Front Suspension Upper Ball Joint problems of the 2002 Dodge Durango - part 2

2002 Durango ball joints: after numerous attempts by dealer, over one year period, to diagnose and repair "popping sound/front suspension/slow speed/when turning abruptly, vehicle was taken to another dealer for diagnosis. L&r control arms replaced due to bad bushings. Svc. Mgr. Indicated to me integral right upper ball joint loose in it's socket.

Consumer took vehicle to be inspected, and mechanic determined that upper ball joints were wearing out prematurely. Consumer had the upper ball joints replaced.

Upper ball joints wear out excessively.

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

Failed state inspection, upper ball joint. Driver side upper ball joint had to be replaced at only 23,300 miles.

Nhtsa campaign 04v596000; daimler Chrysler issued a upper ball joint recall. This vehicle is not included in the recall, however the consumer heard a clicking noise and experienced shaking from the upper ball joint. The VIN is outside the remedy scope. The consumer was disappointed in the response he received from NHTSA. The consumer replaced both upper control arm assemblies because they were dangerously worn out.

Upper ball joints checked, found over . 500 vertical travel in both, retained defective parts. Milage at time of repair was 80,000. Due to lack of replacement ball joints, both upper control arm assemblies were replaced at a cost of over $1000, paid by me. Repair date was 1-24-2004. The defective parts were replaced with exactly the same unit. Current milage on my vehicle is approx 106,000. I will need to replace the ball jpint assemblies for a second time within the next 12 months. When is NHTSA going to force Chrysler to recall this dangerously defective vehicle and repair them with redesigned ball joints?.

Consumer received NHTSA recall 04v596000 concerning ball joint wear. After having the upper ball joints replaced, while driving, vehicle swerved on its own. Consumer had difficulty maintaining control of the vehicle. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic dtermined that vehicle needed an alignment.

While driving there was a squeaking noise in the right front end. Dealership inspected vehicle, but could not locate the cause of the squeak. Consumer felt the squeak might be due to the upper ball joints.

With just over 16k miles on my 2002 Dodge Durango, I noticed my front passenger side tire wearing badly on the outer edge. Upon jacking the vehicle under the lower control arm, I found that the upper ball joint had excessive looseness when the tire/spindle assembly was shaken. I also found slightly less play on the drivers side. The upper controlarm/ball joint assemblys were replaced under warranty but I am concerned of whether this will happen again in another 16k miles. How can I be assured the dealer replaced the parts with an improved version? the worn tire due to this obvious defect is incidental damage according to the dealer and is not covered under the warranty and so I must replace it myself. I am not happy about this either.

While steering to the right consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front. Consumer applied the brake pedal and vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that both frontal upper ball joints needed to be replaced.

My 2002 Dodge Durango left and right upper ball joints wore out prematurely. They could not be fixed and had to be replaced at $625. 82 at a Dodge dealership. I understand this is under investigation for defective equipment.

During inspection, mechanic noticed the passenger front tire wobbled. Dealer stated the passenger front upper ball joint was worn out and had to be replaced. Parts are on back order.

I purchased a 2002 Dodge Durango in June 2002. My Durango started squeaking and popping at about 17,000 miles. I have complained of squeaking and popping in the front-end. Every time it was brought to the dealership for repair, they never found anything wrong and said they could not hear the squeaking noise, but as soon as I drove off the lot there it was as sure as it was when I brought it in. I would tell them that they needed to drive the vehicle in order to hear it squeak. My Durango got to the point where the front-end felt like I had every little control of the vehicle. Not to mention it felt very unsafe to drive. It would also squeak without even driving it. All you had to do was get out of the vehicle and it would squeak. On October 2, 2003 I had no choice but to bring my vehicle in again because it was beginning to feel to unsafe to drive. At that time they discovered that both the right and left upper control arm ball joints had excessive play and needed to be replaced.

Vehicle had the yearly state inspection and didn't pass it. The technician stated that the upper ball joints needed to replaced.

2002 Dodge Durango: both upper ball joints replaced at 18,000 miles. Dealer initially refused repair citing "no problem found". I had to prove the ball joints were defective by jacking the vehicle and demonstrating excessive play by moving the wheel that was off the ground. Only then did the dealer admit the ball joints were defective and replaced them. You need to know there are more Durango owners out here with defective ball joints. In my opinion, they should last 100,000 miles+, not 18,000.

Over a period of time, I noticed extensive noise in the front end of my 2002 Durango. It got worse and was most prominent when striking potholes or changes in the surface elevation when driving or moving the vehicle. At 35,000 miles I took it in to the selling dealership for a check up. I was concerned about the ball joint situation, as it was quite a public affair. The front end noise became so loud that it sounded as if someone was striking the undercarriage with a sledge hammer. It was determined that all four of the ball joints, upper and lower, had failed, were worn out. They were all replaced at no cost to me, as the repair was still under warranty. I just wanted to report this, as the upper ball joints are not the only problem with this suspension system. I trust that the newer ball joints, not trw, were placed on my vehicle. If this is a repair that must occur every 36k miles or so, this will get expensive. Thank you.

I purchased a 2002 Dodge Durango 2wd sport in Aug. Of 2001. In July of 2002, I noticed that the suspension on the left was making noise and didn't feel right. It was found that the a-frame and ball joint on the left were failing and had to be replaced. Thankfully, I caught this problem before the suspension failed completely. I was very concerned that a vehicle so new would have this kind of issue. Thankfully, I had warranty coverage to pay for the expensive repairs.

Failed ball joints: arm, upper control had to have the above parts replaced on 2002 Dodge Durango at 36956miles on the vehicle. Heard a clunking noise when turned the wheel one direction, which prompted me to take it to the shop. When vehicle was purchased it had been a demo and had 28179miles. I'm sure they replaced the bad ball joints with the same model of balljoints therefore I'm affraid they are going to fail again. I have a 1 year old daughter and the vehicle is used to take her to and from daycare as well as to transport me to work. I am scared to drive my car and am looking into trading it off for a Ford.

While driving at any speed and when crossing a bump in the road tires grabbed the bump. When turning corners there was a clanking sound coming from the front wheels. Also, there were times when turning left rear end of the vehicle would want to go in the opposite direction.

While driving at any speed consumer heard a squeaking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that both upper ball joints needed to be replaced.

During a vehicle state inspection, the mechanic found the upper ball joints were not in compliance because they were worn out. Please provide further details.

Inquired the status of complaint that was faxed pertaining to 2002 Dodge Durango upper ball joints. Investigation ea 03-023.

Whilevehicle was being serviced by dealer, technician determined upper ball joints needed to be replaced.