2001 Dodge Durango Suspension Problems

WHILE I LOVE MY 2001 DODGE DURANGO RT, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SERIOUS PROBLEMS / SAFETY ISSUES THE VEHICLE HAS. NUMBER ONE IS THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT IS VERY LOOSE AND ROCKS BACK AND FORTH DURING ACCELERATION AND BRAKING WHICH COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURIES IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN A WRECK, WHIPLASH ETC. IN DOING MY RESEARCH THE AVERAGE FIX THAT THE DEALERS WILL DO COSTS BETWEEN 600-800.00 WHICH IS TO REPLACE THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THERE ARE LINKS ON VARIOUS FORUM FOR INSTRUCTIONS TO FIX YOURSELF FOR ABOUT 40.00 OROVOODMG A BETTER FIX THAT THE DEALERS WILL NOT PROVIDE, BUT IT IS COMPLICATED AND VERY LABOR INTENSIVE. MY NUMBER ONE CONCERN IS TO BE SAFE AND HAVE SAFE PASSENGERS! TO BE ABLE TO BRING THIS INTO DODGE AND GET THIS PERMANENTLY FIXED AT NO COST TO ME. THERE ARE UNTOLD AMOUNTS OF DODGE DURANGO OWNERS OUT THERE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, WHICH DODGE CURRENTLY WILL NOT RECALL. THE OTHER TWO ISSUES ARE INCREDIBLY DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS. SINCE DODGE RECALLED THESE TRUCKS FOR THE BALL JOINTS MANY INCLUDING MINE PREVIOUS TO ME BUYING IT, WE'RE BROUGHT IN FOR RECALL REPAIR IN 2006. PLEASE NOTE THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS COMPANY CALLED "MOOG" FIXED THIS DODGE ENGINEERING PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL WITH THEIR OWN SPECIALLY DESIGNED BALL JOINT. AS FAR AS THE BRAKES GO THIS A VERY HEAVY SUV, IN WHICH IF ONE NEEDS TO STOP QUICKLY AND THE BRAKES FAIL OR SKID THE WHEELS DUE TO LOCK UP THIS AGAIN LIKE THE SEATS IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE THAT DODGE NEEDS TO CORRECT. I HAVE FAITH THAT DODGE WILL TAKE CARE OF MORE CONSUMER ISSUES THAN FORD EVER WILL.

NHTSA ID

11183811

Incident

Mar 1, 2019

Mileage

192,000 mi

2001 DODGE DURANGO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BALL JOINT FAILURE DURING AN AUTO ACCIDENT. *LD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED INFORMATION CONCERNING RECALLED BALL JOINT FAILURE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT.*JS

NHTSA ID

11119150

Incident

Aug 13, 2018

MY WHOLE TIRE CAME OFF, LITERALLY SEPARATED FROM AXLE.. DOES NOT PICK UP SPEED.. BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES. AND SHAKES. I HAD MY 2 YEAR OLD GRANDSON WITH ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED COMING OUT OF DRIVE THRU.. AFTER I PAID THE TRUCK OFF IT WAS DOWNHILL FROM THERE.

NHTSA ID

11084503

Incident

Apr 1, 2018

Mileage

16,000 mi

I PURCHACED A 2001 D0DGE DURANGO USED ABOUT A MPNTH AGO AND ALREADY I WAS DRIVING TO TOWN AND THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL FELT LIKE IT WAS WOBLING AND HAD A ROAR. PULLED OVER DIDNT SEE ANYTHING , SO WENT ON HOME TOOK IT TO GATEWAY AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BALL JOINT. NOW IM PAYING PAYMENT ON A VEHICLE I CANT DRIVE.

NHTSA ID

11048325

Incident

Oct 29, 2017

Mileage

163,376 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND A CRACKING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE CRACKING NOISE WAS CAUSED BY FAULTY BALL JOINTS. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE AND THE LIGHT BULB AND SOCKET WAS REPLACED ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. ALSO, THE PLENUM GASKET LEAKED OIL FROM THE ENGINE, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO LOSE POWER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

NHTSA ID

10906880

Incident

Aug 1, 2016

Mileage

134,000 mi

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 7/11/16 AND THE SAME DAY THE TIRE BLEW DUE TO THE UPPER BALL JOINT WHICH DOES HAVE A RECALL. MINE WAS COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED, BUT SUPPOSEDLY THE RECALL WAS CLOSED AS IT WAS TO HAVE BEEN SERVICED ALREADY. EITHER IT WASN'T SERVICED OR THERE IS STILL AN ISSUE. I CONTACTED NHTSA AND THEY PUT ME THROUGH TO DODGE WHO SPOKE WITH ME ABOUT THERE ONLY BEING ONE OPEN RECALL ON IT AND I TOLD HER ABOUT THE BALL JOINT AND SHE TOLD ME THEY WOULD COVER THE REPAIR AND TOW AND SENT A TOW TRUCK AND TOWED IT TO MOTOR VILLAGE BUT DID NOT TELL THEM THAT THEY WOULD BE COVERING THE BALL JOINT WORK SO THEY TOLD ME TO HAVE DODGE CONTACT THEM IN THE MORNING. WHEN I DID CONTACT DODGE, THE FIRST REP COULDN'T GET THROUGH AND SO SHE OPENED A CASE. I THEN CALLED MOTOR VILLAGE TO GET THE SERVICE ADMIN'S PHONE NUMBER TO GIVE TO DODGE AND WHEN I CONTACTED DODGE THE 2ND TIME, I WAS INFORMED THAT NOW THEY WOULD NOT BE COVERING IT AND THAT THEY ARE SORRY FOR THE MISUNDERSTANDING. THEY ALSO WON'T BE TOWING IT BACK EITHER AND I DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO DO SO AS I AM FACING EVICTION AND JUST PURCHASED THAT CAR TO GET READY TO MOVE AND NOW I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO. I WOULD NOT HAVE SENT IT TO DODGE IF THEY DIDN'T REPRESENT THEY WOULD FIX THE BALL JOINT AND NOW ALL I HAVE FROM THEM IS AN APOLOGY FOR THE MISUNDERSTANDING AND NO WAY TO FIX OR GET MY CAR THAT I JUST PURCHASED OUT.

NHTSA ID

10885066

Incident

Jul 11, 2016

Mileage

151,881 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10864221

Incident

Apr 20, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEELS. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT BALL JOINTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V596000 (SUSPENSION). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000.

NHTSA ID

10714655

Incident

Apr 15, 2015

Mileage

195,000 mi

CLUNKING WHEN TURNING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10678490

Incident

Jan 2, 2012

Mileage

120,000 mi

PRIOR TO THE HUB FREEZING UP THE SUV WAS MAKING A SQUEAKY NOISE IN THE FRONT END THIS LATER TURNED INTO A CLUNKING NOISE AND THE CAR WOULD SWAY WHEN EVER THERE WERE LANE CHANGES ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE AT HWY SPEEDS 55 TO 65 MPH AND DRIVING OVER THE LANE MARKER CAPS ON THE FREEWAY. THIS THEN DEVELOPED INTO A METAL TO METAL GRINDING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END PRIOR TO THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEPARATING INVERTING UNDERSIDE CAR CHASSIS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10645043

Incident

Sep 20, 2010

Mileage

225,000 mi

GOING TO A FRIENDS HOUSE & AS I TURNED ON HER STREET I NOTICED HER DRIVING PAST ME GOING THE OPPOSITE WAY. WE BOTH PUT ON OUR BRAKES AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE & STARTED TO BACK UP A FEW FEET SO I WOULD HAVE ENOUGH ROOM TO TURN AROUND. I HEARD A GIANT "CLUNG" & THOUGHT "WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT..?" I PUT THE CAR BACK INTO DRIVE AND TURNED MY WHEELS TO THE LEFT TO COMPLETE THE MANEUVER. THE CAR WAS IN FORWARD MOTION TRAVELING 1-2 MPH FOR APPX. 3 SECONDS WHEN SUDDENLY THE NOSE DIPPED DOWN & TILTED TO THE LEFT. THIS BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO AN INSTANT & ABRUPT STOP. I LOOKED OVER AT MY FRIEND & SHE SHRUGGED HER SHOULDERS LIKE "WHAT'S GOING ON?" I TRIED AGAIN TO GO FORWARD BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. MY FRIEND STARTED HONKED HER HORN AT ME- PUT HER HAND UP INDICATING "STOP" & WAS SHAKING HER HEAD NO NO NO... I PUT THE CAR IN PARK & GOT OUT TO TAKE A LOOK. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WAS NORMAL BUT THE ONE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS COMPLETELY SIDEWAYS SITTING AT AN APPX. 45 DEGREE ANGLE. (INSTEAD OF @12 IT WAS LIKE 8 O'CLOCK)THE LEFT FRONT "NOSE" OF THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST SITTING ON THE GROUND. IT WAS CLEAR THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK. WHEN IT GOT THERE, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THAT HE HAS BEEN TOWING FOR MANY YEARS & HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN- NOR SHOULD IT HAVE EVER HAPPENED. HE EXPRESSED CONCERN STATING THAT HAD I BEEN TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED (I.E., ON THE FREEWAY) THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE UNDOUBTEDLY FLIPPED & ROLLED AND I PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE STANDING THERE TALKING TO HIM... IT TOOK HIM QUITE SOME TIME TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PULL THE CAR UP ONTO THE CAR CARRIER (USING THE WENCH) WITHOUT THE WHEEL SNAPPING OFF. HE ENDED UP USING A SLEDGE HAMMER & WEDGE TO POUND THIS "PIZZA PAN" LOOKING THING UNDER THE TIRE TO SLIDE ON. IT RESEMBLED ONE OF THOSE CASTERS YOU PLACE UNDER THE LEGS TO MOVE FURNITURE ON. *TR

NHTSA ID

10513565

Incident

Oct 10, 2012

Mileage

121,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH 2 OF MY KIDS.. I STARTED TO SMELL ANTIFREEZE GOING INTO MY CAR, ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS SMOKE BURSTING OUT OF MY CAR. WE REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT 3 DIFFERENT TIMES WITH IN 3 MONTHS, THE RADIATOR HOUSE BURST. AND NO LIGHTS CAME ON.. THE OIL PRESSURE ALSO DROPPED. TOOK IT TO SHOP TO HAVE IT FIXED, CRACKED HEAD GASKETS AND BLOWN MOTOR, NOW WE ARE WITH OUT A CAR.... SAD BECAUSE I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE. WE WERE ALSO NEVER NOTIFIES ABOUT THE RECALL ABOUT THE BALL JOINTS AND PAID CASH FOR THEM TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10499630

Incident

Feb 1, 2013

Mileage

140,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS BECOMING PREMATURELY WORN DUE TO DEFECTIVE TIE RODS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS THAT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIE ROD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE, WHO STATED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE BUT THE CONTACT'S THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V596000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,127. UPDATED 3/13/13 *CN

NHTSA ID

10497988

Incident

Dec 12, 2012

Mileage

124,127 mi

UPPER BALL JOINTS CLUNKING NOISE OVER EVERY BUMP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10435374

Incident

Nov 11, 2011

I HAD MY 2001 DODGE DURANGO INSPECTED TO GET MY LICENSE PLATES RENEWED AND WAS TOLD THE BALL JOINTS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10300042

Incident

Oct 29, 2009

Mileage

64,107 mi

MULTIPLE REPLACEMENT NEEDED OF UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS, SWAY BAR, CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING FRONT END BED SPRING NOISE - SOUNDS LIKE JUNK, TOLD THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT IS LOSE AGAIN. ALSO THE HEATING ELEMENTS IN THE FRONT DRIVER;S SEAT WENT OUT -COST TO REPAIR OVER 700.00! VEHICLE IS A 2001 DODGE DURANGO 4 X 4. ONLY 86,000 MILES ORIGINAL OWNER. THIS VEHICLE METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AND SERVICED, BUT DESPITE THAT CONSTANTLY HAVING FRONT SUSPENSION REPAIRS AND BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10299782

Incident

Jan 14, 2010

Mileage

86,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS AND SWING ARMS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V596000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT); HOWEVER, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE ALSO FAULTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

10262464

Incident

Mar 19, 2007

Mileage

90,000 mi

VEHICLE IS 2001 DODGE DURANGO R/T 5.9. 26,000 MILES. FRONT END BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACING. CALIPERS FROZE/LOCKED ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS. OVERHEATING OCCURRED TWICE ON FRONT CALIPERS. NEEDED OUT OF POCKET MONEY FOR REPAIRS. AIR CONDITIONING BROKEN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10260461

Incident

Mar 4, 2008

Mileage

26,000 mi

I BOUGHT A 2001 DODGE DURANGO AT HAAR TOYOTA. WHEN I WENT TO GET A STICKER THERE I WATCHED AND THE GUY DIDN'T CHECK THE VEHICLE THOROUGHLYTHAT NIGHT THE PASSENGER TIRE LOOKED LOW I KICKED THE TIRE AND IT MOVED. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER TWO DAYS LATER THEY PUT A NEW STEERING RACK AND DRIVERS BALL JOINT IN VEHICLE. 5DAYS LATER I HAD VEHICLE CHECKED BY MY MECHANIC HE SAID PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT WAS BAD. BROUGHT VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER THEY SAY IT IS FINE WILL NOT FIX BECAUSE NOTHING WRONG. WHAT SHOULD I DO MY WARRANTY IS ONLY 30 DAYS OF WHICH I HAVE ABOUT 1 WEEK LEFT. MY CONTENTION IS THAT THE ORIGINAL STICKER SHOULD NEVER HAVE PASSED IF PERFORMED CORRECTLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10259760

Incident

Feb 24, 2009

EVERY YEAR WHEN I GO TO GET MY 2001 DODGE DURANGO INSPECTED I FIRST HAVE TO REPLACE TWO FRONT TIRES DUE TO EXCESSIVE INSIDE WEAR. THEN I GET TOLD ALL 4 BALL JOINTS ARE NO GOOD. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 BALL JOINTS THREE TIMES IN THREE YEARS WHILE PUTTING ONLY ABOUT 20000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE YEARLY. IT IS A 500.00 A MONTH CAR PAYMENT THAT I AM AFRAID TO TAKE MY THREE CHILDREN IN. WHY HAS THIS VEHICLE NOT BEEN DEALT WITH IN A HARSHER MANNER. THE COMPLAINTS ONLINE ARE NUMEROUS AND EXTREMELY SERIOUS IN NATURE. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE FROM POOR ENGINEERING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10245755

Incident

Sep 28, 2008

MY CAR WAS SQUEAKING FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND THEN THE WHEEL FELL OFF AND THE REPAIR SHOP HAD TO FIX THE BALL JOINT AND SAID I NEEDED THE OTHER SIDE DONE TOO. 2 WEEKS LATER I HAD THE OTHER SIDE FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10234638

Incident

Jan 22, 2008

ELECTRIC FAN,STEERING;RACK AND PINION; CONTROL ARM; LOWER BALL JOINTS, FRONT DRIVE SHAFT, FRONT BEARINGS. REPLACED DRIVE SHAFT,LEFT WHEEL BEARING. I BOUGHT IT IN 2006 W/125,000 MILES. DRIVE SHAFT WENT OUT AT 135,000 AND STEERING AT 146,000. I STILL OWE MONEY ON IT AND IT SITS PARKED BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD THE REST OF THE REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10224920

Incident

Jan 17, 2008

Mileage

146,160 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, BUT MOSTLY DURING TAKE OFF, THE VEHICLE MAKES POPPING AND CLUNKING NOISES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V596000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DISAGREES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,230 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,030.

NHTSA ID

10223716

Incident

Mar 15, 2008

Mileage

167,030 mi

BRAKE LINE BROKE/AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING/POWER STEERING RACK/REAR SUSPENSION,LEAF SPRINGS/RUST. *TR

NHTSA ID

10221544

Incident

Jan 1, 2008

Mileage

82,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH OF 2007 FOR THE FRONT BALL JOINTS. SHE IMMEDIATELY HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. WHEN SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT, THEY STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS (WHICH WERE REPAIRED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO UNDER RECALL) NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AGAIN. SHE FEELS THAT HER VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH THE SAME DEFECTED COMPONENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10220373

Incident

Mar 1, 2007

Mileage

80,000 mi