1998 Dodge Durango complaints

MY DODGE DURANGO STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPON TURNING OR GOING OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE SHOP AND THERE WAS A FAILURE OF BOTH THE UPPER BALL JOINTS AS WELL AS THE TIE-ROD ENDS, NEARLY SEPARATED. PER THE GARAGE, UNUSUAL FOR A 7 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 66,000 MILES. THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OCCURS. REPLACEMENT WILL INCLUDE BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE AND 4 TIE RODS. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR $1,100. *JB

FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. 35,661 MILES TO DATE 17,819 MILES ON WHEN UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED THE FIRST TIME. ROTHROCK MOTORS WHERE I PURCHASED IT WOULD NOT GIVE ME ANY SATISFACTION SO I WENT TO BROWN DAUB DODGE. THEY REPLACED THEM THE FIRST TIME. (07/31/01). THIS TIME ON 07/28/05 I CALLED ROTHROCK LEFT A MESSAGE AND NO ONE EVER CALLED ME BACK SO I CALLED BROWN DAUB AND THEY SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO LOOK AT THEM. THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THEM THIS TIME AND I WAS CHARGED $546.41 AND TOLD TO CONTACT CHRYSLER TO RECOUP MY MONEY. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS NEXT YEAR FOR INSPECTION, THEY BARELY PASSED. *NM

DT: CONTACT STATED BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED TWICE ON VEHICLE. ALSO, BOTH FRONT TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THE TIRES NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINTS. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE'S MILEAGE WAS AT 27,280. THE SECOND REPLACEMENT OCCURRED AT 43,908 MILES. CONSUMER STATED FRONT END WAS MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE AND WAS DRIVING DIFFERENTLY. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND WAS SENDING THE SERVICE RECEIPTS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON DIFFERENT MODEL YEAR FOR THIS SPECIFIC COMPONENT, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN DUE TO VIN. CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE THE COMPLETE ADDRESS FOR THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.*AK REPAIR RECEIPTS ATTACHED FOR BALL JOINTS. WINDSHIELD SPRAYER SPRAYS ONE SIDE. CONNECTOR REPALCED. FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS MACHINED. *TT

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. VEHICLE HAS DEFECTIVE FRONT BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE WAS VERY UNSTABLE EACH TIME THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE MECHANIC ENCOURAGED HIM TO LET NHTSA KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE. *AK

DT: THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS PULSATED AFTER BEING BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TURNED THEM THEN THEY WORKED FINE FOR A SHORT PERIOD, THEN THEY PULSATED AGAIN. *AK

DT: CONTACT HAD TO GET THE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED WITH ONLY 67,000 MILES. ON IT. DEALER SAID THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE, AND NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED ON THAT PARTICULAR YEAR TO WARRANT A RECALL. *AK

DT: CONTACT OWNED A 1998, DODGE, DURANGO. THERE WAS RECALL O4V596000 CONCERNING THE UPPER BALL JOINT. THIS RECALL WAS ONLY FOR 2000-2003 MODELS. CONTACT ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH LOWER BALL JOINTS. *AK

DT: OWNER COMPLAINED ABOUT SEVERAL VEHICLE PROBLEMS. . ON ALL FOUR WINDOWS THE REGULATOR HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE. DRIVER'S SIDE HAVING TO BE REPLACED THE MOST. ALSO, LOWER BALL JOINTS / LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT, AND STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR TIME. CURRENTLY THE UPPER RIGHT BALL JOINT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THESE HAS BEEN ONGOING ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE CONSUMER OWNED IT. CONSUMER DEALT WITH DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER, BUT CHRYSLER REFUSED TO HELP SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL. CHRYSLER WAS VERY RUDE AND HUNG UP ON THE CONSUMER. *AK

DT: ENGINE KEPT OVERHEATING. HAD TWO NEW ENGINES PUT IN THE VEHICLE, AND OVERHEATED A THIRD TIME, AND VEHICLE WAS BACK IN THE SHOP. FIRST TIME MECHANIC SAID IT WAS DUE TO OIL LEAKING. SECOND TIME DEALER GOT A USED ENGINE THAT WAS CRACKED, AND THIRD TIME WANTED TO PUT ANOTHER USED ENGINE . *AK

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. HE STATES THAT HIS UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE ABOUT TO BREAK BECAUSE HIS WHEELS ARE LEANING. *TT

PERHAPS THIS IS NOT THE PROPERLY MECHANISM FOR MY INQUIRY; IF SO, I APOLOGIZE. I AM THE OWNER OF A 1998 DODGE DURANGO, ON WHICH I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE (EXPENSIVE!) UPPER BALL JOINTS TWICE! MY QUESTION TO THE NHTSA IS SIMPLY, "WHY WERE THE 1998 AND 1999 MODEL YEARS EXCLUDED FROM THE BALL JOINT SAFETY NOTICE YOU ISSUED PREVIOUSLY (#04V596000)? MY EXPERIENCE TELLS ME THAT THE BALL JOINT DESIGN ON MY 1998 MODEL YEAR DURANGO IS ALSO DEFECTIVE -- WHY IS IT NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL?

UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE / AXLE SEAL LEAKS

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK VEHICLE HAD ABRUPT BRAKING, AND CLUNKING NOISES WERE HEARD INSIDE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND NON INTRUSIVE VISUAL INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED PRIOR TO FURTHER OPERATION. CONTINUOUS NOISE WAS HEARD THROUGHOUT TRANSIT HOME. ONCE VEHICLE WAS HOME AND IN DRIVEWAY, INSPECTION BY REMOVAL OF DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL REVEALED LOOSE BRAKE CALIPER. STRIPPED MOUNTING THREADS WERE FOUND ON STEERING KNUCKLE AT BRAKE CALIPER ATTACHMENT. CALIPERS ARE ONLY ATTACHED TO VEHICLE USING (2) THREADED PINS, ONCE THEY ARE STRIPPED CALIPER IS FREE TO SEPERATE FROM VEHICLE.

A PREMATURE WEAROUT AND NEAR SEPERATION OF THE FRONT BALL JOINTS. UPPER AND LOWER JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES. THESE ARE THE SAME BALL JOINTS INVOLVED IN 2000-2002 VEHICLES. I HAVE NO CLUE WHY MODEL YEAR 1998 WAS NOT INCLUDED.

BRAKES FAILED AT 50MPH. SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF SEMI TRUCK AT 40MPH AND TOTALED VECHILE. THE SEATBELT RESTRANT AND AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILED TO ENGAGE. I SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL TO BREAK 2 RIBS AND CRACK MY STERNUM. IF THE AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE WENT OFF I WOULDNT BE HAVING BACK AND NECK PROBLEMS EITHER. I WISH DODGE WOULD HELP US INSTEAD OF HURTING US.

(1)BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE MAKING POPPING NOISES EVERYTIME WE DROVE OVER A BUMP OR JOLT IN THE ROAD. (2)THE BOTH WERE BAD AND NEEDED REPLACING, THANKFULLY BEFORE THEY CREATED AN ACCIDENT. (3)BOTH BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE REALIGNED.

UPPER BALL JOINT ON OUR 1998 DURANGO ARE BAD. THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOW ISSUE FOR THE DURANGOS. HAS ALREADY BEEN A RECALLED, WHICH INCLUDED 2000 AND ABOVE DURANGOS. THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER 1998 AND 1999 DURANGOS. THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE WRECKS AND EVEN DEATHS. PLEASE HELP KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.*AK

BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND FRONT AXLE HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE SHOT AND WILL BE REPLACED. *JB

1998-1999 DODGE DURANGO OWNERS ARE YOU MAD !! I AM ! WHY WERE WE LEFT OUT OF THE DAIMLER-CHRYSTLER BALL JOINT RECALL ? ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC IT IS THE SAME PART AS USED IN THE 2000-2005. MINE ARE RUSTED THROUGH AND WERE ALMOST BROKEN. *AK WHEN I TOOK MY SUV TO THE SHOP. NOW IT IS GOING TO COST ME $1000 TO FIX IT. DON'T WE DESERVE THE SAME RIGHTS OF CONSUMER PROTECTION AS THE 2000-2005 OWNERS. I CALLED THE TERRY WISEMAN'S DEEALSHIP OF ROBINSON,ILLINOIS. AT FIRST THE SERVICE DEPT. PUT ME ON HOLD FOR 15 MINS. I HUNG UP AND CALLED AGAIN AND GAVE THE RECEPTIONIST MY PHONE NUMBER, INFO, AND ASK FOR THEM TO CALL ME WITH AN ESTIMATE. I RECIEVED NO CALL. I CALLED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY THE RECEPTIONIST PUT ME THROUGH TO BARRY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. HE TOOK MY INFO. ABOUT 9:00 AM CALLED BACK AT 11:00 AM TO ASK IF IT WAS A 4X4 THAT WAS THREE DAYS AGO STILL NO ESTIMATE OR PHONE CALL. SO I GOT AN ESTIMATE FROM MY MECHANIC. PLEASE CHECK OUT THESE SITES AND COMPLAIN ABOUT THE REFUSAL TO REPAIR ARE 1998-1999 DODGE DURANGO BALL JOINTS: WWW.LAWYERANDSETTLEMENTS.COM/CASE/DAIMLER2 WWW.DAIMLERCHRYSLER.COM OR EMAIL: [email protected] LET THEM KNOW WE WANT TO BE REEMBURSE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRING DAIMLER-CHRYSLER'S MISTAKE !!

UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WEAR.*AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. THREE OF THE FOUR POWER WINDOW MOTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE THEY BURNED OUT. *NM

DRIVERS POWER SEAT USES PLASTIC NUTS THAT HAVE BOTH BROKEN REQUIRING ME TO BY A NEW SEAT FOR $500. THE NUTS ARE USED TO CHANGE THE LEVEL OF THE SEAT CUSHION AND AFTER THE NUT BROKE THE SEAT RECLINES BACK WHEN I EXCELLERATE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AS YOU CAN IMAGINE.*AK

I WON A 1998 DODGE DURANGO 4X4. I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON MY DURANGO. I HAD ONE OF THE PADS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BREAK LOOSE FROM THE SHOE. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS AS WELL. COSTING ME $435. THE MECHANIC DOING THE WORK WANTED TO KNOW IF I HAD REPLACED THE REAR BRAKES RECENTLY. I INFORMED HIM THAT I HAD NOT. THE FRONT AND REAR WERE REPLACE AT THE SAME TIME MAYBE A YEAR EARLIER. HE SAID THERE WAS NEXT TO NO WEAR ON MY REAR BRAKES. SINCFE HAVING MY BRAKES REPLACED THERE IS THIS AWFUL GRINDING SOUND IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANINC AND HE SAID ALL 4 BALL JOINTS, UPPER AND LOWER, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1400. PARTS AND LABOR. I KNOW DODGE RECALLED THE 2000-2003, BUT THIS IS REDICULOUS. I HAVE NOT READ ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2000-2003, I'VE READ MORE ABOUT THE 98-99. ALSO MY BRAKES HAVE FAILED TO ENGAGE TWICE AND THEY LOCKED UP ON ME ONCE ON DRY PAVEMENT.*AK

OIL PRESSURE ON 1998 DURANGO KEPT DROPPING TO 0. MANY TRIPS TO DEALER WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. SEPT '01, ENGINE FAILED. REPLACED ENGINE AT COST OF $4500. SLUDGE WAS FOUND IN OLD ENGINE. CHRYSLER TRIED TO SAY IT WAS BECAUSE OF IMPROPER OIL CHANGES. NOT TRUE. MARCH, 2005 OIL PRESSURE IS DROPPING TO 0 AGAIN. CAR IS AT REPAIR FACILITY. THEY SAY IT NEEDS A NEW OIL SENDING UNIT. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ENGINE WILL FAIL AGAIN DUE TO THE APPARENT DEFECT IN THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE CHRYSLER MAKES. WHAT CAN BE DONE? DEC. 2003 WE REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS FOR $1300. FIND OUT IN 2004 THAT CHRYSLER RECALLED 2000-2003 DURANGOS FOR DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS. WHY WERE THE 1998 AND 99 MODELS LEFT OUT? IS THIS NOT THE SAME PART AS THE 2000? CHRYSLER MERELY SAYS NO MORE INFORMATION OTHER THAN 98 IS NOT INCLUDED.*AK

CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. FOUND THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. RECALL 04V596000 WAS ISSUED CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. *AK

CONSUMER LEFT FRONT TIRE LOCKED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER , AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE, AND WERE BEING REPAIRED.*AK

BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WEAR.*AK UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS AS WELL AS THE INNER TIE RODS WERE WORN AND WERE REPLACED. *TT

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN *TC

THERE ARE POPPING AND CLICKING SOUNDS COMING FROM MY STEERING COLUMN AND THERE IS TOO MUCH PLAY IN THE STEERING. I BROUGHT IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WITH ONLY 55,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE CHRYSLER SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. THE STEERING SHOULDN'T HAVE THESE PROBLEMS WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. THERE IS NO PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE AVAILABLE FOR STEERING SO I DON'T SEE HOW THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. I WILL CONTINUE TO PRESSURE CHRYSLER TO DO THE RIGHT THING, WHICH IS TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND THE DEFECTIVE PARTS ON THE VEHICLES THEY'VE SOLD.*AK

ALL 4 BALL JOINTS ON THE VEHICLE WERE CLOSE TO FAILING AT 72,310 MILES. PLUS, AN INNER TIE ROD WAS BAD AND THE RIGHT WHEEL BEARING. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING TO BE VERY LOOSE AND IT BECAME HARD TO CONTROL. *AK

THE CONSUMERIS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BALL JOINTS. THE CONSUMER IS HAVING TO REPLACE THEN EVERY 10,000 MI. ALSO, THE TIE ROD ENDS ALSO VIBRATE AND THE OWNER HAD TO REPLACE THEM, AS WELL. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB *TC

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH A GRINDING/POPPING NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT LEFT END OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE NOISE, AND NOTICED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD CAME OFF. THE TIRE WAS TURNED OUTWARD AND HANGING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED THAT A BEARING WAS NEEDED. ALSO, BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *TT

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS. *AK MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *TT

REPLACED UPPER BALL JOINTS AGAIN,FIRST WAS ON 7/7/03 39,414 MILES ON MY 1998 DODGE DURANGO,NOW AGAIN 3/25/04 45,452 MILES 1ST TIME WAS UNDER WARRANTY ,NOW OUT OF WARRANTY IT COST ME 853.23 WILL I HAVE TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AGAIN @6K MILES, WE WERE NEVER TOLD THERE MAY BE A DEFECT AND TO BE CAUTIOUS. *AK THE CONSUMER DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHY HIS VEHICLE IS BEING OMITTED FROM THE BALL JOINT RECALL. *NM

RELATING TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA03023: I OWN A 1998 DURANGO WITH THE EXACT SAME CONDITIONS. I HAVE SPENT $1000 TO FIX ONE SIDE OF THE FRONT END (HUB ASSEMBLY, BALL JOINTS, CONTROL ARMS, TIE ROD ENDS - IT ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED) AND NEED TO COME UP WITH ANOTHER $1000 TO FIX EVERYTHING ON THE OTHER SIDE. WHY IS THE RECALL ONLY FOR 2000-2003 MODEL YEARS? THE PROBLEM IS REPORTED FOR MODEL YEARS 98 AND 99 - MY SEARCH ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE WAS FOR 1998 MODEL YEAR ISSUES AND THIS ISSUE IS LISTED AS A PROBLEM FOR 1998, ALTHOUGH MOST COMPLAINTS SEEM TO COME FROM MY 2000-2003 OWNERS, THAT'S NOT A REASON TO NOT FIX THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS MY MODEL YEAR.*AK

KNOCKING IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE TRUCK TO BECOME OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I BROUGHT IT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND THEY SAID THAT I NEED TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS EXACT SITUATION. I BROUGHT IT TO ALEXANDER DODGE IN FRANKLIN, TN AND THEY SAID THAT THE DEFECT DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE YEAR, WHICH I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE RECALL ONLY APPLIES TO 1999 AND AFTER WHEN MY VEHICLE IS A 98 AND I FIND IT HATRD TO BELIEVE THAT THE SAME PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR TO A VEHICLE MADE THE PREVIOUS YEAR UNLESS THEY HAD CHANGED MANUFACTURERS IN BETWEEN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONTAL UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK *NM

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A BALL JOINT PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT ONLY THE 2000 THROUGH 2003 VEHICLES WERE BEING RECALLED. *AK THE RIGHT PASSENGER RIGHT SIDE LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE EXTREMELY LOOSE, MORE THAN THE LEFT SIDE. *SC *JB

THE CONSUMERS 1998 DURANGO NEEDED BOTH FRONT AND REAR UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT . *BF THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A SPIN OUT ACCIDENT DUE TO FRONT END INSTABILITY AND BAD TIE ROD ENDS. THE CONSUMER SUGGESTED THAT THE FRONT TIRES WORE OUT IN ONE YEAR. *SC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. THE WHEELS APPEARED TO BE COMING OFF. OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP, AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS. *AK

EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE: 1.) NOISE EMINATING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ? CLUNKING, SQUEAKING; 2.) LOOSE STEERING ASSOCIATED WITH CLUNKING; .) WANDERING AT SPEED. *AK FAILURE AND CONSEQUENCES: 1.) PRIOR TO COMPLETE FAILURE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL DEALER AS WORN LOWER BALL JOINTS, RIGHT INNER TIE ROD END, AND SWAY BAR BUSHINGS 2.) POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT DETERMINING THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO FAILURE ? UNSAFE OPERATION OR LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENT DUE TO STEERING FAILURE CORRECTION: 1.) REPLACED LOWER BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS, SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, AND THE RIGHT INNER TIE ROD END ($777.78 PARTS AND LABOR) IN LIGHT OF RECENT RECALLS REGARDING BALL JOINTS OF 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS, WE BELIEVE INVESTIGATION INTO EARLIER MODELS IS WARRANTED. EXTREMELY SIMILAR SYMPTOMS ARE EVIDENT ON THE EARLIER MODELS PRIOR TO 2000 LEADING US TO BELIEVE THE PROBLEM EXISTED PRIOR TO THE 2000 MODEL YEAR. GIVEN THIS VEHICLE WAS RARELY PLACED IN EXTREME CONDITIONS (OFF-ROAD MANEUVERS, ETC.), NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT, AND WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME SPENT ON PAVED ROADS, FAILURE OF BALL JOINTS AND OTHER SUSPENSION COMPONENTS IN THE 50,000 TO 60,000 MILE RANGE IS PREMATURE. WE REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION INTO INCLUDING 1998-1999 DODGE DURANGOS INTO THE FORMAL BALL JOINT RECALL AS DETAILED FOR THE 2000-2003 MODELS.

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A ROUTINE GENERAL MAINTENANCE, AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT LEFT UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. *AK *JB

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SWAYING BACK AND FORTH. CONSUMER DROVE IT TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK THE BALL JOINTS CAUSED THE TIRE TO WEAR RAPIDLY. *JB

1998 DODGE DURANGO WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF FRONT BALL JOINTS. SAME ISSUE AS IDENTIFIED PREVIOUSLY RESULTING IN RECALL OF 2000-2003 DODGE DURANGOS. NO FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINTS. ADDITIONAL INCIDENT OF BALL JOINT ISSUE ON DURANGOS. *JB

1998 DODGE DURANGO. BALL JOINTS DEFECTIVE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF. DEALER STATED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL, AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. *AK

AFTER PARKING CAR IN DRIVEWAY, ABS MOTOR TURNS ON AND STAY ON EVEN AFTER TURNING THE KEY OFF, HAD TO ACT QUICK TO PULL THE 40 AMP FUSE UNDER HOOD BEFORE THE ABS HCU MOTOR OVER HEAT. CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN WHY DODGE NEEDS A 40AMP FUSE TO POWER A LESS THAN 20AMP ABS CONTROL UNIT, AND WHY DOES THE MOTOR STAYS ON WHEN THE IGNITION SHOULD HAVE SHUT EVERYTHING DOWN. THAT COULD HAVE BEING A FIRE HAZARD IF I HAVE LET THE MOTOR STAY RUNNING. BOTH ABS FUSE OR PULLED AT THIS TIME SO I CAN COMMUTED TO AND FROM WORK WITHOUT WORRY ABOUT THE HCU MOTOR RUNNING. *JB

THE FRONT WHEELS DO NOT LOCK WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKES SEEM TO BE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER CAN FIND NO DEFECTS.

WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE OUR SERPENTINE BELT, AND TENSIONER AT CONSIDERABLE COST. THIS IS NOT A STANDARD WEAR ITEM, AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE REPLACING THESE BELTS AND TENSIONERS ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE DESIGN AND PARTS OF THIS SERPENTINE BELT AND TENSIONER SYSTEM ARE DEFECTIVE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONTAL UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

CONSUMER INQUIRY AS TO WHY DODGE DURANGOS WERE ONLY RECALLED TO THE 2000 MODEL FOR THE FRONT END BALL JOINTS.****NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR *NM