Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint problems of the 2005 Dodge Durango

2005 Dodge Durango. In 2007 tierod end on passenger side broke while going down the raod. Luckily there was not an accident and the dealer fixed it for free. In August 2011 we discovered that the brake line was laying on the front axle on the drivers side. This caused the brake line to rub in two and caused brake failure resulting in a crash (which is how the problem as discovered). The towtruck driver also said he picked up a Durango that had the upper and lower ball joint broken causing an accident. The front end of the 2005 Dodge Durango is apprently very poorly designed.

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. While obtaining a sticker for her vehicle, the dealer stated that the lower ball joints were failing and the vehicle should not be driven. The dealer was unable to assist because the VIN was not included in the recall and the mileage exceeded the warranty. The recall number was unknown. The failure mileage was 55,000 and current mileage was 60,000.

Premature right front ball joint failure. The joint fell apart when the car was moving between 15 and 30 mph. The failure caused substantial damage to the car when the car landed on the wheel after it came loose. The repair took over two months to complete and Chrysler rejected all warranty claims. Some old parts still exist.

I was driving approximately 10 mph and I felt a jolt. Then car leaned to the left slightly and then jerked sharply to the left about four to five feet into a cement pillar. I had to get out of the car through the passenger side because the driver's side door was pinned shut by the pillar. When I got out and walked around to the driver's side I saw my left front tire laying flat parallel with the ground, pinned partially under the vehicle. All of the components of the tire (the brakes, suspension, brake line, etc. ) were still attached to the tire. Where the upper ball joint should have been there was a large crack in the metal, and the tie rod was snapped. There was damage to the front left side of the vehicle due to the impact with the pillar. I am currently in litigation with the manufacturer because they were saying it was my fault. I was driving a 2005 Dodge Durango with 2042 miles on it that was purchased on 11/30/04.