10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 43,936 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The consumer stated the vehicle made a loud clanking noise while backing out of the driveway. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer/mechanic and was told the ball joints failed and the vehicle had a cracked front disc rotor. Both lower and right upper ball joints were replaced.
- Auburndale, FL, USA
1998 Dodge Durango front upper ball joints wore out at 40000 miles, prematurely causing tires to also wear prematurely. I was told that bad ball joints could cause the suspension to break or a wheel to come off while driving causing a life threatening accident to my wife and children.
- Pickerington, OH, USA
Consumer took vehicle to the dealership for inspection. Mechanic informed consumer that the upper ball joints failed.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
PE 03-032 front susp. Upper ball joint failure: The consumer has had the lower ball joints replaced twice and the upper replaced once. The dealer is aware of the problem, but the manufacturer is not.
- Pinetop, AZ, USA
The consumer saw a news report about the ball joints on Dodge Durangos and took his vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic determined that the upper and lower ball joints were in "bad shape" and needed to be replaced.
- Roann, IN, USA
Based on a tv story I had the ball joints on my 1998 Dodge Durango checked and they are bad. At this time I have not had them fixed because of cost. The Durango has 62000 miles on it.
- Brandon, SD, USA
Upper and lower ball joints worn out prematurely. My Durango has 59,000 miles on it and the upper and lower ball joints have to be replaced. The cost is $1,300.
- Marstons Mills, MA, USA
2 independent diagnosis of ball joint problems. I had noticed bad tread wear on front tires. Two facilities both diagnosed the same problem. Ball joint failure on upper and lower front ball joints. Both recommended replacement with linkage. Car is a '98 model with 58,000 miles. Thank goodness the wheels had not come off.
- Miamisburg, OH, USA
The truck experienced uneven front tire tread wear. Upon the dealership performing a front end alignment, they noticed that 3 out of the 4 ball joints were bad.
- Miamisburg, OH, USA
While performing an oil change, the dealership noticed that all four ball joints were failing. Both rear ball joints were bad. The cause has yet to be determined.
- Bridgewater, MA, USA
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
Upper and lower ball joints on 1998 Dodge Durango had to be replaced at approx 47,000 miles allong with the outer tie rod ends. These were diagnosed by 2 different tire shops in boise. I have never had a vehicle that needed ball joints at less than 100,000 miles. Since the vehicle only had 27,000 miles on it last year when I bought it, I did not purchase the extended warranty. Now I am making payments on the $1200 repair. Where is the Dodge toughness and durablity in this. I believe these ball joints to be a factory defect that should be fixed by Dodge.
- Boise, ID, USA
We experienced handling problems with our 1998 Dodge Durango while on the highway last week. I took it to our local Dodge dealership to determine the problem. They indicated both the upper and lower ball joints were worn out and needed to be replaced immediatelly for safety reasons. When I asked them if they felt they wore out prematurely considering the mileage of the vehicle, the guy told me he couldn't comment but to hold on to my repair receipt in case there was a recall. This is a one owner vehicle with 41,000 miles driven by a soccer mom.
- Bloomington, IL, 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
- Nashville, TN, USA