2000 Dodge Durango complaints

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF TIRES, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE AND WORN OUT DUE TO WHEEL ALIGNMENT. ALSO, BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK

I HAVE A 2000 DODGE DURANGO AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINT FOUR TIMES IN THE PAST THREE YEARS. THERE IS A CONSTANT SQUEAKING NOISE WHICH BECOMES LOUDER WHEN HITTING A BUMP OR TURNING THE WHEEL. A DEALERSHIP HAD FIXED IT THE FIRST TIME AND THEN HAD TO REPLACE IT AGAIN ONLY DAYS LATER, STATING THAT IT WAS A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. IT HAS BECOME A REPETITIVE PROBLEM, STARTING AT ONLY 20,000 MILES AND CONTINUING ON. * CB

THE FRONT END SHAKES REAL BAD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED AND WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHES HIGH SPEEDS. THE BALL JOINTS WERE CHECKED AND REPLACED, IT SOLVED THE PROBLEM, NOTICED THE PROBLEM WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MARCH OF LAST YEAR AND THE DEALER SAID THAT IT NORMAL FOR A DODGE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY SENSITIVE AND WHEN IT WAS PRESSED FELT LIKE THE ROTORS WHERE WARPED. *CB

BALL JOINTS ON 2000 DODGE DURANGO WORN OUT AT 47,000 MILES. *CB

FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE DRIVERS SIDE. FRONT POWER DOOR LOCK DRIVERS SIDE. *CB

MY WIFE HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER HOUSING A 30 FT. POLE HEAD ON DOING APPROX $9000 DAMAGE. SHE HAD TO BE TAKEN BY PARAMEDICS TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL BEACAUSE HER HEAD HIT & BROKE THE VISOR AND VISOR ARM THEN HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE WAS DRIVING APPROX 15 MPH WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. SHE WAS OUT OF WORK A WEEK DUE TO HER INJURIES AND STILL HAS MEDICAL ISSUES. CHRYSLER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO CHECK THE SYSTEM WHO STATED IT WAS FINE.

TRANSMISSION FAILED TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE.

WHEN DRIVING THE SUV, THERE IS A LOUD NOISE THE WHOLE TIME WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, THE DEALER SAID IT NOT UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WE PURCHASED, ALSO THE WINDOW IN THE BACK LEFT SIDE WILL NOT LET UP OR DOWN. IT HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT I AM ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 5 MONTHS.

ON 8/7/02 MY OIL PRESSURE SUDDENLY DROPPED TO 0. A DODGE MECHANIC REPLACED THE OIL PUMP, WHICH WAS UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 28,000 MILES ON IT. ON 8/19/03 MY OIL PRESSURE AGAIN SUDDENLY DROPPED TO 0. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP WHERE AN ASST. SERVICE MGR. TOLD ME I WOULD LIKELY NEED A NEW ENGINE. HE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH HE HAD ONLY SEEN THIS PROBLEM "ONE OTHER TIME" MY EXTENDED WARRANTY MIGHT NOT COVER IT BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSED BY POOR MAINTENANCE. I TOLD HIM THAT I AVERAGED ONLY 10K MILES A YEAR ON MY CAR AND HAD MOST, IF NOT ALL, OF MY OIL CHANGE RECORDS. HIS DEMEANOR TELLS ME THAT THIS WON'T BE COVERED WITHOUT A FIGHT. MY DURANGO HAS 40,600 MILES ON IT. THROUGH THE INTERNET I HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN STUCK WITH THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF UNJUSTIFIED CHARGES BECAUSE OF DODGE'S FAILURE TO ADMIT THAT THE ENGINES OF SOME DURANGOS DEVELOP SLUDGE (APPARENTLY IT'S KNOWN AS A SMOG SLUDGE MOTOR IN TRADE TERMS.) WHEN YOU CHECK THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES YOU'LL IMMEDIATELY SEE THE PATTERN: CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM, NHTSA.GOV, CARSURVEY.ORG, OR SIMPLY GOOGLE "OIL PRESSURE DURANGO" OR "DURANGO SLUDGE"

FRONT END OF VEHICLE MAKING A CREAKING SOUND. GREENVILLE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP IN GREENVILLE, TEXAS REPLACED RIGHT LOWER, LEFT UPPER AND LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND PERFORMED FRONT END ALIGNMENT. TOTAL COST $1492.30.

BRAKE FAILURE AT 60 KM/H REAR ENDED OTHER VEHICLE

I WAS NOTIFIED BY CONCERN RELATIVES THAT THEY HAD WATCH ON TV THAT DURANGOS WERE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINT. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO LOOK AT. THE DEALER SAID I HAD EXACTLY 6 WEEKS OR LESS BEFORE IT WOULD HAVE FAILED. MY DURANGO IS A 2000 WITH 69,000 MILES. IT CARRIES CHILDREN EVERY DAY. WE LIVE IN A RURAL AREA. ALTHOUGH THE ROAD IS PAVED, THE ROAD IS DANGEROUS. BECAUSE OF YOUR NOTIFICATION YOU SAVED US FROM HAVING AN ACCIDENT THAT PROBABLY WE WOULD HAVE NOT SURRIVED BECAUSE OF THE TERRAIN. PLEASE CONTINUE TO NOTIFY PEOPLE. I CALLED UP CHRYSTLER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THEY TRULY DO NOT FEEL THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM LET ALONE THAT MOST PEOPLE WHO DRIVE DURANGOS CARRIES CHILDREN. I GO IN ON MONDAY, 2 HOURS AWAY TO GET MY VEHICLE FIX AT APPROXIMATELY $500.00. BUT WHAT IS COST WHEN IT COMES TO LIVES. PLEASE CONTINUE THIS RECALL. THANK YOU.

I HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT BALL JOINTS REPLACED IN MY 2000 DODGE DURANGO BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE STEERING. IT WAS INCREDIBLY LOOSE. WHEN I HAD IT REPAIRED I WAS TOLD THERE WERE 110 SETS OF THESE ON BACK ORDER BECAUSE SO MANY OF THEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. *LA

2000 DODGE DURANGO 35,000 MILES. DRIVERS FRONT UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. SEVERAL MECHANICS LOOKED AT THEM AND STATED THEY WERE DANGEROUS AND WOULD NOT INSPECT VEHICLE. DODGE DEALERSHIP BRUSHED IT OFF SAYING THEY WERE WITHIN GUIDELINES. WE PAID TO HAVE THEM REPLACED OURSELVES. *LA

PE 03-032, FRONT SUSPENSION/LOWERBALL JOINT FAILURE: THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. *AK *JB

CONSUMER STATED BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THE SWAY BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD JENKINS CHRYSLER TO CHECK THESE ITEMS AT 41000 - 61000 AND THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *CB *JB

UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED AT 53,000 MILES. *AK SOMETIME AFTER THANKSGIVING THE CONSUMER WAS FEELING SOMETHING DIFFERENT WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK. THE CONSUMER THOUGHT IT WAS THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON DEC 1, 2003 AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT ALL FOUR OF THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE OUT, AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY AT A COST OF $800.00. INSTEAD THE CONSUMER WENT SOMEWHERE ELSE TO HAVE REPAIRS. IT TOOK A LITTLE LONGER FOR THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PARTS WEREN'T AVAILABLE. THE TOTAL COST FOR REPAIRS WERE $542.82. *CB *JB

CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. *AK

2000 DODGE DURANGO (41K MILES) STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE DRIVING, BRAKE, AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES. DEALERSHIP HAS OFFERED TO BUY BACK THE CAR FOR $14K. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT 6 MONTHS AGO WITH 32K MILES FOR $23K PLUS A TRADE IN PAYOFF AMOUNT FOR A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4, WHICH IS IN ADDITION TO THE DURANGO PURCHASE PRICE. THE OFFERED AMOUNT IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE CAR WITH A NEW OR USED CAR OF COMPARABLE SIZE/FUNCTIONALITY. THE DEALERSHIP EXPECTS US TO TAKE A LOSS OF $9K IN ADDITION TO PURCHASING ANOTHER CAR.*AK

I HAVE BALL JOINT PROBLEMS ON MY 2000 DODGE DURANGO THAT HAS ONLY A LITTLE OVER 40000 MILES I HAVE READ IN THE MEDIA THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE 2000 DURANGO I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME AND THE OTHERS OF THIS VECHILES.

PREMATURE FAILURE OF UPPER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY ON 2000 DODGE DURANGO

MY 2000 DODGE DURANGO WAS REJECTED DURING A VA SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO THE UPPER BALL JOINT PROBLEM THAT IS THE SUBJECT NHTSA INVESTIGATION (ACTION PE03032). THE VEHICLE HAS 38000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY MY LOCAL DODGE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT CHRYSLER IS "ASSISTING" IN THE REPAIR COST BY REQUIRING A VARIABLE AMOUNT DEDUCTIBLE TO BE PAID BY THE CONSUMER. THE AMOUNT IS DETERMINED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS AND MYVEHICLE WILL BE EVALUATED WHEN IT GOES IN FOR REPAIR ON 12/30/03. *AK

DURING SAFETY INSPECTION, MECHANIC REPORTED UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THEY WERE SO BAD THAT THEY COULD HAVE FAILED AND CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. MILEAGE WAS ONLY 56,800 MILES. POOR DESIGN AS THERE IS NO GREASE CERT TO GREASE THEM PROPERLY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE!!!*AK

PURCHASED TRUCK ON 1/17/03 - BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED WHEN PURCHASED, HAD DURANGO INSPECTED ON 12/23/03 LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED INSPECTION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THAT MAKES TWICE IN 1 YEAR. BOTH CASES WERE FOR THE LOWER BALL JOINTS.*AK

I HAVE HAD MY 2000 DURANGO IN TO THE DEALERSHIP (WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY) FOR SPONGY, LOOSE, PULSING BRAKING, NOISE FROM THE SUSPENSION, & A CHIRPING/SQUEAKING SOUND (ALTERNATOR LIKE) WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. THE SUSPENSION NOISE WAS CORRECTED WITH NEW SPACERS IN THE LEAF SPRINGS (WHICH THEY ADMITTED WERE A PROBLEM). I WAS TOLD THAT THE PULSING IN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NORMAL FOR THE DURANGO & NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. THEY DID A BALANCE & TOLD ME IT TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM. IT DIDN'T. THEY COULD NOT "DUPLICATE" THE CHIRPING (AFTER 2-3 VISITS) ALTHOUGH IT HAPPENS FOR ME EVERY DAY. NOW WE ARE OUT OF WARRANTY AFTER READING MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS HERE, I'M JUST WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN. WILL MY CHILDREN BE INJURED AS A RESULT? THIS VEHICLE HAS 32K MILES WHICH ARE 99% HIGHWAY IS IN CHERRY CONDTION. I'VE DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC (NAPA) & PAY FOR HIS OPINION ON THE ROTORS, BALL JOINTS, ARMS, BRAKES, WATER PUMP/ALTERNATOR, ETC. ONCE I'VE PAID FOR HIS OPINION, HOW DO WE GET DODGE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS ...SINCE THEY WON'T OWN UP TO ANY OF THE PROBLEMS. IS THERE GOING TO BE A RECALL ON THE ROTOR/BRAKE PROBLEM OR THE BALL JOINT/ARM PROBLEM? MY BRAKES USUALLY LAST AT LEAST 60K MILES & I HAVE NEVER HAD PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION ON ANY OF MY NEW CARS. THEN, I'M GETTING RID OF IT.*AK

THE RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED AT 32,000 MILES.*AK *PH THE VEHICLE COULD NOT RETAIN A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM

PE 03-032, FRONT SUSPENSION/UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE: WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING A FRONT END ALIGNMENT THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE SHOWING PREMATURE WEAR.*AK *CB *JB

I OWN A 2000 DURANGO AND HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY MU MECHANIC THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS ARE DANGEROUSLY WORN AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. I AM PREPARING TO CONTACT DODGE TO GET PARTS PRICING. IF THIS BECOMES A RECALL HOW DO I PROTECT MY RIGHTS TO BE FULLY REIMBURSED> ALSO, IS THERE ANY BENEFIT TO NHSTA TO SEE THIS VEHICLE PRIOR TO REPAIR?*AK

I HAVE A 2000 DODGE DURANGO, 4WD. IT HAS 52,818 MILES. AFTER HEARING A SERIOUS OF POP'S AND CLUNKS FROM THE FRONT END OF MY DURANGO I HAD THE TRUCK CHECKED. THE UPPER DRIVER'S SIDE BALL JOINT HAD FAILED. THE PASSENDGER SIDE BALL JOINT SHOWED WEAR BUT WAS IN SATISFACTORY CONDITON. I BELIEVE THIS BALL JOINT FAILURE HAPPENDED FAR TOO SOON. IN 40 YEARS OF DRIVING I'VE ONLY REPLACED WORN BALL JOINTS ON ONE VEHICLE AND IT HAD OVER 100,000 MILES. AUGUSTA DODGE REPLACED THE WORN BALL JOINT AND COULD NOT ASSURE ME THE REPLACEMENT BALL JOINT WAS ANY DIFFERENT THAN THE FACTORY INSTALLED ONE.*AK

CONSUMER STATES SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER/MECHANIC FOR THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS ARE WEARING OUT. SHE STATES SHE WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN IT, HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE MECHANIC. SHE THINKS THIS IS DANGEROUS. *NLM

DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT AND THE STEERING SECTOR BROKE. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT THEN JUMPED A CURB AND WENT INTO A DITCH. THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. DEALERSHIP REPLACED BOTH BROKEN PARTS. *AK EA03-023

FAX FWD ON BEHALF OF BARBARA EDENS (TX) RE DEFECTIVE SUSPENSION ON A 2000 DODGE DURANGO SLT W/5.9 ENGINE, REQUESTING IMMEDIATE ACTION BY NHTSA RE RECALL INVESTIGATION ON THIS ISSUE.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER PUT A DODGE DAKOTA V6 ENGINE SUSPENSION ON THE DODGE DURANGO WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE PUT THE DODGE RAM PICKUP SUSPENSION ON INSTEAD. THE CONTROL ARMS HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES IN THE THREE YEARS THE CONSUMER OWNED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER REALIZED THE ERROR THEY MADE AND IS NOW CORRECTING THE PROBLEM, THE CONSUMER BELIEVED A RECALL SHOULD BE ENFORCED. *CB *JB

2000 DODGE DURANGO. UPPER RIGHT BALL JOINT ON UPPER CONTROL ARM FAILED PREMATURELY.*AK

I RECENTLY PRUCHASED A 2000 DODGE DURANGO. I STARTED HEARING A CREEKING SOUND FROM BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING AND GOING OVER BUMPS. I WAS INFORMED BY A MECHANIC OF WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS PREMAUTRE WEAR MAY RESULT IN SOME FAILURE AND AN UNEXPECTED COLLAPSE IN THE FRONT END OR WORSE YET WHEEL SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE. I AM FOLLOWING THE CURRENT NHTSA INVESTIGATION INTO THIS AND WOULD HOPE SOME RESOLUTION IN THE FORM OF A RECALL WOULD OCCUR BEFORE PERSONAL INJURY OR COST IS INCURRED BY ME OR OTHERS.*AK

2000 DODGE DURANGO R AND L UPPER BALL JOINTS (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA03023). MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER, KARMART USA TOLD ME ON DECEMBER 1, I NEED NEW UPPER BALL JOINTS. I HAD TAKEN MY CAR IN TO HAVE DOOR LOCKS FIXED. I DID NOT ASK THEM TO LOOK AT MY BALL JOINTS. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR, THEY ESTIMATE $358.00 FOR THE REPAIR. YOU ARE INVESTIGATING FAILURE OF UPPER BALL JOINTS. WHY DON'T YOU REQUIRE DODGE TO RECALL AND REPAIR THEM? THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM OR THEY WOULD NOT HAVE LOOKED AT MINE WHEN I HAVE NOT BEEN HAVING ANY SYMPTOMS. NOW, THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOTIFIED ME BY MAIL THAT I NEED TO HAVE THE LOOSE R AND L UPPER BALL JOINTS REPAIRED. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. ARE MY FRONT WHEELS GOING TO FALL OFF? DO I HAVE TO HAVE FATALITIES TO GET ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER? MY CAR IS PARKED UNTIL I HEAR FROM YOU. *AK

TRAVELING ON HE INTERSTATE IN MY 2000 DODGE DURANGO WITH 50K MILES ON IT WHEN SUDDEN LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE TO 0. KNOCKING UNDER HOOD. PULLED OVER, TOWED TO MECHANIC SHOP. ENGINE TOTAL LOSS. I HAVE SEEN AND HEARD NUMEROUS SAME PROBLEMS AND FEEL SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE AND I WILL BE WORKING MY HARDEST ON THAT.*AK

ENGINE FAILURE ON 2000 DODGE DURANGO DUE TO SLUDGE BUILDUP/FILTER FAILURE.*AK

WHEN WE TRIED TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT BY BRAKING, OUR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCKED AND WE WERE UNABLE TO STEER. ALSO, UPON IMPACT AT APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH, OUR AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THE FRONT END OF OUR DODGE DURANGO (2000) WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED.*AK

THE LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *NM

AN INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACED THE UPPER BALL JOINT AT 36,000 MILES. *AK *SCC *JB

ALL FOUR VEHICLE CONTROL ARMS WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEALERSHIP USING THE SAME CONTROL ARMS BECAUSE THEY WOULD PROBABLY EXPERIENCE THE SAME WEAR AND TEAR AGAIN. THE CONSUMER SUGGESTED THAT IT MAY BE A DEFECT AND IF SO, HE WANTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPLACEMENT PARTS.*CB *JB

WHILE VEHICLE WAS UP ON THE LIFT BEING SERVICED RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE. WHEN THE BALL JOINT BROKE, IT CAUSED THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRE TO HANG OFF THE VEHICLE. *AK EA03-023

THE UPPER BALL JOINTS AND ONE LOWER BALL JOINT WORE OUT, AND DAMAGED THE FRONT TIRES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS. *AK

DURING A SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE APPOINTMENT DEALER FOUND THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS PREMATURELY WORE OUT, AND REPLACED THEM. CONSUMER SENT THE FAILED PARTS TO A GOVERNMENT AGENCY FOR REVIEW. *AK

UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE AT VERY LOW MILEAGE. LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE BAD AGAIN AT 80,000. *JB

WITHOUT WARNING THE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED. THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 25 MPH, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT AN EMBANKMENT. THE OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. PLEASE ADD ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH EA03-023

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER CAN HEAR A POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT RIGHT PORTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER IS A MECHANIC AND HAS DETERMINED THAT PROBLEM IS THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHICH FOUND NO PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *PH

PURCHASED MY DURANGO NEW IN 2000. I DRIVE LESS THAN 12,000 MILES A YEAR AND CURRENTLY I AM AT 31,000 MILES AND MY WARRANTY IS UP. I FIND OUT THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AND CONTROL ARM NEED REPLACING BECAUSE THEY ARE WEARING PREMATURELY. THIS WAS ALL UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, NO OFF-ROAD OR ERRATIC MANEUVERING. I FEEL THESE PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY DAIMLER. THE BALL JOINTS SHOULD NOT BE REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE BALL JOINTS ON ANY OTHER VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED IN THE PAST 19 YEARS. *NLM

2 ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED WITHIN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. ONE FAILURE OCCURED ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND THE OTHER ON THE DRIVER DOOR. THESE FAILURES RESULTED IN THE INABILITY FOR THE DOORS TO LOCK WHILE THE VECHICLE IS IN MOTION, AND PRESENT AND UNSAFE CONDITON WHICH OVER RIDES THE SAFETY FEATURE OF THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING SYSTEM.

CHECK GAUGES LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO WARNING. ALL GAUGES WERE NORMAL. A LOUD RATTLING SOUND WAS FOLLOWED BY THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPING TO ZERO AND THE ENGINE FAILED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO WIESNER DODGE IN ROSENBERG, TEXAS. DEALER CLAIMED SLUDGE IN THE OIL CAUSED THE FAILURE. I HAVE REGULAR DOCUMENTED OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS. PAYMENT OF REPAIR (EST. $6000) IS PENDING MEETING WITH WARRANTY ADJUSTER. HOW CAN OUR FEDERALLY FUNDED AGENCIES IGNORE THE VAST MULTITUDE OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT INVESTIGATING????? *AK