Problems with 2000 Dodge Durango SUSPENSION

On sept. 17, 2004, i took my 2000 dodge durango to the norm reeves dealership in temecula, california, for some warranty work and a 60,000 mile service. i was informed that i needed new brakes, and i authorized this service. i later got a call and was informed that the rear differential needed service. while this service was being performed, apparently the left front spindle came out when the caliper bolt was being removed. i was told that my wheels could have fallen off. these two repairs came to nearly $1,000.00. my question is: is any of this related to the ball joint moisture leak that was recently publicized by your organization? if so, how should i attempt to get reimbursement from the dealership and/or dodge? thank you for your assistance! i am a single parent, and feel i was taken advantage of because i have no automotive knowledge. *jb

The ball joints on my 2000 durango are showing premature wear. the mechanic says the vehicle will soon be unsafe to drive without fixing this. dodge knows about this problem and the fact that it puts me and my family in danger by driving it, but they have not warned me of this problem, nor does their maintenance schedule indicate that these parts need inspection at any given interval. *jb

I had notiice for some time that my vehicle , a 2000 durango had an unususal noise when turning to the right along with a "loose" feel when driving ,especially when on a curve or bumpy road. i took my vehicle to a local dealer to be checked out and their first response was that i needed to have my upper ball joints replaced. i had purchased extended warranty insurance for the vehicle so that paid for most of the replacement cost but that did not pay anything for the front end alignment required after the ball joints were replaced. it seems really unususul that ball joints which require no lubrication and can not be lubricated would deteriorate so rapidly in just 40000 miles of normal operation. at the time i also wondered why they immediately decided that the upper ball joints were defective but i see from the news now that daimler chrysler has had a good indication that they did have a problem and just hoped to keep me quiet. *ak

Beginning at approximately 25,000 miles a noise from the front suspension began. over time the noise continued to get worse. the source of the noise was the upper ball joints which failed with only appoximately 49,000 miles on a 2000 dodge durango. the dealer informed me that this is a common failure with durangos. both upper ball joints failed. this is a premature failure which could lead to an accident and possible loss of life. chrysler should recall and replace the defective components before someone is injured.*ak

Basic auto checkup desovered issue. when the vehicle was lifted in the air the front end fell apart. both ball joints for the 2000 durango i own had to be replaced which end up costing close to $500. i had heard 1 year ago about possible problem but didn't think anything of it until now which lead me to research it. it would seem this is a very common issue, and it could have possiblity been worse by it falling off while i was driving, which could have resulting is serious injury.*ak

My 2000 dodge durango 4.7 upper ball joint failed and has unusal rusted wear and tear for this vehicle. after an inspection i was alerted that this ball joint was unually worn and that it would need replacing. there was no indication that it had worn to the extent it had . i consider my self lucky but it seems that there is a definte issue here as not only that it was warn on my vehicle but the part is almost impossible to find as many other are experincing the same issue. yet there has been no recall on this part i think some poeple are going to get hurt here and before they do please ask diamer chrysler to look into this issue.*ak

1.) separation upper ball joint - noticed a loud noise from the front driver side...sounded like rubbing. goodyear rotated the tires which didn't help. they later diagnosed it as the ball joints failing. i remembered seeing the recall investigation on the news and took it immediatley for diagnosis. estimated repair is $700.00. i also have several other issues, such as 1.) creaking noise from rear driver side - sounds like springs 2.) noise from rear a/c when front air is off. 3.) i also had to replace the speed sensor.*ak

While driving at any speed, the vehicle vibrated and jerked uncontrollably. the consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it to the dealer for inspection. the cause has not been determined at this time. please provide further details. this information was provided by jacqueline jufton. *jb

While driving left front tire fell off after crossing a rail road track. the ball joints were defective. dealer stated this was not under warranty.*ak *tc

While driving at low speeds the steering column pulsated. dealer stated that the upper ball joints failed. *ak

My 2000 dodge durango with only 40000 miles on it, has to have 4 new ball joints and a completely new steering rack system installed, at a cost of over $2000. i have seen several reports on cbs and read several articles on the extremely high rate of incidence of this type of problem with the durango, and was prompted to see my dodge dealer mechanic as a precautionary measure. sure enough, all three of the problems were found (by dodge mechanics!) in my car.

Consumer complained about a ball joints were replaced.*ak the vehicle shakes when driving speeds of 40 mph and higher. *tc *jb

The upper ball joints failed. took vehicle to the dealer, but problem recurred. *ak

Right upper ball joint was loose and very worn. *ak

Right upper ball joint was worn and very loose. *ak

Consumer was informed by the dealer that both lower ball joints needed to be replaced while getting a front wheels alignment. *ak

2000 dodge durango in which the ball joint had to be replaced at 53230 miles. they were so far gone that the mechanic doing the inspection stated the durango could not be driven until the necessary repairs were made because it was to dangreous to drive. i feel luckly that this was caught by the mechanic during a oil change, for we were using it for a 1000 mile vacation the following week . the cost of repair $760.57 ball joints wer r&r

Ea 03 023 & pe 03 032/ ball joint failure: while driving 45-50 mph upper ball joint broke on the passenger's side. vehicle went out of control and rolled over twice into an embankment before stopping. driver and the passenger sustained minor injuries, and were transported to the local hospital by an ambulance. *ak

After driving over 100 miles on interstate i-79 i pulled into a parking lot and my right front tire broke off leaving the vehicle unable to move. upper ball joint broke which in turn broke the axel which broke the tie rod. when the lower ball joint was removed it also fell apart. i was terified by what had happened. i was told by the service department making the repairs that a part in the tie rod was broken but no replacement part was made so the entire tie rod must be replaced. also the tie rod needed was on back order so a used tie rod will have to be used. i have been told that the used tie rod should be okay with no defects. the cost to repair has gone well over $1,000.00. i can not stress to you how upset i have been since this happened. if i had lost that tire out on the interstate myself and others could have been killed. *la

Failed upper balljoints. *ak

Upper and lower ball joints failed inspection. my car has only 36,000 miles. there has never been any indication that there was a problem with my car(in oppositon to chrysler's claim that owners will be able to tell). *ak

Both front hubs are bad causing both tires to wobble and sway on turns. tires are now worn out completely on inside. *la

While vehicle was going through state inspection technician noticed that one of the wheels was wobbly, and technician determined that the ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak

Upper and lower suspension ball joints are out of specification and premature wearing. dealer informs me this is a frequent and recurring problem with durangos and can lead to serious front end loss of vehicle control. if the dealer says this is a recurring problem, how can this not be a recall item?*ak

While driving between 60 anf 70 mph, the left driver's side tire separated from the vehicle. the consumer previously heard a noise coming from the rear. the vehicle was towed to an independent shop and the mechanic determined the lower ball joint failed. *ak the consumer felt a sudden pull to the left when he saw that the tire and wheel separated from the vehicle. *sc *jb

While having vehicle serviced technician determined that upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak

While driving 10 mph, the consumer heard a loud popping noise coming from the front of the vehicle. consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and pulled over. the consumer, who was a mechanic, inspected the vehicle and noticed that the upper front ball joint needed to be replaced due to worn out parts. *ak after the removal of the right side upper ball joints, they appeared to have never been lubed at the assembly line. *sc *jb

Ball joint failure on passenger side. the upper control arms, along with the ball joints have been replaced 3 times in the first 24 months of operation.*ak

While pulling out of a parking lot the front suspension broke on the driver's side. this caused the front driver's side rim to break, the wheel to turn outwards, and tire went flat. this resulted in the vehicle hitting a pole. this may have been caused by ball joint failure. *ak

While driving at any speed consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front end. independent mechanic informed consumer that front lower arm ball joint and upper arm ball joint wore out, and needed to be replaced. *ak

2000 dodge durango ball joint failure. 49,000 miles on it and the ball joints need replacing. chrysler needs to recall these and fix them. *ak

While driving, the consumer heard noises coming from the front of the vehicle. the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and tr mechanic determined that both upper ball joints failed. *ak there was no warning. the upper ball joint separated under normal conditions. there was damage in the left front suspension, steering gear, control arm, and the axle shaft were all replaced. *sc *jb

At 38000 miles consumer replaced passenger and driver side upper and lower ball joints. at 84000 miles technician indicated needed to be replace all four ball joints. *nm

While driving 35 mph, the consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front of the vehicle. the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and the mechanic determined that the upper ball joints failed. *ak *sc *jb

Ball joint_x0019_s. upon routine maintenance and reports of failures on the dodge durango_x0019_s i recently check the front suspension on my personal vehicle to find three of the four ball joints with extensive wear. one to the point where separation is possible. being in the repair and maintenance industry for over 25 years i find dodge_x0019_s response to this matter not to be completely correct. dodge claims a front end noise should be heard and that separation will only occur with sharp hard turns is not always the case. they claim the design of the control arms make it almost impossible to separate would only hold true if spring pressure was applied on the upper control arm, which it has none. they claim that water washes the lubricant out of the joint. if the joint had been produced properly water should not be able to enter the joint, if the joint was able to be lubricated it would reduce this problem, as wear is from lack of lubricant more than water. i feel like the cost of repairs to these vehicles should not be the consumers, but the manufactures responsibility_x0019_s as it is apparent they have the problem and is holding the blind eye to it. once the joints are replaced they will be available. *ak

While driving a popping noise was heard coming from the front. consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined both frontal upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to corrosion. *ak

Purchased my slightly used durango in june 2003. immediately felt the steering was "loose". took it to the dealership on several occasions and they said there were no problems they could see. had my car inspected 11 months later and it failed b/c the left ball joint was bad. luckily, i had purchased the extended warranty or it would've been a hefty fee to replace. it's been 1 month since that replacement and still can't control the steering when going over bumps in the road or turning. i'm taking my durango back to the dealership on saturday for them to take another look to see if maybe there are more ball joints or something else wrong with the steering. *jb

Heard sqeaking in the front end for the past year. brought in vehicle to dealer today 5/12/04 for new tires and brakes. when cart was hoisted on lift fron right tire fell off due to ball joint seperation and failure. dealer staed front left was also bad

I have had to recently replace the whole front suspension on my 2000 dodge durango not limited to the ball joints. all ball joints, both upper and lower, plus the control arms, and front shocks had to be replaced. the total repair bill was $1200.00 to repair this problem, and due to this i will probably never buy a dodge product again. *ak

Shaking when driving at all speeds. took vehicle into dealership. upper and lower ball joints bad, loose tie rod ends,sway bar busings gone bad. paid to have dealership fix vehicle due to no recall issued. *la

Ball joints have failed and vehicle handles erratically. does not maintain a strait line while driving.*ak

While driving at 20 mph, the consumer stopped at a stop sign. the consumer made a left turn and the right front wheel separated from the axle. a mechanic determined that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak *sc *jb

Upon examining the tires to find cause of pull while driving noticed excessive wear on the inner tread of the right front tire. when looking under the vehicle, noticed the upper right ball joint nearly collapsed. took to dealer and they confirmed, needs replacing as it is prematurely worn. vehicle has just 50,000 miles and none of the miles are off road. they are highway and back/forth to work miles only. *ak

During a vehicle inspection, the inspector found that the upper and lower ball joints were worn out. the upper and lower ball joints were replaced. *ak *sc *jb

Had to replace the upper ball joint on my 2000 dodge durango. was informed that the wheels were about to seperate from the veicle, which put me, my husband and two children in sever danger. i have the parts of the defective product that was given back to me when the veicle was serviced. *ak

2000 dodge durango vin#yf159461 is in for brake repairs. the dealer manhattan dodge 711 eleventh ave ny ny 10019 212-765-6633 claims i need a new master cylinder. they claim that my ball joints on both sides front need to be replaced. i have heard about the investigation. as i am choosing to replace them for my personal safety, i will collect the old ones if the nhtsa would like them, please let me know. *la

Bad squeaking in suspension of my 2000 dodge durango and in the steering only when turning to the right a noise in the steering shaft. *jb

I was making a left hand turn across 2 lanes of traffic into a parking lot. there was a small dip at the entrance and then the area leveled off. i was going about 10mph and as my front end came out of the dip, the front right side of my vehicle collapsed. i was towed to the dealer. after the damage survey was complete, i was told the ball joint had failed. there was extensive damage to the wheel, axel, brakes and ball joint. the ball joints were previously inspected in jan 2004. i was told by the dealer that they were fine. *la

Took my 2000 dodge durango into shop to check front suspension due to cracking noise and grinding in wheels. was told that the ball joints were bad and would have to be replaced. the vehicle has 34,000 miles on it these ball joints should not need replacing at 34,000 miles. the mechanic stated there is a defect in dodge ball joints on the durangos and that it is not safe to drive as is. it is just a matter of time before someone is killed by these defective ball joints. *la

Advise chrysler again my ball joints are worn and will not pass a state safety inspection. the wheels could be vertically moved up and down. the mechanic shook the wheel and the ball joint came off. if i would have been driving this, i would have encountered a major fataility.*ak