The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, she heard an abnormal noise coming from the front driver’s side tire. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact exited the vehicle and stated that the front driver’s side wheel was detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic, and she was informed that the ball joint, tie rod, and wheel spindle needed to be replaced. Additionally, the vehicle would need a front wheel alignment. The vehicle was repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.
2000 Dodge Durango suspension problems
507 complaints (47% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 49,592. 18 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 507
- of this car's complaints
- 47%
- typical mileage
- 49,592
- crashes
- 18
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Front: control arm: upper ball joint342
- Front: control arm: lower ball joint144
- Front57
- Front: control arm: upper arm13
- Front: wheel bearing9
- Front: control arm9
- Rear7
- Front: hub5
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Dodge Durango suspension problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2000 Dodge Durango suspension
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel drive (4x4), if moisture leaks into the front suspension upper ball joint, evacuation of the lubricant and corrosion of the joint may cause the joint to wear over an extended period of time. This could cause a clunking noise in the front suspension, which may not always be heard by the vehicle occupants.
- Risk
- Excessive wear in the upper ball joint may allow it to separate, which could result in loss of control of the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front suspension upper ball joints. This safety improvement campaign began on december 21, 2004. Owners can contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 04V596000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Upper ball joint separation
Daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc) is recalling the target population of approximately 600,000 my 2000 through 2003 durango and dakota vehicles with four-wheel drive to replace the front suspension upper ball joints with redesigned parts that do not have the joint integrity concerns and have substantially improved joint retention capacity (the federal safety agency recall no. 04v‑596).though dcc does not admit to a safety-defect in the subject components, odi believes that the facts in this investigation show otherwise.because of the low rates of separation incidents in the remaining subject vehicles, a safety-related defect has not been identified in those populations and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists in those vehicles.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.for additional information, see the attached closing report.
EA03023
Front susp. Upper ball joint failure
In july 2003, odi opened pe03-032 based on 4 consumer complaints alleging separation of an upper ball joint.complaints alleged an unexpected collapse in the front end and in some occasions the ball joint separation is alleged to have resulted in the wheel, brake rotor, and steering knuckle separating from the vehicle.since opening the pe, odi has received 23 additional complaints related to ball joint separation. Daimlerchrysler has identified a wearout concern in the subject ball joints that is believed to occur after water intrusion evacuates the joint lubricant.daimlerchrysler does not believe the condition poses an unreasonable risk to safety because the suspension design in the subject vehicles significantly reduces the likelihood of joint separation.over 99 percent of the failures are related to worn ball joints (e.g., noise complaints).daimlerchrysler revised the repair procedure in august 2003 to allow the upper ball joints to be serviced separately from the upper control arm and reduce repair costs. Daimlerchrysler changed the supplier of the subject ball joints from trw to new castle machining & forge for my 2000 vehicles.my 2000 durango vehicles account for 25 of the 37 separation complaints.the upper ball joint was redesigned in my 2003.this investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis to further assess the alleged defect in my 2000-02 durango vehicles.
PE03032
What 2000 Dodge Durango owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 dodge durango. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v596000 (suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact was also informed that the parts would not be available for thirty days. The vehicle was taken to rainier dodge of olympia (2550 carriage loop sw, olympia, wa 98502; (360) 754-5550) where it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the wheel bearings and ball joints needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
There was a recall on the ball joints of the vehicle I own but I was told that the recall is closed. I believe that it should be covered for repair because I wasn't made aware of any recalls when I obtained the vehicle. The upper ball joints are bad and a mechanic told me it could break off.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 dodge durango. While driving 45 MPH, the front driver side of the vehicle lowered to the ground and smoke began to emit from the vehicle. In addition, the front upper and lower ball joints bent inward and needed to be replaced. On two separate occasions, the radiator failed to operate and caused the cooling system to fail. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the wheel hub bearing, front upper and lower ball joints, and cold air intake system were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 04v596000 (suspension), 06e024000 (engine and engine cooling) or 08e064000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 125,000.
I purchased a 2000 dodge durango in june 2003. I have had continuing problems with front suspension, ball joints,right hub assembly. Right side hub assembly has been replaced 5 times in the last 6 years and I was just told yesterday that it will need to be replaced again. I was also informed by my mechanic of 18 years, the whole front suspension is bad and the differential will also have to be replaced. I have owned this truck 11 years and have kept it well maintained,in all this time, I have had only one official recall for upper arm ball joints in 2005. I have called chrysler twice to question why I have had to replace the hub assembly so frequently(every year for the last 5 of 6 years) and they insist there is nothing wrong or a specific recall for my VIN. I have had enough with replacing the same part over and over every year. Something needs to be done about this hub assembly & front suspension. I have noticed the same complaints online as mine.... Front end vibration when reaching speeds of 55-60 MPH, ball joint issues, hub assembly issues, and front suspension issues. There are currently 2 recalls for 2000 dodge durango front suspension and hub assembly units, and conveniently for chrysler, neither are my VIN number durango. Surprise, surprise!! I will continue to file complaints with chrysler until some one decides to take action and get these issues repaired once and for all. I am getting a little tired of constantly putting out hundreds of dollars for the same issue year after year!! Please help get this issue resolved!
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 dodge durango. The contact stated that the vehicle would vibrate while driving approximately 60 MPH. The contact also stated that the inner and outer edges of the tires were wearing unevenly. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v596000 (suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint). The failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 dodge durango. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the hub unit fractured in half. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number: 08e064000 (suspension:front:hub). The dealer denied any assistance with repaired to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 185,000.
I was pulling out of my circular driveway steering left and the wheel base wouldn't turn. So I backed up and continue to go around the curve, once I reached about 200 ft off my driveway, my car come to a complete stop on it's own. I backed into my driveway dragging my passenger side front wheel sideways. Once I got out to check what was going on, my tie rod end had become completely stripped off the rack and pinion. After further inspections, somehow the groves on the rack and pinion had wore down so much it allowed the tie rod to strip and release. I was so glad I hadn't been driving with my children on the highway, this would have caused my vehicle to flip and probably kill us. I know have to replace my rack and pinion and tie rod and just replacing the ball joints on this vehicle not a couple months ago. I am very frightened to drive it now in fear this will happen again.
Vehicles has been making front noise of axel is about to come off - sometime in the summer I had the bearing replaced as they had cracked then the noise in front of vehicle suspension started again. I think that this may be a recall problem.
Front left bushing repaired 6 times and still squeaks at every suspension compression.
Questions about the 2000 Dodge Durango suspension
Does the 2000 Dodge Durango have suspension problems?
Owners have filed 507 complaints about the suspension of the 2000 Dodge Durango, 47% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2000 Dodge Durango suspension problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 49,592 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2000 Dodge Durango suspension?
Yes, 1 recall: 04V596000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Dodge Durango have bad suspension?
The Dodge Durango model years with the most suspension complaints are 1999 (1,102 complaints), 1998 (540 complaints) and 2000 (507 complaints).
Other 2000 Dodge Durango problems
Engine 156Transmission 120Brakes 83Steering 83Electrical 56Airbags 50Locks 42Seats 32Acceleration 26Tires 23Visibility 20Fuel system 15Seat belts 15Wheels 13Lights 8Driver assistance 6Body 4
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