1998 Dodge Durango complaints

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1998 DODGE DURANGO WITH 69000 MILES. MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL IS MAKING A CLICKING SOUND ANYTIME THAT I TURN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH A LOCAL MECHANIC. HE IN FORMED THAT HE HAS HAD THIS COMPLAINT BEFORE AND HAS DETERMINED IT TO BE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. I HAVE CALLED PLAZA DODGE IN HOLIDAY FLORIDA IN WHICH THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I WILL BE GETTING THIS LOOKED INTO FURTHER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BY MY MECHANIC. I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS SINCE BEING INFORMED OF THIS PROBLEM AND I AM CONCERNED FOR ALL OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE AND THE DAKOTA. THIS PROBLEM COULD BECOME LIFE THREATENING IF NOT CORRECTED. *AK

REPEATED STARTER REPLACEMENT. *PH THE STARTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS REPLACED. THE BALL JOINTS ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. *SC

I HAVE A 1998 DODGE DURANGO WITH 78,000 MILES ON IT, HAVING PROBLEMS WITH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS THEY ALL NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THIS, TIRE WEAR IS UNEVEN AND HORRENDOUS, I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL BEARING TWICE IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS AND BECAUSE IT IS A CLOSED BEARING YOU REPLACE THE ENTIRE HUB. I EXPECT NORMAL WEAR AND DON'T EXPECT A VEHICLE TO NEVER CAUSE EXPENSES, BUT THIS IS EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE.

CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS DRIVING AS IF IT NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. BUT WHEN SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT SUSPENSION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO, BALL JOINTS CRACKED IN HALF. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT IF SHE HIT A HARD BUMP FRONT TIRES WOULD HAVE FALLEN OFF. CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED RECALL OR ANY WARNING. *AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BALL JOINT PROBLEM WHICH WAS AFFECTING THE WEAR OF THE TIRES. *AK CONSUMER SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS ON BALL JOINTS AND REPLACEMENT OF TIRES. *LA

WHILE DRIVING A VERY LOUD CLICKING AND POPPING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT END WHEN MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. DEALER STATED STEERING COLUMN WAS CAUSING THE POPPING AND CLICKING NOISE. *AK *LA

1998 DURANGO PREMATURE BALL JOINT FAILURE. MY DURANGO REQUIRED BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT 13 MONTHS AFTER THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE OF THIS NEW VEHICLE, AND FOR OVER THE LAST YEAR I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. I'D LIKE TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED, BUT I'D LIKE TO SEE IF YOU ARE GOING TO RECALL THEM. THEY REALLY NEED TO BE RECALLED.*AK

TODAY I TOOK MY 1998 DODGE DURANGO (VIN-1BHS28Y6WF132671) FOR THE YEARLY VIRGINIA SAFETY INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DOMINION DODGE IN SALEM, VIRGINIA WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN 1998.SHORTLY AFTER MY ARRIVAL AND NOTIFIING THE SERVICE MANAGER WHAT I WAS THERE FOR, HE CAME AND TOLD ME THAT MY RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT WAS "BAD" AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT, AND HE WAS WELL AWARE THAT THIS FACILITY HAD REPLACED 3 OF THEM APRIL 2002. INCLUDING THIS ONE THAT NEEDED REPLACING 2 YEARS LATER, 11,203 MILES SINCE REPLACED. WHEN THESE WERE REPLACED IN APRIL 2002 THE SAME INFERIOR PARTS WERE INSTALLED AS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW!! SO THIS VEHICLE HAS A TOTAL OF 41,780 AS OF TODAY AND I AM STATING TO PUT A SECOND SET OF BALL JOINTS ON MY DODGE DURANGO! WHEN ARE YOU PEOPLE GOING TO DO SOMETHING??*AK

I HAD MY 1998 DODGE DURANGO CHECKED BY MY MECHANIC AFTER A FRIEND HAD TOLD ME OF THE NEW STORY REGARDING BALL JOINT FAILURE. INDEED THE MECHANIC SAID BOTH BALL JOINTS WERE IN TERRIBLE CONDITION AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IT WAS VERY UNUSUAL TO HAVE TO REPLACE THIS PART AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE, 72,000 MILES, BUT THAT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THE CONDITION THE PARTS ARE IN. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM AS THERE APPEARS TO BE NUMEROUS INCIDENCES OF THIS PART FAILING PREMATURELY. *AK

I HAVE A 1998 DODGE DURANGO AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED NEW BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK. I HAD HEARD THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON DUE TO SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE BALL JOINTS IN THE 1998 TO 2003 DURANGOS. IF I HAD NOT TAKEN IT IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CAUGHT AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. THE REASON IT WAS CAUGHT WAS THE SERVICE CONSULTANT AT DODGE ASKED IF I HAD CHECKED THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT LATELY. I SAID NO AND TOLD HIM TO CHECK IT. HE CALLED BACK WITH THE BALL JOINT PROBLEM THAT WILL NOW COST ME $1800.00. IT IS VERY STRANGE THAT THEY ASKED TO CHECK MY FRONT END ALIGNMENT WITH AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON. *LA

THE DEALER REPLACED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES IF MY 1998 DODGE DURANGO IN JAN 2003. VEHICLE HAD 69572 MILES. COST TO REPAIR WAS $2540.64. THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA DEFECT INVESTIGATION OF DODGE DURANGO FRONT END PROBLEMS AND BALL JOINT SEPARATION NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE03032 *JB

DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION DEALERSHIPS INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT. CONSUMER WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY PROBLEMS AT THIS TIME. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *MR

1998 DODGE DURANGO UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES. REPAIRS PERFORMED AT LOCAL NON-DEALER SHOP. *AK

I HAD HEARD ABOUT A PROGRAM AIRED ON T.V. REGARDING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS GOING BAD PREMATURELY ON THE DODGE DURANGO. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC TO HAVE IT CHECKED. I WAS TOLD THAT BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND HAD THEM REPLACED AT A DODGE DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THERE WAS NOT AN OFFICIAL RECALL, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. MY LIFE AND THAT OF MY FAMILY WERE AT JEOPARDY AND I BELIEVE I SHOULD BE FULLY REIMBURSED FOR THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH REPAIRING THE VEHICLE.*AK

I OWN A 98 DODGE DURANGO SLT 4X4. WITHIN 1000 MILES AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT 57,648 MILES, A MINOR POPPING NOISE DEVELOPED IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, APPROXIMATELY IN THE AREA OF THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL. THE NOISE RECENTLY GOT SO BAD THAT WE TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AND FIXED (AT 80,000 MILES). UPPER AND LOWER BALLS JOINTS WERE BLAMED. CHRYSLER VOLUNTEERED TO COVER THE COST OF FIXING THE LOWER BALL JOINTS, BUT WOULD NOT COVER THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. DUE TO FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS AND THE REFUSAL OF OUR PRIVATE WARRANTY COMPANY TO COVER THE COST OF FIXING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS, WE DID NOT HAVE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED. THE POPPING NOISE IS MUCH LOUDER NOW AND MY WIFE AND I ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT CARRYING OUR FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE HAVE BALL JOINTS WARE OUT SO QUICKLY, EVEN AFTER 100,000 MILES.*AK

HAD TO REPLACE BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS IN MY 1998 DODGE DURANGO AT MY EXPENSE, EVEN THOUGH DODGE KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM.*AK

CONSUMER HAS CONCERNS FOR THE NUMEROUS REPAIRS AND THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. (NAR) *PH THE VEHICLE'S LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT (THREE TIMES), RIGHT INNER TIE ROD (TWICE), LEFT INNER TIE ROD, LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT AND RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE BALL JOINT AND TIE ROD PROBLEMS CAUSED STEERING AND SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL THE TIRE ROD AND BALL JOINT REPAIRS. *NM

1998 DODGE DURANGO WITH COMPLETE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE AND CONTROL ARM FAILURE. REPAIRED AT OWNER EXPENSE AT LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. BALL JOINTS WORN TO POINT OF UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DESPITE ONLY 82,000 MILES. *AK

UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT WORE OUT TO SOON. *AK

I HAVE A 1998 DODGE DURANGO WITH 98,000 MILES ON IT AND WILL NOW HAVE TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST TIME WAS WHEN THE TRUCK HAD ABOUT 45,000 MILES ON IT (AUGUST 2000). THEN I HAD TO HAVE THE BUSHINGS ON THE STEERING BRACKET REPLACED IN APRIL 2002. THEN THE SQUEAKING AND POPPING NOISES RETURNED IN JANUARY 2004 AND HAVE GOTTEN WORSE. I FINALLY TOOK IT TO A DEALER HERE IN RALEIGH, NC AND THEY SAID THE BALL JOINTS ARE BAD AGAIN. THE DEALER SAID THAT SOMEONE ACTUALLY PIERCED THE BOOTS AND TRIED TO LUBE THE BALL JOINTS. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THESE DODGE BALL JOINTS ARE THE NON-GREASABLE KIND. WHAT IS BEING DONE TO GET DODGE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS OBVIOUS FAULTY PART AND BEGIN A RECALL OF IT. I'M OUT OVER $1,500 BECAUSE OF THESE FAULTY BALL JOINTS. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU HAVE ON THIS ISSUE.*AK

JUST HAD BALL JOINTS DONE *840$ NEXT DAY SHOCK IS BLOWN OUT @45,454 MILES NOW ANOTHER 80$ AND A STAIN IN MY NEW DRIVEWY.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND THE DRIVER HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55 TO 60 MPH THE CONSUMER HEARS A LOUD NOISE THEN TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OUT OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED. *NM

1998 DODGE DURANGO, HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED TWICE NOW.

BOTH BALL JOINTS OF THE DURAGO HAVE BEEN DEEMED UNSAFE AFTER 60,000 MILES. *AK

I HEARD ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE DODGE DURANGOS UPPER BALL JOINTS, SO I HAD THE DEALER INSPECT THEM ON MY 1998 THAT HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. THEY REPORTED EXCESSIVE WEAR TO THE BALL JOINTS. THEREFORE, I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO REPLACE THEM FOR ABOUT $500.00 OUT OF MY POCKET. IM GLAD THAT I WAS NOT ONE OF THE MANY THAT I HEARD ABOUT WHO HAVE LOST A WHOLE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WHILE DRIVING.*AK

1998 DURANGO WITH LESS THEN 60000 BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR NEVER OFF ROAD AND NOT USED TO TOW ANYTHING HEAVY. *AK

THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. *NM

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED THAT VEHICLE WAS SWAYING FROM SIDE TO SIDE WITH DIFFICULTY OF MAINTAINING THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT. *AK

WE NOTICED PROBLEMS WITH UNEVEN FRONT TIRE WEAR ON OUR 1998 DODGE DURANGO. LOCAL REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE SHOT AND NEED REPLACED. RECEIVED QUOTE OF $800 TO REPLACE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINT PROBLEM CAUSED TIRES TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY AND UNEVEN, STEEL BELTS ALMOST SHOWING ON INSIDE OF ONE TIRE.

I STARTED NOTICING A POPPING SOUND ON LEFT TURNS AND WHEN IT WAS INSPECTED AT A LOCAL MECHANIC, I WAS INFORMED OF A LOWER BALL JOINT PROBLEM COUPLED WITH DETERIORATION OF THE SPINDLE OR A ARM. I REALLY LIKE THE DURANGO AND WAS EVEN CONTEMPLATING A PACIFICA. IF DAIMLER CHRYSLER DOESN'T DO ANY BETTER SERVICE TO ITS CUSTOMERS BY REPAIRING THEIR FAULTY EQUIPMENT, PERHAPS THE BIG BUCKS THEY WANT FOR THEIR PRODUCT COULD BE PLACED INTO ANOTHER AUTO MANUFACTURER. *JB

I BOUGHT A 1998 DODGE DURANGO IN NOVEMBER OF 2002. THE VEHICLE HAD 59939 MILES ON IT. I HAVE MAINTAINED THE CAR AS ONE SHOULD. ON 9/2/03 I TOOK THE AUTO INTO AAMCO TRANSMISSIONS AS THE CAR WAS NOT SHIFTING DOWN INTO 1ST GEAR. IT COST ME $500.00 TO FIX THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. AT THE SAME TIME THEY TOLD ME MY TRANSFER CASE WAS GOING OUT AND NEEDS TO BE REBUILT. THE ESTIMATE-$1350. IN NOV OF 2003, I TOOK THE CAR IN TO GET A LUBE JOB. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE NOT ACCEPTING GREASE & THE UPPER BOOTS WERE ROTTED. THAT EVENTUALLY I WOULD NEED NEW BALL JOINTS BUT I STILL HAD TIME. IN DEC 2003, I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN. THEN IF MY STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED AS I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, IT WOULD NOT START, OR IT WOULD DIE AS I WAS BACKING OUT. IN JANUARY I HEARD METAL IN MY FRONT TIRES AS I WAS BRAKING. A NEW BRAKE JOB COST ME $350.00. THE END OF JANUARY, WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH 72,000 MILES, MY FRONT RIGHT TIRE FELL OFF. REASON: UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE OFF. EVERY MECHANIC HAS STATED THAT THIS IS A DEFECT, AS THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN BALL JOINTS DO THIS AT THIS LOW MILEAGE. I THEN SAW NHTSA INTERVIEWED ON THE NEWS FOR THE VERY SAME REASON. DODGE DURANGOS AND THEIR BALL JOINTS WITH TIRES FALLING OFF. MY CAR LANDED IN A DITCH. I WAS LUCKY I WAS ONLY TRAVELLING AT 35 MPH. IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL, AND WHO EVER MANUFACTURES THESE BALL JOINTS BETTER STAND UP TO THE PLATE AND TAKE RESPONSI

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT LEFT FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT. FAILED. *AK

I BOUGHT A USED 1998 DODGE DURANGO WITH 24,000 MILES IN FEB 14TH 2003. THIS WAS A DODGE CERTIFIED USED CAR. I ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTRA WARRANTY PACKAGE FOR $900.00. AFTER 60 DAYS I HAD A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. I CALLED THE DODGE GARAGE FROM WHICH I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY HAD IT TOWED. THEY CALLED ME BACK AND SAID I HAD A BIG PROBLEM. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED THE RIGHT FRONT AXEL, BALL JOINT UPPER ARM ASSEMBLY HAD BROKE APART CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WITH A TOTAL OF $1700.00 MY RESPONSABILITY. THEY SAID DODGE WOULD NOT COVER IT BECAUSE IT WAS A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. THEY SAID MY EXTENDED DODGE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE FRONT SUSPENSION ON THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. NOW I READ THAT MANY VEHICLES HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. REMIND YOU THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAD 24,000 MILES ON IT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WORE OUT!!!!!!!!!! AT MY EXPENSE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS. *AK

IN JUNE, 2003 I TOOK MY DURANGO INTO THE SHOP FOR SOME ROUTINE SERVICING. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED CONSIDERABLE WEAR TO THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT END. HE RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT OF THESE PARTS. THANKFULLY, I HAD THESE PARTS REPLACED IN JULY BEFORE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HOWEVER, THESE REPAIRS WERE DONE OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND AT CONSIDERABLE COST TO MYSELF. I DON'T USE THIS VEHICLE VERY OFTEN, SO AT THE TIME OF THE REPAIR IT ONLY HAD 37,000 MILES ON IT BUT I HAD OWNED IT FOR 4 YEARS. I BELIEVE DIAMLER/CHRYSLER IS PRODUCING DEFECTIVE PARTS ON THESE VEHICLES AND IT SHOULD BE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THESE PARTS. *AK

PREMATURE WEAR ON PASSENGER SIDE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS.*AK

BALL JOINTS WORN OUT PREMATURELY.*AK

TOOK 1998 DURANGO FOR WHEEL ROTATION AND ALIGNMENT. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 72K000MILES. TECHNICIAN HAD TO REPLACE LOWER BALL JOINTS, WHICH HAD CAUSED EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. *AK

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR ROUTINE GENERAL MAINTENANCE, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. *AK THERE WAS BANGING WHEN THE CONSUMER WOULD GO OVER BUMPS. THIS WAS DUE TO LOOSE BALL JOINTS. *SC

WHEN VEHICLE WAS GOING THROUGH STATE INSPECTION TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE. THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. EVENTUALLY,THE CONSUMER PULLED THE FRONT TIRE OFF, AND NOTICED THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPY ROAD CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE. AFTER VEHICLE WAS SERVICED CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK

LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FRONT END WILL COLLAPSE WHILE DRIVING. *AK

SINCE I PURCHASED MY DURANGO IN 1998 FROM THE DEALER I HAVE HAD IT IN FOR NUMEROUS REPAIRS AND COMPLAINED AT LEAST THREE TIMES ABOUT A NOISE I HEARD NEAR THE RF WHEEL. THEY HAVE TOLD ME IT WAS A STEERING ADJUSTMENT ETC. I HAVE PAID FOR NUMEROUS REPAIRS AND STILL THE NOISE IS THERE. IT IS THE BALL JOINT,I HAVE 80,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND THE NOISE WAS PRESENT SINCE 256 MI. I HAVE ALL MY DEALER SERVICE RECORDS AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE THEM WHICH DOCUMENT MY NOISE COMPLAINTS AND MILEAGE. I WAS JUST ADVISED BY A MECHANIC IT WAS THE BALL JOINT AND ABOUT YOUR INVESTIGATION. NO VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS AT 256 MILES UNLESS IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART. THE SAME NOISE IS PRESENT, I HAVE NO LESS THAN FIVE WITNESSES ALSO WHO HAVE HEARD THE NOISE AND ASKED ME ABOUT IT YET THE MECHANICS DENIED BEING ABLE TO REPLICATE IT. *AK

UPPER BALL JOINTS WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE FRONT END WILL COLLAPSE WHILE DRIVING. *AK

I OWN A DODGE DURANGO 1998 AND I SAW THAT YOU ARE DOING AN INVESTIGATION OF THE DURANGO'S. I RECENTLY TOOK MY DURANGO TO A TIRE SPECIALIST TO GET AN ALIGNMENT DONE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PULLING FOR SOME TIME NOW. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE BALL JOINTS AND THE 2 OUTER AND 1 INNER TIE RODS ARE BAD AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. IF I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ITS GOING TO BE ABOUT A 900 PROCEDURE WHERE IF I TAKE IT TO SOMEONE ELSE IT WILL BE A 700 PROCEDURE BUT IN ORDER TO BE RE-IMBURSED IF A RECALL DOES COME OUT I WAS TOLD THAT I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. I AM A PREGNANT WOMAN AND I HAVE A 1 YEAR OLD CHILD. I AM REALLY WORRIED THAT SOMETHING THAT OTHER MOTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED WILL ALSO HAPPEN TO ME AND MY FAMILY. I AM THE ONE THAT DRIVES THIS VEHICLE DAY IN AND DAY OUT. SINCE WE BOUGHT THE DURANGO IN 2002 WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TIRES, BRAKES, WATER PUMP, RADIATIOR, NOW THE AC IS NOT BLOWING COLD OR EVEN COOL AIR AND WE NEED THE BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS REPLACED. YOU HAVE MY WORD THAT I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE. I KNOW THIS IS BEING INVESTIGATED AND I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THIS IS A SEVERE PROBLEM AND I HOPE THEY DO SOMETHING SOON BEFORE PEOPLE DIE. *AK

WHILE AT REPAIR SHOP FOR FRONT ALIGNMENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD PROBLEMS. WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY FRONT RIGHT WHEEL CAME OFF THE VEHICLE. *AK

I OWN A 1998 DODGE DURANGO SLT WITH 75000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING STRONG TO THE RIGHT. I TOOK IT INTO A REPAIR SHOP IN OUR TOWN OF 28000 PEOPLE. THEY INDICATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS THE 4TH DURANGO THEY HAVE HAD WITH THIS PROBLEM IN THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS. THE REPAIR WAS $975. IN ADDITION, MY EMPLOYER HAS 25 DURANGOS IN THEIR FLEET AND HAVE DISCOVERED THE SAME DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THESE DURANGOS AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. *AK