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1999 Dodge Durango

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Durango years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Dodge Durango are substantially higher than the model-year median of 231.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,148 reports with mileage · 819 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 1,102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 281 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 181 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

106 crash reports20 fire reports49 injury reports

What owners actually said

1,967 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2008
Steering

I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AND WHEN I USED THE BRAKES MY VEHICLE WENT OVER INTO THE RIGHT LANE, WITHOUT WARNING. IT DIDN'T SWERVE OR PULL, IT WENT!!! THERE WAS A VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT LANE AND IF THE DRIVER HAD NOT PAID ATTENTION, I WOULD HAVE HIT THAT VEHICLE. I HAD TO QUICKLY TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO REGAIN CONTROL OF …

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I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AND WHEN I USED THE BRAKES MY VEHICLE WENT OVER INTO THE RIGHT LANE, WITHOUT WARNING. IT DIDN'T SWERVE OR PULL, IT WENT!!! THERE WAS A VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT LANE AND IF THE DRIVER HAD NOT PAID ATTENTION, I WOULD HAVE HIT THAT VEHICLE. I HAD TO QUICKLY TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND CONSEQUENTLY ENDED UP RUNNING THE RED LIGHT. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT KILLED AT THAT INTERSECTION AND THE DRIVER IN THE RIGHT LANE WAS NOT HURT, TRYING TO SWERVE AND GET OUT OF MY WAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218922

90,000 miles · Feb 22, 2008
Electrical System

WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE GETS ABOVE 65 DEGREES, THE VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WITHOUT REGARD TO MOVING FAST OR BEING STOPPED. A SIGNAL SHOWS IN THE DASH THAT READS "NO BUS". CAR WILL NOT START AGAIN UNTIL IT HAS SAT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND COOLS DOWN A LITTLE. THERE ARE MANY STRINGS ONLINE ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH DOD…

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WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE GETS ABOVE 65 DEGREES, THE VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WITHOUT REGARD TO MOVING FAST OR BEING STOPPED. A SIGNAL SHOWS IN THE DASH THAT READS "NO BUS". CAR WILL NOT START AGAIN UNTIL IT HAS SAT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND COOLS DOWN A LITTLE. THERE ARE MANY STRINGS ONLINE ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH DODGE DURANGOS. MINE IS A 1999 MODEL WITH 5.9L ENGINE. THIS HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES, AND MOSTLY WHEN MY WIFE IS DRIVING WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. IT HAS PROVEN TO BE VERY DANGEROUS ON THE BUSY ROADS OF LAS VEGAS. MANY ONLINE FORUMS INDICATE THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CONNECTOR AT THE ECM. IF THAT IS TRULY THE PROBLEM, IT IS A MFR DEFECT THAT IS ENDANGERING LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF U.S. CITIZENS AND SHOULD BE FIXED WITHOUT GUESSWORK AND WITHOUT DELAY BY THE MFR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218910

85,000 miles · Feb 15, 2008
Power Train

PCM FAILURE. WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 75MPH WHEN I LOST ALL POWER( I.E. STEERING, BRAKES, ETC.) AND THE ENGINE DIED. TRIED RESTARTING AND THE ODOMETER FLASHED A WARNING CODE. 30 MINUTES LATER IT STARTED. I ONLY GOT ABOUT TWO MILES AWAY AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. CONTACTED LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A FAIRLY COMMON…

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PCM FAILURE. WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 75MPH WHEN I LOST ALL POWER( I.E. STEERING, BRAKES, ETC.) AND THE ENGINE DIED. TRIED RESTARTING AND THE ODOMETER FLASHED A WARNING CODE. 30 MINUTES LATER IT STARTED. I ONLY GOT ABOUT TWO MILES AWAY AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. CONTACTED LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A FAIRLY COMMON THING BUT SINCE MY WARRANTY WAS OVER THAT I WAS ON MY OWN. A WEEK LATER I WAS DRIVING IT AND THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED. THIS TIME I ENDED UP IN A DITCH BECAUSE I LOST THE ABILITY TO STOP AND STEER. I REPLACED THE PCM AND THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY DODGE SEEING THAT THERE ARE OVER 300 CASES ALONE THAT PEOPLE HAVE PUT ON THE WEB ABOUT THIS EXACT ISSUE. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE OR SOMETHING FOR DODGE TO TAKE CREDIT FOR THEIR MISTAKE? 4 MONTHS AGO THE ABS SYSTEM WENT OUT AS WELL. AGAIN, FOUND THAT 100'S HAVE REPORTED THIS SAME ISSUE TO DODGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218142

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2008
Suspension

I AM A SINGLE PARENT WITH TO KIDS, I AM GOING TO COLLEGE FULL-TIME AND WORKING TO MAKE ENDS MEET. I RECENTLY ACQUIRED A 1999 DODGE DURANGO THAT I NOW HAVE TO EITHER SELL, SCRAP, OR SOMETHING . DUE TO THE NEED TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS IN THE TRUCK, ALSO EVERY TIME I STEP ON THE BREAK MY DASH LIGHTS TURN OFF!!!! WHY…

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I AM A SINGLE PARENT WITH TO KIDS, I AM GOING TO COLLEGE FULL-TIME AND WORKING TO MAKE ENDS MEET. I RECENTLY ACQUIRED A 1999 DODGE DURANGO THAT I NOW HAVE TO EITHER SELL, SCRAP, OR SOMETHING . DUE TO THE NEED TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS IN THE TRUCK, ALSO EVERY TIME I STEP ON THE BREAK MY DASH LIGHTS TURN OFF!!!! WHY IS IT THAT THE 1999 NWAS NOT RECALLED ALONG WITH THE OTHERS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10217108

87,432 miles · Jan 20, 2008
Seats

DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK HAS FORWARD TO REARWARD MOVEMENT. BETTER CALLED "PLAY" IN TRACK ASSEMBLY. TRACK ASSEMBLY IS DEFECTIVE. SEAT IS A POWER ELECTRIC SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215487

145,000 miles · Jan 15, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND MY DODGE DURANGO BEGAN TO STALL. I PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS IMMEDIATELY. CARS BEGAN TO SWERVE TO AVOID ME. I TRIED TO PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD BUT THE ENGINE CUT OFF AND THEN THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK UNTIL I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. I COULD NOT RESTART THE CAR FOR…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND MY DODGE DURANGO BEGAN TO STALL. I PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS IMMEDIATELY. CARS BEGAN TO SWERVE TO AVOID ME. I TRIED TO PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD BUT THE ENGINE CUT OFF AND THEN THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK UNTIL I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. I COULD NOT RESTART THE CAR FOR 20 MINUTES. WHEN THE CAR DID START I PROCEEDED HOME. THE CAR STALLED THREE MORE TIMES ON THE WAY HOME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215076

72,000 miles · Dec 27, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

1999 DODGE DURANGO 4X4 BOUGHT IN SEPT. 07, WITHIN TWO WEEKS LOST OF OIL PRESSURE DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING JUST OVER 150 MILES, OIL PRESSURE GOES TO ZERO AND ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. HAD TO PUT 4.5 QTS OF OIL. LATER ON DURING THE TRIP THE SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING UNLESS GOING ABOVE 50 MPH. ALSO AT THE SAME TIME THE ABS LIGHT AND B…

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1999 DODGE DURANGO 4X4 BOUGHT IN SEPT. 07, WITHIN TWO WEEKS LOST OF OIL PRESSURE DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING JUST OVER 150 MILES, OIL PRESSURE GOES TO ZERO AND ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. HAD TO PUT 4.5 QTS OF OIL. LATER ON DURING THE TRIP THE SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING UNLESS GOING ABOVE 50 MPH. ALSO AT THE SAME TIME THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYS ON. GOING TO START WITH REPLACING THE SPEED SENSOR ON THE TRANSMISSION. HOPEFULLY THIS SOLVES THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10213010

100,000 miles · Dec 27, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ALL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT INCLUDING THE POWER WINDOWS AND THE TURN SIGNALS COMPLETELY FAILED. THE LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MAIN CIRCUITS IN THE VEHICLE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THERE WAS NO COMPLAINT FILED WITH THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ALL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT INCLUDING THE POWER WINDOWS AND THE TURN SIGNALS COMPLETELY FAILED. THE LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MAIN CIRCUITS IN THE VEHICLE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THERE WAS NO COMPLAINT FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10212962

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE FACT THAT WHEN I AM DRIVING WITH MY 5 CHILDREN AND MY DODGE DURANGO SHUTS OFF AND YOU LOOSE ALL POWER! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212450

95,328 miles · Dec 8, 2007
Suspension

WE BOUGHT OUR DURANGO USED IN FEB 06. FEB 20TH TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE FRONT BRAKES WERE LOCKING UP ( REPLACED PADS AND HAD ROTORS RESURFACED - $381.00). ON SEP. 9,06 TOOK IT IN BECAUSE THE FRONT END WAS VIBRATING TERRIBLY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE HA…

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WE BOUGHT OUR DURANGO USED IN FEB 06. FEB 20TH TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE FRONT BRAKES WERE LOCKING UP ( REPLACED PADS AND HAD ROTORS RESURFACED - $381.00). ON SEP. 9,06 TOOK IT IN BECAUSE THE FRONT END WAS VIBRATING TERRIBLY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE HAD 95,328 MI. WE HAD OVER $891.83 IN REPAIRS AND ALIGNMENT AND HAD TO TURN AROUND AND HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE WEAR DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS ( ANOTHER $800+). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211192

Official recalls

3

01V153000 · Air Bags

May 8, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

01V119000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor

Apr 11, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN VAN, WAGON, PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

99V342000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

Dec 2, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE FUEL TANK STRAP CAN SEPARATE DUE TO FATIGUE DURING OPERATION. IF THIS OCCURS, THE TANK WILL BE UNSUPPORTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FUEL LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOUBLE TOGGLE LOCK FUEL TANK STRAPS WITH SINGLE TOGGLE LOCK DESIGN. NOTE: AFFECTED VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH MAY 21, 1998, ALSO REQUIRE THE REAR BRAKE TUBE INSPECTION/REPAIR. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL TANK STRAP AND BRAKE TUBE REPAIR WILL BE PERFORMED ON THESE VHEICLES IN A SINGLE SERVICE PROCEDURE UNDER RECALL 99V-341/DAIMLERCHRYSLER #841. AFFECTED VEHICLES BUILT FROM MAY 22, 1998 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 25, 1999, ONLY REQUIRE THE FUEL TANK STRAP REPAIR, WHICH WILL BE PERFORMED UNDER RECALL 99V-342/DAIMLERCHRYSLER #842.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EA03023 · Upper Ball Joint Separation

Opened Nov 19, 2003 · Closed Feb 11, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front; Suspension:front:control Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint

DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Suspension

DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Suspension:front

DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Suspension:front:control Arm

DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm

DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint

DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

PE03032 · Front Susp. Upper Ball Joint Failure

Opened Jul 16, 2003 · Closed Nov 19, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front; Suspension:front:control Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint

IN JULY 2003, ODI OPENED PE03-032 BASED ON 4 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING SEPARATION OF AN UPPER BALL JOINT.COMPLAINTS ALLEGED AN UNEXPECTED COLLAPSE IN THE FRONT END AND IN SOME OCCASIONS THE BALL JOINT SEPARATION IS ALLEGED TO HAVE RESULTED IN THE WHEEL, BRAKE ROTOR, AND STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE.SINCE OPENING THE PE, ODI HAS RECEIVED 23 ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS RELATED TO BALL JOINT SEPARATION. DAIMLERCHRYSLER HAS IDENTIFIED A WEAROUT CONCERN IN THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS THAT IS BELIEVED TO OCCUR AFTER WATER INTRUSION EVACUATES THE JOINT LUBRICANT.DAIMLERCHRYSLER DOES NOT BELIEVE THE CONDITION POSES AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO SAFETY BECAUSE THE SUSPENSION DESIGN IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES THE LIKELIHOOD OF JOINT SEPARATION.OVER 99 PERCENT OF THE FAILURES ARE RELATED TO WORN BALL JOINTS (E.G., NOISE COMPLAINTS).DAIMLERCHRYSLER REVISED THE REPAIR PROCEDURE IN AUGUST 2003 TO ALLOW THE UPPER BALL JOINTS TO BE SERVICED SEPARATELY FROM THE UPPER CONTROL ARM AND REDUCE REPAIR COSTS. DAIMLERCHRYSLER CHANGED THE SUPPLIER OF THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS FROM TRW TO NEW CASTLE MACHINING & FORGE FOR MY 2000 VEHICLES.MY 2000 DURANGO VEHICLES ACCOUNT FOR 25 OF THE 37 SEPARATION COMPLAINTS.THE UPPER BALL JOINT WAS REDESIGNED IN MY 2003.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN MY 2000-02 DURANGO VEHICLES.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Suspension:front

IN JULY 2003, ODI OPENED PE03-032 BASED ON 4 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING SEPARATION OF AN UPPER BALL JOINT.COMPLAINTS ALLEGED AN UNEXPECTED COLLAPSE IN THE FRONT END AND IN SOME OCCASIONS THE BALL JOINT SEPARATION IS ALLEGED TO HAVE RESULTED IN THE WHEEL, BRAKE ROTOR, AND STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE.SINCE OPENING THE PE, ODI HAS RECEIVED 23 ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS RELATED TO BALL JOINT SEPARATION. DAIMLERCHRYSLER HAS IDENTIFIED A WEAROUT CONCERN IN THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS THAT IS BELIEVED TO OCCUR AFTER WATER INTRUSION EVACUATES THE JOINT LUBRICANT.DAIMLERCHRYSLER DOES NOT BELIEVE THE CONDITION POSES AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO SAFETY BECAUSE THE SUSPENSION DESIGN IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES THE LIKELIHOOD OF JOINT SEPARATION.OVER 99 PERCENT OF THE FAILURES ARE RELATED TO WORN BALL JOINTS (E.G., NOISE COMPLAINTS).DAIMLERCHRYSLER REVISED THE REPAIR PROCEDURE IN AUGUST 2003 TO ALLOW THE UPPER BALL JOINTS TO BE SERVICED SEPARATELY FROM THE UPPER CONTROL ARM AND REDUCE REPAIR COSTS. DAIMLERCHRYSLER CHANGED THE SUPPLIER OF THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS FROM TRW TO NEW CASTLE MACHINING & FORGE FOR MY 2000 VEHICLES.MY 2000 DURANGO VEHICLES ACCOUNT FOR 25 OF THE 37 SEPARATION COMPLAINTS.THE UPPER BALL JOINT WAS REDESIGNED IN MY 2003.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN MY 2000-02 DURANGO VEHICLES.

Suspension:front:control Arm

IN JULY 2003, ODI OPENED PE03-032 BASED ON 4 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING SEPARATION OF AN UPPER BALL JOINT.COMPLAINTS ALLEGED AN UNEXPECTED COLLAPSE IN THE FRONT END AND IN SOME OCCASIONS THE BALL JOINT SEPARATION IS ALLEGED TO HAVE RESULTED IN THE WHEEL, BRAKE ROTOR, AND STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE.SINCE OPENING THE PE, ODI HAS RECEIVED 23 ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS RELATED TO BALL JOINT SEPARATION. DAIMLERCHRYSLER HAS IDENTIFIED A WEAROUT CONCERN IN THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS THAT IS BELIEVED TO OCCUR AFTER WATER INTRUSION EVACUATES THE JOINT LUBRICANT.DAIMLERCHRYSLER DOES NOT BELIEVE THE CONDITION POSES AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO SAFETY BECAUSE THE SUSPENSION DESIGN IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES THE LIKELIHOOD OF JOINT SEPARATION.OVER 99 PERCENT OF THE FAILURES ARE RELATED TO WORN BALL JOINTS (E.G., NOISE COMPLAINTS).DAIMLERCHRYSLER REVISED THE REPAIR PROCEDURE IN AUGUST 2003 TO ALLOW THE UPPER BALL JOINTS TO BE SERVICED SEPARATELY FROM THE UPPER CONTROL ARM AND REDUCE REPAIR COSTS. DAIMLERCHRYSLER CHANGED THE SUPPLIER OF THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS FROM TRW TO NEW CASTLE MACHINING & FORGE FOR MY 2000 VEHICLES.MY 2000 DURANGO VEHICLES ACCOUNT FOR 25 OF THE 37 SEPARATION COMPLAINTS.THE UPPER BALL JOINT WAS REDESIGNED IN MY 2003.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN MY 2000-02 DURANGO VEHICLES.

Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm

IN JULY 2003, ODI OPENED PE03-032 BASED ON 4 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING SEPARATION OF AN UPPER BALL JOINT.COMPLAINTS ALLEGED AN UNEXPECTED COLLAPSE IN THE FRONT END AND IN SOME OCCASIONS THE BALL JOINT SEPARATION IS ALLEGED TO HAVE RESULTED IN THE WHEEL, BRAKE ROTOR, AND STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE.SINCE OPENING THE PE, ODI HAS RECEIVED 23 ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS RELATED TO BALL JOINT SEPARATION. DAIMLERCHRYSLER HAS IDENTIFIED A WEAROUT CONCERN IN THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS THAT IS BELIEVED TO OCCUR AFTER WATER INTRUSION EVACUATES THE JOINT LUBRICANT.DAIMLERCHRYSLER DOES NOT BELIEVE THE CONDITION POSES AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO SAFETY BECAUSE THE SUSPENSION DESIGN IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES THE LIKELIHOOD OF JOINT SEPARATION.OVER 99 PERCENT OF THE FAILURES ARE RELATED TO WORN BALL JOINTS (E.G., NOISE COMPLAINTS).DAIMLERCHRYSLER REVISED THE REPAIR PROCEDURE IN AUGUST 2003 TO ALLOW THE UPPER BALL JOINTS TO BE SERVICED SEPARATELY FROM THE UPPER CONTROL ARM AND REDUCE REPAIR COSTS. DAIMLERCHRYSLER CHANGED THE SUPPLIER OF THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS FROM TRW TO NEW CASTLE MACHINING & FORGE FOR MY 2000 VEHICLES.MY 2000 DURANGO VEHICLES ACCOUNT FOR 25 OF THE 37 SEPARATION COMPLAINTS.THE UPPER BALL JOINT WAS REDESIGNED IN MY 2003.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN MY 2000-02 DURANGO VEHICLES.

Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint

IN JULY 2003, ODI OPENED PE03-032 BASED ON 4 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING SEPARATION OF AN UPPER BALL JOINT.COMPLAINTS ALLEGED AN UNEXPECTED COLLAPSE IN THE FRONT END AND IN SOME OCCASIONS THE BALL JOINT SEPARATION IS ALLEGED TO HAVE RESULTED IN THE WHEEL, BRAKE ROTOR, AND STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE.SINCE OPENING THE PE, ODI HAS RECEIVED 23 ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS RELATED TO BALL JOINT SEPARATION. DAIMLERCHRYSLER HAS IDENTIFIED A WEAROUT CONCERN IN THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS THAT IS BELIEVED TO OCCUR AFTER WATER INTRUSION EVACUATES THE JOINT LUBRICANT.DAIMLERCHRYSLER DOES NOT BELIEVE THE CONDITION POSES AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO SAFETY BECAUSE THE SUSPENSION DESIGN IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES THE LIKELIHOOD OF JOINT SEPARATION.OVER 99 PERCENT OF THE FAILURES ARE RELATED TO WORN BALL JOINTS (E.G., NOISE COMPLAINTS).DAIMLERCHRYSLER REVISED THE REPAIR PROCEDURE IN AUGUST 2003 TO ALLOW THE UPPER BALL JOINTS TO BE SERVICED SEPARATELY FROM THE UPPER CONTROL ARM AND REDUCE REPAIR COSTS. DAIMLERCHRYSLER CHANGED THE SUPPLIER OF THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS FROM TRW TO NEW CASTLE MACHINING & FORGE FOR MY 2000 VEHICLES.MY 2000 DURANGO VEHICLES ACCOUNT FOR 25 OF THE 37 SEPARATION COMPLAINTS.THE UPPER BALL JOINT WAS REDESIGNED IN MY 2003.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN MY 2000-02 DURANGO VEHICLES.

PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate

Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.