I read a newspaper article regarding ball joints on the 1998-2003 dodge durangos. I have a 1999 dodge durango and I had the upper and lower ball joints replaced at 54,000 miles (the vehicle was less than 4 years old). I was told at the time that the upper ball joints were in such bad condition that they were ready to snap. This is obviously not a problem that should occur at such low mileage. I had all of the ball joints replaced with aftermarket ball joints that are able to be lubed. It seems that the defective dodge ball joints are enclosed and can not be lubed.
1999 Dodge Durango suspension complaints
Page 34 of 38: complaints 971 to 1,000 of 1,102, newest first, as owners wrote them.
In september 2002 my 1999 dodge durango failed inspection, requiring replacement of right and left and lower ball joints, and right and left upper control arms, at a significant out-of-pocket expense to me. ($1013.60 parts and labor) this vehicle has never been off-road and is regularly well maintained. I am aware of the other complaints filed with the agency as reported in the philadelphia inquirer newspaper. I did not find any recall notices on this site related to this problem. My personal opinion is that if this is a widespread problem, there should a recall issued to allow for cost- free repairs to vehicle owners. Thank you.
I recently purchased a used 1999 dodge durango slt 4wd with 49000. When the ABS light came on in the vehicle I had it checked and determined it was a speed sensor in the transmission. The dealer replaced this. The dealer also advised the front brakes needed immediate replacement. I took the vehicle to a local meineke shop to have the brakes replaced and the manager advised me the brakes had 70% of the pad left but the driver's side front lower ball joint was bad and needed immediate replacement. He recommended the vehicle not be driven for safety concerns. I had meineke replace the ball joint. I wrote the gm of the dealership and advised him of what had occured to try and determine why I was told my brakes were bad and the ball joint problem was not mentioned. I saw a greater danger in the front wheel falling off than the brakes not stopping the vehicle as effectively. I have yet to receive a reply regarding this issue.
1999 durango 4x4upper ball joint replacement at ~25k, 50k, and 7500 miles.lower ball joint replacement at ~5000 miles.
Consumer called complaining about having problems with lower and upper joint bolts. They have been replaced. Manufacturer was not contacted at the time of this call, but consumer was aware of the preliminary evaluation that the federal safety agency was doing.
While having a front alignment done dealership noticed that tie rods had gone bad and needed a front end overhaul.
Concerns over the ball joint excessive wear and failure. I would like the manufacturer to provide a safety inspection to validate the safety of the vehicle due to all of the recent failures. I hope that this does not turn out to be a firestone tire ford explorer fiasco!
On feb 20, 2003 when I brought my dodge durango in for routine service (49,070 miles) I was informed that, "the upper ball joints and tie rods were worn out and needed replacement or the steering could suddenly fail." I was charge $865.28 for this repair which was not covered by the warranty. I protested that it was premature for this sort of wear after only 49000 miles but the mechanic insisted the work needed to be done for "safely reasons" and that chrysler would not cover the cost. I have the receipt for the work.
I would like to file a complaint about a defect in the dodge durango ball joints. In USA today, dated: july 22, 2003, there was a article indicating that federal regulators are investigating the dodge durango SUV for a defect that could cause the front wheels to separate from the vehicle because the ball joints had worn out and the vehicle suspension to collapse. I have an 1999 durango with roughly 30k miles. In may 03, I took my car in for 30k mile maintenance and because it was running rough. I ended up having to have the ball joint and suspension for the front wheel replaced because I was told that the ball joints had disintegrated and the suspension had subsequently been damaged. I have only driven my durango on the highway and I have never taken it off the road. Therefore, I thought this type of problem was very odd at only 30000 miles. After reading the article in USA today, it is clear to me the damage to my vehicle was due to this defect. This complaint is to further collobrate the 81 complaints already filed.
Told by dealership that upper control arms are going out on my 1999 dodge durango. Vehicle has approximately 97,000 miles. Also indicated that rack & pinion was leaking.
1999 durango, am being told by mechanic that ball joints are bad and need replacing at 60,000 miles. This vehicle gets only highway miles, no rough stuff at all. Mechanic says front end shimmy (experienced for past 10,000 miles) is result of ball joint and tie rods failing. There is no way a correctly designed suspension system will fail in 50-60,000 highway miles. Chrysler needs to fix their error.
1999 dodge durango - regarding suspension and steering. At 42,000 miles had to have left and right lower ball joints replaced, left and right upper control arms replaced. Chrysler would not cover total cost. My out of pocket cost was $728.45. *ak also dealer replaced leaking transfer case (a defect) no cost to me.
Suspension problems, multiple repairs.
I recently had to get the front driver's side suspension of my 1999 dodge durango replaced. The vehicle had 65,000 miles and is driven primarily for highway use. I thought this was very uncommon for this short use time period. The repairs were costly and dodge claimed that this is sometimes common. Is the federal safety agency looking into safety issues related to this?
Ball joints wearing out prematurely. Had to replace with aftermarket ball joints.
The upper and lower ball joints on my 1999 dodge durango wore out prematurely.
I had to replace the upper/lower ball joints on my 1999 durango. My vehicle at the time of the repair had 48,672 miles on it. The repair shop told me that this was a problem that may cause wheel separation as well as more suspension trouble, if not repaired.
Premature upper and lower balljoint failure on my vehicle.
Bought a 99 durango have 60k miles and have the upper ball joints worn out. Front tires are bald on one side and wheel is leaning out. Truck rides rough. Expensive repair that should not be happening, no off road use, to school and home. Travis
Front suspension-ball joints have both been replaced
Front suspension - numerous components
Both the upper and lower ball joints had to be replaced at 39,327 miles. At first I thought it was just a coincidence, however I now realize that this is a ongoing problems with the vehicle. The work was done while I was traveling on vacation at a goodyear dealer
I was advised that the ball joints on my 1999 dodge durango were quite worn and the upper left was so bad it was a dangerous situation to drive it and the wheel could very easily come off. The garage machanic even required that the estimate to fix the problem reflect that before I could drive it home so as to clear them of any liability. They had called a factory man as they called him and asked if there had been a problem with these ball joint because it was so unusual at 50,000 miles that they all be bad at the same time. He advised them that there had been all kinds of problems with them. I had them replaced after getting several esimates and every garage the machanics were all very concerned that I not drive it do to the very loose wheel on the left front.
I have a 1999 dodge durango. We recently had the upper and lower balljoints replaced has long as the tierod ends. I foind this unexpectable with a vehical with only 58,000 miles! I had them replaced under extented warnty free of charge except for a $50 detuctable. But I have since found out that these type of balljoints usally go out every 20,000 or so and some people on the club I belong to have had them replaced 3 or more times in 60,000!! This is crazy! I would like a recalle done and for dodge come out with a way better desing for these balljoints so they don't have to get replaced every 20,000. Because I'm soon to be out of my warnty and if these balljoints are the same ones that were in there last time I will have to replace them again soon under my cost. And with the recall and better desing of the balljoints I won't have to worry about this. So dodge needs to desing a balljoint that can last 100,000 miles or more.
When I pushased my 1999 dodge durango the brakes was nosiy...took it back to the dealer.they charged me $90.00 to do a brake service.after the brakes was used a couple of times they started making nosie again...took it back and dealer stated that it was the pads and they could not do anything about it. Well after that I was fed up with them and took it to a goodyear shop where they replaced the brakes.(stopped the nosie) and also found out the upper ball joints was bad along with the shocks...so they was replaced costing me $1,300.00. So much for the extended warenties that I purchased with the vehicle..the dealer also charged me for fliud after two sensors went out that was located inside the transmission..wich the warenty was to cover the drive train..this vehicle is a 1999 dodge durango 4x4....new tires had to be purchased because of ball joints was bad causeing tires to wear wrong
After about 54,000 miles I was informed by three different places that my ball joints were extremely bad. From what I understand is that these ball joints should not be wearing out this soon. So, ended up paying $1300 and some change to get this fixed. This occured about three months ago. I was watching the news and saw that their is going to be an investigation into this problem and I wanted to tell you that it has happened to me.
While traveling about 65mph on the highway and without prior warning upper ball joint broke on the passenger side.
Vehicle began vibrating and shaking excessively while driving. Dealer diagnosed that the front ball joints and bushings had failed.
Per consumer vehicle failed inspection due to bad upper ball joints. Please provide more details.
Consumer stated that while driving and without warning the ball joints are wearing. Dealer notified.
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