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 ball joints on my 1998 Durango have needed repair for quite a while. I have 97000 miles on it, but the problem occurred around 60000 miles.
- Burlington, NJ, USA
Front end steering noises, no failure, dealer diagnosed upper ball joints extremely worn, lower joints loose. Needs full replacement of all ball joints.
- Walnut Creek, CA, USA
While driving 55 mph vehicle jerked and vibrated uncontrollably. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that both frontal upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced, and replaced it. However, the problem recurred, and the upper and lower ball joints were replaced again.
- Morgan Hill, CA, USA
Tires showing excessive wear on front of vehicle. Tires replaced and told to have alignment by tire dealer. I took vehicle to independent repair shop and was told all four ball joints were wore out. (uppers and lowers) it is being repaired at this time, and having shop save them for me.
- Wellington, KS, USA
I had been hearing a loud noise when driving my 1998 Dodge Durango. When I took it in for service to change the oil & rotate the tires, which I do every 3000 miles, I asked the technicians at quinn motors, rt. 17, gloucester, va to check out the noise. They called & said that the front ball joints, tie rods etc would have to be replaced. The service manager, ken, told me that this was a saftey issure and severe injury could result if I kept driving the car & the problem was not fixed. I am now paying $1630 for repairs of defective ball joints (& related components) on a 1998 vehicle with 122,000 miles on it. I understand that there have been other complaints from other Durango owners who have had wheels come off and related ball joint problems. There was also a service bulletin #020498 issued by DaimlerChrysler Corp. On May 29, 1998 refering to suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint, with a NHTSA item #601680. If there is a recall on this defective ball joint issue since the dealer told me injury could occur & that this was a safety issue, then I would like to be notified.
- Urbanna, VA, USA
The truck failed state inspection because the upper and lower ball joints were bad and needed to be replaced. The truck vibrateed severely when slowing down.
- Wildwood, MO, USA
Vehicle was taken to an after market repair shop and was told that the upper and lower ball joints were defective. Because of the defect a wheel alignment was improbable.
- Medford, NJ, USA
Consumer noticed that the vehicle was swaying back and forth. Consumer drove it to dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to corrosion. The ball joints caused the tire to wear rapidly.
- Windsor, NY, USA
Faulty craftmanship. Ball joints worn at 30296 miles, 1998 Dodge Durango..
- Lakewood, CO, USA
While driving there is a lot of play in the steering. Took vehicle to dealer for a regular check up, and was told the ball joints were defective. Problem had not been resolved.
- Wheaton, IL, USA
During routine inspection dealership informed the consumer that front/rear ball joints were loose. The problem was not resolved.
- Mastic Beach, NY, USA
Vehicle was taken for a routine general maintenance, and the mechanic noticed that left upper ball joints wore out prematurely.
- Des Plaines, IL, USA
During routine inspection dealership informed the consumer that front ball joints were loose. The problem was not resolved.
- Sarasota, FL, USA
Upper and lower ball joints wear out prematurely.
- Canonsburg, PA, USA
Tie rod ends and driver side balljoint remature wearing of front tires due to failure of tierod ends both sides and the upper ball joint is going out last tire almost blew out due to the type of wear. The tire only had 15,000 miles on it the inner portion was down to the steelbelt the only way I saw it was because I was under the truck replaceing the tierods turns out the upper ball joint is bad also.I think five sets of tires due to poor manufactureing of a suspention is quite over kill. Speaking of the last one may have killed me if I didnt happen to be under the truck. Replaced the tie rod ends because I was told that was the reason for the tire wear. It turns out thats not the only reason.yes the old parts are available for your inspection.
- Grass Valley , CA, USA
Driving car approximatley 15 mph down residential road car pulled hard to the right ran off road and hit a street sign then a telephone pole car was totaled and the adjuster stated that the upper ball joint in the steering mechanism failed.
- Arlington, MA, USA
I have been advised by my Goodyear mechanic that my 1998 Dodge Durango is not safe to drive because all upper and lower ball joints are wore out and need to be replaced. The vehicle has 82000 miles on it. The repair is going to cost over $400.I have receipts that show regular maintenance is preformed on the vehicle. I think someone is not doing there job, because it seems that there are a lot of complaints about this problem. As well as major media coverage. On your complaint form you ask how many deaths. Well I'm glad I didn't have any to list.how many people have to die before you people decide to react to this complaint. I have also had to replace the front A/C evaporator core at a cost of $750. No deaths to report in this case either (sorry).this is the first Dodge I have ever owned. It may be my last. I am replacing to 4 ball joints as we speak... because I am concerned with my family's safety. Even if you are not. Thanks for letting me vent... tom bottoms
- Campbellsville, KY, USA
While driving a loud noise was heard coming from the rear. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that both front upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.
- San Jose, CA, USA
I have a concern about the ball joints on my 1998 Dodge Durango. I had my vehicle's brakes serviced on or about January 2004 at sears automotive in eastpoint mall. I was made aware that my ball joints were bad on my front end, therefore I was not able to get a front end alignment. Later that day, my wife informed me about a cbs news report speaking about the defectsa in the ball joints of Dodge Durangos and the Dodge pickups and how Chrysler was not "up to the challenge" to either extend a recall or either offer for owners of these vehicles to voluntarily bring the vehicles to the dealership for a free inspection of the possible defect. I want to make sure that I do not have to pay up to $1500 for a defect that Chrysler should be responsible for correcting before anyone gets seriously injured or worse!
- Catonsville, MD, USA
- Oviedo, FL, USA