Front Suspension problems of the 1999 Dodge Durango

The front end went out at 70,000. The mechanic stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer stated they were not aware of any defect.

Today I sent the following email to Subaru of America concerning the investigation of abs defect in wrx vehicles. I have experienced the problem on numerous occasions, and on no occasion was I driving in an "aggressive" manner or "hard' braking. Nor was my previous complaint to NHTSA a "parroting" of someone else's problem from the impreza website, as Subaru has accused. The abs is overly sensitive to bumpy surfaces and is a safety risk, period. My email to Subaru of America: I have just reviewed soa's letter dated 9/10/04 to NHTSA re your investigation of alleged abs problems in wrx's. I am dismayed by soa's inability to document, and refusal to acknowledge, the abs problem. I am insulted that Subaru blames the problem on "aggressive driving patterns. " the problem regularly occurs at one point in my daily urban commute when I brake for a traffic light over a bumpy surface. I am using only 15% of the braking capability at 20 mph when the abs fault occurs-- hardly "aggressive" or "hard" braking, and hardly a situation that only aggressive performance drivers would encounter. When it occurs, there is a sudden, dramatic reduction in deceleration. Deceleration is no longer proportional to pedal pressure, and increased pressure is ineffective while the abs is "confused" by the bumpy surface. Several times I have had scary moments when the drop in deceleration has resulted in nearly rear-ending the vehicle in front of me. I am very puzzled why an event, that for me is so predictable and repeatable, has escaped your analysis. I further take offense to the claim in your letter that many of the complaints to the NHTSA were dishonest repetitions of problems a few had described on an owners website. Nice try, but I can attest to the validity of the problem in my car, having experienced it dozens of times. Discussion on the website has informed owners of the problem and may have prevented some accidents, something I cannot say for Subaru! charles f. Visser.

Failure has not occurred as of yet, but have had entire front-end replaced on vehicle on 9/12/2002. On 3/31/2004 we had vehicle checked again and was told by the dealership that the left side lower control are was worn and will need to be replaced again soon. I have receipts and quotes from dealership and will be happy to submit copies.

Front end squeaks and produces a loud knocking noise. Dealer states there is no defect.

While making right hand turns, the consumer would hear a loud noise coming from the front end. The dealerships mechanic was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Please provide more information. The cause was not determine.

Premature failure of front suspension, parts are worn out. Cannot even align vehicle. Dangerous condition. Possibility to have to replace entire front suspension arms. Mileage: 55000.

Premature deterioration of front end components resulting in a $1300 repair bill at 70,000 miles. Vehicle became unsafe to drive.

I was driving my Durango on a 2 lane road and went around a corner when I heard a loud pop and my steering center changed. Took it to the dealer who realigned it and sent me on my way. I have had poping noises coming from the front end for quite a while, and have reported it my dealer who was "unable to replicate the problem".

My 1999 Dodge Durango has been into the service department many times for this same problem, constant grinding at the front end of the vehicle, the grinding continues when backing out of driveway and on right and left turns. . . The service department continually claims that they "cannot duplicate the problem" the vehicle is unsafe to drive and I would like to see if I can get this vehicle declared a lemon. Thank you. Felecia c. Leak.

Informed by mechanic that vehicle can no longer hold an alignment under proper specs. The right camber is at -0. 5 degrees & the right castor is at -1. 0 degrees making the Durango hard to steer and brake, as it always wants to sharply travel to the right. Travel upon a highway is very, very dangerous because of the control issue and these SUV's should not be showing older vehicle wear when they only have thousands of miles upon them.

After my first week of buying this Dodge Durango I lost control of my vehicle, it seems the front end two wheels kept on jumping and I could not stop it. It was not ivolved in an accident but I had to jump in another lane which I could have hurt someone. I did jerk my neck and had to take some iburfrofen for awhile. It also seems the brakes are real touchy. I had my Durango for two years and still afraid to drive it because its a dangerous vehicle. I also witness another person this week driving her Durango well as she turned the corner she lost controll of hers also and I told my daughter thats what happen to me my first time driving mine, im glad I had a witness because no one beleived me when I told them my story. Anyway I beleave its the front suspension you have to be real carefull when you turn and brake. Thanks for listenning to me. Oh yeah mine is a 1999.

On 7/24/01, while travelling on a major interstate, approximately ten miles north of galveston island, texas, we entered a section of roadway where it had been raining. Our vehicle pulled hard right, across several other lanes of traffic. At first I turned into the "skid" I perceived this to be, but I was about to go off the highway, so I tried to correct slightly back to the left, at which time our vehicle began spinning down the interstate. We spun approximately three turns before finally hitting the concrete barrier between lanes. I just assumed that we had hydroplaned but have since heard of other Durangos having similiar type problems. I had absolutely no control of the vehicle and this is the first time anything like this has ever happened. We have driven it in thunderstorms, snow and even ice and never had any steering problems until this one incident.

Rear and front power windows have failed to operate twice. The front end makes a romping noise that has been verified not to be tire noise. Sounds like the front end may fall off. Dealer keeps saying that they can't duplicate the noise.

The 1999 Dodge Durango was purchased from south oak Dodge in south holland, ill. It was purchased as a demo with a few thousand miles on it. Since that time I have returned to the dealer on several different occasions for an oil change and filter and to report squeaking in the left front tire. I was told that it just needed lubrication. Each time after changing my oil they would lubricate the wheels. I also explained that the noise was worse when I turned the corner and if I had to use the four wheel drive it was difficult to turn. I also explained that the tires were worn on the inside and on occasion it looked like the left front tire was going to fall off. My complaint was dismissed when the service manager said "OH that's not going to happen " shortly thereafter he said the tire had a slow leak and that he would put a plug in it. My complaints were often dismissed. My car only has 57,000 miles on it. This morning I heard the news regarding the ball bearings on the Dodge Durango. In addition to the above this particular carrier will provide a temporary solution to a problem until your warranty expires. When you return you are charged s maximum amount to correct a problem that occurred while the car was under warrenty. This happened to my boyfriend who has a 1998 one ton pickup quad seats four door Dodge 24 valve turbo engine 3800 dooley. The red engine light kept coming on. We took it in to have the problem fixed. The next day we were told that there was no major problem. Not more than 3 blocks away the lightt came on again. We returned to the service departmennt. The manager stated "OH I'ts probably just a sensor problem". If you continue to have problems bring it back in. The red light continued to stay on. Three months later the truck began to run poorly. We took it back to the dealer. The service departmennt stated that he need a valve job that would cost $1,800. 00. Further the extended warrenty had just expired.

Vehicle is experiencing unknown grinding/ clicking/thumping and severe vibration when driving. Vehicle been in the dealer's shop on six occasions, and they were unable to duplicate the problem. Feel free to provide any further information.

3rd set of tires (two goodyear one michelin). Dodge claims bad tires, goodyear claimed bad schocks. I've replaced tires and shocks and still having problems. Frustrated at Chrysler for their unwillingness to help. (tiresize: p235 75 r)( dot number: tire size: p235 75 r ).

While traveling at unknown speed consumer saw vehicle pulling to the right. Dealership serviced vehicle, and notice front suspension was worn out.

There was a ticking noise in the front end of the vehicle when the wheels were turned. The consumer read numerous reports from other owners that this was the first sign of a major front end problem.

Vehicle's passenger side front tire came completed off while pulling into a parking space. This was caused by a front end failure.