Upon inspection, lower ball joints on 1998 Dodge Durango were found to be rusted, loose, and had to be replaced. Inspection facility indicated they had 4 or 5 other Durangos with similar problems, some which resulted in accidents.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Both upper and lower ball joints must be replaced at 66,000 miles which seems very early for a component of this type. The durange has been careflully maintained.

- Edmonds, WA, USA

I was bringing my 4 year old daughter to preschool this morning when I hear a thumping noise so I pulled over and noticed my tires were fine. So after I dropped her off at school I decided to take it to the dealership where I bought the car after seeing the program about bad ball joints in Durangos. Well after the mechanics inspected my car they told me that if I had hit another bump or pot hole in the road my tires would have snapped off. That is how bad they were. I had no warning except for this morning. So I called diamel Chrysler to get them to cover the cost and they said " in good faith" they would fix the ball joints at no cost but would not cover any other damage done by the ball joints going. I could've gotten killed today with my daughter or I could've killed someone else. There should be an immediate recall on the ball joints before someone gets killed. By the ball joints being bad my tires which were new are shot, my hub on both sides needs to be replaced, both shocks and the bearings on both sides. I have to pay over $1,200 in damages because of a ball joint.

- Hampden, MA, USA

I have a 98 Dodge Durango with 72000 miles on it. The lower ball joint failed on the SUV having to replace upper and lower ball joints.

- Lafayette, IN, USA

1998 Dodge Durango slt V-8, front tire just about fell off while driving, ball joint problem of course. We have 5 children and I thank god they were not in the car. I have seen so many of these complaints, what is the problem, why is there no recall yet. Does there have to be death involved before something is done. These U.S.car dealers want our business but they wont stand behind their product, its no wonder everyone seems to be buying imports. There repair parts may cost alittle more, but these cars seem to be more reliable. I have owned an import and had great luck with it. In fact it still runs and its a 1992. Obviously Chrysler needs to start doing something about these complaints, please we trusted this company enough to buy this $$$$$$ truck, and would buy another, but not if you wont stand behind the product. Maybe we should try a Ford, alot of people seem to like them.

- Dansville, NY, USA

Vehicle was taken to the dealer for a routine check up and the mechanic determined that both frontal wheels came off and that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.

- Bayfield, WI, USA

Consumer stated that vehicle was driving as if it needed an alignment. But when she took vehicle to dealer, and mechanic determined that suspension system malfunctioned. Also, ball joints cracked in half. Consumer was told that if she hit a hard bump front tires would have fallen off. Consumer never received recall or any warning.

- Homestead, FL, USA

I have a 1998 Dodge Durango and was told that I needed new ball joints on the front of the truck. I had heard there is an investigation going on due to so many complaints on the ball joints in the 1998 to 2003 Durangos. If I had not taken it in for a routine oil change this would not have been caught and there would have been an accident. The reason it was caught was the service consultant at Dodge asked if I had checked the front end alignment lately. I said no and told him to check it. He called back with the ball joint problem that will now cost me $1800. It is very strange that they asked to check my front end alignment with an investigation going on.

- Memphis, TN, USA

The dealer replaced upper and lower ball joints on both sides if my 1998 Dodge Durango in Jan 2003. Vehicle had 69572 miles. Cost to repair was $2540.64. This complaint is in reference to NHTSA defect investigation of Dodge Durango front end problems and ball joint separation NHTSA action number: PE03032

- Cumberland, RI, USA

I had heard about a program aired on T.V. regarding the upper ball joints going bad prematurely on the Dodge Durango. I took my vehicle to my regular mechanic to have it checked. I was told that both the upper and lower ball joints were bad. I made an appointment and had them replaced at a Dodge dealer. I was told that since there was not an official recall, I would have to pay for it. My life and that of my family were at jeopardy and I believe I should be fully reimbursed for the costs associated with repairing the vehicle.

- Roy, UT, USA

The dealership noticed that the upper and lower ball joints were worn out, and needed to be replaced while performing a 3000 miles warranty service. The factory back ordered the parts.

- Flagstaff, AZ, USA

1998 Dodge Durango upper and lower ball joints failed, requiring replacement. Vehicle was out of warranty by approximately 10,000 miles. Repairs performed at local non-dealer shop.

- St. Charles, IL, USA

Had to replace both upper and lower ball joints in my 1998 Dodge Durango at my expense, even though Dodge knew there was a problem.

- Yukon, OK, USA

I have a 1998 Dodge Durango with 98,000 miles on it and will now have to have the ball joints replaced for the second time. The first time was when the truck had about 45,000 miles on it (August 2000). Then I had to have the bushings on the steering bracket replaced in April 2002. Then the squeaking and popping noises returned in January 2004 and have gotten worse. I finally took it to a dealer here in raleigh, nc and they said the ball joints are bad again. The dealer said that someone actually pierced the boots and tried to lube the ball joints. It is my understanding that these Dodge ball joints are the non-greasable kind. What is being done to get Dodge to acknowledge this obvious faulty part and begin a recall of it. I'm out over $1,500 because of these faulty ball joints. I would appreciate any information that you have on this issue.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

Upper and lower ball joint wore out to soon.

- Bangor, PA, USA

1998 Dodge Durango with complete upper and lower ball joint failure and control arm failure. Repaired at owner expense at local independent repair shop. Ball joints worn to point of unsafe to drive the vehicle despite only 82,000 miles.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

1998 Dodge Durango, have had to have the ball joints replaced twice now.

- Maineville, OH, USA

While driving between 55 to 60 mph the consumer hears a loud noise then temporarily lost control of the vehicle. The consumer was able to pull out of the road and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician determined the lower ball joint separated.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

Both ball joints of the durago have been deemed unsafe after 60,000 miles.

- Thomaston, CT, USA

State inspector noticed that upper and lower ball joints loose rusted, and needed to be replaced. This occurred during a state inspection. The vehvile went throught Pennsylvania state inspection. All four ball joints failed inspection.

- Myerstown, PA, USA