Front Suspension Upper Ball Joint problems of the 2001 Dodge Durango - part 2

While driving 30 mph the consumer heard a loud bang and the vehicle collapsed on the driver side. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who informed the consumer that the upper ball joint wore out (pe 03-032 front susp upper ball joint). Ea03-023.

Front upper <a href=". . Read more...

Vehicle makes noise when turning wheels. Mechanic says ball joint is bad.

Nhtsa recall 04v596000; concerning upper ball joint wear. The dealer refused to honor the recall without an explanation.

Loud squeaking under the front end, and the vehicle would become very unstable after hitting a bump in the road. The vehicle would actually bounce in different directions after hitting a large bump. Turning the wheel there was a popping noise in the wheel and steering wheel. At 41,000 miles, both of the front upper ball joints had to be replaced for "excessive wear". The dealership told me that most ball joints don't look this bad until you've hit well over 100k. We do not go 4-wheeling in our Durango, we do not drive recklessly. This vehicle is owned by an amputee who usually only drives it on the highway. This cost us over $1,000 to fix, as Chrysler would not help. This is a known issue, and Chrysler has not issued a TSB or recall on it because supposedly not enough people have complained.

The upper ball joints on my 2001 Dodge Durango failed and needed to be replaced at an expense of over $800. 00. Luckily for me and my family it was not a catastrophic failure when we were driving the vechile!! it was reported to the dealer who informed me it was happening alot to other owners and that no recall has been issued so there was nothing they could do. What, do several hundred people need to die first before anyone recognizes and fixes this problem!!?? this vechile only has less than 47,000 miles it at the time of repair and it is absolutely ridiculous that nothing has been done about this problem!!.

On January 2, 2004 an independent shop replaced the upper ball joints at the consumer's expense. The consumer was informed that the wheel was about to fall off.

Front upper ball joints replaced on 2001 Dodge Durango (46,000 miles), and axel wheel bearings also replaced.

While driving consumer heard a loud squeaking noise coming from the right rear ball joint. The dealerships mechanic was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

While parked, the vehicle's front end collapsed. The dealer stated the ball joints fell off the vehicle. Please provide additional information. Ea03-023.

While driving steering wheel became loose. Dealership informed the consumer that the problem was due to defective front upper ball joints. Mechanic could not resolve the problem.

Rt frt upper ball joint failed @ 29,357 miles on 12/13/03. As of this date-3/4/04 left frt upper ball joint is failing & needs to be replaced.

Had to have upper ball joint replaced on my 2001 Durango with 40,000 miles on it! his is way to early for such a vital part with the all the extreme risk involved with its failure. I heard their was problems with this part and my vehicle was starting to pull. I took it to a dealer and he would not even look at it to tell me if it was safe without charging me $80. 00. Bell tire repaired the vehicle after finding the fault during there front end inspection.

The owner was having problems while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealership. The mechanic informed the consumer, that the front upper ball joints were wearing prematurely. Please provide additional information.

Front suspension, ball joint assembly wore out prematurely. . . Before 30,000 miles.

Upon having the tires replaced, the dealership noticed that the front left upper ball joint was defective and needed to be replaced. The dealership was unable to replace the part due to a 800 back order.

Pe 03-032, front suspension/upper ball joint: the upper ball joint wore out prematurely. The problem was noticed during maintenance.

When driving over bumps vehicle shook. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership. Mechanic noticed that the upper ball joint was wearing out prematurely.

While driving at low speeds a loud grinding and thumping noises could be heard. The dealer determined that the upper ball joints were worn out and replaced the right upper control arm assembly. The consumer stated with out having read the newspaper they would not have been aware of the problem.

The upper ball joints wore out prematurely (pe 03-032, front suspension/upper ball joints). The front end popped while making turns.

2001 Durango, 52000. 00 miles had to replace ball joints at a cost of $587. 00.

While making right hand turns consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front end. Dealer informed consumer that the problem pertained to front upper ball joint failure.

Passenger side front suspension failed.

Ball joint had to be replaced.

Failure of upper ball joints on a 2001 Dodge Durango.

Pe 03-032, front suspension/upper ball joint failure: the upper ball joints wore out at 38,000 miles. Both right and left side were replaced.

Problems with vehicle's ball joints. The consumer was told the front ball joints were worn out.

Consumer stated that the upper ball joints wore out. Also while driving the vehicle pulls to the right and the faster the vehicle is moving the harder it pulls.

Front upper ball joint wore out pemature causing very unsafe driving--had to replace.

Failure of upper ball-joint on passenger side of 2001 Dodge Durango.

As I was going down a counry road, for some unknown reason I lost control of my Durango, went off the road and ran into a dirt/rock embankment. When pulling my Durango back up on the road, found my tire was flat and the rim had split in half. In half like if you were holding it up on it's edge (not lying it down) and cut it in half. When I took it to the dealer ship and they had a representitive come out they said there was nothing they could do!!! I've talked to many people and mechanics and they said they have never seen anything like that. It's as almost as it was welded wrong. The crysler corp. Would not help me in any way. I had to turn it into my insurance company. I still believe that there was something wrong with my Durango. Whether it be a faulty rim or possibly the ball joints. I've now been reading more and more about these Durango and am still not satisfied with the crysler corp. S decision.

One day while driving with my window down I heard squeaks when driving over small bumps, brought to the dealership and found out that my right front upper ball joint worn out and needs to replace ball joint/upper control arm and align front end ($500). My car was at 37000 mi!!!.

Consumer stated that the front upper ball joints have worn out completely. Vehicle is in a repair shop at this moment for upper ball joint repairs.

Premature upper ball joint failure on 2001 Dodge Durango at approx 25,000 miles. I am a certified master school bus tech and became aware there is an investigation after reading a trade magazine. I thought I should report this. Thank goodness it made a squeaking noise causing me to check the suspension and find the problem. I can see where this failure could be catastrophic to someone who does not pay attention to the warning signs. The vehicle was repaired properly and has been fine since. However, I feel there is a defect in the ball joints and they should be checked for cause of failure so a design / manufacturing upgrade can be implemented. A recall probably would be in order. This is not only an unfair expense for vehicle owners who's warranties have expired, but a safety hazard as well.

Consumer states that the front suspension ball joint is wearing out prematurely. Dealer notified.