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.
I have a 98 Dodge Durango and saw recently about ball joint failures, I have had ball joints replaced once (40000) and now need them replaced again (74000 miles). I was fortunate enough to have heard of other people with ball joint problems on their Durango's that I have them checked on a regular basis. I was told at more then one automotive shop about a problem with the ball joints on Durango's, including a Dodge dealership. I believe more people have a problem than is realized, only they dont know they have a problem. Why let them find the hard way? I have seen reports of wheels falling off. Is there a certain number of people that have to be injured before Dodge is forced into a recall. One can only hope that is not so.
Noise began in front wheel area and grew very loud within a short period of time. Also experienced steering issues (car shakes and pulls to right). Took vehicle in to check it out - had to replacel front ball joints and tension rods ends. We had to pay over $2000 to repair this defect, and car still does not steer properly. Dealer reported to us that this is a common problem for this vehicle.
Upper and lower ball joints were replaced twice. Also control arms, upper arms on booth sides were replaced twice since ownership of the vehicle. Replacement of tie rods were also made on vehicle.
While driving 5 mph in reverse a loud noise was heard coming from the driver side wheel. Consumer took the vehicle to a garage, and mechanic replaced upper and lower ball joints.
While driving 55 mph a loud knocking noise was heard coming from the passenger side wheel. Consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that both upper and lower ball joints needed replacing. Ball joints failed on both front and rear suspension.
- Iron Mountain, MI, USA
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During a routine inspection dealerships informed the consumer that upper ball joints wore out. Consumer was not experiencing any problems at this time. The dealership did not resolve the problem.
Defective upper & lower ball joints on 1998 Dodge Durango. I would like to join the rest of the Durango owners and file a complaint pertaining to the poor quality of the 1998 Dodge Durango upper & lower ball joints. I was notified by the Dodge service technicians that the ball joints needed to be replaced right away and if not dealt with soon they could cause an accident. I have children and I carpool children, so I took them seriously. I could not afford the Dodge price quote of $1200 so I went with a local mechanic shop price quote of $900. This is a lot of money to come up with in a short amount of time. In my opinion the ball joints should have lasted longer than 62000 miles. The majority of the work on the Durango is taxing kids around town.
We have a 98 Durango. In 2000 during the yearly inspection, it was found that the ball joints needed to be replaced. Even though we were in the 3yr warranty window, the mileage was too high for coverage by Dodge. We were lucky this was found on routine inspection.
Had to replace upper and lower ball joints after going for an alignment and being made aware of the problem. I felt this was premature for this vehicle. Obviously this was a design flaw in the Durango's.
With 40,000 miles had to install lower ball joints and right side inner tire rod I installed left inner tie rod and upper ball joints when vehicle was apart, also installed mono-max kyb shocks front and rear and install new bf goodrich tires front and rear had 2 different people check and set alignment and can not get vehicle to stop drifting right andhas chopped wear patten on right front wheel has to install new thermostat gasket.
My 1998 Dodge Durango had to have both upper and lower ball joints replaced as well as inner rods as I was told that it was extremely dangerous to drive in the condition they were in. This was very expensive. This was back in 3/02. I just heard about other reports regarding ball joints and I wanted to report this. I also own a 2000 model Durango. I'm wondering if it is safe or it I am going to have to spend a lot to replace the ball joints on it as well? thanks for you help.
Consumer had vehicle inspected by a dealership because of the new board cast. Dealership indicated that ball joints wore out prematurely, and the wheel could fall off at anytime if they won't replace the ball joints. Consumer was unsure if it was the upper or lower ball joints.
Consumer complained about a ball joint problem which was affecting the wear of the tires. Consumer seeks reimbursement for repairs on ball joints and replacement of tires.
While driving at 45 mph consumer heard a clanking noise coming from the front end. Vehicle was towed to the dealer. And dealer replaced the ball joint assembly on both sides, and the front hub assembly. Dealer replaced ball joints and front hub.
I have a 98 Dodge Durango at the time it had less than 50K miles when I was told that the upper and lower balljoints were bad by ntw. I was trying to get my front end aligned when they told me they could not. I took the car to the dealer mckenny Dodge they said that the balljoints were worn but they aligned the front end. They said at the time there no know balljoint problems with the Durango.
Consumer had not received a recall after 3 sets of ball joints malfunctioned. Consumer thought this was absurd. He mentioned this to the dealer, and dealer did not care.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Eudora, KS, USA