Problems with 1999 Dodge Durango SUSPENSION

I own a 1999 dodge durango and have had to replace the ball joints for a second time. the first at 39,000 miles and again at 70,000 miles.*ak

While driving 50 mph, the vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. the consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it to a tire shop for inspection. the mechanic informed the consumer that the upper and lower ball joint were worn out and needed to be replaced. please provide further details. *jb

While driving at any speed vehicle made a popping noise, and steering became difficult. vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the entire front and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak the dealer reported the vehicle was unsafe to drive. the consumer was not able to get a loaner vehicle until the repairs were made. *tc

I just had all 4 ball joints in my 1999 dodge durango replaced. i only know 2 other people that own this vehichle and they have both had to replace the same parts long before you should need to.*ak

I had to have the ball joints replaced at 61000 miles. the repairer said that he had seen an inordininate number of durangos and dakotas with the same problem. *ak

While driving v approximately at 35 mph front tires were squeaking. had taken vehicle to dealership to have tires rotated. mechanic noticed, after placing vehicle on hoist, that the inside front tires were being gouged by the front ball joints. also, that the front ball joints were about to break. the ball joints had been repaired.*ak

Consumer stated that when he took vehicle to dealer for regular maintenance he was told by the mechanic that lower ball joints were loose. also, wheel could fall off. consumer called the manufacturer, and was given a hard time. consumer felt that manufacturer should have given the problem some consideration, and repair t vehicle before there was a crash, and someone would get hurt or killed. *ak

My wife and i own a 1999 dodge durango and have been told by a dodge dealership and a goodyear service center that the front upper and lower ball joints need replacing. the vehicle has approximately 64,000 miles. *ak the dealership offered $50.00 off the total price (approx. $800) when i told them i knew of reported problems and thought that replacement of these parts at 60,000 miles seemed premature. please advise. david swanson

No crash. i am writing to let you know that only because of an honest dodge mechanic that i happened to meet i was warned to have my ball joints and tie rods examined on my 1999 dodge durango. i had no notice that there was anything wrong with them. my durango had approximately 52k miles on it. nearly all highway miles, no offroading. i had to replace these at a cost of nearly $2,000. i investigated at the time and found out that i was lucky that my tire had not fallen off. i am submitting this to you because i was told that there is an existing investigation ongoing on this subject and i wanted you to be aware of another case. thank you!*ak

Upper and lower ball joint failure at 55,000 which resulted in tire failure went to dealership had complete service check dealership said there was no problem. always having vechicle serviced every 3000 miles. up to 75000 miles-no problem. at 76000 miles could not get front wheel aligment-due to ball joints wore out-but yet dealership always stating vehicle was in good condition nothing wrong ?????*ak

Consumer noticed that while driving, vehicle rode roughly. consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that both front upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak

Too much play in the steering wheel while driving 30 mph or more. vehicle was taken to a repair shop, and mechanic determined that both upper / lower ball joints needed to be replaced. the dealer was not notified.*ak

On my 1999 dodge durango the upper and lower ball joints failed at 61,600 miles. i noticed unusual wear patterns on my tires. i had my vehicle checked out at a local garage. they discovered the upper and lower ball joints were failing. they advised me that i needed to replaced the upper and lower ball joints because they were at risk of dangerous failure. i had to replace all my tires and pay for the upper and lower ball joints to be replaced. *ak *sc *jb

Upper and lower ball joints have failed on left side of veh, upper ball joint worn on right side. *jb

Vehicle was taken to the dealer for a routine inspection, and mechanic detrermined that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to worn out parts. *ak

The vehicle was inspected by two dealers. both dealers determined that the front upper and lower ball joints wore out and the front tires were about to detach from the vehicle. *ak *sc *jb

Problems with ball joints on 1999 dodge durango. *mr there have been a number of cases where the tire had fallen off of the vehicle as a result. the consumer requested his money back. *sc

The technician determined the need to replace the ball joints. an independent shop replaced on two occasion, both sides, the lower and upper ball joints at very low mileage. *ak the pitman arm was replaced, shocks were installed because they displayed a bouncy/mushy ride. *sc

The consumer had the vehicle inspected by a technician who determined that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak *sc *jb

I purchased a 1999 dodge durango new in september of 1998. while the vehicle was still under warranty, i complained that there was a rough grinding noise in the area of the right front of the vehicle. the vehicle now has 46795 miles. on february 9, 2005, the noise was very loud and we were scared to drive the vehicle. we took it to the chrysler dealership (carl greg chrysler-jeep in johnson city, tn) and we were told that the ball joints were going bad and needed to be replaced. i also was told that there was a recall on some of the durangos. the service manager told me that he could replace the joints but he would have to use the same model that was on the vehicle because the new redesigned joints had not been released from chrysler. i was to come back when the new joints came in. the noise became very bad and we were scared to drive the vehicle. i took it to the dodge dealer (carl gregory dodge of johnson city) (the chrysler-jeep dealership had closed) for service. i was told that the driver and passenger side upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced and that it was dangerous to drive the vehicle. i had the joints replaced and it cost me $760.40 out of my pocket to repair both sets of ball joints on a vehicle with 46795 miles and is driven by my wife when the weather is bad. the vehicle is in the garage the time it is not being driven by my wife. i am now told that there is no recall on my durango and there are no problems reported with ball joints on the 1999 durangos. i was advised by the service department not to drive the vehicle out of the garage because it was not safe to do so. i think that this is something that you should know. an inquiry now might save someone's life later on. *jb

I am having he same "bad ball joints" issue as other filers in my 1999 dodge durango. please make me #82.*ak

Vehicle was taken to the dealer for a routine inspection, and mechanic determined that both frontal upper ball joints were defective, and needed to be replaced. *ak

I had my durango at the dealer for a water pump replacement and after seeing a news story on the failure of ball joints on dodge durangos i asked them to check the ball joints for wear. i was called later in the day and told that the upper ball joints needed to be replaced because they had more wear than was allowed by the manufacturer ( i had them replaced at my cost). my durango only has 47k miles on it, this is way to early to have to have the ball joints replaced. i also had no indication while driving the vehicle that there was anything wrong with the ball joints, if i had not asked for them to be inspected and subsequently this could have caused serious injury to my family when they had failed. the ball joints should be on a recall. *ak

The consumer had to replace several tires due to worn upper and lower ball joints. *ak the consumer experienced the same recall problem as the 1998-1999 models. the right front and left windows were inoperative, there was noises coming from the serpentine belt, the vehicle had taken too long to crank after sitting for a while and the intake manifold leaked oil. *sc *jb

Upper ball joints wore out prematurely. dealer was notified. *ak this problem resulted in tire replacement. *sc *jb

Upper ball joint failure and replacement. factory ball joints were not fitted with grease zerks to lubricate them. as a result they wore out and had to be replaced to avoid the wheels falling off.*ak

The owner took the vehicle into the dealership for inspection; the mechanic informed the owner that the upper ball joints have failed. dealership replaced both upper and lower ball joints. *la

The vehicle would make a squealing noise while driving at any speed. the vehicle was taken to a repair shop. the mechanic informed the consumer that the upper ball joints needed to be replaced. the dealer was notified.

1999 dodge durango ball joints failed placing out of spec stress on wheel bearing. wheel bearing failed, causing vehicle to have sever control problems at 75 mph fully loaded. bearing failure destroyed antilock system making vehicle very difficult to stop. dealer replaced antilock parts and bearing but did not have balljoints due to high demand. balljoints not replaced due to cost - car not currently driven.*ak

Consumer complained about a ball joint problem. vehicle vibrated when moving at speeds of 50 mph or higher. consumer contacted the dealer, and was told that because the vehicle had over 90,000 miles they would not cover it. *ak

During a routine inspection the consumer was informed that the front ball joints were loose. the dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak the vehicle would also die while in motion. *sc

Broken ball joint - driver side (while driving from chicago to wisconsin, causing tire to explode, costing me $1,094.00) i had the vehicle towed to holiday dodge in fond du lac, wi. and dwayne in the service dept. told me that it would cost $2495.00 i asked him if the problem was covered under warranty since i had only 98,900 miles on the vehicle. he told me that it wasn't. he tried to charge me for things unrelated to the problem. that occurred on june 9,2004. today, july 6,2004, my husband took the vehicle to midas to have the tires rotated and they told him that theupper ball joints needed repair before alignment can be donel. i contacted dodge consumer complaint office and they said that the ball joint problem was under investigation. *jb

The vehicle would make a squealing noise while being driven at 35 mph. the vehicle was taken to a repair shop. the mechanic informed the consumer that both front upper ball joints needed to be replaced. the dealer was not notified. *jb.....*ak

While driving 55 mph vehicle shook uncontrollable. consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer. mechanic determined that both frontal upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to corrosion. *ak

When driving at undetermined speed steering wheel shook. consumer took the vehicle to the mechanic for inspection, and mechanic determined that right upper ball joint failed. *ak

Upper ball joints were replaced because of extensive wear at 29,000 miles. following replacement they wore out again, and needed to be replaced again. *ak

The lower ball joints have cracked without warning. as a result while driving the vehicle vibrates violently. the cause has yet to be determined. please provide additional information. *nm

While driving 20 mph consumer heard a loud squeaking noise coming from the front. vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that both frontal upper ball joints needed to be replaced due to worn out parts. *ak....replaced all upper ball joints at $446.55. *ak

Excessive tire wear,failed safety inspection. ball joint failure (all) required replacement. contacted dealer, they would not replace even though failure was premature. replaced all ball joints at my expense...$1,289. *ak

The consumer complained about a ball joint problem. the consumer heard a noise from the front end while driving at any speed. *ak the vehicle was taken in several times during the warranty period and the dealer was unable to find the cause of the noise in the front end. *sc *jb

I want to add my complaint against dodge for the ongoing investigation into the possible recall of the 1999 dodge durango for failure of front-end tie rods and ball joints. my understanding is that the nhtsa has an ongoing investigation into the failure of these parts on this model year durango. just last week at 55k original owner miles i had to replace the ball joints and tie rods. *ak

While driving, a loud noise was heard from the front. consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that both front upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to corrosion. *ak while rotating his tire the consumer checked the ball joints and noticed that the upper and lower ones were extremely loose. the consumer believes this was cause by lack of grease because there are no grease fittings. *nm

Drove vehicle at 30 mph, driver's side tire started "shuttering", after approximately 1/2 mile the ball joins went bad, causing the knuckle to rub on the tire, blowing out the tire and destroying all of the components. the lower ball joints were replaced in 2002. 2nd complaint: vehicle "turns off" when driving at approximately 30 mph. then forced to stop the vehicle and restart without any other problem. fuel filter and other controls have been checked and cleared. technitians believed it was the computer. 3rd complaint: rear brake problem. rear brakes have unexpectedly stopped and froze. technitian was unable to locate direct problem with braking system.*ak

Arriving home, pulled into the driveway and front passenger tire fell off. vehicle was towed, and the axle, wheel bearings, and front shocks were replaced.*ak

Premature wear on ball joints. dealer inspected at my request during routine 37,500 mile maintenance. i was told that the ball joints needed to be replaced, which involves replacing the entire upper control arms on the vehicle for a cost of over $800. not replacing them could cause wheel to come off. replacing major suspension components on a light use, low mile vehicle is outrageous. if they were ment to be replaced at 38,000 miles they would not be integral with the control arm. *la

Consumer complained about a steering problem. vehicle was taken to the dealership, who indicated that both ball joints and tie rods were defective and needed to be replaced.*ak

The are ball joints wearing prematurely. *ak

While driving 60 mph, the vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. the driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it to a body shop. the mechanic informed the driver that the upper and lower ball joints needed replacing due to worn parts. please provide further details. *nm

Steering became loose and front wheels began to make loud creaking noises. having been aware of the tendency for durango ball joints to fail, i took my car to the shop. ball joints on front required replacement as well as bearing on one side. *ak

1999 dodge durango 4wd. within the last twelve months i had to replace the ball joints, wheel bearings and everything else that goes with it on both the left and right front tires. with all the problems from the 1998 to 2003 models, i do not understand why the 98 and 99 models are not included also. vehicle has less than 80,000 miles.*ak