NHTSA Complaint #10118217 — 2003 DODGE RAM 2500

I CURRENTLY HAVE A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. AT 50,000 MILES THE DEALER NOTIFIED ME THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE SHOWING WEAR. AT 55,000 THE FRONT END STARTED TO MAKE NOISE. AS SOON AS I HEARD THE NOISE I DROVE THE VEHICLE OVER TO DON MILLER DODGE. WHEN THE DEALER CONTACTED ME, INFORMING ME THAT ALL BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS NOT COVER UNDER THE 7/70 DODGE WARRANTY. THE PRICE TAG FOR THE WORK CAME OUT TO $1200. AFTER HANGING UP THE PHONE, I CONTACTED DODGE DIRECTLY AND TOLD THEM OF THE PROBLEM. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT I HAD GREAT MAINTENANCE REPORTS, BUT SINCE I HAD PLACED NEW TIRES ON THE VEHICLE AT 45,000 AND INCREASED THE TIRE FROM 275 TO 285 (.5" DIFFERENCE). THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DUE FOR ME. I CONTACTED SEVERAL DODGE DEALERS IN THE AREA AND SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE 02-03 DODGE DURANGOS AND 02-03 DODGE RAM PICKUP'S. DODGE REF#13452182 I FIND THIS PERFORMANCE FROM A SO CALLED HEAVY DUTY VEHICLE HIGHLY DISAPPOINTING. THIS IS MY SECOND DODGE RAM. I UPGRADED FROM MY 1999 1500 GAS TO THE 2500 DIESEL HEAVY DUTY JUST TO AVOID THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS. IF I WOULD NOT HAVE GONE TO THE DEAL RIGHT AWAY. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN LOSING THE FRONT TIRE. CAUSING INJURY OR WORSE. SIMILAR TO WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE 03 DURANGO. I LUCKY ENOUGH TO RECOGNIZE THE CHANGE IN STEERING. IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM UNTIL IT WAS TO LATE. I WILL OBTAIN THE OLD PART FROM THE DEALER. *NM