I own a 1998 Dodge Durango, I am on my second set of upper and lower ball joints and now have to replace the front wheel bearing hubs also. My dealer says this is normal, I have never had to replace these items on any other car that I've owned!

- South Rockwood, MI, USA

The consumer loss of control of the vehicle. The failure was caused by defective upper and lower ball joints.

- Capitol Heights, MD, USA

Suspension, drive train, and front ball joints bad - 1989, Dodge, Durango.

- Esmont , VA, USA

Consumer took vehicle into the dealer and technician stated has to replace lower passenger ball joint, consumer stated there was a technical service bulletin # 020498 on this problem.

- Kernersville, NC, USA

I own a 1998 Dodge Durango with 22,000 miles. All four front end ball joints are in need of replacement. This is an extremely common problem with the Dodge Durango and Dakota models. While the worn ball joints have not caused an accident in my case yet, they will need to be replaced prematurely at a considerable expense to me for what appears to be a design/manufacturing flaw. I reiterate that my worn ball joints have not yet caused me to have an accident, but only because I am observant enough to notice the clicking sound they make and to have them replaced before they do cause a potentially serious accident. I have seen pictures recently of other owners of this make/model vehicle who have had serious accidents due to this mechanical failure.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

Left front tire fell off of vehicle due to lower ball joint breaking.contacted dealer.

- Missoula, MT, USA

Lower ball joint failure, this early is unheard

- Sebastian, FL, USA

All four ball joints have failed. Lowers replaced at 80000 miles and uppers at 100000. Seems excessive. Front axle inner bearings complerte failure which damaged front axle itself and needed replaced. From looking at the many other front suspension complaints lodeged, there appears to be a real problem that should be investigated. Front suspension is a real safety concern.

- Trinidad, CO, USA

Lower ball joints failed at 40,000 miles of wear; vehicle at an independent repair shop.

- Millsville, PA, USA

After service of vehicle, I left the dealer. When I left the parking lot I heard a bang from under the vehicle. I took the vehicle back to the dealer and went for a road test with one of the service employees. He concured that there was a noise but could not tell me exactly what was wrong with the truck. Service was booked the following day so I arranged to drop the truck off two days later. I was then told that the lower ball joints were bad on both sides. I was quoted a price approx $200 over the area's service centers. The service center told me that the vehicle should not be driven because it "was not safe". after researching the suspension I found that there are many others who have had similar problems. I feel that since the dealership has a re-occuring problem with this particular equipment, that a safety recall should be implimented. Especially since the dealer indicated that the truck is not safe to drive.

- Howell, NJ, USA

Premature wear of lower ball joints. Dealer notified.

- Lapeer, MI, USA

In March of 2000 I brought the car to the dealer complaining of a loose front end. They told me the upper and lower ball joints were bad and that I should have them replaced. I asked if that was dangerous and they said it was. I wanted a second opinion. I went to tuffy auto service in walled lake mi, they said the dealer was using a scare method to get the work done. They did inform me that the lower ball joints were bad and that it was too early for them to need replacing. They said that Durangos have had allot of problems with ball joints and that Dodge knows it. I proceded to have them replaced at tuffy for a much lower price than the dealer wanted and with a much better after makret part. The shocks on the car were also replaced at that time, also too early.

- Novi, MI, USA

Lower right ball joint failure @ 55K. Much too young to fail at such a low mileage. Heard reports this isn't the first time for Durango/Dakota trucks.

- Westminster, MA, USA