NHTSA Complaint #10109887 — 1999 DODGE DURANGO

THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY AS OF YET. THE OBVIOUS IS THE DODGE RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS. I PURCHASED A NEW 1999 DURANGO WHICH HAS ONLY 43000 MILES ON IT. I RECENTLY HAD THE FRONT BRAKES REPLACED AND MY MECHANIC INFORMED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE METAL TO METAL. I OWN ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT I DRIVE DAILY. I EMAILED DAIMLERCHRYSLER AND THE RESPONSE WAS THE DEALER "WAS EMPOWERED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER TO DETERMINE THE MERITS OF ANY GOODWILL POLICY CONSIDERATION FOR REPAIRS BEYOND YOUR MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY". I CALLED THE DEALER AND GAVE THEM ALL THE PERTINENT INFORMATION TO THAT POINT. THEY INFORMED THE ABOVE INFORMATION WAS NOT ENTIRELY TRUE AND THEY HAD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THEN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER TO DETERMINE A SOLUTION. AFTER THE INSPECTION I WAS INFORMED THAT NOT ONLY THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE BAD BUT ALSO THE INNER TIE ROD ENDS. THEY OFFERED A 50/50 SPLIT FOR THE SUM OF $725.00. I DECLINED THIS OFFER DUE TO THE OBVIOUS. I FEEL THAT THE FAULTY BALL JOINTS CAUSED THE TIE ROD ENDS TO WEAR PREMATURELY AND SHOULD BE CATEGORIZED UNDER THE RECALL AND COVERED 100%. THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS FAR BELOW THE EXPECTED MILEAGE. I HAVE COPIES ALL EMAILS AND INVOICES AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. THANK YOU, JOSEPH MAESTAS. *JB