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2000 Dodge Durango

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Durango years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Dodge Durango are substantially higher than the model-year median of 231.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

609 reports with mileage · 466 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 507 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 127 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 120 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

118 crash reports26 fire reports57 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

127 reports
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133,000 miles · May 16, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

I HAD A 2000 DODGE DURANGO AND AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES I TURNED ON THE AIR AND A SULFUR LIKE SMELL CAME THROUGH THE AIR SYSTEM. AFTER PULLING OVER AND CUTTING THE CAR OFF, FLAMES CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES AND BURNED COMPLETELY UP. NOTHING WAS LEFT BUT THE METAL FRAME. MY INSURANCE COMPANY COU…

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I HAD A 2000 DODGE DURANGO AND AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES I TURNED ON THE AIR AND A SULFUR LIKE SMELL CAME THROUGH THE AIR SYSTEM. AFTER PULLING OVER AND CUTTING THE CAR OFF, FLAMES CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES AND BURNED COMPLETELY UP. NOTHING WAS LEFT BUT THE METAL FRAME. MY INSURANCE COMPANY COULDN'T GIVE ME ANY INSIGHT AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. I HAD ABOUT 133,000 MILES ON IT. I WISH I KNEW ABOUT THIS SITE BEFORE I LOST MY VEHICLE. I WOULD'VE INSISTED THAT THE DEALERSHIP THOROUGHLY CHECK THE CAR OUT BEFORE I ENDED UP WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR 2 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10400963

176,000 miles · May 13, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2000 DODGE DURANGO KEEPS SHUTTING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE IF TRAFFIC. TODAY MY WIFE WAS ALMOST RAN OVER BY A SEMI BECAUSE OF THIS. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER DODGE CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM ASKING THAT SOMEONE PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10400808

120,000 miles · Sep 3, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I OWN A 2000 DODGE DURANGO. MY CAR SURGES WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, A LIGHT OR IN PARK. IT SURGES FORWARD AND IF TO CLOSE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ALSO OUT OF NOWHERE MY DURANGO BEGIN TO SHUT OFF AND THE ENGINE LIGHTS POPS ON AFTERWARD. AFTER A FEW TRIES IT WILL START BACK UP AND RUN FINE UNTIL IT HAPPENS…

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I OWN A 2000 DODGE DURANGO. MY CAR SURGES WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, A LIGHT OR IN PARK. IT SURGES FORWARD AND IF TO CLOSE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ALSO OUT OF NOWHERE MY DURANGO BEGIN TO SHUT OFF AND THE ENGINE LIGHTS POPS ON AFTERWARD. AFTER A FEW TRIES IT WILL START BACK UP AND RUN FINE UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353678

120,000 miles · Sep 2, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2000 DODGE DURANGO 5.9L V8. WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE (OVER 90*), THE SUV WILL SHUT OFF. I LIVE IN FLORIDA WHERE IT'S HOT ALMOST ALL YEAR. I WOULD BE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WOULD JUST SHUT OFF. I AM AFRAID THAT A SEMI WOULD HIT ME FROM BEHIND. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. PLEASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353553

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN START LOSING POWER STARTED MAKING A SCORCHING AND GRINDING SOUND. MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER . NONE OF THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR WILL TURN OVER BUT U CAN NOT DRIVE VERY FAR THERE'S A KNOCKING RATTLING NOISE MAYBE FROM MOTOR. POLICE OFFICER HELPE…

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WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN START LOSING POWER STARTED MAKING A SCORCHING AND GRINDING SOUND. MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER . NONE OF THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR WILL TURN OVER BUT U CAN NOT DRIVE VERY FAR THERE'S A KNOCKING RATTLING NOISE MAYBE FROM MOTOR. POLICE OFFICER HELPED US GET TO SAFE PLACE BUT NO REPORT WAS MADE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349405

111,000 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY SHUTS OFF. SOMETIMES NOT EVERYDAY AND SOMETIMES 10 TIMES. SHUTS OFF AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, IDLING AND IN DRIVE AT A STOP LIGHT, OR GOING 40 MILES PER HOUR. IT SOMETIMES RESTARTS RIGHT AWAY, AND SOMETIMES IT CRANKS AND CRANKS, AND ABOUT THE 15TH TRY IT MAY RESTART. IT CUT OUT 6 TIMES IN THE PARKING LOT OF A MAL…

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ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY SHUTS OFF. SOMETIMES NOT EVERYDAY AND SOMETIMES 10 TIMES. SHUTS OFF AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, IDLING AND IN DRIVE AT A STOP LIGHT, OR GOING 40 MILES PER HOUR. IT SOMETIMES RESTARTS RIGHT AWAY, AND SOMETIMES IT CRANKS AND CRANKS, AND ABOUT THE 15TH TRY IT MAY RESTART. IT CUT OUT 6 TIMES IN THE PARKING LOT OF A MALL. THE ONLY THING I CAN THINK OF IS THAT I WAS PARKED IN THE SUN ON A HOT DAY AT THE MALL, AND THE ENGINE QUIT AFTER RUNNING FOR ONLY 30 SECONDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345912

130,000 miles · Jul 25, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2000 DODGE DURANGO SLT 4X4. CAR DROVE FINE FOR FIRST 2 DAYS. DAY 3: STARTED MY CAR, IT DIED HALF WAY DOWN MY DRIVE WAY, COULD NOT GET IT STARTED AGAIN. PUSHED IT BACK AND LET IT COOL DOWN. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON, TEMPERATURE IS NORMAL. STARTED IT AFTER 20MINUTES AND IT STARTED UP. LET IT IDLE FOR A C…

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RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2000 DODGE DURANGO SLT 4X4. CAR DROVE FINE FOR FIRST 2 DAYS. DAY 3: STARTED MY CAR, IT DIED HALF WAY DOWN MY DRIVE WAY, COULD NOT GET IT STARTED AGAIN. PUSHED IT BACK AND LET IT COOL DOWN. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON, TEMPERATURE IS NORMAL. STARTED IT AFTER 20MINUTES AND IT STARTED UP. LET IT IDLE FOR A COUPLE MINUTES, AND STARTED DRIVING AGAIN. AS SOON AS MY FOOT LEFT THE GAS, IT DIED AGAIN. I HAVE NOT REPLACED ANYTHING YET, AS I HAVE BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM. I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND OUT WHAT I HAVE. ON ONE WEBSITE ALONE THERE ARE OVER 100 CASES OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, NUMEROUS SUPPOSED FIXES, AND NONE WORKING. THIS IS A VERY VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM, AND IT SEEMS TO BE DUE TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE PCM SENSOR AND IT OVERHEATING. THIS ISSUE HAS PLACED SEVERAL DRIVERS IN DANGER, WITH THE CAR DYING IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS AT RANDOM TIMES, AND LOSING POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE NEEDS A RECALL, IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345163

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

FOR THE PAST 8 MONTHS MY 2000 DODGE DURANGO WILL JUST SHUT OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING. I HAVE REPLACED THE JUMP START, THE COIL, BELTS, AIR CONDITION, PULLEYS, SPARK PLUGS. IT HAS HAD A COMPLETE TUNE UP AND BEEN TO THE MECHANIC AT LEAST 5 TIMES. NOTHING SHOWS UP ON THE CODES, IT WILL ONLY SHOW THE WORD NOBUS IN THE ODOMETER AND I…

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FOR THE PAST 8 MONTHS MY 2000 DODGE DURANGO WILL JUST SHUT OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING. I HAVE REPLACED THE JUMP START, THE COIL, BELTS, AIR CONDITION, PULLEYS, SPARK PLUGS. IT HAS HAD A COMPLETE TUNE UP AND BEEN TO THE MECHANIC AT LEAST 5 TIMES. NOTHING SHOWS UP ON THE CODES, IT WILL ONLY SHOW THE WORD NOBUS IN THE ODOMETER AND IT TAKES FROM 10 MINUTES TO ONE HOUR BEFORE IT WILL RESTART. THIS HAS BECOME VERY DANGEROUS AS THERE IS NO ADVANCE WARNING. YOU LOSE ALL POWER AND IT JUST STOPS RUNNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10331979

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DURANGO . HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE STEERING , LIGHTS AND BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE. HE THEN PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE WAITED AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT OPERATED NORMALLY. AFTER 2 HOURS THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN . THE VEHICLE WAS TA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DURANGO . HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE STEERING , LIGHTS AND BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE. HE THEN PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE WAITED AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT OPERATED NORMALLY. AFTER 2 HOURS THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PCM OVERHEATED WHICH CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN.THIS HAD OCCURRED 20 ADDITIONAL TIMES. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHILCE . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121972.

NHTSA ODI #10317857

178,000 miles · Dec 18, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

I'VE HELD CONFIDENCE IN MY 2000 DODGE DURANGO SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 2003. IN THE SUMMER OF 2009, I WAS DRIVING DOWN A LOCAL ROAD WHEN SUDDENLY THE GAUGES ON THE DASH BOARD WERE NOT REGISTERING, THE ODOMETER READ BUS AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. SINCE THIS OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING, I DID NOT HAV…

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I'VE HELD CONFIDENCE IN MY 2000 DODGE DURANGO SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 2003. IN THE SUMMER OF 2009, I WAS DRIVING DOWN A LOCAL ROAD WHEN SUDDENLY THE GAUGES ON THE DASH BOARD WERE NOT REGISTERING, THE ODOMETER READ BUS AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. SINCE THIS OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING, I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED ON THE CAUTION BLINKERS. THERE WERE MANY CARS BLOWING THEIR HORNS, WAITING BEHIND ME ON THIS ONE LANE ROAD. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES THE ENGINE STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A ONE TIME ONLY OCCURRENCE. I HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUCK. A FEW DAYS LATER, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND THE TRUCK SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AGAIN. OMG, I WAS NERVOUS, SCARED AND REALLY BELIEVED THAT I WAS GOING TO DIE BECAUSE SOMEONE WOULD RAM THEIR VEHICLE INTO MINE. WHAT DRIVER WOULD SUSPECT THAT MY TRUCK SUDDENLY DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT? I THOUGHT ABOUT HOW I WAS GOING TO GET THIS VEHICLE SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT ENDANGERING MY LIFE AND THE LIFE OF OTHER DRIVERS. LUCKILY I DID IT. MY HUSBAND TINKERED WITH THE COMPUTER AND NOTICED THAT WHEN HE REPOSITION THE COMPUTER THE ENGINE WOULD START AGAIN. BUT I REFUSE TO DRIVE IT UNTIL WE PURCHASE ANOTHER COMPUTER. THE CAR REPAIRMAN SAID, EVEN IF WE PURCHASED ANOTHER COMPUTER HE COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN. THE COMPUTER IS OVERHEATING DUE TO THE LOCATION THAT THE MANUFACTURERS HAVE CHOSEN. I WILL GET SOMEONE TO DESIGN SOME SORT OF HEAT SHIELD OR SOMETHING TO PREVENT THE COMPUTER FROM OVERHEATING. TO REPLACE MY CURRENT COMPUTER WILL COST $1100. I THINK THE CAR COMPANY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FLAW AND RECALL THE VEHICLE. I DO NOT WANT SOMEONE TO GET KILLED DUE TO THEIR GROSS NEGLIGENCE. I AM NOT THE ONLY DODGE DURANGO OWNER WHO IS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND GET SOMETHING DONE. PREVENTING JUST ONE DEATH IS ENOUGH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296371

Official recalls

2

04V596000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint

Dec 21, 2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4), IF MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT, EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT AND CORROSION OF THE JOINT MAY CAUSE THE JOINT TO WEAR OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HEARD BY THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

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.

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

4

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.

PE99074 · Steering Wheel/shaft Spline Attachment

Opened Dec 13, 1999 · Closed Feb 24, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON ODI'S RECEIPT OF ONE COMPLAINT OF STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALLEGEDLY (THAT IS, ACCORDING TO THE REPAIRING FACILITY'S SERVICE MANAGER) THE HUB NUT WAS NEVER INSTALLED ON THE SHAFT SPLINE.ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, HE/SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT IMPACTING ANYTHING.BASED ON OUR INVESTIGATION AND THE MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSE, ODI IS CLOSING THIS INVESTIGATION BECAUSE THE SINGLE KNOWN COMPLAINT APPEARS TO BE AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.FURTHER, CHRYSLER HAS NO OTHER WARRANTY CLAIMS AND HAS NOT ISSUED ANY SERVICE BULLETINS.IN SUMMARY, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME 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.ODI WILL CONTTINUE TO MONITOR THIS MATTER CLOSELY, AND THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION ON THESE MODELS IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.