2002 DODGE DURANGO Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Ball Joint Problems

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND THE TIRE CAME OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION FRONT CONTROL ARM UPPER BALL JOINT HAD SEPARATED. THE TECHNICIANS ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT CONTROL ARM UPPER BALL JOINT, SWAY BAR, BRAKE PADS, SUSPENSION CROSS BAR, WHEEL, BRAKES AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V596000 (SUSPENSION FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT) BUT THE DEALER INFORMED HER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THEY WOULD COVER A PORTION OF THE REPAIRS BUT THEY COULD NOT COVER THE ENTIRE COST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,299. UPDATED 02/18/11 *BF PHOTOS INCLUDED...

UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE. LOUD NOISE AND DECREASED STEERING FUNCTION. RECALL ON 2002 DURANGO 4X4 BUT NOT ON 2002 DURANGO WITHOUT 4X4. PERHAPS SAME PARTS WERE USED IN BOTH TYPE 2002 DURANGO. RECALL SHOULD BE ON BOTH. ESTIMATE REPAIR COST $1500. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING, WHINING, AND HUMMING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. HE DROVE TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AND A TIE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V596000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT: CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT) WAS REFERENCED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE COOLING SYSTEM HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE THE REPAIR. THE SWITCH TO OPERATE THE BLOWER MOTOR FAN ONLY WORKS ON HIGH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 07/15/08.*LJ THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. UPDATED 07/15/08.

I PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE DURANGO IN JAUARY OF 2007. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT UNTIL I NOTICED THAT THE TRUCK WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A LOCAL SERVICE CENTER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL FOR THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FOR CHRYSLER. WHEN I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON MY TRUCK IN 2005. WHEN I INFORMED THE SERVICE CENTER THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN DONE THEY WERE AMAZED TO FIND THAT THEY BALL JOINTS HAD WORN SO QUICKLY AND THE PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINTS "STILL" PRESENTS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR DODGE DURANGO OWNERS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LEG AND ARM INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS FAILED AND CAUSED THE CRASH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE UNABLE TO EXPLAIN WHY THIS OCCURRED AND STATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE AVAILABLE. IN 2005, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NUMBER 04V596000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT), IN WHICH THE TIE RODS AND BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD 46,000 MILES AT THAT TIME. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 69,000.

I HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE WHEN BRAKING OR TURNING. WHEN I TOOK IT FOR SERVICE, I WAS TOLD THE RIGHT FRONT STEERING CONTROL ARM WAS BROKEN AND CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES WERE IMMINENT IF I DROVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DODGE DEALER. I WAS LATER ADVISED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V596000 WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS FAILURE. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVE WAY AT 5 MPH, THE STEERING WAS TOO HARD TO OPERATE. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY SUBJECT TO A NHTSA RECALL #04V596000 REPAIR WHERE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WERE NO GREASERS TO MAINTAIN THE BALL JOINT LUBRICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE BALL JOINT SHOULD BE REPLACED AGAIN TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO COINCIDED WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 50,000 MILES SINCE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED AND ANOTHER REPLACEMENT WOULD NOT GUARANTEE THE BALL JOINT'S ENDURANCE.

WE HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO REPLACE THE TIRES ON OUR 2002 DODGE DURANGO, 2X4 SXT. THE FIRESTONE MECHANIC CAME INTO THE WAITING ROOM AND INFORMED US THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT WAS VERY BAD AND THE DRIVERS SIDE SHOWED SIGNS OF WEAR. THIS VEHICLE HAS 43500 MILES ON IT. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 4X4 MODELS OF THE DURANGO, BUT NOT THE 2X4 MODELS. WHILE THEIR WAS NO INJURIES OR DEATHS INVOLVED, THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED FOR ALL THE DURANGOS. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT'S WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT. SHE LOST CONTROL WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CURVE IN THE ROAD. SHE HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. SHE WENT OFF THE ROAD, HITTING THE SIDE WALK, BLEW THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE, AND THEN HIT A SMALL EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE MECHANIC TOOK THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE OFF, AND THE BALL JOINT WAS BROKEN. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 04V596000 ON THE BALL JOINT, AND IT WAS REPLACED ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO. *AK

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM DAIMLER CHRYSLER PERTAINING TO THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON MY 2002 DODGE DURANGO. I TRIED TO SCHEDULE THIS 3 TIMES WITH MY DEALER. BRENNER MOTORS 1812-30 PAXTON ST HARRISBURG PA,17104 717-232-4271. IT HAS BEEN 9 MONTHS SINCE MY FIRST CONTACT AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THEY ARE WAITING FOR PARTS. *NM

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04596000 CONCERNING UPPER BALL JOINT WEAR. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. A FEW HOURS LATER DRIVER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS READY, AND THAT RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. DRIVER PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, AND WAS ADVISED THAT REPAIRS HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED, AND TO COME BACK ANOTHER DAY. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 FOR UPPER BALL JOINTS. WHEN TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE DEALER HAD NO PARTS. CURRENTLY, DEALER STILL HAS NO PARTS AVAILABLE.*AK CALLED ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED BALL JOINTS THE NEXT DAY. *BF *NM

RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. CONSUMER HAD AN APPOINTMENT FOR MARCH 4, 2005 FOR RECALL REPAIRS. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. ON MARCH 3, 2005. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE APPOINTMENT WAS CANCELED DUE TO NO PARTS, AND THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE CAME OFF THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE DEALER HAD NO PARTS AVAILABLE IN ORDER TO REPAIR, WHICH COULD BE DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE WHEELS COULD FALL OFF.*AK CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE ON 2 DURANGOS AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THEM REPAIRED FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. CHRYSLER HAS NO TIME FRAME WHEN THEY WILL BE SHIPPED. *BF *NM

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE IN ORDER TO REPAIR, WHICH WAS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE FRONT WHEELS COULD FALL OFF.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V596000 FOR THE UPPER BALL JOINTS, AND TO DATE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED SINCE NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V59600; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THERE ARE NO AVAILABLE PARTS IN ORDER TO REPAIR, WHICH COULD BE DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE WHEELS COULD FALL OFF. *JB *NM

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THERE WERE NO AVAILABLE PARTS FOR RECALL REPAIRS. THIS WAS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE WHEELS COULD FALL OFF.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V596000 FOR UPPER BALL JOINTS. WHEN CONTACTING DEALER CONSUMER WAS EXPLAINED THAT THEY WOULD NOT RECEIVE PARTS FOR APPROXIMATELY 6-8 WEEKS. *AK

I MANAGE THE FLEET FOR THE FBI JACKSONVILLE DIVISION AND WHILE SERVICING ONE OF OUR VEHICLES, AN 02 2-WD DURANGO, NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION MADE A CREAKING NOISE WHEN I LOWERED THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE GROUND FROM OUR FRAME LIFT AND INSPECTION OF THE SUSPENSION REVEALED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT. THEY HAD ABOUT 1/4 INCH OF PLAY AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 30,000 MI. ON IT. THE BOOTS WERE NOT TORN NOR HAS THIS VEHICLE BEEN USED UNDER SEVERE CONDITIONS. WE ONLY HAVE ONE OTHER 02 DURANGO AND IT IS A 4WD BUT AT 22,000 MI. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE SHOWING SOME WEAR/PLAY. AFTER HAVING TO ACTUALLY JACK THE VEHICLE UP IN THE DEALER SERVICE LANE AND SHOW THEM THE PLAY THEY REPLACED THE CONTROL ARMS UNDER WARRANTY ON THE 2WD AND I HAVEN'T TAKEN THE 4WD ONE IN YET. THIS HAS TO...

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER DENNIS DZEK. *AK

04V596000/BALL JOINT WEAR. OWNER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN DECEMBER 2004. OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE NEXT AVAILABLE OPENING FOR THE DEFECT REPAIR WILL BE IN MAY,2005. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

WHEN DRIVING ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. AFTER HAVING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED, WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE SWERVED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DTERMINED THAT VEHICLE NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT, AND MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE NEXT AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT WOULD BE MARCH 31, 2004. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V596000 CONCERNING UPPER BALL JOINT WEAR. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER BOB. *AK

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED A UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLICKING NOISE AND EXPERIENCED SHAKING FROM THE UPPER BALL JOINT. THE VIN IS OUTSIDE THE REMEDY SCOPE. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS DISAPPOINTED IN THE RESPONSE HE RECEIVED FROM NHTSA. THE CONSUMER REPLACED BOTH UPPER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES BECAUSE THEY WERE DANGEROUSLY WORN OUT. *TC

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BECAME UNSTABLE. THE CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE OUTSIDE WALL OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS NOTICEABLY WARNED. THE OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INSTRUCTED THE OWNER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DODGE DEALER. THE DEALER REFUSED TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WOULD NOT RENDER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

THE UPPER BALL JOINT IS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE DIFFICULT CONTROL ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING TURNS. CONSUMER WILL TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS FOR THE SECOND TIME.*AK

BOTH BALL JOINTS ON MY 2002 DURANGO VIN [XXX] MILES 47000 [APPROX]. *JB SEPTEMBER 04 MARIETTA DODGE SCOOT THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY SHOULD NOT BE BAD ON A 2 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH AVERAGE MILES. BUT I AM TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. IT IS EXTRMELY CLEAR IT SHOULD BE. UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

THE FRONT LEFT SIDE BALL JOINT WAS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SHAKE AND MAINTAIN CONTROL. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A MONTH.*AK

WHILE STEERING TO THE RIGHT CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONTAL UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *NM

UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE POPPING AND CRACKING WITH EVERY TURN OF MY 2002 DODGE DURANGO. IF THEY FAIL, IT COULD MEAN THE LIFE OF ME, MY HUSBAND AND OUR 4 CHILDREN. DODGE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT RECALL THIS AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE DURANGO. *AK

I'D LIKE TO ADD MY VEHICLE TO THE LIST OF DURANGO'S THAT HAVE HAD THE UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACED. MY DURANGO IS A 2002 WITH 38,000 MI. VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT MY DEALER NEVER MENTIONED THE ONGOING PROBLEM. I HAVE MY VEHICLE IN EVERY 3 MONTHS FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND NOT ONCE DID THEY INSPECT IT. NOW I AM 2,000 MI OVER THE WARRANTY AND NO OFFERS FROM DODGE OR THE DEALER TO FIX IT SO I HAD A LOCAL MECHANIC FIX IT FOR ME.*AK

TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE TIRES CHANGED. UPON HAVING THE TIRES CHANGED MACHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TOP BALL JOINTS BROKE. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HAD A LOT OF PLAY IN IT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS LIFTED HAVING AN OIL CHANGE PERFORMED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE WHEEL INSPECTED. DEALERSHIP INDICATED AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THAT FRONT BALL JOINTS, LEFT OUTER TIE ROD, AND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

UPPER BALL JOINTS CHECKED, FOUND OVER .500 VERTICAL TRAVEL IN BOTH, RETAINED DEFECTIVE PARTS. MILAGE AT TIME OF REPAIR WAS 80,000. DUE TO LACK OF REPLACEMENT BALL JOINTS, BOTH UPPER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $1000, PAID BY ME. REPAIR DATE WAS 1-24-2004. THE DEFECTIVE PARTS WERE REPLACED WITH EXACTLY THE SAME UNIT. CURRENT MILAGE ON MY VEHICLE IS APPROX 106,000. I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE BALL JPINT ASSEMBLIES FOR A SECOND TIME WITHIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS. WHEN IS NHTSA GOING TO FORCE CHRYSLER TO RECALL THIS DANGEROUSLY DEFECTIVE VEHICLE AND REPAIR THEM WITH REDESIGNED BALL JOINTS?*AK

2002 DODGE DURANGO UPPER BALL JOINT EXCESSIVE WEAR. *JB

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER NOTICED UNEVEN WEAR AND TEAR ON ALL FOUR TIRES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

I WANT TO JOIN THE GROWING LIST OF CONSUMERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE DODGE DURANGO UPPER BALL JOINT PROBLEM. ON APRIL 15, 2004 I HAD TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT UPPER BALL JOINTS AT A COST OF $468.16 - THE TRUCK HAD ABOUT 40,000 MILES ON IT. DODGE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM NOW. WHEN THE MECHANIC PUT THE TRUCK UP ON THE RACK, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WOBBLED VERY BADLY. SHE SAID "THIS IS VERY SERIOUS." THERE WERE NO STEERING PROBLEMS AND NO WARNING NOISES, I JUST TOOK THE TRUCK IN TO BE CHECKED FOR MY OWN PEACE OF MIND. DOES THE WHEEL HAVE TO FALL OFF AS A FIRST WARNING. *AK

NO OBVIOUS SYMPTOMS, JUST GETTING AN INSPECTION TO RENEW LICENSE. MECHANIC SAYS IT FAILED DUE TO BAD UPPER RIGHT BALL JOINT. HE SHOWED ME THE WHEEL AND IT WOULD MOVE SIDEWAYS A FULL 1" BACK AND FORTH! THIS JOINT IS READY TO FAIL COMPLETELY AND I HAVE HAD NO WARNING, NO NOISE, NO LOOSE FEELING IN THE STEERING, NOTHING. ONLY 46,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, DIDN'T EXPECT A PROBLEM LIKE THAT. THANK GOD THAT MISSOURI REQUIRES AN INSPECTION EVERY OTHER YEAR! I WILL REQUEST THE MECHANIC SAVE THE PART WHEN REPLACED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BALL JOINT PROBLEM. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT TIRE SHOP TO GET THE TIRES BALANCED AND ALIGNED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. *AK THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE ALIGNED DUE TO THE BALL JOINTS. THE DODGE DEALER DENIED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINTS. FINALLY THE DEALER FOUND PLAY ON ONE SIDE AND WANTED TO REPLACE BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS. (THE DEALER REP STATED THAT THEY WERE TRAINED TO CHECK THEM A CERTAIN WAY AND THEY WOULD NOT HAVE FOUND PLAY THE WAY THAT THEY WERE CHECKING THEM) THE TRANSMISSION WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT UPSHIFT, HOWEVER THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. *SC *JB

I PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE DURANGO 2WD SPORT IN AUG. OF 2001. IN JULY OF 2002, I NOTICED THAT THE SUSPENSION ON THE LEFT WAS MAKING NOISE AND DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE A-FRAME AND BALL JOINT ON THE LEFT WERE FAILING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THANKFULLY, I CAUGHT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THE SUSPENSION FAILED COMPLETELY. I WAS VERY CONCERNED THAT A VEHICLE SO NEW WOULD HAVE THIS KIND OF ISSUE. THANKFULLY, I HAD WARRANTY COVERAGE TO PAY FOR THE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS.*AK

2002 DURANGO BALL JOINTS: AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS BY DEALER, OVER ONE YEAR PERIOD, TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR "POPPING SOUND/FRONT SUSPENSION/SLOW SPEED/WHEN TURNING ABRUPTLY, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. L&R CONTROL ARMS REPLACED DUE TO BAD BUSHINGS. SVC. MGR. INDICATED TO ME INTEGRAL RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT LOOSE IN IT'S SOCKET. *NM

UPPER BALL JOINTS WEAR OUT EXCESSIVELY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING HEARD A VERY LOUD CLICKING, POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT. *AK

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. CONSUMER HAD THE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED. *AK