Brake Disc Rotor Problems of Dodge Durango - part 1

Issue I: stall vehicle was being driven down a sloping road that curved to the right approx 35-45 mph. Steering became unresponsive and I realized moments later the vehicle's engine was no longer running. Brought vehicle to the dealership. They could not find any problem. I recently went online to discover to my horror that I am not alone. In fact, on one discussion group over a hundred people reported experiencing stalls. I have a pregnant wife. I am concerned that were this to happen to her she would not have the strength to control such a large vehicle without power steering. Issue repeated warping of brakes. Had vehicle for approx. 6,000 miles when noted pulsation of brakes. At next service I inquired about it and was told the rotors were warped and needed to be ground down. I felt it should have been covered under warranty. Dealer declined. Approx. 4,000 miles later the problem began to re-occur. I noted problem to dealership at next service. They expressed the rotors are warped. Dealership accused me of driving to aggressively as being the only cause. I do not accept this as valid. I am not an aggressive driver. I have seen that numerous others have reported similar problems. I have since read that improperly torquing the lug nuts may be a cause for this problem. I do not think it unreasonable to expect breaks on a new vehicle to last more than 4k-6k miles before needing maintenance. My last SUV required one significant break service during the 115,000 miles of ownership. I feel that both of these issues endanger the safety of my family. I feel that neither issue has been satisfactory addressed by Dodge.

See all problems of the 2006 Dodge Durango 🔎.

: the contact stated the brake rotors needed to be resurfaced. The rotors had already been resurfaced twice at 17000 miles and the contact expressed concern that the brake rotors were defective. The rotors would pulsate. Updated 01/10/07. Updated 01/10/07.

See all problems of the 2004 Dodge Durango 🔎.

The contact states received a recall letter on 8-17-05 regarding the upper ball joint on 2001 Dodge Durango. She called and set up an appointment, and they told her they do not have any parts because there is a backorder. She thinks the recall should be fixed in a timely manner. She reported having problems with the brakes, and her husband told her this might have something to do with the recall because the front end may be wearing out the brakes. The steering wheel jumped around in her hand when she applied the brakes.

See all problems of the 2001 Dodge Durango 🔎.

The inboard surface of both brake rotors began to flake off and wear thin. The inboard brake pad retainer clips were bent and rusted or gone. You could feel the pulsation of the untrue rotors when applying the brakes. 43,000 miles on the odometer.

I won a 1998 Dodge Durango 4x4. I recently had to replace the brakes on my Durango. I had one of the pads on the passenger side break loose from the shoe. I had to replace the rotors as well. Costing me $435. The mechanic doing the work wanted to know if I had replaced the rear brakes recently. I informed him that I had not. The front and rear were replace at the same time maybe a year earlier. He said there was next to no wear on my rear brakes. Sincfe having my brakes replaced there is this awful grinding sound in the front of the vehicle. I took it back to the mechaninc and he said all 4 ball joints, upper and lower, needed to be replaced at a cost of $1400. Parts and labor. I know Dodge recalled the 2000-2003, but this is rediculous. I have not read alot of complaints about the 2000-2003, I've read more about the 98-99. Also my brakes have failed to engage twice and they locked up on me once on dry pavement.

See all problems of the 1998 Dodge Durango 🔎.

I have a 2003 Dodge Durango it goes through rotors about every 18000 miles.

See all problems of the 2003 Dodge Durango 🔎.

When applying the brakes pedal pulsates and the steering pulls the vehicle off the road. The part has been replaced five times. However, the problem recurred.

Uneven tire wear. It was determined that the ball joints needed to be replaced. Also have replaced all power windows because they have failed. The rotors have been replaced.

See all problems of the 1999 Dodge Durango 🔎.

I have had to replace the rotors three times and also had them resurfaced 3 times in 3 years. Now I have been told the ball joints are in very bad shape and must be replaced right away. I have owned other Dodge vehicles through-out the years and I'm very disappointed with this one.

The consumer stated the rotors failed prematurely. Determined. Please provide additional information.

At 55,000 miles I had to replace my rack and pinion and ball joints. I replaced my brake pads and rotors last year and have just been told that I need to replace them again. My vehicle is used for local highway driving.

Complaint received via e-mail. There was brake failure. The front disc brakes replaced September 2004. October 27, 2004 the consumer applied brakes while approaching a stop sign at 30 mph and pedal went to floor, and ended up in the street with the semi bearing down on me. The truck driver swerved barely missing me and my vehicle. The consumer called the dealer and was advised that it was not their problem since I bought vehicle used. They were the ones that knew the vehicle had problems with brakes, that was why they sent me to cox automotive to have brakes replaced. Cox indicated that piston on rotors blew out, and one brake line needed replacement. I paid for repairs and towing out of pocket. I surely felt like I was dead for a moment. I got chest pains and took medication.

Under 12,000 miles the front rotors were resurfaced. At 19000 miles dealership resurfaced the rotors again. Dealership indicated to the consumer rotors needed to be replaced or resurfaced onc emore.

When braking brake pedal pulsated. Vehicle was taking to the deale, and dealer replaced both front rotors. Consumer was concerned that both rotors wore out prematurely at 16,000 miles.

The front brake rotors pulsated after being brought to the dealership. They turned them then they worked fine for a short period, then they pulsated again.

My 2001 Durango has had the rotors go bad and the ball joints (both of which cost me money). The vehicle has 55000 miles on it and is driven 95% of the time on the interstate system. Although I like the vehicle, I think the mft should pay for the replacement. I also, think it is time for a recall. I am hard pressed to buy another Dodge ( I own two) knowing that they don't care about my safety!.

On April 20 my wife took our 2002 Dodge Durango to the dealersip to have a PA inspection performed. The inspection in 2003 was routine and showed no signs of abnormal wear. Since the last inspection my drove the Durango 10,010 miles. The vehicle is garaged each night at our home. The inspection mechanic at the dealership failed our Durango due to the left front brake rotor being severly rusted. Even the retaining clips that hold the brake pads in place are rusted off after only 10,010 miles from last year. How can a brake rotor become rusted when it is being driven each day by my wife. Her work is eight miles from our home, one way. I suspect the rotor is made from defective steel. We have all the service records as the dealership services the Durango when needed. Total mileage on the vehicle is 22,458 over 2 years. We are paying to have the work completed but feel the rotors are defective as are the brake pads. I myself inspected the rotor and found the axel to be rusting along with the spindle arm attached to possibly defective ball joints. . Common folks such as myself and my wife depend on your agency to represent us. Had we know of the poor quality of the Durango we never would have spent our money on it. I have contacted Dodge customer service and they have been of no help. I have instructed the mechanic at the dealership to give me back all the parts being replaced so I will have them for evidence. I also have the supporting paperwork. Unsafe vehicles should not be allowed on the highways where people can get killed. At 60 miles per hour if your rotor breaks or the ball joint pops out someone will be dead. Thank you in advance for your help.

See all problems of the 2002 Dodge Durango 🔎.

I bought my 2003 Dodge Durango new in April 2003. In less than 12,000 miles, I had to have the brake rotors replaced 2 times. It now has 18,000 miles on it and the rotors are bad again. Only this time, they are not covered under warranty. I paid over $30,000 for this vehicle. I don't think I should have to pay to have the brakes replaced 2 times a year. This is very dangerous. I am very concerned that I will lose my brakes and get hurt or hurt someone. I saw your service bulletin # 0500703, brake shudder or vibration. This is exactly what my Durango is doing. I hope you can help with this dangerous situation. The exact dates that I have had the rotors replaced are unknown without checking with my dealer. The date below is an approximate for the last time. Thank you.

The vehicle's rotors warped prematurely. As a result the owner had to replace them every 8,000 miles the cause has yet to be determined. Please provide any additional information.

Brakes vibrate/shudder when slowing down at around 40 mph. First serviced at 10130 miles. Resurfaced rotors and replaced front pads. Service noted there was a TSB for vibration but no recall yet. Back to service for same problem at 17619 miles. Rear rotors warped and both were cut. Third time back for same problem at 21127 miles when I also took my Durango in for rear hatch door not locking. They noted the problem with the brakes again but I was instructed to take back to original dealer since they were first to work on the brake problem. I have not made it back to the original dealer for the 3rd time for repair.

Brake rotors warped prematurely. Consumer had the rotors repaired four times, but dealership did not resolve the problem.

See all problems of the 2000 Dodge Durango 🔎.

The brake rotors need to be turned or replaced at 25000 miles. The vehicle is too heavy/big for the smaller sized rotors. Vehicle does not respond efficiently to brakes. In my case, the master cylinder needed to be replaced by the dealership at 25000 miles. This is a serious safety issue that needs to be addressed with Dodge on the manufacturing of the Durango.

The consumer stated the vehicle made a loud clanking noise while backing out of the driveway. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer/mechanic and was told the ball joints failed and the vehicle had a cracked front disc rotor. Both lower and right upper ball joints were replaced.

While applying the brake pedal, the vehicle vibrated uncontrollably and the failed to stop completely. The mechanic informed the consumer that the rotors needed to be replaced. Please provide further details.

When applying brakes for a normal stop brake pedal pulsates and vehicle does not stop reliably.

We own a 1999 Dodge Durango. . . . Wheel, brake rotor and steering knuckle separated from the vehicle. . . . Ball joint separation seems to have been the problem. . . Apparently, this is a continuing issue with these vehicles.

After only 60,000 miles I have had to replace all 4 ball joints and have replaced my rotors twice. I have complained to my dealer about my brakes not long after I purchased my vehicle and have had trouble with them ever since.

The brakes pulsated when they were applied. However, there wasn't any problem with braking. The driver took the vehicle to the dealer and the mechanic noticed that both front rotors were warped and needed to be resurfaced after replacing 3 sets of rotors within six months the consumer feels that Dodge auto parts are defective.

I own a 2000 Dodge Durango slt plus 4x4, with 27,000. Miles. (original owner)the drivers side ball joints were leaking, the dealer ship replaced all 4 ball joints under warrenty. The steering had started to become unstable. How ever, the front brake rotors had to be replaced because of corrosion, at my expense.

My 1998 Dodge Durango has approximately 85k miles on it. It is in the shop today getting new top and bottom ball joints on both sides. Heard about possible investigation. Read others complaints and feel lucky mine made it this may miles. Also have to replace front rotors because they are out of round.

Consumer noticed a pulsation from the front end of the vehicle. It was discovered the rotors were warped. Also the blower motor only worked on high.

Prior to 30,000 miles the 2001 Dodge Durango began to shake in the front end. The vehicle was taken back to the dealership where we were told that the brakes pads were like new but the rotors were warped significantly and could not be cut down to stop the shake. We were told that the problem is due to the heat not being able to be released from the brakes in the Durango. This is our second Durango and we did not experience such a problem with the first one. By reading articles and complaints by other Dodge Durango and dakota owners, this seems to be an all too common problem. It is my understanding that this repair/service is not covered under warranty. It is my belief that the problem resides with defective rotors put on these vehicles and these vehicles should be recalled for this problem due to the unsafe nature in which these brakes systems are wearing.

Somewhere around 25,000 miles the rotors on my Durango began to warp. I don't drive it hard and seldom tow. The front end pulsated so hard as the steering wheel shook that I considered it extremely dangerous. I took it in and had the rotors turned, however over the next 8,000 miles, the problem returned and is worse than ever. The vehicle is just three years old and it's difficult to understand why new rotors are needed so soon on a vehicle that is suppose to be so tough. I'm extremely disappointed. Dodge should have corrected this problem.

After feeling a heavy vibration in my brake pedal, I took my 2000 Durango in to have the brakes inspected. I was informed that after only 3 years and 31,000 miles, the front rotors were warped beyond repair and needed to be replaced yet my brake pads were still in good condition. The non-Dodge dealer mechanic noted that while this was very atypical of standard brake wear, he had service numerous Durangos and dakotas with the same problem.

I would like to file a complaint regarding front bakes and rotors on a 2001 Dodge Durango. The vehicle has approximately. 23500 miles and the rotors are in pretty bad shape. When I apply the brakes I get a pretty bad vibration in the pedal and the vehicle does not stop very well. I spoke with Chrysler and they informed me the rotors and brakes were considered wear parts and were not covered by the warranty. I have done some investigating and found this appears to be a common problem. I would like to file a complaint so that maybe Chrysler will try to rectify this problem.