243 problems related to front suspension lower ball joint have been reported for the 1998 Dodge Durango. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, he noticed an abnormal noise from the front end. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis, who stated that the front upper and lower ball joints would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000 updated 02/11/2014.
I own a 1998 Dodge Durango and back in March of this year I replaced the upper/lower ball joints due to failure. The vehicle had an awful squeaky noise and when taken to the mechanic I was told that I was lucky to still be alive as the balljoints were extremely worn out due to be an ungreaseable type. The repair cost me $650. It has only been 3months since the repair in which the balljoints were replaced with dealer parts and once again, the squeaky sound is back, I've gone back to the mechanic only to be told that once again, the balljoints have failed!! another $650 to fix, this is outrageous!! Dodge must become responsible for the fact that these balljoints continuously fail and they must come up with a greaseable type. In this economy it is very difficult to spend $650 every 2-3 months on balljoints!! at this rate, there will come a point where the tires will fall off the vehicle and cause a death being as these joints don't last as long as they should.
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.
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.
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 done? I do not have $2000 dollars to put into a truck that shouldn't have anything but minor things with the mileage and just normal driving. This is unsafe and is putting many lives in danger. Are they going to wait to get medical bills and funeral expenses when an entire family loses their lives from the truck rolling? what happens to the ones who keep driving it, unaware what the "play" is? they will be the ones possible losing their lives or taking someone else's! I see another class action law suite coming on!!!.
Bought my Durango new in may 1998. The automatic transmission started shifting improperly in July 2000. Took it to a Dodge dealer because it was still under warranty (31,418 miles). They dropped the transmission pan and pronounced it doa (pan was full of metal shavings). Should have seen the writing on the wall but I loved this vehicle. Took it to an inspection station for safety & emissions tests in may of 2006. It failed for bad ball joints. I asked the manager why his mechanics seemed to pay special attention to the front end during inspection and his reply was it was very common to find bad ball joints on approx. 50% of all 1998-2000 Durangos. Had my mechanic replace upper & lower ball joints, both sides, at 74,064 miles, to the tune of $701 plus tax. I then started hearing about other Durango owners with similar ball joint woes. I went online and started researching. Found a site where folks like myself with the same ball joint problems, some with accidents, were trying to get NHTSA to do something. I guess people actually have to die first before NHTSA will step in and tell an auto manufacturer they need to fix their faulty products. I also learned that the 1998-2000 Durangos were built on the Dodge dakota pickup chassis. A dakota weighs about 4,600 lbs. While a Durango 4x4 weighs in at 6,400 lbs. It's no wonder the 1998-2000 Durango front-ends were falling apart. Seriously, what kind of idiot engineers does Dodge have working for them. Sometime later I heard that Dodge rushed the Durango into production in 1998 to compete for the SUV market bucks and didn't have time to engineer a new chassis so they just modified the dakota chassis without beefing it up. When people started to complain about ball joints and such, they built a whole new chassis for Durangos in 2001. I stumbled across this site today while researching another vehicle I'm thinking about buying.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The consumer owns a 1998 Dodge Durango. He states that his upper ball joints are about to break because his wheels are leaning.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
(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.
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. 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 called back at 11:00 am to ask if it was a 4x4 that was three days ago still no estimate or phone call. So I got an estimate from my mechanic. . Read more...
1998 Dodge Durango. Ball joints defective.
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.
The consumer experienced a ball joint problem. The consumer contacted the manufacturer, and was told that only the 2000 through 2003 vehicles were being recalled. The right passenger right side lower and upper ball joints were extremely loose, more than the left side.
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. The consumer had to have the upper and lower ball joints replaced on her vehicle at a cost of 1500. 00.
1998 Dodge Durango has same problem as 2000-2003 dakotas/durangos, upper and lower ball joints replaced.
My 1998 odge Durango 4x4 sltt was very difficult to keep on the road. It seemed to be driving sideways. I was very alarmed and took it to the goodyear dealership in cedartown, georgia. The goodyear dealership said the balljoints were dangerously worn and must be replaced immmeadiatly. I took it to my personal mechanic and he also said the ball joints and tierod ends had to be replaced bearings were very dangerous and must be replaced because the car was unsafe to drive. He advised me to contact the Dodge dealership due to a recall. The Dodge dealership said the recall only included 2000-2003 4x4 Durangos. I have no choice but to replace the ball joints and tierod ends because it is unsafe to drive. I feel that the Dodge Chrysler corporation should be responsible for the cost of the parts and service fees as well as labor to fix this dangerous condition on my Dodge Durango. I would appreciate any help in resolving this matter. This could have been a life threatening condition, and I feel the Dodge corporation should be aware of the problem and help to resolve and recall cars of this make and model due to the fact that the 1998 model has similar defects as the 2000-2003 models have which have been already recalled.
1998 Dodge Durango - I purchased a 1998 Dodge Durango from branfoird Dodge 2 years ago. The dosge had 50,000 miles and now has 71,500 miles. The upper and lower ball joints are bad and the control arms and joints need to be replaced. I have been in contact with Dodge since the investigation was in place about this issue. Dodge is telling me that only the 2000-2003 models are covered under the recall and my truck is out of warranty! why wouldn't the 1998 & 1999 be covered as well seeing that there have been several issues and accidents with pictures due to ball joint failure on the 1999 & 1998 Durangos. Who do I call and for assistance on this problem that has a bill of over $1,000 dollars. Please reply with attorneys involved with matters such as this one. Charles t pilotti 15 taylor Ave east haven, CT 06512 cell: 203-623-1905 Dodge ref # 12994028.
While driving at 35 mph a grinding/popping noise came from the front left end of the vehicle. Consumer pulled over to inspect the noise, and noticed the left front tire had came off. The tire was turned outward and hanging. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, who indicated that a bearing was needed. Also, both upper and lower ball joints were defective, and needed to be replaced.
My 1998 Dodge Durango VIN 1b4hs28yxwf135671, now needs a third ball joint replacement. Why was not the 1998 model year recalled for this problem like the 2000-2003 model years? certainly three failures of this componant in 72,000 miles is a safety defect and should be included in a recall. Please review 1998 model years for inclusion in the recall.
I am filing this complaint after hearing of all the ball joint failures on Durangos and the recall on 2000-2003 model vehicles. My Durango is a 1998 model and I am about to replace the ball joints for a second time at 80,000 miles as I am getting the dreaded clunking noise again. I use my Durango for normal driving and have never seen this type of failure in a vehicle. I was raised in detroit and know something about cars. I also don't understand why the recent recall does not go back to the original model year as the same parts and failure modes appear to be prevalent in 1998 and 1999 models. I'm hoping something will be done as I cannot afford to be changing ball joints more often than my tires and brakes, not to mention the safety risk.
Consumer complained about upper ball joints problem. Consumer took the vehicle to a repair shop to have the wheels aligned, and fond out that the ball joints were very loose in the socket.
Consumer complained about a steering problem. He took vehicle to dealer for service, and it was determined that the ball joints wore out and loosened.
A loud knocking was heard coming from rear. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, and mechanic determined that both front d upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to corrosion.
Pe 03 032/front suspension/upper ball joint failure: while the vehicle's front wheels was being aligned mechanic informed the consumer that both the upper and lower ball joints on both side needed to be replaced due to excessive lack of lubrication and no grease fixing. Dealer and the manufacturer were notified.
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.