1998 Dodge Durango complaints

CONSUMER NOTICES A BANGING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND TECHNICIAN NOTICED NO COOLING. ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK METAL CHIPS AND SLUDGE WERE FOUND IN THE MOTOR AFTER THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS. THE BEARINGS FOR CYLINDER 1 AND 5 SPUN THE CRANK SHAFT, DEALER REPLACED THE PITMAN AND IDLER ARMS. *YH

CONSUMER FOUND THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE UNDONE A FEW TIMES OWNING IT TO THEM BECOMING A LITTLE LOOSE AND THE CHILD SEAT TILTING OVER ON THE RELEASE BUTTON. *JG

I HAVE THE GEN3 SEATBELTS AND CHRYSLER REFUSES TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES. *AK

GEN THREE SEATBELTS ARE IN THIS VEHICLE. THEY NEED REPLACED TO GEN 4. *AK

NOTE: TWO OIL CHANGES WITHIN 2,000 MILES OF BREAKDOWN (HAVE RECEIPTS). TRAVELING ON BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN OIL PRESSURE DROPPED TO 0 AND ENGINE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO MAKE LOUD TAPPING NOISE. OIL PAN WAS REMOVED AND "A LOT OF METAL SHAVINGS FROM THE ENGINE" HAD CLOGGED THE OIL SCREEN CAUSING THE OIL PUMP FAILURE. AS A RESULT OF THE OIL PUMP FAILURE, THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. BASED ON NTSA DATABASE AND DISCUSSIONS WITH AREA EXPERTS, THIS OIL PUMP FAILURE/ENGINE DAMAGE DEFECT CONDITION FOR THE 1998 DURANGO (5.2L) IS COMMON, YET FREQUENTLY UNREPORTED. NO ASSISTANCE FROM MANUFACTURER. WARRANTS DETAILED AGENCY SCRUTINY AND PRODUCT RECALL DUE TO DEFECT CONDITION. WILL BE PURSUING LEGAL ACTION TO RECOVER COST OF OIL PUMP AND ENGINE REPLACEMENT.

SEATBELT ARE DEFECTIVE AND PRONE TO UNLATCHING IMPROPERLY.*AK

WHILE PULLING VEHICLE OUT ONTO THE ROAD FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BROKE. SEAT ITSELF ROCKS BACK AND FORTH. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE, AT FIRST CONSUMER THOUGHT IT WAS THE BRAKES, THEN DISCOVERED IT WAS NOT THE BRAKES, BUT THE DRIVESHAFT, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT CHRYSLER HAD BEEN HAVING A LOT OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS. COULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT IF REAR END LOCKED UP. *AK CHRYSLER WAS UNWILLING TO ASSIT WITH THE REPAIRS.*SLC

WHILE DRIVING AT STATE SPEED LIMIT, ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, ENGINE STALLED DUE TO A CONSTANT OIL LEAK.*AK THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN. THE ENGINE ALWAYS BURNED OIL AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS CAME ON. THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE FROM DAY ONE. WHEN PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE WOULD OCCUR THE DODGE MECHANICS ALWAYS INFORMED CONSUMER THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT OF MONIES PAID. *JG

THE LUMBAR SUPPORT LEVER WAS ACTIVATED BY MY HUSBAND AND WHEN ACTIVATED, IT STICKS OUT BEYOND THE DRIVER'S SEAT ABOUT 1/2 INCH. WHEN I GOT INTO THE VEHICLE, MY LOWER BACK HIT THE LEVER RESULTING IN TWO BULGED DISCS AND A TEAR IN THE L4-S1 REGION ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE SEVERITY OF THE INJURY HAS RESULTED IN APPROXIMATELY $10,000 OF MEDICAL BILLS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW IN THAT A LUMBAR SUPPORT LEVER SHOULD NOT BE IN THE PATHWAY OF ONE'S BACK WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE.*AK

THE PLASTIC PISTON IN THE CALIPERS ARE ENGAGED AGAINST THE BRAKE PADS AND HAVE WORN DOWN THE DISC(ROTOR) OVER TIME. I DO LONG DISTANCE DRIVING, NOT START AND STOP; HENCE, IT HAS TAKEN THIS LONG TO MANIFEST ITSELF. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE FRONT BRAKES GRINDING A SECOND TIME ON NOVEMBER 27, 2000.*AK

THIS IS THE 4TH SET OF BALL JOINTS THAT HAVE GONE BAD. WHEN DO THEY ADMIT A PROBELM EXISTS?*AK

THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED, CAUSING PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. THIS WAS NOT NOTICED TILL A TIRE BLEW BECAUSE THE INNER EDGE OF THE TIRE HAD WORN OUT. A NEW TIRE WAS PURCHASED, BUT I COULD NTO GET AN ALIGNMENT. TO REPLACE BALL JOINTS, I ALSO NEED TO HAVE THE UPPER CONTROL ARM REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY EVER SEEN HIGHWAY MILES. BALLJOINT'S HAVE FAILED PREMATURELY. AS A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL DURANGO OWNERS CLUB I KNOW THIS IS BECOMING A VERY COMMON OCCURANCE, EVEN ON NEWER VEHICLES.

LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE, THIS EARLY IS UNHEARD OF

WHILE DRIVING IN VERY COLD WEATHER, TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL INTERMITTENTLY, VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES IN 3 YEARS. DEALER DID NOT HAVE A REMEDY. CURRENTLY, WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, DEALER WANTED TO REBUILT TRANSMISSION. *AK

MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN I-71 AND THE CHECK GUAGES LIGHT CAME ON AND THE OIL PRESSURE HAD DROPPED TO 0 CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A CLOGGED OIL PUMP INTAKE SCREEN. WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE ALTHOUGH OIL WAS CHANGED IN A TIMELY MANNER. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THE OIL PAN WAS TAKEN OFF AND ENGINE COMPONENTS AND METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND. THE SERVICE ADVISOR HIMSELF TOLD US THAT HE COULD NOT SAY FOR SURE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IMPROPER MAINTENANCE. HE ALSO MAINTAINED THAT IF WE HAD A CHRYSTLER INSPECTOR COME IN WE WOULD END UP PAYING FOR A NEW ENGINE. HERE WE ARE MAKING PAYMENTS ON A $30,000 THAT WE CANNOT DRIVE UNTIL WE COME UP WITH ALMOST $5000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE.*AK

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OIL SLUDGE DEALER MAINTAINS IT IS DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE WE MAINTAIN THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PROPERLY CARED FOR AND THAT WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, A LOUD WHINING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE DURANGO. AFTER VERIFYING THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS CORRECT AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE 4WD WAS NOT ENGAGED, THE WHINING SOUND BECAME LOUDER. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE TO A DEALER IN NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX (A SUBURB OF FORT WORTH). THE SERVICE ADVISOR WAS SURE THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE CHANGED AND ALL WOULD BE FINE. AFTER SERVICING THE DIFFERENTIAL THE SERVICE ADVISOR CONTACTED ME TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE "RING AND PINON SET, AND CUP AND CONES" NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ( THIS IS THE RING AND PINON GEAR, THE PINON SEAL, AND THE SIDE BEARING THAT SUPPORT THE DIFFERENTIAL CASE). THE ESTIMATED COST FOR THIS REPAIR WAS $1323.08. I REMINDED THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT A 1998 DODGE DURANGO WITH 47333 MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR THIS REPAIR SINCE I BELIEVE THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT HE COULD DO AND HE SUGGESTED I CALL DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE. AFTER SPEAKING TO DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE THREE TIMES, THEY "REVIEWED" MY SITUATION. SINCE I DID NOT HAVE ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY, DODGE OFFERED TO PAY HALF OF THE REPAIR COST AS A "GOOD WILL GESTURE". IN THE END, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPAIRED AT A COST TO ME OF $502.28. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $1004.56 AND WITH DODGE'S "GOOD WILL GESTU

A LOUD HOWLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR AXLE BEARINGS AND POSSIBLY DIFFERENTIAL RING AND PINION WERE BAD. I WAS ADVISED BY MY MECHANIC TO GO BACK TO THE DEALER SINCE THIS WAS AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP DEFECT OBVIOUS BY THE LOW (22,000) MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE THAT LOOKS LIKE THE DAY IT CAME OUT OF THE SHOWROOM. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN USED OFF-ROAD. I RECEIVED NO SATISFACTION FROM THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD SINCE THE VEHICLE IS 9 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY THAT I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. I STRONGLY DISAGREE. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS LISTED IN THIS SECTION WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I EXPERIENCED AND I'VE BEEN TOLD BY AN EXPERT THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IN THIS VEHICLE HAS A SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT INVOLVING THE RING AND PINION NOT BEING CAPABLE OF HANDLE THE FORCES IMPOSED BY THE DRIVETRAIN OF THIS VEHICLE. REPAIR COSTS ARE ESTIMATED AT $1500 - $2000. CHRYSLER/DODGE SHOULD STEP FORWARD AND ADMIT A DESIGN FLAW EXISTS. I WILL FIGHT THIS IN COURT IF I HAVE TO. DODGE, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF FOR NOT FESSING UP TO THIS. *AK

TRANSMISSION HESITATES BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. WHEN IT DOES SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR THE VEHICLE SURGES. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE THE TRANSMISSON GIVES A CLUNK NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. WAS TOLD FROM DEALER THE MINIMUM REPAIR WOULD COST $1400-$1500 BUT COULD BE MORE. I OPTED FOR A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. I WAS SHOWN A COMPLETE SERVICE AND TECHNICAL BULLETIN DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM AND REPAIR FOR DODGE VEHICLES. THE LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY SERVICE OWNER HAD JUST GOTTEN BACK FROM A TRAINING SEMINAR ON THIS PROBLEM. THIS REALLY SOUNDED ODD, AS THE DEALER WHEN ASKED BY ME IF THERE WAS A CLASS PROBLEM IN TRANSMISSIONS DENIED ANY. THEN WHY WOULD THEY PRINT MANUALS AND TRAIN PERSONNEL FOR PROBLEMS THAT DO NOT NORMALLY OCCUR. THE LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY PERFORMED HYDRAULIC PRESSURE TESTING AND DETERMINED ALL PRESSURE PARAMETERS WERE BEING MET. THEN CHANGED ALL TRANSMISSION FLUIDS TO A HIGHER VISCOSITY. SINCE THIS WAS DONE, I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY SHIFTING HESITATION OR PROBLEMS. THE DEALER WHEN PRESSURED WOULD ONLY OFFER 10% OFF THE REPAIR COSTS. DODGE REGIONAL REFUSED TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY. I HAVE PERSONALLY TALKED TO 4 INDIVIDUALS WHO OWN DODGES AND HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS.*AK

ABS LIGHT ON DASHBOARD STAYS ON WHEN CONSUMER IS DRIVING VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

BRAKES LOCK UP DURING FIRST FEW TIMES THEY ARE USED IN THE MORNINGS. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK

MAIN ENGINE BEARING FAILED. PREVIOUS OIL PUMP FAILURE AT 23000 MILES PINGING AT 15,000 MILES. *AK

I REALLY LIKE MY DODGE DURANGO BUT THE MIRRORS ARE VERY LARGE WHICH CAUSES BLIND SPOTS. I CAN'T SEE TRAFFIC LEFT OR RIGHT. I THOUGHT MY HEIGHT WAS THE PROBLEM BUT MY HUSBAND IS 6'2 AND HE SEES THE PROBLEM. I NEED YOUR ADVISE AND HELP ON THIS MATTER.... I AM SO AFRAID OF HAVING A ACCIDENT. HAS THERE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS MATTER ? I HOPE I'M SENDING THIS COMPLAINT TO THE RIGHT DEPT. AND HOPE I GAVE YOU ENOUGHT INFO. WHAT EVER HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME WILL BE APPRECIATED. *AK

LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED AT 40,000 MILES OF WEAR; VEHICLE AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP.*AK

ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED. LOWERS REPLACED AT 80000 MILES AND UPPERS AT 100000. SEEMS EXCESSIVE. FRONT AXLE INNER BEARINGS COMPLERTE FAILURE WHICH DAMAGED FRONT AXLE ITSELF AND NEEDED REPLACED. FROM LOOKING AT THE MANY OTHER FRONT SUSPENSION COMPLAINTS LODEGED, THERE APPEARS TO BE A REAL PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. FRONT SUSPENSION IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN. *AK

HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILS TO MAKE HEADLIGHTS TURN ON. *AK

WHEN TURNING ON HEADLIGHTS IN OR OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF OR DIM UNTIL CONSUMER PLAYS WITH KNOB, AND HEADLIGHTS GET BACK TO NORMAL.*AK

WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT PIPE BROKE OFF. THIS CAUSED TIRE TO COLLAPSE INWARD. VEHICLE COULD NOT MOVE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED OUT OF PARKING LOT.*AK

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD MAJOR COMPONENT BREAKDOWNS SINCE PURCHASE. INITIALLY, IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A TSB AND REPLACED STEERING COLUMN. THE SECOND PROBLEM OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY 2000, SOME THREE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. WE BEGAN TO NOTICE A SIGNIFICANT PULSING IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER ATTRIBUTED THIS TO ABS BRAKES. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER WHEN THE PULSING WAS SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER AND THE BRAKING WAS BEING AFFECTED, AN INDEPENDENT SHOP REVIEWED THE BRAKES AND INDICATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE SEVERELY WARPED AND CAUSING THE PULSING SENSATION. THIS WAS REPAIRED OUT OF POCKET. IN FEBRUARY, 2001 THE TEMPERATURE BEGAN FLUCTUATING, SPIKING HIGHER TEMPERATURES CAUSING THE CHECK GAUGE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. IT WOULD THEN RESET. HANOVER DODGE, A DIFFERENT DEALER INDICATED THAT THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING SEAL WAS LEAKING AND REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AND GASKET. THIS WAS PAID OUT OF POCKET. APPROXIMATELY TEN DAYS LATER, THE RADIATOR HAD A MAJOR FAILURE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. THIS WAS PAID OUT OF POCKET IN THE AMOUNT OF $610.33. IN MAY, 2001WE WERE ALERTED TO A PROBLEM INVOLVING THE FRONT END. IN BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, A LEAK WAS NOTICED FROM THE TRANSMISSION COOLER AND ALSO AND MORE CRITICALLY IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AS WELL AS THE INNER TIE RODS. THESE REPAIRS WERE ALSO PAID OUT OF POCKET IN THE AMOUNT OF $923.45. THE LATEST ISSUE AROSE SEVERAL WEEKS

I HAVE COMPLAINED WITH THIS PREVIOUSLY BUT NOW HAVE A MORE IN DEPTH COMPLAINT. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE SHOP TO FINALLY HAVE THE AIR DUCTS CHECKED. AFTER REMOVING THE COMPLETE DASHBOARD, THE MECHANIC FOUND A DOOR WHICH WAS BROKEN THAT WAS CAUSING THE AIR TO FLOW OUT THE FEET DUCTS INSTEAD OF THE DASH VENTS. THE DOOR BROKE BECAUSE SOME STICKY-BACK FOAM GOT UNSTUCK AND STUCK TO SOMETHING ELSE PUTTING THE DOOR UNDER STRAIN AND FINALLY BREAKING IT. THE FOAM, I BELIEVE, WAS TO KEEP DOWN THE NOISE OF THE DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING. ANYWAY, WHEN THAT PART IN QUESTION WAS ORDERED, PART #21, A DOOR WAS SENT BUT IT WASN'T THE CORRECT DOOR. AFTER INTENSE INVESTIGATION BY THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PRODUCE THE CORRECT DOOR BECAUSE THE NUMBERS IN THEIR SYSTEM DIDN'T MATCH THE NUMBERS ON THE DOOR. I HAVE ALL THE NUMBERS WRITTEN DOWN, UNFORTUNATELY THEY ARE NOT WITH ME. I CAN PRODUCE THEM IF NEEDED. WHEN INQUIRING WITH OTHER DEALERS ABOUT THE DOOR, WE FOUND THEY ALSO HAD RUN INTO THE PROBLEM AND HAD NO SOLUTION FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS AS WELL. WE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A NATION-WIDE PROBLEM AND THOSE DEALERS WHO ACTUALLY HAVE THE PART ON THEIR PREMISES WILL NOT GIVE THEM UP FOR FEAR OF NEEDING THEM FOR THEIR OWN CUSTOMERS. I AM APPALLED THAT A MANUFACTER CAN NOT OR WILL NOT PRODUCE A MUCH NEEDED PART TO A CONSUMER AND WILL BRUSH THEM OFF. I SPENT RIGHT AT $500 FOR A SOMEONE TO TELL ME THAT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME. I LIVE IN A VERY HOT PART OF

WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY CAR MADE A LOUD NOISE, CAR WAS INOPERABLE, CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. WAS NOTIFIED BY THE DEALER THAT THE RING AND PINION GAR HAD CRACKED, AND REAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED STEERING WHEEL MAKING A POPING NOISE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND REPLACED STEERING COLUMN AND COUPLING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

BRAKES & HUBS-BALL JOINTS

TRANSFER CASE EXPLODED ON I-75 NEAR WEST BRANCH MICHIGAN WITH PARTS FLYING IN ALL DIRECTIONS. LOST POWER AND PARTS BLEW OUT DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE. DURANGO ALMOST FLIPPED OVER GOING AT THIS SPEED. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC GOING SOUTHBOUND AND AS I FISHTAILED FORM LANE TO LANE I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT WITH INCIDENCE. I FELT THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I STILL HAVE THE DAMAGED TRANSFER CASE THAT SHOWS HOW IT EXPLODED. THERE WAS NO WARNING. CRYSLER COULD NOT HAVE CARED LESS ABOUT THIS SITUATION. ALL THEY SAID WAS THAT PARTS FAIL SO LIVE WITH IT.*AK

REGULATOR ON POWER OPERATED WINDOWS MANLFUNCTIONED WHICH CAUSED WINDOWS TO REMAIN IN UPRIGHT POSITION. *AK

PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS ARE LARGE IN SIZE AND HEIGHT. HOWEVER, IT'S EXTREMELY HARD TO DETERMINE TRAFFIC DUE TO BLIND SPOT. ALSO, THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A TOW PACKAGE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT BIGELOW MOTORS IN BELLEVILLE,NJ (973) 759-4220 ,WAITING FOR A COMPUTER TO BE DELIVERED. ALSO, THERE ARE FOUR OTHER DODGE DURANGOS' WAITING FOR THE SAME COMPUTER AT THIS DEALERSHIP.*AK

A THREE YEAR OLD SON CLIMBED INTO VEHICLE AND SHIFTED GEAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND AGAIN FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WITHOUT EVER APPLYING BRAKES. THEN, SHIFTED AGAIN INTO FORWARD WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL OR BRAKE PEDAL. CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE. *AK

I KNOW OF OTHERS HAVING PROMBLEMS WITH EARLY FAILIERS ON THE BALL JOINTS I THINK DODGE SHOULD RECALL THE UPPERS & LOWER BALL JOINTS. *AK

VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP AND THEY REPLACED LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL. WANTED TO ALSO REPAIR DIFFERENTIAL RING AND PINION BECAUSE THERE WAS STILL A LOUD NOISE.

CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM STEERING THAT GOT LOUDER WITH TIME. DEALER STATED CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A RECALL, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED. *AK

BALL JOINTS REPLACED 8/3/01 BUT HAVE BE FAULTY FOR LONGER. *AK

RETURNING FROM NEW YORK. TIRE EXPLODED. CONTACTED GOODYEAR. REFERRED TO LOCAL DEALER WHO SAID NOT TREAD SEPARATION. CALLED HOME OFFICE BACK AND GIVEN ANOTHER DEALER ABOUT 1 HOUR AWAY. WILL GO AT EARLIEST CONVENIENCE. DETAILS OF TREAD SEPARATION: TRAVELING ABOUT 60 ON INTERSTATE WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED. OUTER SIDE OF TIRE LOOKS LIKE IT EXPLODED. INNER SIDE OF TIRE NO DAMAGE. WHEEL NO DAMAGE. TREAD SEPARATED FROM INNER WALL OF TIRE APPROXIMATELY HALF OF DIAMETER FROM ABOUT CENTER OF TREAD AREA TO EDGE OF TREAD AREA ON OUT SIDE OF TIRE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: MK60K60V08 TIRESIZE: 31X10.50R1)

I TOOK MY 1998 DODGE DURANGO INTO ALLEN MELLO DODGE 6/21/01 FOR A WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THEY DECIDED TO REPLACE THE SERP.ENTINEBELT. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR THE NOISE WAS LOUDER THAN WHEN I DROPPED IT OFF. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I BRING IT BACK 7/10/01 WHEN I HAD AN APPOINTED TO HAVE THE CAT. CONVERTER REPLACED. JUNE 23, 2001 I TOOK A DAY TRIP AND ON THE WAY HOME THE CAR BROKE DOWN. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT BROKE CAUSING THE DRIVE SHAFT, TRANSFER CASE, SHIFT ROD, ROD GEAR, PIVOT GEAR AND SOME OTHER PARTS TO BE DESTROYED. I ASKED THE MECHANIC IN TILTON NH IS THE UNIVERSAL JOINT MAKES A WHISTLING NOISE AND HE SAID THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A SIGN. I HAVE CALLED CHRYSLER AND ALLEN MELLO DODGE IN NASHUA NH AND THEY HAVE APOLOGIZED FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT HAVE BOTH SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I FEEL THAT AFTER ONLY 53,000 MILES ON THE CAR THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE SHOULD NOT BE EXPERIENCED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE UNIT WHERE THE UNIVERSAL JOINT IS, CANNOT BE GREASED BECAUSE IT IS A SEALED UNIT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. IF I COULD HAVE HAD THIS MAINTAINED THIS PROBLEM MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED. I ASKED CHRYSLER WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS AND THEY SUGGESTED HARD DRIVING. MY WIFE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE AND WE HAVE TWO VERY SMALL CHILDERN, THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE A TOW PACKAGE, AND OTHER THAN THE WINTER, THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. PLEASE

REOCCURING PROBLEMS WITH BOTH REAR POWER WINDOWS. TO THIS DATE THEY HAVE BEEN WORKED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. I DON'T THINK I'M THE ONLY CUSTOMER HAVING THIS PROBLEM!*AK

INTAKE MANIFOLD RESEALED, INTAKE & PLENUM GASKET REPLACED, INTAKE & PAN & O-RING REPLACED, INTAKE RESEALED & PCV VALVE REPLACED, MANIFOLD & INTAKE REPLACED, ROD BEARINGS & VALVE GUIDE SEALS & #4 SPARK PLUG & INTAKE REPLACED. PURCHASED AS TRADE-IN AT FORD DEALER 21504 MILES. PROBLEMS BEGAN 2-3 WKS AFTER PURCHASE. PREVIOUS/ORIGINAL OWNER HAD SIMILAR SERVICE PERFORMED (TSB PERFORMED 4/05/99). PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED. WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPAIR AS PRE-EXISTING PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY OR AT THEIR COST. DEALERSHIP NEVER DETERMINED EXACT CAUSE OF PROBLEM.

SIDEWALL OF TIRE SEPARATED WITH 14,000 MILES.*AK (DOT NUMBER: W2HL TIRESIZE: 235 75 15)

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT IS FASTENED TO AN ELECTRICAL MOTOR WITH A THREE INCH PIECE OF PLASTIC. PLASTIC PIECE HAD SNAPPED IN HALF WHICH HAS CAUSED SEAT TO BACK AWAY FROM SEAT FRAME WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS CAUSED SEAT TO FULLY COLLAPSE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

THE FLAP WHICH ALLOWS THE AIR TO EITHER FLOW THROUGH THE VENTS OR DEFROST OR HEATER VENTS IS STUCK BLOWING AIR OUT THE HEATER AND DEFROST VENTS. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHERS WHO HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH DODGE. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY $200 FOR A PART THAT IS KNOWN BY DODGE TO HAVE A DEFECT. MY CHILDREN AND I ARE ABOUT TO SUFFOCATE FROM THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER. IS DODGE GOING TO BE FIXING THIS PROBLEM OR NOT? MY NEXT PROBLEM IS THE FRONT END WILL NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH TWO SETS OF TIRES AND HAVE HAD THE FRONT END ALIGNED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS WITH NO RESULTS. I KNOW OF PLENTY OF DURANGO OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. IS THIS DEFECTIVE PARTS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM? I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION/STARTER NOT WANTING TO START AT LEAST THREE TIMES A WEEK. DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A DEFECT OR JUST SOMETHING WORN OUT. DON'T KNOW OF ANYONE ELSE WITH THIS PROBLEM YET. THANKS.*AK