NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
127 reportsClear category filter39,847 miles · Jul 4, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WE HAVE A 2000 DURANGO WITH 39,847 MILES ON IT. ON JUNE 6, 2003 WE WERE TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED TO 0. THE OIL PRESSURE RETURNED TO NORMAL WHEN THE ENGINE CAME TO AN IDLE. AT FIRST IT APPEARED AS IF I HAD A GAUGE PROBLEM. I CHECKED EVERYTHING OUT AND BEGAN ON OUR WAY AGAIN JUST TO FIND IT HAPPENED …
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WE HAVE A 2000 DURANGO WITH 39,847 MILES ON IT. ON JUNE 6, 2003 WE WERE TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED TO 0. THE OIL PRESSURE RETURNED TO NORMAL WHEN THE ENGINE CAME TO AN IDLE. AT FIRST IT APPEARED AS IF I HAD A GAUGE PROBLEM. I CHECKED EVERYTHING OUT AND BEGAN ON OUR WAY AGAIN JUST TO FIND IT HAPPENED ALL OVER AGAIN ONCE WE GOT TO SPEED. I PULLED OVER AND THE PRESSURE RETURNED TO NORMAL! WE SHUT IT DOWN AND TOWED IT TO A NEARBY DEALERSHIP. THERE, WHEN ASKED, I DEMONSTRATED THAT OUR ENGINE WAS OKAY BY CRANKING IT WITHOUT STARTING IT. SEVERAL DAYS LATER THEY INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE ($8310). I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. THERE, THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED! SOMEONE HAD EVIDENTLY RUN THE ENGINE AFTER IT WAS DROPPED OFF, BUT EACH DEALERSHIP BLAMES THE OTHER!!! ODDLY, NEITHER DEALERSHIP EVER ASKED ME WHAT MY DRIVING HABITS ARE TO DETERMINE IF I SHOULD BE ON THE 7,500 MILE SCHEDULE OR THE 3,000 MILE SCHEDULE AS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL!*AK
NHTSA ODI #10025420
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT IDLE A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10012184
42,000 miles · Feb 10, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2000 DODGE DURANGO STARTED MISSING AND BACK FIRING AFTER MORNING WARM UP,PARKED THE CAR UNTIL NEXT DAY.TRIED TO START CAR IN MORNING AND NO GO.TOWED CAR TO DEALER WHERE THEY CHANGED PLUGS AND GOT IT RUNNING ONLY TO HERE A NOISE IN ENG UPON OPENING ENGINE THEY FOUND #3CYL BEAT UP AND HALF OF MY OTHER CYLS WITH LOW COMPRESSION.…
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MY 2000 DODGE DURANGO STARTED MISSING AND BACK FIRING AFTER MORNING WARM UP,PARKED THE CAR UNTIL NEXT DAY.TRIED TO START CAR IN MORNING AND NO GO.TOWED CAR TO DEALER WHERE THEY CHANGED PLUGS AND GOT IT RUNNING ONLY TO HERE A NOISE IN ENG UPON OPENING ENGINE THEY FOUND #3CYL BEAT UP AND HALF OF MY OTHER CYLS WITH LOW COMPRESSION.NO BROKEN PART FOUND THERE FORE NO COVERAGE FROM DODGE OR API WHO HOLDS THE 6YR-60000 WAR.MY CAR HAS ONLY 42000 AND NOW NEEDS ROUGHLY 6000.00 IN REPAIR. NO HELP FROM DODGE
NHTSA ODI #10005639
47,000 miles · Feb 10, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
NOVEMBER 1, 2002 OUR 2000 DODGE DURANGO MALFUNCTIONED. IT WAS TOWED INTO A DEALERSHIP WHERE AN ADJUSTER FROM OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY (NORTH AMERICAN) WAS SENT. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP, AN "UPPER PLENUM GASKET" MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING OIL TO SUCK UP INTO A PART OF THE ENGINE AND BURN UP. WE WERE TOLD T…
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NOVEMBER 1, 2002 OUR 2000 DODGE DURANGO MALFUNCTIONED. IT WAS TOWED INTO A DEALERSHIP WHERE AN ADJUSTER FROM OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY (NORTH AMERICAN) WAS SENT. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP, AN "UPPER PLENUM GASKET" MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING OIL TO SUCK UP INTO A PART OF THE ENGINE AND BURN UP. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE BURNED OIL THEN DROPPED INTO THE OIL PAN WHERE IT WAS THEN SUCKED UP INTO THE INTAKE AND BECAME CLOGGED. NORTH AMERICAN DENIED OUR CLAIM STATING NEGLIGENCE ON OUR PART. A REPRESENTATIVE WITH NORTH AMERICAN STATED TO ME THAT THEY DID NOT AGREE WITH THE ADJUSTER. WE HAD TO BORROW OVER $4,000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IN THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OTHER PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES WHO ARE POSTING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH DODGE DURANGO'S (AND NOT JUST THE YEAR 2000) CONSUMER WAS ASKING HOW COME THERE'S NO OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION HAS OPENED REGARDING VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS FOUND 20 PLUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10005633
41,000 miles · Feb 10, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SLUDGE. 41K MILES. SCHEDULE A OIL CHANGES AS PER OWNERS MANUAL. THE DEALSHIP PERFORMED THE MAJORITY OF THE OIL CHANGES FOR WHICH THERE WERE RECORDS (THE LAST WAS JUST 2000 MI PRIOR TO FAILURE) THERE WERE A FEW THAT WERE PERFORMED BY ME FOR WHICH I COULDN'T PRODUCE THE RECEIPTS OF THE OIL AND FILT…
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COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SLUDGE. 41K MILES. SCHEDULE A OIL CHANGES AS PER OWNERS MANUAL. THE DEALSHIP PERFORMED THE MAJORITY OF THE OIL CHANGES FOR WHICH THERE WERE RECORDS (THE LAST WAS JUST 2000 MI PRIOR TO FAILURE) THERE WERE A FEW THAT WERE PERFORMED BY ME FOR WHICH I COULDN'T PRODUCE THE RECEIPTS OF THE OIL AND FILTER PURCHASE. HENCE, NO SATISFACTION WAS PROVIDED BY EITHER THE DEALERSHIP OR CHRYSLER. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INCIDENT FURTHER, I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST A COUPLE HUNDRED OTHERS WITH SIMILAR STORIES. OBVIOUSLY THESE ENGINES RUN EXCESSIVELY HOT UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, THUS PRODUCING SLUDGE THAT BUILDS UP OVER TIME (COLLECTING IN THE OIL PAN AND OBSTRUCTING THE PICKUP FILTER IN MY CASE) THAT IS NOT REMOVED BY ROUTINE OIL CHANGES. THIS SMACKS OF DESIGN FLAWS TO ME.
NHTSA ODI #10005605
42,000 miles · Feb 6, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. IT STALLED AND EVERYTHING LOCKED UP. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT FROM NORMAL TO HOT VERY FAST. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN. PH
NHTSA ODI #10006674
32,000 miles · Feb 3, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE FAILURE IN MY 2000 DODGE DURANGO. ENGINE SHOWED OIL SLUDGING THAT CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE EVEN THOUGH CAR 2.5YRS OLD WITH 32K MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10005169
49,345 miles · Jan 10, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY ENGINE IS FILLED WITH SLUDGE ALTHOUGH WE AHD REGULAR OIL CHANGES. BECAUSE WE COULD ONLY FIND TEH LAST THREE OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS, THE DEALER SAYS THEY ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE THE REPAIR. AT FIRST, THEY SID IT WAS AN OIL PUMP. I CALLED CHRYSLER AND THEY WERE WILLING TO REPLACE THE PUMP ALTHOUGH I AM 19K MILES OUT OF WARRANTY…
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MY ENGINE IS FILLED WITH SLUDGE ALTHOUGH WE AHD REGULAR OIL CHANGES. BECAUSE WE COULD ONLY FIND TEH LAST THREE OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS, THE DEALER SAYS THEY ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE THE REPAIR. AT FIRST, THEY SID IT WAS AN OIL PUMP. I CALLED CHRYSLER AND THEY WERE WILLING TO REPLACE THE PUMP ALTHOUGH I AM 19K MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS TELLS ME THEY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM. NOW, AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERET AND CALLING AN ATTRONEY, I FIND 182 LIKE COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2000 MODEL YEAR DURANGO AND DAKOTA. NO ONE AT TEH CORPORATE OR DEALER LEVEL WILL WORK WITH ME UNLESS I PAY $6,000 FOR THE REPAIR. CAN ANYONE SAY CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT?
NHTSA ODI #10000901
43,000 miles · Dec 20, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED; ALSO , THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER RESET MEMORY, 60 MILES LATER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS....*AK
NHTSA ODI #10001314
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE FAILURE OIL PROBLEM ORIGNAL PROBLEM WAS FUEL PUMP DEAL CLAIMS ENGINE MAKING NOISE AND IS ALSO KNOCKING. I HAVE RECEIPTS FROM AUTO SHOP AND OVER THE COUNTER FOR PURCHASE OF OIL AND OIL FILTERS NJ DODGE DISTRICT MGR SAID IT WAS NOT GOOD ENOUGHT THIS IS A OIL SLUDGE ISSUE WE HAVE KEPT UP MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE BUT CHR…
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ENGINE FAILURE OIL PROBLEM ORIGNAL PROBLEM WAS FUEL PUMP DEAL CLAIMS ENGINE MAKING NOISE AND IS ALSO KNOCKING. I HAVE RECEIPTS FROM AUTO SHOP AND OVER THE COUNTER FOR PURCHASE OF OIL AND OIL FILTERS NJ DODGE DISTRICT MGR SAID IT WAS NOT GOOD ENOUGHT THIS IS A OIL SLUDGE ISSUE WE HAVE KEPT UP MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE BUT CHRYSLER WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIRS UNDER THE WARRANTY. OTHER DODGE OWNERS ALSO HAVE SAME PROBLEM RELATED TO ALL DODGE SUV AND DODGE DAKOTA TRUCKS. I ALSO FEEL THAT IF DODGE HAD CHANGE THE OIL THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE UNDER THE WARRANTY. DT
NHTSA ODI #770018
Official recalls
2Dec 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.
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
4EA03023 · 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.
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