Differential Unit Problems of Dodge Durango - part 2

I had a lot of chattering and grinding noises in both the front and rear differential. The dealer checked the problem and found out that the differential fluid needed to be changed due to the viscosity being weak and recommended that it be changed and additive be done. Upon finding this out they also said that this fluid would have to be changed every 30,000 miles. My cost for this problem was $400. 00. It was not specified in the owner's manual that this had to be done at all.

See all problems of the 2000 Dodge Durango 🔎.

While backing out of driveway car made a loud noise, car was inoperable, car was towed to dealer. Was notified by the dealer that the ring and pinion gar had cracked, and rear needs to be replaced.

See all problems of the 1998 Dodge Durango 🔎.

Vehicle was experiencing loud noise from the rear differential unit. Took to repair shop and they replaced left and right side of rear differential. Wanted to also repair differential ring and pinion because there was still a loud noise.

1)initially heard a "clunk" from right rear every time we'd hit a bump. Turned out to be not a broken shock absorber, nor the bolt which attaches the shock absorber to the frame, but the actual frame piece to which the bolt/absorber assembly attaches. 2)while observing problem 1, noticed oil/dirt "leak" on driver's side of rear differential/axle.

Pinion shaft snapped off jamming into gear box, causing rear wheels to lock up. Power steering pump failed causing loss of control. Car crashed into curb.

See all problems of the 1999 Dodge Durango 🔎.

Problem: rear axle pinion bearing fails, causing damage to pinion gear and ring gear. At each repair attempt, bearings, cups and seals are replaced, repairs have lasted about 2000 miles, 500miles and twice at under 100 miles. The problem has been addressed 4 times, once at a Dodge dearlership other than the one where we purchased the vehicle and 3 times at the purchasing dealership. The last repairs included replacing the rearend housing, now though, within 100 miles, the problem has returned. At last tear down of the rearend, the pinion gear's teeth were chipped. This fact is what scares myself and my wife, a complete failure of the pinion gear at highway speeds could be disastrous. We have contacted the manufacture about the numerous repairs and failures through certified mail, my only contact with them is to say they received the notice and then the purchasing dealership's service manager called to voice his hostilities to us as to why we went over his head with this! I feel this problem is a possible safety issue and needs to be addressed, we are having to drive the defective vehicle because we have no other available vehicle. . . . . It is scary.

The vehicle is having a bearing failure in the differential which can cause the unit to seize and I have taken the vehicle to the dealer I purchased it from 4 times and each time I get a different story on what they feel or think the problem is.

Vehicle has severe whining noise from rear diffrential. Also has grinding/clicking noise to date, rear differential ring and pinion has been replaced (not fixed); complete rear end assembly installed 05/01/00 (not fixed), dealer contacted me and told me they would "rebuild the new assembly to try to correct the problem, and would not give me the vehicle back until it has been corrected. " this is 3 attempts at the same problem, I. E. , new gear set; new rear end assembly; currently rebuilding the new rear end assembly (without ever having returned vehicle to me with new rear end installed).

Rear differential locks up. Under normal driving conditions it makes the vehicle feel as though the rear end is loose on the road as a low tire pressure problem. When attempting to make a tight turn at an intersection the vehicle requires considerable power to force it through the turn. The unit will release with a sudden bang that would make you think the drivetrain gave way. The vehicle will not achieve its turning radius under these conditions, taking the driver by surprise when trying to pull into traffic.

While driving vehicle would make funny noises in the front differential. Also, would pull to the right if steering wheel was let go & brakes not applied. Took vehicle to dealership & informed consumer it was a caster adjustment & it was already done. However, problem still existed. Took to dealership in arizona, and informed consumer that it was a design flaw, and manufacturer knew about ak.

This vehicle has had major component breakdowns since purchase. Initially, immediately after purchase there was a clicking sound in the steering column. The dealer indicated that there was a TSB and replaced steering column. The second problem occurred in February 2000, some three months after purchase. We began to notice a significant pulsing in the brake pedal. The dealer attributed this to abs brakes. Several months later when the pulsing was significantly greater and the braking was being affected, an independent shop reviewed the brakes and indicated that the rotors were severely warped and causing the pulsing sensation. This was repaired out of pocket. In February, 2001 the temperature began fluctuating, spiking higher temperatures causing the check gauge light to illuminate. It would then reset. Hanover Dodge, a different dealer indicated that the thermostat housing seal was leaking and replaced the thermostat and gasket. This was paid out of pocket. Approximately ten days later, the radiator had a major failure requiring replacement. This was paid out of pocket in the amount of $610. 33. In may, 2001we were alerted to a problem involving the front end. In bringing the vehicle to the dealer, a leak was noticed from the transmission cooler and also and more critically it was determined that the left upper ball joint required replacement as well as the inner tie rods. These repairs were also paid out of pocket in the amount of $923. 45. The latest issue arose several weeks ago when a howling sound was noticed coming from the rear of the vehicle. Through research and independent evaluation it has been determined that the rear differential has a design defect whereby the ring and pinion cannot handle the load of the vehicle. I have noted several of the same complaints being made to your organization in this database. We believe that the vehicle we have is defective. Each problem has involved a major component or system.

While deaccelerating noticed vehicle was making a howling noise. Dealer has changed differential ring and pinion gear. Please provide further information.

Consumer complained about a transmission problem. Vehicle hesitated when driving. The front differential pin failed and seized to the pinion shaft the upper and lower ball joints were replaced.