1999 DODGE DURANGO Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Ball Joint Problems

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE CHANGING THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V596000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 39,000. UPDATED 01/14/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/21/09. *JB

THE BALL JOINTS FAILED ON MY 1999 DODGE DURANGO WITH THE SAME CLUNKING NOISE THAT THE BALL JOINTS FAILED ON THE 2000 - 2003 DODGE DURANGO'S. YOUR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V596000 CLEARLY STATES THIS PROBLEM. SINCE YOU DIDN'T INCLUDE THE 1999 DODGE DURANGO'S IN THE RECALL I REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS MYSELF. USING THE APPROPRIATE STEPS I REPLACED THE BAD SQUEAKY, CLUNKING BALL JOINTS WITH NEW MOOG BALL JOINTS. AFTER ABOUT 3 MONTHS THE FRONT END OF MY DURANGO SOUNDED AS IF IT WERE GOING TO FALL OFF. I TOOK MY CAR TO MIENEKE IN SPRING , TEXAS TO GET IT EVALUATED. THE MANAGER AT THIS OUTLET INFORMED ME THAT THE BALL JOINTS HAD WALLOWED OUT THE HOLES ON THE UPPER CONTROL ARM WHERE THE BOLTS GO THROUGH BALL JOINT AND THE UPPER CONTROL ARM. HE THEN CHARGED ME $1400.00 TO REPLACE THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS ON THE RIGHT AND...

FOR MY 1999 DODGE DURANGO THE BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE REPLACED COSTING $800. I SEE THAT DODGE RECALLED THE 2000 - 2003 DURANGO'S FOR THIS ISSUE, OR AT LEAST THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY 1998 AND 1999 WERE NOT RECALLED AS WELL. ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AT HIGH SPEEDS. *TR

MY 1999 DODGE DURANGO HAS BEEN MAKING STRANGE CREAKING NOISES FOR SOME TIME. EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR SERVICE, I'VE BEEN TOLD EVERYTHING IS OKAY. JUST RECENTLY THOSE CREAKING NOISES BECAME WORSE. THIS TIME WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE I FOUND OUT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINT. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT I HAVE IT FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IT COST $635 TO FIX. *TR

WE BOUGHT OUR DURANGO USED IN FEB 06. FEB 20TH TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE FRONT BRAKES WERE LOCKING UP ( REPLACED PADS AND HAD ROTORS RESURFACED - $381.00). ON SEP. 9,06 TOOK IT IN BECAUSE THE FRONT END WAS VIBRATING TERRIBLY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE HAD 95,328 MI. WE HAD OVER $891.83 IN REPAIRS AND ALIGNMENT AND HAD TO TURN AROUND AND HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE WEAR DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS ( ANOTHER $800+). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING AND CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. IN 2002, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SPECIALTY ALIGNMENT SHOP AND THEY REFUSED TO ALIGN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE UPPER AND LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARMS WERE WORN OUT. THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE UPPER CONTROL ARM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. HOWEVER, HE CONTINUES TO HEAR THE CLUNKING AND CREAKING SOUND. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114. THE UPPER BALL JOINT WAS BAD AND THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE STAYED ENGAGED. THE ENGINE PINGED A LOT. UPDATED 11/06/07.

UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS REPAIRED TWICE, TWO SETS OF FRONT TIRES BECAUSE OF UNEVEN WEAR DUE TO BALL JOINTS, IN TWO YEARS TIME. TRUCK ISN'T DRIVEN ANY LONGER, FIRST TIME BALL JOINTS WENT OUT LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND HIT A DITCH, THESE TRUCKS ARE DANGEROUS AND NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF ROAD PERIOD. CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR AN ATTORNEY. *JB

I AM HERE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE BALL JOINTS ON OUR 1999 DODGE DURANGO! I JUST FOUND OUT ON MONDAY THAT WE HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AGAIN. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME. FIRST TIME WAS IN 2004 W/ 65K MILES ON THE VEHICLE. NOW 3 YEARS AND 30K MILES LATER I HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN!! FIRST TIME COST ME AROUND 400 DOLLARS AND THIS TIME IT WILL BE AROUND 325 B/C MY FRIEND WORKS AT THE LOCAL SHOP! THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IF THE PERSON DRIVING IT DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT CARS. I HAVE SEE NUMEROUS PICTURES ON THE INTERNET OF WRECKS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS!! WE HAVE A 1 YR OLD AND IT SCARES US TO KNOW THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME TO THE 98 AND 99 DURANGO'S. THE WAY YOU CAN TELL THESE ARE GOING BAD IS WHEN...

1999 DODGE DURANGO BALL JOINT PROBLEM AT 67,000 MILES, MY DURANGO NEEDS BALLS JOINTS. IT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAD A RECALL ON 2000 AND UP BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THE PROBLEM EXISTED IN 1999 ALSO. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS MODEL YEAR RECALLED ALSO. *TR

ABS LIGHT & BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, WHEN LIGHTS WERE ON BRAKES WERE TOUCHY. AND FORGET TRYING TO SLOW OR STOP WHEN IT'S RAINING. FRONT DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARMS, BALL JOINTS, AND BUSHINGS REPLACED. UPPER AND LOWER A-ARM BUSHINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO NOISE IN FRONT END. DODGE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THIS NOISE OR ANY PROBLEM WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THEM. AFTER TWO DAYS OF IT SITTING AT THE DEALER WE MYSTERIOUSLY HAD A BADLY LEAKING WATER PUMP. WHEN WE DECIDED NOT TO HAVE THE DEALER COMPLETE THE REPAIR THEY MADE US PAY THEM A DIAGNOSTIC FEE OF $78.00! TWO SETS OF BRAND NEW BRAKES SQUEAKED ANNOYINGLY AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS AT LUBRICATION AND CLEANING, ROTORS NOW NEED REPLACING. REAR PASSENGER, & FRONT DRIVER POWER WINDOW MOTORS REPLACED, TWICE FOR THE REAR ONE. BAD BRAKES & BAD SUSPENSION DID NOT MIX WELL...

WORN OUT UPPER BALLJOINTS AT 80,000 MILES ON MY 1999 DODGE DURANGO.*AK

I HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING VIBRATION THROUGHOUT VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING SO I TOOK TO OUR MECHANIC. HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS AND U-JOINT AND GET AN ALIGNMENT. I NOW HAVE A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING , AND AM CONSTANTLY CORRECTING IT JUST TO GO STRAIGHT. HAD LOOKED AT AGAIN AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. I FOUND OUT THAT THE BALL JOINTS HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR YEARS 2000-2003 ,BUT WHY NOT 1999?? *AK

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DURANGO WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE ODOMETER READING OF 96000 MILES. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 04V596000 CONCERNING SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER, BUT THEY SAID THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT WAS MADE AT A DIFFERENT PLANT. *AK

MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A NEW 1999 DODGE DURANGO IN JUNE OF 1999. WITHIN THE FIRST 20,000 MILES, WE BOTH NOTICED A "CLICKING" NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, ALONG WITH VEHICLE SHIMMY. THE VEHICLE WAS PROPERLY DIAGNOSED WITH FAULTY BALL JOINTS. WE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED. WITHIN ANOTHER 20,000 MILES, THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. AGAIN WE HAD THEM REPLACED. NOW WE ARE ON OUR THIRD SET OF BALL JOINTS IN OUR DODGE DURANGO. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS ONLY 67,000 MILES ON IT. (02-28-2007) I KNOW THAT THERE IS A RECALL NOTICE FOR MODEL YEARS 2000-2004 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MAY THIS PROBLEM ALSO EXIST IN THE 1999 MODEL? *JB

1999 DODGE DURANGO UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE. *JB

OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS OF OPERATING THE VEHICLE (2005-2007): 1. FIRE IN THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY AFTER 1.5 HOURS OF 4-WHEEL DRIVE - 1100$ REPLACE 2. SPEED SENSOR FAILURE ($500 WORK) 3. ENGINE FAILURE ON THE HIGHWAY @80 MPH - $7000 REPLACE AND OTHER COSTS, LUCKY SURVIVED 4. JOINT BALLS REPLACE (ABOUT 400$) 5. AC FAILURE ($960 REPAIR) 6. NOW PARKED - TRANSMISSION/ENGINE JOINT OIL LEAK, ESTIMATED $1200 REPAIR. *JB

BALL JOINTS WENT BAD AFTER 38,000 MILES. BROUGHT FRONT END PROBLEMS TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION PRIOR TO IT GOING OUT OF WARRANTY. CHRYSLER TOLD ME TOO BAD, THE TRUCK WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO HAVE THEM REPLACE ALL FOUR AND SHARE THE COST, MY SHARE $500 PLUS. THEY DENIED THERE WAS ANY ISSUE ON THE DURANGO MODELS. AFTER 30,000 MORE MILES THEY ARE BAD AGAIN. CHRYSLER RECALLED 2000 AND UP MODELS, MINE IS A "99". I PURCHASED IT NEW. THEY SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL PRODUCTION YEARS. *NM

1999 DODGE DURANGO WITH BALL JOINT PROBLEMS**CC THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DURANGO. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO AUTHORIZE AN ALIGNMENT ON THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD BEEN REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD NO WARNING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR SHOP THIS FAILURE OCCURS FREQUENTLY WITH DODGE DURANGO'S. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *JB THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE INNER TIE ROD ENDS. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED THE INVOICE FOR SERVICE PERFORMED ON VEHICLE. UPDATED 05/21/07*TR

TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 1999 DODGE DURANGO AND COMPLAINED ABOUT TWO BALL JOINT FAILURES. AT 50013 MILES CONTACT HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO HIS LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED THE LOWER RIGHT BALL JOINT. AT 92000 CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO ZRUBEK'S FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND THE REPAIR SHOP STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TWO UPPER BALL JOINTS, AND TWO INNER TIE RODS. *AK UPDATED 1/29/2007 - *NM

THIS VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP DUE TO WARNING LIGHT TROUBLE WHEN SHOP TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT BOTH THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THE UPPER RIGHT BALL JOINT HAVE WORN OUT. THEY RECOMMENDED I SEARCH FOR RECALL INFORMATION AS THEY HAVE DEALT WITH THIS PROBLEM MAY TIMES. *JB

CONSTANT BALL JOINT WEAR ON MY 1999 DURANGO. BALL JOINTS DON'T NORMALLY WEAR THIS FAST ON OTHER VEHICLES. WON'T PASS INSPECTION DUE TO BAD JOINTS, REPEATEDLY. *JB

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

MY 1999 DODGE DURANGO FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO FAILING UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINTS LED TO THE FAILURE OF THE OUTER TIE RODS ON BOTH SIDES. THE INSPECTOR ADVISED ME TO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE REPAIRS WERE MADE DUE TO THEIR POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM BOTH FRONT WHEEL WELLS. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE LEFT FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT WAS EXCESSIVELY WORN AND DRY FROM A LACK OF LUBRICATION. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V596000, REGARDING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED IN THE VEHICLE AS EARLY AS JUNE FIRST OF 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERS AND LEFT WITH THEM FOR ONE WEEK TO UNDER-GO DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER DETERMINED THROUGH THE TESTING THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PERTAINING TO THE FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED THE PART. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE MORE PROBLEMS CONCERNING STALLING AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERS WHO REPLACED THE WATER PUMP. ONE WEEK LATER, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS INCLUDING WATER DRIPPING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED GASKET OF THE WATER PUMP. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAVELING AT 30 MPH. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE #3 CYLINDER HAD NO COMPRESSION, THE COOLANT WAS COMING OUT...

THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND TIRE WEAR WAS ABNORMAL. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION, THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON BOTH SIDES. THE INNER TIE RODS ALSO HAD TO BE CHANGED DUE TO THE LOOSE BALL JOINTS. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS, EVEN WITH MY MILITARY DISCOUNT WAS $950. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 65298 MILES ON THE ODOMETER WHEN IT WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP. LUCKILY I NOTICED THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE BALL JOINTS SEPARATED AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM PUT MY LIFE AND MY FAMILY'S LIFE IN HARMS WAY. 1999 DURANGOS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE RECALL ON BALL JOINTS. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID # 04V596000 REGARDING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE...

I RECENTLY PUT NEW TIRES ON MY 1999 DODGE DURANGO, THEN I WENT TO HAVE THE FRONT END ALIGNED ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY CAN'T DO IT BECAUSE THE BALL JOINTS ARE BAD. I NOTICE THERE IS A RECALL ON 2000-2003 DURANGOS,YET I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A FAMILY CAR AND MY CHILDREN ARE NOT SAFE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON ALL DODGE DURANGOS AS IT IS MORE WIDESPREAD THAN THE CHRYSLER CORP. REALIZES. PLEASE DO SOME THING TO FIX THIS IMMEDIATELY. *JB

BALL JOINTS. I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY BALL JOINT EVERY SINCE I OWNED THIS VEHICLE. AND I BELIEVE THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL BUT IT WASN'T. MY UPPER BALL JOINT DON'T HAVE ANY GREASE FITTING SO THEREFORE WHEN THEY DRY OUT IT CAUSES THEM TO POP AND GO BAD ALL OVER AGAIN. *NM

HAVING NOTICED EXCESSIVE FRONT TIRE WEAR & POOR STEERING PERFORMANCE I TOOK MY 1999 DODGE DURANGO (78000 MILES) IN FOR ALIGNMENT/TIRE BALANCE. WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE SHOT. WAS FORCED TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS & TIRES (LESS THAN 25K ON THE TIRES) TO THE TUNE OF $1200.00. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION, THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT WERE LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID # 04V596000 REGARDING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 05/16/2006. *AK

FRONT END BEGAN VIBRATING. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE WORN OUT AND NEED REPLACED. IF NOT REPLACED, ENTIRE SUSPENSION IS IN DANGER. REPAIR TO EXCEED $700. I CALLED CHRYSLER FOR HELP IN PAYING FOR REPAIRS AS I'VE BEEN A LOYAL CHRYSLER CONSUMER FOR 16 YEARS - HAVING PURCHASED 4 CHRYSLER VEHICLES. BALL JOINT FAILURE ON THESE VEHICLES IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM. CHRSYLER REFUSED TO HELP BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM A BANK AND NOT THE DEALER - THE FIRST CHRYSLER VEHICLE I'VE PURCHASED THAT DID NOT COME DIRECT FOR THE DEALER. *JB

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT EXCESSIVE WEAR AS IN 2000 MODEL YEAR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V596000. THIS DURANGO HAS 85561 MILES WHICH IS BELOW THE 100,000 MILE CUT OFF FOR THE RECALL MENTIONED ABOVE FOR THE 2000 MODEL YEAR. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES SHOW EXCESSIVE WEAR AND WILL SEPARATE JUST AS THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON THE 2000 MODEL YEAR. I AM HAVING THEM REPLACED HOWEVER, THE 1999 MODEL YEAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V596000. *JB

THE BALL JOINTS ON MY 1999 DURANGO ARE WORN TO THE EXTENT THAT I AM CONCERNED THAT IT WILL BREAK. I FOUND THE PROBLEM AFTER MOMENTARILY LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE BRAKING. THE BRAKES STARTED WORKING ERRATICALLY SOME TIME AGO UNDER HARD BRAKING. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT IT WAS AN ABS ISSUE. I HAVE PARKED THE SUV UNTIL IT CAN BE REPAIRED. *JB

I'VE BEEN COMPLAINING OF ABNORMAL NOISES COMING FROM MY 1999 DODGE DURANGO SINCE MAY OF 2003, TO 2 DIFFERENT DODGE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. THE STEERING IS "LOOSE" AND THE TIRES WEAR UNEVENLY NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE THEM ROTATED. AFTER A VERY SCARY ROAD TRIP WHERE I ALMOST VEERED OFF THE HIGHWAY SEVERAL TIMES, I BROUGHT THE DURANGO TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THEY IMMEDIATELY DETECTED THE PROBLEM OF FAULTY BALL JOINTS AND A BAD REAR AXLE AND DIFFERENTIAL. WHEN THE MECHANIC CALLED DODGE TO ORDER PARTS, HE WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DURANGO'S AND THE PARTS WERE IN STOCK. REPAIRS CONSISTED OF NEW UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, NEW FRONT TIRES (WITH ALIGNMENT) REPAIR AND REBUILD REAR AXLE AND DIFFERENTIAL. THIS WAS ALL PAID FOR BY ME PERSONALLY BECAUSE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED IN JUNE 2005. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED...

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AT AN AVERAGE HIGHWAY SPEED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WAS LOOSE TO THE TOUCH AND PIVOTED TO THE SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP SUGGESTED REPLACING THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V596000, REGARDING THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED IN NOVEMBER 2004. PRIOR TO HAVING THIS REPAIR COMPLETED, THERE WAS VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH OR MORE. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, #, 04V596000; SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: UPPER BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 2/28/2006 - THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. IT HASN'T BEEN OVER THIRTY THOUSAND MILES SINCE THE WERE LAST REPLACEMENT AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *NM

UPPER BALL JOINTS DANGEROUSLY LOOSE ON 99 DURANGO. CURRENT RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO THE 1999 MODEL YEAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THESE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES WERE CLOSE TO COMPLETE FAILURE WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE HAD I NOT BEEN IN THE HABIT OF CHECKING THEM BECAUSE OF SO MANY REPORTED FAILURES OF BALL JOINTS ON THE DURANGOS. *NM

REPLACEMENT OF WORN FRONT END SUSPENSION BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD END WAS NECESSARY DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN. *NM

UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR AND NOISE FROM DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AREA FOR LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. PREMATURE SEVERE FAILURE OF DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT AND LESSER FAILURE OF PASSENGER SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT. BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AND REALIGNED. *JB

BALL JOINT FAILURE IN 1999 DODGE DURANGO. LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT HAD THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING REALLY HARD. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO FOUND THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT CONTACT'S EXPENSE. *AK

ON 10/24/02, I HAD TO REPLACE THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 1999 DODGE DURANGO BECAUSE I FAILED THE STATE INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT MY TRUCK WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THERE WAS 46382 MILES ON THE ODOMETER IN THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. MY TRUCK FAILED THE STATE INSPECTION ON 11/29/05 BECAUSE THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DURANGO NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN! I NOW HAVE 71508 MILES ON MY ODOMETER. THAT MEANS I HAVE DRIVEN ONLY 25126 MILES SINCE THE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AND NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AGAIN. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH DURANGO'S AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I SEE THAT DODGE IS RECALLING ALL VEHICLES FROM 2000 ONWARDS. WHY ARE THEY NOT BEING FORCED TO RECALL THE VEHICLES PRIOR...

TOLD BALL JOINTS VERY BAD IN MY 1999 DURANGO . CHRYSLER STATES MY DURANGO IS NOT ON THEIR LIST SO I'M OUT OF LUCK EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THEIR BALL JOINTS ARE DEFECTIVE. REPAIR COSTS ARE MINE THEY AREN'T RESPONSIBLE. IF THERE IS ANOTHER RECALL THEY MAY RECONSIDER. IF THEY HAVE DEFECTIVE PARTS SHOULD THEY NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE OR DO I HAVE TO BE INJURED OR KILLED FIRST. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HIS GIRL FRIEND'S VEHICLE THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. UPON INSPECTION THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC SAID THE BALL JOINTS MAY HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONE TIME. THE MECHANIC SAID THE REPLACEMENT WAS DUE TO DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS. THE SERVICE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL. *AK

VEHICLE FRONT END MADE A CLUNKING NOISE AND FELT LOOSE WHEN DRIVING ON ROUGH ROADS WHICH WAS DETERMINED TO BE CAUSED BY CRACKED AND LOOSE BALL JOINTS. DODGE DEALER REPAIRED SAME BUT REFUSED TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. DEALER ALSO REPLACED L & R INNER TIE ROD ENDS AND STEERING GEAR, WHICH THEY SAID WERE DAMAGED BY WHEEL PLAY DUE TO THE BAD BALL JOINTS. OLD PARTS WERE KEPT BY DEALER, AVAILABILITY AT THIS TIME IS UNKNOWN.

DT: THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION ON 10-20-05, AND THE INSPECTION SHOWED THAT ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. HE TALKED TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD HIM TO CALL DAIMLER/CHRYSLER. HOWEVER, DAIMLER/CHRYSLER TOLD HIM THAT RECALL 04V596000 ONLY INCLUDED 2000-2003 MODELS, AND URGED HIM TO CALL NHTSA. HE FELT THAT IT WAS ABNORMAL FOR BALL JOINTS TO MALFUNCTION THAT QUICKLY. ALSO, FELT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*AK

FAILURE OF UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES OF MY 1999 DODGE DURANGO, 2WD. *NM