On October 26th at approximately 3:40pm my wife, carrying our six children, was driving our 2000 Dodge Durango on Chicago's lake shore drive when the right front wheel popped off. Fortunately there wher no injuries related to this potentially fatal mechanical breakdown. Our Durango has less than 75,000 miles on it. It is our understanding that many Dodge Durangos have experienced this problem however, neither Dodge nor the NHTSA has done anything about it.

- Chicago, IL, USA

2000 Dodge Durango in which the ball joint had to be replaced at 53230 miles. They were so far gone that the mechanic doing the inspection stated the Durango could not be driven until the necessary repairs were made because it was to dangreous to drive. I feel luckly that this was caught by the mechanic during a oil change, for we were using it for a 1000 mile vacation the following week. The cost of repair $760.57 ball joints wer R&R

- Lake Geneva, WI, USA

My complaint is simply that I cannot understand why your Agency hasn't ordered a recall concerning defective ball joints on 2000 Dodge Durangos, and Durangos of other model years so affected. These defects are highly dangerous, and highly costly to owners. Your inaction is simply facilitating daimler Chrysler's cynical policy of ignoring the issue and hoping that it blows over. In the absence of a recall order, I fail to see how your Agency is protecting american taxpayers.

- Grand Island, NE, USA

I have a 2000 Dodge Durango and I have had problems with my balljoints. I've had my car in for numerous problems but none as scary as the near loosing control of my car everytime I go over a pothole or uneven pavement. Finally in March 2004 I had all four of the balljoints replaced because they were found to have "excessive radial free play, over.250 inch". after having them replaced in March there is still a problem. I brought the car back for the same problem but was told that everything was tight but that I needed new shocks. I've replaced the shocks and the problem still persists. I asked the dealer if I could have the old parts but they said since it was a warranty issue that I wouldn't be able to have them becasuse they would have to send them back to mopar. I also asked if the balljoints that were replaced were the same as the old ones, the same type, same manufacture and the dealer told me there was no way for him to know. Because if they were the old type then I would like the new type put one. I feel lucky that I purchased an extended warranty because I haven't had to pay for the replacement of the balljoints, but I did have to pay 500 dollars for replacing the shocks. I just hope I really needed them.

- Gilroy, CA, USA

While driving a loud noise was heard coming from the underneath the vehicle. The noise escalated louder and louder. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to corrosion.

- Concord, CA, USA

The ball joints on my 2000 Durango are showing premature wear. The mechanic says the vehicle will soon be unsafe to drive without fixing this. Dodge knows about this problem and the fact that it puts me and my family in danger by driving it, but they have not warned me of this problem, nor does their maintenance schedule indicate that these parts need inspection at any given interval.

- Vadnais Hts, MN, USA

Basic auto checkup desovered issue. When the vehicle was lifted in the air the front end fell apart. Both ball joints for the 2000 Durango I own had to be replaced which end up costing close to $500. I had heard 1 year ago about possible problem but didn't think anything of it until now which lead me to research it. It would seem this is a very common issue, and it could have possiblity been worse by it falling off while I was driving, which could have resulting is serious injury.

- Croton, OH, USA

My 2000 Dodge Durango 4.7 upper ball joint failed and has unusal rusted wear and tear for this vehicle. After an inspection I was alerted that this ball joint was unually worn and that it would need replacing. There was no indication that it had worn to the extent it had. I consider my self lucky but it seems that there is a definte issue here as not only that it was warn on my vehicle but the part is almost impossible to find as many other are experincing the same issue. Yet there has been no recall on this part I think some poeple are going to get hurt here and before they do please ask diamer Chrysler to look into this issue.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

Consumer complained about a ball joints were replaced. The vehicle shakes when driving speeds of 40 mph and higher.

- Galloway, OH, USA

While driving left front tire fell off after crossing a rail road track. The ball joints were defective. Dealer stated this was not under warranty.

- Evansville, IN, USA

My 2000 Dodge Durango with only 40000 miles on it, has to have 4 new ball joints and a completely new steering rack system installed, at a cost of over $2000. I have seen several reports on cbs and read several articles on the extremely high rate of incidence of this type of problem with the Durango, and was prompted to see my Dodge dealer mechanic as a precautionary measure. Sure enough, all three of the problems were found (by Dodge mechanics!) in my car.

- Saco, ME, USA

Consumer was informed by the dealer that both lower ball joints needed to be replaced while getting a front wheels alignment.

- Plainfield, NJ, USA

After driving over 100 miles on interstate I-79 I pulled into a parking lot and my right front tire broke off leaving the vehicle unable to move. Upper ball joint broke which in turn broke the axel which broke the tie rod. When the lower ball joint was removed it also fell apart. I was terified by what had happened. I was told by the service department making the repairs that a part in the tie rod was broken but no replacement part was made so the entire tie rod must be replaced. Also the tie rod needed was on back order so a used tie rod will have to be used. I have been told that the used tie rod should be okay with no defects. The cost to repair has gone well over $1,000. I can not stress to you how upset I have been since this happened. If I had lost that tire out on the interstate myself and others could have been killed.

- Cambridge Springs, PA, USA

While driving at any speed, consumer can hear a clicking sound coming from the front wheels. A mechanic examined the vehicle and found that the ball joints were worn on both sides. The consumer also found out that the clock spring is defective in the vehicle.

- Tamarac, FL, USA

Upper and lower ball joints failed inspection. My car has only 36,000 miles. There has never been any indication that there was a problem with my car(in oppositon to Chrysler's claim that owners will be able to tell).

- Levittown, PA, USA

While vehicle was going through state inspection technician noticed that one of the wheels was wobbly, and technician determined that the ball joints needed to be replaced.

- Windsor, ME, USA

While driving between 60 anf 70 mph, the left driver's side tire separated from the vehicle. The consumer previously heard a noise coming from the rear. The vehicle was towed to an independent shop and the mechanic determined the lower ball joint failed. The consumer felt a sudden pull to the left when he saw that the tire and wheel separated from the vehicle.

- Ellsworth, MI, USA

While having vehicle serviced technician determined that upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.

- Crawford, CO, USA

Purchased my slightly used Durango in June 2003. Immediately felt the steering was "loose". took it to the dealership on several occasions and they said there were no problems they could see. Had my car inspected 11 months later and it failed B/C the left ball joint was bad. Luckily, I had purchased the extended warranty or it would've been a hefty fee to replace. It's been 1 month since that replacement and still can't control the steering when going over bumps in the road or turning. I'm taking my Durango back to the dealership on Saturday for them to take another look to see if maybe there are more ball joints or something else wrong with the steering.

- North Wales, PA, USA

While driving at any speed consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front end. Independent mechanic informed consumer that front lower arm ball joint and upper arm ball joint wore out, and needed to be replaced.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA