10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 42,136 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
Ball joints needed replacing after 45,000 miles.
- Newton, MA, USA
The vehicle drifts from side to side. I took it into the shop and they told me the ball joints on the front suspension had to be replaced. The garage mechanic told me he has seen alot of this. He put the vehicle up on the rack and showed me how easily the suspension could be moved back and forth. The vehicle is only 4 years old, and has only been driven on road, not off road. I am concerned about the safety of this vehicle and the $900 I was quoted to fix it.
- Holmen, WI, USA
I read about this in the newspaper, called Dodge, and found out teh ntsb was looking into the problem.I purchased a 1999 Dodge Durango in February of 2000, and it had 45,109 miles on it. Before I took possession they had to replace the ball joints (not sure if it was upper/lower or both). Then in December of 2001 I was told they were bad, and it wasn't under warranty. They (forest lake Dodge) replaced upper & lower ball joints on both sides, both tie rod ends, and aligned it. The total cost to me was $1,772.63. I now have a problem with the stabilizer bar which has come apart on the drivers side; this fitting is like a ball joint. Also, I think the front end is gettig bad again.
- Blaine, MN, USA
While traveling on the highway and without prior warning both driver's side upper and lower ball joints separated.
- Joliet, IL, USA
The dealer replaced the upper and lower ball joints. Consumer stated, to fix the problem it cost $6,000. When the ball joints cracked the brake system went out only at the time of loss. No warning except for noise at front end which was reported to the dealer. The tires wore unevenly due to the ball joint problem.
- Lemont, IL, USA
We own a 1999 Dodge Durango with 81,000. We bought the vehicle brand new in October 1998. About 2-3 months ago, our mechanic said, that the ball joints were going bad (prematurely), but that we may be able to wait a few months before fixing them. Just recently we found out that there is an investigation on 1998-2000 Durango upper ball joint failure. The reports say there were 4 accidents and 81 complaints, we are writing to add to the complaint number. Please notify us if there is a recall. Thanks.
- Chalmette, LA, USA
In September 2002 my 1999 Dodge Durango failed inspection, requiring replacement of right and left and lower ball joints, and right and left upper control arms, at a significant out-of-pocket expense to me. ($1013.60 parts and labor) this vehicle has never been off-road and is regularly well maintained. I am aware of the other complaints filed with the Agency as reported in the philadelphia inquirer newspaper. I did not find any recall notices on this site related to this problem. My personal opinion is that if this is a widespread problem, there should a recall issued to allow for cost- free repairs to vehicle owners. Thank you.
- West Chester, PA, USA
I recently purchased a used 1999 Dodge Durango slt 4WD with 49000. When the ABS light came on in the vehicle I had it checked and determined it was a speed sensor in the transmission. The dealer replaced this. The dealer also advised the front brakes needed immediate replacement. I took the vehicle to a local meineke shop to have the brakes replaced and the manager advised me the brakes had 70% of the pad left but the driver's side front lower ball joint was bad and needed immediate replacement. He recommended the vehicle not be driven for safety concerns. I had meineke replace the ball joint. I wrote the GM of the dealership and advised him of what had occured to try and determine why I was told my brakes were bad and the ball joint problem was not mentioned. I saw a greater danger in the front wheel falling off than the brakes not stopping the vehicle as effectively. I have yet to receive a reply regarding this issue.
- Greer, SC, USA
The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer to rotate the tires. Upon removal of the tires the technician indicated that both lower and upper ball joints needed to be replaced.
- Okmulgee, OK, USA
1999 Durango 4X4upper ball joint replacement at ~25K, 50K, and 7500 miles.lower ball joint replacement at ~5000 miles.
- Grafton, WI, USA
Concerns over the ball joint excessive wear and failure. I would like the manufacturer to provide a safety inspection to validate the safety of the vehicle due to all of the recent failures. I hope that this does not turn out to be a Firestone tire Ford Explorer fiasco!
- Kansas City, MO, USA
Consumer called complaining about having problems with lower and upper joint bolts. They have been replaced. Manufacturer was not contacted at the time of this call, but consumer was aware of the preliminary evaluation that NHTSA was doing.
- Frisco, TX, USA
I would like to file a complaint about a defect in the Dodge Durango ball joints. In usa today, dated: July 22, 2003, there was a article indicating that federal regulators are investigating the Dodge Durango SUV for a defect that could cause the front wheels to separate from the vehicle because the ball joints had worn out and the vehicle suspension to collapse. I have an 1999 Durango with roughly 30K miles. In May 03, I took my car in for 30K mile maintenance and because it was running rough. I ended up having to have the ball joint and suspension for the front wheel replaced because I was told that the ball joints had disintegrated and the suspension had subsequently been damaged. I have only driven my Durango on the highway and I have never taken it off the road. Therefore, I thought this type of problem was very odd at only 30000 miles. After reading the article in usa today, it is clear to me the damage to my vehicle was due to this defect. This complaint is to further collobrate the 81 complaints already filed.
- Oak Hill, VA, USA
1999 Dodge Durango - regarding suspension and steering. At 42,000 miles had to have left and right lower ball joints replaced, left and right upper control arms replaced. Chrysler would not cover total cost. My out of pocket cost was $728.45. Also dealer replaced leaking transfer case (a defect) no cost to me.
- Dearborn Heights, MI, USA
Ball joints wearing out prematurely. Had to replace with aftermarket ball joints.
- Clifton, NJ, USA
The upper and lower ball joints on my 1999 Dodge Durango wore out prematurely.
- Romeo, MI, USA
I had to replace the upper/lower ball joints on my 1999 Durango. My vehicle at the time of the repair had 48,672 miles on it. The repair shop told me that this was a problem that may cause wheel separation as well as more suspension trouble, if not repaired.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
Premature upper and lower balljoint failure on my vehicle.
- Webster, TX, USA
The consumer stated the ball joints failed on 2 different occasions. The mechanic was contacted, and the ball joints were replaced. A year and a half later, the mechanic replaced the left and right ball joints. The first repair was under warranty and the second was an out of pocket expense to the consumer.
- Honaker, VA, USA
- Anacortes, WA, USA