Problems with 2002 Dodge Durango SUSPENSION

While stopped in traffic the consumer's vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle. the consumer's vehicle collided with the vehicle in front of it. upon impact, air bags did not deploy. consumer was wearing a seat belt but still suffered injuries to the right knee. a police officer arrived on the scene. also, nhtsa pe 03-032, front suspension upper ball joint failure: while vehicle was getting repaired mechanic found that upper ball joints were wearing out at an alarming rate. *ak

During inspection, mechanic noticed the passenger front tire wobbled. dealer stated the passenger front upper ball joint was worn out and had to be replaced. parts are on back order. *ph

Ball joints were found to be failing and the entire upper control arms had to be replaced at 44,700 miles. *ak

We operate a fleet of nine 2002 dodge durango suvs. these vehicles are used as paramedic emergency response vehicles. based on information we've seen in the national media, we've been paying close attention to the front suspension, specifically the ball joints. eight of the nine vehicles currently have less than 50,000 miles, but we have already replaced the ball joints and control arms on one of the nine (at just under 50,000 miles). the dealer reported that the original equipment was "close to failure."*ak

I have noticed strange sounds eminating from the front suspension of my dodge durango since october of 2003. initially i assumed these sounds were from cold shocks since it first occured with the onset of cold weather.*ak after seeing the story on cbs, i am now concerned about the ball joints. i would like to have the ball joints checked but i am afraid to have the dealership check them.

When backing out with steering wheel turned to the right vehicle made a clicking noise. dealer was contacted. *ak

At 27k miles my dodge durango needed both the upper and lower ball joints replaced for both the left and right side. *jb

I purchased a 2002 dodge durango in june 2002. my durango started squeaking and popping at about 17,000 miles. i have complained of squeaking and popping in the front-end. every time it was brought to the dealership for repair, they never found anything wrong and said they could not hear the squeaking noise, but as soon as i drove off the lot there it was as sure as it was when i brought it in. i would tell them that they needed to drive the vehicle in order to hear it squeak. my durango got to the point where the front-end felt like i had every little control of the vehicle. not to mention it felt very unsafe to drive. it would also squeak without even driving it. all you had to do was get out of the vehicle and it would squeak. on october 2, 2003 i had no choice but to bring my vehicle in again because it was beginning to feel to unsafe to drive. at that time they discovered that both the right and left upper control arm ball joints had excessive play and needed to be replaced. *jb

Vehicle had the yearly state inspection and didn't pass it. the technician stated that the upper ball joints needed to replaced. *ak *sc

2002 dodge durango: both upper ball joints replaced at 18,000 miles. dealer initially refused repair citing "no problem found". i had to prove the ball joints were defective by jacking the vehicle and demonstrating excessive play by moving the wheel that was off the ground. only then did the dealer admit the ball joints were defective and replaced them. you need to know there are more durango owners out here with defective ball joints. in my opinion, they should last 100,000 miles+, not 18,000.*ak

Consumer had problems with the lower ball joint. dealer stated we did not have any recall, and car was fine. *ak

Over a period of time, i noticed extensive noise in the front end of my 2002 durango. it got worse and was most prominent when striking potholes or changes in the surface elevation when driving or moving the vehicle. at 35,000 miles i took it in to the selling dealership for a check up. i was concerned about the ball joint situation, as it was quite a public affair. the front end noise became so loud that it sounded as if someone was striking the undercarriage with a sledge hammer.*ak it was determined that all four of the ball joints, upper and lower, had failed, were worn out. they were all replaced at no cost to me, as the repair was still under warranty. i just wanted to report this, as the upper ball joints are not the only problem with this suspension system. i trust that the newer ball joints, not trw, were placed on my vehicle. if this is a repair that must occur every 36k miles or so, this will get expensive. thank you.

Consumer stated that while driving and without warning ball joints are wearing. dealer notified. *ak

I purchased a 2002 dodge durango 2wd sport in aug. of 2001. in july of 2002, i noticed that the suspension on the left was making noise and didn't feel right. it was found that the a-frame and ball joint on the left were failing and had to be replaced. thankfully, i caught this problem before the suspension failed completely. i was very concerned that a vehicle so new would have this kind of issue. thankfully, i had warranty coverage to pay for the expensive repairs.*ak

Consumer states that when she drives truck it feels funny, it feels as though something is going to break in the steering wheel. the steering also feels funny. it did not feel like that when she first purchased the vehicle. she has taken truck to the dealership, and the mechanic kept telling her that that feeling was normal, but she knew differently, and did not think so.*ak

Consumer states that while driving the vehicle at any speed the vehicle would pull to the right.dealer notified.*ak

While driving front end shakes uncontrollably. dealer notified. *ak

Main support bracket on front frame of vehicle was only partly welded from factory. this held the support suspension on vehicle. before it broke i did report possible front end problem with the dealership. they said there was no problem. the vehicle broke down out of town on may 7 03. it is still broke. they said it need a brand new frame from factory. this vehicle only has 31000 miles on it. i have only put 2500 miles on vehicle since i had it. 2002 durango. i feel there are more vehicles out there like this.*ak

While driving at 15 mph, the front passenger side wheel snapped off without any warning. the dealer indicated that the lower ball joint separated from the axle. *ak the vehicle was forced into a parked vehicle. *sc *jb ea03-023

Loud popping noise in suspension of 2002 dodge durango; loosened steering. *ak

Failed ball joints: arm, upper control had to have the above parts replaced on 2002 dodge durango at 36956miles on the vehicle. heard a clunking noise when turned the wheel one direction, which prompted me to take it to the shop. when vehicle was purchased it had been a demo and had 28179miles.i'm sure they replaced the bad ball joints with the same model of balljoints therefore i'm affraid they are going to fail again. i have a 1 year old daughter and the vehicle is used to take her to and from daycare as well as to transport me to work.i am scared to drive my car and am looking into trading it off for a ford.

Had to have the upper ball joints/control arms & lower ball joints replaced on my 2002 dodge durango sxt 4x4 under warranty due to failing pa state safety inspection. the vehicle had 27k miles on it at the time. the veh now has 40k on it & i'm experiencing a knocking noise coming from the frt end again. a private shop stated that the the lower ball joints have excesive movement & must be replaced again. i took the veh back to the dealer & theye stated that they will not cover them under warranty again due to the mileage. this veh is only 17 months old with 40,000 all hwy mileage & was never taken off road. this is unacceptable in my opinion & a severe safety issue if the ball joint does separate. *ak

2002 dodge durango premature ball joint wearing and upper control arm replacement. *ak

The front end has always been loose and rattled. a part of the steering control arm has been replaced but did not resolve the sudden pulling in either direction - toward the right when changing lanes to the right or exiting the freeway, and the same thing when moving to the left, when the left front crosses the protion of the road were the lanes join. the left front rattles bad enough to feel in the steering and floor board, as well as being extreamly audible. the dealership states there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. *nm

Anti-lock brakes on my 2002 dodge durrango have put me into the middle of an intersection durring a red light ,at stops on dirt roads the rear wheels lock like the front brakes aren't working and it looks like a cracked weld on the control arm bracket on the left front. dodge say's nothing is wrong and they won't fix it ,i have a pregnant wife and 4 kids who ride in this suv and i can't get dodge to fix it, oh and the steering feels loose on it to ,road walks.*ak

While driving, the left tie rod end separated from the steeing knucle, it was determined that the nut securing the tie rod end was missing.*jb

Dodge, durango, 2002 manufacturer's recall a08. dealer changed the entire rear end suspension. which was missing from the nhtsa data base. *ak *jb

While driving at any speed and when crossing a bump in the road tires grabbed the bump. when turning corners there was a clanking sound coming from the front wheels. also, there were times when turning left rear end of the vehicle would want to go in the opposite direction.*ak

I own a 2002 dodge durango and have had the ball joints replaced 3 weeks ago. i also had the car realligned. the car is now out of allign pulling to the right when i brake and making an awful clunking noise when i brake. i was told it was a suspension issue and that is why the vechile will not stay alligned. i have already gone through 3 sets of tires since i bought the car!

When rolling down window vehicle will vibrate.*ak

Here is a list that i have sent to dodge chrysler customer service and 2 dealerships 1. intermittent or delayed engagement at vehicle start up operation or engagement at 26-56 mph 2. intermittent acceleration and shudder during torque converter. operation or engagement at 26-56 mph 3. intermittent poor shifting quality?.. idle shake, sag or hesitation. will not always ?downshift? while driving 26-54 mph. 4. intermittent buzz and or clicking in reverse. (warm or cold) 5. intermittent surging while driving 26-54 mph. (warm or cold) 6. intermittent hesitation ?idle shake? sag when stepping on accelerator/gas pedal. 7. intermittent harsh engagement of transition (warm or cold) 8. intermittent noisy 3-4 upshifts . (warm or cold) 9. intermittent delayed down shifts (almost like dropping it in 1st while going 35 mph) 10. intermittent delayed up shifts. (transmission feels like its slipping) 11. unexpected acceleration (warm or cold) 12. loud popping noise while turning. . (warm or cold) 13. transmission fails to hold in park/ park gear fails to hold!

I own a 2002 dodge durango with 35,000 miles that has always been properly maintained. i have already had the dealer replace 2 worn ball joints last week, i've had the brake pads replaced twice, and one rotor on one side (in front) turned, and i am still hearing strange noises. i would like an investigation done on my vehicle, as i am driving my daughter and myself around everyday, and my factory warranty is about to expire. its obvious daimler chrysler is not concerned with saving peoples lives, as i have just witnessed the march third evening edition of cbs news with dan rather. i am rather concerned that the transportation safety administration has let daimler chrysler get away with not recalling these problems considering the large amount of complaints with these suspension systems. please help me and contact me. thank you. email me at [email protected] or phone me (858)220-0419. im not real sure what to do at this point. thank you. signed, a concerned parent and driver.*ak

Electronic controls of safety equipment do not funtion properly. turn signals,lights,cruise. gauges,windows,radio,airbag etc.. all have malfuntioned since the car was picked up from the dealer. it is obvious that a electrical problem exists in the vehicle but doddge/chrysler is un willing to address the issue .this is an ongoing issue. i have numerous witnesses and have started video recording the problems.

Purchased durango new jan 2002 in kentucky. within 6 months dodge recalled it to replace whole back axle assembly (dodge stated it was too small for durango). since owning, when putting into reverse the transmission hesitates, and the vehicle barely moves (dealer stated could not find any problem). in alaska the check engine light comes on when going from warm garage into cold outdoors, stays on for a week (dealer could not find anything wrong). loud pounding noise when traveling above 40 mph with back windows down. durango has less than 20,000 miles and back seat shows considerable wear where seat belt latch contacts seat (poor design/placement of latch). *ph