My 1998 dodge durango's front suspension requires rebuilding at 72,000 miles. The ball joints are all worn, as is the upper control arm bushing. Vehicle wanders, especially on uneven surfaces. Metallic noises emanate from the front suspension, especially at low speeds. Local chrysler dealer says there will be a recall sometime in the future. Meanwhile I do not consider the vehicle safe!
1998 Dodge Durango suspension complaints
Page 12 of 19: complaints 311 to 340 of 540, newest first, as owners wrote them.
2 independent diagnosis of ball joint problems. I had noticed bad tread wear on front tires. Two facilities both diagnosed the same problem. Ball joint failure on upper and lower front ball joints. Both recommended replacement with linkage. Car is a '98 model with 58,000 miles. Thank goodness the wheels had not come off.
Pe 03-032, front suspension upper ball joint failure: the vehicle trembled terribly when driving at a high speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the consumer was informed that the upper and lower ball joints were worn out. Manufacturer had been informed of the problem.*ak *la
The truck experienced uneven front tire tread wear. Upon the dealership performing a front end alignment, they noticed that 3 out of the 4 ball joints were bad.
While performing an oil change, the dealership noticed that all four ball joints were failing. Both rear ball joints were bad. The cause has yet to be determined.
Ball joint equipment is too small for 1998 dodge durango. *mr they also had no grease fitting for lubrication for the weight of the vehicle. Every year during the yearly inspection, the vehicle needed upper and lower ball joints. *scc
Independent shop replaced the upper ball joints and lower control arms. It cost the consumer $1,229.oo. Dealer notified. *ak *la
The upper and lower ball joints wear out prematurely.
Vehicle was taken for a routine inspection, and inspector noticed that upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.
While coasting consumer could hear a loud noise coming from the front ball joints. Consumer would have to depress the brake pedal to stop the noise.
1998 dodge durango 45,311 miles needed upper and lower ball joints and inner tie rods replaced.
I own a 1998-dodge durango slt. Last july 2002 I took my vehicle in to an area dealership for routine maintenance. I was told that the ball joints were cracked and needed immediate attention or there could be a nasty accident. I was told that this problem should not be happening. I made several inquires at other dealerships about this and was told basically the same thing. I contacted the chrysler corporation after I had heard a local news station give a consumer alert on the durango. Chrysler said that there was no problem with the ball joint and that the durango was not being recalled for any factory related repairs. I have since had the joints fixed but I feel that it is the manufacturer's responsibility since so many other durango drivers have had the same experience.
Upper and lower ball joints on 1998 dodge durango had to be replaced at approx 47,000 miles allong with the outer tie rod ends. These were diagnosed by 2 different tire shops in boise. I have never had a vehicle that needed ball joints at less than 100,000 miles. Since the vehicle only had 27,000 miles on it last year when I bought it, I did not purchase the extended warranty. Now I am making payments on the $1200 repair. Where is the dodge toughness and durablity in this. I believe these ball joints to be a factory defect that should be fixed by dodge.
We experienced handling problems with our 1998 dodge durango while on the highway last week. I took it to our local dodge dealership to determine the problem. They indicated both the upper and lower ball joints were worn out and needed to be replaced immediatelly for safety reasons. When I asked them if they felt they wore out prematurely considering the mileage of the vehicle, the guy told me he couldn't comment but to hold on to my repair receipt in case there was a recall. This is a one owner vehicle with 41,000 miles driven by a soccer mom.
Unstable steering of dodge durango 1998 due to defective front ball joints. Mechanic who assessed failure warned me of potential of an accident at speeds higher than 55 MPH.
1998 dodge durango. Upper/lower ball joint suspension replacement.
Consumer took vehicle to a gas station for maintenance, and mechanic noticed that both upper and lower ball joints needed replacing due to corrosion.
Bad front end parts on 1998 dodge durango.
I have a 1998 dodge durango with over 100 k miles, but my ball joint and both upper and lower control arms have been replaced due to early failure. This has also caused uneven tread wear on my tires and my alignment is always bad. This has cost me over 700 bucks.
My 98 durango makes a squeaking noise (front end) every time I drive over a bump. In addition to the noise, the vehicle's steering is also very loose. Vehicle tracks well, but there's a couple/few inches of play in the steering wheel. Very noticeable when driving at higher speeds. Suspect upper/lower ball joints. Awaiting outcome of investigation for repairs.
Ball joint and steering box failures on a 1998 dodge durango with 70,000 miles.
In april of 2000 I had to replace my lower ball joints on my 98 dodge durango with 40,000 miles on it. Now in oct. 2003 with 95,000 I'm told my upper ball joints are severely worn and my lower are going out again.
Pe 03-032, front suspension/ upper ball joint: the upper ball joints wore out prematurely.
The front lower ball joints are prematurely worn on my vehicle last year. I had complained about the noise several times. Each time the dealership found no problem. Prior to my last complaint I had my brother who is a school bus mechanic check the front end and he showed me the excessive play in the lower ball joints. Still again the dealership said they checked it out and found nothing wrong, but "lubed up the front end real good" and sent me away. Here it is now about a year later and I am bringing it in again now with the noise and looseness worse than ever and I learn of a known problem with the upper ball joints. I would really like to see something done about this. (my extended factory warranty has expired last may, and I will seek for this to be covered under warranty anyway.)
Ball joint failure -- both upper and lower on both sides. Brought vehicle to dealership for regular maintenance, and mentioned that I heard a small squeak in the chassis. After several hours, they found that my ball joints were so badly worn that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. When I asked how unsafe, they indicated that the wheels could fail in a day, a few days, a week....that I was very fortunate they hadn't already. The cost of repair was $1,400. If I elected not to get the problem fixed, the dealership representative told me that I would need to sign a waiver before they would allow me to get my vehicle back. I drive car pools, have the safety of my 3 children plus the responsibility for all other drivers on the road, and to have my durango "unsafe to drive" when I have taken good care of my vehicle is extremely upsetting. I have had my maintenance performed by the local dodge dealership (metrolina dodge) and welcome the opportunity to share those records with you in an investigation. Had it not been for this 'after-thought' when I brought the car in, I have no idea what could have happened, but listening to the dealer representative, it could have been deadly. Please investigate and urge a recall.
7/12/01 I was advised that the lower ball joints were loose and needed to be replaced. I had brought the vehicle in because it sounded like something underneath was loose. It made noise going over any rough surface. After checking with several other dodge service people and being advised that this was very definitely premature, I contacted the customer service office and a person named [xxx] arranged to have the ball joints replaced with me paying a good will deductible of $150.00. The car# 9012127 was on my invoice and was approved by [xxx]. At the time of diagnosis my mileage was 39,436 and the purchase date was 3/18/98, just out of warranty. The VIN is [xxx]. I currently have 68,717 miles on the vehicle and it is starting to make the same noises again. I just replaced the front and rear shocks but the noise continues. After hearing about the current investigation regarding the upper ball joints, I am concerned about the safety of this vehicle. *la information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Two lower ball joints and two tie rods had to be replaced in my 1998 dodge durango.
Upon rotating my tires found the upper ball joints on my 1998 dodge durango were frightened worn and close to failure. These joints were (no grease fittings) and only had 65,000 miles on them. I changed them out myself with moog parts (greaseable) and discarded the worn out parts. My concern is that a catastrophic failure could have occurred with no warning. These parts should have a much longer life and seems to be a week link in the durango front ends. I think that dodge should reexamine the use of this style part, since my usage of this auto was only on road.
Upper and lower ball joint on my 1998 dodge durango with 50,000 miles need to be replaced.
While driving consumer heard a "squeaking" noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The mechanic at an independent repair shop determined that the upper and lower ball joints were loose and need to be replaced.
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