2004 Dodge Durango: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Feb 21, 2017 · Suspension · 198,000 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. The contact stated that the front tie rod fractured prematurely. When the contact started the engine, a loud noise emitted from the front end. The contact, an independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and found that the front tie rod fractured in the middle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 198,000. Updated 05/17/17*lj

Filed Jan 22, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 109,000 miles · MA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. The contact stated that the vehicle rapidly and abnormally accelerated when the accelerator pedal was engaged. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that engine oil was leaking from the vehicle and the tie rod was fractured. In addition, smoke and a small fire erupted from under the hood. The contact was able to contain the fire. The vehicle was inspected by a local mechanic , who advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 109,000.

Filed Jun 25, 2012 · Tires · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango equipped with goodyear wrangler tires, size 245/70/r17. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the tires vibrated. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop, where the tires were balanced, an alignment was performed, and the tie rods were inspected. The repair shop found no failure that would cause vibration of the vehicle. The failure mileage of tires was 1,000 and the current mileage of tires was 8,000. The current mileage of the vehicle was 125,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed May 2, 2011 · Steering · 120,000 miles · MI

The outer passenger side tie rod end on our 2004 dodge durango came apart due to extreme corrosion. The ball completely separated from the housing. The rubber boot was still in place, but clearly had failed somehow. The result was the immediate loss of steering and vehicle control. Thankfully it was in a neighborhood and at low speed. The truck ground to a halt in the middle of the road. It was towed and ultimately repaired with a new tie rod end. I kept the old corroded tie rod hoping someone would care to see it. The should not have occurred in a vehicle 3x its age. The defective part is so badly corroded it looks like its been on the bottom of the ocean for 20 years.

Filed Mar 5, 2011 · Engine · 102,561 miles · IN

I own a 2004 dodge durango, v8, 5.7 with a hemi & a 102,000 miles on it. I am the original owner & have babied this car from the get go. We recently just replaced the ball joints on the front end, tuned it up & was heading to get the tires rotated & balanced for our family spring break vacation. When my husband went out to start it, it made a horrible noise & threw a rod through my engine, intake & oil pan. I am highly disappointed in the money I have put in this car to keep it maintenanced & what I paid for it, to just blow with no warning. After reading numerous complaints about this year & engine, dodge needs to step up & take responsibility & make a recall. I am now going to be out thousands of dollars on a car I still owe on & my vacation has been ruined & had to be canceled. I am thankful however that I was not driving when this happened with my little boy in the car. Totally disgusted with dodge for not recalling this engine sooner.

Filed Apr 28, 2010 · Suspension · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. While driving at approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle began to accelerate and spun around in the opposite direction when the contact depressed the accelerator pedal. The vehicle also made a noise which came from the tire area and was difficult at times to shift into gear and the gears locked up. The contact turned the vehicle around and drove home. The vehicle was inspected by a local mechanic who stated the lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was unknown. The current mileage was approximately 84,780.

Filed Jun 26, 2009 · Steering · 73,000 miles · IA

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. While turning the steering wheel, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The failure occurred whenever the engine was operating at relatively warm temperatures. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on two separate occasions for identical failures, but they were unable to locate the cause of the failures. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection and the contact was informed that the inner tie rods failed. The entire tie rod system required replacement. The authorized dealer stated that the part for the repair was unavailable due to a massive back order. The repair part has been modified six times. The vehicle is not being driven due to the safety hazard. The failure mileage was 73,000 and current mileage was 76,000.

Filed Sep 24, 2008 · Engine, Locks · 91,452 miles · SC

My wife was driving alone to work. Suddenly and without warning, the engine stopped, lights went off and power steering went off. She managed to use the car momentum to direct the car into a side road, without hitting any other cars. She was 30 secs. From the freeway entrance). She managed to get out of the car ( all other doors to the car were locked except the driver door - what do you do when you are in the back seat ?)) and noticed blue smoke coming from under the hood. She tried to restart the vehicle but without success. She called aaa and was eventually towed to stateline dodge in fort mill. The battery and connections were so hot the tow truck driver could not touch them..and still smoking. The garage examined the battery cables and verified they were melted together(see invoice). We would need a new battery and cable. I called the garage to inform them that a the federal safety agency safety recall d40 was issued in 2004, concerning re-routing the battery cable as it could lead to an underhood fire. I was expecting not to be charged with the battery and replacement cable. However the recall notice talks about cable contact with the upper control arm of the suspension and in my case the contact was with the exhaust gas recycle tube, which is 1" away from the control arm. I was charged $460 for the work and am now writing to chrysler for recompense. This is a potential serious issue for durango owners, especially if you are on a freeway and the engine cuts out or your car is parked in your garage at night and the battery is red hot. This safety recall campaign should be extended to cables contacting the egr tube.

Filed Aug 13, 2008 · Steering, Suspension · 60,577 miles · CA

See first complaint 10237419. I'm having continued front end steering/suspension problems. Had the lower ball joint replaced on 09/28/07. By february of this year I'm experiencing what seems to be the same problems... Clunking sound (metal to metal) that starts when engine area is hot. After 45 minutes of driving. Vibration can be felt in the steering and floor boards. The noise is getting progressively louder and I fear that safety may become a issue. The durango makes a sound something like the tire and rim is going to vibrate right off the vehicle. I'm now on my third mechanic....richmond, ca. Hilltop dodge, who test drove my durango and heard the sound on 08/12/08. They inspected the front ball joints, tie rods, and assured that each area was tight . They deemed that the vehicle is safe to drive, but weren't sure of the problem. They think it may be looseness in the lower steering shaft. Dealer/mechanic said the problem needed to be more consistent to isolate the noise. Inspection charge $124.95. Problem has not been identified or resolved, but sounds similar to what has been investigated for potential recall in the past.

Filed Aug 8, 2008 · Suspension · 60,577 miles · CA

Problem with "front suspension/ball joints" 2004 dodge durango: had excessive freeplay in lower ball joints. Left more than the right. Ball joints were replace with chrysler/dodge parts on 9/28/07 at 60,577 miles. The repair costs $544.69. At 65,202 miles I stated experiencing the exact same problems again. Vibration that can be felt in the steering and floorboard under the drivers feet. A metal on metal clunking sound starts after the vehicle is driven for a 1/2-hour (when hot) and is only heard while the vehicle is moving. Had two shops look at it but they couldn't hear the noise. Now at 65,738 miles, the noise is getting loud and I'm very concerned about the safety. Will the tire come off or will the ability to steer be go out completely at some point?

Filed Nov 8, 2006 · Suspension · 20,000 miles · FL · 1 injury

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the passenger side tire detached from the lower part of the suspension. The tie rod and spindle both fractured. This caused the vehicle to immediately fall to the right, and the steering wheel to spin back, which injured the left hand of the contact. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, who determined that the front right lower ball joint had separated. The manufacturer was also notified. Updated 01/26/07.

Filed Nov 3, 2006 · Suspension · 20,000 miles · FL · 1 injury

I just entered a shopping plaza driving aprox 10 miles per hour and the 2004 dodge durango's tie rod, spindle and ball joint broke off.