2001 Dodge Durango Suspension Problems

WHILE I LOVE MY 2001 DODGE DURANGO RT, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SERIOUS PROBLEMS / SAFETY ISSUES THE VEHICLE HAS. NUMBER ONE IS THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT IS VERY LOOSE AND ROCKS BACK AND FORTH DURING ACCELERATION AND BRAKING WHICH COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURIES IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN A WRECK, WHIPLASH ETC. IN DOING MY RESEARCH THE AVERAGE FIX THAT THE DEALERS WILL DO COSTS BETWEEN 600-800.00 WHICH IS TO REPLACE THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THERE ARE LINKS ON VARIOUS FORUM FOR INSTRUCTIONS TO FIX YOURSELF FOR ABOUT 40.00 OROVOODMG A BETTER FIX THAT THE DEALERS WILL NOT PROVIDE, BUT IT IS COMPLICATED AND VERY LABOR INTENSIVE. MY NUMBER ONE CONCERN IS TO BE SAFE AND HAVE SAFE PASSENGERS! TO BE ABLE TO BRING THIS INTO DODGE AND GET THIS PERMANENTLY FIXED AT NO COST TO ME. THERE ARE UNTOLD AMOUNTS OF DODGE DURANGO OWNERS OUT THERE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, WHICH DODGE CURRENTLY WILL NOT RECALL. THE OTHER TWO ISSUES ARE INCREDIBLY DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS. SINCE DODGE RECALLED THESE TRUCKS FOR THE BALL JOINTS MANY INCLUDING MINE PREVIOUS TO ME BUYING IT, WE'RE BROUGHT IN FOR RECALL REPAIR IN 2006. PLEASE NOTE THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS COMPANY CALLED "MOOG" FIXED THIS DODGE ENGINEERING PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL WITH THEIR OWN SPECIALLY DESIGNED BALL JOINT. AS FAR AS THE BRAKES GO THIS A VERY HEAVY SUV, IN WHICH IF ONE NEEDS TO STOP QUICKLY AND THE BRAKES FAIL OR SKID THE WHEELS DUE TO LOCK UP THIS AGAIN LIKE THE SEATS IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE THAT DODGE NEEDS TO CORRECT. I HAVE FAITH THAT DODGE WILL TAKE CARE OF MORE CONSUMER ISSUES THAN FORD EVER WILL.

2001 DODGE DURANGO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BALL JOINT FAILURE DURING AN AUTO ACCIDENT. *LD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED INFORMATION CONCERNING RECALLED BALL JOINT FAILURE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT.*JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND A CRACKING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE CRACKING NOISE WAS CAUSED BY FAULTY BALL JOINTS. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE AND THE LIGHT BULB AND SOCKET WAS REPLACED ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. ALSO, THE PLENUM GASKET LEAKED OIL FROM THE ENGINE, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO LOSE POWER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 7/11/16 AND THE SAME DAY THE TIRE BLEW DUE TO THE UPPER BALL JOINT WHICH DOES HAVE A RECALL. MINE WAS COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED, BUT SUPPOSEDLY THE RECALL WAS CLOSED AS IT WAS TO HAVE BEEN SERVICED ALREADY. EITHER IT WASN'T SERVICED OR THERE IS STILL AN ISSUE. I CONTACTED NHTSA AND THEY PUT ME THROUGH TO DODGE WHO SPOKE WITH ME ABOUT THERE ONLY BEING ONE OPEN RECALL ON IT AND I TOLD HER ABOUT THE BALL JOINT AND SHE TOLD ME THEY WOULD COVER THE REPAIR AND TOW AND SENT A TOW TRUCK AND TOWED IT TO MOTOR VILLAGE BUT DID NOT TELL THEM THAT THEY WOULD BE COVERING THE BALL JOINT WORK SO THEY TOLD ME TO HAVE DODGE CONTACT THEM IN THE MORNING. WHEN I DID CONTACT DODGE, THE FIRST REP COULDN'T GET THROUGH AND SO SHE OPENED A CASE. I THEN CALLED MOTOR VILLAGE TO GET THE SERVICE ADMIN'S PHONE NUMBER TO GIVE TO DODGE AND WHEN I CONTACTED DODGE THE 2ND TIME, I WAS INFORMED THAT NOW THEY WOULD NOT BE COVERING IT AND THAT THEY ARE SORRY FOR THE MISUNDERSTANDING. THEY ALSO WON'T BE TOWING IT BACK EITHER AND I DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO DO SO AS I AM FACING EVICTION AND JUST PURCHASED THAT CAR TO GET READY TO MOVE AND NOW I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO. I WOULD NOT HAVE SENT IT TO DODGE IF THEY DIDN'T REPRESENT THEY WOULD FIX THE BALL JOINT AND NOW ALL I HAVE FROM THEM IS AN APOLOGY FOR THE MISUNDERSTANDING AND NO WAY TO FIX OR GET MY CAR THAT I JUST PURCHASED OUT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEELS. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT BALL JOINTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V596000 (SUSPENSION). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH 2 OF MY KIDS.. I STARTED TO SMELL ANTIFREEZE GOING INTO MY CAR, ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS SMOKE BURSTING OUT OF MY CAR. WE REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT 3 DIFFERENT TIMES WITH IN 3 MONTHS, THE RADIATOR HOUSE BURST. AND NO LIGHTS CAME ON.. THE OIL PRESSURE ALSO DROPPED. TOOK IT TO SHOP TO HAVE IT FIXED, CRACKED HEAD GASKETS AND BLOWN MOTOR, NOW WE ARE WITH OUT A CAR.... SAD BECAUSE I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE. WE WERE ALSO NEVER NOTIFIES ABOUT THE RECALL ABOUT THE BALL JOINTS AND PAID CASH FOR THEM TO BE REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS BECOMING PREMATURELY WORN DUE TO DEFECTIVE TIE RODS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS THAT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIE ROD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE, WHO STATED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE BUT THE CONTACT'S THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V596000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,127. UPDATED 3/13/13 *CN

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

CLUNKING WHEN TURNING. *TR

UPPER BALL JOINTS CLUNKING NOISE OVER EVERY BUMP. *TR

PRIOR TO THE HUB FREEZING UP THE SUV WAS MAKING A SQUEAKY NOISE IN THE FRONT END THIS LATER TURNED INTO A CLUNKING NOISE AND THE CAR WOULD SWAY WHEN EVER THERE WERE LANE CHANGES ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE AT HWY SPEEDS 55 TO 65 MPH AND DRIVING OVER THE LANE MARKER CAPS ON THE FREEWAY. THIS THEN DEVELOPED INTO A METAL TO METAL GRINDING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END PRIOR TO THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEPARATING INVERTING UNDERSIDE CAR CHASSIS. *TR

MULTIPLE REPLACEMENT NEEDED OF UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS, SWAY BAR, CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING FRONT END BED SPRING NOISE - SOUNDS LIKE JUNK, TOLD THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT IS LOSE AGAIN. ALSO THE HEATING ELEMENTS IN THE FRONT DRIVER;S SEAT WENT OUT -COST TO REPAIR OVER 700.00! VEHICLE IS A 2001 DODGE DURANGO 4 X 4. ONLY 86,000 MILES ORIGINAL OWNER. THIS VEHICLE METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AND SERVICED, BUT DESPITE THAT CONSTANTLY HAVING FRONT SUSPENSION REPAIRS AND BRAKES. *TR

I HAD MY 2001 DODGE DURANGO INSPECTED TO GET MY LICENSE PLATES RENEWED AND WAS TOLD THE BALL JOINTS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

I BOUGHT A 2001 DODGE DURANGO AT HAAR TOYOTA. WHEN I WENT TO GET A STICKER THERE I WATCHED AND THE GUY DIDN'T CHECK THE VEHICLE THOROUGHLYTHAT NIGHT THE PASSENGER TIRE LOOKED LOW I KICKED THE TIRE AND IT MOVED. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER TWO DAYS LATER THEY PUT A NEW STEERING RACK AND DRIVERS BALL JOINT IN VEHICLE. 5DAYS LATER I HAD VEHICLE CHECKED BY MY MECHANIC HE SAID PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT WAS BAD. BROUGHT VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER THEY SAY IT IS FINE WILL NOT FIX BECAUSE NOTHING WRONG. WHAT SHOULD I DO MY WARRANTY IS ONLY 30 DAYS OF WHICH I HAVE ABOUT 1 WEEK LEFT. MY CONTENTION IS THAT THE ORIGINAL STICKER SHOULD NEVER HAVE PASSED IF PERFORMED CORRECTLY. *TR

EVERY YEAR WHEN I GO TO GET MY 2001 DODGE DURANGO INSPECTED I FIRST HAVE TO REPLACE TWO FRONT TIRES DUE TO EXCESSIVE INSIDE WEAR. THEN I GET TOLD ALL 4 BALL JOINTS ARE NO GOOD. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 BALL JOINTS THREE TIMES IN THREE YEARS WHILE PUTTING ONLY ABOUT 20000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE YEARLY. IT IS A 500.00 A MONTH CAR PAYMENT THAT I AM AFRAID TO TAKE MY THREE CHILDREN IN. WHY HAS THIS VEHICLE NOT BEEN DEALT WITH IN A HARSHER MANNER. THE COMPLAINTS ONLINE ARE NUMEROUS AND EXTREMELY SERIOUS IN NATURE. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE FROM POOR ENGINEERING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, BUT MOSTLY DURING TAKE OFF, THE VEHICLE MAKES POPPING AND CLUNKING NOISES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V596000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DISAGREES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,230 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,030.

VEHICLE IS 2001 DODGE DURANGO R/T 5.9. 26,000 MILES. FRONT END BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACING. CALIPERS FROZE/LOCKED ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS. OVERHEATING OCCURRED TWICE ON FRONT CALIPERS. NEEDED OUT OF POCKET MONEY FOR REPAIRS. AIR CONDITIONING BROKEN. *TR

MY CAR WAS SQUEAKING FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND THEN THE WHEEL FELL OFF AND THE REPAIR SHOP HAD TO FIX THE BALL JOINT AND SAID I NEEDED THE OTHER SIDE DONE TOO. 2 WEEKS LATER I HAD THE OTHER SIDE FIXED. *TR

MY VEHICLE IS 6 YEARS OLD, ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED MY CAR BEGAN VIBRATING REALLY BADLY AND MY TIRES WERE WEARING FLAT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I TOOK MY DURANGO TO THE 76 SERVICE STATION AND THEY INSPECTED MY VEHICLE AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS WORN, MY FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE WORN AND THE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS WERE WORN VERY BADLY AS WELL AS THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS WERE BAD. I HAVE ONLY SEEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLES WITH 4X4 BUT I THINK THE 4X2 MODELS NEED TO ALSO BE INSPECTED. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR FOR A VEHICLE ONLY BEING 6 YEARS OLD AND DRIVEN ONLY 14,280 A YEAR. I CANT AFFORD TO PAY THE 1500 DOLLARS THAT WAS QUOTED TO HAVE IT FIXED, SO NOW IT SITS UNLESS IT HAS TO BE USED, BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THAT MY FRONT TIRE IS GOING TO FALL OFF. *JB