suspension problem
8.7
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$789.00
Average Mileage:
73,307 miles
Number of complaints:
21 complaints
Most common solutions:
- should be recalled and sturdy, good metal parts used (13 reports)
- had to replace the ball joints (3 reports)
- replace ball joints (3 reports)
- not sure (2 reports)
Helpful Websites About 1999 Dodge Durango defective ball joints
2008Jan 08
Durango SLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
I am a single parent with two kids, going to college full time and working. I just acquired a dodge Durango 1999, Now it is making a awful scary noise from the front end. It sounds like I am dragging something. I was told I need the tie rods and ball joints replaced on this truck, this will only cost a little over $2,000 dollars. OUCH!!! Ummm did I mention I am a single parent trying to make ends meet? This is more than I paid for the truck and definitely more than I can afford. WHY was it that the 1999 Durangos were not recalled also?
2007Nov 11
Durango XLT 5.2L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 81,200 miles
i love my 1999 Durango.... BUT, it's a pain to chase down all the problems. I'll try to mention all the problems we have, A/C it's noisy, their's an annoying sound under the chassis everytime the A/C is ON. Never ending drip of coolant (replaced water pump seal cost about $450) still dripping, i just keep adding coolant. Electrical was also grounded. Now the famous Ball Joint is making a very loud annoying and scary sound, as if it is the under chassis part were falling apart.
2006Sep 08
Durango XLT 5L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 95,328 miles
We bought our Durango used in Feb 2006 and after six months the front end was vibrating terribly. We took it to the dealership because the front brakes were locking up. We had this repaired on Feb 20, 2006. 6 months later we were told that the upper and lower ball joints were shot and needed replacing. We had this work done Sept. 9, 2006. After the ball joint repair and alignment ( another $891.93) we also had to replace the tires (another $800). D/C should have recalled these vehicles to make these repairs. It is a shame when an American auto maker would put lives in danger knowing that their product was faulty. I would like to see D/C held accountable for this and to reimburce Durango owners the repair costs that we have had to pay out.
2007Sep 02
(reported on)Durango
- Automatic transmission
- 47,000 miles
I went to have my truck inspected and it failed the VA safety inspection because of upper and lower ball joints. At first I was like "WhOt?!?!" no car ever fails inspection because of ball joints. I first called Daimler Chrysler and they told me that my truck was not on the recall list, and I would be responsible for the "normal wear and tear" repairs. I think this is all bull crap!! As many complaints that I read about online, they should recognize the obvious and recall the vehicles and fix the problem. The ball joints, alignment, and brand new tires set me back close to $2000, and all this occurred before 50K miles. DC should really recognize the problem and take responsibility for poor craftsmanship. I do know that I will NEVER own another Dodge vehicle, and I tell everyone I know that DaimlerChrysler is not a consumer friendly company, and they prefer to put unsafe vehicles on the road just to make a buck!
2007Aug 06
(reported on)Durango SLT 5.2L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 94,500 miles
This is my second gripe. I just fount out today that the ones that were replaced in 04 are now bad. They only have 30k miles on them!!! I greased them every 3k when I changed my oil!! I take great care of my vehicles and this just frustrates the hell out of me!!!!!! I can't do the job b/c the tools I need cost a crap load of money and I only plan on having this vehicle for another 3 yrs. But the more I read about the tran. problems it has it may be sooner than later that I get rid of it. If you have this same problem with your dodge, email dodge and bi*ch about it!!! I did. I am waiting a response if any!!!!!
Also get it fixed right away. I saw pictures of durango's wrecked b/c of this problem. Can be fatal if traveling fast on a highway!!
2007Aug 06
(reported on)Durango SLT 5.2L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
My first complaint for the ball joints happened in 2004, when we had them replaced the first time. Vehicle had 65k on it. Cost me around 325 bucks b/c a friend that worked at a dealer did it for me as a huge favor b/c the quote I got from the dealer was 750 dollars. These things are a piece of crap. Even the replacement ones suck!! I have another complaint so follow me over to that one!!
2007Mar 11
(reported on)Durango SUV V8
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
Bought my 1999 durango in 2000. It was a used vehicle on the lot with 25,000 miles on it. Had to replace ball joints and now have to keep greasing them because they are wearing out my tires. Can't afford to keep replacing. Have hard time aligning the vehicle. Front end squeaks a lot if we don't keep grease in the ball joints. All so passenger seatbelt locks up on us and it is really hard to get it unhooked.
2006Jun 29
(reported on)Durango
- 118,000 miles
Dear friends: how many frustrated 99 durango owners do we need for a class action lawsuit? This is a potentially fatal defect of manufacturer: the proof is the recall of other years. Most people don't care about lawsuits until they suffer a serious accident, and live to talk about it. We 99 Durango owners have the same problems as other Durango owners and less rights according to Dodge corp. If the 2000 model was recalled with the same problem, and we hear that 98 and 99 have the same issues, how come ours were not recalled? United we stand and we have a chance of a fight, a slim one because the reality is that the Dodge corporation has enough money to pay high profile lawyers to shield them from outraged costumers but not enough money to do the right thing and replace those ball joints, which in the end is smarter. How many of you will consider purchasing another Dodge after your experience? Tell your friends, tell everyone how good your experience with Dodge was... I don't think they are going to make many sales out of us or of our friends... Our best weapon is to give them bad publicity in exchange for bad ball joints, bad publicity will hurt their sales, bad ball joints may kill us, we demand justice!
2005Jun 20
(reported on)Durango LE
- 54,000 miles
My 1999 dodge durango ball joint has went out and the dealership said since they had it ion the lift it caused the the weight of the wheels to pull down on the suspention and that is what caused the problem. They then went on to tell me that they were not liable for the problem. The truck was not making the noise before i brought it in.
2005Jul 13
(reported on)Durango LX
- 45,462 miles
I have a 1999 Dodge Durango which only a little over 45,000 miles. I have taken good care of the car, but recently took it to the dealer and they advised the upper and lower ball joints are really really bad. I have extended warranty with Lloyd Adderson Insurance; however, they don't want to cover it because they state it is wear and tear. How in the hell can you tell me I have to replace the ball joints because of wear and tear at such an early stage. I am extremely upset and would never recommend anyone buying a Durange or any model from Dodge. Furthermore, buying an extended warranty from the above agency wich is worth crap.
2007Jan 31
(reported on)Durango SLT V8
- Automatic transmission
- 67,462 miles
Mechanic at breaks plus told me ball joints need replacement and the shocks are just along for the ride!! Major problems for just having this hunk of metal for only 9 months pretty scary sh_t i would say huhhhhhhhhh????????????
2006Jul 18
(reported on)Durango
- 105,000 miles
This problem is dangerous and needs to be recalled. Most owners of this SUV have small children and should not have to worry it they will make it to where they are going because of this problem the dealers can simply fix.
2006Mar 31
(reported on)Durango
- 120,000 miles
brought it used had in garage more than drove it motor problem had replace it for $800.00. then year later dad replaced ball joints, inner arm tierods, a lot of things on the front end. i know he spent over 300 on front did work himself. say there were no recalls
2006Mar 18
(reported on)Durango
- 52,000 miles
I CAN'T BELIEVE DODGE ISNT GOING TO WARRANTY THIS. MY DAD HAS A 2000 DURANGO AND THEY FIXED HIS NO PROBLEM. MINE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AND I HAVE TO PAY.... BUNCH OF CRAP!
2005Jan 04
(reported on)Durango SLT
- 70,000 miles
failed front upper and lower ball joints at 70,000 miles
Not to mention other repairs in the past (brakes, rotors, speed sensor, electrical, tire wear, etc)
2005Oct 12
(reported on)Durango 5.9
- 88,000 miles
Just got new tires on the front end of our Durango and find that alignment is out of the question due to bad ball joints. Yay this is great, we've already replaced the transmission, had a major brake overhaul and now this??! Vehicle isn't worth it. I'm just glad we and our two little children haven't been severely injured due to this defect. Come to think of it, our vehicle has squeaked going over speed bumps and pulling out of our driveway for years. These joints are the culprit I'm sure. Guess I should be thanking my lucky stars my family and I haven't been in a terrible wreck due to Dodge's ignorance.
2005Mar 31
(reported on)Durango
- 75,000 miles
dodge dealer should recall all durangos 1999 to 2005, I know the 2002 were all recalled regarding the ball joints (lower ball joints)or upper. now the 1999 durangos, are having the same problems just like the 2002 durangos. who ends up getting hurt, or badly injuryed. which are bad in the first place, this kind of problem, could be dangerous, and it's still out there...... the dealerships should step up to the plate, and take care of this ... what are they waiting for ... when some one ends up dying or gets badly injured....
2004Oct 11
(reported on)Durango
- 40,000 miles
Upper ball joints are bad... dealer cannot cover under warranty
2004Apr 26
(reported on)Durango
- 27,000 miles
I for quite some time, my Durango would squeak terribly especially when going over bumps. When I took it in, I was lucky to still be under warranty. The cost to fix it would have been around to $1000.
The front ball joints were completely broken. It took a week to get the parts and fix. It is really scary that my wheels could have fallen off at any time. I still have the Durango and honestly it sound like they are going again. It really sucks that something that could be fatal is not important enough to the company to repair up front. I would probably not buy another Durango.
2003Dec 15
(reported on)Durango LXT
- 44,490 miles
Bought this vehicle and immediately found bad ball joint on left front, and had to replace the tire at my cost. returned to the dealer and the ball joints and upper control arms were replaced on both sides. I have had to replace the right side tire too. Later I found out these vehicles had been under investigation by NHTSA since back in july. Dealers should have to tell about safety defects I think. I have driven it 1500 miles in four months, only because I am afraid of it.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2000Aug 08
Durango SLT 5.2L
One year after buying vehicle had to replace ball joints; only had 50,000 miles on truck. Then last year it started clunking and tires were torn up. My cousin was going to change tire for me and when he jacked it up the wheels had two or three inches of wobble-room. He replaced the upper ball joints again and said I would need the lowers done as well. Worked for about three weeks then got squirrely under the front end again. Now they say I need wheel bearings redone, control arm replaced, bushings, and I can't remember what all. This weekend we were driving and there was a clankety-clunk sound under front end and I limped home. The front passenger wheel has play in it again and I am afraid to drive it. I am upside down in this worthless pile and have no more repair funds. This truck has been an evil vampire of a vehicle and I'm stuck with it!!!
sadams_1066
Edmond, OK, USA
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