Front Suspension Upper Ball Joint problems of the 2001 Dodge Durango - part 1

I purchased the vehicle on 7/11/16 and the same day the tire blew due to the upper ball joint which does have a recall. Mine was completely disintegrated, but supposedly the recall was closed as it was to have been serviced already. Either it wasn't serviced or there is still an issue. I contacted NHTSA and they put me through to Dodge who spoke with me about there only being one open recall on it and I told her about the ball joint and she told me they would cover the repair and tow and sent a tow truck and towed it to motor village but did not tell them that they would be covering the ball joint work so they told me to have Dodge contact them in the morning. When I did contact Dodge, the first rep couldn't get through and so she opened a case. I then called motor village to get the service admin's phone number to give to Dodge and when I contacted Dodge the 2nd time, I was informed that now they would not be covering it and that they are sorry for the misunderstanding. They also won't be towing it back either and I do not have money to do so as I am facing eviction and just purchased that car to get ready to move and now I have no idea what to do. I would not have sent it to Dodge if they didn't represent they would fix the ball joint and now all I have from them is an apology for the misunderstanding and no way to fix or get my car that I just purchased out.

Upper ball joints clunking noise over every bump.

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Durango. While driving at any speed, but mostly during take off, the vehicle makes popping and clunking noises. The dealer stated that the vehicle had been previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number 04v596000 (suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint); however, the contact disagrees. The current mileage was 167,230 and failure mileage was 167,030.

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Durango. An independent mechanic informed the contact that the upper ball joints and swing arms failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the upper ball joints according to NHTSA campaign id number 04v596000 (suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint); however, it was discovered that the lower ball joints were also faulty. The failure mileage was 90,000 and current mileage was 130,000.

: the contact stated while turning the wheel to either side regardless of speed, there was a creaking noise in the steering column. This was accompanied by a vibration in the steering wheel, and the vehicle pulling to the right. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, who determined that the upper control arm needed replacement due to wear. There was a NHTSA recall # 04v596000, which pertains to the upper ball joint on the front suspension. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

Dt: consumer states: she has a Dodge Durango that was recalled for the ball joints. The recall number was not available. She received the recall letter around 1-05. The dealer does not have the parts. He name was put on a waiting list in 1-05 for the parts. She still has not heard anything. She has contacted the dealer again and they tell her the part has not come in yet. They could not offer her a loaner to use until the parts were in.

After taking the vehicle into the dealer, the consumer was told the ball joints were not defective and did not need to be replaced. After taking the vehicle into another dealer, they found the defect and replaced the ball joints. Nhtsa ball joint recall 04v596000.

Safety improvement campaign 04 v 596 000/ball joint wear: the consumer stated the dealer broke one of the lug nuts on the right front wheel while performing the safety repairs and they wanted to charge the consumer for repairing the broken lug nut.

No parts were available for recall campaign 04v596000 concerning upper ball joints. Hanover, Dodge, 717-637-1101.

"NHTSA recall campaign 04v596000" concerning ball joint wear. Owner received notification from the manufacturer about this recall. Owner later notified the local Dodge dealership, and was told that parts needed for the repair were on back order, and there was no estimated time for arrival. Also, owner contacted the manufacturer, and was also informed of the same.

Nhtsa campaign 04v596000/ball joint wear. Owner received notification from the manufacturer on January 5, 2005 on the upper ball joint recall. Owner has contacted the dealer and the manufacturer asking why was it taking so long to get the parts for the recall. Owner was put on a waiting list for three weeks. Ak the dealer told the consumer that they can not meet the demands of all the recalls.

Dealer flatly refused to service the vehicle for upper ball joints NHTSA recall 04v396000, since consumer did not purchase the vehicle there, and the parts were available only for their customers.

The front end wobbled/shimmied while driving. The mechanic indicated that the front wheels were completely loose because the upper ball joints were worn out. A recall was issued on this make/model and year, however, this vehicle was not included in the recall.

Consumer received recall 04v596000 concerning ball joint wear. However, the dealership told consumer that the manufacturer stated that they were only to replace the ball joints, but consumer will have to pay for the alignment.

The dealership is not able to perform the upper ball joint wear recall within a reasonable time. The next available appointment is 4-6 months because they are only performing 2 recall repairs per day.

Nhtsa campaign 04v596000; daimler Chrysler issued an upper ball joint recall. This vehicle was included in the recall, but there were no appointments until may, which could be dangerous for consumer to operate the vehicle.

Nhtsa campaign 04v596000; daimler Chrysler issued an upper ball joint recall. This vehicle is included in the recall, but there are no parts available in order to make the repair.

A recall for the upper ball joints was issued. However, the dealer stated the part was on national back order. Consumer has been waiting since December 2004.

Vehicle kept pulling to the right, and the tires kept wearing from the outside. The ball joints had to be replaced. . . . . Consumer claimed dealer mever checked the alignment. Insisted that consume rhad to buy new tires before dealer would align the vehicle.

My 2001 Dodge Durango has had a popping noise on the front end for some time. I recently had time to disassemble the front end and found that my upper ball joints were excessively worn. I researched the internet to see if Dodge had a recall. I also e-mailed Dodge and they responded that it is under investigation. Upper ball joints, if engineered correctly, should last over 100,000 miles. The popping noise has been active since ~ 50,000 miles and I currently have 89,000 miles. I called a local Dodge service department and they quoted me $390. 00 to repair one upper ball joint, which will require an alignment as well. Upper ball joints cost ~ $45. 00 at any parts dealer and alignments ~ $60. 00. I do not think that Dodge should charge consumers for their faulty engineering. A recall should be in effect, before someone gets hurt or killed caused by a faulty engineered ball joint.

Consumer heard a clicking noise and experienced a shaking steering wheel at low speeds and turns, making the ability to control vehicle uneasy. Took vehicle to dealer for check up, and results showed that the vehicle needed the upper ball joints replaced.

Ball joints defective.

I was turning a corner going less 10 miles an hour,when I heard a pop, like a flat tire would make ,and then the car shifted to the left driver side. The wheel had broke off where the ball joints meet. The tire was sitting under the left side of the frame. The complete damage and repaired parts to the vehicle, was the upper and lower ball joints, two boots and an alignment was done. The vehicle was towed back to the dealership(spradley motors),where they got approval from the warranty to fix and replace. I don't know if part is available.

While driving 70 mph front end shook violently. Dealer stated that upper ball joints wore out completely.

Front upper ball joints wore out prematurely.

While driving 10 mph, the right front wheel fell off the vehicle. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealership for inspection. The mechanic informed the owner that the upper ball joint had failed. The consumer will have the mechanic fix the upper ball joint.

The upper ball joints wore prematurely. The consumer was concerned that the vehicle's wheel would separate while driving.

The vehicle failed pennsylvania state inspection. The technician indicated that the vehicle's upper ball joints neede dto be repalced. Please provide any additional information.

Backing out of driveway. Turned steering wheel to the right and the front end dropped. The right front tire came away from the control arm at the upper ball joint.

I had to replace the upper ball joint in my vehicle. I was told that there is an ongoing investigation regarding the upper ball joints in 2000-02 models. I noticed a noise when I hit the brakes or a rough spot in the road. I took my vehicle in for service and had to pay $272. 00 to have these replaced.

Failed front end ball joints.

Vehicle makes horrible noises when making turns, or going over uneven road surfaces. Feels and sounds. As if front end is going to fall off vehicle skips lanes slightly when hitting any kind of bump. Vehicle has gone to dealer multiple times for same problems, which ends up with the sealer greasing up the suspension and finding nothing wrong. I feel uncomfortable driving the car knowing there is a slight chance that the wheel may fall off.

Have replaced upper ball joints in our Durango 4 times since purchasing it June 2001.

During a vehicle inspection it was found that the upper ball joints on the right side had to be replaced due to premature wear.

Left upper ball joint needs to be replaced.