Problems with 1999 Dodge Durango SUSPENSION

Consumer states that upper ball joint is wearing prematurely. dealer notified.*ak

Consumer states that upper ball joint is wearing prematurely. dealer notified.*ak

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. *ak

The dealer replaced the upper and lower ball joints. consumer stated,to fix the problem it cost $6,000. *ak 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. *ph *jb

While traveling on the highway and without prior warning both driver's side upper and lower ball joints separated. *ak *nm

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. *ak *scc *nlm

Non accident....referring to an article in the peru tribune, peru, indiana 7/22/2003 regarding dodge durango failure of the upper ball joints on the front suspension. we own a 1998 durango and in 1999 had the joints replaced and they are now again in need of replacement in 2003.*ak

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.*ak

Front suspension-ball joints have both been replaced

Upper ball joints are wearing prematurely. dealer notified. *ak

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!*ak

There is a loud squeaking noise in the front end when vehicle is driven over a bump or turn. vehicle was taken to the dealership, who indicated that the upper and lower ball joints were rusted and needed to be replaced. the parts were replaced, but the failure recurred.*ak the consumer stated that he had the same problem at 70518 miles. the consumer feels he should be reimbursed. *tc

Consumer took the vehicle into the dealer for a front end problem. the dealer stated the lower ball and the upper ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak the abs light illuminated and also the engine seemed to bog down, the dealer found excessive oil in the intake manifold. *jb *nlm

The consumer took the vehicle for an alignment, and the technician stated the lower and upper ball joints needed to be replaced. this would cost about 1,300.*ak while traveling 65 mph, the front left tire completely came apart. consumer had to purchase 2 sets of tires due to the front suspension wearing the tires. consumer would like to be reimbursed for the total of 4 tires purchased. *ph *jb

While traveling about 65mph on the highway and without prior warning upper ball joint broke on the passenger side. *ak

Front end suspension squeaks horribly. embarrassing to drive at times. i have been told by the dealer that i need to have both upper and lower control arms/ ball joints replaced on both sides. by viewing the complaints file i see this is common and don't see the sense in replacing them only to have them go bad again. dodge needs to do something about this problem with this suv and stop giving their consumers grief. why wait for fatalities!!

Lower ball joints on 1999 dodge durango suv replaced by dealer under warranty at about 26000 miles. ball joints need to be replaced again at 54,000 miles. i believe the new and replacement equipment is defective as the vehicle is used under normal everyday usage.*ak

I see there is an investigation for a possible recall on dodge durango's 1998-2003 for a failure of an upper ball joint on the front suspension.*ak out of the blue on my last inspection, i had an upper ball joint replaced with no mention to what was wrong, and i had to pay for the parts and labor.

Front suspension/ball bearings completely gone. oil pressure gage drops to 0 even after having the oil changed. transmission problems. abs and brake light stays on.

Premature wear out of dodge durango front suspension components including both front lower ball joints, left front inner tie rod, and right front upper ball joint. *la

While driving at any speed and when turning corners consumer heard a clicking sound coming from the front wheels.*ak

Upper ball joint on right side, very loose didn't pass state inspection... i had just heard of a new media report no more than a week ago regarding a problem of ball joints snaping. i can't get any imformation from recall center or dealerships... thank you

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. *ak the left outside mirror was cracked and was replaced. *scc *jb

Consumer stated that while driving and without warning the ball joints are wearing. dealer notified. *ak

The vehicle was taken for inspection and the results showed that the upper ball and lower joints needed to be replaced. *jb.....*ak

While driving 5 mph vehicle hit a column. dealer stated the left front ball joint was worn out. *ak

There was a squawking noise in the front end when the vehicle was driven over a bump. the mechanic replaced the front wheel bearings because they were defective. *ak *sc *jb

Right upper ball joint was loose in my 1999 dodge durango. had to be replaced.*ak

Clunking noise in front end. took to dealer in los banos, ca. have extended warranty. dealer will change under warranty.*ak

I purchased my durango (used) in june of 2003 with 30,500 miles--in july i needed the lower ball joints replaced. in august the shocks had to be replaced and in october the upper ball joints needed to be replaced. i don't think i will a. buy another dodge or b. buy a used car. i am afraid to drive it especially after reading all the horrors of other owners... *la

Premature wearing of front balljoints at approximately 36,000 miles on my 1999 dodge durango. i had them replaced at 38,994 miles on 7-7-03 at fred beans dodge-subaru-suzuki in doylestown, pa at a cost of $706.19. i was also charged for a mandatory wheel alignment at a cost of $79.95. my wife (primary driver of the vehicle) says the steering still does not feel normal.

Upper and lower ball joints worn out. this truck has onlym 42,000 miles on it. it has never been off-road. the repair facility i took it to said they have repaired a lot of these problems on durangos. this is over a $700.00 repair. i think daimler chrysler should fix this problem.

The upper ball joints failed prematurely, while driving. the vehicle was taken vehicle to the dealership. *jb

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

While driving at low speeds consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front and vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic replaced both frontal upper and lower ball joints. however, the problem recurred, and mechanic determined that the upper ball joints needed to be replaced again. *ak

Had to replace the front upper ball joints

Ball joints must be replaced! i have found from the mechanic this is all to common. help!

While driving front end of vehicle shook, and the transmission stopped operating. dealer determined that the front upper and lower ball joints were worn. also, transmission pump stopped operating. without oil the transmission gears seized and burned up. *ak according to dodge, fluids were jet black. consumer had a rebuilt transmission and ball joints installed. mechanic stated failure wasn't on the consumer's part. consumer noted the transmission shouldn't fail at 55k miles. *ph

Pe 03-032, front suspension/upper ball joint failure: the vehicle is experiencing premature ball joint wear.*ak

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.*ak

1999 dodge durango. just replaced ball joints and inner tie rod ends due to excessive wear in only 65000 miles. a potentially dangerous situation for not only myself but my newborn and 3 year old in the car with me. apparently there is a tsb out on this but chrysler needs to concider a recall.*ak

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.*ak

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.*ak

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.*ak

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 . *ak

During a vehicle inspection, the mechanic determined the right front upper ball joint was not in compliance and the right front wheel was about to detach from the vehicle. the right front ball joints were replaced, however before the inspection the vehicle showed no signs of ball joint problems. *ak *jb

I was told recently from dodge dealer that i needed right and left upper control arms and had worn out ball joints that would costs roughly 1500.00 to fix.i heard on news today that there was an investigation or recall.im sure there or others with this same problem shelling out hard earned cash to have this fixed,because the mechanic i talked with said that this was a problem that they were having with that model;acted as if it was normal.i have never been off-road with this vehicle and have never had this problem with a car so new.i have been saving money to get this fixed, but noone from dodge told me that i was in danger if i continued to drive it like that,they did say it would wear my tires out and i would notice it more the longer i drive it like that.im glad someone is looking out for the consumers!!*ak

while driving my 1999 dodge durango, (2wd), i heard a oud "popping" noise comoing from the area of the front drivers side wheel well opening. upon further investigation, i found the front ball joint was worn to the point of imminent failure. the dealer replaced the complete upper ball joint assembly at a cost of approx. $500.00. this vehicle is almost exclusively on highways in and around metro atlanta and never off-road. the vehicle has stock wheels, tires and suspension components. in almost 30 years of driving and owning many different types of vehicles, this is the first time that i have had a failure of this type. i was fortunate to detect the problem before it resulted in a serious accident.*ak

Pe 03-032, front suspension/ upper ball joint: consumer had two pairs of worn ball joints replaced. *ak

At 70mph, on i-75 in michigan '99 durango transfer case blew apart causing vehicle to jump with smoke pouring out the back of the vehicle. was barely able to get vehicle under control and off to side of road. mechanic stated front driveshaft cracked thus maybe causing transfer case cv joint to go blowing apart transfer case. another vehicle experienced a flat tire at high speed due to running over pieces of transfer case. have spent over $4000 dollars in repairs to durango in 3 years including (front driveshaft, transfer case, water pump, pcm, upper & lower ball joints, upper control arms, sway bar bushings, front rotors, brakes, etc. only 78,000 on the vehcile when transfer case blew up. can i file a claim for lemon law regarding ball joints. uppers need replaced again.*ak