2002 Dodge Durango Complaint Log

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR WINDSHIELD WIPERS. HOWEVER, PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. ALSO, THERE WAS NO DATE AS TO WHEN THE PARTS NEEDED WILL BECOME AVAILABLE.*AK

NOISE AND KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT END WHILE DRIVING, COULD ALSO FEEL THE KNOCKING THRU STEERING WHEEL. TOOK VEHICLE TO GOODYEAR TO HAVE TIRES ROTATED AND WAS TOLD BY THEM THAT ALL BALL JOINTS WERE WORN AND WOULD PROBABLY FAIL SOON, POSSIBLY CAUSING AND ACCIDENT. CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE PARTS UNDER WARRANTY (ONLY 28,000 MILES ON VEHICLE), BUT COULDN'T GUARANTEE THAT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE REPLACED AGAIN IN 30,000 MILES. CONTACTED DODGE AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND "THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE OF A PROBLEM TO SUPPORT A RECALL AT THIS TIME", BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT I READ ON THE INTERNET.

I'D LIKE TO ADD MY VEHICLE TO THE LIST OF DURANGO'S THAT HAVE HAD THE UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACED. MY DURANGO IS A 2002 WITH 38,000 MI. VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT MY DEALER NEVER MENTIONED THE ONGOING PROBLEM. I HAVE MY VEHICLE IN EVERY 3 MONTHS FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND NOT ONCE DID THEY INSPECT IT. NOW I AM 2,000 MI OVER THE WARRANTY AND NO OFFERS FROM DODGE OR THE DEALER TO FIX IT SO I HAD A LOCAL MECHANIC FIX IT FOR ME.*AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT IN JANUARY 2004 SHE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THEN, AGAIN WHILE TAKING A LONG DRIVE, THE CONSUMER HEARD THE SAME KIND OF NOISE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO TOLD HER THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. BUT THE NOISE KEPT GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER. THE CONSUMER TOOK IT BACK A THIRD TIME. DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE THREE WEEKS, REBUILDING THE FRONT END. THIS WAS IN MAY 2004. CURRENTLY, THE CONSUMER HEARD THE SAME KIND OF NOISE. BUT THIS TIME THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THEY COULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *JB

2003 DARANGO HAS BEEN TAKEN TO JIM'S DODGE TO HAVE A PROBLEM FIXED WHEN YOU DRIVE. THEY TELL US THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. WHILE YOU DRIVE THE DARANGO IF YOU HIT A DUMP IT JUMPS TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER IT DOES NOT STAY CENTER. THE TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT SLIPS, OR WHEN IT IS STARTED IT LIKE THE VEHICLE JUST DOES NOT WANT TO GO. JIM'[S DODGE HAS TOLD US THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT THAT SEEMS TO ALL WE HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE. ONE MORE THING JIM'S DODGE IS NOT A VERY CLEAN PLACE TO TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO HAVE IT WORKED ON WE HAVE GOT THE VEHICLE BACK WITH OIL ON THE IN SIDE ON THE VEHICLE, ON THE PAINT, SCRATCHS IN THE PAINT AND ON THE BUMPER. THE VEHICLE HAS COME BACK WITH A VERY BAD SMELL IN IT. IT TOOK US A LONG TIME TO GET THE SMELL OUT. WE CALLED JIM'S DODGE AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE SMELL AND THEY TOLD US THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THA THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. THE DATE MIGHT NOT BE EXACT BE CLOSE.*AK

VISITED YOUR WEBSITE TO CHECK ON REPORTS BECAUSE WE HAVE A 2002 DURANGO R/T WHICH IS OMMITING A SMALL CONSTANT SQEAKING NOISE FROM BOTH SIDES AT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND AM HORRIFIED TO READ ABOUT THE PROBLEMS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH BALL JOINTS. I AM EXTREMELY WORRIED NOW AND WANT TO KNOW IF I CAN GET THE DEALERS ANYTHING ABOUT IT AT NO COST TO ME OR IF IT IS STILL AT THE STAGE WHERE IT HAS NOT BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY THEM AND WILL NOT BE UNTIL SOMEBODY DIES AS USUAL. THE ISSUE WITH THE WIPER MOTOR I PRESUME I CAN MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A LOCAL DEALER AND HAVE THIS CHANGED FREE OF CHARGE. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR REPLY, MANY THANKS NEILL GRIFFIN . *AK

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *NM

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT THE DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEM. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND HAD THE REAR END AND FRONT SUSPENSION REBUILT. CURRENTLY, DIFFERENTIAL MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN, CAUSING FRONT END TO LOCK UP. DEALER CLAIMED THEY DID NOT HEAR ANY NOISE, AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK

TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE TIRES CHANGED. UPON HAVING THE TIRES CHANGED MACHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TOP BALL JOINTS BROKE. *AK

I MANAGE THE FLEET FOR THE FBI JACKSONVILLE DIVISION AND WHILE SERVICING ONE OF OUR VEHICLES, AN 02 2-WD DURANGO, NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION MADE A CREAKING NOISE WHEN I LOWERED THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE GROUND FROM OUR FRAME LIFT AND INSPECTION OF THE SUSPENSION REVEALED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT. THEY HAD ABOUT 1/4 INCH OF PLAY AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 30,000 MI. ON IT. THE BOOTS WERE NOT TORN NOR HAS THIS VEHICLE BEEN USED UNDER SEVERE CONDITIONS. WE ONLY HAVE ONE OTHER 02 DURANGO AND IT IS A 4WD BUT AT 22,000 MI. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE SHOWING SOME WEAR/PLAY. AFTER HAVING TO ACTUALLY JACK THE VEHICLE UP IN THE DEALER SERVICE LANE AND SHOW THEM THE PLAY THEY REPLACED THE CONTROL ARMS UNDER WARRANTY ON THE 2WD AND I HAVEN'T TAKEN THE 4WD ONE IN YET. THIS HAS TO BE A DEFECT, EITHER THE JOINTS DIDN'T GET ANY LUBE WHEN MANUFACTURED OR THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE MATERIALS TO CAUSE THEM TO WEAR SO QUICKLY. I DIDN'T GET THE OLD PARTS SO I CAN'T SAY FOR SURE. I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY RECALL ON THESE, I BELIEVE THERE IS ONE ON THE LATER MODELS FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM. WHEN I TAKE THE NEXT ONE IN I WILL SEE IF THEY WILL LET ME HAVE THE ORIGINAL CONTROL ARMS BUT I'M DOUBTFUL THEY WILL. I CONSIDER OURSELVES LUCKY TO HAVE CAUGHT THIS BEFORE IT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.*AK

UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE POPPING AND CRACKING WITH EVERY TURN OF MY 2002 DODGE DURANGO. IF THEY FAIL, IT COULD MEAN THE LIFE OF ME, MY HUSBAND AND OUR 4 CHILDREN. DODGE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT RECALL THIS AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE DURANGO. *AK

WHILE MAKING URGENT STOP WITH HEAVY BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION, BRAKES SUDDENLY LET LOOSE FOR A MOMENT AND THEN RESUME BRAKING ACTION. UPON FIRST INCIDENT, DEALER REPLACED VARIOUS ABS COMPONENTS. NOT SOLVED. MORE CHECKS, NOT SOLVED. EVENTUALLY, FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS WERE CHANGED, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE NOT WORN OUT. THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR ANOTHER 30,000 OR SO MILES. WITH SLIGHT WEAR ON THE BRAKE PADS, PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. PAID FOR NEW BRAKE PADS EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE NOT RECOMMENDED. THIS AGAIN SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *TR

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HAD A LOT OF PLAY IN IT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS LIFTED HAVING AN OIL CHANGE PERFORMED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE WHEEL INSPECTED. DEALERSHIP INDICATED AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THAT FRONT BALL JOINTS, LEFT OUTER TIE ROD, AND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

AFTER NOTICING STRANGE NOISES FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THE 2002 DURANGO, I TOOK IT TO THE DELAERSHIP. THYE COULD NOT IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEMS. OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS THE NOISES HAVE BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED, AND NOW SEEM TO COEM FROM EVERY TIRE/ CORNER OF THE VEHILCE. TOOK THE TRUCK IN A SECOND TIME- NOTHING COULD BE FOUND, DEALER SAID THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE DOWN THE VERY SAME ROAD THAT I HEAR THE NOISES- LIKE A LOOSE MECHANICAL CONNECOION, AND A FEW SQUEAKS, AND RATTLES. WILL TAK CAR IN FOR THIRD TIME 7/30/04- I HOPE THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM ON THIS $35000 TRUCK.*AK

VEHICLE'S DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE. A FEW SECONDS LATER THE DRIVESHAFT FELL FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MANUEVER THE TRUCK ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THREE WEEKS LATER AN INSPECTOR WAS SENT TO THE DEALER TO CHECK ON THE VEHICLE. AT THAT TIME THE CONSUEMR WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. *NM

2002 DODGE DURANGO UPPER BALL JOINT EXCESSIVE WEAR. *JB

PREMATURE WEARING OF BALL JOINTS . *AK

WHILE BRAKING STEERING PULLED TO THE LEFT. FRONT CALIPER FAILED. SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER NOTICED UNEVEN WEAR AND TEAR ON ALL FOUR TIRES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

THE UPPER BALLS JOINTS WERE REPAIRED PRIOR TO RECEIVING A RECALL, AND THE MANUFACTURER PART OF THE PAYMENT. CONSUMER RECENTLY WENT THROUGH INSPECTION,AND THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. NO RECALL FOR THE LOWER BALL JOINTS.*AK

BRAKE FALURE ON 2002 DODGE DURANGO, AND STEERING PROBLEMS. *LA

HEAR RATLING IN FRONT SUSPENSION. DEALER INVESTIGATION REVEALED PREMATURE WEAR OF BALL JOINTS. DEALER SUGGESTED TO WAIT, AS A POSSIBLE RECALL MAY OCCUR.*AK

I PURCHASED A NEW DURANGO 2 YEARS AGO, AND AT PRESENT THE SUV HAS SLIGHTLY OVER 14,000 MILES. THE DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE ROTORS MUST BE TURNED AND NEW BRAKE PADS INSTALLED. THIS TYPE OF WORK AT 14,000 MILES (7,000 MILES PER YEAR) IS UNACCEPTABLE. AT THIS RATE 30,000 MILES WILL REQUIRE NEW PADS AND ROTORS. APPARANTLY, THE BRAKES/ROTORS ARE UNDERSIZED FOR THE SIZE AND WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE OR THE PADS AND/OR ROTORS ARE DEFECTIVE, BOTH SAFETY ISSUES IN MY OPINION. *AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BALL JOINT PROBLEM. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT TIRE SHOP TO GET THE TIRES BALANCED AND ALIGNED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. *AK THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE ALIGNED DUE TO THE BALL JOINTS. THE DODGE DEALER DENIED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINTS. FINALLY THE DEALER FOUND PLAY ON ONE SIDE AND WANTED TO REPLACE BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS. (THE DEALER REP STATED THAT THEY WERE TRAINED TO CHECK THEM A CERTAIN WAY AND THEY WOULD NOT HAVE FOUND PLAY THE WAY THAT THEY WERE CHECKING THEM) THE TRANSMISSION WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT UPSHIFT, HOWEVER THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS. SUBSEQUENTLY, VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR A QUARTER OF A MILE, AND IT SOUNDED LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED AT THE PRESCRIBED DESTINATION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO SLUDGE BUILDING UP IN THE ENGINE. DEALERSHIP WILL EITHER CLEAN OUT THE OIL PAN OR REPLACE THE MOTOR. *AK

CHRYSLER USED INFERIOR STEEL IN THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ON 2002 DODGE DURANGOS CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE AND A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE THE BRAKE ROTORS FOR PROOF. THE STEEL FLAKES OFF LEAVING LARGE PITS AND CAUSES SEVERE BRAKING PROBLEMS. *MR

NO OBVIOUS SYMPTOMS, JUST GETTING AN INSPECTION TO RENEW LICENSE. MECHANIC SAYS IT FAILED DUE TO BAD UPPER RIGHT BALL JOINT. HE SHOWED ME THE WHEEL AND IT WOULD MOVE SIDEWAYS A FULL 1" BACK AND FORTH! THIS JOINT IS READY TO FAIL COMPLETELY AND I HAVE HAD NO WARNING, NO NOISE, NO LOOSE FEELING IN THE STEERING, NOTHING. ONLY 46,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, DIDN'T EXPECT A PROBLEM LIKE THAT. THANK GOD THAT MISSOURI REQUIRES AN INSPECTION EVERY OTHER YEAR! I WILL REQUEST THE MECHANIC SAVE THE PART WHEN REPLACED.*AK

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DURANGO WITH 4WD AND IT HAS 37,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE TO CHANGE BOTH FRONT WHEEL BRAKE ROTORS. WHEN I TOOK THE BRAKE PADS OUT, I FOUND THAT ON BOTH WHEELS THE INSIDE BRAKE PAD HAS BEEN COMPLETELY WORN OUT AND PITTED INTO THE ROTOR WHILE BOTH OUTSIDE BRAKE PADS HAS ONLY LESS THAN 1/3 WEAR OUT OF THE MATERIAL. IT LOOKS LIKE THE DISK BRAKE SYSTEM IN THE FRONT WHEEL HAS SOME KIND OF DESIGN FLAW. I AM A VERY GOOD MECHANICAL ENGINEER, I THINK THE CLIP LOCATED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE DISK BRAKE PREVENTED THE OUTSIDE PAD FROM EFFECTIVELY ENGAGING WITH THE ROTOR WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. *AK RECALL#04V216000. *SC THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NO OPERATE CORRECTLY WHEN IN THE INTERMITTENT SETTING. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DURANGO THAT IS EXPERIENCING EVERY PROBLEM THAT IS KNOWN WITH DODGE BALL JOINTS AND BRAKES. APR-2004 I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL FREEZING WHILE TURNING LEFT AND THE STEERING LOCKS AT 20-25MPH. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO GREENFIELD DODGE AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEMS, ALSO THE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT BRAKES. THEY NOTED THAT THEY "TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE FOUND THE LOWER BALL JOINTS TO HAVE EXCESSIVE PLAY (.075). THE SERVICE GROUP INFORMED ME THAT THIS INCIDENT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS THEY FINALLY DECIDED TO REPLACE THE PART. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR WOULD BE READY AT 7:00PM THAT EVENING THE CAR WOULD BE READY. AFTER WAITING SEVERAL HOURS I MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO GET TO THE SERVICE SHOP, WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY NEVER BROUGHT THE CAR IN BECAUSE "OTHER THINGS CAME UP". I HAD NO WAY TO GET HOME SO I HAD TO RENT A CAR FROM THE DEALER SHIP. THE NEXT DAY I PICKED UP THE CAR AND HAD TO PAY $30 FOR THE RENTAL AND $108 FOR MY DEDUCTIBLE. REGARDING THE BRAKES. I DECIDED TO HAVE THE BRAKES FIXED AT MIDAS BECAUSE I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THE SERVICE AT DODGE. THE MECHANIC AT MIDAS REMOVED THE PADS AND THE CALIBER AND INFORMED ME THAT THE PINS THAT GO INTO THE CALIBER WERE STRIPPED. HE STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON THING THAT THEY HAVE SEEN WITH THE DODGE TRUCKS. THEY HAD TO TAP AND INSTALL A HELI-COIL. I PICKED UP THE CAR AND HAD TO PAY $30 FOR THE RENTAL AND $108 FOR MY DEDUCTIBLE. THE ENTIRE FEE FOR THE BRAKE SERVICE WITH THE ADDITIONAL PARTS THAT INCLUDED A HELI-COIL KIT AND SERVICE CAME TO $292.13. THE TWO DAY EXPERIENCE LEFT A VERY BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH AND WALLET.*AK

ON APRIL 20 MY WIFE TOOK OUR 2002 DODGE DURANGO TO THE DEALERSIP TO HAVE A PA INSPECTION PERFORMED. THE INSPECTION IN 2003 WAS ROUTINE AND SHOWED NO SIGNS OF ABNORMAL WEAR. SINCE THE LAST INSPECTION MY DROVE THE DURANGO 10,010 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS GARAGED EACH NIGHT AT OUR HOME. THE INSPECTION MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP FAILED OUR DURANGO DUE TO THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR BEING SEVERLY RUSTED. EVEN THE RETAINING CLIPS THAT HOLD THE BRAKE PADS IN PLACE ARE RUSTED OFF AFTER ONLY 10,010 MILES FROM LAST YEAR. HOW CAN A BRAKE ROTOR BECOME RUSTED WHEN IT IS BEING DRIVEN EACH DAY BY MY WIFE. HER WORK IS EIGHT MILES FROM OUR HOME, ONE WAY. I SUSPECT THE ROTOR IS MADE FROM DEFECTIVE STEEL. WE HAVE ALL THE SERVICE RECORDS AS THE DEALERSHIP SERVICES THE DURANGO WHEN NEEDED. TOTAL MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS 22,458 OVER 2 YEARS. WE ARE PAYING TO HAVE THE WORK COMPLETED BUT FEEL THE ROTORS ARE DEFECTIVE AS ARE THE BRAKE PADS. I MYSELF INSPECTED THE ROTOR AND FOUND THE AXEL TO BE RUSTING ALONG WITH THE SPINDLE ARM ATTACHED TO POSSIBLY DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS.. COMMON FOLKS SUCH AS MYSELF AND MY WIFE DEPEND ON YOUR AGENCY TO REPRESENT US. HAD WE KNOW OF THE POOR QUALITY OF THE DURANGO WE NEVER WOULD HAVE SPENT OUR MONEY ON IT. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY HAVE BEEN OF NO HELP. I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP TO GIVE ME BACK ALL THE PARTS BEING REPLACED SO I WILL HAVE THEM FOR EVIDENCE. I ALSO HAVE THE SUPPORTING PAPERWORK. UNSAFE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED ON THE HIGHWAYS WHERE PEOPLE CAN GET KILLED. AT 60 MILES PER HOUR IF YOUR ROTOR BREAKS OR THE BALL JOINT POPS OUT SOMEONE WILL BE DEAD. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP.*AK

I WANT TO JOIN THE GROWING LIST OF CONSUMERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE DODGE DURANGO UPPER BALL JOINT PROBLEM. ON APRIL 15, 2004 I HAD TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT UPPER BALL JOINTS AT A COST OF $468.16 - THE TRUCK HAD ABOUT 40,000 MILES ON IT. DODGE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM NOW. WHEN THE MECHANIC PUT THE TRUCK UP ON THE RACK, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WOBBLED VERY BADLY. SHE SAID "THIS IS VERY SERIOUS." THERE WERE NO STEERING PROBLEMS AND NO WARNING NOISES, I JUST TOOK THE TRUCK IN TO BE CHECKED FOR MY OWN PEACE OF MIND. DOES THE WHEEL HAVE TO FALL OFF AS A FIRST WARNING. *AK

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DURANGO 2 WHEEL DRIVE THAT HAS 45000 MILES ,THE FRONT END MAKES LOUD SQUEKING NOISE,NO MATTER WHERE OR WHAT YOU ARE DOING WITH IT, JUST GETTING IN IT DOES THIS. DODGE CHECKED BALLJOINTS AND SAID THEY ARE FINE,NOT TO WORRY???I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT END ALIGNED 5 TIMES 3 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY AND IT STILL IS WEARING OUT TIRES AND PULLING TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER, AGAIN DODGE SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM.I GUESS WHEN I,DIE BEHIND THE WHEEL THEN THEY WONT HAVE A PROBLEM!!!!! ALL I WANT IS FOR THEM TO FIX THIS, NO QUESTIONS ASKED THEY DONT HAVE TO ADMIT TO ANYTHING. PLEASE HELP ME.*AK

2002 DURANGO BALL JOINTS: AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS BY DEALER, OVER ONE YEAR PERIOD, TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR "POPPING SOUND/FRONT SUSPENSION/SLOW SPEED/WHEN TURNING ABRUPTLY, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. L&R CONTROL ARMS REPLACED DUE TO BAD BUSHINGS. SVC. MGR. INDICATED TO ME INTEGRAL RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT LOOSE IN IT'S SOCKET. *NM

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH A LOUD BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEELS. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE . CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND HIT A CURB. PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. *AK EA03-023

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING THROUGH THE FROM END. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC INDICATED NEED TO BE REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS AT OWNER EXPENSES. AND CONSUMER DON'T HAVE THE MONEY.

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED, AND TURNING THE LEFT OR RIGHT CONSUMER HEARD LOUD CLUNKY NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. MECHANIC, AT DELUSIVE INDICATED VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED.

WHILE DRIVING AT LOWER SPEED CONSUMER HEAR LOUD NOISE COMING THROUGH THE FRONT END. DEALER HAS INSPECTED SEVERAL TIMES, MECHANIC INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER WE DIDN'T HEARD ANY NOISE IN YOUR CAR, IS FINE.

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. CONSUMER HAD THE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED. *AK

UPPER BALL JOINTS WEAR OUT EXCESSIVELY. *AK

WHILE MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM PERTAINED TO FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. *AK

WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND A FIX AT THIS TIME. *NM

2002 DODGE DURANGO HAS ENGINE STALLING PROBLEMS. STARTING HAVING PROBLEMS A FEW MONTHS AFTER A BOUGHT IT. (NOV, 2002, 14,000 MILES ON IT) IT STARTED OUT STALLING WHEN YOU WOULD BE DRIVING AND STOP, SAY AT A LIGHT. IT WOULD IDIOL REAL LOW AND DIE. THE FIRST COUPLE TIMES THIS HAPPEND IN A 3-4 MONTH PERIOD I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. AND THE SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEN IN JULY 2003 I WAS DRIVING HOME IN THE AFTERNOON GOING ABOUT 40-45 MPH AND THE DURANGO JUST SHUT OFF ON ME. I ENDED UP IN A DITCH WITH FRONT END DAMAGE. TOOK IT TO DODGE DEALER TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED. WAITED 6 WEEKS FOR A DODGE REP. FROM DETRIOT TO COME LOOK AT IT. ONLY TO HAVE HIM SAY THE SAME THING, CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. WELL I ENDED UP PAYING THE DEDUCTABLE TO GET IT FIXED. CONT. TO HAVE PROBLEMS OFF AND ON THE NEXT 6-8 MONTHS. THAN ON MONDAY FEB. 16. I WAS PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND GOT THROUGH 1 LANE AND IT DIED AND WOULDN'T RESTART THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES. SO I'M SETTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY TRYING TO START MY DURANGO. LUCKY PEOPLE SAW ME ENOUGH TO STOP. ALMOST HAD ANOTHER ACCIDENT. TOOK IT RIGHT TO THE DODGE DEALER AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED, AND TO NOT CALL ME UNTILL IT WAS FIXED, AND IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT THEN I WILL CONTACT A LAWYER AND APPROACH THE LEMON LAW. THEY HAVE HAD IT FOR 3 DAYS NO PHONE CALL. LUCKLY IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT NOT FOR MUCH LONGER. CAN SOME ONE PLEASE HELP ME.

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH 2002 DODGE DURANGO. POWER LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY LOCK AND UNLOCK WITHOUT ACTIVATING THEM. BAD CREAKING NOISE FROM FRONT SUSPENSION, POSSIBLE BALL JOINT PROBLEMS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. BRAKES REALLY SOFT, HORRIBLE STOPPING DISTANCE. ENGINE RUNS REALLY ROUGH IN MORNING FOR FIRST 10-15 MINUTES. ONLY 21000 MILES. *AK

2002 DODGE DURANGO RIGHT TIE ROD BROKE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RIGHT INNER TIE ROB SHAFT THREADS WERE STRIPPED AND TH ELEFT FRONT TIE ROD LOOSE AT 25626 MILES. BALL JOINTS CHECKED AND THEY FOUND PLAY IN BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS. ALSO KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL THE RACK AND PINION WAS ALSO FOUND TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED REPLACED. WE HAD TO PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR THAT WAS NOT COVERED EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS SUPPOSABLE COVERED UNTIL 36000 MILES??? CAR WAS IN SHOP FOR OVER A WEEK AND PARTS WERE JUST 20 MILES AWAY IN OTHER DEALERSHIP. DURANGO DOES HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHY IS NOTHING BEING DONE? THANK GOODNESS NOTHING HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY OR ELSE THE CAR COULD HAVE FLIPPED.*AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, WHITE SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDER THE MIDDLE OF THE FRONT BENCH SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER. AFTER BLOWING ON THE SMOKE, A SMALL FLAME WAS OBSERVED UNDER THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A WIRING CONNECTION UNDER THE SEAT HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED.*AK

FAILED STATE INSPECTION, UPPER BALL JOINT. DRIVER SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 23,300 MILES.*AK

TOOK MY VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE. WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE, I WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE IN SUCH BAD CONDITION THAT THEY COULD NOT RELEASE THE VEHICLE TO ME WITHOUT REPLACING THEM BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT. THEY SAID THAT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE BACKORDERED BECAUSE OF SO MANY SIMILAR SITUATIONS AND THAT IT MIGHT TAKE A WEEK OR MORE UNTIL I RECEIVED MY VEHICLE BACK. THE VEHICLE HAD ROUGHLY 20,000 MILES ON IT AND IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. IF THIS IS SUCH A COMMON AND HAZARDOUS PROBLEM, WHY NO RECALL? *AK

UPPER BALL JOINTS CHECKED, FOUND OVER .500 VERTICAL TRAVEL IN BOTH, RETAINED DEFECTIVE PARTS. MILAGE AT TIME OF REPAIR WAS 80,000. DUE TO LACK OF REPLACEMENT BALL JOINTS, BOTH UPPER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $1000, PAID BY ME. REPAIR DATE WAS 1-24-2004. THE DEFECTIVE PARTS WERE REPLACED WITH EXACTLY THE SAME UNIT. CURRENT MILAGE ON MY VEHICLE IS APPROX 106,000. I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE BALL JPINT ASSEMBLIES FOR A SECOND TIME WITHIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS. WHEN IS NHTSA GOING TO FORCE CHRYSLER TO RECALL THIS DANGEROUSLY DEFECTIVE VEHICLE AND REPAIR THEM WITH REDESIGNED BALL JOINTS?*AK