1998 DODGE DURANGO Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint Problems

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS LOOSER THAN NORMAL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC ON FEBRUARY 21, 2008 AND BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AS WELL AS THE STEERING BOX WERE REPLACED. THE REPAIR COST $1,001.24. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,298 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,598. UPDATED 05/05/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED ON APRIL 10, 2003 HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR WINDOW REGULATORS. UPDATED 05/05/08 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT AND THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT WERE LOOSE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS AT THIS TIME. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,945.

BOTH BALL JOINTS LEFT AND RIGHT LOWER AND UPPER ARE BAD, HAVE NOT REPLACED AS OF YET WILL SOON. TRUCK HAS ONLY 82K ON IT. *JB

I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY MY DODGE DEALER THAT MY 1998 DODGE DURANGO NEEDS TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 120,000 MILES ON IT. THEY WERE REPLACED THE FIRST TIME AT 70,000 MILES AT MY EXPENSE. DODGE HAS REFUSED TO PARTICIPATE FINANCIALLY ON EITHER OCCASION. SINCE BALL JOINTS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE STEERING SYSTEM I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. I ALSO THINK THE FAILURE RATE ON THESE PARTS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I DO KNOW DODGE HAS ISSUED RECALLS ON LATER MODEL DURANGO'S FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT USED OFF ROAD AND HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY SERVICED ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS. PLEASE HELP. *JB

I PURCHASED A 1998 DODGE DURANGO FROM A SMALL CAR DEALERSHIP IN 2004. IT ONLY HAD 50K MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS 75K MILES ON IT. I WAS TOLD BEFORE A TRIP THAT MY TRUCK HAD SOME "PLAY". NOT KNOWING WHAT THAT WAS, I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT. I AM NOW TOLD THAT IT IS GOING TO COST ME $1000 TO FIX IT AND THEN I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE TIRES ONLY HAVE 5K MILES ON THEM. I AM LOOKING AT A 2K DOLLAR FIX! ONE MECHANIC TOLD ME THEY WERE EXTREMELY UNSAFE! I HAVE 3 SMALL CHILDREN AND THIS IS OUR MAIN VEHICLE. HOW MANY LIVES ARE THEY GOING TO PUT IN DANGER FOR THE DURANGO OWNERS (1998-1999)? WE HAVE THE SAME BALL JOINT PROBLEMS AS THE 2000-2003 OWNERS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FORUMS AND HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS SO WHY HAS NOTHING BEEN...

AFTER PAYING $1500 TO REPLACE THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON OUR RECENTLY PURCHASED DURANGO, I DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE UPPER BALL JOINT FOR DURANGOS. WHEN I INQUIRED WITH DEALER ABOUT A POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PARTS RECALLED I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO OUR VEHICLE YEAR, IT ONLY APPLIED TO 2000-2003 MODEL YEARS. ALTHOUGH OUR 1998 MODEL ENCOUNTERED THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES, DAIMLER CHRYSLER WASN'T WILLING TO REIMBURSE OR DO ANYTHING FOR US. I FOUND THIS VERY DISAPPOINTING CONSIDERING THIS IS THE FOURTH DODGE WE'VE OWNED AND CURRENTLY BOTH OUR VEHICLES ARE DODGE MAKES. WITH THE ENORMOUS NUMBER OF DOCUMENTED COMPLAINTS IT SEEMS REASONABLE TO EXPECT THE NHTSA TO DEMAND DAIMLER CHRYSLER RECALL THE 1998 AND 1999 DURANGOS FOR BALL JOINT PROBLEMS AS WELL. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR A TIRE REPLACEMENT AND ALIGNMENT THE DEALERSHIP OBSERVED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED PRIOR TO THE TIRE REPLACEMENT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V596000, REGARDING THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: UPPER BALL JOINT. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES. SINCE PURCHASE, THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE. AS A RESULT, SMOKE COMES FROM THE WHEEL WELL AREA. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM HOWEVER, THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE IT.

AFTER SEEING A REPORT ABOUT FAILED BALL JOINTS IN DODGE DURANGOS, WE HAD OURS INSPECTED AND THEY ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE HAD THEM REPLACED AND 4 MONTHS LATER THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *JB

I HAVE A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. I AM AWARE THAT CHRYSLER HAS RECALLED 2000-2004 DURANGOS FOR BALL JOINT/SUSPENSION DEFECTS. I HAVE THE SAME DEFECT/PROBLEM WITH MY 1998 DURANGO. ARE THERE GOING TO BE ADDITIONAL RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR FROM CHRYSLER. I HAVE A QUOTE OF $2500.00 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. AFTER SEARCHING MANY WEBSITES I SEE THAT MANY 1998 DURANGO OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM

DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED A RECALL (04V596000) FOR BALL JOINT AND EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 10 YR / 100000 MILES FOR 2000 - 2003 DURANGOS. MY QUESTION IS WHY THE '98 DURANGOS WERE NOT INCLUDED SINCE MY 98 DURANGO HAD THE SAME FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS ONLY 69,000

1998 DODGE DURANGO BALL JOINTS. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. UPON INSPECTION, THE CERTIFIED REPAIRMAN DETERMINED THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND LODGED A COMPLAINT. THE CASE NUMBER WAS 14394561. REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE.*AK

1998 DODGE DURANGO. UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. I HAD THOUGHT I NEEDED SHOCKS AND AN ALIGNMENT AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, TIE ROD END AND IDLER ARM. THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER ABUSED, AND 90% OF THE MILES ARE HIGHWAY MILES. I HAVE READ MANY ACCOUNTS OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND BELIEVE FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND RECALL IS NECESSARY. *JB

BALL JOINT FAILURE ON 1998 DURANGO SLT W/ 5.9L ENGINE AND 81,500 MILES. HEARD CLUNKING SOUND IN FRONT END DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY IN DALLAS, TX. PULLED IN MIDAS SHOP AND LEERED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT BALL JOINT WAS READY TO COME COMPLETELY APART. THE MIDAS SHOP MANAGER ADVISED ME TO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE LIKE THIS. BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS AND WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COST: $1,400. I DO HAVE THE OLD PARTS. *JB

DT CONTACT STATES FRONT SUSPENSION LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE. HAD A LOCAL MECHANIC LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED IT WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM ON A REGULAR BASIS. HE SPOKE WITH THE DEALER. THEY WOULD NOT HELP WITH REPAIR COST OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT REPAIRED AT THIS POINT. *AK

PREMATURE WEAR ON UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES OF VEHICLE. THE SEPARATION OF THESE COMPONENTS CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. IN ADDITION TO THE BALL JOINTS, THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLIES FAIL PREMATURELY WHICH IN COMBINATION WITH THE BALL JOINT PROBLEM GREATLY INCREASES LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING WITH LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON IT. THIS CAUSES SLOW ACCELERATION WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *NM

1998 DODGE DURANGO BALL JOINTS & CONTROL ARM UPPER AND LOWER THEY WERE FIRST REPLACED IN 2000 THEN IN 2004 AND NOW NEED TO BE REPLACED IN 2005 CONTINUOUSLY FAILS SAFETY INSPECTION VIN NO. [XXX] UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

MY DODGE DURANGO STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPON TURNING OR GOING OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE SHOP AND THERE WAS A FAILURE OF BOTH THE UPPER BALL JOINTS AS WELL AS THE TIE-ROD ENDS, NEARLY SEPARATED. PER THE GARAGE, UNUSUAL FOR A 7 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 66,000 MILES. THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OCCURS. REPLACEMENT WILL INCLUDE BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE AND 4 TIE RODS. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR $1,100. *JB

FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. 35,661 MILES TO DATE 17,819 MILES ON WHEN UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED THE FIRST TIME. ROTHROCK MOTORS WHERE I PURCHASED IT WOULD NOT GIVE ME ANY SATISFACTION SO I WENT TO BROWN DAUB DODGE. THEY REPLACED THEM THE FIRST TIME. (07/31/01). THIS TIME ON 07/28/05 I CALLED ROTHROCK LEFT A MESSAGE AND NO ONE EVER CALLED ME BACK SO I CALLED BROWN DAUB AND THEY SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO LOOK AT THEM. THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THEM THIS TIME AND I WAS CHARGED $546.41 AND TOLD TO CONTACT CHRYSLER TO RECOUP MY MONEY. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS NEXT YEAR FOR INSPECTION, THEY BARELY PASSED. *NM

DT: CONTACT STATED BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED TWICE ON VEHICLE. ALSO, BOTH FRONT TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THE TIRES NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINTS. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE'S MILEAGE WAS AT 27,280. THE SECOND REPLACEMENT OCCURRED AT 43,908 MILES. CONSUMER STATED FRONT END WAS MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE AND WAS DRIVING DIFFERENTLY. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND WAS SENDING THE SERVICE RECEIPTS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON DIFFERENT MODEL YEAR FOR THIS SPECIFIC COMPONENT, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN DUE TO VIN. CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE THE COMPLETE ADDRESS FOR THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.*AK REPAIR RECEIPTS ATTACHED FOR BALL JOINTS. WINDSHIELD SPRAYER SPRAYS ONE SIDE. CONNECTOR REPALCED. FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS MACHINED. *TT

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. VEHICLE HAS DEFECTIVE FRONT BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE WAS VERY UNSTABLE EACH TIME THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE MECHANIC ENCOURAGED HIM TO LET NHTSA KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE. *AK

DT: CONTACT OWNED A 1998, DODGE, DURANGO. THERE WAS RECALL O4V596000 CONCERNING THE UPPER BALL JOINT. THIS RECALL WAS ONLY FOR 2000-2003 MODELS. CONTACT ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH LOWER BALL JOINTS. *AK

DT: OWNER COMPLAINED ABOUT SEVERAL VEHICLE PROBLEMS. . ON ALL FOUR WINDOWS THE REGULATOR HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE. DRIVER'S SIDE HAVING TO BE REPLACED THE MOST. ALSO, LOWER BALL JOINTS / LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT, AND STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR TIME. CURRENTLY THE UPPER RIGHT BALL JOINT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THESE HAS BEEN ONGOING ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE CONSUMER OWNED IT. CONSUMER DEALT WITH DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER, BUT CHRYSLER REFUSED TO HELP SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL. CHRYSLER WAS VERY RUDE AND HUNG UP ON THE CONSUMER. *AK

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. HE STATES THAT HIS UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE ABOUT TO BREAK BECAUSE HIS WHEELS ARE LEANING. *TT

(1)BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE MAKING POPPING NOISES EVERYTIME WE DROVE OVER A BUMP OR JOLT IN THE ROAD. (2)THE BOTH WERE BAD AND NEEDED REPLACING, THANKFULLY BEFORE THEY CREATED AN ACCIDENT. (3)BOTH BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE REALIGNED.

BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND FRONT AXLE HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE SHOT AND WILL BE REPLACED. *JB

1998-1999 DODGE DURANGO OWNERS ARE YOU MAD !! I AM ! WHY WERE WE LEFT OUT OF THE DAIMLER-CHRYSTLER BALL JOINT RECALL ? ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC IT IS THE SAME PART AS USED IN THE 2000-2005. MINE ARE RUSTED THROUGH AND WERE ALMOST BROKEN. *AK WHEN I TOOK MY SUV TO THE SHOP. NOW IT IS GOING TO COST ME $1000 TO FIX IT. DON'T WE DESERVE THE SAME RIGHTS OF CONSUMER PROTECTION AS THE 2000-2005 OWNERS. I CALLED THE TERRY WISEMAN'S DEEALSHIP OF ROBINSON,ILLINOIS. AT FIRST THE SERVICE DEPT. PUT ME ON HOLD FOR 15 MINS. I HUNG UP AND CALLED AGAIN AND GAVE THE RECEPTIONIST MY PHONE NUMBER, INFO, AND ASK FOR THEM TO CALL ME WITH AN ESTIMATE. I RECIEVED NO CALL. I CALLED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY THE RECEPTIONIST PUT ME THROUGH TO BARRY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. HE TOOK MY INFO. ABOUT 9:00 AM...

I WON A 1998 DODGE DURANGO 4X4. I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON MY DURANGO. I HAD ONE OF THE PADS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BREAK LOOSE FROM THE SHOE. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS AS WELL. COSTING ME $435. THE MECHANIC DOING THE WORK WANTED TO KNOW IF I HAD REPLACED THE REAR BRAKES RECENTLY. I INFORMED HIM THAT I HAD NOT. THE FRONT AND REAR WERE REPLACE AT THE SAME TIME MAYBE A YEAR EARLIER. HE SAID THERE WAS NEXT TO NO WEAR ON MY REAR BRAKES. SINCFE HAVING MY BRAKES REPLACED THERE IS THIS AWFUL GRINDING SOUND IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANINC AND HE SAID ALL 4 BALL JOINTS, UPPER AND LOWER, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1400. PARTS AND LABOR. I KNOW DODGE RECALLED THE 2000-2003, BUT THIS IS REDICULOUS. I HAVE...

CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. FOUND THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. RECALL 04V596000 WAS ISSUED CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. *AK

UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WEAR.*AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. THREE OF THE FOUR POWER WINDOW MOTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE THEY BURNED OUT. *NM

ALL 4 BALL JOINTS ON THE VEHICLE WERE CLOSE TO FAILING AT 72,310 MILES. PLUS, AN INNER TIE ROD WAS BAD AND THE RIGHT WHEEL BEARING. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING TO BE VERY LOOSE AND IT BECAME HARD TO CONTROL. *AK

ALL OF THE VEHICLE'S BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE AMOUNT SHE PAID FOR SERVICE. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON . THE RIGHT INNER TIE ROD ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. *TC *JB

THE VEHICLE'S UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED. THE CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW WHY THE MANUFACTURER EXCLUDED 1998 DURANGOS WHEN IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS 2000-03 MODEL YEARS. *BF *NM *SC *TC *JB

RELATING TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA03023: I OWN A 1998 DURANGO WITH THE EXACT SAME CONDITIONS. I HAVE SPENT $1000 TO FIX ONE SIDE OF THE FRONT END (HUB ASSEMBLY, BALL JOINTS, CONTROL ARMS, TIE ROD ENDS - IT ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED) AND NEED TO COME UP WITH ANOTHER $1000 TO FIX EVERYTHING ON THE OTHER SIDE. WHY IS THE RECALL ONLY FOR 2000-2003 MODEL YEARS? THE PROBLEM IS REPORTED FOR MODEL YEARS 98 AND 99 - MY SEARCH ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE WAS FOR 1998 MODEL YEAR ISSUES AND THIS ISSUE IS LISTED AS A PROBLEM FOR 1998, ALTHOUGH MOST COMPLAINTS SEEM TO COME FROM MY 2000-2003 OWNERS, THAT'S NOT A REASON TO NOT FIX THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS MY MODEL YEAR.*AK

KNOCKING IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE TRUCK TO BECOME OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I BROUGHT IT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND THEY SAID THAT I NEED TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS EXACT SITUATION. I BROUGHT IT TO ALEXANDER DODGE IN FRANKLIN, TN AND THEY SAID THAT THE DEFECT DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE YEAR, WHICH I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE RECALL ONLY APPLIES TO 1999 AND AFTER WHEN MY VEHICLE IS A 98 AND I FIND IT HATRD TO BELIEVE THAT THE SAME PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR TO A VEHICLE MADE THE PREVIOUS YEAR UNLESS THEY HAD CHANGED MANUFACTURERS IN BETWEEN. *AK

EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE: 1.) NOISE EMINATING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ? CLUNKING, SQUEAKING; 2.) LOOSE STEERING ASSOCIATED WITH CLUNKING; .) WANDERING AT SPEED. *AK FAILURE AND CONSEQUENCES: 1.) PRIOR TO COMPLETE FAILURE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL DEALER AS WORN LOWER BALL JOINTS, RIGHT INNER TIE ROD END, AND SWAY BAR BUSHINGS 2.) POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT DETERMINING THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO FAILURE ? UNSAFE OPERATION OR LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENT DUE TO STEERING FAILURE CORRECTION: 1.) REPLACED LOWER BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS, SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, AND THE RIGHT INNER TIE ROD END ($777.78 PARTS AND LABOR) IN LIGHT OF RECENT RECALLS REGARDING BALL JOINTS OF 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS, WE BELIEVE INVESTIGATION INTO EARLIER MODELS IS WARRANTED. EXTREMELY SIMILAR SYMPTOMS ARE EVIDENT ON THE EARLIER MODELS PRIOR TO 2000 LEADING US TO BELIEVE THE PROBLEM EXISTED PRIOR TO THE 2000 MODEL YEAR. GIVEN...

1998 DODGE DURANGO HAS SAME PROBLEM AS 2000-2003 DAKOTAS/DURANGOS, UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED. *BF

1998 DODGE DURANGO WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF FRONT BALL JOINTS. SAME ISSUE AS IDENTIFIED PREVIOUSLY RESULTING IN RECALL OF 2000-2003 DODGE DURANGOS. NO FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINTS. ADDITIONAL INCIDENT OF BALL JOINT ISSUE ON DURANGOS. *JB

1998 DODGE DURANGO. BALL JOINTS DEFECTIVE. *JB

I OWN A 98 DURANGOS HAS SAME PROBLEM AS 2000-2003, BALL JOINTS PROBLEMS.CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW WHY DID THE RECALL EXCLUDE THE 1998-99? *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME REPLACING THE BALL JOINTS IN THIS VEHICLE IN 80000 MILES. *TC

REQUEST RESPONSE FROM NHTSA RE A RECALL FOR 1998-99 DURANGOS HAVE SAME PROBLEM AS 2000-2003. UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLY TO BROOKFIELD DIST. OFFICE. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE SUFFERED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE ON HIS VEHICLE, HOWEVER HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

DODGE DURANGO 1998 UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILURE. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW WHY WOULDN'T A RECALL BE ISSUED ON THE 98 VEHICLES BUT ONLY FOR THE 2000-03 MODELS. *BF THE CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED ON HER VEHICLE AT A COST OF 1500.00. *JB

BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WEAR.*AK UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS AS WELL AS THE INNER TIE RODS WERE WORN AND WERE REPLACED. *TT

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONTAL UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN *TC

DODGE DURANGO SLT 1998 4X4 DRIVING STABILITY DEGRADED. ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS AT REPAIR SHOP SHOWED FRONT STEERING OUT OF SPEC: "VALUE IS NOT WITHIN SPECIFICATION. TIER WEAR, HANDLING AND SAFETY PROBLEMS MAY RESULT." REPLACEMENT OF FRONT BALL JOINTS WAS REQUIRED. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES. *AK

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS. *AK MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *TT

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT BOTH FRONTAL UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

VEHICLE WANDERED ACROSS THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK

1998 DODGE DURANGO. REPLACES LOWER BALL JOINTS TWO YEARS AGO ($500+). NOW AFTER 75000 TOTAL MILES I HAVE TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINT AND TIE RODS. DODGE DID NOT EXTEND THEIR RECALL BACK FAR ENOUGH. THE ONLY GO BACK TO YEAR 2000 MODELS.*AK