It appears all Durangos & Dakotas have been built with a defectively designed Upper Ball Joint.
The part has no way to be greased causing metal to metal wear with pre-mature catastrophic failure. The entire wheel assembly comes off the vehicle when the part fails.
Diamler-Chrysler/Dodge has not owned up to this yet. The Government is conducting an investigation.
Edit: There is a lot of links popping up on the Net on this now
11-3-2003 Chrysler In No Hurry to Fix Durango Ball Joint Problem
8-1-2003 Suit seeks Mandatory recall of Dodge Upper Ball Joints
The complaint alleges that the upper ball joints on the 1998-2003 Dodge Durangos have an unreasonable propensity to fail suddenly and violently, or to wear prematurely. Further, it is alleged that this is a design defect affecting every Dodge Durango, whether the upper ball joint is currently manifesting problems or not. The suit seeks a mandatory recall to install new upper ball joints, and restitution for the diminished value of the Dodge Durangos.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has commenced an investigation into the safety of the Dodge Durango upper ball joints, after 4 motorists reported that their upper ball joints were defective, and the defect caused them to lose control of the Dodge Durangos. The NHTSA also received 81 complaints that the upper ball joints have worn prematurely, and had to be replaced.
To Join the Class Action Lawsuit go to Durango & Dakota Class Action Lawsuit
The part has no way to be greased causing metal to metal wear with pre-mature catastrophic failure. The entire wheel assembly comes off the vehicle when the part fails.
Diamler-Chrysler/Dodge has not owned up to this yet. The Government is conducting an investigation.
Edit: There is a lot of links popping up on the Net on this now
11-3-2003 Chrysler In No Hurry to Fix Durango Ball Joint Problem
8-1-2003 Suit seeks Mandatory recall of Dodge Upper Ball Joints
The complaint alleges that the upper ball joints on the 1998-2003 Dodge Durangos have an unreasonable propensity to fail suddenly and violently, or to wear prematurely. Further, it is alleged that this is a design defect affecting every Dodge Durango, whether the upper ball joint is currently manifesting problems or not. The suit seeks a mandatory recall to install new upper ball joints, and restitution for the diminished value of the Dodge Durangos.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has commenced an investigation into the safety of the Dodge Durango upper ball joints, after 4 motorists reported that their upper ball joints were defective, and the defect caused them to lose control of the Dodge Durangos. The NHTSA also received 81 complaints that the upper ball joints have worn prematurely, and had to be replaced.
To Join the Class Action Lawsuit go to Durango & Dakota Class Action Lawsuit