Page 5 of 7 · complaints 201–250 of 339

2003 Dodge Durango complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Mar 20, 200618,000 milesCA

I HAVE A 2003 DODGE DURANGO IT GOES THROUGH ROTORS ABOUT EVERY 18000 MILES. *NM

Parking Brake
Filed Feb 17, 200690,000 milesCA

I WENT TO RELEASE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON MY CAR AND THE HANDLE BROKE LOOSE FROM THE BRAKE MECHANISM. THE HANDLE WHICH IS HINGED TO THE DASH BOARD REMAINED HANGING FROM THE DASH BOARD. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 23, 20068,908 miles00

SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING.*AK

Wheels › Hub
Filed Dec 15, 200555 milesAR

THE CENTER WHEEL CAPS COME OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE CAPS DO NOT FIT TIGHT ON THE WHEELS. I CAN REMOVE THE CAPS EASILY ONLY USING MY FINGERS.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 14, 200537,000 milesVA

DURING NORMAL DRIVING WHEN COMING TO STOPS IN MY 2003 DODGE DURANGO SLT, THE VEHICLES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL FLASH AND THE VEHICLE WILL STALL. I TOOK DURANGO TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THIS PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES AND COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 13, 2005NJ

I HAVE A 2003 DURANGO, FOR THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS, THE TRUCK WILL NOT START IN THE MORNING, YOU ARE FORCED TO HOLD YOU FOOT ON THE GAS UNTIL THE TRUCK IS WARMED UP. WHEN DRIVING, WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP THE IDLE OF THE TRUCK DROPS SO LOW, FEELS LIKE THE TRUCK IS GOING TO STALL, THEN IT CAUGHT ITSELF AT THE LAST MOMENT. TRUCK HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER NO LESS THEN 9 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE TRUCK JUST WENT OUT OF WARRANTY, SO I SURE NEXT TIME I BRING IT BACK, THEY WILL FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER DODGE AGAIN! *NM

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Dec 7, 2005FL

INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR LOCKS -- LOCK/UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN. IT OCCURS WHILE I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE (AT ANY SPEED) AND ALSO OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY (KEY IS NOT IN THE IGNITION). I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PIN POINT EXACTLY WHAT EVENTS TRIGGER THIS TO OCCUR. THE DEALER HAD IT FOR 8 DAYS AND WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO ME WITHOUT ANY RESOLUTION. *NM

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Dec 5, 2005NV

RECENTLY TOOK MY DODGE DURANGO 2003 2WD TO A MECHANIC WHO SAYS I NEED AN NEW FRONT BALL JOINTS AND CONTROL ARM. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 12, 200522,000 milesWI

TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES WHEN ACCELERATING. DEALER REP COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND SAID THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING THE PROBLEM. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 3, 200542,361 milesHI

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AN INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE ENGINE LOCKED. WAS THEN ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT AND CHECKED THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED A DEALERSHIP , WHO DETERMINED THAT THE DEFECT WAS THE OIL PICKUP IN THE ENGINE, THAT CAUSED IT TO LOCK. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN A REPAIR SHOP FOR 4 MONTHS. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Oct 26, 200531,000 milesSC

DT: ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2005 ONE OF THE TWO STRAPS THAT HELD THE GAS TANK BECAME UNHOOKED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN. CONTACTED CHRYSLER, THEY WERE NOT CONCERNED WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED ON A SMOOTH PAVED ROAD, IT WAS NOT BUMPY, NO RAIN NOR SNOW. HEARD THE STRAP SCRAPPING ON THE HIGHWAY AND SAW IT DRAGGING UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD A MECHANIC INSTALL IT AND CHRYSLER TO MAKE SURE IT WAS DONE CORRECTLY. *AK *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Oct 22, 2005PA

I OWN A 2003 DODGE DURANGO, WITH 62,501 MILES ON IT. I RECENTLY FAILED STATE INSPECTION DUE TO BAD BALL JOINTS. IF CHRYSLER KNOWS THEY HAVE PREMATURELY FAILING BALL JOINTS THEY SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. NOW I WILL HAVE TO TRY AND COVER A $800 BILL MYSELF. *JB

Suspension › Front
Filed Sep 28, 200530,000 miles00

FRONT SUSPENSION - DRIVE TRAIN - LOCKS - AXLE - POWER STEERING PUMP VEHICLE HAS HAD CONSISTENT FRONT END GRINDING NOISE SINCE 30,000 KM'S. BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, FRONT AXLE SPYDER GEARS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. PREVIOUS 1998 DURANGO HAD SAME PROBLEM - FIX WAS FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. 2003 DURANGO - DEALER SAYS THAT IT DOESN'T REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. NOISE AND GRINDING ONLY HAPPEN AT SLOW SPEED TURNS LEFT OR RIGHT. FROM STOP TO LIGHT ACCELERATION TO HARD LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, NEW NOISE FROM REAR AXLE - LIMITED SLIP UNIT NOW GETTING LOUDER. AXLE OIL AND LIMITED SLIP ADDITIVE HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH FACTORY CHRYSLER OIL ADDITIVE. INDICATIVE OF SAME PROBLEM WITH 1998 DURANGO THAT I HAD, WHEN REAR AXLE PINION BEARING WAS HEAVILY SCORED. IN THAT INCIDENT THE SAME MAINTENANCE WAS DONE, BUT REPAIR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 3,000 KM'S AND CHRYSLER ONLY PAID 50% OF REPAIR OF $700.00. OIL CHANGES ON COMPLETE DRIVETRAIN WAS $590.00 (4X4 WITH SKID PLATES). THIS APPEARS TO BE A METAL FATIGUE PROBLEM IN COMBINATION WITH ENGINEERING SPECIFICATIONS THAT ARE TOO WIDE IN TOLERANCES, WHICH ALLOWS FAILURE OF COMPONENTS TO COMPOUND PROBLEMS AND CREATE LONGER TERM DAMAGING RESULTS. EVER SINCE DODGE TRUCKS WENT TO MAINTENANCE FREE FRONT AXLE BEARINGS (YOU CAN'T PACK BEARINGS WITH GREASE), POOR LIMITED SLIP TOLERANCES IN REAR AXLE, AND TRANSFER CASE THAT'S ELECTRONICALLY OPERATED, THE DRIVETRAIN AND FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS HAVE EXCESSIVE LOADS AND POOR QUALITY COMPONENTS. BOTH DURANGOS THAT I'VE OWNED H

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 30, 200533,593 milesFL

SLUDGE BUILD UP OCCURRED IN THE DODGE DURANGO.*MR THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE AND THAT IT WAS AS A RESULT OF NEGLECT WHICH THEN VOIDED THE WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED NUMEROUS TIME BY NON-DEALER MECHANIC. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER PROVIDED ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED BY A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. *NM

Tires
Filed Aug 4, 20059,000 milesTX

I PURCHASED A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. WITHIN 20 MINUTES OF COMPLETION MY 1ST TIRE BLEW OUT. THE DEALER (CLEAR LAKE DODGE, HOUSTON, TEXAS) REPLACED THE TIRE FREE OF CHARGE. AT APPROXIMATELY 12K ON A TRIP TO NEW ORLEANS MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. MY YOUNGEST SON SUFFERS FROM ASTHMA AND HAD AN ASTHMA ATTACK ON I-10 TO NEW ORLEANS. I CALMED HIM DOWN WITH NO MEDICATION (NEBULIZER REQUIRES ELECTRICITY). WHEN I RETURNED TO HOUSTON, I CONTACTED DISCOUNT TIRE WHICH WARRANTIES GOODYEAR TIRES AND WAS INFORMED THAT I HAD JUMPED A CURB CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY TIRES. I PURCHASED MY 3RD TIRE ALONG WITH ROAD HAZARD BECAUSE ALL REPRESENTATIVES BLAMED MY DRIVING HABITS ON ME, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE. MY VEHICLE NOW HAS OVER 50K MILES AND ALL OF MY TIRES ARE WEARING. THE BELT IS SHOWING ON ALL 4 TIRES. I AM SEEKING ARBITRATION. *JB

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Aug 3, 200542,000 milesIL

DT: CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT LOCKED AND JAMMED. THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR 3 WEEKS. DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT SERVICE IT. CHRYSLER WAS GOING TO SEND HER SOME PAPERS, AND SHE COULD TAKE THE PAPERS TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD FIX VEHICLE. THIS WAS ON JULY 28, 2005, AND SHOULD RECEIVE THE PAPERS ANY DAY.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 28, 2005375 milesAK

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. HIS VEHICLE STALLS WHILE IDLING AND AT LOW SPEEDS. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT SINCE THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT DEALER CAN'T FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER TRIED TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR, BUT PROBLEM DIDN'T OCCUR FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK IN JUNE 2005 THE SERVICE REP SAID THAT DODGE WAS AWARE OF IDLE/STALLING PROBLEMS AND MAY BE WORKING ON ENGINE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE FIX ON ENGINE PERFORMANCE COMPUTER. *SB *NM

Equipment
Filed Jun 17, 200536,199 milesCA

I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THERE IS METAL IN THE DIFFERENTIAL AND MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, THE DIFFERENTIAL HAD COMPONENTS IN IT THAT CAME APART AND SHATTERED THEY HAVE TO BE REPLACED THE MECHANIC STILL HAS THE VEHICLE AND I BELIEVE I CAN GET THE OLD PARTS

Suspension › Front › Stabilizer Bar
Filed Jun 10, 2005CA

THE STABILIZER BAR ON THE 2003 DODGE DURANGO WAS COMING OUT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PRODUCE A GRINDING NOISE. *MR THE GRINDING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL. THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE HUB AND FOUND THAT THE INNER AXLE HAD GRINDING WEAR ON THE INSIDE BY THE RUBBER BOOT. THE STABILIZER BAR WAS COMING OUT ABOUT 1/4 INCH. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THEY DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING AND COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. CURRENTLY, THE FRONT END STILL WOBBLES AND GRINDS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND WHEN STOPPING. *SC THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE WAS REPLACED. *JB

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Jun 7, 2005TX

DT: WHEELS- ANYTIME WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING THE WHEELS, THEY WERE CLANKING AND MAKING NOISE ON BOTH FRONT TIRES. THE NOISE STARTED TO GET LOUDER. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE, AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUND THAT THE BOLTS WERE ACTUALLY COMING APART ON BOTH TIRES ON THE ROCKER ARMS. CONSUMER HAD THE WHEELS REPAIRED. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS IN MOVING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, AND WITH THE GAS TANK. THERE WAS A PUNCTURE IN THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING GAS EVERYWHERE. THE SERVICE DEALER SUGGESTED TO THE OWNER, THAT SHE MAY HAVE PUNCTURED THE GAS TANK WHILE DRIVING. THE DURANGO IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AGAIN AWAITING THE SECOND REPAIR.*AK

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed May 31, 2005FL

I CURRENTY OWN A 2003 DODGE DURANGO, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN NOV 2003. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TROUBLE FROM DAY 1. I'VE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACE 3 TIMES, DUE TO PULSATING AND PULLING FROM THE FRONT END. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR CLICKING & POPPING NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT END WHICH DEALER CLAIMED ON BOTH OCCASSIONS THEY COULD NOT FIND. DEALER KEEPS STATING NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, WHEN IT COMES TO BRAKES WHICH I DON'T COMPREHEND SINCE I'VE OWNED NEW VEH BEFORE AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES 3 TIMES WITHIN A YEAR. I'VE PAID FOR 2 HIGH SPEED WHEEL BALANCES, AND THE DEALER HAD THE NERVE TO THREATEN ME WITH THE FACT THAT IF VEHICLE WAS RETURNED AGAIN FOR BRAKES I WOULD HAVE TO PAY. ALSO RECENTLY THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED AND WOUD NOT COME ON OR SHUT OFF ON COMMAND. OFCOURSE AT THE TIME I NEEDED THEM TO VISUALLY SEE THE ROAD SINCE IT WAS RAINING. I CLICKED ON MY RIGHT SIGNAL IN ORDER TO GET OFF THE ROAD ONCE I SAW THE MALFUNCTION OCCURING ONLY TO HAVE THE WINDHSHIELD WIPERS MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO START WORKING. I'VE KEPT A LOG OF EVERY REPAIR SHOP VISIT AND LACK OF REPAIR FINDING BASED ON DEALER ENDS. CHRSYLER NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE I'VE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE WITH SO MANY PROBLEMS.

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed May 15, 200520,000 milesIN

FRONT SEAT BELTS DON'T RELEASE ON MY 2003 DODGE DURANGO. WHEN SEATBELTS ARE WORN AND ENGAGED THE LOCKING DEVICE WON'T DISENGAGE. I HAVE TO GIGGLE, RATTLE AND PULL ON THE MECHANISM FOR THE SEATBELT TO UNLOCK. THE DEFECT HAS BEEN OCCURING FOR MONTHS AND IS CONTINOUS. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Apr 25, 20059,029 milesAL

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED THEM THREE TIMES. *AK ON 04/2004 AT 9029 MILES, THEY SAID REPLACED BRAKE PADS WITH HEAVIER ONES AND TURNED THE ROTORS AND THAT WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. ON 03/2005 19356 MILES, THEY SAID REPLACED THE CALIPERS WHICH STICKING. BRAKE PADS AGAIN AND TURNED ROTORS AGAIN. HEADLIGHTS DIM WHEN ROLLING DOWN POWER WINDOWS. *BF

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 20, 2005MD

WHILE DRIVING ON I 495 DURANGO STARTED ACCELERATING WITHOUT ME PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. IT KEPT ACCELERATING EVEN WHEN I PUSHED THE BRAKES LIGHTLY. THERE WERE CARS BRAKING IN FRONT OF ME, AND I WAS STILL ACCELERATING. I HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKES DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND DRIVE ON THE SHOULDER. ONCE ON THE SHOULDER I PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF.*AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Apr 11, 2005IL

RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. CONSUMER STATED THAT DEALER CHARGED HER FOR THE UPPER BALL JOINT PARTS. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 9, 200510,000 milesNE

MY DURANGO ACCELERATES FOR NO REASON AT ALL WHILE IT IS STOPPED. IT HAPPENS MOST FREQUENTLY AFTER GOING UP A SMALL HILL IN DRIVE AND THEN PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE. WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN REVERSE IT ACCELERATES.*AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Mar 30, 2005NJ

RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET THE DEALER TO HONOR THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL BECAUSE NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ADVISE HIM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE.*AK *BF *NM

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Mar 16, 2005NY

INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE UPPER FRONT BALL JOINT IN MY 2003 DODGE DURANGO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. BOTH DODGE AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO CORRECT PROBLEM STATING THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 7, 200540,000 milesMD

WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. . THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. *JB UPDATED 5/3/2006 - THE CONSUMER SAT FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. WHEN IT WAS RESTARTED IT MADE A LOT OF NOISE. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME ABOUT 10 MPH. THE NEXT MORNING THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHO INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY WITH THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION. *NM

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Mar 7, 200513,000 milesOH

AFTER TAKING THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING. SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Flasher Unit
Filed Mar 4, 200520,952 milesMI

LEFT TURN SIGNAL CAUSES ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS TO FLASH. DEALER COMMENTED "WE SEE THIS A LOT ON (DURANGOS). *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Mar 4, 20059,000 milesWY

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL PULSATES AND THE STEERING PULLS THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Mar 3, 200532,000 milesMA

BALL JOINT MALFUNCTION ON DODGE DURANGO SLT 4X4. MY DURANGO IS NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL AS 600K OTHERS ARE HOWEVER THE NOISES, AND UNNATURAL MOVEMENTS OF THE FRONT END DURING CLOSE QUARTERS TURNING IS SUSPECT OF BEING THE SAME PROBLEM. MY CAR IS ALSO NOT KEEPING ITS ALIGNMENT AND THE BRAKES HAVE SOFTENED RAPIDLY, I SUSPECT ALL ARE RELATED. NO LOSS OF CONTROL HAS OCCURRED BUT I'M CONCERNED AND I WANT TO REPORT MY VEHICLE AND PLAN TO HAVE IT INSPECTED BY MY DEALER, WESTBORO DODGE. *JB

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Mar 2, 2005GA

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. SUDDENLY SMOKE STARTED TO APPEAR WHILE WAITING AT STOP LIGHT. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD, AND HEARD A METALLIC NOISE HIT THE GROUND. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT A BOLT SEPARATED FROM THE ALTERNATOR AND FELL OUT. *AK DEALERSHIP FOUND A LARGE BOLT THAT CAME LOOSE WHICH MAY HAVE ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER THE UPPER BALL JINTS CAUSING CORRSION. THE BOLT ALSO CAUSED THE WATER PUMP, GASKET, SERPENTINE BELT TO CRACK AND THE THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MANUFACTURER REGARDING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE UPPER BALL JOINTS A MONTH AFTER REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *TT

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Mar 2, 2005KY

THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO CORROSION. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB CONSUMER WAS TOLD LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TT

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Mar 2, 20059,835 milesUT

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS HOPPING WHEN BRAKING. FIRST, AT HIGH SPEEDS AND NOW AT ANY SPEED. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROTORS WERE MADE OF A DIFFERENT ALLOY WHICH WAS NOT COMPATIBLE TO THE BRAKE PADS, CAUSING THE ROTORS TO WARP. *AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/CoolerFire
Filed Mar 1, 200520,000 milesPA

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED A FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Feb 22, 2005IL

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Feb 12, 2005TX

WE NOTICED POPPING IN THE FRONT END TOOK DURANGO TO DEALER THEY REPLACED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY, FEW MONTHS LATER IT STARTED POPPING AGAIN ,WE TOOK IT BACK TO A DEALER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES. IT HAS BEEN ABOUT 4 MONTHS AND IT IS POPPING AGAIN PLUS THEY SENT US THE RECALL ON THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. I AM SCARED TO LET MY FAMILY RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE I BELIEVE IT HAS SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM THAT HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIX TWO TIMES AND NOW THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME AND THERES NOT EVEN 30000 MILES ON IT. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Feb 11, 2005IL

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V596000. DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THERE ARE NO PARTS IN ORDER TO REPAIR. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Jan 30, 2005NY

2003 DODGE DURANGO 27,500 MILES-LOWER BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACING ALREADY-DODGE EXPECTS ME TO PAY FOR ALINGMENT AFTER BALL JOINTS ARE REPLEACED. I DON'T THINK THIS IS RIGHT. BALL JOINTS DO NOT NORMALLY GO BAD AT THIS LOW MILEAGE.*AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Jan 25, 2005DE

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMELR CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THERE WERE NO APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE. *JB

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash3 injured
Filed Jan 24, 2005CA

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY AND REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIS. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER AND ONE OTHER PASSENGER SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Jan 19, 2005258 milesKY

VIBRATION IN FRONT END OF SUV. THE VIBRATION OCCURS WHEN DRIVING. DEALER STATES THIS IS NORMAL ALSO VIBRATES WHEN BRAKING I AM A SERVICE MGR. FOR FARM DEALERSHIP AND DEAL WITH COMPLAINT EVERYDAY THIS IS NOT NORMAL PROBLEM WITH SUV BUT ONE THAT HAS BEEN ONGOING FROM THE DAY THE TRUCK WAS BOUGHT AND NOW DODGE AND THE DEALER DO NOT WONT TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM IT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP 3 TIME GOING TO DIFFERENT DEALER THIS ALSO HAD NEW TIRE INSTALLED AT DEALERS REQUEST AT MY COST AND HAD THE TIRE BALANCED THREE TIMES THE VEHICLE HAS APP 15,000 MILES ON NOW IT IS 2003 DURANGO. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 13, 200512,000 milesWV

2003 DODGE DURANGO - VIBRATION OCCURRED WHEN BRAKING. AT APPROX. 11,000 MILES DEALER REPLACED ALL FOUR BRAKE ROTORS. FOLLOWING REPLACEMENT OF ROTORS BREAKING CAPABILITY DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY. VIBRATION RE-APPEARED AT 24,000 MILES. FRONT BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED AGAIN. NOW AT 30,000 MILES VIBRATION HAS RE-APPEARED. I TOOK THE DURANGO TO A LOCAL GARAGE SINCE DEALER WAS SAYING NO PROBLEM WITH BRAKING CAPACITY. LOCAL GARAGE INDICATES FRONT ROTORS NEED TURNED AGAIN AND ALSO THAT REAR BRAKE CALIPERS DO NOT APPEAR TO BE WORKING. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads
Filed Jan 10, 2005UT

THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE, AND THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR , FOLLOWED BY A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS ISSUE HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve)
Filed Jan 9, 200524,420 milesMD

AS A FOLLOW UP TO ODI # 10100538, SINCE MY INITIAL COMPLAINT FILED ON ON NOVEMBER 25, 2004 SHEEHY REPLACED THE EVAPORATION CANISTER ON MY VEHICLE. ON JANUARY 5, 2005 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ONCE AGAIN. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BACK IN SHEEHY'S SHOP. THEY NOW TELL ME THAT THE GAS TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AS THE EVAPORATION LEAK IS EXCESSIVE COMING FROM THE GAS TANK. THEY HAVE PUT ME IN A RENT A CAR UNTIL THE NEW GAS TANK COMES IN. I HAVEN'T PUT 5,000 MILES ON IT YET, IT HAS LESS THAN 26, 000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 6 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN MARCH 2004 (PURCHASED AS A USED VEHICLE). I WANT TO KNOW WHAT RECOURSE I HAVE AS EVERYTHING DONE TO THIS POINT HAS FAILED AND I AM AFRAID THAT ONCE THE GAS TANK IS REPLACED THAT I MAY BE IN DANGER OF SOMETHING ELSE FAILING IN WHICH CASE I MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY TO LIVE TO TELL OR REPORT IT TO ANYONE.*AK

Electrical System › Horn
Filed Jan 9, 200520,150 milesOH

I OWN A 2003 DURANGO WITH 20,000 MILES. AFTER DONE SHOPPING WENT TO PARKING LOT AND HIT THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON REMOTE. HORN STARTED HONKING, LIGHTS FLASHING. THOUGHT I MIGHT HAVE HIT PANIC BUTTON BUT DIDN'T THINK SO, SO I HIT ALL THE BUTTONS AGAIN, PUT KEY IN IGNITION AND STARTED CAR BUT HORN STILL HONKED AND LIGHTS KEPT FLASHING INSIDE & OUT. COULD NOT STOP IT. STARTED TO DRIVE HOME AND LIGHTS WOULD FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AND HORN HONK INTERMITTENTLY. STOPPED AT STORE TO GET BATTERIES FOR REMOTE KEY THINKING THERE WAS SOME COMPUTER PROBLEM AND SIGNEL WASN'T RIGHT. STILL WOULD NOT STOP. CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN I LOST THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS. FOUR WAY FLASHERS KEPT FLASHING. BEFORE I COULD GET TO EXIT HIGHWAY PATROL PULLED ME OVER. SAID THAT WAS THE SECOND SUCH INCIDENT THAT DAY WITH A DURANGO. HE CALLED A TOW TRUCK FOR ME AND WE TOWED IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE CENTRAL TIMER MODUAL. DEALER STATES THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL DURANGO'S WITH THIS PROBLEM. SINCE THE CAR IS STILL IN WARRANTY I DID NOT HAVE TO PAY. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Jan 3, 2005TX

RECALL 04V596000, CONSUMER HAS A 2 WHEEL DRIVE DURANGO. THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCES THE SAME PROBLEM WITH BALL JOINTS AS THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES REGARDING THE BALL JOINT PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK....AFTER REPEATED COMPLAINTS WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED, BUT DEALER DID CHARGE D$300.00 FOR WARRANTY WORKON DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARING. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Dec 23, 200445,000 milesSC

ON DEC 10 I WAS DRIVING WELL BELOW THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 35 MPH. WITH ALL THE CHIRSTMAS TRAFFIC AND THE LIGHT RAIN FALLING I WAS BEING WHAT I THOUGHT EXTREMELY CAREFUL. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WAS AT LEAST 5 CAR LINKS AHEAD. WHEN THAT VEHICLE APPLIED THEIR BRAKES I IMMEDIATELY APPLLIED MINE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I TRIED TO STEER TO THE RIGHT TO GO AROUND THE VEHICLE WHICH AT THIS TIME HAD STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME AND AGAIN NOTHING HAPPENED. EVEN THOUGH THE TIRES TURNED MY 2003 DURANGO WOULD NOT FOLLOW. I SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. SINCE I AM A WIDOW WITH 3 CHILDREN ONE OF WHICH IS HANDICAPPED I ONLY COLLECT SOCIAL SECURITY. NOW MY 2003 DURANGO IS SITTING IN MY DRIVE WAY AND I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE IT. ALSO THE BALL JOINTS I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. I THINK DODGE OWES ME TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE FROM THE ACCIDENT AND ALSO THE BALL JOINTS AT NO CHARGE. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THEY WOULD PUT UNSAFE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. THEY SHOULD STEP UP TO BAT AND SHOW SOME TRUE CUSTOMER SERVICE. *AK

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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