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 and when making turns consumer heard rapid clanking sounds coming from the front wheels. Vehicle was taken to dealer, and examined by a certified mechanic, who determined that upper ball joints were worn out, and needed replacement.
While driving entire front end vibrated. The vibration was worse when speed increased. Dealership indicated that upper/lower ball joints had disintegrated and needed replacement.
I have a 2000 Dodge Durango with the upper ball joint problem in the suspension. It has been an active problem for about the last 40,000 miles. I do not have the money to fix it, nor do I believe it's my obligation to fix it. There should be a recall, since this is a design issue, and Dodge should be responsible for fixing this safety hazard. It is also a nuisance since it creates a very loud sound on turns and bumps. Many people stare at my Durango when they hear this noise. It doesn't help them sell cars!
- Gotha, FL, USA
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The ball joints wore out prematurely. Sometimes, the steering wheel jerked out of the driver's hand, and there was a clanking noise in the front end. Also, power door locks worked intermittently.
When turning the vehicle in either direction a noise was heard coming from the front. Vehicle was taken to dealer five times, but dealer could not determine the cause of the problem. Consumer suspected that ball joints caused the noise.
While driving at any speed, there was vibration in the front end of vehicle. An independent mechanic determined that upper ball joints were severely worn out. Dealer examined upper ball joints and repaired them.
When driving over bumps a squeaking noise was heard coming from the front end of vehicle. Consumer suspected the problem related to ball joints, based on a tv report.
When turning in either direction a grinding noise was heard. The cause of the problem had not been determined, but the consumer suspected defective ball joints could be the cause.
I have a 2000 Dodge Durango and I am having an annoying squeaking sound from the front end and thought it was my shocks, so I had new shocks installed and it didn't fix the problem. I heard on the news where alot of other people are having the same problem and that it has to do with the ball joints going bad. I do not feel that I should have to pay to have this repaired due to apparently there is a defect or there wouldn't be so many people having the same problem.
While driving the tires felt as though they were going to separate from vehicle. After dealership inspected the vehicle they determined that ball joints failed. Consumer immediately parked vehicle until some repairs were made.
While changing lanes at normal driving speed, vehicle lunged towards the shoulder of the road and nearly went out of control. Upon examination of the front suspension, excessively worn upper balls joints were determined to be the cause of the problem. Vehicle has only 46,000 miles on it.
As I was driving, the wheel of my 2000 Dodge Durango came off the car and caused the car to lose control and land in a ditch. My mechanic said it was the upper ball joint.
Without warning, the passenger side front wheel fell off of my 2000 Dodge Durango while making a right turn and traveling at approximately 5 mph. The vehicle has only 40,000 miles and the failure was caused by a separation of the upper ball joint. The failure caused damage to the lower ball joint, the tie rod, the front axle, the brake line, the wheel and the tire. The incident occurred while I was driving with my 4 year old daughter and 1 year old son in the car. We were 1/4 mile from taking a ramp to the right and entering a 65 mph expressway. I could have lost one or both of my children today due to Chrysler's negligence. EA03-023
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Glade Hill, VA, USA