Consumer Complaint Detail

DODGE / DURANGO / 1998

Recalls
0 Injured
Investigations
0 Death
Complaints
No Fire
Components - Details
NHTSA Complaint Number: 003006547 Incident Date: Jun, 23 2003
Consumer's City: BOISE Consumer's State: ID
Vehicle Transmission Type: AUTO Manufacturers Name: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Model Name: DURANGO Model Year: 1998
Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No Component's Description: Suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint
Vehicle Involved in a Fire: No Persons Injured: 0
Vehicle's VIN#: 1B4HS28Y9WF Date added to File: May, 23 2021
Date Complaint Received: Feb, 09 2005 Complaint Type: IVOQ
Incident Reported To Police: No Purchase Date: Feb, 26 1998
Was Original Owner: Yes Anti-lock Brakes: Yes
Number of Cylinders: 8 Date of Manufacturer: -
Was Vehicle Towed: - Description of the Complaints: Events leading up to failure: 1.) noise eminating from the front of the vehicle ? clunking, squeaking; 2.) loose steering associated with clunking; .) wandering at speed. *ak failure and consequences: 1.) prior to complete failure the vehicle was diagnosed by a local dealer as worn lower ball joints, right inner tie rod end, and sway bar bushings 2.) possible consequences of not determining the problem prior to failure ? unsafe operation or life threatening accident due to steering failure correction: 1.) replaced lower both lower ball joints, sway bar bushings, and the right inner tie rod end ($777.78 parts and labor) in light of recent recalls regarding ball joints of 2000-2003 dodge dakotas and durangos, we believe investigation into earlier models is warranted. extremely similar symptoms are evident on the earlier models prior to 2000 leading us to believe the problem existed prior to the 2000 model year. given this vehicle was rarely placed in extreme conditions (off-road maneuvers, etc.), never in an accident, and with the majority of the time spent on paved roads, failure of ball joints and other suspension components in the 50,000 to 60,000 mile range is premature. we request an investigation into including 1998-1999 dodge durangos into the formal ball joint recall as detailed for the 2000-2003 models.