The upper and lower ball joints wear out prematurely.

- Huntington, WV, USA

1998 Dodge Durango 45,311 miles needed upper and lower ball joints and inner tie rods replaced.

- Kenosha, WI, USA

Vehicle was taken for a routine inspection, and inspector noticed that upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.

- Maple Park, IL, USA

I own a 1998-Dodge Durango slt. Last July 2002 I took my vehicle in to an area dealership for routine maintenance. I was told that the ball joints were cracked and needed immediate attention or there could be a nasty accident. I was told that this problem should not be happening. I made several inquires at other dealerships about this and was told basically the same thing. I contacted the Chrysler corporation after I had heard a local news station give a consumer alert on the Durango. Chrysler said that there was no problem with the ball joint and that the Durango was not being recalled for any factory related repairs. I have since had the joints fixed but I feel that it is the manufacturer's responsibility since so many other Durango drivers have had the same experience.

- Sterling, CO, USA

While coasting consumer could hear a loud noise coming from the front ball joints. Consumer would have to depress the brake pedal to stop the noise.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

Unstable steering of Dodge Durango 1998 due to defective front ball joints. Mechanic who assessed failure warned me of potential of an accident at speeds higher than 55 mph.

- Woodbury, MN, USA

Bad front end parts on 1998 Dodge Durango.

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

Consumer took vehicle to a gas station for maintenance, and mechanic noticed that both upper and lower ball joints needed replacing due to corrosion.

- Bucyrus, OH, USA

I have a 1998 Dodge Durango with over 100 K miles, but my ball joint and both upper and lower control arms have been replaced due to early failure. This has also caused uneven tread wear on my tires and my alignment is always bad. This has cost me over 700 bucks.

- Ashburn , VA, USA

Ball joint and steering box failures on a 1998 Dodge Durango with 70,000 miles.

- Manchester, CT, USA

In April of 2000 I had to replace my lower ball joints on my 98 Dodge Durango with 40,000 miles on it. Now in Oct. 2003 with 95,000 I'm told my upper ball joints are severely worn and my lower are going out again.

- Salem, OR, USA

Consumer had several alignments done on the vehicle in the past year. An independent dealer informed the consumer that the lower ball joints wore out prematurely.

- Simi Valley, CA, USA

The front lower ball joints are prematurely worn on my vehicle last year. I had complained about the noise several times. Each time the dealership found no problem. Prior to my last complaint I had my brother who is a school bus mechanic check the front end and he showed me the excessive play in the lower ball joints. Still again the dealership said they checked it out and found nothing wrong, but "lubed up the front end real good" and sent me away. Here it is now about a year later and I am bringing it in again now with the noise and looseness worse than ever and I learn of a known problem with the upper ball joints. I would really like to see something done about this. (my extended factory warranty has expired last may, and I will seek for this to be covered under warranty anyway.)

- Huntington Station, NY, USA

Ball joint failure -- both upper and lower on both sides. Brought vehicle to dealership for regular maintenance, and mentioned that I heard a small squeak in the chassis. After several hours, they found that my ball joints were so badly worn that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. When I asked how unsafe, they indicated that the wheels could fail in a day, a few days, a week....that I was very fortunate they hadn't already. The cost of repair was $1,400. If I elected not to get the problem fixed, the dealership representative told me that I would need to sign a waiver before they would allow me to get my vehicle back. I drive car pools, have the safety of my 3 children plus the responsibility for all other drivers on the road, and to have my Durango "unsafe to drive" when I have taken good care of my vehicle is extremely upsetting. I have had my maintenance performed by the local Dodge dealership (metrolina Dodge) and welcome the opportunity to share those records with you in an investigation. Had it not been for this 'after-thought' when I brought the car in, I have no idea what could have happened, but listening to the dealer representative, it could have been deadly. Please investigate and urge a recall.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

7/12/01 I was advised that the lower ball joints were loose and needed to be replaced. I had brought the vehicle in because it sounded like something underneath was loose. It made noise going over any rough surface. After checking with several other Dodge service people and being advised that this was very definitely premature, I contacted the customer service office and a person named [xxx] arranged to have the ball joints replaced with me paying a good will deductible of $150. The car# 9012127 was on my invoice and was approved by [xxx]. at the time of diagnosis my mileage was 39,436 and the purchase date was 3/18/98, just out of warranty. The VIN is [xxx]. I currently have 68,717 miles on the vehicle and it is starting to make the same noises again. I just replaced the front and rear shocks but the noise continues. After hearing about the current investigation regarding the upper ball joints, I am concerned about the safety of this vehicle. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

Two lower ball joints and two tie rods had to be replaced in my 1998 Dodge Durango.

- Troy, MI, USA

While driving the consumer heard a soft sporadic squeaking noise coming from the chassis. The dealers technician had trouble locating the noise but eventually determined that the vehicle needed new ball joints and was unsafe to drive. The consumer left the dealer without having the work done. The consumer feels other consumer's should be aware of this defect.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

Upper and lower ball joint on my 1998 Dodge Durango with 50,000 miles need to be replaced.

- Shoals, IN, USA

While driving consumer heard a "squeaking" noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The mechanic at an independent repair shop determined that the upper and lower ball joints were loose and need to be replaced.

- Frankfort, KY, USA

Upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to premature wear, per dealership.

- Riverside, IL, USA