NHTSA Complaint #10102525 — 2000 DODGE DURANGO

I HAD NOTIICE FOR SOME TIME THAT MY VEHICLE , A 2000 DURANGO HAD AN UNUSUSAL NOISE WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT ALONG WITH A "LOOSE" FEEL WHEN DRIVING ,ESPECIALLY WHEN ON A CURVE OR BUMPY ROAD. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT AND THEIR FIRST RESPONSE WAS THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE MY UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED. I HAD PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY INSURANCE FOR THE VEHICLE SO THAT PAID FOR MOST OF THE REPLACEMENT COST BUT THAT DID NOT PAY ANYTHING FOR THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT REQUIRED AFTER THE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. IT SEEMS REALLY UNUSUSUL THAT BALL JOINTS WHICH REQUIRE NO LUBRICATION AND CAN NOT BE LUBRICATED WOULD DETERIORATE SO RAPIDLY IN JUST 40000 MILES OF NORMAL OPERATION. AT THE TIME I ALSO WONDERED WHY THEY IMMEDIATELY DECIDED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE BUT I SEE FROM THE NEWS NOW THAT DAIMLER CHRYSLER HAS HAD A GOOD INDICATION THAT THEY DID HAVE A PROBLEM AND JUST HOPED TO KEEP ME QUIET. *AK