2001 Dodge Durango complaints

PE 03-032, FRONT SUSPENSION/UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE: THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT AT 38,000 MILES. *AK BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE WERE REPLACED. *SC *JB

FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED ON 2001 DODGE DURANGO (46,000 MILES), AND AXEL WHEEL BEARINGS ALSO REPLACED.*AK

THE RACK ASSEMBLY AND TIE ROD WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE'S TIRES WOBBLED UNCONTROLLABLY. *NLM THE LEFT INNER TIE ROD END WAS BAD AND 1/4 PLAY CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO WONDER ALL OVER THE ROAD. AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS, THE LEFT WHEEL WOULD SHAKE BADLY. THE RACK ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO DEFECTIVE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS. MECHANIC COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

HAD TO HAVE UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACED ON MY 2001 DURANGO WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT! HIS IS WAY TO EARLY FOR SUCH A VITAL PART WITH THE ALL THE EXTREME RISK INVOLVED WITH ITS FAILURE. I HEARD THEIR WAS PROBLEMS WITH THIS PART AND MY VEHICLE WAS STARTING TO PULL. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND HE WOULD NOT EVEN LOOK AT IT TO TELL ME IF IT WAS SAFE WITHOUT CHARGING ME $80.00. BELL TIRE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AFTER FINDING THE FAULT DURING THERE FRONT END INSPECTION. *AK

MY DURANGO IS ALWAYS SERVICED WHEN NEEDED. OIL IS CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES OR 3 MONTHS WHICH EVER COMES FIRST. LAST TIME IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT OK. ALL OF A SUDDEN AFTER 2,000 THE TRANSMISSION GOES OUT. I CALLED DAIMLER CHRYSLER TO ASK IF IT HAD A WARRANTY THEY RESPONDED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS FOR 36,000 MILES OR 3 YEARS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 MECHANICS AND THEY HAVE BOTH SAID THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHEN MY DURANGO WAS CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS IT ONLY INDICATED THAT IT NEEDED THE SPEED SENSORS REPLACED, I DID THAT AND IT STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SHIFTS INTO 1ST AND 2ND GEAR BUT NOT INTO 3RD GEAR.

FRONT BALL JOINT FAILURE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS IN THE 2001 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES. REPORTED CASES OF FAILURE CAUSING ACCIDENTS. MANUFACTURE PROBLEM, CAN'T BE CORRECTED. BALL JOINTS CAN BE REPLACED BUT IT WILL FAIL AGIAN. ALSO DASH LIGHTS FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. SEVERAL TIMES BRAKE LIGHTS AND BLINKERS NOT WORKING. PULL FUSE OUT- NOT BLOWN. PUT BACK IN AND THEY WORK AGAIN FOR AWHILE. ALSO, MIDDLE SEAT, SEAT BELT NOT RETRACTING PROPERLY FOR PASSENGERS. RISK OF BODILY INJURY OR DEATH TO PASSENGERS WITH ALL ABOVE CASES.

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE BUSHINGS OF LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT NEITHER OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. *AK *NM

WE HAVE A 2001 DODGE DURANGO SLT PLUS WITH THE V-8 4.7 ENGINE THAT HAS HAD A STALLING OR STUTTERING PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE EVER SINCE WE BOUGHT. SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS HAVE LOOKED AT IT AND NONE OF THEM HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I EVEN BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE REGIONAL MGR AT CHRYSLER -MIKE OLIVER 443-745-8496. MY WIFE IS SCARED TO DEATH ONE DAY SHE IS GOING TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC WITH OUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND THE VEHICLE WILL STALL CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.*AK

I OWN A 2001 DODGE DURANGO AND THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE GONE BAD ON THIS VECHICLE UNDER 40,000 MILES. IT IS CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWAY RIGHT.*AK

HAD TO HAVE UPPER BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM BUSHING REPLACED. *AK

WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END COLLAPSED. THE DEALER STATED THE BALL JOINTS FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB EA03-023

I WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY MAKING TURNS. I FELT LIKE MY FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS GOING TO COME OFF WHEN I WOULD MAKE TURNS. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT MY LEFT BALL JOINT WAS BAD AND ADVICED NOT TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE UNTIL I HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THE PART I NEEDED WAS ON A NATIONAL BACKORDER AND THEY WERE UNSURE WHEN IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH MY VEHICLE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.*AK

HAD TO REPLACE UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS IN MY 2001 DURANGO AFTER REPLACING PREMATURELY WORN OUT TIRES, DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST CLOSE TO $1,000 SINCE I AM 1,000 MILES OVER MY WARRANTY. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE POWER STEERING PUMP AT A COST OF $600 DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A RESULT OF THE DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS HOWEVER. *AK

2001 DURANGO R/T. SECOND FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION (11/26/03) @ 35000 MILES. HANDLED BY DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND NO ONE KNOWS EXACTLY WHY OR HOW TRANSMISSION IS FAILING. RPM TACHOMETER RACES BETWEEN 100 - 800 RPM DURING DRIVING CONDITIONS INCLUDING LOAD, LIGHT LOAD, FLAT TERRAIN, AND OCCASIONALLY DOWN HILL WHEN DRIVING OF SPEEDS GREATER THAN 45 MPH IN DRIVE AND OVERDRIVE. EXCESSIVELY HARD CLUNG WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND AND BETWEEN 2ND AND 1ST. 1ST FAILURE (2/6/02) WAS BEFORE PCM AND TRANSMISSION FLASH RECALLS @ 20000 MILES. SERVICE MANAGER INSISTED THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL THING AND HIS JEEP DID THE SAME THING. AFTER MUCH CONVINCING THAT I WOULD PREFER THE OPINION OF A TECH INSTEAD DID THEY TAKE THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR. VEHICLE WAS KEPT FOR AN ADDITIONAL WEEK THAN WHAT WAS PROMISED FOR DELIVERY. VEHICLE WAS KEPT IN GARAGE FOR THE 2 WEEKS AND WHEN PICKED UP ALL PERSONAL ITEMS, ELECTRONICS, TIRE JACK, ETC WAS MISSING (~ $2700 WORTH) AND ACCUSING ME OF LEAVING MY DOORS UNLOCKED (DID NOT QUITE UNDERSTAND HIS POINT AND AURGUEMENT SINCE IT SAT IN THE DEALERSHIPS GARAGE FOR THE 2 WEEK DURATION). SINCE ... TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ALWAYS GO INTO PARK AND OCCASIONALLY DRIVE, VERBALLY TOLD NOT A BIG DEAL BY DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION BEING FLASHED. NOTICED VEHICLE SURGING WITH RPM INCREASE AFTER DRIVING A WHILE. OH, BY THE WAY, YEA, THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACED AT ~18000 MILES TOO (10/2002)!*AK

THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY (PE 03-032, FRONT SUSPENSION/UPPER BALL JOINTS). *AK THE FRONT END POPPED WHILE MAKING TURNS. *NM

PE 03-032, FRONT SUSPENSION/UPPER BALL JOINT: THE UPPER BALL JOINT WORE OUT PREMATURELY. *AK THE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED DURING MAINTENANCE. *SCC *JB

MY 2001 DODGE DURANGO HAS BEEN "CLANKING" IN THE FRONT END FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. AFTER TAKING IT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND 2 DODGE DEALERS, THE PROBLEM HAS FINALLY BEEN DIAGNOSED - BAD CONTROL ARM AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. MUCH TO MY DISMAY, THIS REPAIR WILL COST OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS MILES ON IT, WE ARE CONSERVATIVE DRIVERS AND TRY OUR BEST TO MAINTAIN OUR CARS. HAD THIS BEEN THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE I MIGHT NOT HAVE CONTACTED YOU - AS IT TURNS OUT, WE HAVE HAD PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, SINCE BECOMING OWNERS FEB. 2002. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY OUR LOCAL DEALER, CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SEVERAL INTERNET SITES THAT THIS PART HAS BEEN FAULTY ON MANY VEHICLES, AND MY CAR IS NOT ALONE. AS A RESULT OF DODGE OWNERS EVERYWHERE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS PART MAY BE DEEMED FAULTY AND A RECALL MAY ENSUE AS A RESULT. I FEEL THAT THIS CAR IS TOO "YOUNG" TO BE EXPERIENCING SUCH MAJOR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS, AND SUPPORT A RECALL NOTICE. APPARENTLY THE JOINTS SEPARATE AND THE WHEEL CAN "FALL OFF" WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION.....HOW DANGEROUS! *AK

UPON HAVING THE TIRES REPLACED, THE DEALERSHIP NOTICED THAT THE FRONT LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE THE PART DUE TO A 800 BACK ORDER. *AK *SCC *JB

I OWN A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. IN 2002 I HAD TO HAVE THE WHOLE POWER STEERING RACK AND PUMP REPLACED. N SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR I WAS INFORMED THE BALL JOINTS ARE BAD. APPARENTLY THEY HAVE PREMATURELY WORN OUT.*AK

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S BALL JOINTS.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT. *JB *NM

VEHICLE FAILED STATE INSPECTION DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR OF UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. PRIOR TO THE INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES FOR FRONT END NOISE BY THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

A TECHNICIAN SERVICED THE TRUCK. THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE FINE BUT THE BRAKE PADS WERE PITTED. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THEN 30,000 MILES ON IT. *NLM

2001 DODGE DURANGO HAS REPEATED TRANSMISSION FAILURES. OVER DRIVE WILL ENGAGE BY ITSELF CAUSING TEMPERATURE LIGHT TO COME ON AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME. I HAVE SPENT OVER A 1000.00 FORM 6/2003 TO 11/2003 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *LA

THE OWNER WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THAT THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

I OWN A 2001 DODGE DURANGO WITH POWER SEATS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED. THE FIRST TIME WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BEFORE THE PART COMPLETELY FAILED. THE SECOND TIME THE PART COMPLETELY FAILED AND IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT BRACKET HAS METAL ROD RUNNING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT UNDER SEAT THIGH AREA. THIS METAL ROD IS USED TO LIFT AND ADJUST THE SEAT HEIGHT. THERE ARE METAL WASHERS ATTACHED TO SERVO MOTORS THAT FATIGUE AND WEAR OUT. AT FIRST SEAT BEGINS ROCKING SLIGHTLY BACKWARD ON ACCELERATION. EVENTUALLY WASHER(S) FAIL CAUSING METAL ROD TO MOVE FREELY WITHOUT ANY STABILIZATION. IF DRIVERS SIDE POWER SEAT IS LOWERED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND ALL THE WAY BACK THE SEAT APPEARS STABLE. IF DRIVERS SIDE POWER SEAT IS RAISED AND ADJUSTED FOR SMALLER DRIVER AND THE WASHER HAS BROKEN, THE SEAT FALLS BACKWARD SEVERELY AND HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR CAUSING A SEVERE ACCIDENT. I'M A MEMBER OF THE DURANGO OWNERS CLUB (HTTP://WWW.DURANGOCLUB.COM/CEILIDH/CEILIDH.HTML) AND SEVERAL MEMBERS ARE ENCOUNTERING ISSUES WITH THE SEATS ROCKING BACK AND FORTH OVER TIME. TO DATE, WE ARE THE ONLY ONES IN YOUR CLUB REPORTING THAT THE SEAT ACTUALLY BREAKS AND FALLS BACKWARDS. *LA

2001 DODGE DURANGO 35,000 MILES PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER DEFECTIVE BALL- JOINT PROBLEM. *LA

WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS VEHICLE SHOOK. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINT WAS WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. *AK

WE HAVE A 2001 DODGE DURANGO AND IT HAS 52,953 MILES ON IT AND NEEDS TO HAVE THE FRONT BALL JOINTS REPLACED. OUR MECHANIC TRIED TO ORDER THE BALL JOINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THEY ARE ON BACK ORDER. THE BALL JOINTS SHOULD NOT BE GOING OUT ON A VEHICLE WITH THIS LOW OF MILES. IT IS OUR PRIMARY VEHICLE AND WE HAVE TO DRIVE IT AS IS BECAUSE THE BALL JOINTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. *LA

WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS, UPPER AND LOWER WERE BAD. THIS VEHICLE ALWAYS KNOCKED. THE DEALER CHECKED OUT THE PROBLEM, BUT COULDN'T DUPLICATE IT. *AK THE PART HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HEARD ON THE NEWS A RECALL WAS IN THE MAKING, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY RECALL . *SCC *JB

MY DURANGO IS ALL OVER THE ROAD ON BUMPY SURFACES AND IF YOU HAPPEN TO HIT A BUMP ON A CORNER, IT JUMPS ACROSS THE ROAD. THE DEALER PUT ON NEW FRONT SHOCKS, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO RETURN IT AGAIN. *LA

THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. THE OWNER WILL HAVE THE DEALERSHIP FIX THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *PH

WHILE DRIVING 2001 DODGE DURANGO ON A STRAIGHT-AWAY, UP HILL, THE FRONT WHEELS SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE LEFT, AND DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF TRUCK, HITTING TELEPHONE POLE HEAD-ON, AND TOTALLING VEHICLE. *AK

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO START VEHICLE BECAUSE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE LOCK POSITION IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *AK

FRONT SUSPENSION, BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY WORE OUT PREMATURELY... BEFORE 30,000 MILES.*AK

CAR SURGES AT ABOUT 55 MPH. FOUR DEALERS HAVE LOOKED AT IT AND CLAIM THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND IT. *LA

THE FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT WORE OUT PREMATURELY ON MY 2001 DODGE DURANGO. *LA

STEERING IS SPONGY AND EASILY AFFECTED BY ROAD CONDITIONS. EXAMPLE: DRIVING OVER AN EXPANSION JOINT IN THE ROAD THAT IS NOT PERFECTLY PERPENDICULAR TO DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC WILL CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN, SENDING THE VEHICLE OFF TRACK. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HAS ACTUALLY CHANGED LANES AS A RESULT OF THIS PHENOMENON. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, I HAVE MENTIONED THIS EVERY TIME TO THE SERVICE WRITER. UPON COMPLETION OF SERVICE I WAS TOLD THE SAME THING EVERY TIME: THIS IS NORMAL STEERING FOR A DURANGO. WE NOTICED THIS SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM REDWOOD CITY DODGE, IN REDWOOD CITY, CA. THEY ALSO SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND TOLD US THE SAME THING AS SWIFT DODGE. IT'S ALL HOGWASH: THE VEHICLE ISN'T SAFE AS THIS "FAILURE" OCCURS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. *LA

REPLACEMENT OF LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT, CONTROL ARM AND LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AT 47,000 DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR. *LA

WITH 51,000 MILES ON MY 2001 DODGE DURANGO, I HAD TO HAVE THE LEFT FRONT BALL JOINTS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, HE CLAIMED THAT THIS PREMATURE WEAR IS POSSIBLE BUT NOT LIKELY. *LA

HAVE A 2001 DURANGO WITH 48,000 MILES. HAVING BALL JOINT PROBLEMS AS WELL. CHECKED THEM AND APPEAR WORN. WILL REPLACE THEM BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS. SHOULD LAST A LOT LONGER THAN 48,000. *LA

2001 DODGE DURANGO, HAD ROUTINE VISIT TO FIRESTONE TIRE TO GET NEW TIRES FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC ADVISED US THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED BOTH UPPER FRONT BALL JOINTS, UPPER CONTROL ARM REMOVE AND REPLACE, CONTROL UPPER ONE SIDE ALSO LOWER CONTROL ARM REMOVE AND REPLACE BALL JOINT, LOWER, BOTH. HE ADVISED THAT ON SUCH A NEW VEHICLE THIS IS A VERY UNCOMMON OCCURENCE. HE SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO GET THE PARTS TO REPAIR, IF HE COULD HE GAVE ESTIMATE TO US $968.78 VEHICLE HAS NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT SINCE ITS DIAGNOSIS. *AK

WE PURCHASED OUR 2001 DODGE DURANGO IN DEC. 2000. IN MARCH 2001, MY HUSBAND RETURNED TO THE FULLERTON DEALERSHIP IN CA TO HAVE THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT DUE TO PROB. WITH THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN HE HIT BUMPS. THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WTIH THE VEHICLE, ADVISED HIM THAT IT WAS JUST DUE TO THE LOS ANGELES FREEWAYS. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DUE TO IT FEELING WOBLY AND UNSTABLE, WE HAVE BEEN TOLD TIME AND TIME THAT WE NEED WHEEL ALINGMENTS. ALSO, WE WERE EXPERIENCING A PROB. WITH THE BRAKES REVERBRATING, ONLY TO BE INFORMED THAT IT WAS PART OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING HOME AND NEARLY HIT A PEDESTRIAN AND SEVERAL VEHICHLES BECAUSE I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS "OFF-CENTER" AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL IT. WHEN I MADE A TURN, SPECIFICALLY, LEFT THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LIKE IT WAS SKIDDING OR HYDROPLANNING. I RECENTLY HAD TIRES PUT ONT HE VEHICLE AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. IT FEELS LIKE MY WHEEL ON THE LEFT (DRIVER'S) SIDE IS GOING TO FALL OFF. I AM HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER TODAY. *AK

TRANSMISSION CLUNK AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM SECOND TO THIRD.

WHILE DRIVING MY DURANGO ON 09/01/03, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE OIL PRESSURE GUAGE BEGAN FLUCUTATING UP AND DOWN.I IMMEDIATELY DROVE HOME,@ 2 MILES, AND PARKED THE VEHICLE.ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2003, I DROVE THE DURANGO @4 MILES TO THE SRVC. DEPT. AT DARCARS. LATER THAT DAY DARCARS INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS "SLUDGED UP" AND WAS BEYOND REPAIR.THE ENGINE HAS APPROXIMATELY 44,867 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED IT OFF OF THE SHOW ROOM FLOOR AS A DEMO. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, DAIMLER CHRYSLER (DAIMLER), TO COMPLAIN AND SEEK SOME TYPE OF ASSISTANCE. THE REPRESENTATIVE AT DAIMLER STATED THAT HE WOULD OPEN A FILE ON MY VEHICLE AND CONTACT DARCARS TO GET SOME ADDITIONAL INFO. DAIMLER ADVISED THAT IN ORDER FOR THEM TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD PROVIDE ANY TYPE OF ASSISTANCE, I WOULD FIRST NEED TO PROVIDE AUTHORIZATION FOR DARCARS TO TEAR THE ENGINE APART TO DO A FURTHER DIAGNOSIS.I GAVE DARCARS VERBAL AUTHORIZATION TO PERFORM THE FURTHER DIAGNOSIS.ON 09/10/03, DARCARSADVISED THAT THEY HAD REMOVED THE VALVE COVER AND DETECTED SLUDGE DOWN IN THE ENGINE.DARCARS SAID THAT THEY DECIDED NOT TO TAKE THE ENGINE APART BECAUSE THE LABOR COST (@15 HRS WOULD BE BORNE BY ME.DARCARS ALREADY "KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND DID NOT SEE THE NEED TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL LABOR CHARGE TO ME ON TOP OF THE COST FOR A NEW ENGINE.AT THE INVITE OF THE DARCARS SERVICE REP I WENT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE ENGINE.EVERYTHING ON THE ENGINE WAS INTACT.IT DID NOT APPEAR THAT THE VALVE COVER HAD EVER BEEN R

2001 DURANGO REQUIRED RT UPPER BALL JOINT ARM, RT LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY, LET LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY, RT OUTER TIE-ROD END REPLACEMENTS AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT. 45,322 MILES CONSIDERED PREMATURE DEFECTS.*AK

DEALER REPLACED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AT 40,000 MILLES. *AK

PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED.*AK

MY CAR SUSPENSION HAS BEEN HORRIFYING SINCE THE DAY I GOT IT NEW. ONE DAY I WAS IN MY GARAGE GOING NO MORE THAN 5-8 MILES AN HOUR AND THE WHEEL FELL OFF AND CAUSED TONS OF DAMAGES TO THE CAR. IT WENT THROUGH INSURANCE AND INSURANCE SHOULD GET REIMBURSED THROUGH CHRYSLER,AS THIS IS A DEFECT. I WAS WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION FOR OVER 30 DAYS. IT COST ME OVER $1000 BECAUSE OF THAT ON TOP OF THE DEDUCTIBLE. MY COMPANY LEASES THE CAR AND WE WANT OUT OF THE LEASE AS THE SUSPENSION IS ACTING UP AGAIN. DODGE DEALERSHIP HAS DONE EVERYTHING TO MAKE A CHARADE OF THIS AND NOT ADMIT ANY WRONG. THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS APPROXIMATE.*AK