With regard to the potential recall of durangos and dakotas in model years 2000-2003, I would urge you to consider starting the recall in the 1998 model year. I have had to replace my ball joints, and I've read about numerous others that have had to dothe same on the doc (durango owners club) forum (www.durangoclub.com). Fyi - the date of incident is the estimated date of replacement of the ball joints.
1998 Dodge Durango suspension complaints
Page 6 of 19: complaints 131 to 160 of 540, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I purchase my 1998 dodge durango in february of 2004. After two months problems with brakes and upper and lower ball joints began (both front tires) with the driver side being the worst. I heard clicking when I would turn the steering wheel to the left and thought it could be the cv joint. I too k the vehicle to brauning automotive and they found the problem and gave an estimate of $1500.00 in repair costs. I purchased the parts myself and my father replaced both the upper and lower ball joints the following day. ( I am doubtful he still has the old parts - but I will ask) this was back in april 2004 and I am hearing the clicking yet again. When my father worked on my car he told me there was a bolt that was partial screwed in and the theads had actually been stripped off. He had to change the bolt as well. The clicking sound is almost sounds like two pieces of metal are slamming together. This does not happen when I am driving staight . I only hear it when I turn. I have 3 children and don't have the money to repair this problem. I heard on the radio a little bit about this. I don;t know if this is an actual recall or if it may become a recall. I don't want to have an accident like the others before something is done about this.
Pe 03 032/front suspension/upper ball joint failure: while the vehicle's front wheels was being aligned mechanic informed the consumer that both the upper and lower ball joints on both side needed to be replaced due to excessive lack of lubrication and no grease fixing. Dealer and the manufacturer were notified.
Ball joints replaced at 60k miles. *ph at 45000 the consumer noticed that eh vehicle's ride was not smooth. The dealer replaced the lower ball joints. At about 60000 miles the consumer heard a screeching sound in the front end when driving slowly around curves. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who indicated that the tie rods and upper ball joints needed to be replaced.
The ball joints on my 1998 durango have needed repair for quite a while. I have 97000 miles on it, but the problem occurred around 60000 miles.
Front end steering noises, no failure, dealer diagnosed upper ball joints extremely worn, lower joints loose. Needs full replacement of all ball joints.
Tires showing excessive wear on front of vehicle. Tires replaced and told to have alignment by tire dealer. I took vehicle to independent repair shop and was told all four ball joints were wore out. (uppers and lowers) it is being repaired at this time, and having shop save them for me.
I had been hearing a loud noise when driving my 1998 dodge durango. When I took it in for service to change the oil & rotate the tires, which I do every 3000 miles, I asked the technicians at quinn motors, rt. 17, gloucester, va to check out the noise. They called & said that the front ball joints, tie rods etc would have to be replaced. The service manager, ken, told me that this was a saftey issure and severe injury could result if I kept driving the car & the problem was not fixed. I am now paying $1630.00 for repairs of defective ball joints (& related components) on a 1998 vehicle with 122,000 miles on it. I understand that there have been other complaints from other durango owners who have had wheels come off and related ball joint problems. There was also a service bulletin #020498 issued by daimlerchrysler corp. On may 29, 1998 refering to suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint, with a the federal safety agency item #601680. If there is a recall on this defective ball joint issue since the dealer told me injury could occur & that this was a safety issue, then I would like to be notified.
1998 dodge durango slt ball joints have worn out twice. Loose steering, drifting in lane, difficult not to over steer. Diagnosed by dodge dealer 12/27/2001 at 71,000 miles and had been bad for a long time. Replaced upper, lower, and tie rod ends on 4/23/02 not at dodge dealership. Diagnosed again by dodge on 9/23/2004 at 103,000 miles and replaced lower ball joints again, at the dealership.
The truck failed state inspection because the upper and lower ball joints were bad and needed to be replaced. The truck vibrateed severely when slowing down.
Vehicle was taken to an after market repair shop and was told that the upper and lower ball joints were defective. Because of the defect a wheel alignment was improbable.
A knocking noise was heard coming from the rear of the vehicle. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for inspection,and mechanic informed consumer that the problem could not be duplicated.
Faulty craftmanship. Ball joints worn at 30296 miles, 1998 dodge durango..
While driving there is a lot of play in the steering. Took vehicle to dealer for a regular check up, and was told the ball joints were defective. Problem had not been resolved.
Yesterday, 8/25/04, while exiting a highway the ball joints on my 1998 dodge durango slt 4x4 failed on me. As I was breaking the front suspension felt like it dropped down and I heard a clunk and temporarely lost control of the vehicle however I was able to gain control quickly and pull into a gas staion. I could not notice anything(but im not mechanically knowledgable) at first when I pulled into the gas station and got out to look around my wheels but as I went to drive away there was a knocking noise and a virbration coming from the front of the vehicle. Luckly I was close enough to midas so I went right to them and they put it up on a lift and showed me the ball joints. The bottoms had completely come apart(dropped out I think was the term) and the top ones were extremely loose and had a lot of play on them. I was told that I was lucky that it happened when it did and not on the highway where I was doing 65mph because there was a chance that the wheels could have actually fallin off my vehicle causing who knows what to happen (major accident, death, ect..) and that dodge durangos and dakotas are the most common vehicle with this problem. I had them repaired at a total cost of 942.30. They replaced the upper and lower ball joints on both sides of the front end and gave me the old ball joints to do with as I please. The only thing left to determine is why the knocking noise that arrose only after the ball joints failed on me is still there after having them replaced and I am going back to midas tomorrow to try to get a diagnosis of this problem.
During routine inspection dealership informed the consumer that front/rear ball joints were loose. The problem was not resolved.
While driving, the consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The mechanic informed the consumer that ball joints wore out.
Consumer had several alignments done on the vehicle in the past year. An independent dealer informed the consumer that the lower ball joints wore out prematurely. *ak *scc
While driving, the consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front end. An independent mechanic determined that the front lower ball joints wore out. But the problem was not yet resolved. *ak *sc
While driving at any speed, the vehicle vibrates uncontrollably. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the upper ball joint needed to be replaced. *la the upper ball joint repair has not rid the vehicle of the front end shake. Neither the dealer nor an independent shop have been able to identify the cause of the shaking.
Had to replace ft control arms and ball joints only 42.000 miles bought used from dealer with 29.000 miles should not happen also every one I talk to with this has experienced same problems ---------- called chry would not help or even pay a portion also called dealer they were same attitude --- I do not believe tgis truck was checked before I bought it fortunately no one hurt.
During routine inspection dealership informed the consumer that front ball joints were loose. The problem was not resolved.
Upper and lower ball joints wear out prematurely.
While driving at any speed a squeaking sound was coming from the front end. Dealer checked the vehicle, and found that the upper ball joints were severely worn out. *ak the cruise control never worked. (intermittent problem)
Tie rod ends and driver side balljoint remature wearing of front tires due to failure of tierod ends both sides and the upper ball joint is going out last tire almost blew out due to the type of wear. The tire only had 15,000 miles on it the inner portion was down to the steelbelt the only way I saw it was because I was under the truck replaceing the tierods turns out the upper ball joint is bad also.I think five sets of tires due to poor manufactureing of a suspention is quite over kill. Speaking of the last one may have killed me if I didnt happen to be under the truck. Replaced the tie rod ends because I was told that was the reason for the tire wear. It turns out thats not the only reason.yes the old parts are available for your inspection.
Popping noise in suspension at 41000 miles, bad ball joints blamed. Vehicle was parked until I replaced the worn ball joints and tires (feathering to two sets of goodyears). And the tire store was able to finally complete the alignment. Oem replacement parts failed again at 100000. Replaced with non oem brand this tire.
Driving car approximatley 15 MPH down residential road car pulled hard to the right ran off road and hit a street sign then a telephone pole car was totaled and the adjuster stated that the upper ball joint in the steering mechanism failed.
I have been advised by my goodyear mechanic that my 1998 dodge durango is not safe to drive because all upper and lower ball joints are wore out and need to be replaced. The vehicle has 82000 miles on it. The repair is going to cost over $400.00.I have receipts that show regular maintenance is preformed on the vehicle. I think someone is not doing there job, because it seems that there are a lot of complaints about this problem. As well as major media coverage. On your complaint form you ask how many deaths. Well I'm glad I didn't have any to list .how many people have to die before you people decide to react to this complaint. I have also had to replace the front A/C evaporator core at a cost of $750.00. No deaths to report in this case either (sorry).this is the first dodge I have ever owned. It may be my last. I am replacing to 4 ball joints as we speak... Because I am concerned with my family's safety. Even if you are not. Thanks for letting me vent... Tom bottoms
The consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealership for inspection and the mechanic determined that both upper ball joints were wearing prematurely. The consumer will have the mechanic replace the upper ball joints. *ak (all of the ball joints needed to be replaced) *sc
While driving a loud noise was heard coming from the rear. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that both front upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.
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