NHTSA Complaint #10045132 — 2000 DODGE DURANGO

I WAS TOLD IN MAY 2003 THAT MY 2000 DODGE DURANGO NEEDED UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED. I THEN TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T GET THE REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR AT LEAST A MONTH. WHEN I TOOK THE DURANGO TO THEM IN JULY, THEY THEN TOLD ME I NEED THE CONTROL ARMS REPLACED AS WELL. I WAS VERY UPSET BECAUSE MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD 41,799 MILES ON IT. I RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND THAT BALL JOINTS SHOULD LAST AT LEAST 100,000 MILES. I EXPRESSED MY ANGER TOWARD THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANAGER THEN TOLD ME I WOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THE CONTROL ARM, THAT CHRYSLER WOULD EAT THAT COST FOR ME. AT THAT POINT I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE THE WORK DONE, FOR FEAR THAT I MIGHT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. I SPENT 2 1/2 LONG MONTHS TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AND SPENT $490.00 TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS. I HOPE THIS REACHES YOU AND YOU CAN GET THIS RESOLVED FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED WITH THESE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THANK YOU. ELAINA DOW. *LA