Problems with 1999 Dodge Durango SUSPENSION

Upper ball joint failure. driver's side extremely bad, passenger side needs changed.*ak

While driving driver heard noises coming from the front of the vehicle. consumer took the vehicle to the dealership, and mechanic determined that the right upper ball joint failed.*ak

(1) noise in front of vehicle, especially when making turns. noise gradually increased with abnormal movement apparent while turning. 2) vehicle taken to dealership for evaulation - dealership found defective ball joint. (3) ball joint was replaced. the nature of this issue could have resulted in complete failure of the ball joint causing an accident. i feel that the 1999 model should have been included in the recent recall. *ak

A service call found that the ball joints on our 1999 dodge durango were worn and should be replaced. we had our vechicle checked because of reports done by cbs news where there had been a number of incidents where worn ball joints on newer model durangos had caused wheels to fly off while on the road. the news report on cbs indicated an nhtsa had been receiving complaints and had been investigating this defect. *ak

While driving 55 mph, the rear driver side wheel sheared off. the driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over to the shoulder. driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer for an inspection. the mechanic replaced the upper ball joints. *ak *jb

While turning consumer heard a loud noise coming from the rear passenger/driver wheel. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak

My 1999 dodge durango has been diagnosed with failed ball joints and tie rods. after investigating, i have found that this is a pervasive issue with these vehicles and should be rectified with a recall. this is a dangerous situation and has, from the descriptions i have read, come close to causing serious harm. *jb

Upper and lower ball joints failed. *ak the consumer was also the tie rods were bad. *jb

1999 dodge durango. i saw the report on cbs regarding ball joint problems. i had my car inspected by an independent mechanic, he said they needed to be replaced. this was then verified by our local chrysler dealer. i had them replaced today. $875

While driving consumer heard a loud noise, it sounded like it was coming through the font end, vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, and mechanic determined that lower and upper ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak

Consumer heard a loud noise when going over bumps in the road, and also a squeaking sound. consumer took the vehicle to dealer for inspection ,and it was determined that upper ball joints needed to be replaced.*ak the dealer replaced the upper ball joints, lower control arms, inner tie rods and sway bar bushings. the consumer believes her vehicle should be included in the ball joint recall which effects the 2000+ model year durangoes. *nm

While driving, the consumer heard a cracking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the mechanic determined that the upper and lower ball joints were defective. dealer recommended not driving the vehicle. *ak *jb

Upper and lower ball joints failed at 62,000 miles, and had to be replaced. *ak

Independent repair shop replaced the ball joints at consumer's expense. *ak

While driving there was severe vibration in the front end of the vehicle. independent repair shop determined that ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak

Independent repair shop replaced the lower and upper ball joints at consumer's expense. *ak the mechanic stated that the ball joints were seriously worn. *nm

When consumer took vehicle to dealer for regular maintenance she was told that ball joints were bad. she had not had any problem yet, but did not want to have any. when consumer purchased the vehicle in may 2003 she was shown where new ball joints were recently put on. but currently now she did not know whether she was told the truth or not. she s did not know how they could have gone badly so soon. *ak

The front suspension ball joints and tie rods on my dodge durango 1999 are worn out prematurely. occasionally when the steering wheel is turned, the front suspension makes a popping noise.*ak

Contacted daimler/chrysler corp. after hearing on cbs news about the potential problem with ball joints and the dodge durango--they told me to replace them and to move on--that they were not recalled at the time. we had the problem identified when the vehicle had around 65,000 miles on it and monitored the situation closely until we were informed the joints could break at any time. i am concerned and upset that the 1999 models are not included in your recommended recall. we had to replace the upper and lower ball joints in march 2004 and was informed that the 1999 suspension is no different from that of the 2000-2003 models. would like to have nhtsa include all models of the dodge durango in their recommended recall. it is a very dangerous situation and one the manufacturer should bear the burden of repairing at their expense or reimbursing owners who already had to make the repair.*ak

Front suspension making popping sounds when turning...related to ongoing nhtsa investigation....would like recall to replace worn parts...this is not normal wear....manufacturer should repair at no charge to owner.

Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership to be inspected, and mechanic determined that upper ball joints and tie rods were wearing out prematurely. *ak

I own a 1999 dodge durango with approximately 64,000 miles. immediately upon purchasing the vehichle i have experienced a large poping and dragging sound when turning or performing a u-turn. recently i attempted to make a u-turn and my car nearly lost control and felt as if it would tip over. i took the vehicle in to cerritos dodge and i was advised that the vehichles upper and lower, right and left ball joints were completely shot. all were replaced. i continue to experience the popping and dragging sounds. upon purchasing the vehichle, i have had to change the (all four) tires 3 times, obtain 3 wheel alignments, change the battery (went completely dead at approximately 25,000 miles) repair the brake light switch (brake lights wouldn't turn off), and repair door/hatch locks (unable to lock and make loud buzzing and clicking sound). *ak

While making a right turn a loud noise was heard coming from the passenger side wheel. consumer was able to drive the vehicle home, and will take the vehicle to repair shop for inspection in the near future. *ak

While driving at any given speed and turning to the left or right consumer heard noise coming from the front end. independent shop replaced the upper ball joints at consumer's expense. *ak

While driving at any speed and applying the brakes vehicle pulled to the right side. independent shop replaced the lower ball joints at consumer's expense.*ak

While driving at any speed, consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front end. independent shop replaced the lower and upper ball join, at owner expenses of $1300. dealership notified.

While driving consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front end. independent repair shop replaced the lower ball joints. dealership notified. *ak

Technician noticed that while replacing the front tires all four ball joints wore out prematurely, and needed to be replaced. *ak

We have been told by our local dealership that the ball joints are worn, and are excessively wearing our brand new set of tires. we are very upset that dodge is not doing anything about this obvious problem. we have never had a vehicle with so many issues before, the intake gasket, the abs sensor, the seal on rear axle, a seat belt that wouldn't work, and now this. very unhappy with the vehicle as a whole.*ak

Consumer took vehicle to dealer for an oil change, and mechanic determined that both upper ball joints needed replacing due to worn out parts. *ak

Independent shop indicated to the consumer the need to be replaced the lower and upper ball joint. please provide further information.

Consumer took vehicle to the dealer for an oil change, and mechanic determined that upper ball joints needed replacing due to worn out parts. *ak

The consumer stated that the upper and lower ball joints wore out completely. *ak *sc *jb

1999 dodge durango: vehicle had ball joints replaced at approximately 60k miles per dealers diagnosis. at 90000 miles dealer again states excessive ball joint wear and recommends replacement.*ak

The upper and lower ball joints wore out completely. *ak

I have a 1999 dodge durango that's having upper balljoint problems. you had a news report of this problem accuring with durango and dakotas. i recently found out this was going on with my vehicle.

When driving at low speed, backing up or turning the wheels, the vehicle produced a loud knocking noise. the dealer stated that there was no defect. *ak *sc

Today i am having my upper ball joints replaced on my 1999 dodge durango with 56000 miles. my mechanic found the problem during a routine oil change and said they were severely worn. that night i saw the report on cbs news. add this to the file on the durango. thankfully we caught this before there was an accident. *jb

I was informed by my mechanic that the ball joints on my truck are defective. after being told this i saw the news the other night regarding the dodge durangos, and the tiers falling off do to the ball joints. my mechanic also told me that they needed to be taken care of. with a big price tag i was wondering what can be done about this. (there was no incident yet?)

Vehicle began making an odd noise while turning corners. took vehicle in to have the noise inspected. was informed that the upper ball joints (both) needed to be replaced and badly. in fact the technician who inspected the vehicle said and i quote,"i would not put my children back in this vehicle until this is fixed." the following day i saw a report on the news about the exact same problem with these dodge durango's. my problem with daimler chrysler is that there were only 123 complaints about another dodge vehicle that was a hazard to drivers and they recalled them but there have been over 400 complaints about this potentially dangerous problem and they are refusing to help. i spent quite a bit less than average having mine replaced, in fact my total cost was $515.50 and from what i have read the average is around $1700.00. i also know that daimler chrysler is bragging that they made $3.5 billion in sales last year. they can afford to fix this problem for the drivers of these vehicles before someone gets seriously hurt or killed. *nm

Noise coming from front suspension,tires wearing incorrectly. during a realignment it was disovered that the top ball joints and inner tie rods were very badly worn at 36,000 miles. replaced the top balls joints,inner tie rods,alignment and tires. $1200 repair charges for a fairly new vehicle. alls joints do not were out that quickly. design issue or bad parts,i'd like to know which.*ak

1)front brakes locked up,causing brake pad to break damaging rotors. 2)noise in front end,lift up front to check it out only to find wheel ready to fall off.wheel bearings shot. 3)took vehicle to dealer to get wheel bearing fixed,was told along with the wheel bearings that the rotors and brake pads are shot again. 4)to top it all off the dealer told me i need all upper and lower ball joints and the front end alignment if i want to keep the front end on the vehicle. *ak

Faulty upper and lower balljoints and poor quality brake caliper mounting pins. *ak

Pe 03-032, front suspension. upper ball joint failure: while driving at any speed and when turning corners a clicking sound was heard from the front end. also, when driving straight there was a groaning sound coming from the front. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the upper and lower ball joints were worn out. *ak *sc *jb

Upper and lower ball joints failed at 75,000 miles. *ak

Front end squeaks and produces a loud knocking noise. dealer states there is no defect.*ak

While turning consumer heard a loud grinding noise coming from the front end. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak

I understand from manufacturer you are investigating ball joints in 1999 dodge durangos. i just replaced 2 ball joints @ 61,600 miles ! never, ever, in 38 yrs. ever replaced ball joints in any of my vehicles. i think damilerchrysler needs to recall so we can be reimbursed.*ak

While turning at 15 mph consumer heard a loud squeaking noise coming from the front frame. *ak the following parts were replaced on the vehicle: upper/lower ball joints, tie rods, and bushings. *mr

Took my 1999 durango in for inspection. it failed because it needed new ball joints and tie rods. i went to dodge dealer (zeiser, in st. peters, mo) , they concurred. i have an extended warranty (i bought the car used 2 years ago). they sent a rep. out & said it was normal wear & tear. repairs will cost me over 1 grand. then i saw the news special on tv! i see i am, by far, not the only one with this dangerous problem.