Front Suspension Upper Ball Joint problems of the 2003 Dodge Durango - part 1

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Durango. The contact heard a popping sound and felt it through the driveshaft. In addition, the two front tires were worn on the inside tread. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who stated that both upper ball joints needed to be replaced. The contact took the vehicle to lake city Chrysler Dodge Jeep ram (4325 w us hwy 90, lake city, FL 32055, (386) 755-3444) to verify the diagnosis. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 164,297.

The passenger side upper ball joint failed a mandatory state safety inspection. The ball joint showed excessive wear and was deemed unsafe.

Tl - the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while turning out of a parking space the driver side front wheel broke off. The vehicle was towed to a local shop who diagnosed that the front ball joint broke and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included on recall NHTSA campaign id number: 04v596000 (component: suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 130,000. Pm.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving 55 mph there was a clanking noise in the front suspension. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who inspected the failure and noticed the ball joints were defective. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who stated there was a failure but his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 04v596000, suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 160,000.

Noise in wheel bearings: had to replace both front wheel hubs due to bad bearings. Was worried about safety and wheel locking up. Finally got replaced at ~89000 but started ~82000 miles as worried about safety and them locking up/falling off. Then was informed by the dealer that the upper and lower joints need replacing. Poor quality for american products as vehicle has only been on the road and in the south with good weather.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Durango. While driving approximately 55 mph he struck a pothole . Shortly afterwards he heard a peculiar noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The technician stated that the front upper ball joints failed. The four tires were replaced on the vehicle. His vehicle identification number was excluded from recall campaign id number 04596000 (suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint). The failure mileage was 69,000. The current mileage was 74,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Durango. While driving approximately 55 mph on normal road conditions, the front driver's side tire blew out without warning. The contact immediately pulled over to the side of the road and replaced the tire. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection and they stated that the front upper ball joint failed. The vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 04v596000 (suspension,front,control arm,upper ball joint), although the failures were identical. He was concerned of the safety risk involved. The failure and current mileages were 70,000. Updated 12/15/08. Updated 12/15/08.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Durango. A local auto body shop mechanic stated that her upper ball joints had 0. 10 movement and advised her that they should be replaced. She notified an authorized dealer in reference to recall# 04v596000 for the suspension. A technician stated that her VIN was excluded from the recall; therefore, she would liable for the repair. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 81,000 and the current mileage was 82,000. Updated 09/17/08. Updated 09/24/08.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Durango. When the contact took her vehicle to her local mechanic for an alignment, the mechanic discovered that the upper ball joints on the passenger side caused the failure. The contact was also informed of a possible recall on her year, make, and model vehicle. The dealer stated that her vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04v596000 (suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint). The failure and current mileages were 83,000. Updated 05/08/08. Updated 05/09/08.

- the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Durango with an odometer reading of 14600 miles. The contact stated that while driving under dry conditions at 35 mph the steering locked. The contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle and contact sustained injuries. The contact called the manufacturer, but they have not responded. The contact had received recall (04v596000 for the upper ball joint, and when he took the vehicle to the dealer for the repair s,they only lubricated the ball joint, but did not replaced it. The contact stated that an upper ball joint failure was the cause for the crash.

Upper ball joints needed to be replacied every six months!!!!!.

I hear a popping/grinding noise in the front end of my 2003 Dodge Durango. I have taken it to the shop under warranty 3 times. Twice they have replaced parts but it has not fixed the problem. The tires are wearing out on the outside of the tire. The ball joints appear to be going bad.

Component: suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint defect summary: on my 2003 Dodge Durango sport utility their is a loud clunking noise in the front suspension. I call daimlerchrysler motors company llc to ask if their was a recall on my SUV. They said no, but my upper ball joint is defective.

Clunking noise in front suspension. Tires wearing unevenly. Inspection by mechanic by finds worn upper ball joints on my 2003 Dodge Durango. Joints have no lubrication and have corrosion because of this. I fear the excessive wear in the upper ball joint might cause it to separate which would result in the loss of control over my vehicle. Dodge already has a recall on this defect but my Durango was not included. All Durangos with this problem should be included. It's a safety thing!!!.

Recently took my Dodge Durango 2003 2wd to a mechanic who says I need an new front ball joints and control arm.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Durango. The contact noticed that her tires were wearing unevenly. She took the vehicle to a mechanic and was informed that the upper control arms and ball joints needed to be replaced. She had them replaced. Two years after the replacement, the contact felt the vehicle pulling to one side. She took the vehicle back to the mechanic and was informed that the upper control arms and ball joints needed to be replaced again. She has not gotten them replaced and believes there to be a manufacturer defect because ball joints last 100,000 miles or more. The VIN, engine size, and number of cylinders were unknown. The current mileage was 110,000 and failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 4/2/08 updated 04/02/08.

I own a 2003 Dodge Durango, with 62,501 miles on it. I recently failed state inspection due to bad ball joints. If Chrysler knows they have prematurely failing ball joints they should issue a recall. Now I will have to try and cover a $800 bill myself.

Recall campaign 04v596000 concerning ball joint wear. Consumer stated that dealer charged her for the upper ball joint parts.

Independent mechanic noticed that the upper front ball joint in my 2003 Dodge Durango needed to be replaced due to circumstances surrounding the recall for this problem. Both Dodge and the local dealership refuse to correct problem stating that my vehicle was not part of the recall.

Ball joint malfunction on Dodge Durango slt 4x4. My Durango is not listed on the recall as 600k others are however the noises, and unnatural movements of the front end during close quarters turning is suspect of being the same problem. My car is also not keeping its alignment and the brakes have softened rapidly, I suspect all are related. No loss of control has occurred but I'm concerned and I want to report my vehicle and plan to have it inspected by my dealer, westboro Dodge.

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

Recall campaign 04v596000 concerning ball joint wear. Consumer was unable to get the dealer to honor the manufacturer's recall because no parts were available. Manufacturer was notified, and informed the consumer that they were unable to advise him when the parts would be available.

Nhtsa campaign 04v596000; daimelr Chrysler issued an upper ball joint recall. This vehicle was included in the recall, but there were no appointments available.

I have had my 2003 Durango back to the dealer 5 times for a rubbing/grinding noise in the right front end. I had read the reports of the failures and symptons of the ball joints. All 5 times the dealer has not re-placed the ball joints, the noise still exsists, I even took one of the service guys out in the truck, and he heard the noise. He even commented, that his 2003 dakota, had the same noise, and that he had to replace his front ball joint. They know what the problem is, yet they refuse to fix it.

The reason I am filing a complaint is because the NHTSA has not updated their website according based on a voluntary recall by Dodge. There was in article on msn. Com today that described a recall of certain Dodge Durango and dakota models because of a problem with the front/upper ball joint. The NHTSA website lists 4 related defect investigations of this same problem, however all investigations were opened and closed in 2003 and there is no mention of the latest actions by Dodge. This website should be updated so people wanted to find out more information and specific models of recalls can find that information.

Occasional driving of vehicle transporting a toddler and an infant.

I own a 2003 Dodge Durango. I brought the vehicle in for an oil change at 41000 miles. I was told I had to replace my driver side upper control arm immediately because it was going to fall off. I heard no sounds from the front end prior to this event that would have lead me to suspect something was wrong. I travel on the highway almost daily with this vehicle and was very frightened being told my front tire was going to fall off. It cost over $500 to fix this. I do not have the old parts.

Premature wear of upper ball joints. Replaced at 41,000 miles.

Consumer too vehicle to dealer for routine maintenance, and mechanic determined that the front driver and passenger upper ball joints needed to be replaced.

I noticed noise in the front end of my 2003 Dodge Durango and found that I had movement in my upper right ball joint, so I pointed this out during my annual safety inspection at the dealer. Both upper ball joints were found to be worn out during the inspection. The truck has only 28,000 miles on it and is driven a mix of highway and local driving. . . . No off road use. The repair was covered under warranty.

1. 2003 Dodge Durango started popping in front end when making sharp turn. Also had problem with rear squeeking and vehicle was going into lower gear while traveling down the road when it shouldn't. Also was idling low. 3. Both ball joints worn out at 20,626 miles. Lubed bushings and spring pads in rear. Couldn't determine what was causing the vehicle to go into a passing gear and was told to just push on the gas and hope the engine would blow up.

I have been hearing a weird rubbing noise on the front right of my Dodge Durango. Before I could take it in to get worked on, I ran over a small pot hole. The upper ball bearing joint broke. I was told that your organization is doing an investigation. Can you help? or can I help?.

I purchased the vehicle in February of 2003. The vehicle was new with less than 100 miles. At approximately 15000 miles the vehicle began making a rubbing noise whenever driven over any bump. Took vehicle in to dealer and he informed me that it was the upper ball-joints. He then proceeded to order the wrong part. After a week the correct part finally got installed and the noise was no longer present. Dodge from top to bottom has lost my confidence not to mention my business.

Dodge Durango axle and tire from the front passenger side broke off and crashed into the front of my vehicle; I believe the issue had to do with the upper ball joint of the Dodge Durango.

I bought a used 2003 Dodge Durango on 2/28/2004. It ran fine for a few days. The front end was not performing as it should. This only has 27,000 miles on it so I thought it needed an alignment. I made an appointment at my mechanic as alignments are not covered under warranty. The day before I was to take it to him the cbs news showed a story on Dodge Durango's and the upper ball joints. I asked our mechanic to check these also. He found the left side worn and the right side was to the point that it needed to be replaced. I called the dealer ship that it was purchased at and of course they head mechanic stated they knew nothing about it. After my husband mentioned the news story and what our mechanic found, they still tried to say it must be the bearings. The service department was very rude to him even thought it was under warranty. He insisted they be replaced. My husband was a mechanic buy trade so he knows what he is talking about. I feel sorry for the people out there that are not aware of this. Our appointment is on 3-9-04. We will of course take the car back to the independent mechanic to inspect they replaced what was wrong. We have been Dodge owners for over 20 years and I can not believe something this serious is being hidden by them. They have lost my vote of confidence in reliability. They did not check the Durango prior to selling it, otherwise they would have seen the problem immediately. I am afrid to drive my own car for fear of something bad happening. This is a very serious matter and after reading all the complaints from 2002 and on, why is this not being addressed with chrystler? we rely on your service as an independent and we need your backbone in making this a recall issue. Please take this as serious as we all do. Thank you.