2002 Dodge Durango complaints

ENGINE JUST STOPPED. CAR WAS TAKEN TO CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THERE IS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. SO FAR NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB

BOTH BALL JOINTS ON MY 2002 DURANGO VIN [XXX] MILES 47000 [APPROX]. *JB SEPTEMBER 04 MARIETTA DODGE SCOOT THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY SHOULD NOT BE BAD ON A 2 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH AVERAGE MILES. BUT I AM TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. IT IS EXTRMELY CLEAR IT SHOULD BE. UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

DOOR LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY UNLOCKING AND LOCKING WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. *JB

THE FRONT LEFT SIDE BALL JOINT WAS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SHAKE AND MAINTAIN CONTROL. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A MONTH.*AK

I'M DRIVING A 2002 DODGE DURANGO. MY CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT, I GOT A TIRE ROTATION AND NOW IT'S PULLING TO THE LEFT. I SAW IN THE NEWS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT UPPER JOINT BALL, SO THAT COULD HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH MY PROBLEM. THE TIRES ARE FINE.*AK

WHILE STEERING TO THE RIGHT CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONTAL UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER.*AK

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED ON 2002 DURANGO AFTER ONLY 55,000 MILES. STUCK IN LOCK POSITION. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, DEALER CHARGED $400.00 TO REPLACE.*AK

TRUCK STALLED ANY TIME ANYWHERE. ON HIGHWAY AT SPEED, IN INTERSECTIONS, WHEREVER. ITS A MIRACLE NO ONE HAS BEEN HURT. THIS ALL STARTED AT APPROX 26,000 MILES. BEEN TO 2 SERVICE DEPTS AND NO ONE CAN FIX IT. THIS IS NOT TO MENTION THE MANY OTHER VISITS TO THE DEALER FOR ITEMS SUCH AS WIPERS, CRUISE CONTROL, RADIOS, DOOR LOCKS, AND MUCH MORE. I'M DONE !!!!!*AK

BROKEN PIN THAT HOUSES CRITICAL PARTS IN REAR DIFFERENTIAL MAY CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF SUV DODGE 2002 DURANGO CALLED MANUFACTURE NO REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILEABLE AND NO IDEA WHEN ONE WILL BE POSES THE QUESTION IF THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. *AK

ON OCTOBER 22ND 2004 I TOOK MY 2002 DODGE DURANGO IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, AN OIL CHANGE, TIRE ROTATION ETC. IT HAD BEEN RIDING ROUGHER THAN NORMAL AND I HAD NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE WEARING UNEVENLY SO I ASKED THEM TO LOOK IT OVER AND SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG. UPON EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE CONTROL ARM. MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 38316 MILES AND HAD TO PUT NEARLY $1000 FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE WORN OUT THAT QUICKLY. HAD I NOT GONE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT THAT TIME SOMETHING FAR MORE SERIOUS COULD HAVE HAPPENED AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE I NOW NEED TO REPLACE MY TIRES.*AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT IN JANUARY 2004 SHE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THEN, AGAIN WHILE TAKING A LONG DRIVE, THE CONSUMER HEARD THE SAME KIND OF NOISE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO TOLD HER THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. BUT THE NOISE KEPT GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER. THE CONSUMER TOOK IT BACK A THIRD TIME. DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE THREE WEEKS, REBUILDING THE FRONT END. THIS WAS IN MAY 2004. CURRENTLY, THE CONSUMER HEARD THE SAME KIND OF NOISE. BUT THIS TIME THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THEY COULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *JB

THE FRONT END HAS ALWAYS BEEN LOOSE AND RATTLED. A PART OF THE STEERING CONTROL ARM HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE SUDDEN PULLING IN EITHER DIRECTION - TOWARD THE RIGHT WHEN CHANGING LANES TO THE RIGHT OR EXITING THE FREEWAY, AND THE SAME THING WHEN MOVING TO THE LEFT, WHEN THE LEFT FRONT CROSSES THE PROTION OF THE ROAD WERE THE LANES JOIN. THE LEFT FRONT RATTLES BAD ENOUGH TO FEEL IN THE STEERING AND FLOOR BOARD, AS WELL AS BEING EXTREAMLY AUDIBLE. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *NM

THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER SLAMMED ON BRAKES. THE INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY PITTED ROTORS. THE BRAKE SHOES GRABBED HARD ON THE PITTED ROTORS CAUSED THE ABS TO KICK IN WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JERK IN STOP AND GO MOTION. *AK *SC

DAIMLER/CHRYSLER SEAT WARMERS CAUSING FIRES, BURNT SEATS, BURNT CLOTHING AND CAUSING INJURIES TO PARAPLEGIC. *SC *JB

UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE POPPING AND CRACKING WITH EVERY TURN OF MY 2002 DODGE DURANGO. IF THEY FAIL, IT COULD MEAN THE LIFE OF ME, MY HUSBAND AND OUR 4 CHILDREN. DODGE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT RECALL THIS AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE DURANGO. *AK

NOISE AND KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT END WHILE DRIVING, COULD ALSO FEEL THE KNOCKING THRU STEERING WHEEL. TOOK VEHICLE TO GOODYEAR TO HAVE TIRES ROTATED AND WAS TOLD BY THEM THAT ALL BALL JOINTS WERE WORN AND WOULD PROBABLY FAIL SOON, POSSIBLY CAUSING AND ACCIDENT. CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE PARTS UNDER WARRANTY (ONLY 28,000 MILES ON VEHICLE), BUT COULDN'T GUARANTEE THAT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE REPLACED AGAIN IN 30,000 MILES. CONTACTED DODGE AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND "THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE OF A PROBLEM TO SUPPORT A RECALL AT THIS TIME", BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT I READ ON THE INTERNET.

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR WINDSHIELD WIPERS. HOWEVER, PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. ALSO, THERE WAS NO DATE AS TO WHEN THE PARTS NEEDED WILL BECOME AVAILABLE.*AK

I'D LIKE TO ADD MY VEHICLE TO THE LIST OF DURANGO'S THAT HAVE HAD THE UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACED. MY DURANGO IS A 2002 WITH 38,000 MI. VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT MY DEALER NEVER MENTIONED THE ONGOING PROBLEM. I HAVE MY VEHICLE IN EVERY 3 MONTHS FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND NOT ONCE DID THEY INSPECT IT. NOW I AM 2,000 MI OVER THE WARRANTY AND NO OFFERS FROM DODGE OR THE DEALER TO FIX IT SO I HAD A LOCAL MECHANIC FIX IT FOR ME.*AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT THE DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEM. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND HAD THE REAR END AND FRONT SUSPENSION REBUILT. CURRENTLY, DIFFERENTIAL MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN, CAUSING FRONT END TO LOCK UP. DEALER CLAIMED THEY DID NOT HEAR ANY NOISE, AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK

VEHICLE'S DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE. A FEW SECONDS LATER THE DRIVESHAFT FELL FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MANUEVER THE TRUCK ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THREE WEEKS LATER AN INSPECTOR WAS SENT TO THE DEALER TO CHECK ON THE VEHICLE. AT THAT TIME THE CONSUEMR WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. *NM

VISITED YOUR WEBSITE TO CHECK ON REPORTS BECAUSE WE HAVE A 2002 DURANGO R/T WHICH IS OMMITING A SMALL CONSTANT SQEAKING NOISE FROM BOTH SIDES AT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND AM HORRIFIED TO READ ABOUT THE PROBLEMS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH BALL JOINTS. I AM EXTREMELY WORRIED NOW AND WANT TO KNOW IF I CAN GET THE DEALERS ANYTHING ABOUT IT AT NO COST TO ME OR IF IT IS STILL AT THE STAGE WHERE IT HAS NOT BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY THEM AND WILL NOT BE UNTIL SOMEBODY DIES AS USUAL. THE ISSUE WITH THE WIPER MOTOR I PRESUME I CAN MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A LOCAL DEALER AND HAVE THIS CHANGED FREE OF CHARGE. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR REPLY, MANY THANKS NEILL GRIFFIN . *AK

WHILE BRAKING STEERING PULLED TO THE LEFT. FRONT CALIPER FAILED. SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. *AK RECALL#04V216000. *SC THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NO OPERATE CORRECTLY WHEN IN THE INTERMITTENT SETTING. *JB

TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE TIRES CHANGED. UPON HAVING THE TIRES CHANGED MACHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TOP BALL JOINTS BROKE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED IT. THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO HAVE THE MOTOR REPLACED EACH TIME IT FAILED. THE CONSUMER THEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE WIPER MOTOR. *NM

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HAD A LOT OF PLAY IN IT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS LIFTED HAVING AN OIL CHANGE PERFORMED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE WHEEL INSPECTED. DEALERSHIP INDICATED AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THAT FRONT BALL JOINTS, LEFT OUTER TIE ROD, AND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

AFTER NOTICING STRANGE NOISES FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THE 2002 DURANGO, I TOOK IT TO THE DELAERSHIP. THYE COULD NOT IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEMS. OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS THE NOISES HAVE BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED, AND NOW SEEM TO COEM FROM EVERY TIRE/ CORNER OF THE VEHILCE. TOOK THE TRUCK IN A SECOND TIME- NOTHING COULD BE FOUND, DEALER SAID THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE DOWN THE VERY SAME ROAD THAT I HEAR THE NOISES- LIKE A LOOSE MECHANICAL CONNECOION, AND A FEW SQUEAKS, AND RATTLES. WILL TAK CAR IN FOR THIRD TIME 7/30/04- I HOPE THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM ON THIS $35000 TRUCK.*AK

UPPER BALL JOINTS CHECKED, FOUND OVER .500 VERTICAL TRAVEL IN BOTH, RETAINED DEFECTIVE PARTS. MILAGE AT TIME OF REPAIR WAS 80,000. DUE TO LACK OF REPLACEMENT BALL JOINTS, BOTH UPPER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $1000, PAID BY ME. REPAIR DATE WAS 1-24-2004. THE DEFECTIVE PARTS WERE REPLACED WITH EXACTLY THE SAME UNIT. CURRENT MILAGE ON MY VEHICLE IS APPROX 106,000. I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE BALL JPINT ASSEMBLIES FOR A SECOND TIME WITHIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS. WHEN IS NHTSA GOING TO FORCE CHRYSLER TO RECALL THIS DANGEROUSLY DEFECTIVE VEHICLE AND REPAIR THEM WITH REDESIGNED BALL JOINTS?*AK

HEAR RATLING IN FRONT SUSPENSION. DEALER INVESTIGATION REVEALED PREMATURE WEAR OF BALL JOINTS. DEALER SUGGESTED TO WAIT, AS A POSSIBLE RECALL MAY OCCUR.*AK

PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE EQUIPMENT ON 2002 DODGE DURANGO.*MR WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHIMMIED. UPON INSPECTION OF THE BRAKES THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE PADS WERE LIKE NEW BUT THE ROTORS WERE CORRODED SO BADLY THAT THE METAL WAS FLAKING OFF AND LEAVING PITS ON THE SURFACE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT MATERIALS USED WERE SUBSTANDARD. *NM *JB

2002 DODGE DURANGO UPPER BALL JOINT EXCESSIVE WEAR. *JB

PREMATURE WEARING OF BALL JOINTS . *AK

BRAKE FALURE ON 2002 DODGE DURANGO, AND STEERING PROBLEMS. *LA

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER NOTICED UNEVEN WEAR AND TEAR ON ALL FOUR TIRES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET, AND THE REAR PASSENGER (ELECTRIC) WINDOW OPERATED THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE.*AK

OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, I NOTICED EXTENSIVE NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF MY 2002 DURANGO. IT GOT WORSE AND WAS MOST PROMINENT WHEN STRIKING POTHOLES OR CHANGES IN THE SURFACE ELEVATION WHEN DRIVING OR MOVING THE VEHICLE. AT 35,000 MILES I TOOK IT IN TO THE SELLING DEALERSHIP FOR A CHECK UP. I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE BALL JOINT SITUATION, AS IT WAS QUITE A PUBLIC AFFAIR. THE FRONT END NOISE BECAME SO LOUD THAT IT SOUNDED AS IF SOMEONE WAS STRIKING THE UNDERCARRIAGE WITH A SLEDGE HAMMER.*AK IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ALL FOUR OF THE BALL JOINTS, UPPER AND LOWER, HAD FAILED, WERE WORN OUT. THEY WERE ALL REPLACED AT NO COST TO ME, AS THE REPAIR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I JUST WANTED TO REPORT THIS, AS THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THIS SUSPENSION SYSTEM. I TRUST THAT THE NEWER BALL JOINTS, NOT TRW, WERE PLACED ON MY VEHICLE. IF THIS IS A REPAIR THAT MUST OCCUR EVERY 36K MILES OR SO, THIS WILL GET EXPENSIVE. THANK YOU.

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS. SUBSEQUENTLY, VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR A QUARTER OF A MILE, AND IT SOUNDED LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED AT THE PRESCRIBED DESTINATION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO SLUDGE BUILDING UP IN THE ENGINE. DEALERSHIP WILL EITHER CLEAN OUT THE OIL PAN OR REPLACE THE MOTOR. *AK

I WANT TO JOIN THE GROWING LIST OF CONSUMERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE DODGE DURANGO UPPER BALL JOINT PROBLEM. ON APRIL 15, 2004 I HAD TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT UPPER BALL JOINTS AT A COST OF $468.16 - THE TRUCK HAD ABOUT 40,000 MILES ON IT. DODGE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM NOW. WHEN THE MECHANIC PUT THE TRUCK UP ON THE RACK, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WOBBLED VERY BADLY. SHE SAID "THIS IS VERY SERIOUS." THERE WERE NO STEERING PROBLEMS AND NO WARNING NOISES, I JUST TOOK THE TRUCK IN TO BE CHECKED FOR MY OWN PEACE OF MIND. DOES THE WHEEL HAVE TO FALL OFF AS A FIRST WARNING. *AK

I PURCHASED A NEW DURANGO 2 YEARS AGO, AND AT PRESENT THE SUV HAS SLIGHTLY OVER 14,000 MILES. THE DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE ROTORS MUST BE TURNED AND NEW BRAKE PADS INSTALLED. THIS TYPE OF WORK AT 14,000 MILES (7,000 MILES PER YEAR) IS UNACCEPTABLE. AT THIS RATE 30,000 MILES WILL REQUIRE NEW PADS AND ROTORS. APPARANTLY, THE BRAKES/ROTORS ARE UNDERSIZED FOR THE SIZE AND WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE OR THE PADS AND/OR ROTORS ARE DEFECTIVE, BOTH SAFETY ISSUES IN MY OPINION. *AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BALL JOINT PROBLEM. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT TIRE SHOP TO GET THE TIRES BALANCED AND ALIGNED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. *AK THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE ALIGNED DUE TO THE BALL JOINTS. THE DODGE DEALER DENIED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINTS. FINALLY THE DEALER FOUND PLAY ON ONE SIDE AND WANTED TO REPLACE BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS. (THE DEALER REP STATED THAT THEY WERE TRAINED TO CHECK THEM A CERTAIN WAY AND THEY WOULD NOT HAVE FOUND PLAY THE WAY THAT THEY WERE CHECKING THEM) THE TRANSMISSION WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT UPSHIFT, HOWEVER THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. *SC *JB

CHRYSLER USED INFERIOR STEEL IN THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ON 2002 DODGE DURANGOS CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE AND A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE THE BRAKE ROTORS FOR PROOF. THE STEEL FLAKES OFF LEAVING LARGE PITS AND CAUSES SEVERE BRAKING PROBLEMS. *MR

NO OBVIOUS SYMPTOMS, JUST GETTING AN INSPECTION TO RENEW LICENSE. MECHANIC SAYS IT FAILED DUE TO BAD UPPER RIGHT BALL JOINT. HE SHOWED ME THE WHEEL AND IT WOULD MOVE SIDEWAYS A FULL 1" BACK AND FORTH! THIS JOINT IS READY TO FAIL COMPLETELY AND I HAVE HAD NO WARNING, NO NOISE, NO LOOSE FEELING IN THE STEERING, NOTHING. ONLY 46,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, DIDN'T EXPECT A PROBLEM LIKE THAT. THANK GOD THAT MISSOURI REQUIRES AN INSPECTION EVERY OTHER YEAR! I WILL REQUEST THE MECHANIC SAVE THE PART WHEN REPLACED.*AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN POOR VISIBILITY. DEALER INDICATED THAT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE NOT RECALLED. *AK

ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 14, 2002, RAYMOND NOTTNAGEL WAS SEVERELY BURNED BY A SEAT HEATER IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF A 2002 DODGE DURANGO 4X4 R/T, VIN: 1B4-HS78Z72F-139578. MR. NOTTNAGEL IS A PARAPLEGIC. HE DID NOT INITIALLY FEEL THE BURN OCCURING. THE 3RD DEGREE BURN REQUIRED MR. NOTTNAGEL TO SPEND THE BETTER PART OF 5 MONTHS ON HIS STOMACH, AND THEN HE GRADUALLY RETURNED TO BEING ABLE TO SIT FOR LIMITED PERIODS OF TIME WITH THE CORRECT PADDING. THE SEAT HEATER APPARENTLY DID NOT TURN OFF AFTER REACHING A NORMAL TEMPERATURE AND REACHED A SUFFICIENT TEMPERATURE TO CAUSE A 3RD DEGREE BURN. THE CASE IS NOW IN LITIGATION IN SACRAMENTO SUPERIOR COURT. *AK

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DURANGO WITH 4WD AND IT HAS 37,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE TO CHANGE BOTH FRONT WHEEL BRAKE ROTORS. WHEN I TOOK THE BRAKE PADS OUT, I FOUND THAT ON BOTH WHEELS THE INSIDE BRAKE PAD HAS BEEN COMPLETELY WORN OUT AND PITTED INTO THE ROTOR WHILE BOTH OUTSIDE BRAKE PADS HAS ONLY LESS THAN 1/3 WEAR OUT OF THE MATERIAL. IT LOOKS LIKE THE DISK BRAKE SYSTEM IN THE FRONT WHEEL HAS SOME KIND OF DESIGN FLAW. I AM A VERY GOOD MECHANICAL ENGINEER, I THINK THE CLIP LOCATED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE DISK BRAKE PREVENTED THE OUTSIDE PAD FROM EFFECTIVELY ENGAGING WITH THE ROTOR WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED.*AK

LOUD POPPING NOISE IN SUSPENSION OF 2002 DODGE DURANGO; LOOSENED STEERING. *AK

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DURANGO THAT IS EXPERIENCING EVERY PROBLEM THAT IS KNOWN WITH DODGE BALL JOINTS AND BRAKES. APR-2004 I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL FREEZING WHILE TURNING LEFT AND THE STEERING LOCKS AT 20-25MPH. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO GREENFIELD DODGE AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEMS, ALSO THE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT BRAKES. THEY NOTED THAT THEY "TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE FOUND THE LOWER BALL JOINTS TO HAVE EXCESSIVE PLAY (.075). THE SERVICE GROUP INFORMED ME THAT THIS INCIDENT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS THEY FINALLY DECIDED TO REPLACE THE PART. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR WOULD BE READY AT 7:00PM THAT EVENING THE CAR WOULD BE READY. AFTER WAITING SEVERAL HOURS I MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO GET TO THE SERVICE SHOP, WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY NEVER BROUGHT THE CAR IN BECAUSE "OTHER THINGS CAME UP". I HAD NO WAY TO GET HOME SO I HAD TO RENT A CAR FROM THE DEALER SHIP. THE NEXT DAY I PICKED UP THE CAR AND HAD TO PAY $30 FOR THE RENTAL AND $108 FOR MY DEDUCTIBLE. REGARDING THE BRAKES. I DECIDED TO HAVE THE BRAKES FIXED AT MIDAS BECAUSE I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THE SERVICE AT DODGE. THE MECHANIC AT MIDAS REMOVED THE PADS AND THE CALIBER AND INFORMED ME THAT THE PINS THAT GO INTO THE CALIBER WERE STRIPPED. HE STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON THING THAT THEY HAVE SEEN WITH THE DODGE TRUCKS. THEY HAD TO TAP AND INSTALL A HELI-COIL. I PICKED UP THE CAR AND HAD TO PAY $30 FOR THE RENTAL AND $108 FOR MY DEDUCTIBLE. THE ENTIRE FEE FOR THE BRAKE

ON APRIL 20 MY WIFE TOOK OUR 2002 DODGE DURANGO TO THE DEALERSIP TO HAVE A PA INSPECTION PERFORMED. THE INSPECTION IN 2003 WAS ROUTINE AND SHOWED NO SIGNS OF ABNORMAL WEAR. SINCE THE LAST INSPECTION MY DROVE THE DURANGO 10,010 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS GARAGED EACH NIGHT AT OUR HOME. THE INSPECTION MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP FAILED OUR DURANGO DUE TO THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR BEING SEVERLY RUSTED. EVEN THE RETAINING CLIPS THAT HOLD THE BRAKE PADS IN PLACE ARE RUSTED OFF AFTER ONLY 10,010 MILES FROM LAST YEAR. HOW CAN A BRAKE ROTOR BECOME RUSTED WHEN IT IS BEING DRIVEN EACH DAY BY MY WIFE. HER WORK IS EIGHT MILES FROM OUR HOME, ONE WAY. I SUSPECT THE ROTOR IS MADE FROM DEFECTIVE STEEL. WE HAVE ALL THE SERVICE RECORDS AS THE DEALERSHIP SERVICES THE DURANGO WHEN NEEDED. TOTAL MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS 22,458 OVER 2 YEARS. WE ARE PAYING TO HAVE THE WORK COMPLETED BUT FEEL THE ROTORS ARE DEFECTIVE AS ARE THE BRAKE PADS. I MYSELF INSPECTED THE ROTOR AND FOUND THE AXEL TO BE RUSTING ALONG WITH THE SPINDLE ARM ATTACHED TO POSSIBLY DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS.. COMMON FOLKS SUCH AS MYSELF AND MY WIFE DEPEND ON YOUR AGENCY TO REPRESENT US. HAD WE KNOW OF THE POOR QUALITY OF THE DURANGO WE NEVER WOULD HAVE SPENT OUR MONEY ON IT. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY HAVE BEEN OF NO HELP. I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP TO GIVE ME BACK ALL THE PARTS BEING REPLACED SO I WILL HAVE THEM FOR EVIDENCE. I ALSO HAVE THE SUPPORTING PAPERWORK. UNSAFE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BE ALLO

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK