
My 2002 Dodge Durango left and right upper ball joints wore out prematurely. They could not be fixed and had to be replaced at $625.82 at a Dodge dealership. I understand this is under investigation for defective equipment.
While stopped in traffic the consumer's vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle. The consumer's vehicle collided with the vehicle in front of it. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Consumer was wearing a seat belt but still suffered injuries to the right knee. A police officer arrived on the scene. Also, NHTSA PE 03-032, front suspension upper ball joint failure: While vehicle was getting repaired mechanic found that upper ball joints were wearing out at an alarming rate.
During inspection, mechanic noticed the passenger front tire wobbled. Dealer stated the passenger front upper ball joint was worn out and had to be replaced. Parts are on back order.
2002 Dodge Durango: Both upper ball joints replaced at 18,000 miles. Dealer initially refused repair citing "no problem found". I had to prove the ball joints were defective by jacking the vehicle and demonstrating excessive play by moving the wheel that was off the ground. Only then did the dealer admit the ball joints were defective and replaced them. You need to know there are more Durango owners out here with defective ball joints. In my opinion, they should last 100,000 miles+, not 18,000.
I purchased a 2002 Dodge Durango in June 2002. My Durango started squeaking and popping at about 17,000 miles. I have complained of squeaking and popping in the front-end. Every time it was brought to the dealership for repair, they never found anything wrong and said they could not hear the squeaking noise, but as soon as I drove off the lot there it was as sure as it was when I brought it in. I would tell them that they needed to drive the vehicle in order to hear it squeak. My Durango got to the point where the front-end felt like I had every little control of the vehicle. Not to mention it felt very unsafe to drive. It would also squeak without even driving it. All you had to do was get out of the vehicle and it would squeak. On October 2, 2003 I had no choice but to bring my vehicle in again because it was beginning to feel to unsafe to drive. At that time they discovered that both the right and left upper control arm ball joints had excessive play and needed to be replaced.
Electronic controls of safety equipment do not funtion properly. Turn signals, lights, cruise. Gauges, windows, radio, airbag etc.. all have malfuntioned since the car was picked up from the dealer. It is obvious that a electrical problem exists in the vehicle but doddge/Chrysler is un willing to address the issue.this is an ongoing issue. I have numerous witnesses and have started video recording the problems.
Had to have the upper ball joints/control arms & lower ball joints replaced on my 2002 Dodge Durango SXT 4X4 under warranty due to failing pa state safety inspection. The vehicle had 27K miles on it at the time. The veh now has 40K on it & I'm experiencing a knocking noise coming from the frt end again. A private shop stated that the the lower ball joints have excesive movement & must be replaced again. I took the veh back to the dealer & theye stated that they will not cover them under warranty again due to the mileage. This veh is only 17 months old with 40,000 all hwy mileage & was never taken off road. This is unacceptable in my opinion & a severe safety issue if the ball joint does separate.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Germantown, MD, USA