Problems with 1999 Dodge Durango SUSPENSION

While driving my car stalls out, i keep having problems with ball joints, my sway bar or chain has busted, seat belt for driver will not retract, rust and erosion has been so bad that i actually had to replace the whole front bumper assembly, and i have no heat.

Nut came off left front wheel bearing causing wheel to come off vehicle. when picking up pieces, i noticed that there is no cotter key to keep the nut from backing off. had this happened at higher speeds, the result would have been very serious.

The vehicle is hard to steer it also has a problem disengaging the 4 wheel drive the vehicle's tires in the front rub against the wheel wells causing uneven tread wear the vehicle is deemed unsafe also due to the vehicle's suspension bushings in the front in the tie rods in the front of the vehicle are loose causing a over compensation and under compensation for steering possibly resulting in fatality ultimately due to a bad lane change forcing the vehicle to collide with another vehicle ending up ultimately in fatality.

Once i was driving for 5-10 mins the car would shut down. also the front suspension makes noise. when im stopping in a red light my front driver side seat moves back and forward. *tr

Recently purchased this vehicle in great shape inside and out, runs great..the dealer did the state inspection on it and replaced both side upper and lower ball joints and the right front hub/wheel bearing.now 3 weeks later upper and lower ball join on one side need to be replaced again..this is ridiculous, i have researched and seen all the complaints pertaining to this problem and am dumb founded nothing has been done about it. i just bought it so don't have any information for prior owners. *tr

Front and rear wheel bearings. *kb

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge durango. the contact stated that during routine maintenance, he was informed by a private mechanic that all four ball joints seized and failed to move properly. the vehicle was also taken to the dealer where they confirmed the failure. the manufacturer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was unavailable.the failure and the current mileages were 138,000.

I bought my durango in march of 2011 from a dealership with no warranty. i have had so many problems with this truck since then it has been a money pit. my main concern was how bad the suspension is on this truck, around august i was driving and the passenger side tie rod completly broke, thankfully i wasn't going fast so i had control over the vehicle. so when i fixed the tie rod i did both because i didn't wan't the same thing happening again so while getting the tie rod fixed the lower passenger ball joint falls off so i wound up doing a pair of those also, so when i get the grease fittings greased, the mechanic tells me i need sway bar links really bad so i do those also. so all these problems, and i have to pay a monthly note for this piece of crap and the dealer is not willing to do anything to help me. now it's january 2012 and i go for a oil change and mechanic tells me my ball joints and tie rods are shot. i ask him how can that be they been replaced less than 6 months ago, he said my shocks are terrible. this has been beyond frustrating and i have children that ride in this truck. i was reading and i saw all the complaints about the ball joint problem in this truck, i can not afford to fix the same problem again. *tr

The pin that goes into the spindle on the 1999 dodge durango seems to have some huge problem, which can cause a major safety issue to its' drivers. i have read a number of owners' complaints on this same problem for this year of vehicle. we took ours luckily in to get a brake job before my brake fell off and could have caused me to wreck. the pin was easily pulled out and the threading was gone. no nearby junkyards have a spindle for my 4x4 1999 dodge durango, they have told me that as soon as they get them in, someone comes to get it. this sounds like it should be a recalled item. how does a pin fall out. we will have to get new spindles and to buy them from the dealership it is $600 each. all because a faulty pin. *tr

The front tires wore out very quickly, we replaced the tires and within a year they wore out again. alignment has not helped. we took it in and found out the ball joints are bad. $1000 repair. *tr

Control arms upper defective on dodge durango 4x4 makes loud popping sound loss of steering control, had to replace both upper control arms left and right and replace all ball joints due to what looks like shredding and shearing. *tr

I bought my 99 durango 3 months ago & the ball joints are popping & something in the rear is squeaking like an old mattress & the brakes already need replaced & the ac doesn't work. my concern is the number of complaints i have seen regarding accidents from the ball joints breaking & not being able to steer. if this has been an on going issue with vehicles that have low mileage there should be a recall & dodge pay for the repairs when peoples lives are in danger. do you really want another toyota issue? *tr

My '99 dodge durango is sitting on it's 3rd set of ball joints, and i am told it needs another. i've repeated been told "you're lucky your whole wheel didn't come off while you were driving". this is ridiculous! i am tired of fixing the same problem over and over! i have seen hundreds of complaints at various sites from other consumers complaining of the same problem! why is nothing being done? how many people/families/children will have to die before this auto giant is forced to do the ethical and honorable action of properly repairing this problem? i don't care how much it costs them; they created the problem. almost all auto giants are receiving bail out money from the government...million...they need to use some of it for a good purpose. *tr

1999 dodge durango slt ( 5.9 ) replacing upper and lower ball joints for the 2nd time. 70,000 miles on vehicle. *tr

The durango which is a 1999 model recently broke 100,000 miles, after it hit that 100.00 mile mark i noticed that the steering had at least 1/2 in. of play. i took the durango in to a tire place to have my tires replaced and they told my that the tie rods were bad. that was around christmas. not too long ago i replaced the transfer case on the truck costing me almost $400.00!! the mechanic advised me that i was about a weeks worth of driving away from being put in a ditch because my tie rods were in such bad condition. i have to go to work so this problem is not acceptable. i came across a blog talking about a recall for the 2000-2003 model durangos that had the same problem. i want something done about my durango that i don't have to pay for because i cannot afford to fix a problem on my only vehicle that is not my problem. the vehicles were manufactured unsafe. *tr

1999 dodge durango slt / 4wd / 8 cyl 5.9l - vehicle mileage 53,712 as of 08/31/10; the following oem components / parts are defective / broken / worn prematurely causing other parts / components / systems to fail, brake & should be recalled, serviced, replaced by daimler chrysler, llc at their expense (no wonder they needed bailout $): 4) upper & lower ball joints undersized in mfg. causing early failure & possible accident; *tr

I have 99 dodge durango i have had it since 2004 then i have had to put over 3,000 into the front end. i have had the ball joints (upper and lower) replaced. my ball joints broke the first time and my car almost crashed into a tree. i was just doing 60 down a highway. i turned and got about 200 feet into a driveway and my tire just fell off and my whole car hit the ground. i know that this has been checked. everyone i know who has 99-2002 durango has this problem. if i would have been going 60 and this happened then... i would not be here typing this. it should be a recall, it makes this vehicle unsafe. i just had my ball joint replaced again, not to mention i had to buy brand new tires because the bad ball joint rubbed my brand new tires down. this is a manufactures mess up. there is no way this many people have had a problem with this and nothing has been done about it. *tr

Suspension:front hub. *tr

1999 dodge durango-so many problems with this vehicle. had to replace the computer due to overheating-common problem i hear. now the upper and lower ball joints are bad and need replaced or my tires could fall off? lots of information that this is an extremely common problem and very very dangerous. other years of derange have been recalled because of ball joints being bad. i have not had an accident yet and am hoping not to. can't afford all these repairs for things that seem to be a common issue with this vehicle. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge durango. while changing the brakes on the vehicle, the contact noticed that the upper ball joints were loose. the dealer stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 04v596000 (suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint). the vehicle has not yet been repaired. the failure and current mileages were 39,000. updated 01/14/09. *lj updated 01/21/09. *jb

After replacing hub assembly at les schwab brakes didn't work right when stepping down on brake it would make a sound as if they were not catching pulling car forward braking only depressed half way after a few seconds brake would let go all the down and then would return to normal i retorted to les schwab they checked brakes and found nothing wrong the said may be something was happening to suspension but it should be ok to drive it would continue off and on for a few weeks two days after thanksgiving returning from shopping sun was just going down when braking for a car i front my brakes gave out causing me to hit the car in front of me deploying air bags to both sides as we were pushing car out of road there was o skid marks at all. *tr

Had uneven wear after i had put new tires on with a four wheel alignment. both front wheels are wearing on the inside so i had it evaluated by a dealership which i was informed that i would need new ball joints and tie rods at a price of $2,200.00. after having this fixed i still have the same problems, so i took it back and they said that i would need new a arms for another $1,800.00. the vehicle is not even worth fixing. *tr

I own a 1999 dodge durango, and like many, almost scary amounts of other dodge customers, am having numerous issues with this vehicle which provide extreme safety hazards to the drivers and occupants. one of which is an upper ball joint issue, which was recalled on the 2000 model year, but not other years with the same design flaw. another of which is the automatic transmission not shifting properly, or at all rendering the vehicle 'in neutral' at times while in traffic. also, a problem, which is starting to occur involves the vehicle to shut down out of nowhere in traffic, leaving the driver to try to navigate this beast to the side of the road without power brakesw/steering etc. if you search the internet, you will find literally thousands of people with these problems, severely endangering every man, woman and child who occupy these trucks. dodge dealers constantly give owners a runaround and deny they have heard any other claims of these problems. these trucks are unsafe! chrysler needs to know that, and do something about it! *tr

Upper ball joints have too much play and need replacement. *tr

Well i like the vehicle but it is just not safe for anyone to drive.. i would not even want to be on the road with someone driving a durango let alone drive my own. i can not even tell you all the prob i have had with mine. *tr

Steering problems related to linkage affected by brake resivoir leakage onto linkage to the gear box. fluid ate rubber off of the "joints" that look to be like that of a "u-joint." the first time was a safety issue involving an "oversteer" situation and the underlying condition was not explained or repaired. the linkage was replaced. one year or so later the durango began to repeat the above situation on an interstate highway at speeds of over 65 miles per hour. again the linkage was replaced and the master cylinder {not including the resivoir} was replaced at my expense due to the age of my vehicle {or lack of warranty}. the problem still exsists because i have no job to pay for repairs or a different vehicle. i have replaced linkage x2 and master cylinder for this situation, also had axel hubs {sealed units} fail due to dry bearing, both sides front. oem replacement parts both failed due to dry bearings in less than 12 months. this also caused a dangerous condition at highway speeds. wobble and oversteering conditions. prior to these problems the rear sway bar links had disintegrated and were replaced. this vehicle has done no off road 4x4 action for as long as i have owned it. thank you !!

1999 dodge durango. i had the right front ball joint replaced in 2004 and now it is bad again (same one), which indicates that these wear improperly and there should be a recall. if i continue to dive my vehicle, i could get in a series accident or i have to come up with around 800.00 for a second time on the same part.. *tr

For my 1999 dodge durango the ball joints need to be replaced costing $800. i see that dodge recalled the 2000 - 2003 durango's for this issue, or at least the upper ball joints. i don't understand why 1998 and 1999 were not recalled as well. especially since this is a safety issue that could cause loss of vehicle control at high speeds. *tr

My 1999 dodge durango has been making strange creaking noises for some time. every time i have taken it in for service, i've been told everything is okay. just recently those creaking noises became worse. this time when i took the car in for service i found out it was a problem with the ball joint. it was recommended that i have it fixed as soon as possible. it cost $635 to fix. *tr

The ball joints failed on my 1999 dodge durango with the same clunking noise that the ball joints failed on the 2000 - 2003 dodge durango's. your nhtsa campaign number: 04v596000 clearly states this problem. since you didn't include the 1999 dodge durango's in the recall i replaced the ball joints myself. using the appropriate steps i replaced the bad squeaky, clunking ball joints with new moog ball joints. after about 3 months the front end of my durango sounded as if it were going to fall off. i took my car to mieneke in spring , texas to get it evaluated. the manager at this outlet informed me that the ball joints had wallowed out the holes on the upper control arm where the bolts go through ball joint and the upper control arm. he then charged me $1400.00 to replace the upper control arms on the right and left side and install new ball joints. my dodge durango began making noise again about 2 months later. the exact same problem. i called him back and let him know the problem was happening again. he said he would do some research and get back in touch with me. a day or two later he called me and informed me there was a service bulletin out that said you should not replace just the ball joint but you should replace the whole upper control arm that has a new ball joint riveted on to it. he said the metal on the control arm is to weak an malleable. how in the world can dodge get away with using such cheap metal and parts and why don't all of the parts houses and repair shops know about this problem? only dodge makes a replacement upper control arm with an attached ball joint for the 2 wheel drive durango. it cost approximately $400 for each side. *tr

I am a single parent with to kids, i am going to college full-time and working to make ends meet. i recently acquired a 1999 dodge durango that i now have to either sell, scrap, or something . due to the need to replace the ball joints and tie rods in the truck, also every time i step on the break my dash lights turn off!!!! why is it that the 1999 nwas not recalled along with the others? *tr

Ball joints, bushings, control arm, wheel bearings failed. front wheels had three-four inches of play. when they jacked up vehicle to change tires they said they did not know why tires had not already fallen off. i commute on highway every day and often have my children in the truck. it is only luck or providence that i have not had a front end failure at highway speed. this is potentially fatal and dodge should stand behind their faulty products and make it right. *tr

Upper and lower ball joints repaired twice, two sets of front tires because of uneven wear due to ball joints, in two years time. truck isn't driven any longer, first time ball joints went out lost control of the truck and hit a ditch, these trucks are dangerous and need to be taken off road period. currently looking for an attorney. *jb

I am here to complain about the ball joints on our 1999 dodge durango! i just found out on monday that we have to replace them again. this will be the second time. first time was in 2004 w/ 65k miles on the vehicle. now 3 years and 30k miles later i have to do it again!! first time cost me around 400 dollars and this time it will be around 325 b/c my friend works at the local shop! this can be very dangerous if the person driving it don't know anything about cars. i have see numerous pictures on the internet of wrecks caused by the failure of the upper and lower ball joints!! we have a 1 yr old and it scares us to know this happens all the time to the 98 and 99 durango's. the way you can tell these are going bad is when you hit a bump you notice a vibration in the front suspension area continue after you hit the bump. they recalled the ones from 2000-up but not these. there should be a class action lawsuit!!!!! its ridiculous that foreign vehicles are made better than american!! there is no reason for this. vehicles are expensive enough let alone changing the ball joints every 30k miles!!!!!! our next vehicles will be foreign!!! i hope my comment goes somewhere other than in and out of ears/eyes. i emailed dodge on monday and have yet to hear back!! probably won't!! thanks for your time and website!!!!!!!!! *jb

1999 dodge durango ball joint problem at 67,000 miles, my durango needs balls joints. it looks like they had a recall on 2000 and up but it looks like the problem existed in 1999 also. i would like to see this model year recalled also. *tr

Worn out upper balljoints at 80,000 miles on my 1999 dodge durango.*ak

According to dealer... "front end completely worn out." front end -ball joints, tie rods, and sway bushings all failed. while driving, i began to hear a grinding noise in the area of the front end while the brakes were not engaged. the sound got worse so, instead of risking an accident (as i had my children in the car), i had the vehicle towed to the dealer the same day (the day before memorial day weekend :{ ). *tr

1999 dodge durango with steering problems customer states that the car on many occasions has had problems with the steering box**cc the consumer stated on the date he purchased the vehicle he informed the dealer of the loose steering defect and was quoted a price of $2,167 to accomplish the repairs and was told that the vehicle would have all new components. the consumer stated the steering boxes were replaced a total of 3 times but to no avail. the consumer further stated the vehicle pulls to the left and drifts both ways but was informed by the dealer the alignment was fine. the consumer stated the foreman suspected the problem to be a flat spot on the front tire. the consumer stated the dealer test drove the vehicle and discovered the left and right upper arms needed to be replaced at the sum of $1,000. the consumer stated he does not believe the vehicle is safe. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge durango. the contact stated that the vehicle failed inspection because the tie rod and brakes needed to be replaced. the mechanic noticed that the ball joint was cracked. when driving downhill at 60 mph, a rattling noise was heard coming from the front end of the vehicle. the current and failure mileages were 58,000.

I had been experiencing vibration throughout vehicle while driving so i took to our mechanic. had to replace all four ball joints and u-joint and get an alignment. i now have a lot of play in the steering , and am constantly correcting it just to go straight. had looked at again and they could not find any problems. i found out that the ball joints had been recalled for years 2000-2003 ,but why not 1999?? *ak

Tl*- the contact owns a 1999 dodge durango with a current and failure odometer reading of 96000 miles. the contact's vehicle experienced the same problems as mentioned in recall 04v596000 concerning suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint. the contact called the local dealer, but they said that this vehicle was not covered because it was made at a different plant. *ak

1999 dodge durango upper ball joint failure. *jb

Tl* - the contact owns a 1999 dodge durango. the mechanic stated that they were unable to authorize an alignment on the vehicle until the upper and lower ball joints had been replaced. the contact had no warning that there was a recall on the upper and lower ball joints. according to the repair shop this failure occurs frequently with dodge durango's. the contact is aware of the safety risk involved while driving the vehicle. *jb the dealer also replaced the inner tie rod ends. the consumer provided the invoice for service performed on vehicle. updated 05/21/07*tr

Over the last three years of operating the vehicle (2005-2007): 1. fire in the front wheel assembly after 1.5 hours of 4-wheel drive - 1100$ replace 2. speed sensor failure ($500 work) 3. engine failure on the highway @80 mph - $7000 replace and other costs, lucky survived 4. joint balls replace (about 400$) 5. ac failure ($960 repair) 6. now parked - transmission/engine joint oil leak, estimated $1200 repair. *jb

This vehicle was in the shop due to warning light trouble when shop technician discovered that both the lower ball joints and the upper right ball joint have worn out. they recommended i search for recall information as they have dealt with this problem may times. *jb

Constant ball joint wear on my 1999 durango. ball joints don't normally wear this fast on other vehicles. won't pass inspection due to bad joints, repeatedly. *jb

Ball joints on 1999 durango slt plus 5.9l 4x4 going out again at 55,000 miles. noted by goodyear service man during routine oil change. replacing with moog aftermarket ball joints (ones that can be greased regularly). this is second set of ball joints for suv. first set of ball joints and tie rod was replaced at 22,000 miles under warranty by dealer. *nm

I have a 99 dodge durango 4x4 with a 5.9l engine and i continually have to replace the front tires due to excessive wear from the inside tread. i went to get a front alignment and the establishment told me that i would have to replace all the ball joints and steering rods to be able to do an alignment. these have to be defective since i know people with the same issues that i have. i have not repaired the problem since it is a expensive problem to fix. *nm

My wife drives a 1999 dodge durango with 80,000 miles. a few days ago my wife noticed a strange noise coming from the front end. i wanted to drive the vehicle to see what my wife was talking about. the next morning i drove the vehicle as i took my daughter to school. i dropped off my daughter then i continued driving to listen for any strange noises. i noticed a clanking noise coming from the front tire at the driver''s side. the noise seemed to increase as i went over small bumps on the road, and while turning. i decided to take the vehicle to the nearest auto shop immediately. i told the mechanic about the problem and he was interested in taking the vehicle for a test drive, to hear what i was talking about. as we drove on to the highway the noise was getting worse. we tried to pull off on the next intersection to return to the shop when the front tire assembly came completely off the vehicle. thank god we were driving at a low speed and no further accidents occurred, but it could have been bad. we had the vehicle towed back to the shop and it is being worked on. it appears that the wheel bearing lost lubrication and broke into pieces. *nm

Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds on the highway, there was a popping noise coming from both front wheel wells. the contact inspected the vehicle and determined the left front upper ball joint was excessively worn and dry from a lack of lubrication. there was a nhtsa recall, # 04v596000, regarding the upper ball joints. the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the vin. the manufacturer was not alerted.