Early Model Year Dodge Durango May Have Front Suspension Problems

Craig Kelley
Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 511
Posted by Craig KelleyAugust 09, 2006 1:59 AM

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating 1998-2003 Dodge Durangos after receiving several reports of upper ball joint failures on the vehicles' front suspension area. According to the NHTSA, the upper ball joint failures have caused the wheels to fall off two different Dodge Durangos and the front suspension to collapse on two other Durangos. While the NHTSA has yet to issue a recall, a spokesperson for the safety organization revealed the agency has received over 750 complaints from Durango owners alleging defective front suspension ball joints.
A class-action lawsuit filed in North Carolina in March 2004 is demanding that Dodge immediately repair an unspecified number of Durangos. There are an estimated 450,000 model years 1999-2003 Durangos currently on the road in the United States. Plaintiff attorneys allege DaimlerChrysler knew of the defect years ago but failed to act on it.

If you have suffered such a problem, or an accident, with your Dodge Durango, please contact us at InjuryBoard.com

11 Comments

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Pamela
Posted by Pamela
August 18, 2006 1:07 PM

have a 1998 Dodge Durango SLT
Current problems include:
• Upper and lower ball joints
• Front Tires worn inside tread
• Loose steering, hard to steer

I have not suffered ay injuries but I keep having to replace my tires due to the ball joint issues. I now have to replace everything at the tune of over $3,000.00.

Is there anything I can do to get Dodge to replace the ball joints fore free?
thanks

Donald Hamlin
Posted by Donald Hamlin
October 19, 2006 11:06 AM

I have same issues with everyone else. I continually have to buy tires for the front due to excessive wear inside the front tire.
Although I have not been in an accident I an now worried that it could fall apart on me while I am on the interstate. Is their anything we can do about this?????

Shane
Posted by Shane
October 23, 2006 1:18 PM

dont have a durango but just replaced a ball joint on a 2002 doge ram quad cab four wheel drive with 38000 miles and now the other one is going out and the warr is up
this thing sat for a year when my father died and the only good thing about it is it is paid for

it overheats the powersteering pump makes noise and had to replace the line once already and now the thing is right back to where it was before thirty thousand for what and the dealerships are terible they couldnt find the ball joint problem sears found it right away never will i own another dodge they can kiss my butt on both cheeks

steven french
Posted by steven french
November 03, 2006 8:55 AM

I have a 1999 Dodge durango 2wd, and both upper ball joints have about 2 inches of travel in and out when you push in on the top of the tire, is there a recall on the 99 model year for this problem?

Bob Love
Posted by Bob Love
November 22, 2006 4:35 PM

I have a 2001 Dodge Durango with the same problem with the ball joints. I got a notice about an extended warranty covering the problem, took it to the dealer and he didn't even check it. (94,000 ) miles. Just had to buy new tires (106,000) miles and was told both ball joints are gone!! and now the dealer says I'm out of warranty.

jamie loeffler
Posted by jamie loeffler
February 28, 2007 7:53 PM

Just put new tires on my 1999 durango, took it in for an alignment and they said i have bad upper and lower ball joints. go figure $1400, I'd rather try fixing it myself. If i mess it up ship it to the scrap yard, it's safer there than on the highway!!! listen to your gut, never buy a DODGE, or any of it's relatives, they are all junk.

Larry Abbott
Posted by Larry Abbott
March 13, 2007 9:41 AM

I took my 2002 Dodge Drango, with only 57,200 miles, to two shops to get a front end alingment. Both shops told me I had to have my upper ball joints replaced at of cost of $600 plus. My previous vehicles have all had over 100,000 miles without the need for new ball joints. I would expect no less. I now find that Dodge has no recall on this vehicle despite all the reported problems with the ball joints. I suspect my only real recourse comes when I shop for my next vehicle and it won't be a dodge.

RHONDA ROYER
Posted by RHONDA ROYER
March 26, 2007 8:09 PM

I HAVE 1999 DODGE DURANGO I TOO HAVE TO REPLACE UPPER FRONT BALL JOINTS ON IS COMPLETLY BROKE AND THE OTHER IS WORN

Tony Wurm
Posted by Tony Wurm
May 07, 2007 3:02 PM

My 2003 Dodge Dakota is also a ball joint mess. I took the truck to the dealer in which the dealer service manager said that only 1/2 of the dodge dakotsa have a warrenty of the ball joints and my hafv doesn't. I told him my ball joints are bad. he proceeded to tell me YEP, they are the same type of ball joints on the older models, but your Vin Number was the latter part of 2003. He then proceeeded to charge me 70 bucks to get my vehicle back.

Patricia Layne
Posted by Patricia Layne
June 15, 2007 10:44 AM

I have a 2001 Dodge Durgano
I have tie rod replace, and also upper and lower ball joint replace 2 times.
I was told the other day that I need lower ball joints replace again. Also had too replace front again.My car makes a sqeeking noice in the front end. I have now 103K on car. If I could just get this problem solve.
My warranty has run out. The second time I had to pay for myself, did not cover.
You would think that the dealer would fix these problems, especially if they want you too buy from them again.I don't think no one cares about the problem. Help!!

J Compton
Posted by J Compton
August 04, 2007 7:28 PM

Just got back from the tire store.New tires again on my 2001 Durango. Requested a front end allignment. Could not be done. Needs a lower ball join replaced along with a tie rod. Allready had upper ball joints replaced on re-call. Not going to spend my hard earned money replacing tires anymore if there are mfg. issues with this vehicle. Calling the dealer Monday.

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