Problems with 2000 Dodge Durango SUSPENSION

Consumer took vehicle to the dealer for replacement of tires, and mechanic noticed that all four tires were defective and worn out due to wheel alignment. also, both upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to corrosion. *ak

While driving 50 mph vehicle vibrated in the front. consumer took vehicle to the dealership. *ak

Ball joints on 2000 dodge durango worn out at 47,000 miles. *cb

The front end shakes real bad when the brake pedal is pressed and when the vehicle reaches high speeds. the ball joints were checked and replaced, it solved the problem, noticed the problem when i purchased the vehicle in march of last year and the dealer said that it normal for a dodge. the brake pedal was very sensitive and when it was pressed felt like the rotors where warped. *cb

Nhtsa recall campaign 04v596000 on the ball joint wear. consumer contacted the dealer, and was informed that the next available appointment is march 16, 2005. *ak

Upper ball joints failed on vechile.*ak

My 2000 dodge durango has had problems with the ball joints and had to be replaced. this was at a low milage...now it seems to be having the same problem again.*ak

While driving entire front end vibrated. the vibration was worse when speed increased. dealership indicated that upper/lower ball joints had disintegrated and needed replacement. *ak

Nhtsa recall 04v596000 concerning ball joint wear. consumer contacted the dealer for an appointment, and mechanic informed consumer that the next available appointment would be april 25, 2005. *ak

Nhtsa recall 04v596000 concerning upper ball joint wear. dealer refused to honor the recall because vehicle was not purchased at that particular dealer. *ak the consumer stated that the recall was not completed because the dealer did not have the parts. *tc

Driver heard noise coming from the front passenger side. dealer suggested that ball joints need to be replaced. *ak

Consumer took the vehicle into the dealership for inspection, and mechanic informed the consumer that the upper ball joints failed. *ak

The ball joints wore out prematurely. sometimes, the steering wheel jerked out of the driver's hand, and there was a clanking noise in the front end. also, power door locks worked intermittently.*ak *la

I have a 2000 dodge durango and i am having an annoying squeaking sound from the front end and thought it was my shocks, so i had new shocks installed and it didn't fix the problem. i heard on the news where alot of other people are having the same problem and that it has to do with the ball joints going bad. i do not feel that i should have to pay to have this repaired due to apparently there is a defect or there wouldn't be so many people having the same problem.

2000 dodge durango 35,000 miles. drivers front upper & lower ball joints had to be replaced. several mechanics looked at them and stated they were dangerous and would not inspect vehicle. dodge dealership brushed it off saying they were within guidelines. we paid to have them replaced ourselves. *la

My 2000 dodge durango was rejected during a va safety inspection due to the upper ball joint problem that is the subject nhtsa investigation (action pe03032). the vehicle has 38000 miles. i have been informed by my local dodge service department that chrysler is "assisting" in the repair cost by requiring a variable amount deductible to be paid by the consumer. the amount is determined on a case-by-case basis and myvehicle will be evaluated when it goes in for repair on 12/30/03. *ak

I have had my 2000 durango in to the dealership (when it was under warranty) for spongy, loose, pulsing braking, noise from the suspension, & a chirping/squeaking sound (alternator like) when it is cold outside. the suspension noise was corrected with new spacers in the leaf springs (which they admitted were a problem). i was told that the pulsing in the brake pedal was normal for the durango & not to worry about it. they did a balance & told me it took care of the problem. it didn't. they could not "duplicate" the chirping (after 2-3 visits) although it happens for me every day. now we are out of warranty after reading many of the complaints for the same problems here, i'm just waiting for something to happen. will my children be injured as a result? this vehicle has 32k miles which are 99% highway is in cherry condtion. i've decided to take it to a private mechanic (napa) & pay for his opinion on the rotors, ball joints, arms, brakes, water pump/alternator, etc. once i've paid for his opinion, how do we get dodge to pay for the repairs ...since they won't own up to any of the problems. is there going to be a recall on the rotor/brake problem or the ball joint/arm problem? my brakes usually last at least 60k miles & i have never had problems with suspension on any of my new cars. then, i'm getting rid of it.*ak

Consumer stated both front upper ball joints were making noise while driving at any speed". vehicle was taken to dealer on three occasions, but no parts were available. *ak

During safety inspection, mechanic reported upper ball joints were completely worn out and needed replacement. they were so bad that they could have failed and caused a serious accident. mileage was only 56,800 miles. poor design as there is no grease cert to grease them properly. please investigate!!!*ak

I have a 2000 dodge durango, 4wd. it has 52,818 miles. after hearing a serious of pop's and clunks from the front end of my durango i had the truck checked. the upper driver's side ball joint had failed. the passendger side ball joint showed wear but was in satisfactory conditon. i believe this ball joint failure happended far too soon. in 40 years of driving i've only replaced worn ball joints on one vehicle and it had over 100,000 miles. augusta dodge replaced the worn ball joint and could not assure me the replacement ball joint was any different than the factory installed one.*ak

Purchased truck on 1/17/03 - ball joints were replaced when purchased, had durango inspected on 12/23/03 lower ball joints failed inspection and needed to be replaced. that makes twice in 1 year. both cases were for the lower ball joints.*ak

Consumer states she took her vehicle to the dealer/mechanic for the regular maintenance, and was told that the ball joints are wearing out. she states she would not have known it, had it not been for the mechanic. she thinks this is dangerous. *nlm

I was notified by concern relatives that they had watch on tv that durangos were having a problem with the ball joint. i brought my vehicle in to the dealership for them to look at. the dealer said i had exactly 6 weeks or less before it would have failed. my durango is a 2000 with 69,000 miles. it carries children every day. we live in a rural area. although the road is paved, the road is dangerous. because of your notification you saved us from having an accident that probably we would have not surrived because of the terrain. please continue to notify people. i called up chrystler and filed a complaint. they truly do not feel that there is a problem let alone that most people who drive durangos carries children. i go in on monday, 2 hours away to get my vehicle fix at approximately $500.00. but what is cost when it comes to lives. please continue this recall. thank you.

Consumer took vehicle into the dealership for inspection, and mechanic informed consumer that the upper ball joints failed. *ak *mr

2000 dodge durango. upper right ball joint on upper control arm failed prematurely.*ak

-rattling noise started on the front of vehical. -upper ball joints where found by a machanic -new upper ball joints where replace on both left and right of vehical after 65,000 at a cost of over $450.00. *ak

Purchased my durango new in 2000. i drive less than 12,000 miles a year and currently i am at 31,000 miles and my warranty is up. i find out that the upper and lower ball joints and control arm need replacing because they are wearing prematurely. this was all under normal driving conditions, no off-road or erratic maneuvering. i feel these parts are defective and should be covered by daimler. the ball joints should not be replaced at 30,000 miles. i have never had to replace ball joints on any other vehicles i have owned in the past 19 years. *nlm

Consumer stated both lower ball joints and the sway bar needed to be replaced and the warranty expired. *ak the consumer had jenkins chrysler to check these items at 41000 - 61000 and the vehicle was still under warranty. *cb *jb

Left side wheel vibrated, and shook inside of the wheel well while traveling on the highway. consumer took vehicle to independent shop. mechanic replaced both upper ball joints at owner expense of $800.00.*ak

2000 dodge durango r and l upper ball joints (nhtsa action number ea03023). my local dodge dealer, karmart usa told me on december 1, i need new upper ball joints. i had taken my car in to have door locks fixed. i did not ask them to look at my ball joints. this is an expensive repair, they estimate $358.00 for the repair. you are investigating failure of upper ball joints. why don't you require dodge to recall and repair them? there is obviously a problem or they would not have looked at mine when i have not been having any symptoms. now, the dealership has notified me by mail that i need to have the loose r and l upper ball joints repaired. i am afraid to drive this car. are my front wheels going to fall off? do i have to have fatalities to get attention to this matter? my car is parked until i hear from you. *ak

Without warning the front suspension collapsed. this occurred while the driver was driving 25 mph, causing the consumer to loose control of the vehicle and hit an embankment. the owner had the vehicle towed to the dealer. please add any additional information. *ph ea03-023

I purchased a used 2000 dodge durango in may of 2003. i noticed that the front of my car felt funny. we took my car to the dealer where we had purchased the vehicle, kerry chrysler/jeep, they had to replace the upper ball joint on the front suspension. this cost around $1,500 +/-. i have called dodge two times to check on the investigation and the only answer that i receive is that the investigation is ongoing and they are not sure when it will be complete. this is very disappointing to me, because i have 4 children that i drive in this car, and what would have happened if i had been driving along and the tires came off? we really did not have the money laying around to use for this but we found it because we wanted to make sure that our children were safe. i am very frustrated with this because dodge has known about this, and so far has done nothing to correct it.*ak

i have ball joint problems on my 2000 dodge durango that has only a little over 40000 miles i have read in the media that this is a wide spread problem with the 2000 durango i hope you can help me and the others of this vechiles.

Front ball joints being replaced at 63000 miles. one side wore out the other side almost as bad. no accident, just had front end noise checked by mechanic. *la

i recently pruchased a 2000 dodge durango. i started hearing a creeking sound from behind the steering column when turning and going over bumps. i was informed by a mechanic of wear in the upper ball joint. i am concerned that this premautre wear may result in some failure and an unexpected collapse in the front end or worse yet wheel separating from the vehicle. i am following the current nhtsa investigation into this and would hope some resolution in the form of a recall would occur before personal injury or cost is incurred by me or others.*ak

I own a 2000 dodge durango 4 x 4 with approximately 52,000 miles. on november 20, 2003 i purchaced new tires. on november 21, 2003 i had an appointment to have the tires balanced and aligned, however this could not be done because of a faulty ball-joint on the left front side of the vehicle. this was quite alarming to myself as well as the tire dealership service manager, because my vehicle had only approximately 48,000 miles. a new ball joint was ordered and replaced several days later. now that i have been hearing news reports related to this issue, i feel it necessary to bring my experience to your attention. my concern at this point is...what must i do to prevent a similar catastrophic failure from occuring to my vehicle? *jb

Both upper ball joints are worn out. *la

While driving at any speed and when making turns consumer heard rapid clanking sounds coming from the front wheels. vehicle was taken to dealer, and examined by a certified mechanic, who determined that upper ball joints were worn out, and needed replacement. *ak *la

Front upper ball joint failure drivers side. front power door lock drivers side. *cb

During a routine vichicle inspection, it was brought to my attention by the machanic that there was excessive upper ball joint wear and that replace ment of the upper ball joints might be required. the 2000 dodge durango has approximately 45,000 miles which is too soon for upper ball joints to be wearing out.

Ball joints have worn out prematurely. *ak

An independent shop replaced the upper ball joint at 36,000 miles. *ak *scc *jb

2000 dodge durango...upper ball joint wore out at 38,000 miles. dealership originally requested $1100.00 to fix. called chrysler's customer care line and explained problem and that i feel i should not have to pay for this repair. they agreed to pay for the repair, less a $100 deductible. *la

While driving at 40 mph, the wheel bearing snapped and the passenger front wheel came off. as a result, the consumer lost control of the truck, but was able to pull around a corner and come to a complete stop, away from traffic. as a result this caused damage to other components. *jb when the part snapped, the vehicle hit another vehicle, then a vehicle from behind hit the consumer 's vehicle. *sc *jb

Consumer is requesting reimbursement for damages resulting from an accident in the 2000 dodge durango.*mr the vehicle front wheel bearing failed and resulted in an accident in which the consumer was injured. *nm

2000 dodge durango has bad ball joints with only 41000 miles on it. *la

Purchased 2000 durango w/70k miles in 5/01. compalined about front end several times, roughness. also transmission not shifting. after a few warranty repairs and several costly repairs, torque converter brakes wheel bearings brakes again, the vehicle was out of warranty and they immediately said i need control arms and upper and lower ball jouints. i cant afford to replace them at this point, i am waiting for them to go out while i am driving down the freeway. this car has had numerous probblems. door lock actuators, ac, heater,fuel pump, water pump, starter coils, the little stuff was always fixed under warranty after an argument , now i am reading about all these other complaints from people with the same problems...thought you would like to know about another party w/ the same problems, should i send you the receipts and there notes for stuff wearing out?is there yet a recall on these ball joints and bearings so maybe they will get fixed before i end up in a crash?*ak

Failure of a upper ball joint and fear of separation on a 2000 dodge durango with 55743 miles, also failureof lower ball joint and fear of separation. both resulting in possible personal injury. *ak

Was making a sharp turn consumer noticed that vehicle was not ridding smoothly. after being inspected by mechanic, consumer was told that the ball joints needed replacement. *ak *mr

Upper and lower ball joinst failed. *ak