NHTSA Complaint #10060454 — 2001 DODGE DURANGO

WE NOTICED A SQUEAKING IN THE FRONT-END WHILE OUR 2001 DODGE DURANGO WAS UNDER WARRANTY. TOOK TO DODGE DEALERSHIP IN BROWNFIELD, TEXAS, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SOUND. SAID WE PROBABLY WERE HEARING VIBRATIONS FROM CD'S IN THE SIDE-DOOR POCKETS. CAR NOW HAS 60K MILES, AND OVER LAST 10K MILES OR SO, HAVE NOTICED FOUR THINGS 1) FRONT END MAKING POPPING SOUND, LIKE A JOINT POP ON YOUR ANKLE OR SOMETHING AND 2) WHEN TURNING SHARPLY, VEHICLE BOUNCES LIKE THE WHEEL WAS OUT OF ROUND, 3) UNEVEN WEAR ON FRONT TIRES, ESPECIALLY ON LEFT SIDE, AND 4) VEHICLE LESS STABLE WHEN HITTING BUMPS AS STEERING TENDS TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH. TRIED TO GET A MECHANIC TO CHECK LAST WEEKEND IN LUBBOCK, BUT COULD NOT GET VEHICLE INTO SHOP DUE TO THEIR WORKLOAD. FAMILY MEMBER TOLD US THAT DURANGO'S WERE ON THE NEWS ABOUT WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM. WE WILL BE SCHEDULING A VISIT WITH A DEALERSHIP. I HOPE WE DON'T LOSE A TIRE, AS WE ARE MINIMUM OF 30 MILES FROM A DEALERSHIP. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE UPPER AND THE UPPER CONTROL BUSHING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN. THE NEXT DAY AFTER PART WERE REPLACED THERE IS STILL A POPPING AND SQUEAKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK.