Chrysler Group Recalls Dodge Durangos, Dakotas to Replace Ball Joints

Company will replace Front Suspension Upper Ball Joints on approximately 600,000 2000-2003.5 MY Dodge Durango 4x4 SUVs and Dodge Dakota Pickups

An additional 400,000 4x2 SUVs and pickups in the same model years to be covered with extended 10-year/100,000-mile warranty

Chrysler Group will recall approximately 600,000 Model Year 2000-2003.5 Dodge Durango 4x4 SUVs and Dodge Dakota pickup trucks to replace front suspension upper ball joints that may be subject to progressive wear.

In addition, to alleviate potential customer concerns, the company will extend the warranty to 10 years or 100,000 miles on the suspension upper ball joints on an additional 400,000 MY 2000-2003.5 Durango and Dakota 4x2 vehicles.

Repairs will be made at no cost to owners. Owners of vehicles covered by this action who have previously paid for the repair will be reimbursed by Chrysler Group.

Chrysler Group's internal investigation has shown that the front suspension upper ball joints on some vehicles may be subject to corrosion and progressive wear. If this condition is ignored for an extended period of time, it could lead to front end noise, tire wear, and in extreme cases separation of the front suspension. There have been no substantiated reports of injuries associated with this condition on these vehicles.

Owners will be notified of the action by letter beginning later this month.

DaimlerChrysler Media

redriderbob

 

So much for the good sales year DCX was having. This is going to kill Durango sales, (because the 04s have sold oh so well) since they've recalled '04 Durangos as well for some wire that could catch fire.

 

This really pisses me off. Daimler-Chrysler was lookin' so good. Motortrend Car Of The Year with the 300c, we won the truckin magazine truck wear contest with the Powerwagen. Alot of other awards too. Our designs and cars are crazy and then they let this happen. It makes DC look like idiots....

 

Yea, and we had local news interviewing some guy who was wearing a GM Tech shirt who was complaining about his Durango. Coveinient for someone who wants to slander MoPar.

 

thanks for the update, was waiting for the decision on this issue...

 

I wonder what changed in the design from the '97-'99 versus the '00-'03/'04 Dak. Supplier change maybe? Or just no complaints with the older ones? I'm kind of surprised it took them this long to realize there was a problem -- if there was a change at that point they should have been testing the snot out of it to make sure it'd be okay in order to AVOID both the safety problem and the egg on their face now.

 

I drive a '97 Dakota, the first year of the then-newly redesigned model. There were plenty of complaints about balljoints on 97+ Dakotas. People were having to get them replaced as soon as 15k miles if I recall. The late 90s Dakotas became synonymous with balljoint replacement. Possibly the only other problem as widespread might have been the trucks' appetite for front brake rotors (warpage). I believe the people who got their 97+ Dakotas fixed at the dealer/under warranty just got a whole new control arm with the same junk balljoint pressed in, and many people even had to have balljoints replaced MULTIPLE times as a result.

I don't know if the new balljoint problem is the same thing or not, but I would be very interested to find out if anyone knows more details.

For what it's worth, I did have to get 4 new balljoints on my '97 (uppers and lowers)... but it was only just a few months ago! The stock OEM balljoints lasted me 145k miles, which isn't bad especially considering those were sealed components with no grease fittings. I had Moog replacements put on, WITH grease fittings.

 

The stock lowers in my '97 Ram went out at 65,000 miles. Complete junk. I'm glad DCX is looking out for MY safety with this recall...

 

I wonder too.......... since I'm on my 3rd set of lowers in my '99 Durango, at 132K miles. This time, they were done with AM replacements, with grease fittings, instead of the Mopar replacement junk. Hopefully I won't be doing them again anytime soon.

 

Yep, I am a firm believer in replacing any thing you have to with "Performance Upgrades" due to their strength, especially suspension parts.