NHTSA Complaint #10096132 — 1999 DODGE DURANGO

I HEARD POPPING AND GRINDING NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR. THEY BEGAN WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL, THEN WORSENED RAPIDLY TO A CONSTANT NOISE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD MY LOWER BALL JOINTS, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND UPPER CONTROL ARMS HAD DETERIORATED. HE SAID IT WAS LUCKY MY TIRES STAYED ON AND THAT THE PARTS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO HAVE BEEN REPLACED SO EARLY IN THE VEHICLE'S LIFE. THE DURANGO IS A 1999 MODEL AND HAD 81,500 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF REPAIR (MARCH 26, 2004). THE REPAIRS COST 1657.78. THIS AFTERNOON I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AGAIN FOR SQEAKING. HE OILED THE SAME PARTS AND SAID THEY LOOKED BAD AGAIN AND WOULD MOST LIKELY NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. I HAVE ONLY GONE 10,000 MILES SINCE THE LAST REPAIRS WERE DONE. I CONTACTED DODGE, HOWEVER, THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.