1998 Dodge Durango: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Dec 12, 2010 · Suspension · 123,000 miles · GA

The vehicle is making a very noticeable "clunking noise" during turns and over bumps. The vehicle often falls out of alignment and driving feels unsteady as on of the front wheels is loose. Upon inspection it appears this is being caused by premature wear to the upper ball joints. This has also caused excess wear on the vehicle suspension. As of yet no accident or injury has taken place due to this problem; however, it is a very serious safety concern and needs to be addresses promptly.

Filed Nov 27, 2005 · Suspension · 81,561 miles · TX

Ball joint failure on 1998 durango slt w/ 5.9l engine and 81,500 miles. Heard clunking sound in front end driving down freeway in dallas, tx. Pulled in midas shop and leered that driver's side front ball joint was ready to come completely apart. The midas shop manager advised me to not drive the vehicle like this. Both front ball joints and wheel bearings needed to be replaced. Cost: $1,400. I do have the old parts.

Filed Aug 10, 2005 · Steering, Suspension · 66,000 miles · KS

My dodge durango started making a clunking noise in the front suspension upon turning or going over rough pavement. I took the car into the shop and there was a failure of both the upper ball joints as well as the tie-rod ends, nearly separated. Per the garage, unusual for a 7 year old car with 66,000 miles. They need to be replaced before the catastrophic failure occurs. Replacement will include both upper and lower ball joints on left and right side and 4 tie rods. Old parts are available. Total cost of repair $1,100.

Filed Jun 1, 2005 · Brakes · 140,000 miles · WA

While driving home from work vehicle had abrupt braking, and clunking noises were heard inside vehicle. Vehicle was stopped and non intrusive visual inspection was completed prior to further operation. Continuous noise was heard throughout transit home. Once vehicle was home and in driveway, inspection by removal of drivers side wheel revealed loose brake caliper. Stripped mounting threads were found on steering knuckle at brake caliper attachment. Calipers are only attached to vehicle using (2) threaded pins, once they are stripped caliper is free to seperate from vehicle.

Filed Feb 10, 2005 · Steering, Suspension · 68,202 miles · ID

Events leading up to failure: 1.) noise eminating from the front of the vehicle ? Clunking, squeaking; 2.) loose steering associated with clunking; .) wandering at speed. *ak failure and consequences: 1.) prior to complete failure the vehicle was diagnosed by a local dealer as worn lower ball joints, right inner tie rod end, and sway bar bushings 2.) possible consequences of not determining the problem prior to failure ? Unsafe operation or life threatening accident due to steering failure correction: 1.) replaced lower both lower ball joints, sway bar bushings, and the right inner tie rod end ($777.78 parts and labor) in light of recent recalls regarding ball joints of 2000-2003 dodge dakotas and durangos, we believe investigation into earlier models is warranted. Extremely similar symptoms are evident on the earlier models prior to 2000 leading us to believe the problem existed prior to the 2000 model year. Given this vehicle was rarely placed in extreme conditions (off-road maneuvers, etc.), never in an accident, and with the majority of the time spent on paved roads, failure of ball joints and other suspension components in the 50,000 to 60,000 mile range is premature. We request an investigation into including 1998-1999 dodge durangos into the formal ball joint recall as detailed for the 2000-2003 models.

Filed Dec 30, 2004 · Suspension · 80,500 miles · ID

I am filing this complaint after hearing of all the ball joint failures on durangos and the recall on 2000-2003 model vehicles. My durango is a 1998 model and I am about to replace the ball joints for a second time at 80,000 miles as I am getting the dreaded clunking noise again. I use my durango for normal driving and have never seen this type of failure in a vehicle. I was raised in detroit and know something about cars. I also don't understand why the recent recall does not go back to the original model year as the same parts and failure modes appear to be prevalent in 1998 and 1999 models. I'm hoping something will be done as I cannot afford to be changing ball joints more often than my tires and brakes, not to mention the safety risk.

Filed Aug 27, 2004 · Suspension · 107,398 miles · CA

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.

Filed Mar 15, 2004 · Suspension · PA

I bought a used 1998 dodge durango with 24,000 miles in feb 14th 2003. This was a dodge certified used car. I also purchased an extra warranty package for $900.00. After 60 days I had a clunking noise in the front end. I called the dodge garage from which I had purchased the vehicle and they had it towed. They called me back and said I had a big problem. This is what happened the right front axel, ball joint upper arm assembly had broke apart causing extensive damage with a total of $1700.00 my responsability. They said dodge would not cover it because it was a four wheel drive. They said my extended dodge warranty would not cover the front suspension on the four wheel drive. Now I read that many vehicles have had the same problem. Remind you this vehicle only had 24,000 miles on it and they told me that they wore out!!!!!!!!!! At my expense.

Filed Dec 10, 2003 · Suspension · 60,000 miles · MO

While turning left or right vehicle made a loud noise. An independent shop technician stated, upper and lower ball joints needs to be replaced. *ak a loud clunking noise was heard when going over any bumps in the road. The worse noise was heard when turning left or right. Consumer took the vehicle to the mechanic when he learned the ball joints were no good.

Filed Aug 15, 2003 · Suspension · 32,000 miles · NY

The front tires wore out prematurely, and had to be replaced twice in 1 year. Also, when stopping or accelerating, the consumer heard a "clunking" noise from the front end. Dealer diagnosed the ball joints were worn and predicted failure. *ph

Filed Jul 22, 2003 · Engine · 107,700 miles · CA

Returning home from a business trip, the durango started making a loud noise, then quit within seconds of the original noise, with a loud clunk. The "check engine guages" light did not come on prior to the loud noise. I live in the mountains, and fortunately the engine quit next to a vehicle turnout. If the engine failure had occured a few seconds earlier, or a few seconds later, my life would have been in serious danger, and I would have endangered the lives of the people at risk of hitting my stalled vehicle. My mechanic found a used engine and installed it. New installed engine ran quite well for about 300 miles. This time, the failure was forwarned by a "check engine guages" light and bell. Checking the guages, I found nothing out of the ordinary - oil pressure and temp were ok. This happened with the second bell as well. The third bell, and I turned the engine off due to the oil pressure guage falling to zero. Towing the durango to a local mechanic, he advised that we should change the oil pump, but advised me that metal shavings were found in the oil pump screen, and that further damage was probbable. My mechanic told me that I should have the pump changed, and drive it to his shop for inspection - a distance of approximately 35 miles. The durango made it 15 miles before quitting. The catastrophic failure of this engine creates a definite safety hazard. The manufacturer should be allowed to do a recall on this engine. If the manufacturer does not think a recall necessary, the federal safety agency should force a recall. This engine will create serious harm to someone. It is just a matter of time....

Filed Nov 12, 2001 · Transmission · OH

Transmission hesitates between 2nd and 3rd gear. When it does shift into 3rd gear the vehicle surges. When shifting into reverse the transmisson gives a clunk noise. Took vehicle to dealership for diagnosis and repair. Was told from dealer the minimum repair would cost $1400-$1500 but could be more. I opted for a local repair facility. I was shown a complete service and technical bulletin describing the problem and repair for dodge vehicles. The local repair facility service owner had just gotten back from a training seminar on this problem. This really sounded odd, as the dealer when asked by me if there was a class problem in transmissions denied any. Then why would they print manuals and train personnel for problems that do not normally occur. The local repair facility performed hydraulic pressure testing and determined all pressure parameters were being met. Then changed all transmission fluids to a higher viscosity. Since this was done, I have not experienced any shifting hesitation or problems. The dealer when pressured would only offer 10% off the repair costs. Dodge regional refused to assist in any way. I have personally talked to 4 individuals who own dodges and have had similar problems.