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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

1,075 reports
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

118,000 miles · Jul 25, 2010
Electrical SystemCrash

I HAVE A 2000 DODGE DURANGO WITH 118K AND WITH OUT WARNING I LOSE ALL POWER GAS BRAKES STEERING ETC AND FOR ME TO GET THE CAR STARTED AGAIN I HAVE TO POP THE HOOD AND WIGGLE THE MIDDLE PCM HARNESS ( WHICH IS A WHITE CONNECTOR) AND THEN IM ABLE TO START MY CAR AGAIN. THIS ALSO ONCE CAUSE ME TO GO BOUNCE OFF A WALL IN A PARKING GA…

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I HAVE A 2000 DODGE DURANGO WITH 118K AND WITH OUT WARNING I LOSE ALL POWER GAS BRAKES STEERING ETC AND FOR ME TO GET THE CAR STARTED AGAIN I HAVE TO POP THE HOOD AND WIGGLE THE MIDDLE PCM HARNESS ( WHICH IS A WHITE CONNECTOR) AND THEN IM ABLE TO START MY CAR AGAIN. THIS ALSO ONCE CAUSE ME TO GO BOUNCE OFF A WALL IN A PARKING GARAGE BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WHEN THE CUT OFF ON ME WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A TURN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345189

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

142,000 miles · Jun 16, 2010
Electrical System

I OWN A 2000 DODGE DURANGO SLT 4WD. THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHEN THE OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE EXCEEDS 75 DEGREES. I HAVE TRACED THE ISSUE TO THE PCM OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH BECOMES SO HOT THAT YOU CANNOT TOUCH ITS METAL HOUSING WITH YOUR HANDS. THE PCM IS LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, BOLTED ABOVE THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE. THE P…

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I OWN A 2000 DODGE DURANGO SLT 4WD. THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHEN THE OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE EXCEEDS 75 DEGREES. I HAVE TRACED THE ISSUE TO THE PCM OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH BECOMES SO HOT THAT YOU CANNOT TOUCH ITS METAL HOUSING WITH YOUR HANDS. THE PCM IS LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, BOLTED ABOVE THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE. THE PCM HAS THREE WIRE HARNESSES ATTACHED TO IT, AND ONCE THE PCM HEATS UP, A "KILL" SWITCH IS TRIGGERED AND THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. SHORTLY AFTER, THE ODOMETER READS "NO BUS" AND THE ONLY WAY TO RESET THE PCM IS TO LEAVE THE IGNITION KEY IN THE "ON" POSITION, PULL THE PCM WIRE HARNESS THAT IS CLOSEST TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, RE-SEAT THE HARNESS AND HOPE THAT YOU HEAR A "CLICKING" SOUND. THE VEHICLE NORMALLY RE-STARTS, BUT WILL AGAIN TURN OFF AT INTERMITTENT TIMES. ON A TYPICAL DAY OF 80*, I WILL PERFORM THIS PROCESS SEVERAL TIMES IN MY 22-MILE ROUND-TRIP TO WORK. MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME EVENTS, THUS CAUSING NIGHTMARES FOR THOSE THAT DO NOT HAVE A SAFE PULL-OFF FROM ROADS, OR THOSE THAT ARE IN INTERSECTIONS OR NEAR CROSSWALKS, SINCE THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN SPORADICALLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336683

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

122,000 miles · May 17, 2010
Exterior LightingInterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2000 DODGE DURANGO I BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH PANEL, TAIL AND HEAD LIGHTS I RECENT FIX THE PROBLEM I WENT OUT OF TOWN AND THE PROBLEM CAME BACK AGAIN I WAS OUT OF LIGHT ON THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330734

118,000 miles · Apr 23, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING AT ROAD SPEED SOUTHBOUND ON NC STATE ROAD 1922, AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT THE INTERSECTION WITH NC STATE HIGHWAY 98, I NOTICED A SUDDEN AND NEARLY COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING POWER ACCOMPANIED BY BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR. NO VISIBLE FLUID LEAKAGE EXISTS, NOR ARE ANY DIAGNOSTIC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE VEH…

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WHILE DRIVING AT ROAD SPEED SOUTHBOUND ON NC STATE ROAD 1922, AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT THE INTERSECTION WITH NC STATE HIGHWAY 98, I NOTICED A SUDDEN AND NEARLY COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING POWER ACCOMPANIED BY BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR. NO VISIBLE FLUID LEAKAGE EXISTS, NOR ARE ANY DIAGNOSTIC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD. REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS DONE, AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED.. THE FAILURE IS PERSISTENT AND OCCURS WITH EVERY USE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE GREATLY INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WITH PEDAL TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR EVEN UNDER MODERATE FOOT PRESSURE. DIAGNOSIS BY CERTIFIED DODGE MECHANICS AFTER CONSULTATION WITH CHRYSLER INDICATE A FAILURE OF THE ABS ACCUMULATOR. FAILED PART IS AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. NO ADDITIONAL WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED AT THE TIME OF THIS FILING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327122

37,000 miles · Mar 19, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages

EVERY DOOR LOCK IN THE VEHICLE HAS FAILED CAUSING THE INABILITY TO OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY. THE LOCK SYSTEM FAILS IN THE LOCKED POSITION AND REMAINS STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION CAUSING THE INABILITY TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. IF YOU DO A GOOGLE SEARCH YOU WILL NOTE THAT THERE ARE 100'S OF POSTINGS ON THIS PROBL…

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EVERY DOOR LOCK IN THE VEHICLE HAS FAILED CAUSING THE INABILITY TO OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY. THE LOCK SYSTEM FAILS IN THE LOCKED POSITION AND REMAINS STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION CAUSING THE INABILITY TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. IF YOU DO A GOOGLE SEARCH YOU WILL NOTE THAT THERE ARE 100'S OF POSTINGS ON THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FROM A SAFETY STAND POINT TO NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN A DOOR DUE TO A FAULTY POWER LOCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10321091

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

145,000 miles · Feb 14, 2010
Electrical System

PCM ON DODGE DURANGO'S KEEP GOING BAD CAUSING THE TRUCK TO GO DEAD WITH OUT WARNING. I HAVE HAD A NEW ONE PUT ON MY DODGE AND IT WENT BAD TOO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310376

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.