Problems with 2000 Dodge Durango SUSPENSION

I watched the show on cbs about dodge durango's having a problem with the front ball joints in their vehicles and to date they have had 79 "incidents" relating to the front end/ball joints and chrysler has not put out a recall for the vehicle. i have been stationed in guantanamo bay, cuba for the last three years and i finally got a chance to take my 2000 durango in for some much needed work since arriving back in the states. i told them i had noise coming from the front end of my vehicle. we have heard this noise for about six months and then i saw the show in cbs about three weeks after arriving back in the states. low and behold, you can add our vehicle to the list of problems. we had to have all our front ball joints replaced along with other front end work. thank goodness i got the extended warranty, or i would have paid over $1,000 for something chrysler should be recalling. we really enjoy our durango, but we will think twice about buying another dodge when they don't care about the safety of there customers.*ak

The consumer heard a noise in the front of the truck. the consumer believed that the problem may have been the ball joints. after the consumer had been looking on the web to find a possible source of noise and researched the ball joints which he unexpectedly found to be sealed and unable to lubricate. the consumer spoke with a dealer about the noise. the consumer had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. *jb the vehicle experienced uneven tire wear. *sc *jb

While driving at any speed, the consumer heard a noise coming from the front end. an independent mechanic, informed the consumer, it could be a ball joint problem. please provide further information. *jb

Worn upper and lower ball joints in my dodge durango (2000) 4x4 with 49,600 miles on it. *ak

Upper ball joint excessive wear reported by asi certified mechanic needs to be replaced. check with dodge for safety recall, the ball joint should not be this worn down with low mileage.*ak

The vehicle's lower ball joints fail without warning. please provide any additional information. *nm the consumer had replaced the upper and lower ball joint 6 months prior to the second failure. the lower ball joints were so bad that the one on the driver's side was about to fall off. the consumer feels these need to be recalled. *nm

I have a 2000 dodge durango, and i am concerned about the ball bearings, and the engine, and need to know what to do about it. my car is squeeking when i turn, and the engine is smelling like it's burning all the time.*ak

Ball joints were worn on my 2000 dodge durango. when going over any bumps, the front end sounded like it was coming apart. i took it to my local dealership and they told me the ball joints were worn.*ak

I have a 2000 dodge durango and i have had problems with my balljoints. i've had my car in for numerous problems but none as scary as the near loosing control of my car everytime i go over a pothole or uneven pavement. finally in march 2004 i had all four of the balljoints replaced because they were found to have "excessive radial free play, over .250 inch". after having them replaced in march there is still a problem. i brought the car back for the same problem but was told that everything was tight but that i needed new shocks. i've replaced the shocks and the problem still persists. i asked the dealer if i could have the old parts but they said since it was a warranty issue that i wouldn't be able to have them becasuse they would have to send them back to mopar. i also asked if the balljoints that were replaced were the same as the old ones, the same type, same manufacture and the dealer told me there was no way for him to know. because if they were the old type then i would like the new type put one. i feel lucky that i purchased an extended warranty because i haven't had to pay for the replacement of the balljoints, but i did have to pay 500 dollars for replacing the shocks. i just hope i really needed them.

I had my 2000 dodge durango inspected for upper ball joint failure. the dealer found excess play in the upper ball joints and reccomended replacement at 68,000 miles. this problem needs a recall before injuries and deaths occor. dealer stated that the problem is more prone to vehicles driven in a salt environment, but there is none used where this vehicle has been driven.

While driving 25 mph vehicle vibrated from the front driver's side. also, consumer heard a knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. consumer took the vehicle to the dealership, and mechanic determined that the upper ball joints failed. *ak

We own a 2000 dodge durango and saw several newscasts about the failing ball joints. we took our vehicle to the dealership where we purchased the car and we also have a failing ball joint. luckily, we were not in an accident but we are being charged over $400 for this defect. our car only has 50k miles on it. we know this is a chronic problem with the durango and would like chrysler to issue a recall and want our complaint noted.. *ak

The upper and lower ball joints on the left side of my 2000 dodge durango were worn and had play. i had to have them replaced at my expense since there is not a recall on them at this time.*ak

Dealership refused to perform a front end alignment because the upper and lower ball joints were bad. *ak

I have a 2000 dodge durango that we purchased from a certified dodge dealer in november 2003. right after we bought it we noticed a popping sound in the front end and had them check it out on at least two occasions. i just took my vehicle in for service for a front-end alignment and they tell me that both front ball joints are bad and must be replaced, and the job will cost $500. there is no way ball joints should go bad so quickly and the dealer should have recognized the problem when they sold it. we've only had the vehicle 15 months. there is an investiagation on this by dodge and other agencies but there has yet to be a recall and this is a serious safety issue.

While consumer was traveling 60-65 mph wheel shook violently. consumer was close to the right side of the road, and when he came upon an exit he took it and pulled to the side. when he got out and looked at wheel it had turned toe-in. consumer immediately called dealer, and had the vehicle towed. vehicle was repaired at cost of $2100.00. there was no mention of a recall or investigation. dealer replaced the wheel bearings, tie rods, steering column, and the steering rack. all those parts had to be replaced because of ball joint failure, and the wheel coming almost off vehicle.*ak

2000 dodge durango 4x4 5.9l engine, upper ball joints are so bad my mechanic said the vehicle is not safe to drive.*ak

Upper balljoints are bad

When i heard on tv that the 2000 durango could have defective ball joints, i had my durango checked. the left ball joint had a chunk missing, and in the words of a repairman, the wheel could come off if i hit a hole or bump on a highway. the right ball joint was also damaged. i had both ball joints replaced at the dealership where i purchased the car. my car has 59,000 miles on it; it has been driven on highways, paved roads, and streets--never off road. i believe these ball joints were defective when installed and am concerned for my own and others safety, particularly since my car gave no warning signs such as noise of difficulty in steering to indicate something was wrong.*ak

Odd steering feel and intermitin noise was coming from the front end. after taking the vehicle to my local mechanic it was ound that the lower ball joints on the vehicle (2000 dodge durango) were completely worn out ready to separate. also the upper ball joints had worn to the point of replacement. vehicle was unsafe to drive without the necessary repairs made. *ak

Front end produces a loud popping noise. *ak

While driving and turning to the left or right consumer heard loud noise coming from the front end. vehicle was taken to the dealer, they indicated that it sounded like the ball joints. *ak

Front end produced a knocking noise. *ak

When driving at an unetermined speed consumer heard a knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. consumer took the vehicle to the dealership for inspection, and mechanic determined that right upper ball joints failed. *ak

I drive a 2000 dodge durango and have had many problems since i have owned it. brkaes, transmisson and upper ball joints, which they do not wish to fix and it is very serious problem. i have contacted my dealership and have had know luck on them fixing it. they told me there is no recall on the( ball joints ) but they know it has been a problem for sometime. you pay big dollars for a vehicle and expect safety but its all about the money not the consumers safety or not. nor is it about the cost we have to pay out for defects and not normal wear. i hope for myself and many others you look closely into this matter and force the manufacture to recall these defects. thank you from a very concerned consumer.*ak

Consumer will provide information on the ball joints.

While driving 60 mph a banging noise was heard coming from the rear. consumer took vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that both upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to corrosion. *ak

The vehicle was taken to the dealer to get new tires. the dealer could not align the front end due to metal fatigue of the upper ball joints. the upper ball joints were replaced. please provide the vin# along with any additional information. *nm

There was a loud squeaking noise when driving the vehicle. took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced the ball joints.*ak *la

While turning vehicle lost power steering. consumer was informed that the problem pertained to the front ball joints failure. *ak

While changing lanes at normal driving speed, vehicle lunged towards the shoulder of the road and nearly went out of control. upon examination of the front suspension, excessively worn upper balls joints were determined to be the cause of the problem. vehicle has only 46,000 miles on it. *jb

When making a right hand turn front end produces a knocking noise. *ak

While driving the vehicle's steering box broke without warning. as a result the vehicle lost control ending up in a ditch. no report of airbag deployment or injuries.*mr

Dealership informed consumer that front upper ball joints were worn out. consumer was not having any problems at this time. *ak

While driving consumer heard a loud clunking noise coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle. als, steering wheel would intermittently jerk away from the consumer without warning. *ak

As i was driving, the wheel of my 2000 dodge durango came off the car and caused the car to lose control and land in a ditch. my mechanic said it was the upper ball joint.*ak

Upper ball joints broke without warning. as a result, when turning the steering wheel jerked back and forth. *ak

While having the vehicle serviced the mechanic determined that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak *sc *jb

Without warning, the passenger side front wheel fell off of my 2000 dodge durango while making a right turn and traveling at approximately 5 mph. the vehicle has only 40,000 miles and the failure was caused by a separation of the upper ball joint. the failure caused damage to the lower ball joint, the tie rod, the front axle, the brake line, the wheel and the tire. the incident occurred while i was driving with my 4 year old daughter and 1 year old son in the car. we were 1/4 mile from taking a ramp to the right and entering a 65 mph expressway. i could have lost one or both of my children today due to chrysler's negligence.*ak *nm ea03-023

Driver heard a squeaking noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. upon inspection of vehicle mechanic determined that front upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak

Mechanic determined that upper ball joints wore out prematurely. also, wheel bearings and the inner/outer tie rods needed to be replaced. *ak

Wearing of ball joints in 2000 dodge durango. *jb

While parking consumer heard a loud noise coming through the steering wheel. vehicle was taken to the dealer, and mechanic determined upper ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak *la

I previously complained about steering problem with 2000 dodge durango. i paid nearly $2,000.00 in october 2003 to have problem fixed. it still pulled to the left. mechanic said that it was because the tires were worn out. i just bought new tires and the car pulls to the right real bad. i went back to the tire store they replaced the front left tire and i still have problem. i am concerned for my and my families safety. when i go over a bump or train track or groove in the road my car jumps to the left. *ak

Consumer took vehicle to the dealership for inspection, and mechanic determined that upper ball joints failed. *ak

Excessive inside front tire wear, and ball joint seperation. ball joint seperated while driving. nearly caused accident. no indication of pending failure. ea03-023

2000 dodge durango 4x4 upper right ball joint severely worn, had to replace.*ak

I have a family of five and bought a durango to safely transport them. i am starting to hear the front supension creeking and popping. being no stranger to automobiles i am sure it is the balljoints. i dont have to pay a mechanic to tell me that. dodge must recall this it is not safe and it will hurt their sales if they don't

Ball joint failure. it appears this is of epidemic proportion and potentially very dangerous for both the driver, passengers, and other vehichles. *ak

While driving a knocking noise was heard coming from the front end. vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that upper ball joints wore out prematurely. *ak