NHTSA Complaint #10275049 — 2004 DODGE DURANGO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING AT RELATIVELY WARM TEMPERATURES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INNER TIE RODS FAILED. THE ENTIRE TIE ROD SYSTEM REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE DUE TO A MASSIVE BACK ORDER. THE REPAIR PART HAS BEEN MODIFIED SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE IS NOT BEING DRIVEN DUE TO THE SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.