2001 Dodge Durango Complaint Log

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKES A HUMMING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER INFORMED THAT THEIR VEHICLE DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. *NM

DRIVER SIDE FRONT FLUID LEAKS WHEN BRAKES. FRONT CALIPER BRASS O-RING LEAKS. REPLACED WITH CORRECT SIZE O-RINGS AND BLEED SYSTEM. *BF

I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN TO ENTER A PARKING RAMP AT WORK WHEN UNEXPECTEDLY I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE, AS A RESULT I COLLIDED WITH A CONCRETE WALL.*AK I HAD SOME DIGITAL PICTURES TAKEN AS THE POLICE WOULD NOT COME TO FILE A REPORT ON PRIVATE PROPERY. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE AND I'M CONVINCED THIS IS RELATED TO A POOR DESIGN/WEAK PARTS USED IN THE STEERING LINKAGE/SUSPENSION SYSTEM.

BALL JOINTS DEFECTIVE. *AK

I WAS TURNING A CORNER GOING LESS 10 MILES AN HOUR,WHEN I HEARD A POP, LIKE A FLAT TIRE WOULD MAKE ,AND THEN THE CAR SHIFTED TO THE LEFT DRIVER SIDE. THE WHEEL HAD BROKE OFF WHERE THE BALL JOINTS MEET. THE TIRE WAS SITTING UNDER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FRAME. THE COMPLETE DAMAGE AND REPAIRED PARTS TO THE VEHICLE, WAS THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, TWO BOOTS AND AN ALIGNMENT WAS DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP(SPRADLEY MOTORS),WHERE THEY GOT APPROVAL FROM THE WARRANTY TO FIX AND REPLACE. I DON'T KNOW IF PART IS AVAILABLE. *JB

WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH FRONT END SHOOK VIOLENTLY. DEALER STATED THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT COMPLETELY. *AK *TS

WHILE DRIVING 12 MPH FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OUTER TIE ROD SNAPPED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. *AK *SC

THE CHILD PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR. THERE WERE NO KEYS ,THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK. *JB

PE 03-032, FRONT SUSPENSION/UPPER BALL JOINTS: WHILE GETTING A FRONT END ALIGNMENT CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT. *AK *NM

(1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE, WHILE DRIVING ON A 20 MILE DIRT MOUNTAIN ROAD WITH VERY LITTLE GRADE AT A SLOW SPEED OF 10 TO 20 MILES AN HOUR. AC WAS NOT ON!. 2) FAILURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES, OVERHEATING FOR UNKNOWN REASON. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT STAY COOL AND ENDED UP USING OUR 4 GALLONS DRINKING WATER TO KEEP IT COOL. CONSEQUENCE, THE HEADS ON THE TRUCK WARPED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET. *AK (3) WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE; I.E, PARTS REPAIRED OR REPLACED (AND IF OLD PART IS AVAILABLE) A DEALER SERVICE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THE NEXT DAY. EXHAUST GASES WERE DETECTED IN THE COOLANT WATER. THIS WAS DUE TO A HEAD GASKET FAILURE. AFTER THE HEADS WERE REMOVED AND SENT TO A HEAD SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND REMOVAL OF COMPONENTS IT WAS DISCOVERED THE HEADS WERE WARPED. THE MECHANIC CONTACTED A DODGE DEALER AND HE WAS ADVISED THE HEAD PART NUMBERS WERE CHANGED DUE TO A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CURRENT HEADS. NEW HEADS ARE ON ORDER AT THIS TIME AND OTHER COMPONENTS WILL BE INSPECTED OVER THE NEXT 2 DAYS. THE EXPENSE AND INCONVENIENCE OF THIS FAILURE IS COSTING ME APPROXIMATELY $5000.00 OVER THE NEXT 7 DAYS OF NOT HAVING A VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER DRIVEN TO EXCUSIVE HEATING. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ONLY RUNNING .25% HOTTER THAN NORMAL WITH LOSS OF POWER AND WATER OVER FLOWING FROM OVER FLOW BOTTLE. THE TEMPERATURE GAGE WAS ONLY SHOWING JUST BELOW SCALE AND NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE IS JUST BELOW OF THE GAGE. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED APPROXIMATELY 32 TIMES BEFORE I COULD GET HELP ON THE OTHER END OF THE DIRT ROAD. OUT SIDE TEMP IN THE CANYON WAS NO MORE THAN 85 DEGREES.

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINT HAD FAILED. THE CONSUMER WILL HAVE THE MECHANIC FIX THE UPPER BALL JOINT. *JB *SC *JB

THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE DURANGO SLT, MY PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION STARTED WITH 17000 MILES ON VEHICLE. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VALVE IN THE 4WD SYSTEM WAS REPLACED AND AFTER THAT(ABOUT 26000+ MILES) THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT WOULD COME ON AFTER DRIVING OVER 60 MILES AND COME TO THE FIRST STOP. WHEN I WOULD GO TO TAKE OFF AGAIN THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER AND LIGHT STAYS ON UNTIL YOU STOP VEHICLE AND LET IT COOL DOWN (ABOUT 2 HOURS) THEN THE LIGHT GOES OFF AND POWER RESTORED. I HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WITH LIGHT ON AND OFF TO HAVE IT CHECKED BUT THEY FIND NOTHING WRONG AND JUST RESET THE LIGHT. MY FAMILY AND I HAVE NOT DONE A LOT OF LONG DISTANT TRAVELING IN THE PAST 2 YEARS SO (LAST TIME WAS GOING ON VACATION AND LIGHT CAME ON WHILE GETTING GAS) I AM WORRIED THAT THE NEXT TIME WE LEAVE ON VACATION OR TRAVEL MY FAMILY WILL BE BROKE DOWN AND EVEN WORSE CAUSE A CRASH ON HIGHWAY. THANK YOU. *NM

CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. UPON INSPECTION BY THE DEALERSHIP CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

PE 03 032/ FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE: WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE RIGHT SIDE BROKE. THE CONDITION CAUSED A VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE VEHICLE STRUCK A SPEED SIGN AND A TELEPHONE POLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR A CONCUSSION AND MINOR BRUISES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE GOING TO SEND OUT AN INVESTIGATOR CONCERNING THESE ISSUES. *JB *SC *JB

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!*AK

A/C FAILED - EVAPORATOR BOX NEEDS TO BE REPLACED - LABOR COSTS ARE ASTRONOMICAL!! I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL AS WELL AS THE DODGE INTREPID. *AK

CAR FAN BLOWER FOR A/C & HEAT JUST STOPPED AT 61,000 MILES. CAR IS ONLY 2001. LOADED DURANGO IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. HARD TO BELIEVE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. DEALER SAID THIS WAS COMMON. TALKED TO MANY PEOPLE SAID IT WAS NOT A COMMON PROBLEM. *AK

THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE PREMATURELY. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL WOULD SEPARATE WHILE DRIVING. *NM *SC *JB

THE VEHICLE FAILED PENNSYLVANIA STATE INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDE DTO BE REPALCED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE PULSATED/VIBRATED. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK *NM

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CODES LISTED WERE P1757 AND P1762. GOVERNOR PRESSURE SOLENOID AND GOVERNOR PRESSURE SENSOR. ENGINE RPMS RACE TO OVER 3000 BEFORE FINALLY SHIFTING. FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE IS GOING TO BLOW. *NM

BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. TURNED STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND THE FRONT END DROPPED. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAME AWAY FROM THE CONTROL ARM AT THE UPPER BALL JOINT. *AK

ONCE THE BALL JOINTS BECOME DEFECTIVE THE HUB ASSEMBLY BECOMES DEFECTIVE. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN . NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V596000 FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT. *TC

I HAD TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINT IN MY VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION REGARDING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS IN 2000-02 MODELS. I NOTICED A NOISE WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES OR A ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND HAD TO PAY $272.00 TO HAVE THESE REPLACED. *LA

RT. FRONT WHEEL NOISE AND LOCKED-UP TURNING INTO PARKING LOT. PULLED FORWARD TURNING TO LEFT AND WHEEL FREED. DROVE 30 MILES ON HIGHWAY TO DEALERSHIP WITHOUT INCIDENT. DEALER FOUND RT. FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARINGS WORE OUT AND DANGEROUSLY AFFECTING SAFETY OF WHEEL. VEHICLE WITH 53,000 MILES AND IN SHOP ON EXTENDED WARRANTY X3 FOR CONTROL ARM/SUSPENSION REPLACEMENTS/ REAR WHEEL BRAKE CYLINDER LEAKS AND REPAIRS AND NOW RT. FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARINGS.CHRYSLER NO HELP. LUCKY TO HAVE FORSIGHT TO BUY EXTENDED WARRANTY. NOW WITH LACK OF TRUST OF VEHICLE. *AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT KEPT GOING OFF AND ON. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO TOLD CONSUMER THAT THEY HAD TO INSERT A PLATE IN ORDER TO MAKE THE LIGHT STAY OFF. ALSO, AFTER VEHICLE WAS WORKED ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON, CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, AND THEY GRABBED. WHEN CONSUMER FINALLY WAS ABLE TO APPLY BRAKES THEY ALMOST THREW HER PASSENGER THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. HOWEVER, PASSENGER DID NOT GO THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE HE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT DEALER TOLD HER THAT THIS INCIDENT MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE TRANSMISSION FLUID THAT THEY PUT INTO VEHICLE. *AK

WINDOW REGULATOR, PLASTIC PIECE THAT ALLOWS THE WINDOW TO MOVE UP AND DOWN, HAS BROKEN TWICE WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. *AK

AFTER A TIRE BLOW OUT, I WENT TO RETRIEVE THE SPARE ONLY TO FIND THAT IT WAS GONE. THE SPARE IN THIS VEHICLE IS LOCATED UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, AND IS SUSPENDED BY A CABLE THAT LOWERS FROM THE TRUNK. WHEN I CHECK FOR THE SPARE, I ONLY FOUND A 4 INCH SECTION OF CABLE WITH A FRAYED END. IT APPEARS THE CABLE HAD BROKEN AND THE SPARE, WITH THE ALLOY WHEEL, MUST HAVE DROPPED TO THE GROUND AT SOME POINT. I HAD NO INDICATION THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED, AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT IF SOMEONE BEHIND ME HAD HIT THE SPARE AFTER IT BROKE LOOSE.

ON APRIL 26, 2004 I ARRIVED AT A BUSINESS MEETING AND PARKED MY 2001 R/T DURANGO, AND SET MY ALARM WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY. FROM MY CLIENT'S OFFICE I NOTICED WHITISH/GRAY SMOKE AND OBSERVED THAT THE SMOKE WAS BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY TRUCK! I RUSHED OUTSIDE.UPON ARRIVING IN THE PARKING LOT I WAS STOPPED BY THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT FROM APPROACHING MY DURANGO AS THEY WERE AFRAID IT MIGHT EXPLODE.THE FLAMES WERE ALREADY FOUR FEET ABOVE THE HOOD.THE FIRE TOOK MY ENGINE, BUMPERS, LIGHTS, HOOD, FENDER, LEFT FRONT TIRE & SEVERALLY DAMAGED THE CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF MINE & SLIGHTLY DAMAGED THE CAR TO THE LEFT CORNER. STATE FARM'S INVESTIGATION DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE IGNITION OF POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO HOT SURFACES OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WITH THE FIRE EXTENDING UPWARD AND OUTWARD, CAUSING THE DAMAGE PRESENT" WHICH WAS THE TOTAL LOSS OF MY VEHICLE. I FILED A SPECIAL INVESTIGATION REPORT WITH CHRYSLER AND THEY SENT ME BACK A LETTER STATING THAT MY CLAIM WAS DENIED. IN OTHER WORDS NOTHING WAS DONE BY CHRYSLER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE ALTHOUGH STATE FARM IS IN SUBROGATION AS THEY FOUND SEVERAL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS # 19-005-03 AND 19-009-00 THAT THEY FEEL PERTAINED TO THIS EVENT.THE THIRD PARTY FIRE INVESTIGATOR INFORMED ME THAT THIS HAPPENED BEFORE, AND THAT THE PERSON THAT CHRYSLER SENT TO INSPECT VEHICLE WAS NOT A LICENSED FIRE INSPECTOR, AND THAT MR. PITT (CHRYSLER'S REP.) WAS NOT QUALIFIED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE.I WROTE A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF CHRYSLER AND THE DIRECTOR OF CUSTOMER SERVICE. A MONTH LATER RECEIVED A CALL FROM THEM STATING AGAIN THAT MY CLAIM WAS DENIED, AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT TELL ME WHAT THEY DETERMINED CAUSED THE FIRE ON RECOMMENDATION FROM THEIR LEGAL STAFF.I REPLIED IT SOUNDED LIKE THEY WERE TRYING TO HIDE SOMETHING, AND HE TOLD ME THAT HE WOULD REFER MY CLAIM BACK TO THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATION UNIT, AND I AM STILL WAITING FOR A RETURNED CALL. THE LAST CONTACT WAS 7/15/2004. *AK

TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR PLANITARY GEAR IS BROKEN AND NEED A NEW TRANS. CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD WITH 55,000 MILES. CHRYSLER IS LOOKING INTO IT TO SEE IF THEY WILL COVER ALL OR PART OF THE REPAIRS AS THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36,000 MILES.

FAILED TRANSMISSION ON 2001 DODGE DURANGO.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND FELT THAT THIS FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO INSTALLED A RECONDITIONED TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER. THE CONSUMER HAS ANOTHER DODGE TRUCK WHICH ALSO EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF THE NEW TRANSMISSION. *NM *JB

CREAKING, CLICKING NOISY FRONT END SINCE 4/2004. REPAIRED ON 4/16/2004 AT FLEMINGTON DODGE CAR & TRUCK COUNTRY. IT IS NOW 10/9/2004 AND THE SAME NOISES ARE STARTING AGAIN, VERY NOISY. I AM TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN BUT THIS NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED WITH AN APPROPRIATE FINAL RESOLUTION. IT COSTS ME $151.90 TO FIX THIS EACH TIME AND A CAR RENTAL IS REQUIRED. ALSO, IT HAS ONLY BEEN 3.5 MONTHS SINCE THE LAST TIME IT WAS REPAIRED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM

IN MARCH OF 2001 I BOUGHT A 2001 DODGE DURANGO 4X4 THE FIRST YEAR WAS GREAT , THEN DESPITE THE FACT THAT I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN EVEY 3000 MI. FOR WHATEVER WAS MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE , AND THE DEALERS 27 POINT INSPECTION, THE FRONT BRAKES WERE SUDDENLY COMPLETELY SHOT AND COST IN EXCESS OF $450 TO REPAIR LAST JUNE I BELIEVE , RIGHT AFTER GETTING SERVICED AND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT ,I DROVE TO WORK , ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE, AND IT REFUSED THE ENGINE SPED UP , THE LIGHTS FLASHED , THE GAUGES WENT WILD, AND IT FINALLY DIED. DAY AFTER DAY THEY CEPT TELLING ME THEY DIDNT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS ,AFTER A WEEK OF BEING WORKED ON THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THE STARTER HAD "GONE" AND IT WOULD BE 24 TO 48 HOURS BEFORE THEY COULD GET ONE ABOUT THE SAME TIME THE FRONT END STARTED TO MAKE A STRANGE GRINDING NOISE WHILE BACKING UP WHILE TURNING....THEY STILL HAVENT FIGURED OUT THIS ONE.....BUT IM WONDERING IF IT IS A BALLJOINT ISSUE ALSO AFTER SEVERAL OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDUELED SERVICES I COMPLAINED THAT THERE WAS FLUID LEFT ON MY DRIVEWAY. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS RUN OFF FROM THE FRAME OF SOME OF THE OLD OIL,....NOW AFTER IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY,THEY FINALLY FOUND THE LEAK....THE POWER STEERING RACK IS LEAKING OH AND I ALMOST FORGOT, WHEN I FIRST GOT THIS VEHICLE, THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT DIDNT ALWAYS WORK...AFTER 4 OR 5 ATTEMPTS TO GET IT REPAIRED , I HAD A MECHANIC FRIEND OF MINE LOOK IT OVER ...IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES HE TOLD ME THE CONTACTS IN THE HOUSING WERE DEFECTIVE ....I GOT THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK INTO IT AND THEY REPLACED IT AND IT HAS BEEN FINE EVER SINCE THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS HAD ITS MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDED SERVICES AT THE INTERVAL REQUIRED , IT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE TO BUY , AND TO MAINTAIN, IT ONLY HAS 40,000 MI. ON IT , AND LOOKS GREAT, BUT APPEARNTLY IT IS A MONEY PITT AND DEATH TRAP ALL ROLLED INTO ONE!!

FAILED FRONT END BALL JOINTS. *JB

I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2001 DURANGO COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT CERTAIN TIMES. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS, WHICH I DID. THE NEXT DAY, THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL STARTED SMOKING, ASSUMING IT WAS DUE TO THE NEW PADS, THE TRUCK CONTINUED TO BE DRIVEN. A DAY OR TWO LATER, IT GOT SO BAD THAT THE LEFT SIDE CALIPER SEIZED UP AND GOT SO HOT IT STARTED A FIRE. I THEN HAD COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF FRONT ROTERS, CALIPERS AND PADS. ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER THE LEFT SIDE CALIPER STARTED HANGING UP AND SMOKING. THE ROTOR, CALIPER AND PADS WERE INSPECTED AND FOUND TO BE IN WORKING ORDER. THE ROTORS AND PADS WERE CLEANED AND TEST DRIVEN APPLYING THE BRAKES VERY HARD. AFTER THAT, THINGS SEEMED TO BE WORKING FINE. IT IS NOW ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER AND ABOUT A YEAR AFTER THE ORIGINAL INCIDENT AND THE LEFT CALIPER IS HANGING UP AGAIN. THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE COST ME NEARLY $2,000 UP TO THIS POINT AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE COSTING ME MORE $$$ TO GET IT REPAIRED. I HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH A PROBLEM WITH ANY VEHICLE I'VE EVER OWNED. AFTER MY LEASE IS UP ON MY DURANGO, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE EVER AGAIN.

VEHICLE MAKES HORRIBLE NOISES WHEN MAKING TURNS, OR GOING OVER UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES. FEELS AND SOUNDS. AS IF FRONT END IS GOING TO FALL OFF VEHICLE SKIPS LANES SLIGHTLY WHEN HITTING ANY KIND OF BUMP. VEHICLE HAS GONE TO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEMS, WHICH ENDS UP WITH THE SEALER GREASING UP THE SUSPENSION AND FINDING NOTHING WRONG. I FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR KNOWING THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE THAT THE WHEEL MAY FALL OFF. *AK

OIL PRESSURE DROPPED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, PULLED ON & CHECKED OIL - OK. THEN LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN & DURANGO STALLED AS WE WERE PULLING OVER ON THE INTERSTATE. TOWED TO SERVICE CENTER, SLUDGE IN ENGINE, NEW ENGINE $6000. REGULAR OIL CHANGED WERE PERFORMED, SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD SLUDGE IN ENGINE. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF DURANGO OWNERS HAVE HAD TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF UNJUSTIFIED CHARGES BECAUSE OF DODGE'S FAILURE TO ADMIT THAT THE ENGINES OF SOME DURANGOS DEVELOP SLUDGE WHEN YOU CHECK THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES YOU'LL IMMEDIATELY SEE THE PATTERN: CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM, NHTSA.GOV, CARSURVEY.ORG, OR SIMPLY GOOGLE "OIL PRESSURE DURANGO" OR "DURANGO SLUDGE". *JB

A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE CENTER SEAT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH. THERE WERE FLAMES AND HEAVY SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CAUSE OF FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. *AK

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. ON SUNDAY APRIL 4,2004 I HIT A SMALL POTHOLE ON THE ROAD AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER CAR. IT FELT LIKE THE FRONT END WAS GOING TO FALL OFF. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DODGE DEALER HERE IN PROVO UTAH. THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THEY WERE WORN AND WERE IN BAD SHAPE.I HAVE 48000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS CRASH. I WON'T SAY ACCIDENT FOR BOTH CHRYLER AND THE GOVERNMENT KNOW OF THE PROBLEM AND REFUSE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. GET OFF YOUR ASS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED!*AK

I SAW ON T.V. THAT THE DODGE DURANGO'S WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE LOWER FRONT BALL JOINT. MY DEALER, NETHAWAY'S, CHECKED THE BALL JOINT'S ON MY VEHICLE AND THEY ARE ABNORMALLY WORN FOR A VEHICLE WITH 63125 MILES. I INFORMED DODGE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE IN CORRECTING THE SAME. *JB

THE DASH LIGHTS STARTED GOING OFF AND ON WITHOUT WARNING. I PULLED OVER WHEN I REALIZED THE TAILLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. A FIRE HAD STARTED IN THE TAILLIGHT SOCKET ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONED WITHIN 3 MINUTES, BUT THE FIRE STILL DID $8,000 IN DAMAGE AND TOOK THE DEALER 10 WEEKS TO FIX. THE CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE ENTIRE REAR WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

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. *NM

151 OLD FARM RD. LEOMINSTER, MA 01453 MARCH 26, 2004 DAIMLER-CHRYSLER CORPORATION PO BOX 610207 PORT HURON, MI 48061-0207 DEAR SIRS: MY FATHER ALWAYS TOLD ME, NEVER BUY A CHRYSLER PRODUCT. HOWEVER, A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WHEN LOOKING FOR A MID-SIZE SUV WITH A THIRD ROW I WAS TEMPTED BY THE DODGE DURANGO. HOWEVER, I KEPT HEARING MY FATHERS VOICE, NEVER BUY&.. BUT I THOUGHT, THAT WAS THE 1950S. YOU DONT SEE BLUE SMOKE POURING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE OF CHRYSLER PRODUCTS ANYMORE. SURELY IN THE 21ST CENTURY CHRYSLER PRODUCTS CAN COMPETE WITH ANYTHING ON THE MARKET. RIGHT? SO I RELENTED AND BOUGHT MY FIRST CHRYSLER PRODUCTA WELL-STYLED DODGE DURANGO. I WOULD PROVE MY FATHER WRONG. WELL-----? AFTER ONLY 60,000 MILES AND A $2,000 REPAIR BILL I AM NOW TELLING MY SONS, NEVER BUY A CHRYSLER PRODUCT. WHAT HAPPENED? AT 60,000 MILES I TOOK MY DURANGO INTO MY DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE AND A STATE INSPECTION. PLEASE TRY TO IMAGINE MY SHOCK WHEN I GOT A PHONE CALL FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMING ME THAT THE BALL JOINTS ON MY CAR WERE SO DANGEROUSLY WORN, THE CAR WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. IF I DID NOT GET IT REPAIRED THEY WOULD HAVE TO RED-FLAG THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO HAVE ON THE HIGHWAY. NOW REALLY, WHO WOULD WANT TO DRIVE A CAR THAT UNSAFE? I WAS RELIEVED THAT THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED IT AND POSSIBLY PREVENTED A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. I HAD IT FIXED. TOTALLY WORN OUT BALL JOINTS AT ONLY 60,000 MILES? AND THAT IS WHEN I HEARD MY FATHERS VOICE AGAIN, NEVER BUY A CHRYSLER PRODUCT. SINCERELY, IAN BOTHWELL CC: NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. *AK

WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE BALL JOINTS BROKE, MAKING IT HARD TO STEER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SHOULDER, CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY $1100.00 FOR REPAIRS. *AK THE FRONT WHEEL(S) HAD COME UNATTACHED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN. *SC *JB

AT 32120 MILES DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS, 10 MONTHS LATER, MECHANIC DETERMINED THE NEED TO REPLACE ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS AGAIN. *AK

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.*AK

ENGINE SIEZED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. OIL PRESSURE GAUGE DROPPED TO ZERO SO WE CHANGED OUT THE OIL PUMP AND DISCOVERED SLUDGE BUILD UP ALTHOUGH THE OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED REGULARLY. ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER THE ENGINE LOCKED COMPLETELY. THE SLUDGE PROBLEM HAD CLOGGED ACCESS TO THE FRONT TWO PISTONS AND EVENTUALLY THE LOCKED COMPLETELY.*AK