Front Suspension Control Arm problems of the 1999 Dodge Durango - part 1

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 left side and install new ball joints. My Dodge Durango began making noise again about 2 months later. The exact same problem. I called him back and let him know the problem was happening again. He said he would do some research and get back in touch with me. A day or two later he called me and informed me there was a service bulletin out that said you should not replace just the ball joint but you should replace the whole upper control arm that has a new ball joint riveted on to it. He said the metal on the control arm is to weak an malleable. How in the world can Dodge get away with using such cheap metal and parts and why don't all of the parts houses and repair shops know about this problem? only Dodge makes a replacement upper control arm with an attached ball joint for the 2 wheel drive Durango. It cost approximately $400 for each side.

(1) eighteen months prior to the accident, the upper and lower control arm assemblies were replaced by the dealer. (2) while driving, the right front wheel assembly collapsed causing a loss of control. Vehicle left the road, went through a utility pole, rolled twice causing a total loss of the vehicle. Police report indicates "it appears the accident was caused by mechanical failure. " witness supports accuracy of accident report. (3) dealer suggested complaint to chrylser. After investigation, daimler chrylser responds they "are not convinced that a manufacturing responsibility is associated with this incident. " they also "declined any responsibility associated with this incident. " digital photos of vehicle, suspension and separated wheel assembly at the accident scene are available.

Bll joints neede to be replaced at only 60,000 miles.

Excessive wear on the upper and lower control arm bushings and ball joints on the front suspension.

Brought my vehicle in for repair at the Dodge dealership service dept. And they pointed out the the both ball joint (upper and lower) and control arm where loose and needed replace. I took my 99 Durango in do to the "check engine" light was on. I was told that they are getting a lot Durango's in with the same loose ball joint problem. I was advised by the service dealer that this was a safety issue. My vehicle only has 67k miles. Thanks.

Right upper control arm came loose causing popping, binding and steering control problems. Also, upper and lower right ball joints were worn out. Had to have the right front suspension repaired at 73,600 miles. Now two weeks after, the left front is doing the same and needs repairing. Also, having other squeaking and grinding somewhere in the suspension that has not yet been determined what is causing it. It is a dangerous situation and it sounds like a wreck.

I have a 1999 Dodge Durango that I purchased about seven months ago, it had 69,000 miles . About a month later the front ball joints, upper & lower,were bad also the control arm bushings are bad. I believe this is a manufacturer defect. I tried to find these parts to repair my vehicle, but there are no replacement parts available at our local autostores. I believe these parts should be recalled. . . Thank you very much. . . Steve kennett.

Front end suspension squeaks horribly. Embarrassing to drive at times. I have been told by the dealer that I need to have both upper and lower control arms/ ball joints replaced on both sides. By viewing the complaints file I see this is common and don't see the sense in replacing them only to have them go bad again. Dodge needs to do something about this problem with this SUV and stop giving their consumers grief. Why wait for fatalities!!.

I was told recently from Dodge dealer that I needed right and left upper control arms and had worn out ball joints that would costs roughly 1500. 00 to fix. I heard on news today that there was an investigation or recall. Im sure there or others with this same problem shelling out hard earned cash to have this fixed,because the mechanic I talked with said that this was a problem that they were having with that model;acted as if it was normal. I have never been off-road with this vehicle and have never had this problem with a car so new. I have been saving money to get this fixed, but noone from Dodge told me that I was in danger if I continued to drive it like that,they did say it would wear my tires out and I would notice it more the longer I drive it like that. Im glad someone is looking out for the consumers!!.

I have had my vehicle into two places for underbody inspections and m-59 Dodge told me my ball joints (upper & lower) and control arms would need to be replaced. I had m-59 Dodge replace them once at 44,000 miles on my '99 Durango and now at 77,000 they say they need it again? so, I took it into anderson Dodge for a second opinion and they said they were fine (good) actually. So, I checked defects off the nhsta website and saw several instances of ball joints failing at every 30,000 miles. So, I called a Dodge parts department and asked what the part #s were for ball joints and control arms for a '99 Durango and for a '99 dakota (4x4) and guess what they are the same numbers????? let me guess, design the 4x4 dakota and just add all that weight and moment arms of the back of the SUV top and lift gate and not expect the equations to change for wear and tear of the front suspension?????? and then I found out that the suspension was modified in the 2000 model year. What a surprise??? I wonder if nhsta would be interested in my findings?????? now I am going to a third Dodge dealer for another inspection to see if I really do have a problem with ball joints and control arms. If these ball joints I have now are ok, I want to know if I can tap them and put in a grease fitting in order to extend the life of them. If however, they are not ok, I am going to file a complaint with NHTSA and show them my findings. I believe a design flaw should be a recall.

I purchased new tires and asked the tire dealer to check the alignment on my 1999 Dodge Durango and they told me they could not do it due to the fact the front end ball joints and control arms were bad and had to be replaced with only 52,000 miles. Chrysler said at the time this was unheard of and saw no reason for premature failure. They would not cover this under factory warranty. They made me pay for this with my Chrysler extended warranty, charging me $50 deductible and I had to pay for a front end alignment that was not required except for the changing of the parts. This should not be required on a vehicle with this age and mileage. Cars run for years and over one hundred thousand miles and do not have this problem. This needs to be looked into further. Luckily, this was caught before there was an incident while driving the vehicle on vacation in the mountains a few weeks later.

Bearings in upper and lower control arms had to be replaced due to deterioration. Dealer stated that they could not find problem on several visits while under warranty. Finally, after numerous alignments and tire replacements a friend mechanic noticed bearings which caused noise from original purchase date. Clicking noise at low speeds and turns turned into loud grind, which is when personal mechanic found problem. One dealership said the problem was front shocks. Replaced them but did not solve problem. Dealerships are avoiding problem hoping warranties run out. I equate car dealerships/service departments with carnival workers. This is their cash cow!!!!!.

I have a 1999 Dodge Durango. The ball joints wre out and I had the driver's side wheel fall off while going down the road. I spent several thousand dollars in repairs at a Dodge dealership. Has there been a recall or other similar incidents? thanks, kenneth lowrie.

On December 27, 2002 I brought my Dodge Durango to just cruisin, inc to have my annual state inspection performed. I was notified that I failed inspection due to out of specification conditions on my front suspension. The vehicle had 62,810 miles at the time of this inspection. They notified me that they believed this to be a premature wearing of the parts. On 1/17/03, the ordered parts had been received, and I had them replaced. Just cruisin removed and replaced both lower ball joints, the left upper ball joint, and both inner tie rod ends. I did not notify Chrysler of this problem yet. Today, I read an article regarding 4 accidents and 81 complaints of premature wear on the front suspension of Dodge Durangos and decided to file this complaint. I also intend to contact Chrysler regarding recoupment of my expenses. Because the parts were replaced w/ factory parts, I probably will still need to replace w/ the redesigned parts when they come out.

Consumer states took vehicle in for routine inspection. Dlr advised that ball joints had a design defect and needed to be replacement immediately. Mr.

1999 Dodge Durango is known to have this problem with the ball joints and it needs to be addressed. This will result in accidents, which can lead to fatalities.

Consumer took vehicle for a routine inspection, and state inspection attendant stated that upper and lower left and right ball joints were bad. Consumer felt ball joints went out at a very low mileage. Dodge has been contacted. Jlg.

During state inspection mechanic noticed both lower front ball joints were worn out, and had to be replaced. In April 2002 right front upper ball joint was replaced.

Took my Durango in to my mechanic to have tires balanced and rotated and a 4-wheel thrust alignment. He advised me that my upper and lower ball joints were bad. I called the dealer who wanted me to have their mechanics diagnose it. They agreed that the ball joints were bad. I contacted Chrysler's customer service due to the expiration of the 36,00 mile warranty. They agreed to replace the ball joints and I would pay a $100 deductible. A file was opened. On August 2, 2002 I took my Durango to my mechanic to have a routine tire balance and rotation done. My mechanic advised me that my lower ball joints were bad. I took it to the dealer , but Chrysler refused to do anything to correct the problem.

The consumer took the vehicle to get new tires, but was told by the mechanic the upper ball joints had excessive wear. Also the control arms were replaced.

Went in to have tires rotated after just purchasing this used 1999 Dodge Durango. The service person said that the front right tire was wearing funny and noticed that there might be a suspension problem. I took the vehicle to a suspension specialist and was told that the front right bushings on the arm control needed to be replaced. This is a part that cannot be purchased separately. I have notifed Dodge of the problem and they wash their hands of this issue. However, there is a sticker in my window of a 21 point check performed by the dealership which included tire alightment. The tire allignment could not have been performed without noticing the problem with the arm control bushings.

Both ball joints failed with less then 36,000 miles on the vehicle.

Vehicle was taken in for its yearly emissions inspection. Vehicle was rejected because of faulty ball joints. Driver was told by inspector that wheel could come off while driving. Please provide any further information.

Replacement upper & lower ball joints & control arms failed at 45,551 miles. Dealer auto tech replaced parts - the right side ball joint fitting was initially "drilled & tapped" by Dodge auto tech on 4/10/01. The cost for installation and parts for second replacement were not warrantied by Dodge or mopar - 12,000 mi. Warranty offered by mopar - we were 1,834 miles over the warranty. We paid half the cost on this safety hazard repair.

Ball joints failed inspection, dealership was aware of the problem.

The front end is misalignedand squaeks causing the tire to wear prematurely, the bushings to the control arms (unknown upper or lower) are seperating. The dealer indicated the problem is due to no shield to deflect heat from the engine. The dealer was notified. Nlm.

Failed vehicle inspection 9/20/01 for low ball joints, (mileage=15,730), vehicle to harr Dodge 9/22/01 to 9/28/01 for repair, harr Dodge stated repair not needed because "ball joint play with-in specs" per service manual (mileage=15,746). Vehicle failed inspection (retest) 10/11/01 for "bad ball joints" (mileage=15,953). Vehicle to sumner's getty/auto repair station, leicester, MA. On 11/18/01 (mileage=16,614) stated "needs two tires (feathering), and ball joints, upper and lower". .

After seeing information on internet concerning defective ball joints that could cause tires to wear out, consumer took vehicle to a local repair shop, technician indicated that ball joints had to be replaced due to worn tires. Consumer had contacted dealer, but vehicle could not be fixed because of expired warranty. The tires wore out due to the ball joints being worn, joints were worn out to a point of vehicle being unsafe to drive, Dodge would not do anything about the faulty ball joints.

Ball joints replaced at 21000 and 43000 miles. New part was redesigned to include a grease fitting. Dodge paid for parts not for labor.

Factory installed upper & lower ball joints, upper control arms failed at 31,797 miles. Dealer technician "drilled & tapped fittings on the right joint" when replacing under 3yr. 36,000 mile warranty.

While driving could lose control of vehicle when keep steering wheel straight. Vehicle will pull to the sides. A technician said that problem was with the front end ball joints.

Ball joints wore out and ruined front tires. Dealer will not replace tires or ball joints!( dot number: tire size: 31x10. 5r15 ).

The original upper & lower ball joints were replaced at 37,838 on 7/6/00. Less than 11 months later we have failed inspection test due to faulty upper and lower ball joints.

Noticed popping noise in front end summer/99 @24000 miles took to dealer and they said ball joints within specs. Ball joints are visibly loose, able to wobble wheel.

Front ball joints wore out prematurely. Dealer has been notified.