NHTSA Complaint #754611 — 1998 DODGE DURANGO

A LOUD HOWLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR AXLE BEARINGS AND POSSIBLY DIFFERENTIAL RING AND PINION WERE BAD. I WAS ADVISED BY MY MECHANIC TO GO BACK TO THE DEALER SINCE THIS WAS AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP DEFECT OBVIOUS BY THE LOW (22,000) MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE THAT LOOKS LIKE THE DAY IT CAME OUT OF THE SHOWROOM. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN USED OFF-ROAD. I RECEIVED NO SATISFACTION FROM THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD SINCE THE VEHICLE IS 9 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY THAT I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. I STRONGLY DISAGREE. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS LISTED IN THIS SECTION WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I EXPERIENCED AND I'VE BEEN TOLD BY AN EXPERT THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IN THIS VEHICLE HAS A SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT INVOLVING THE RING AND PINION NOT BEING CAPABLE OF HANDLE THE FORCES IMPOSED BY THE DRIVETRAIN OF THIS VEHICLE. REPAIR COSTS ARE ESTIMATED AT $1500 - $2000. CHRYSLER/DODGE SHOULD STEP FORWARD AND ADMIT A DESIGN FLAW EXISTS. I WILL FIGHT THIS IN COURT IF I HAVE TO. DODGE, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF FOR NOT FESSING UP TO THIS. *AK