NHTSA Complaint #10129469 — 1999 DODGE DURANGO

DT: THE VEHICLE IS 1999 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONSUMER NEEDED THE TIRES REPLACED AND HE HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CHECK THE BALL JOINTS AT THE SAME TIME. THE MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT THE FRONT TOP AND BOTTOM BALL JOINTS WERE GOING BAD, THIS WAS IN 12-2004. THE CONSUMER KNEW THERE WAS A RECALL ON SIMILAR VEHICLES. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER HAD TO GET THE ENGINE REPLACED BECAUSE OF A SLUDGE PROBLEM. THE ENGINE BLEW UP BECAUSE OF THE OIL PRESSURE HAD FAILED ON THE VEHICLE, ON 7-17-05. ABOUT 3-4 MONTHS PRIOR THE CONSUMER HAD THE OIL AND OIL FILTER CHANGED; AND THE BEARINGS REPLACED. ON 7-19-05 THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. HE HAD THEM CHECK THE BALL JOINTS AGAIN ON 7-20-05. THEY TOLD HIM THAT THEY WOULD BE AFRAID FOR HIM TO DRIVE IT OFF THE LOT. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD REPLACE THIS AT THEIR EXPENSE. *NM