1998 Dodge Durango Steering Problems

DUE TO TO UNEVEN DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE STALLED, OR TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SPIN AND NOT MOVE, AT WHICH THE VEHICLE IGNITION WAS SHUT-OFF. IT WAS ATTEMPTED TO PUSH THE VEHICLE ABOUT 50 FEET TO A PARKING PLACE. ANOTHER PERSON OFFERS TO HELP, THEN PUSHES VEHICLE 25/50 FEET...ADVISES TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE WHEEL DOES NOT WANT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE HAS USED A LOT OF POWER STEERING FLUID ALMOST DAILY(HAS A HISTORY OF SQUEALING AND HARD TURNING AT START UNLESS LUBRICATED). SO ADVICE TO PLACE VEHICLE IN REVERSE CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE EVEN HARDER TO TURN, IF AT ALL. I REQUESTED HELP FROM THE BYSTANDER, WHO AT WHICH POINT COMES TO THE DRIVER SIDE WHERE I WAS STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ALSO. IT'S UNKNOWN IF THE BYSTANDER HELP TURNED THE IGNITION ON, OR IF THE IGNITION SOMEHOW TURNED ON BY ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS OCCUPIED BY ONE ADDITION PASSENGER AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED IN REVERSE GEAR, WITHOUT ANYONE PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR. THERE WERE MINOR TO SEVERE INJURIES, AND DAMAGE TO 2 VEHICLES AND ONE STRUCTURE.

NHTSA ID

11388250

Incident

Jan 12, 2021

Mileage

240,000 mi

BUSHINGS ON STEERING SHAFT BEARING MADE FROM CHEAP MATERIALS WEAR QUICKLY CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CHRYSLER DOES NOT CURRENTLY PRODUCE A PART TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND NO AFTERMARKET PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10274970

Incident

Jun 18, 2009

Mileage

130,000 mi

WE BOUGHT A 98' DURANGO W/ 123K MILES & AFTER DRIVING IT LESS THAN 500 MILES I BEGAN TO NOTICE A LOUD-REPEATING NOISE "THUD...THUD.." COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WALL. THEN I BEGAN TO NOTICE EXTREME STEERING PROBLEMS SO I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED IT FURTHER. I JACKED UP THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED A LOT OF "PLAY" IN THE FRONT TIRE. I WAS ACTUALLY ABLE TO "WOBBLE' BACK AND FORTH AND THE LUG NUTS WERE STILL SECURED. I CONTACTED A VERY REPUTABLE MECHANIC (3RD GENERATION RACE CAR DRIVER TOO!) AND HE ADVISED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MASSIVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BALL JOINTS FAILING ON THE DURANGO'S , BUT THEY ONLY WILL FIX BACK TO 2000' MODEL YEAR. WELL, ANY REASONABLE AUTO COMPANY THAT KNOWS IT HAS A FAULTY PART SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFETY OF ITS PEOPLE....IF NOT, THEN THEY ARE LIABLE FOR CONTINUING TO ALLOW A PRODUCT THAT ENDANGERS THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER, ITS OCCUPANTS & OTHER MOTORIST'S/CITIZENS-WHO EXPECT THEIR SAFETY TO BE LOOKED UPON, NOT "INVESTIGATED INTERNALLY." I HAVE BEEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR +13 YEARS, AND AS A RESULT I HAVE WORKED MANY VEHICLE ACCIDENTS (SOME CAUSING DEATH) THAT JUST DIDN'T MAKE SENSE-UNTIL NOW! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE HERE...AND NOT JUST "ONLY 2000' YEAR MODELS AND UP" THING. DO THE RIGHT THING, BECAUSE ITS THE RIGHT THING TO DO! *TR

NHTSA ID

10251860

Incident

Dec 11, 2008

Mileage

123,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS LOOSER THAN NORMAL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC ON FEBRUARY 21, 2008 AND BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AS WELL AS THE STEERING BOX WERE REPLACED. THE REPAIR COST $1,001.24. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,298 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,598. UPDATED 05/05/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED ON APRIL 10, 2003 HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR WINDOW REGULATORS. UPDATED 05/05/08 *TR

NHTSA ID

10225585

Incident

Jan 1, 2008

Mileage

59,298 mi

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A PAVED ROAD THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED TO ONE SIDE AS I BRAKED I ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT WITH THE STEERING BUT IT DID NOT RESPOND. I CAME TO REST APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET FROM A 70 FOOT EMBANKMENT. I LAID DOWN UNDER THE CAR TO SEE IF I COULD FIND AN APPARENT PROBLEM AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING TIE ROD END WAS HANGING DOWN. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE THREADS ON THE INNER TIE ROD END AND ON THE STEERING DRAG LINK TO BE COMPLETELY BARE OF THREAD. I AM CURRENTLY PRICING THE COST OF A NEW TIE ROD END AND DRAG LINK WHICH HOPEFULLY WILL REPAIR THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE CAUSED ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM. AFTER TALKING TO THE LOCAL TIRE STORE AND CHECKING ON THE INTERNET I FIND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING QUITE OFTEN ON THIS MODEL AND COULD POSSIBLY BE FATAL IF THE DRIVER PANICS OR DOESN'T HAVE THE STRENGTH TO HOLD THE WHEEL. *NM

NHTSA ID

10160272

Incident

Jun 19, 2006

Mileage

107,778 mi

DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED A RECALL (04V596000) FOR BALL JOINT AND EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 10 YR / 100000 MILES FOR 2000 - 2003 DURANGOS. MY QUESTION IS WHY THE '98 DURANGOS WERE NOT INCLUDED SINCE MY 98 DURANGO HAD THE SAME FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS ONLY 69,000

NHTSA ID

10152951

Incident

Mar 13, 2006

Mileage

69,100 mi

1998 DODGE DURANGO. UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. I HAD THOUGHT I NEEDED SHOCKS AND AN ALIGNMENT AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, TIE ROD END AND IDLER ARM. THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER ABUSED, AND 90% OF THE MILES ARE HIGHWAY MILES. I HAVE READ MANY ACCOUNTS OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND BELIEVE FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND RECALL IS NECESSARY. *JB

NHTSA ID

10144384

Incident

Dec 3, 2005

MY DODGE DURANGO STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPON TURNING OR GOING OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE SHOP AND THERE WAS A FAILURE OF BOTH THE UPPER BALL JOINTS AS WELL AS THE TIE-ROD ENDS, NEARLY SEPARATED. PER THE GARAGE, UNUSUAL FOR A 7 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 66,000 MILES. THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OCCURS. REPLACEMENT WILL INCLUDE BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE AND 4 TIE RODS. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR $1,100. *JB

NHTSA ID

10132285

Incident

Aug 9, 2005

Mileage

66,000 mi

DT: OWNER COMPLAINED ABOUT SEVERAL VEHICLE PROBLEMS. . ON ALL FOUR WINDOWS THE REGULATOR HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE. DRIVER'S SIDE HAVING TO BE REPLACED THE MOST. ALSO, LOWER BALL JOINTS / LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT, AND STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR TIME. CURRENTLY THE UPPER RIGHT BALL JOINT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THESE HAS BEEN ONGOING ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE CONSUMER OWNED IT. CONSUMER DEALT WITH DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER, BUT CHRYSLER REFUSED TO HELP SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL. CHRYSLER WAS VERY RUDE AND HUNG UP ON THE CONSUMER. *AK

NHTSA ID

10125670

Incident

Apr 13, 1999

Mileage

6,000 mi

BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WEAR.*AK UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS AS WELL AS THE INNER TIE RODS WERE WORN AND WERE REPLACED. *TT

NHTSA ID

10109498

Incident

Feb 1, 2004

Mileage

95,000 mi

THERE ARE POPPING AND CLICKING SOUNDS COMING FROM MY STEERING COLUMN AND THERE IS TOO MUCH PLAY IN THE STEERING. I BROUGHT IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WITH ONLY 55,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE CHRYSLER SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. THE STEERING SHOULDN'T HAVE THESE PROBLEMS WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. THERE IS NO PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE AVAILABLE FOR STEERING SO I DON'T SEE HOW THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. I WILL CONTINUE TO PRESSURE CHRYSLER TO DO THE RIGHT THING, WHICH IS TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND THE DEFECTIVE PARTS ON THE VEHICLES THEY'VE SOLD.*AK

NHTSA ID

10113888

Incident

Feb 10, 2005

Mileage

55,000 mi

THE CONSUMERS 1998 DURANGO NEEDED BOTH FRONT AND REAR UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT . *BF THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A SPIN OUT ACCIDENT DUE TO FRONT END INSTABILITY AND BAD TIE ROD ENDS. THE CONSUMER SUGGESTED THAT THE FRONT TIRES WORE OUT IN ONE YEAR. *SC

NHTSA ID

10111645

Incident

Feb 1, 2005

Mileage

48,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10110263

Incident

Jun 24, 2003

Mileage

68,202 mi

THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR. *PH A FAULTY INTAKE GASKET CAUSED AN OIL LEAK. THE CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT. *NM *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10071559

Incident

Jul 8, 2002

Mileage

35,165 mi

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SHOOK. WOULD HEAR NOISES EVERY TIME STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, STOPPING OR EVEN BRAKING. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED. ALSO, THE STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATED, AND THE SUSPENSION MOVED. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THIS WAS CAUSING THE SHAKING PROBLEM. VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE LUBRICATED EVERY 2-3 MONTHS.*AK AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE LEFT SIDE BEGAN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TC

NHTSA ID

10103749

Incident

Nov 16, 2004

ALL OF THE VEHICLE'S BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE AMOUNT SHE PAID FOR SERVICE. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON . THE RIGHT INNER TIE ROD ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. *TC *JB

NHTSA ID

10110885

Incident

Aug 1, 2003

1998 DURANGOS SHOULD BE RECALLED ALSO THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME BALL JOINTS AS THE OTHERS IN THE RECALL

NHTSA ID

10102817

Incident

Dec 13, 2004

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE MADE A CLANKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS . VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, WHO INDICATED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THEY WERE REPLACED. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE OUTER AND INNER TIE ROD ENDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10103522

Incident

Dec 4, 2004

Mileage

50,000 mi

NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN, SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE OR BROKEN! DURANGO HAS BEEN TO DODGE DEALER TWICE FOR CORRECTION, NOT REPAIRED! *NM

NHTSA ID

10095650

Incident

Aug 6, 2004

1998 DODGE DURANGO SLT BALL JOINTS HAVE WORN OUT TWICE. LOOSE STEERING, DRIFTING IN LANE, DIFFICULT NOT TO OVER STEER. DIAGNOSED BY DODGE DEALER 12/27/2001 AT 71,000 MILES AND HAD BEEN BAD FOR A LONG TIME. REPLACED UPPER, LOWER, AND TIE ROD ENDS ON 4/23/02 NOT AT DODGE DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSED AGAIN BY DODGE ON 9/23/2004 AT 103,000 MILES AND REPLACED LOWER BALL JOINTS AGAIN, AT THE DEALERSHIP. *JB

NHTSA ID

10093102

Incident

Dec 27, 2001

Mileage

71,000 mi

I PURCHASED A 1998 DODGE DURANGO IN MARCH OF 1998. THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW WITH 3 MILES ON IT. THE CAR WAS EXCELLENT UNTIL ABOUT 52,000 MILES. 1ST REPAIR, WATER PUMP. AT ABOUT 56,000 TRANSMISSION REBUILD. AT ABOUT 61,000 HEATER CORE, AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING. AT 77,000 TRANSMISSION REBUILD AGAIN. AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES, STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO STIFFEN UP AND VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEEL THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW RACK AND PINION. DURANGOS DO NOT HAVE RACK AND PINIONS, THEY HAVE GEAR BOXES. AT ABOUT 94,000 TRANSMISSION REBUILD. AT 106,000 TRASNMISSION REBUILD AND INSTALLED A TRANSMISSION COOLER THIS TIME AROUND ALONG WITH AN AFTERMARKET TRANSMISSION GAUGE WHICH TELLS ME THE TEMP OF THE TRANS(PRICE WAS $125.00 FOR GAUGE AND WIRING). CALLED DODGE WAS LIKE TALKING TO MY DOG, THEY SAID THAT IT WASN'T THEIR PROBLEM. I SWORE TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES THAT THE DAY I BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER IS THE DAY I EAT S**T!!! DODGE CARS AND TRUCKS SUCK, THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS CRAP AND I HAD TO SPEND MONEY $$$ OUT OF MY OWN POCKET FOR REPAIRS ALONE ALMOST $9,500.00, OUT OF WHICH CHRYSLER KEPT SAYING ITS NOT OUR PROBLEM. YOU KNOW WHEN ITS THEIR PROBLEM, WHEN THEY SCREW WITH SOMEONE WHO ISN'T JUST JOE SCHMOE WALKING IN TO BUY A CAR. SOMEONE WITH A DEGREE IN LAW SO THAT THEY CAN ROYALLY GE SMACKED IN THE FACE AND HELP ALL THE OTHER UNFORTUNATE ONES WHO ARE STUCK WITH DODGE SUCKS (TRUCKS). WHOEVER WANTS TO BUY A DODGE, BE PREPARED FOR A RUDE AWAKENING. THEY ARE GOING TO RAPE YOU! *AK

NHTSA ID

10090677

Incident

Jun 3, 1999

Mileage

50,000 mi

TIE ROD ENDS AND DRIVER SIDE BALLJOINT REMATURE WEARING OF FRONT TIRES DUE TO FAILURE OF TIEROD ENDS BOTH SIDES AND THE UPPER BALL JOINT IS GOING OUT LAST TIRE ALMOST BLEW OUT DUE TO THE TYPE OF WEAR. THE TIRE ONLY HAD 15,000 MILES ON IT THE INNER PORTION WAS DOWN TO THE STEELBELT THE ONLY WAY I SAW IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS UNDER THE TRUCK REPLACEING THE TIERODS TURNS OUT THE UPPER BALL JOINT IS BAD ALSO.I THINK FIVE SETS OF TIRES DUE TO POOR MANUFACTUREING OF A SUSPENTION IS QUITE OVER KILL. SPEAKING OF THE LAST ONE MAY HAVE KILLED ME IF I DIDNT HAPPEN TO BE UNDER THE TRUCK. REPLACED THE TIE ROD ENDS BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT WAS THE REASON FOR THE TIRE WEAR. IT TURNS OUT THATS NOT THE ONLY REASON.YES THE OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR INSPECTION.*AK

NHTSA ID

10082551

Incident

Jul 22, 2004

Mileage

62,000 mi

CONSUMER HAS A CONCERN THAT A SECOND TIE ROD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WITH LESS THEN 11,000 MILES OF WEAR. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *LA

NHTSA ID

10083264

Incident

Jun 8, 2004

Mileage

35,486 mi

1998 DODGE DURANGO WITH BAD UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS DUE TO THE BAD BALL JOINTS THE TIEROD IS NOW WARPED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10080582

Incident

Apr 14, 2003

MY 1998 DODGE DURANGO 4X4 IS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT OF THE FOLLOWING FRONT END PARTS: DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, AND OUTER TIE ROD, PASSENGER SIDE UPPER AND LOWER BALLJOINTS, AND INNER TIE ROD. THE SUV IS VERY DIFFICULT TO HANDLE BECAUSE OF THIS AND I FEEL EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PUTTING MY LIFE IN JEOPARDY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ON HIGHWAYS.*AK

NHTSA ID

10080572

Incident

Jun 30, 2004

Mileage

42,000 mi