Re: 1999 Dodge Durango front suspension I just had to replace all four ball joints, and both tie rod ends on this vehicle at 59,000 miles of light on road usage. I have run previous vehicles to over 200,000 miles without any front work required. I consider this to be a defect in design.

- Chicopee, MA, USA

The front upper and lower ball joints are worn out and have to be replaced. The dealer will fix at owner's expense.

- Malden, MA, USA

Consumer stated that vehicle was taken in for a routine inspection, and mechanic noticed that front wheels were about to fall off due to ball joints being worn out.

- Dunbarton, NH, USA

I have a 1999 Dodge Durango with 54,000 miles that is already needing new front ball joints. The vehicle has started shaking at various speeds. This problem was diagnosed by a garage mechanic who is not connected to Dodge. After checking with the local Dodge service manager, who checked the ball joints, I was told the ball joints were within specification and that a new idler arm was needed. I have since replace all 4 tires and shocks but the problem still persists. I'm concerned that I am driving a safety hazard.

- Ames, IA, USA

Upper and lower ball joints have gone bad on our 1999 Dodge Durango with 68000 miles on vehicle and have heard of 4 complete failures involving the wheels coming off. Upon learing this I have looked at other Durangos on the road and have noticed the same tire wear pattern as ours.

- Merced, CA, USA

There was a problem with the ball joints. The dealer was contacted, and stated there were no recalls. The manufacturer stated there was an investigation going on, and to wait.

- Festus, MO, USA

The vehicle made a loud noise when it was turned. It was discovered the lower ball joint needed to be replaced. Consumer stated vehicle did not have a warranty. All four ball joints were replaced.

- Cape May, NJ, USA

When I purchased the vehicle in June of 2002. The upper and lower ball joints had to be replaced. The vehicle had 49,000 miles on it. The cost was over $900. Less than a year later, at 62,000 miles the upper ball joint and tie rod ends and brakes and rotors need replaced.

- Blairsville, PA, USA

Consumer called complaining about the front ball joints. Also stated that consumer had to have them replaced because they were falling apart. Manufacturer was not contacted at the time of this call. Mechanic repaired the vehicle at a rate of 50/50% because of the warranty. Consumer was informed he should've brought the vehicle in at 36,000 so the repairs could've been fully covered.

- Monroe, WA, USA

The vehicle's upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to premature wear.

- Croswell, MI, USA

Consumer took vehicle to dealer for normal tire rotation and balance. Dealer advised they were unable to perform the service due to excessive wear of both lower and the left upper ball joints. The left outside mirror was cracked and was replaced.

- Reeds Spring, MO, USA

My 1999 Dodge Durango, upper and lower balls joints have worn prematurely.

- Grand Forks, ND, USA

Consumer states that lower ball joints are wearing prematurely. Dealer notified.

- Grand Forks, ND, USA

We had to replace both upper and lower front ball joints on a 1999 Dodge Durango with 43,270 miles on it. We were told that they needed to be replaced due to the saftey hazard that they posses being worn. We were told that if they weren't replaced, eventually, the tire could fall off while we were driving it. We spoke to two different Dodge dealer service writers and both acknowledged that this is a known problem with the Dodge vehicles.

- Edwardsville, PA, USA

Consumer stated that vehicle was taken in for a oil change and was pulling to the right. Dealer stated that upper and lower ball joints have 2 inches of play, which could have caused the pulling to the right. Upper and lower ball joints were replaced.

- Evansville, IN, USA

The dealer noticed that upper and lower ball joints were worn out at 55,000.. the dealer stated the ball joint wear was normal. Consumer disagreed being as though he owned two other Chrysler vehicle's with 127,000 and 155,000 miles on them and the ball joints had not worn out.

- Homer Glen, IL, USA

I own a 1999 Durango and was told that my upper and lower ball joints ( left & right ) along with the tie rod ends were worn out after I took it to the dealer because of tire wear and was told it would cost $1,400 to repair. This SUV only had 65,000 miles on it and was never taken off-road. I am now aware that this problem is not limited to a few owners. I have been telling every Durango owner I see about this safety issue ( many already have had the ball joints replaced ) and encourage them to complain to the NHTSA about this problem.

- Three Lakes , WI, USA

Ball joints have worn on my 1999 Dodge Durango. An $850 repair was necessary. At only 75K this kind of major repair should not be necessary. A gentleman at the tire dealer where I had my tires replaced indicated he sees problems with these Durangos all of the time. All of the problems he sees are related to worn ball joints.

- Suwanee, GA, USA

Upper and lower ball joint failure. Issue was identified at oil change with dealer at 52000. They said the upper and lower ball joints and upper control arms would need to be replaced, costing $1700! I asked why this was happening, and my service advisor indicated that this was a common occurence on Durangos. I asked why and he told me that it was a defect in the design. He also indicated that this would need tyo be done but it was not urgent because it wan't a safety issue.problem again identified by dealer at 56000 oil change. I had the upper and lower ball joints replaced by a private shop. I told them I wanted this front suspension work and they said they would look at it because they've never seen a front suspension fail at only 57K! they looked at it and determined the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced but hte control arms were ok and could be reused. This defect also cost me 2 tires as the suspensions failure caused my two front tires to 'cup'. date of incident is the date of the repair: 6/21/03.

- Millersville, MD, USA

Consumer took vehicle to dealer for tire alignment. Dealer advised consumer could not service due to excessive wear of ball joints.

- Kihei, HI, USA