Problems with 2003 Dodge Durango SUSPENSION

I have had my 2003 durango back to the dealer 5 times for a rubbing/grinding noise in the right front end. i had read the reports of the failures and symptons of the ball joints.*ak all 5 times the dealer has not re-placed the ball joints, the noise still exsists, i even took one of the service guys out in the truck, and he heard the noise. he even commented, that his 2003 dakota, had the same noise, and that he had to replace his front ball joint. they know what the problem is, yet they refuse to fix it.

This will be the third time i take my 2003 dodge durango for front end noise and problems. the dealer says they couldn't duplicate the noise, but my family knows it's there when we drive and make turns. why do we have to wait for an accident. please help me fix this problem. also 2nd tme for check engine light, with in two months. thank you

Occasional driving of vehicle transporting a toddler and an infant.*ak

The reason i am filing a complaint is because the nhtsa has not updated their website according based on a voluntary recall by dodge. there was in article on msn.com today that described a recall of certain dodge durango and dakota models because of a problem with the front/upper ball joint. the nhtsa website lists 4 related defect investigations of this same problem, however all investigations were opened and closed in 2003 and there is no mention of the latest actions by dodge. this website should be updated so people wanted to find out more information and specific models of recalls can find that information.*jb

When driving my 2003 durango at times it feels like the front wheels are locking up and the truck begins shaking badly. i have had it in the dealership and they say they can't find anything wrong. i also have been hearing strange noise from the front right right tire well. also, my glovebox started hanging down and when i asked the dealership to fix it they charged me and told me that the warranty would not cover it. we don't use the glove box, so the problem was not caused by misuse. at 20,000 miles the warranty should have covered the problem because it is obviously a defective part.*ak

I own a 2003 dodge durango. i brought the vehicle in for an oil change at 41000 miles. i was told i had to replace my driver side upper control arm immediately because it was going to fall off. i heard no sounds from the front end prior to this event that would have lead me to suspect something was wrong. i travel on the highway almost daily with this vehicle and was very frightened being told my front tire was going to fall off. it cost over $500 to fix this. i do not have the old parts. *ak

Dodge durango 2003 brought october 2003. on october 21, 2004 while on my way to work (a local high school), a woman fell asleep and hit the durango from behind on the passenger side. the vehicle crossed the oncoming lane of a two-lane minor highway (rte 187) and went into the front yard of a home and hit a tree. speed limit is 35. the front passenger nose of the durango impacted with the tree. the damage to the vehicle was deemed totaled by the other driver's insurance company (state farm). the item we wish to draw to your attention is that the damage to the car involved the suspension rod, which came off and up through the front passenger seat of the carand through the roof. had anyone been sitting there they would have most certainly been skewered. thankfully, i had just dropped my children off . my 16 year old normally sits up front. one should note that the front tire came off the vehicle completely as well. the shoulder part of the seatbelt did not lock and my upper body was allowed to bang around. i spent 4 days in the hospital and was out of work for 5 weeks. i am still only on light duty due to the condition of my knee and the post concussion syndrome i am having. the way the durango came apart seemed unusual, especially the rod throught the floor and seat. we wanted you to be aware. we have pictures of the vehicle after the accident.*ak

My wife was driving on the highway, and noticed that our 2003 dodge durango was pulling to the right. 10 minutes later, the lower ball joint completely separated, the upper ball joint snapped off, the axle separated and the wheel fell off while making a low speed right hand turn. the durango then continued to steer to the right and into a parked car, totaling the parked vehicle. the durango pushed the parked car into a wall. so far, nothing has been done to fix the failure, and my dodge dealer is giving me a hard time about warranting the part and subsequent damage. *nm

Premature wear of upper ball joints. replaced at 41,000 miles.*ak

Consumer too vehicle to dealer for routine maintenance, and mechanic determined that the front driver and passenger upper ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak

I noticed noise in the front end of my 2003 dodge durango and found that i had movement in my upper right ball joint, so i pointed this out during my annual safety inspection at the dealer. both upper ball joints were found to be worn out during the inspection. the truck has only 28,000 miles on it and is driven a mix of highway and local driving....no off road use. the repair was covered under warranty. *jb

While driving at 45 mph there was severe vibration in the front end of the vehicle. also, front brake problem, it took longer to stop. dealer notified. *ak

My complaint is a 2003 dodge durango. less than 13,000 miles and ball joints, arm controls, brakes, sway arms are going out. last week was the 2nd time joints were replaced. i would like to know what is the deal with this. have there been any other complaints. i feel as though vehicle is not safe to drive. especially with my 11 yr. old daughter and 2 yr. old son. in and out of dealer service dept is wearing me thin. *ak

1. 2003 dodge durango started popping in front end when making sharp turn. also had problem with rear squeeking and vehicle was going into lower gear while traveling down the road when it shouldn't. also was idling low.*ak 3. both ball joints worn out at 20,626 miles. lubed bushings and spring pads in rear. couldn't determine what was causing the vehicle to go into a passing gear and was told to just push on the gas and hope the engine would blow up.

I have been hearing a weird rubbing noise on the front right of my dodge durango. before i could take it in to get worked on, i ran over a small pot hole. the upper ball bearing joint broke. i was told that your organization is doing an investigation. can you help? or can i help? *la

I purchased the vehicle in february of 2003. the vehicle was new with less than 100 miles. at approximately 15000 miles the vehicle began making a rubbing noise whenever driven over any bump. took vehicle in to dealer and he informed me that it was the upper ball-joints. he then proceeded to order the wrong part. after a week the correct part finally got installed and the noise was no longer present. dodge from top to bottom has lost my confidence not to mention my business.

Dodge durango axle and tire from the front passenger side broke off and crashed into the front of my vehicle; i believe the issue had to do with the upper ball joint of the dodge durango.*ak

I bought a used 2003 dodge durango on 2/28/2004. it ran fine for a few days. the front end was not performing as it should. this only has 27,000 miles on it so i thought it needed an alignment. i made an appointment at my mechanic as alignments are not covered under warranty. the day before i was to take it to him the cbs news showed a story on dodge durango's and the upper ball joints. i asked our mechanic to check these also. he found the left side worn and the right side was to the point that it needed to be replaced. i called the dealer ship that it was purchased at and of course they head mechanic stated they knew nothing about it. after my husband mentioned the news story and what our mechanic found, they still tried to say it must be the bearings. the service department was very rude to him even thought it was under warranty. he insisted they be replaced. my husband was a mechanic buy trade so he knows what he is talking about. i feel sorry for the people out there that are not aware of this. our appointment is on 3-9-04. we will of course take the car back to the independent mechanic to inspect they replaced what was wrong. we have been dodge owners for over 20 years and i can not believe something this serious is being hidden by them. they have lost my vote of confidence in reliability. they did not check the durango prior to selling it, otherwise they would have seen the problem immediately. i am afrid to drive my own car for fear of something bad happening. this is a very serious matter and after reading all the complaints from 2002 and on, why is this not being addressed with chrystler? we rely on your service as an independent and we need your backbone in making this a recall issue. please take this as serious as we all do. thank you. *ak

I purchased a 2003 dodge durango from bleecker dodge in dunn, nc. i have three complaints that i would like to put on file: fist complaint: my vehicle began to make terrible noises that required me to take it for service. the sounds were scraping noises coming from the steering components. i took the vehicle to the dealership and both the upper and lower ball joints were replaced. second complaint: during the cold weather months, i was warming my vehicle and had scraped the ice from my windshield. the defrost was on. while traveling down the road my windshield cracked. exact date of the incident is unknown to me but it was during one of our snows. it has left me with a cracked windshield. i have taken no steps as of yet to have it repaired. third complaint: even more recently, my "check guages" light came on. my vehicle shows no oil pressure. i cannot drive the vehilcle and the service department at bleecker will not be back in until monday. i am without a vehicle this weekend. this vehicle only has 35,000 miles on it and it has been plagued with problems since it was purchased in october of 2003.*ak

While driving vehicle pulled to the left. the steering was loose. took vehicle to the dealer, and was told that the vehicle needed a front end alignment. however, the problem recurred. *ak

On january 26, 2004, our 24 year old son, brant, was driving our 2003 dodge durango on i-85 near commerce, georgia. time 2:00 am.. road conditions cold & rainy. for unknown reasons, the right/front tire and mechanical assembly (ball joints.. everything) came off the car causing him to skid into right side guard rail. nationwide insurance estimated damage in excess of $12,000. the durango is 10 months old with approximately 17,000 miles on the odometer. we contacted chrysler corporation requesting a buyback.. or return of our money less reasonable mileage allocations. we feel the product is defective and now seriously damaged beyond reasonable repair. chrysler denied our claim, refused to issue copies of reports they used for their denial, simply opting for reasons unknown to discuss the issue any further. *ak

We noticed popping in the front end took durango to dealer they replaced the lower control arm assembly, few months later it started popping again ,we took it back to a dealer and they had to replace both lower control arm assemblies. it has been about 4 months and it is popping again plus they sent us the recall on the upper ball joints. i am scared to let my family ride in this vehicle i believe it has serious problems in the suspension system that have been trying to fix two times and now this will be the third time and theres not even 30000 miles on it. *jb

While driving my 2003 durango and started noticing some vibration in the front end so i took the vehicle in to get it checked and it appears the lower ball joints are bad. this is after i had the uppers replaced due to a recall. i am not sure how long these parts are guaranteed to last but i know i have much older vehicles that still have the original parts in them. sounds like they should have recalled more than just the upper ball joints. i am going to have them replaced but i think a failure after such a short time should also be investigated for a possible recall, perhaps checking the whole front suspension would be wise before someone is killed because something falls off the car. *nm

The consumer believes there is something wrong with the suspension and/or stability of the vehicle. while driving 70 mph on a windy day the consumer was unable to control the vehicle. the consumer was forced to reduce his speed to drive in the windy conditions. *ph *nm

Pe 03-032/front suspension/upper ball joint failure: at any speed, consumer intermittently heard a semi scraping noise coming from the vehicle. consumer's mechanic was scheduled to give the vehicle a check up, but felt from the symptoms that it was the upper ball joints. *ak

While driving and turning left or right consumer heard noise coming from the front end. the dealer stated, to call nhtsa, and gave no further explanation.*ak

I have a 2003 dode durango with 11,841 miles and i already have problems with my wheel sounding like it is going to fall off. i have not taken it to the dodge dealership yet because i contact cbs news and they told me that you would want to see the car first. i also have a 1999 dodge durango with 69,000 miles and its not even drivable at this point because of the wheel. i took it to the dealership 2 weeks after i bought it and they fixed it which was in april, in august of the year i had to put new brakes and roders on the car and at this point i'm afarid that the wheel will fall off. i can no longer afford to pay for this vehicle and fix it and the lien holder is about to take the vehicle. would you please contact me as soon as possible and let me know what i can do before i let the lien holder have the vehicle.

While driving at high speeds driver heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front. suddenly, the vehicle pulled to the right. the cause has not been determined at this time. *ak

Vibration of vehicle and front alignmen. *ak

While driving on a hill and making a right turn on a curb the vehicle leaned excessively to the right and almost rolled over. the dealer was notified and stated that the vehicle needed after market heavy duty shock absorbers. *ak *ts *nlm

When turning there is squeaking noise in the front end. the noise is worse when the brakes are applied. sometimes the noise can be heard while driving. the dealership serviced the vehicle 4 times, but was unable to duplicate the problem, so they aren't able to identify the cause. *ak

I purchased a 2003 dodge durango. within 20 minutes of completion my 1st tire blew out. the dealer (clear lake dodge, houston, texas) replaced the tire free of charge. at approximately 12k on a trip to new orleans my right front tire blew out and i almost lost control of vehicle. my youngest son suffers from asthma and had an asthma attack on i-10 to new orleans. i calmed him down with no medication (nebulizer requires electricity). when i returned to houston, i contacted discount tire which warranties goodyear tires and was informed that i had jumped a curb causing damage to my tires. i purchased my 3rd tire along with road hazard because all representatives blamed my driving habits on me, even though i have never experienced these problems before. my vehicle now has over 50k miles and all of my tires are wearing. the belt is showing on all 4 tires. i am seeking arbitration. *jb

On the 2003 dodge durango on highway drive it pulls to the right when you go past 65 mph. it shakes and pulls to either side. my rental went to the right other durangos on the high way went to the left.*ak

Front suspension. *ak

2003 durango has always had a bad bump steer problem (when a bump is hit, the car turns hard left or right). i have seen other durangos,dakotas with their wheel snapped at the tie rod. this could lead to many injuries or deaths.*ak

Recall 04v596000, consumer has a 2 wheel drive durango. this vehicle experiences the same problem with ball joints as the 4 wheel drive. consumer took vehicle to dealer several times regarding the ball joint problem. however, the problem recurred. *ak....after repeated complaints warranty was extended, but dealer did charge d$300.00 for warranty workon defective wheel bearing. *ak

When applying the brakes in a panic stop or wet or rough pavement. the pedal goes all the way down to the floor resulting in extended stopping after inspection of the vehicle by the dealer. it was determined that the ab braking pump has malfunction. part are on national back order.