NHTSA Complaint #10068457 — 2000 DODGE DURANGO

ON MAY 1, 2004 I WENT TO A MIDAS SHOP IN THE CINCINNATI, OHIO AREA DUE TO A BAD LEFT PULL ON THE FRONT OF MY DURANGO. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 69,500 MILES. MY INTENTION WAS TO GET AN ALIGNMENT. THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED ME THAT MY RIGHT FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT WAS SHOT AND THE RIGHT INSIDE TIE ROD WAS SHOT. IN CALLING FOR THE REPAIR PARTS, THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED ME THAT THE PART WOULD HAVE TO COME FROM DODGE. I CHECKED WITH ANOTHER MECHANIC THAT I USE AND THE PROBLEMS WERE VERIFIED. THIS MECHANIC CONTACTED A LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WHOLE FRONT RACK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE ESTIMATED COST WAS $500 IN MATERIALS. I EXPECT EXPENSIVE LABOR CHARGES TO BE NECESSARY DUE TO THE REQUIRED TIME TO REPLACE THIS SYSTEM. THIS IS A FINANCIAL BURDEN AND HAS CAUSED ME TO WAIT TO GET THE NECESSARY REPAIR. BASED ON THE INFORMATION IN ODI #10061274 AND EA03023, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE EFFECT ON MY VEHICLE AND FUTURE SAFETY CONCERNS. THE MECHANIC IS CURRENTLY SEARCHING FOR THE PART. ALSO, SINCE IT IS WORTHLESS TO GET AN ALIGNMENT WITH THESE PARTS BAD, I AM WEARING OUT EXPENSIVE TIRES WAITING FOR THIS REPAIR.*AK