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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
100,000 miles · Jun 2, 2010
Electrical System

I PURCHASED A 1999 DODGE DURANGO AND THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHEN DRIVING WITHOUT NOTICE. IT IS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. I HAVE INVESTED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX AND NOT EVEN THE DEALER CAN FIX. I HAVE REPLACED THE PCM, SENSORS, FUEL PUMP TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE IS JUST SITTING IN MY …

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I PURCHASED A 1999 DODGE DURANGO AND THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHEN DRIVING WITHOUT NOTICE. IT IS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. I HAVE INVESTED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX AND NOT EVEN THE DEALER CAN FIX. I HAVE REPLACED THE PCM, SENSORS, FUEL PUMP TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE IS JUST SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY, I CANT DO ANYTHING WITH IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10334192

131,000 miles · Jun 1, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AND ONCE RESTARTED AND IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AGAIN. THE DEALER ADVISED HAVING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE TO D…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AND ONCE RESTARTED AND IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AGAIN. THE DEALER ADVISED HAVING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE HOW TO REPAIR THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED 9 ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

NHTSA ODI #10334086

173,000 miles · May 30, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 1999 DODGE DURANGO BEGAN JOLTING WHILE DRIVING WITH SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, INCLUDING STEERING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IS INCREASING IN FREQUENCY AS THE WEATHER IS WARMER. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, BUT BEING AS THERE WAS NO SHOULDER, I ENDED UP IN A DITCH. IF T…

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MY 1999 DODGE DURANGO BEGAN JOLTING WHILE DRIVING WITH SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, INCLUDING STEERING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IS INCREASING IN FREQUENCY AS THE WEATHER IS WARMER. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, BUT BEING AS THERE WAS NO SHOULDER, I ENDED UP IN A DITCH. IF THIS WERE A FREEWAY AND I WERE IN THE LEFT LANE, I AM NOT SURE I WOULD HAVE MADE IT TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT STARTED IMMEDIATELY. THEY SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE BATTERY. I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO DIE. I AM IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AND AM ON CALL FOR EMERGENCIES. IF THE CAR WERE TO DIE WHILE RESPONDING TO AN EMERGENCY CALL, IMAGINE THE IMPACT ON OTHER LIVES. ALSO, IF THE CAR WERE TO DIE ON A FREEWAY, THE RESULT COULD BE FATAL. THE CAR IS AT A MECHANIC CURRENTLY AND THEY HAVE 'NO IDEA' WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. I HAVE SINCE BEEN AVOIDING FREEWAYS AND TAKING SIDE ROADS WITH REDUCED SPEED LIMITS OUT OF FEAR THAT THE CAR WILL QUIT ON A FREEWAY. THE ODOMETER READS 'NO BUS' DURING THE INCIDENTS AND WILL START UP AGAIN AFTER IT 'COOLS' FOR A FEW MINUTES. THIS NOW HAPPENS 2-3 TIMES PER WEEK AND, QUITE FRANKLY, THE NEXT TIME IT DOES, I MAY JUST LEAVE THE CAR WHERE IT DIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10333857

180,000 miles · May 26, 2010
Power Train

TRANSMISSION IN MY 1999 DODGE DURANGO HAS BEGUN TO SLIP AND ITS PULLING HARD. IT WON'T GO INTO 2ND OR 3RD WITHOUT ME DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL. I'VE TRIED TRANSMISSION FIX LUBRICANT, CHANGED THE FLUID AND FILTER, AND TUNEUP. I'VE BEEN READING FROM SEVERAL WEBSITES THAT PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND DOD…

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TRANSMISSION IN MY 1999 DODGE DURANGO HAS BEGUN TO SLIP AND ITS PULLING HARD. IT WON'T GO INTO 2ND OR 3RD WITHOUT ME DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL. I'VE TRIED TRANSMISSION FIX LUBRICANT, CHANGED THE FLUID AND FILTER, AND TUNEUP. I'VE BEEN READING FROM SEVERAL WEBSITES THAT PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND DODGE WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. PEOPLE WORK TOO HARD TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES MAINTAINED AND GETTING A REBUILT OR BRAND NEW ONE WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS THAT NORMAL PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF DON'T HAVE. IS IT ANYTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT THIS SO THAT PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF CAN HAVE A PEACE OF MIND KNOWING THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS IN WORKING CONDITION AND ITS SAFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10332427

167,000 miles · May 24, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH,THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. HE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT BUT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE AND NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY . THE VEHICLE HAD NO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH,THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. HE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT BUT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE AND NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY . THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 167,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 168,000.

NHTSA ODI #10331940

85,000 miles · May 21, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A RECURRING FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE YET THE FAILURE WOULD CONTINUE TO RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A RECURRING FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE YET THE FAILURE WOULD CONTINUE TO RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10331584

145,000 miles · May 20, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

I BOUGHT MY 99 DURANGO 3 MONTHS AGO & THE BALL JOINTS ARE POPPING & SOMETHING IN THE REAR IS SQUEAKING LIKE AN OLD MATTRESS & THE BRAKES ALREADY NEED REPLACED & THE AC DOESN'T WORK. MY CONCERN IS THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN REGARDING ACCIDENTS FROM THE BALL JOINTS BREAKING & NOT BEING ABLE TO STEER. IF THIS HAS BEEN AN…

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I BOUGHT MY 99 DURANGO 3 MONTHS AGO & THE BALL JOINTS ARE POPPING & SOMETHING IN THE REAR IS SQUEAKING LIKE AN OLD MATTRESS & THE BRAKES ALREADY NEED REPLACED & THE AC DOESN'T WORK. MY CONCERN IS THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN REGARDING ACCIDENTS FROM THE BALL JOINTS BREAKING & NOT BEING ABLE TO STEER. IF THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH VEHICLES THAT HAVE LOW MILEAGE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL & DODGE PAY FOR THE REPAIRS WHEN PEOPLES LIVES ARE IN DANGER. DO YOU REALLY WANT ANOTHER TOYOTA ISSUE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10331452

167,000 miles · May 12, 2010
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO IDLE ROUGHLY. THE WARNING GAUGES BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE SPORADICALLY AND THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT ADVISED THE MALFUNCTION …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO IDLE ROUGHLY. THE WARNING GAUGES BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE SPORADICALLY AND THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT ADVISED THE MALFUNCTION MAY HAVE POTENTIALLY BEEN CAUSED BY A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 167,000.

NHTSA ODI #10330150

84,000 miles · Apr 27, 2010
Exterior Lighting

SIGNAL LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I SWITCH MY SIGNAL LIGHTS ON TO MAKE A TURN THEY DO NOT WORK. SOMETIMES IF I PLAY WITH THE ARM OF THE SWITCH BY WIGGLING IT I CAN GET THE TURN SIGNAL TO WORK FOR A MOMENT OR TWO. BUT OTHERWISE IT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT STOPPED FUNCTIONING ABOUT A WEEK AGO. THE SWITCH WORKED FINE UP TIL T…

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SIGNAL LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I SWITCH MY SIGNAL LIGHTS ON TO MAKE A TURN THEY DO NOT WORK. SOMETIMES IF I PLAY WITH THE ARM OF THE SWITCH BY WIGGLING IT I CAN GET THE TURN SIGNAL TO WORK FOR A MOMENT OR TWO. BUT OTHERWISE IT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT STOPPED FUNCTIONING ABOUT A WEEK AGO. THE SWITCH WORKED FINE UP TIL THEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327822

159,000 miles · Apr 17, 2010
SteeringSuspension

CONTROL ARMS UPPER DEFECTIVE ON DODGE DURANGO 4X4 MAKES LOUD POPPING SOUND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, HAD TO REPLACE BOTH UPPER CONTROL ARMS LEFT AND RIGHT AND REPLACE ALL BALL JOINTS DUE TO WHAT LOOKS LIKE SHREDDING AND SHEARING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326181

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.