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 purchased my 1999 Durango in early 2000. Since that time, I have had to replace numerous parts of the front end suspension including wheel bearings on several occasions, right side hub assembly, both spindles, and the rotors twice. Last week, I notice the wheel was literally flopping sideways when I turned. My dealer then replaced the upper and lower ball joints on both sides. After the replacement of the ball joints, I drove the vehicle and noticed an extreme shaking when applying the brakes, and a dramatic pull to the right. My dealer examined the front end again, and after eliminating all other possibilities for the problem then notice that the front bracket which holds the lower control arm on the right side was fractured. Upon examining the bracket they discovered that there was no spot weld on the bracket and the two side welds were only on the frame, but not the bracket itself. The bracket and frame were fractured almost all the way around the frame. According to their service men, and body repair staff, the bracket appears to have never been properly welded at the manufacture. Subsequently, I have a vehicle, with that I cannot drive. This seems to be a manufacture defect, which resulted in me having to do numerous repairs over the 5 year period I have owned the vehicle, and put my family in serious danger of a catastrophic front end failure.
I have a 1999 Dodge Durango that I purchased about seven months ago, it had 69,000 miles. About a month later the front ball joints, upper & lower, were bad also the control arm bushings are bad. I believe this is a manufacturer defect. I tried to find these parts to repair my vehicle, but there are no replacement parts available at our local autostores. I believe these parts should be recalled... thank you very much... steve kennett.
Brought my vehicle in for repair at the Dodge dealership service dept. And they pointed out the the both ball joint (upper and lower) and control arm where loose and needed replace. I took my 99 Durango in do to the "check engine" light was on. I was told that they are getting a lot Durango's in with the same loose ball joint problem. I was advised by the service dealer that this was a safety issue. My vehicle only has 67K miles. Thanks.
- Wichita, KS, USA
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When driving over a bump the vehicle would "creek" and shake when driving at speeds of 65 mph or greater. Dealer stated that control arms were worn out, and the vehicle was unsafe to drive in that condition.
Consumer called complaining about the front ball joints. Also stated that consumer had to have them replaced because they were falling apart. Manufacturer was not contacted at the time of this call. Mechanic repaired the vehicle at a rate of 50/50% because of the warranty. Consumer was informed he should've brought the vehicle in at 36,000 so the repairs could've been fully covered.
The consumer took the vehicle to get new tires, but was told by the mechanic the upper ball joints had excessive wear. Also the control arms were replaced.
I was told recently from Dodge dealer that I needed right and left upper control arms and had worn out ball joints that would costs roughly $1500 to fix.I heard on news today that there was an investigation or recall.im sure there or others with this same problem shelling out hard earned cash to have this fixed, because the mechanic I talked with said that this was a problem that they were having with that model;acted as if it was normal.I have never been off-road with this vehicle and have never had this problem with a car so new.I have been saving money to get this fixed, but noone from Dodge told me that I was in danger if I continued to drive it like that, they did say it would wear my tires out and I would notice it more the longer I drive it like that.im glad someone is looking out for the consumers!!
On December 27, 2002 I brought my Dodge Durango to just cruisin, Inc to have my annual state inspection performed. I was notified that I failed inspection due to out of specification conditions on my front suspension. The vehicle had 62,810 miles at the time of this inspection. They notified me that they believed this to be a premature wearing of the parts. On 1/17/03, the ordered parts had been received, and I had them replaced. Just cruisin removed and replaced both lower ball joints, the left upper ball joint, and both inner tie rod ends. I did not notify Chrysler of this problem yet. Today, I read an article regarding 4 accidents and 81 complaints of premature wear on the front suspension of Dodge Durangos and decided to file this complaint. I also intend to contact Chrysler regarding recoupment of my expenses. Because the parts were replaced w/ factory parts, I probably will still need to replace w/ the redesigned parts when they come out.
I have a 1999 Dodge Durango. The ball joints wre out and I had the driver's side wheel fall off while going down the road. I spent several thousand dollars in repairs at a Dodge dealership. Has there been a recall or other similar incidents? thanks, kenneth lowrie
I have had my vehicle into two places for underbody inspections and M-59 Dodge told me my ball joints (upper & lower) and control arms would need to be replaced. I had M-59 Dodge replace them once at 44,000 miles on my '99 Durango and now at 77,000 they say they need it again? so, I took it into anderson Dodge for a second opinion and they said they were fine (good) actually. So, I checked defects off the nhsta website and saw several instances of ball joints failing at every 30,000 miles. So, I called a Dodge parts department and asked what the part #S were for ball joints and control arms for a '99 Durango and for a '99 Dakota (4X4) and guess what they are the same numbers"???? let me guess, design the 4X4 Dakota and just add all that weight and moment arms of the back of the SUV top and lift gate and not expect the equations to change for wear and tear of the front suspension?????? and then I found out that the suspension was modified in the 2000 model year. What a surprise??? I wonder if nhsta would be interested in my findings?????" now I am going to a third Dodge dealer for another inspection to see if I really do have a problem with ball joints and control arms. If these ball joints I have now are ok, I want to know if I can tap them and put in a grease fitting in order to extend the life of them. If however, they are not ok, I am going to file a complaint with NHTSA and show them my findings. I believe a design flaw should be a recall.
Bearings in upper and lower control arms had to be replaced due to deterioration. Dealer stated that they could not find problem on several visits while under warranty. Finally, after numerous alignments and tire replacements a friend mechanic noticed bearings which caused noise from original purchase date. Clicking noise at low speeds and turns turned into loud grind, which is when personal mechanic found problem. One dealership said the problem was front shocks. Replaced them but did not solve problem. Dealerships are avoiding problem hoping warranties run out. I equate car dealerships/service departments with carnival workers. This is their cash cow!!!!!
1999 Dodge Durango is known to have this problem with the ball joints and it needs to be addressed. This will result in accidents, which can lead to fatalities.
At 65,000 miles, my mechanic told me that my ball joints were bad. He also said that Durango's apparently had problems with them since he had already replaced at least 20 of them. The front end of my car had been creaking for awhile when I would hit a speedbump or bump in the road. I am a woman and did not know that there was a problem. I have gone online and researched this and have seen alot of complaints from Durango owners about this problem. My niece also owns a Durango and I told her about the problem. She had to bring her car in for a different repair to her dealer, so she asked them to check her ball joints. They said that her ball joints were bad and needed to be replaced. She only has 35,000 miles on her vehicle so her replacement was covered under warranty. The dealership told her that Durango ball joints have to be replaced every 30,000 miles. At the time that I found out about my ball joints my family and I were leaving the next day for a vacation by car. So I had to replace my ball joints at a cost of $700. I believe that a problem exists and it is a safey hazard. My mechanic told me that if the ball joint broke it can cause a serious accident. My Durango has given me alot of problems. I have been trying to get my transmission fixed since I purchased the vehicle and the problem is ongoing. Next week I have to make my fourth appointment with the dealer to try and get my transmission fixed. I do believe there is a problem with the ball joints and I do not think that they should be able to let this serious condition continue.
Consumer took vehicle for a routine inspection, and state inspection attendant stated that upper and lower left and right ball joints were bad. Consumer felt ball joints went out at a very low mileage. Dodge has been contacted. Jlg
During state inspection mechanic noticed both lower front ball joints were worn out, and had to be replaced. In April 2002 right front upper ball joint was replaced.
Took my Durango in to my mechanic to have tires balanced and rotated and a 4-wheel thrust alignment. He advised me that my upper and lower ball joints were bad. I called the dealer who wanted me to have their mechanics diagnose it. They agreed that the ball joints were bad. I contacted Chrysler's customer service due to the expiration of the 36,00 mile warranty. They agreed to replace the ball joints and I would pay a $100 deductible. A file was opened. On August 2, 2002 I took my Durango to my mechanic to have a routine tire balance and rotation done. My mechanic advised me that my lower ball joints were bad. I took it to the dealer, but Chrysler refused to do anything to correct the problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Burkesville, KY, USA