NHTSA Complaint #10171481 — 1999 DODGE DURANGO

MY WIFE DRIVES A 1999 DODGE DURANGO WITH 80,000 MILES. A FEW DAYS AGO MY WIFE NOTICED A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. I WANTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO SEE WHAT MY WIFE WAS TALKING ABOUT. THE NEXT MORNING I DROVE THE VEHICLE AS I TOOK MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. I DROPPED OFF MY DAUGHTER THEN I CONTINUED DRIVING TO LISTEN FOR ANY STRANGE NOISES. I NOTICED A CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT TIRE AT THE DRIVER''S SIDE. THE NOISE SEEMED TO INCREASE AS I WENT OVER SMALL BUMPS ON THE ROAD, AND WHILE TURNING. I DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST AUTO SHOP IMMEDIATELY. I TOLD THE MECHANIC ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND HE WAS INTERESTED IN TAKING THE VEHICLE FOR A TEST DRIVE, TO HEAR WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. AS WE DROVE ON TO THE HIGHWAY THE NOISE WAS GETTING WORSE. WE TRIED TO PULL OFF ON THE NEXT INTERSECTION TO RETURN TO THE SHOP WHEN THE FRONT TIRE ASSEMBLY CAME COMPLETELY OFF THE VEHICLE. THANK GOD WE WERE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND NO FURTHER ACCIDENTS OCCURRED, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN BAD. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE SHOP AND IT IS BEING WORKED ON. IT APPEARS THAT THE WHEEL BEARING LOST LUBRICATION AND BROKE INTO PIECES. *NM