Issue ID | 468213 |
Internal NHTSA # | 10062310 |
Manufacurer | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
Brand | DODGE |
Model | DURANGO |
Model Year | 1998 |
File date | 27/01/04 |
Component | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION |
Product type code | VEHICLE |
Description of the problem | I bought a 1998 dodge durango in november of 2002. The vehicle had 59939 miles on it. I have maintained the car as one should. On 9/2/03 i took the auto into aamco transmissions as the car was not shifting down into 1st gear. It cost me $500. 00 to fix this transmission problem. At the same time they told me my transfer case was going out and needs to be rebuilt. The estimate-$1350. In nov of 2003, i took the car in to get a lube job. The mechanic told me that my lower ball joints were not accepting grease & the upper boots were rotted. That eventually i would need new ball joints but i still had time. In dec 2003, i started having problems with the electrical system. The front passenger window would not roll down. Then if my steering wheel was turned as i put the car in park, it would not start, or it would die as i was backing out. In january i heard metal in my front tires as i was braking. A new brake job cost me $350. 00. The end of january, while driving this vehicle with 72,000 miles, my front right tire fell off. Reason: upper ball joint broke off. Every mechanic has stated that this is a defect, as they have never seen ball joints do this at this low mileage. I then saw nhtsa interviewed on the news for the very same reason. Dodge durangos and their ball joints with tires falling off. My car landed in a ditch. I was lucky i was only travelling at 35 mph. It could have been fatal, and who ever manufactures these ball joints better stand up to the plate and take responsibility. This auto has been nothing but a mechanical problem since i bought it. And costly at that! *jb |
Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 72000 |
Number of Occurences | 1 |
Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
City and State | KITTREDGE, CO |
VIN pattern | 1B4HS28Y8WFXXXXXX |
Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
Was incedent reported to police? | N |
Was medical attention required? | |
Was part original equipment? | |
No. of injured persons | |
No. of fatalities | |
Date of purchase | 17/11/02 |
Was original owner? | N |
Anti-lock brakes | Y |
Cruise control | Y |
Number of cylinders | 8 |
Drive train type | 4WD |
Transmission type | AUTO |
Vehicle speed | 35 |
DoT tire identifier | |
Tire size | |
Location of tire code | |
Type of tire failure code | |
Was defective tire repaired? | |
Date of manufacture | |
Type of child seat code | |
Type of restraint | |
Dealer's name | AUTO OUTLET SAN MARCOS |
Dealer's telephone number | 512-353-5116 |
Dealer's city | SAN MARCUS |
Dealer's state code | TX |
Dealer's ZIP code | 78667-1549 |