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 at any speed vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. Driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that both frontal upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.
Dodge Durango 1998 upper and lower ball joints failure. Consumer wants to know why wouldn't a recall be issued on the 98 vehicles but only for the 2000-03 models. The consumer had to have the upper and lower ball joints replaced on her vehicle at a cost of $1500.
Request response from NHTSA re a recall for 1998-99 Durangos have same problem as 2000-2003. Upper ball joints reply to brookfield dist. Office. The consumer stated he suffered upper and lower ball joint failure on his vehicle, however his vehicle was not included in the recall.
Dodge Durango slt 1998 4X4 driving stability degraded. Electronic diagnostics at repair shop showed front steering out of spec: "value is not within specification. Tier wear, handling and safety problems may result." Replacement of front ball joints was required. Vehicle only has 56,000 miles.
The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an alignment, and mechanic determined that the lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to defective parts. Manufacturer notified.
While driving 40 mph, the vehicle jerked and vibrated uncontrollably. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle and pulled over. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that both frontal upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.
1998 Dodge Durango. Replaces lower ball joints two years ago ($500+). now after 75000 total miles I have to replace the upper ball joint and tie rods. Dodge did not extend their recall back far enough. The only go back to year 2000 models.
Vehicle wandered across the road while driving at any speed. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop, and mechanic determined that both front lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The dealer was not notified.
Consumer complained about upper ball joints problem. Consumer took the vehicle to a repair shop to have the wheels aligned, and fond out that the ball joints were very loose in the socket.
The consumer experienced a ball joint problem. The consumer contacted the manufacturer, and was told that only the 2000 through 2003 vehicles were being recalled. The right passenger right side lower and upper ball joints were extremely loose, more than the left side.
My 1998 odge Durango 4X4 sltt was very difficult to keep on the road. It seemed to be driving sideways. I was very alarmed and took it to the Goodyear dealership in cedartown, Georgia. The Goodyear dealership said the balljoints were dangerously worn and must be replaced immmeadiatly. I took it to my personal mechanic and he also said the ball joints and tierod ends had to be replaced bearings were very dangerous and must be replaced because the car was unsafe to drive. He advised me to contact the Dodge dealership due to a recall. The Dodge dealership said the recall only included 2000-2003 4X4 Durangos. I have no choice but to replace the ball joints and tierod ends because it is unsafe to drive. I feel that the Dodge Chrysler corporation should be responsible for the cost of the parts and service fees as well as labor to fix this dangerous condition on my Dodge Durango.I would appreciate any help in resolving this matter. This could have been a life threatening condition, and I feel the Dodge corporation should be aware of the problem and help to resolve and recall cars of this make and model due to the fact that the 1998 model has similar defects as the 2000-2003 models have which have been already recalled.
While driving at 35 mph a grinding/popping noise came from the front left end of the vehicle. Consumer pulled over to inspect the noise, and noticed the left front tire had came off. The tire was turned outward and hanging. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, who indicated that a bearing was needed. Also, both upper and lower ball joints were defective, and needed to be replaced.
My 1998 Dodge Durango VIN [xxx], now needs a third ball joint replacement. Why was not the 1998 model year recalled for this problem like the 2000-2003 model years? certainly three failures of this component in 72,000 miles is a safety defect and should be included in a recall. Please review 1998 model years for inclusion in the recall. Updated 07/24/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am filing this complaint after hearing of all the ball joint failures on Durangos and the recall on 2000-2003 model vehicles. My Durango is a 1998 model and I am about to replace the ball joints for a second time at 80,000 miles as I am getting the dreaded clunking noise again. I use my Durango for normal driving and have never seen this type of failure in a vehicle. I was raised in detroit and know something about cars. I also don't understand why the recent recall does not go back to the original model year as the same parts and failure modes appear to be prevalent in 1998 and 1999 models. I'm hoping something will be done as I cannot afford to be changing ball joints more often than my tires and brakes, not to mention the safety risk.
Upper and lower ball joints worn and needed to be replaced. Luckily this was found by a mechanic and they were replaced before they failed. However, this was done after the warranty period at considerable cost to myself.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Sanford, NC, USA