1998 Dodge Durango complaints

DODGE DURANGO 1998 BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH . I CHECKED YOUR WEB SITE AND FOUND RECALL ID NHTSA:99V341000 WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED . I CONTACTED TWO DODGE DEALERS , AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NEVER ANY RECALL FOR THAT PROBLEM . *TR

1998 DODGE DURANGO HAS A RECALL ON FUEL LEAK. POSSIBLE UNDERBODY FIRE CAN HAPPEN. MY TRUCK WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITH MY SON DRIVING AND HE MANAGED TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE. THE TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

WINDOW REGULATORS ON 3 DOORS HAVE FAILED SINCE STATED DATE. NORMAL SHUTTING OF DOORS CAUSES A PLASTIC PIECE WERE THE CABLES MEET TO FAIL. THIS PLASTIC PIECE IS NOT A STAND ALONE PART. COMPETE REGULATOR MUST BE PURCHASED AT $100+. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS LOOSER THAN NORMAL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC ON FEBRUARY 21, 2008 AND BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AS WELL AS THE STEERING BOX WERE REPLACED. THE REPAIR COST $1,001.24. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,298 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,598. UPDATED 05/05/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED ON APRIL 10, 2003 HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR WINDOW REGULATORS. UPDATED 05/05/08 *TR

TIRES NEVER LASTED MORE THAN 20K MILES SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR NEW. FRONT END SHIMMY AND WANDER ON THE HIGHWAY EVEN AFTER TWICE YEARLY ALIGNMENTS. TO BE REPAIRED SOON. I CAN SAVE OLD PARTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN MOVING IN REVERSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE MANUAL SHIFTER WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE FOR A TUNE UP AND CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE AT ALL TIMES TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM SHIFTING OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 71,109.

OIL PRESSURE DROPS TO 0 WHEN RUNNING. IT HAS BEEN PARKED SINCE. *TR

THE DRIVER SEAT BROKE WHILE I WAS IN THE CAR. I LEANED BACK TO ADJUST MY COAT AND SEAT BELT AND THE SEAT BROKE OFF ITS MOUNTING TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. IT ROCKED VIOLENTLY BACKWARD. I MOMENTARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HAD I BEEN IN TRAFFIC THIS COULD HAVE LED TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

WHILE MY 1998 DODGE DURANGO BEING DRIVEN A ON SURFACE STREET, ONE OF TWO 8 MM STUDS THAT ARE WELDED TO THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER AND THAT ATTACH THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER TO THE POWER BOOSTER SUDDENLY BROKE DURING BRAKING WHICH DISENGAGED THE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH THEN CAUSED A TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE HYDRAULIC BRAKING. TO AVOID A REAR END CRASH THE VEHICLE HAD TO CHANGE LANES AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS USED TO EVENTUALLY BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND THE MASTER CYLINDER IS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND HAS NEVER BEEN REMOVED OR SERVICED SINCE IT WAS INSTALLED BY THE FACTORY. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT AND THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT WERE LOOSE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS AT THIS TIME. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,945.

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING A ROUTINE CHECK UP OF THE 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN 2006 THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE HAD A CORRODED STRUT MOUNT SUSPENSION TOWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE ANOTHER MECHANIC ON 4/5/2007, WHO STATED THAT THE CORROSION HAD GOTTEN WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY FAILURES DUE TO THIS CORROSION AT THIS TIME. *AK

DRIVERS POWER SEAT IS ROCKING BACK AND FORTH. THERE WAS NO EVENT LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. ONE DAY I GOT IN THE CAR AND IT WAS ROCKING. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND FROM RESEARCH I HAVE DONE IT SEEMS THAT MANY OTHER 1998 DODGE DURANGO OWNERS ARE ALSO AFFECTED. THIS DEFECTIVE COMPONENT IS COSTING DURANGO OWNERS BETWEEN $500-$600 TO REPLACE. IF THIS SEAT ISSUE ISN'T ADDRESSED, IT CAN COST DODGE DURANGO OWNERS THEIR LIVES IF THESE "CHEAP" SEATS LET LOOSE DURING A COLLISION. I AM CALLING CHRYSLER CUSTOMER CARE TO REPORT PROBLEM. *JB

I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 98 DODGE DURANGO. VEHICLE RAN FINE FOR ENTIRE TIME WE OWNED IT. MAINTENANCE WAS DONE PROPERLY, AS MY HUSBAND IS A GENERATOR MECHANIC IN THE MILITARY AND KEEPS A VERY RIGID MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR ALL OF OUR CARS. MID MAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST OIL PRESSURE, AFTER AND OIL CHANGE VEHICLE WAS FINE FOR MONTHS. THEN MID AUGUST IT STARTS AGAIN, AGAIN OIL CHANGES WERE DONE AT LEAST EVERY 6000 MILES BY CHRYSLER'S INSTRUCTIONS. BEFORE WE CAN EVEN GET OFF OF THE INTERSTATE THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND NOW WILL RUN BUT LOSSES OIL PRESSURE BEFORE WE GET OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND KNOCKING STARTS SOON AFTER. COMPRESSION IS LOST IN TWO HEAD GASKETS DUE TO THIS AND THE MECHANIC SAYS THE SLUDGE IS THE PROBLEM, THOUGH THE MECHANIC CAN'T EXPLAIN WHY BECAUSE HE KNOWS HOW OFTEN THE OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED. HE CAN ONLY EXPLAIN THAT AN OIL CHANGE DOES NOT DRAIN THE BUILD UP THAT IS ALREADY INSIDE OF THE ENGINE AND THAT IT HAS JUST BEEN DEVELOPING OVER TIME BUT IS VERY ABNORMAL. CHRYSLER/DODGE SHOULD TAKE ACTION, I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS EXACT PROBLEM ONLINE AND AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN WHAT I THOUGHT WAS GOING TO BE A GOOD VEHICLE. *JB

WHILE REPLACING THE FRONT DISC BREAK PADS I OBSERVED THE PASSENGER SIDE UPPER CALIPER BOLT WAS NO TIGHTENING. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I OBSERVED THAT THE THREADS IN THE KNUCKLE WERE STRIPPED COMPLETELY. THE PRICE TO FIX IT WITH A HELI COIL REPAIR WAS AROUND 250.00 NOT INCLUDING LABOR OR 750.00 FOR A NEW STEERING KNUCKLE NOT INCLUDING LABOR. *NM

TL* - ON 3/13/06 THE CONTACT TOOK 1998 DODGE DURANGO TO COTTMAN TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING INTO FIRST GEAR. AT THAT TIME, COTTMAN REPLACED THE VALVE BODY. ON 3/31/06 THE CONTACT TOOK IT BACK TO COTTMAN FOR THE SAME REASON, AND COTTMAN STATED THAT THEY WOULD REBUILD THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. WHEN CONTACT PICKED UP THE VEHICLE IT WAS MAKING A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE, AND COTTMAN TOLD HIM TO DRIVE IT FOR A FEW DAYS AND THE NOISE WOULD GO AWAY. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A FEW DAYS CONTACT CONTINUED TO HEAR THE SAME SQUEAKING NOISE, SO COTTMAN REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. AT WHICH POINT THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HEAR THE SAME NOISE, HE TOOK VEHICLE TO AT PRO TRANSMISSION AND THEY STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE DAMAGE WAS PROBABLY INTERNAL BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. ON 6/16/06 CONTACT TOOK IT BACK TO COTTMAN, AND COTTMAN STATED THAT THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION; AFTER CONTACT PICKED IT UP HE CONTINUED TO HEAR THE SAME SQUEAKING NOISE, SO CONTACT BROUGHT VEHICLE BACK TO COTTMAN ON 12/11/06. COTTMAN ONCE AGAIN REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS POURING FLUID FROM THE PUMP. CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO COTTMAN. *AK UPDATED 2/6/2007 - *NM

BOTH BALL JOINTS LEFT AND RIGHT LOWER AND UPPER ARE BAD, HAVE NOT REPLACED AS OF YET WILL SOON. TRUCK HAS ONLY 82K ON IT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE SALES DEALER FOR SERVICE, WHO DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER SENT THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE KNOCKING CONTINUED EACH TIME AFTER 5 MORE VISITS TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP, SO THE SALES DEALER SENT THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE DEALER. THE KNOCKING CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.

I OWN A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. I HAVE REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS ONCE. AT A REGULAR TIRE ROTATION, I WAS TOLD THEY ARE WEARING OUT AGAIN. BASED UPON RESEARCH - THIS IS AN EXISTING PROBLEM WITH DURANGO MODELS FROM 1998 TO THE PRESENT. A RECALL OF THE DURANGO IS NEEDED TO ADDRESS THIS. *NM

I BOUGHT MY 1998 DODGE DURANGO FROM A SMALL USED CAR LOT. WHEN I GOT IT HOME AND HAD IT CHECKED OUT BY MY MECHANIC THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS AND THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THAT WAS $1000+. AFTER FINDING OUT THAT THIS WAS ALSO A PROBLEM IN THE LATER MODELS BUT THAT THEY WERE BEING RECALLED, I THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO SOMEONE'S ATTENTION. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL HAD A LOT OF PLAY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE UPPER BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

CONSUMER WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR BALL JOINT REPAIRS ON A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS AWARE OF DODGE DURANGO BALL JOINT RECALL AND BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS GOING EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL TO INCLUDE HIS VEHICLE. THAT DID NOT OCCUR AND THE CONSUMER WAS FORCE TO PAY FOR UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT. *NM

I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY MY DODGE DEALER THAT MY 1998 DODGE DURANGO NEEDS TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 120,000 MILES ON IT. THEY WERE REPLACED THE FIRST TIME AT 70,000 MILES AT MY EXPENSE. DODGE HAS REFUSED TO PARTICIPATE FINANCIALLY ON EITHER OCCASION. SINCE BALL JOINTS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE STEERING SYSTEM I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. I ALSO THINK THE FAILURE RATE ON THESE PARTS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I DO KNOW DODGE HAS ISSUED RECALLS ON LATER MODEL DURANGO'S FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT USED OFF ROAD AND HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY SERVICED ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS. PLEASE HELP. *JB

I PURCHASED A 1998 DODGE DURANGO FROM A SMALL CAR DEALERSHIP IN 2004. IT ONLY HAD 50K MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS 75K MILES ON IT. I WAS TOLD BEFORE A TRIP THAT MY TRUCK HAD SOME "PLAY". NOT KNOWING WHAT THAT WAS, I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT. I AM NOW TOLD THAT IT IS GOING TO COST ME $1000 TO FIX IT AND THEN I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE TIRES ONLY HAVE 5K MILES ON THEM. I AM LOOKING AT A 2K DOLLAR FIX! ONE MECHANIC TOLD ME THEY WERE EXTREMELY UNSAFE! I HAVE 3 SMALL CHILDREN AND THIS IS OUR MAIN VEHICLE. HOW MANY LIVES ARE THEY GOING TO PUT IN DANGER FOR THE DURANGO OWNERS (1998-1999)? WE HAVE THE SAME BALL JOINT PROBLEMS AS THE 2000-2003 OWNERS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FORUMS AND HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS SO WHY HAS NOTHING BEEN DONE? I DO NOT HAVE $2000 DOLLARS TO PUT INTO A TRUCK THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE ANYTHING BUT MINOR THINGS WITH THE MILEAGE AND JUST NORMAL DRIVING. THIS IS UNSAFE AND IS PUTTING MANY LIVES IN DANGER. ARE THEY GOING TO WAIT TO GET MEDICAL BILLS AND FUNERAL EXPENSES WHEN AN ENTIRE FAMILY LOSES THEIR LIVES FROM THE TRUCK ROLLING? WHAT HAPPENS TO THE ONES WHO KEEP DRIVING IT, UNAWARE WHAT THE "PLAY" IS? THEY WILL BE THE ONES POSSIBLE LOSING THEIR LIVES OR TAKING SOMEONE ELSE'S! I SEE ANOTHER CLASS ACTION LAW SUITE COMING ON!!! *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT SEAT BELT IN THE SECOND ROW OF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT UNLATCH ONCE IT WAS BUCKLED. THE BELT ON THE RIGHT FAILED TO LATCH AT ALL, AND THE METAL IN THE BUCKLE WAS EXPOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER.

AFTER PAYING $1500 TO REPLACE THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON OUR RECENTLY PURCHASED DURANGO, I DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE UPPER BALL JOINT FOR DURANGOS. WHEN I INQUIRED WITH DEALER ABOUT A POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PARTS RECALLED I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO OUR VEHICLE YEAR, IT ONLY APPLIED TO 2000-2003 MODEL YEARS. ALTHOUGH OUR 1998 MODEL ENCOUNTERED THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES, DAIMLER CHRYSLER WASN'T WILLING TO REIMBURSE OR DO ANYTHING FOR US. I FOUND THIS VERY DISAPPOINTING CONSIDERING THIS IS THE FOURTH DODGE WE'VE OWNED AND CURRENTLY BOTH OUR VEHICLES ARE DODGE MAKES. WITH THE ENORMOUS NUMBER OF DOCUMENTED COMPLAINTS IT SEEMS REASONABLE TO EXPECT THE NHTSA TO DEMAND DAIMLER CHRYSLER RECALL THE 1998 AND 1999 DURANGOS FOR BALL JOINT PROBLEMS AS WELL. *JB

WINDOW REGULATOR THAT CONTROLS WINDOWS HAS HAD 8 FAILURES AND REPLACEMENTS IN AS MANY YEARS WITH MINIMAL USAGE. I HAVE NO CHILDREN AND LIVE IN ARIZONA SO WINDOWS ARE IN UP POSITION 80% OF THE TIME. NO REASON FOR FAILURES OTHER THAN DEFECTIVE PLACEMENT AND PARTS AS STATED BY DODGE SERVICE ADVISOR. *NM

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A PAVED ROAD THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED TO ONE SIDE AS I BRAKED I ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT WITH THE STEERING BUT IT DID NOT RESPOND. I CAME TO REST APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET FROM A 70 FOOT EMBANKMENT. I LAID DOWN UNDER THE CAR TO SEE IF I COULD FIND AN APPARENT PROBLEM AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING TIE ROD END WAS HANGING DOWN. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE THREADS ON THE INNER TIE ROD END AND ON THE STEERING DRAG LINK TO BE COMPLETELY BARE OF THREAD. I AM CURRENTLY PRICING THE COST OF A NEW TIE ROD END AND DRAG LINK WHICH HOPEFULLY WILL REPAIR THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE CAUSED ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM. AFTER TALKING TO THE LOCAL TIRE STORE AND CHECKING ON THE INTERNET I FIND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING QUITE OFTEN ON THIS MODEL AND COULD POSSIBLY BE FATAL IF THE DRIVER PANICS OR DOESN'T HAVE THE STRENGTH TO HOLD THE WHEEL. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR A TIRE REPLACEMENT AND ALIGNMENT THE DEALERSHIP OBSERVED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED PRIOR TO THE TIRE REPLACEMENT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V596000, REGARDING THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: UPPER BALL JOINT. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES. SINCE PURCHASE, THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE. AS A RESULT, SMOKE COMES FROM THE WHEEL WELL AREA. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM HOWEVER, THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE IT.

AFTER SEEING A REPORT ABOUT FAILED BALL JOINTS IN DODGE DURANGOS, WE HAD OURS INSPECTED AND THEY ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE HAD THEM REPLACED AND 4 MONTHS LATER THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *JB

I HAVE A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. I AM AWARE THAT CHRYSLER HAS RECALLED 2000-2004 DURANGOS FOR BALL JOINT/SUSPENSION DEFECTS. I HAVE THE SAME DEFECT/PROBLEM WITH MY 1998 DURANGO. ARE THERE GOING TO BE ADDITIONAL RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR FROM CHRYSLER. I HAVE A QUOTE OF $2500.00 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. AFTER SEARCHING MANY WEBSITES I SEE THAT MANY 1998 DURANGO OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM

DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED A RECALL (04V596000) FOR BALL JOINT AND EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 10 YR / 100000 MILES FOR 2000 - 2003 DURANGOS. MY QUESTION IS WHY THE '98 DURANGOS WERE NOT INCLUDED SINCE MY 98 DURANGO HAD THE SAME FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS ONLY 69,000

I TOOK VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC, COMPLAINT REGARDING LEFT FRONT BRAKE. ALREADY HAD NEW BRAKES, ROTORS REPLACED ONE YEAR AGO. MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS 59,000 MILES ON IT, AND HAS ALREADY HAD BALL JOINTS REPLACED, DURING A TSB REPAIR BULLETIN, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, ON MY 1998 DODGE DURANGO, 4X4. MECHANIC SAYS THAT SPINDLES NEED REPLACED, ALONG WITH BALL JOINTS. PREMATURE FAILURE, VEHICLE SHOULD DRIVE FOR 100,000 MILES BEFORE A FAILURE SUCH AS THIS ON THE BALL JOINTS. CURRENTLY WAITING ON PARTS FROM DEALER, TO REPLACE WORN PARTS, HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT ALREADY RAN OUT IN MAY 2005. AM ALSO HAVING BUSHINGS REPLACED, DUE TO EXTREME TEMPS IN PHOENIX AREA. WILL COST OVER $3000.00 TO DO THE REPAIRS, WHICH SHOULD EITHER BE RECALLED BY DC, OR COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. WILL ALSO CALL AND COMPLAIN TO DEALER. *NM

1998 DODGE DURANGO SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE. *TS *JB

HAD REAR REBUILT IN 2003 BY DEALER.BACK IN 12/15/05 REAR WENT AGAIN.TALKED TO MECHANIC HE SAID DODGE KNOWS ABOUT REARS BEING BAD.DUE TO TIGHT TOLERANCES IN GEARS.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 3 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKES DID NOT HOLD. THE BRAKES WERE PRESSED HARDER AND THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED. WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE THE SMELL OF SMOKE WAS PRESENT. UPON INSPECTION THERE WASN'T ANY BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. AFTER ADDING BRAKE FLUID, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR A SHORT DISTANCE. THE FLUID WAS CHECK AGAIN AND THERE WAS VERY LITTLE FLUID LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP. THERE IS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 99V341000 CONCERNING THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES, PIPING AND FITTINGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

1998 DODGE DURANGO BALL JOINTS. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. UPON INSPECTION, THE CERTIFIED REPAIRMAN DETERMINED THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND LODGED A COMPLAINT. THE CASE NUMBER WAS 14394561. REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE.*AK

CAR/DEER HEAD ON COLLISION AT 65MPH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, CAUSING WIPELASH, STRAINED SPINE AND SHOULDER INJURY. SUV WAS A TOTAL LOSS PER INS. COMPANY. *NM

1998 DODGE DURANGO. UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. I HAD THOUGHT I NEEDED SHOCKS AND AN ALIGNMENT AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, TIE ROD END AND IDLER ARM. THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER ABUSED, AND 90% OF THE MILES ARE HIGHWAY MILES. I HAVE READ MANY ACCOUNTS OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND BELIEVE FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND RECALL IS NECESSARY. *JB

BALL JOINT FAILURE ON 1998 DURANGO SLT W/ 5.9L ENGINE AND 81,500 MILES. HEARD CLUNKING SOUND IN FRONT END DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY IN DALLAS, TX. PULLED IN MIDAS SHOP AND LEERED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT BALL JOINT WAS READY TO COME COMPLETELY APART. THE MIDAS SHOP MANAGER ADVISED ME TO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE LIKE THIS. BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS AND WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COST: $1,400. I DO HAVE THE OLD PARTS. *JB

I OWN A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED PREVIOUSLY FOR FAILURE TO OPERATE PROPERLY, IE: THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY HOWEVER WITH SLIGHT INWARD PRESSURE ON THE SWITCH, THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INFORMED THAT THE SWITCH WILL NOT PASS STATE SAFETY INSPECTION IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. I THINK THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THIS SWITCH BECAUSE OF RECURRING FAILURES, AND SINCE IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE BY DECREE OF THE STATE, I FEEL IT SHOULD BE EXAMINED NATIONWIDE FOR RECALL CONSIDERATION. *JB

DT CONTACT STATES FRONT SUSPENSION LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE. HAD A LOCAL MECHANIC LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED IT WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM ON A REGULAR BASIS. HE SPOKE WITH THE DEALER. THEY WOULD NOT HELP WITH REPAIR COST OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT REPAIRED AT THIS POINT. *AK

UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE. BALL JOINTS REPLACED. *NM

A COOPER TIRE ON THE REAR OF OUR VEHICLE, BLEW OUT. *NM

PREMATURE WEAR ON UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES OF VEHICLE. THE SEPARATION OF THESE COMPONENTS CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. IN ADDITION TO THE BALL JOINTS, THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLIES FAIL PREMATURELY WHICH IN COMBINATION WITH THE BALL JOINT PROBLEM GREATLY INCREASES LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING WITH LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON IT. THIS CAUSES SLOW ACCELERATION WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *NM

TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. ENTIRE FRONT END FAILED! TIRES WERE GETTING READY TO FALL OFF! TIRES LESS THAN 1 YEAR OLD WORN COMPLETELY BOLD BECAUSE OF THE FRONT END. WAS TOLD THAT THE 2000 WAS RECALLED FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! BUT MY 1998 IS NOT IN ON RECALL...AND IT IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM!!@!!!!!!!*JB

BALL JOINT FAILURE ON 1998 DODGE DURANGO. THESE TRUCKS HAVE RECALLS FOR 1999 AND 2000. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD 62,000 WHEN 3 OF THE 4 BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF WATER THAT HAD LEAKED INTO THE JOINTS. MY REFERENCE NUMBER FOR THE COMPLAINT THAT I FILED WITH DODGE IS # 13277677. *JB

1998 DODGE DURANGO UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*MR *JB

I SAW ON AN NBC SPECIAL THAT CONSUMERS WHO PURCHASE THE DODGE DURANGO OR DAKOTA HAD THE BALL JOINTS OF THEIR VEHICLES JUST FAIL ON THEM. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO HAVE MY BALL JOINTS CHECKED ( I HAVE THE WORK ORDER) AND SURE ENOUGH ALL THE BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. I HAD THEM REPLACED( THAT WAS ABOUT 18MONTHS AGO) AND AGAIN THE JOINTS HAVE DETERIORATED. MY CAR HAS LESS THAT 80K MILES ON IT. IT IS HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN UNDER EXTREME CONDITIONS. THERE COULD POSSIBLY BE A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN- THE BALL JOINTS I HAD INSTALLED CAME WITH A LIFE-TIME WARRANTY. THEY HAVE TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. MY CONCERN THAT IF WE DID NOT INSPECT THE SUSPENSION, WE WOULD NEVER HAVE KNOWN THIS PROBLEM EVEN EXISTED. CONSUMERS SHOULD AT LEAST BE INFORMED OF THE RISKS OF THEIR VEHICLE POSSIBLY FAILING BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE JOINTS.

1998 DODGE DURANGO BALL JOINTS & CONTROL ARM UPPER AND LOWER THEY WERE FIRST REPLACED IN 2000 THEN IN 2004 AND NOW NEED TO BE REPLACED IN 2005 CONTINUOUSLY FAILS SAFETY INSPECTION VIN NO. [XXX] UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)