10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 41,087 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the vehicle failed inspection because the passenger side front upper ball joint and the driver side front lower ball joint were loose. There had been no failure to date and there are no recalls at this time. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 58,945.
- Arnold, MO, USA
Both ball joints left and right lower and upper are bad, have not replaced as of yet will soon. Truck has only 82K on it.
- Sartell, MN, USA
I have been informed by my Dodge dealer that my 1998 Dodge Durango needs to have the ball joints replaced for the second time. The vehicle currently has 120,000 miles on it. They were replaced the first time at 70,000 miles at my expense. Dodge has refused to participate financially on either occasion. Since ball joints are an integral part of the steering system I consider this a safety issue. I also think the failure rate on these parts is unacceptable. I do know Dodge has issued recalls on later model Durango's for this same issue. The vehicle is not used off road and has been meticulously serviced according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Please help.
- Louisville, KY, USA
I purchased a 1998 Dodge Durango from a small car dealership in 2004. It only had 50K miles on it. It now has 75K miles on it. I was told before a trip that my truck had some "play". not knowing what that was, I continued to drive it. I am now told that it is going to cost me $1000 to fix it and then I would need to replace the tires only have 5K miles on them. I am looking at a 2K dollar fix! one mechanic told me they were extremely unsafe! I have 3 small children and this is our main vehicle. How many lives are they going to put in danger for the Durango owners (1998-1999)" we have the same ball joint problems as the 2000-2003 owners. I have researched the internet and forums and have seen thousands of complaints so why has nothing been done? I do not have $2000 dollars to put into a truck that shouldn't have anything but minor things with the mileage and just normal driving. This is unsafe and is putting many lives in danger. Are they going to wait to get medical bills and funeral expenses when an entire family loses their lives from the truck rolling? what happens to the ones who keep driving it, unaware what the "play" is" they will be the ones possible losing their lives or taking someone else's! I see another class action law suite coming on!!!
- Van Wert, OH, USA
After paying $1500 to replace the upper and lower ball joints on our recently purchased Durango, I discovered there was a recall on the upper ball joint for Durangos. When I inquired with dealer about a possible reimbursement for the parts recalled I was notified that the recall did not apply to our vehicle year, it only applied to 2000-2003 model years. Although our 1998 model encountered the same problem as the recalled vehicles, daimler Chrysler wasn't willing to reimburse or do anything for us. I found this very disappointing considering this is the fourth Dodge we've owned and currently both our vehicles are Dodge makes. With the enormous number of documented complaints it seems reasonable to expect the NHTSA to demand daimler Chrysler recall the 1998 and 1999 Durangos for ball joint problems as well.
- Bellevue, WA, USA
: the contact stated while at the dealership for a tire replacement and alignment the dealership observed the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced prior to the tire replacement. There is a NHTSA recall, # 04V596000, regarding the suspension: Front: Control arm: Upper ball joint. The VIN was not included in the recall. The dealership replaced the upper and lower ball joints on both sides. Since purchase, the ABS light and brake light intermittently illuminate. As a result, smoke comes from the wheel well area. The dealership was notified about the problem however, they are unable to duplicate it.
- East Point, GA, USA
After seeing a report about failed ball joints in Dodge Durangos, we had ours inspected and they all had to be replaced. We had them replaced and 4 months later they had to be replaced again.
- Clarksville, TN, USA
I have a 1998 Dodge Durango. I am aware that Chrysler has recalled 2000-2004 Durangos for ball joint/suspension defects. I have the same defect/problem with my 1998 Durango. Are there going to be additional recalls for this year from Chrysler. I have a quote of $2500 to fix this problem. After searching many websites I see that many 1998 Durango owners are experiencing the same problem.
- Aquinnah, MA, USA
Daimler Chrysler issued a recall (04V596000) for ball joint and extended warranty to 10 yr / 100000 miles for 2000 - 2003 Durangos. My question is why the '98 Durangos were not included since my 98 Durango had the same failure and the current mileage is only 69,000
- Layton, UT, USA
1998 Dodge Durango ball joints.
- East Haven, CT, USA
The contact heard a rattling noise in the front end of vehicle while driving. Upon inspection, the certified repairman determined the front upper and lower ball joints had to be replaced. The contact notified the manufacturer and lodged a complaint. The case number was 14394561. Repairs were made at the contact's expense.
- Lewes, DE, USA
1998 Dodge Durango. Upper and lower ball joints. I had thought I needed shocks and an alignment and brought the vehicle to my mechanic who told me that the vehicle needed upper and lower ball joints, tie rod end and idler arm. The vehicle has become unsafe to drive. The vehicle was never abused, and 90% of the miles are highway miles. I have read many accounts of the exact same problem and believe further investigation and recall is necessary.
- Calimesa, CA, USA
Ball joint failure on 1998 Durango slt w/ 5.9L engine and 81,500 miles. Heard clunking sound in front end driving down freeway in dallas, tx. Pulled in midas shop and leered that driver's side front ball joint was ready to come completely apart. The midas shop manager advised me to not drive the vehicle like this. Both front ball joints and wheel bearings needed to be replaced. Cost: $1,400. I do have the old parts.
- Frisco, TX, USA
Dt contact states front suspension left lower ball joint broke. Had a local mechanic look at the vehicle. The mechanic stated it was defective and repaired this problem on a regular basis. He spoke with the dealer. They would not help with repair cost of the vehicle. The vehicle is not repaired at this point.
- Kamuela, HI, USA
Premature wear on upper and lower ball joints on both sides of vehicle. The separation of these components cause the driver to lose control of the steering and could cause the vehicle to roll over causing serious injury or death. In addition to the ball joints, the wheel bearing assemblies fail prematurely which in combination with the ball joint problem greatly increases loss of control of the vehicle. This vehicle also has a problem with the transmission slipping with less than 70,000 miles on it. This causes slow acceleration which could cause an accident resulting in serious injury or death.
- Vestaburg, MI, USA
1998 Dodge Durango ball joints & control arm upper and lower they were first replaced in 2000 then in 2004 and now need to be replaced in 2005 continuously fails safety inspection VIN no. [xxx] updated 07/19/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Weymouth, MA, USA
My Dodge Durango started making a clunking noise in the front suspension upon turning or going over rough pavement. I took the car into the shop and there was a failure of both the upper ball joints as well as the tie-rod ends, nearly separated. Per the garage, unusual for a 7 year old car with 66,000 miles. They need to be replaced before the catastrophic failure occurs. Replacement will include both upper and lower ball joints on left and right side and 4 tie rods. Old parts are available. Total cost of repair $1,100.
- Prairie Village, KS, USA
Failed inspection due to lower ball joints needed to be replaced for the second time. 35,661 miles to date 17,819 miles on when upper and lower ball joints were replaced the first time. Rothrock motors where I purchased it would not give me any satisfaction so I went to brown daub Dodge. They replaced them the first time. (07/31/01). This time on 07/28/05 I called rothrock left a message and no one ever called me back so I called brown daub and they set up an appointment to look at them. They could not replace them this time and I was charged $546.41 and told to contact Chrysler to recoup my money. I will have to replace the upper ball joints next year for inspection, they barely passed.
- Northampton, PA, USA
Contact stated both lower ball joints were replaced twice on vehicle. Also, both front tires had to be replaced twice. The service dealer stated the tires needed replacement due to the failure of the ball joints. The first replacement occurred when the vehicle's mileage was at 27,280. The second replacement occurred at 43,908 miles. Consumer stated front end was making a squeaking noise and was driving differently. Consumer contacted manufacturer, and was sending the service receipts. There was a recall on different model year for this specific component, but consumer's vehicle was not included in the recall campaign due to VIN. Consumer did not have the complete address for the dealership where the vehicle was purchased. Repair receipts attached for ball joints. Windshield sprayer sprays one side. Connector repalced. Front brake pads and rotors machined.
- Arlington, VA, USA
- Trenton, NC, USA