NHTSA Complaint #10174569 — 1999 DODGE DURANGO

I NOTICED A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF MY 1999 DODGE DURANGO. UPON HAVING IT INSPECTED, I WAS ADVISED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES WERE NO GOOD, DUE TO A LACK OF LUBRICATION CAUSED BY FAULTY SEALS. THE MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT WHILE OTHER YEARS OF THE DURANGO HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, MINE DID NOT HAVE A RECALL. HOWEVER, I WAS ADVISED THAT THE DAMAGED BALL JOINTS ARE SUBJECT TO FAILURE, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENTIRE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO COME OFF THE CAR. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM IS JUST AS COMMON IN THE 1999 MODEL YEARS AS OTHER (RECALLED) YEARS. APPARENTLY, THERE HAVE NOT YET BEEN ENOUGH INJURIES OR DEATHS YET FROM 1999 YEAR VEHICLES. SURE HOPE I'M NOT ONE OF THE STATS THAT FINALLY FORCES A RECALL. *JB