2000 Dodge Durango Complaint Log

MY 2000 DURANGO, WITH 60,100 MILES ON IT, HAD A SCENT OF ANTI-FREEZE, SO I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FREEZE PLUGS ON ONE SIDE OF THE ENGINE WERE LEAKING. THE PARTS WERE REMOVED/REPLACED, AND THE OLD PARTS HAD CORRODED THROUGH. I WAS TOLD I HAD BETTER CHANGE THE BALANCE, BECAUSE "THEY COULD GO AT ANY TIME". WHEN I ASKED HOW IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THESE ITEMS COULD FAIL IN SUCH A (RELATIVELY) SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, THE ANSWER WAS "SOMETIMES THAT HAPPENS". I HAVE WORKED ON VEHICLES, AND REBUILT ENGINES, FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE SEEN AN ENGINE WITH SO FEW MILES HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE 2 OF THE 3 REMOVED PARTS (I WAS TOLD THE THIRD "CRUMBLED WHEN REMOVED"), AND PLAN ON PURSUING DODGE FOR A BETTER EXPLANATION. *JB

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

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

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

THE SUN ROOF VISOR LINKAGE/STRUTS WERE HANGING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ACROSS AN INTERSECTION CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE THAT HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

CRACKED KONIG ALUMINUM WHEELS. *MR KONIG ALUMINUM WHEELS, STYLE 690KG/16X63/4/10 SPOKE. THE WHEELS (TWO OF FOUR) ARE CRACKING WHERE THE SPOKES INTERSECT WITH THE RIM. THE WHEELS HAD BEEN CURBED OR DAMAGED. *SC *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.

I WAS DRVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY WIFE, 2 CHILDREN, A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY, AND MY FAMILY DOG, WHEN THE OIL GAUGE NEEDLE DROPPED TO ZERO, AND THE WARNING SOUND BEGAN TO GO OFF. ACCORDING TO THE GAGES, I WAS LOOSING OIL PRESSURE. AFTER A SECOND, THE GAUGES WOULD RETURN TO NORMAL. IT WAS INTERMITENT. AFTER 2 MINUTES OF THIS, I DECIDED TO PULL OF THE ROAD AND CHECK THE OIL LEVEL, IT WAS FULL... I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, THE WARNING SIGNAL WAS GONE, AND THE NEEDLE INDICATED THAT I HAD OIL PRESSURE. I WENT ANOTHER 4 MILES DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I ENTERED A SINGLE LANE CONSTRUCTION ZONE. THIS TIME THE NEEDLE WENT TO ZERO, INDICATING NO OIL PRESSURE. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO TURN ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS, AND DRIVE 2 MORE MILES @35MPH TO THE NEXT EXIT. ONCE ON THE RAMP, THE CAR MADE A TICKING NOISE, AND EVENTUALLY STALLED. DUE TO THE LOSE OF POWER STEARING, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEAR. IT WAS EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO STOP THE CAR (LOSE OF BRAKING) MY DODGE DURANGO HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY. NOW I AM TOLD THAT IT WILL COST ME IN EXCESS OF $4,000 TO FIX IT. I WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL MECHANICS THAT DODGE HAD TO DESIGN THIS ENGINE WITH EXTREMELY TIGH TOLERANCES IN ORDER TO MEET THE HP REQUIREMENTS. IN DOING SO, IT SOUONDS LIKE THEY NEGLECTED TO PERFORM THE PROPER ANALYSIS REQUIRED TO DETERMING THE AFFECT ON PROPER OIL CIRCUALTION. I CHANGED MY OIL EVERY 3-4,000 MI. HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN? AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURANCE AMONGST DURANGO OWNERS. I READ ONE COMPLAINT AFTER ANOTHER. I SOME CASES, CHRYSLER WOULD NOT COVER THE FAILURE EVEN IF THE OWNER HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY DEALERSHIP WON'T RECOGNIZE THAT THEIR IS A HISTORICAL PROBLEM. THEY LOST MY BUSINESS. EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, ONE WOULD EXPECT IT TO LAST 90,000 MI. WITHOUT A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THIS MAGNITUDE. THIS POBLEM SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED BY CHRYSLER....THESE MOTORS SHOULD BE RECALLED....SOUNDS LIKE A CLASS ACTION SUITE IS IN ORDER. *AK

2000 DODGE DURANG: I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY WIFE, 2 CHILDREN, A FRIEND OF ONE OF MY CHILREN, AND MY FAMILY DOG, WHEN THE OIL GAUGE NEEDLE STARTED TO BOUNCE BACK AND FORTH. IT INDICATED THAT I WAS LOOSING PRESURE AND THEN RETURN TO NORMAL. AFTER 2 MINUTES OF THIS, I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL. IT WAS FULL....... I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. I WENT FURTHER DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ENTERED A SINGLE LANE CONSTRUCTION ZONE WHEN IT STARTED TO DO THE SAME THING. THIS TIME IT FINALLY WENT TO ZERO. HAVING NO WHERE TO GO FOR 2 MORE MILES, I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE TO THE NEXT EXIT. I PUT ON MY HAZRD LIGHTS, AND DROVE 35MPH WHILE COASTING AS OFTEN AS I COULD. ONCE I GOT OFF THE EXIT, THE CAR STARTING TO MAKE A TICKING SOUND (LIFTERS) AND EVENTUALLY STOPED RUNNING. MY DODGE DURANGO HAD ONLY 44,000 MI. ON IT. THE OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 3-4,000 MI. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY. NOW I AM TOLD I NEED A COMPLETELY REBUILT ENGINE. IT WILL COST ME $4,000+ TO REPAIR IT. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I FOUND THIS PROBLEM TO BE TO COMMON. I CANNOT GET MY DEALERSHIP TO ACKNOWLEDGE SUCH AN OCCURANCE. EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, I FEEL THAT IT SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 90,000 MI WITH THE PROPER AMOUNT OF SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. SOUNDS LIKE A MAJOR RECALL IS IN ORDER. WHO KNOWS, MAYBE EVEN A CLASE ACTION LAW SUITE WILL COME OUT OF IT IF ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAIN.*AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED.*AK THE VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN DRIVING SPEEDS OF 40 MPH AND HIGHER. *TC *JB

MY 2000 DURANGO SLT WAS BEING DRIVEN BY MY SON WHEN THE CHECK GAUGES LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE SINCE THEY TOLD US NOT TO DRIVE IT. THEY PROCEEDED TO CHANGE THE OIL FIRST, SINCE THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WAS JUMPING UP AND DOWN. THEY THEN STARTED THE DURANGO AND REVVED THE ENGINE FOR A WHILE. WE THEN HAD IT TOWED TO OUR HOUSE SINCE MY HUSBAND IS A MECHANIC. HE WAS GOING TO LOOK AT IT AND WHEN HE DID HE DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE RODS WERE BENT SO THIS MEANS THE ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED. OIL CHANGES ON MY DURANGO WERE DONE AS SCHEDULED BY MY HUSBAND, IN FACT HE HAD CHECKED THE OIL 2 DAYS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AND WENT AND BOUGHT A NEW OIL FILTER AND A NEW CASE OF OIL TO CHANGE THE OIL. MY SON CALLED DAHMLER-CHRYSLER AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THERE HAD NEVER BEEN ANY COMPLAINTS MADE TO THEM ABOUT THE ENGINE AND THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS DONE ON THE VEHICLE. THESE CHECKS WERE EVEN DONE WITH US GIVING THEM THE VIN OF THE VEHICLE. WE ARE NOW LOOKING AT HAVING TO SPEND $2000 FOR AN ENGINE AND THAT IS ONE WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT AND BEING REBUILT. SEEING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE WEBSITES THAT I HAVE BEEN TO, DODGE HAS TO BE AT FAULT FOR A DEFECT ON THE ENGINE OR OIL PUMP WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE OIL TO GUM UP JUST SITTING THERE AND NOT BEING PUMPED THROUGH THE ENGINE TO KEEP CRUCIAL PARTS LUBRICATED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. TO BE HONEST IT MAKES ME WORRIED ABOUT GOING OUT AND PAYING THE MONEY FOR ANOTHER ENGINE SEEING THAT MAYBE NEXT MONTH IT WOULD END UP TEARING UP AGAIN. I FEEL THAT DODGE SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS ENGINE IN THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE AND THE FAMILY OF THAT PERSON FINDS THIS INFORMATION AND DAHMLER-CHRYSLER IS INVOLVED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND THAT COULD BE EVEN MORE DEVISTATING THE COMPANY THAN A RECALL ON THE ENGINES THAT DON'T WORK CORRECTLY TO BEGIN WITH.*AK

DOOR LOCKS KEEP LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THEMSELVES. THIS IS A HAZZARD SINCE IT DOES THIS WHILE DRIVING. IT EVEN DOES IT WHEN I'M NOT DRIVING. I'VE ALREADY HAVE HAD SOMEONE TRY TO BRAKE IN. I'M GOING TO GUESS THAT THEY HEARD THE DOOR LOCKS GO UP AND DOWN. *AK 2 DODGE DEALERSHIPS THAT I'VE CHECKED WITH SAY THEY HAVE NO CLUE.

THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT WAS WORN AND VERY LOOSE. *AK

RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT WAS LOOSE AND VERY WORN. *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

VEHICLE HAS 73,000 MILES AND POWER STEERING PUMP SHAFT SLOWLY WORKED LOOSE CAUSING PUNCTURE INTO PLASTIC COOLING TANK/SHROUD. PUNCTURE APPEARS TO BE FROM CONTACT WITH SHAFT AND HAS ABOUT A NICKEL SIZE HOLE IN PLASTIC TANK. CAUSED VEHICLE TO OVER HEAT AND LOSS OF COOLANT. ALARM INDICATION FAILED TO LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. TAKING TO DEALER TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. *JB

THE GALT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT HAS 2 DODGE DURANGO'S 4X4. DURING AN INSPECTION OF THE BRAKES, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE BRAKE LINE ON THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WAS RUBBING THE CHASSIS. THE METAL BRAKE LINE NEAR THE CALIPER WAS WORN MORE THEN HALF WAY THROUGH THE WALL OF THE BRAKE LINE. UPON INSPECTING THE OTHER SIDE IT WAS DISCOVERED THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE WAS ALSO WORN. I INSPECTED THE OTHER DODGE DURANGO AND DISCOVERED IT WAS ALSO WEARING IN THE SAME PLACE. FAILURE OF THE FRONT BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WILL REDUCE THE VEHICLE'S BRAKING ABILITY AS MUCH AS 70%. IN MY PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT, THIS PROBLEM IS WORTHY OF A FORMAL INVESTIGATION AND A RECALL, IF OTHERS DODGE DURANGOS ARE FOUND WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE GALT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT'S AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE AS FOLLOWS: [XXX] WITH 36,101 MILES AND [XXX] WITH 42,888 MILES THANK YOU [XXX] FIRE MECHANIC GALT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT. *LA UPDATED 07/25/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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

UPON ARRIVING HOME FROM A FAMILY VACATION, TOTAL TRIP OF 200 MILES, AND TOWING AN EIGHTEEN FOOT TRAILER, WE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER STEERING ABILITY ON OUR 2000 DODGE DURANGO. THAT WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE. IT IS ALSO A VERY PREMATURE PART FAILURE DUE TO THE FACT THAT OUR DURANGO HAS ONLY 50,000 MILES ON IT. WE ARE CURRENTLY AWAITING THE FULL REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP SHAFT INSIDE THE PUMP SUDDENLY AND UNEXPLAINABLY BROKE. I AM REALLY GLAD THAT THIS DID NOT OCCUR DURING OUR TRAVEL ON THE MAJOR HIGHWAYS WE HAD TO TAKE ON OUR WAY HOME, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE HAD OUR FOUR YEAR OLD GRANDSON IN THE VEHICLE WITH US.

WHILE DRIVING CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

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

I AM WRITING THIS EMAIL TO EXPRESS MY DEEP CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN RIDING IN THE REAR 3RD BENCH SEAT OF DODGE DURANGO'S. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE A 2000 DODGE DURANGO. WE RECENTLY HAVE BEEN PUTTING MY 4 YEAR OLD SON'S BOOSTER SEAT IN THE BENCH SEAT SINCE THE BIRTH OF OUR 3RD CHILD. WE FIGURED WE COULD STILL USE THE DURANGO INSTEAD OF BUYING A MINI VAN. IT BECAME EVIDENT TO US ON A RECENT CAR TRIP THAT THE REAR BENCH SEAT DOES NOT LOCK INTO POSITION. MY HUSBAND AND I CAN EASILY PUSH ON THE SEATBACK FROM THE REAR AND IT WILL FOLD TO THE FLOOR. WE IMMEDIATELY ENVISIONED THE SAFETY HAZARDS THIS COULD IMPOSE ON ANYONE RIDING IN THE REAR BENCH SEAT, ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN. A REAR END COLLISION COULD SEND ANYONE FLYING FORWARD, EVEN IF THEY HAD THEIR SEATBELTS IN PLACE. I TURNED TO MY OWNERS MANUAL FOR ANSWERS AND IT GIVES A WARNING TO "MAKE SURE THE CUSHION IS PROPERLY ENGAGED UNDER THE SEATBACK TO PROPERLY LOCK THE SEATBACK IN THE RIDING POSITION". IN OUR EXPERIENCE THIS POSITIONING DID NOT LOCK THE SEAT. I CONTACTED TWO DEALERSHIPS EXPRESSING MY CONCERN AND GOT NO REAL ANSWERS. CHAMPION DODGE IN BARRINGTON SAID IT WAS UNSAFE FOR CHILDREN TO BE PLACED IN THE BENCH SEAT. VIKING DODGE OF CRYSTAL LAKE SIMPLY SAID THAT IF IT WAS IN THE OWNERS MANUAL IT MUST BE TRUE. I THEN CONTACTED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER FOR DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION AND THEY SAID IT WAS UNSAFE FOR CHILDREN TO RIDE IN THE BENCH SEAT AND THAT THERE IS NO LOCKING MECHANISM. GIVEN THIS INFORMATION I FEEL THAT ANYONE WHO RIDES IN THAT BENCH SEAT IS AT RISK FOR SERIOUS INJURY. IT IS A SMALLER SEAT AND I COULD SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE WANTING TO PLACE CHILDREN BACK THERE. A LOT OF PARENTS COULD BE USING THAT SEAT FOR EXTRA CHILDREN THEY ARE TRANSPORTING IN CAR POOLS. I FEEL THIS SAFETY CONCERN NEEDS TO PUBLICIZED TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY. I FEEL DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION NEEDS TO PERFORM A RECALL ON ALL DURANGO'S AFFECTED AND INSTALL A LOCKING MECHANISM TO THE BENCH SEAT.

CONSUMER STATES THAT SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RELEASE ONCE LOCKED IN IT IS A PROBLEM GETTING OUT OF THE SEAT BELTS. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT SEAT BELTS WERE NOT ON RECALL, AND IT WILL COST CONSUMER APPROXIMATELY $300.00 TO HAVE THEM REPAIRED. *AK

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 MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO 60- 65 MPH AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONSUMER STATES, "HE WAS UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP FOR 15 MILES OR MORE UNTIL IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE UNTO A GRASSY AREA". THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NM

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

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

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 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

TRANSFER CASE FAILED TWICE. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. *AK

WHILE THE ENGINE WAS IDLING THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE INTO DRIVE WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD COLLIDING WITH A PARKED VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT "THE BRAKE DISENGAGEMENT FEATURE IS NOT ON THE VEHICLE". *LA THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS SAFETY FEATURE WAS NOT INSTALLED ON DODGE VEHICLE'S UNTIL 2001. *NM

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 JOINTS. UPON ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND REPORTS OF FAILURES ON THE DODGE DURANGOS 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 DODGES 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 RESPONSIBILITYS 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

DRIVING MY 2000 DODGE DURANGO 4X4 DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN OIL PRESSURE WENT TO 0PSI. BY THE TIME I MANAGED TO GET OVER 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC A KNOCKING NOISE HAD BEGUN. HAD IT TOWED TO CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT I TRUST, HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH DEALING WITH THE DEALERSHIP, AND HE TOLD ME THAT I HAD A SPUN MAIN BEARING DUE TO SLUDGE BUILDUP. THE ENGINE HAS 84000 MILES AND HAS BEEN SERVICED BY ME EVERY 3000 TO 4000 MILES MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVEN. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE WITH A MINIMAL COST OF $3500 FOR A SALVAGE MOTOR. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THAT THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THEY WOULD DO TO HELP ME EXEPT THEY OFFERED TO PUT A NEW MOTOR IN FOR ME. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR INSTANCES OF THIS OCCURING AND WOULD LIKE FOR DAIMLER CHRYSLER TO BE HELD SOMEWHAT RESPONSIBLE.*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