Front suspension - drive train - locks - axle - power steering pump vehicle has had consistent front end grinding noise since 30,000 km's. Ball joints have been replaced, front axle spyder gears have been replaced. Previous 1998 durango had same problem - fix was front wheel bearings. 2003 durango - dealer says that it doesn't require replacement. Noise and grinding only happen at slow speed turns left or right. From stop to light acceleration to hard left or right turn, new noise from rear axle - limited slip unit now getting louder. Axle oil and limited slip additive have been replaced with factory chrysler oil additive. Indicative of same problem with 1998 durango that I had, when rear axle pinion bearing was heavily scored. In that incident the same maintenance was done, but repair was out of warranty by 3,000 km's and chrysler only paid 50% of repair of $700.00. Oil changes on complete drivetrain was $590.00 (4x4 with skid plates). This appears to be a metal fatigue problem in combination with engineering specifications that are too wide in tolerances, which allows failure of components to compound problems and create longer term damaging results. Ever since dodge trucks went to maintenance free front axle bearings (you can't pack bearings with grease), poor limited slip tolerances in rear axle, and transfer case that's electronically operated, the drivetrain and front suspension components have excessive loads and poor quality components. Both durangos that I've owned have had 5 wheel alignments (constant pulling to the left) and no off road driving. Strictly highway and city driving. I purchased factory extended warranty on 2003 durango which I highly recommend. So far, out of pocket expenses have been minimal, but durango spends too much time in the shop and is very inconvenient to have serviced constantly. Never had issues with warranty parts or dealer not doing warranty recall work.
2003 Dodge Durango suspension complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 91, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Sludge build up occurred in the dodge durango.*mr the dealer informed the consumer that there was sludge in the engine and that it was as a result of neglect which then voided the warranty. The consumer explained that the vehicle oil had been changed numerous time by non-dealer mechanic. The dealer nor manufacturer provided any financial assistance. The consumer had the engine replaced by a local repair facility. The consumer's vehicle was making noise in the front end.
I purchased a 2003 dodge durango. Within 20 minutes of completion my 1st tire blew out. The dealer (clear lake dodge, houston, texas) replaced the tire free of charge. At approximately 12k on a trip to new orleans my right front tire blew out and I almost lost control of vehicle. My youngest son suffers from asthma and had an asthma attack on I-10 to new orleans. I calmed him down with no medication (nebulizer requires electricity). When I returned to houston, I contacted discount tire which warranties goodyear tires and was informed that I had jumped a curb causing damage to my tires. I purchased my 3rd tire along with road hazard because all representatives blamed my driving habits on me, even though I have never experienced these problems before. My vehicle now has over 50k miles and all of my tires are wearing. The belt is showing on all 4 tires. I am seeking arbitration.
The stabilizer bar on the 2003 dodge durango was coming out causing the vehicle to produce a grinding noise. *mr the grinding noise was coming from the driver side front wheel. The consumer inspected the hub and found that the inner axle had grinding wear on the inside by the rubber boot. The stabilizer bar was coming out about 1/4 inch. The dealer suggested that they didn't hear anything and could not find a problem. Currently, the front end still wobbles and grinds when the vehicle is in motion and when stopping. *sc the windshield wiper module was replaced.
Recall campaign 04v596000 concerning ball joint wear. Consumer stated that dealer charged her for the upper ball joint parts.
Recall campaign 04v596000 concerning ball joint wear. Consumer was unable to get the dealer to honor the manufacturer's recall because no parts were available. Manufacturer was notified, and informed the consumer that they were unable to advise him when the parts would be available.*ak *bf
Independent mechanic noticed that the upper front ball joint in my 2003 dodge durango needed to be replaced due to circumstances surrounding the recall for this problem. Both dodge and the local dealership refuse to correct problem stating that my vehicle was not part of the recall.
Ball joint malfunction on dodge durango slt 4x4. My durango is not listed on the recall as 600k others are however the noises, and unnatural movements of the front end during close quarters turning is suspect of being the same problem. My car is also not keeping its alignment and the brakes have softened rapidly, I suspect all are related. No loss of control has occurred but I'm concerned and I want to report my vehicle and plan to have it inspected by my dealer, westboro dodge.
The consumer took the vehicle in for routine maintenance. The mechanic informed the consumer that the left and right upper and lower ball joint needed replacement due to corrosion. Please fill in additional information. *jb consumer was told lower ball joints were not included in the recall.
While driving at high speeds driver heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front. Suddenly, the vehicle pulled to the right. The cause has not been determined at this time.
We noticed popping in the front end took durango to dealer they replaced the lower control arm assembly, few months later it started popping again ,we took it back to a dealer and they had to replace both lower control arm assemblies. It has been about 4 months and it is popping again plus they sent us the recall on the upper ball joints. I am scared to let my family ride in this vehicle I believe it has serious problems in the suspension system that have been trying to fix two times and now this will be the third time and theres not even 30000 miles on it.
The federal safety agency campaign 04v596000. Daimler chrysler issued an upper ball joint recall. This vehicle is included in the recall, but there are no parts in order to repair.
2003 dodge durango 27,500 miles-lower ball joints need replacing already-dodge expects me to pay for alingment after ball joints are repleaced. I don't think this is right. Ball joints do not normally go bad at this low mileage.
The federal safety agency campaign 04v596000; daimelr chrysler issued an upper ball joint recall. This vehicle was included in the recall, but there were no appointments available.
Recall 04v596000, consumer has a 2 wheel drive durango. This vehicle experiences the same problem with ball joints as the 4 wheel drive. Consumer took vehicle to dealer several times regarding the ball joint problem. However, the problem recurred. *ak....after repeated complaints warranty was extended, but dealer did charge d$300.00 for warranty workon defective wheel bearing.
I have had my 2003 durango back to the dealer 5 times for a rubbing/grinding noise in the right front end. I had read the reports of the failures and symptons of the ball joints.*ak all 5 times the dealer has not re-placed the ball joints, the noise still exsists, I even took one of the service guys out in the truck, and he heard the noise. He even commented, that his 2003 dakota, had the same noise, and that he had to replace his front ball joint. They know what the problem is, yet they refuse to fix it.
Dodge durango 2003 brought october 2003. On october 21, 2004 while on my way to work (a local high school), a woman fell asleep and hit the durango from behind on the passenger side. The vehicle crossed the oncoming lane of a two-lane minor highway (rte 187) and went into the front yard of a home and hit a tree. Speed limit is 35. The front passenger nose of the durango impacted with the tree. The damage to the vehicle was deemed totaled by the other driver's insurance company (state farm). The item we wish to draw to your attention is that the damage to the car involved the suspension rod, which came off and up through the front passenger seat of the carand through the roof. Had anyone been sitting there they would have most certainly been skewered. Thankfully, I had just dropped my children off . My 16 year old normally sits up front. One should note that the front tire came off the vehicle completely as well. The shoulder part of the seatbelt did not lock and my upper body was allowed to bang around. I spent 4 days in the hospital and was out of work for 5 weeks. I am still only on light duty due to the condition of my knee and the post concussion syndrome I am having. The way the durango came apart seemed unusual, especially the rod throught the floor and seat. We wanted you to be aware. We have pictures of the vehicle after the accident.
This will be the third time I take my 2003 dodge durango for front end noise and problems. The dealer says they couldn't duplicate the noise, but my family knows it's there when we drive and make turns. Why do we have to wait for an accident. Please help me fix this problem. Also 2nd tme for check engine light, with in two months. Thank you
The reason I am filing a complaint is because the federal safety agency has not updated their website according based on a voluntary recall by dodge. There was in article on msn.com today that described a recall of certain dodge durango and dakota models because of a problem with the front/upper ball joint. The federal safety agency website lists 4 related defect investigations of this same problem, however all investigations were opened and closed in 2003 and there is no mention of the latest actions by dodge. This website should be updated so people wanted to find out more information and specific models of recalls can find that information.
When turning there is squeaking noise in the front end. The noise is worse when the brakes are applied. Sometimes the noise can be heard while driving. The dealership serviced the vehicle 4 times, but was unable to duplicate the problem, so they aren't able to identify the cause.
When driving my 2003 durango at times it feels like the front wheels are locking up and the truck begins shaking badly. I have had it in the dealership and they say they can't find anything wrong. I also have been hearing strange noise from the front right right tire well. Also, my glovebox started hanging down and when I asked the dealership to fix it they charged me and told me that the warranty would not cover it. We don't use the glove box, so the problem was not caused by misuse. At 20,000 miles the warranty should have covered the problem because it is obviously a defective part.
1. 2003 dodge durango started popping in front end when making sharp turn. Also had problem with rear squeeking and vehicle was going into lower gear while traveling down the road when it shouldn't. Also was idling low.*ak 3. Both ball joints worn out at 20,626 miles. Lubed bushings and spring pads in rear. Couldn't determine what was causing the vehicle to go into a passing gear and was told to just push on the gas and hope the engine would blow up.
Occasional driving of vehicle transporting a toddler and an infant.
I own a 2003 dodge durango. I brought the vehicle in for an oil change at 41000 miles. I was told I had to replace my driver side upper control arm immediately because it was going to fall off. I heard no sounds from the front end prior to this event that would have lead me to suspect something was wrong. I travel on the highway almost daily with this vehicle and was very frightened being told my front tire was going to fall off. It cost over $500 to fix this. I do not have the old parts.
My wife was driving on the highway, and noticed that our 2003 dodge durango was pulling to the right. 10 minutes later, the lower ball joint completely separated, the upper ball joint snapped off, the axle separated and the wheel fell off while making a low speed right hand turn. The durango then continued to steer to the right and into a parked car, totaling the parked vehicle. The durango pushed the parked car into a wall. So far, nothing has been done to fix the failure, and my dodge dealer is giving me a hard time about warranting the part and subsequent damage.
Premature wear of upper ball joints. Replaced at 41,000 miles.
I purchased the vehicle in february of 2003. The vehicle was new with less than 100 miles. At approximately 15000 miles the vehicle began making a rubbing noise whenever driven over any bump. Took vehicle in to dealer and he informed me that it was the upper ball-joints. He then proceeded to order the wrong part. After a week the correct part finally got installed and the noise was no longer present. Dodge from top to bottom has lost my confidence not to mention my business.
While driving vehicle pulled to the left. The steering was loose. Took vehicle to the dealer, and was told that the vehicle needed a front end alignment. However, the problem recurred.
I noticed noise in the front end of my 2003 dodge durango and found that I had movement in my upper right ball joint, so I pointed this out during my annual safety inspection at the dealer. Both upper ball joints were found to be worn out during the inspection. The truck has only 28,000 miles on it and is driven a mix of highway and local driving....no off road use. The repair was covered under warranty.
Consumer too vehicle to dealer for routine maintenance, and mechanic determined that the front driver and passenger upper ball joints needed to be replaced.
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