1999 Dodge Grand Caravan Suspension Problems

Your driver side strut tower has rusted through and failed, which is a structural suspension component that supports your vehicle's weight and handling. This is a serious safety issue that needs immediate repair before driving. The fix will likely involve welding or replacing the rusted strut tower and repairing any related suspension damage.

Your driver's side front strut mount has developed dangerous rust that could fail and cause an accident. This is a suspension component that connects the shock absorber to your vehicle's frame, and rust corrosion has compromised its structural integrity. The fix will involve replacing the rusted strut mount assembly with new parts.

STRUT BROKE ,STARTED TO RUB ON TIRE ,MADE IT TO REPAIR SHOP ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE STRUT HOUSING IS ALL RUSTED OUT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. RETURNED BY USPS. 2ND ATTEMPT ON 2/13/2013 FAILED. *KB

I HAVE 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND NOTICED RUST BUBBLES AT THE TOP OF THE STRUT TOWER MOUNTS WITH A ROUTINE INSPECTION. THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE. I KNOCKED ON THE AREA WITH MY HAND AND ABOUT HALF OF THE STRUT TOWER METAL SUPPORT FELL APART! THE STRUT SUPPORT IS NOW JUST BEING HELD IN PLACE WITH ONE NUT AND MINIMAL METAL. I WENT ONLINE AND NOTICED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER MINIVANS AND THAT CHRYSLER HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SALES BULLETIN BACK IN 2002 ON THIS STRUT TOWER RUST PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A WARRANTY ISSUE AND CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL YEARS AGO. CONSIDERING THAT THESE MINIVANS ARE USED PRIMARILY AS A FAMILY TRANSPORT VEHICLE, THIS RUST PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALLED ASAP! THIS IS THE FIRST I HAVE EVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS AND HAVE OWNED NUMEROUS VEHICLES INCLUDING AN OLDER CAR DRIVING IN THE SAME ENVIRONMENT. *TR

RUSTING STRUT TOWER 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. RUSTED THROUGH TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

DEAR STAFF MEMBERS: I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 104,000 MILES ON IT. THE FRONT STRUT TOWERS ARE RUSTING BADLY AND I WAS TOLD BY A DODGE MECHANIC AT SHERMAN DODGE IN SKOKIE, ILLINOIS (WHERE I BOUGHT THE VAN) THAT THE STRUT WILL POP THROUGH THE HOOD ANYTIME AND WOULD CAUSE THE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO SEE DODGE PICK UP SOME, IF NOT ALL OF THE REPAIR COST. I ALSO INSPECT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED PRETTY SERIOUS RUSTING AT VARIOUS STRUCTURAL COMPONENT. DODGE NEED TO SHOW "AMERICAN" RESPONSIBILITY WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY ISSUES OF THEIR PRODUCTS. THANKS. *TR WL, CHICAGO, IL

MY CAR WAS JUST IN A MINOR FRONT END ACCIDENT DURING A SNOWSTORM. WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MINOR FRONT END REPAIRS NOW IS RESULTING IN A BIG ISSUE FOR MY FAMILY. MY VAN WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. I AM THE 2ND OWNER. THE MECHANIC, WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, FOUND A BROKEN DRIVERS SIDE SHOCK TOWER. THIS IS DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE SINCE IT IS CAUSED BY RUST AND IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. HAD IT NOT BEEN COMMON, ALLSTATE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THIS LOOPHOLE AND THE COST TO REPAIR THE SHOCK TOWER WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. I AM FINDING, THROUGH RESEARCH, THAT THIS FLAW IN CHRYSLER VEHICLES IS VERY COMMON, YET HAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED BY CHRYSLER. ON THE WEB I SEE BLOG AFTER BLOG ABOUT THIS DEFECT YET CHRYSLER DOES NOT DEEM IT NECESSARY TO RECALL. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS REPAIR IS ROUGHLY $3000 EACH SIDE! THAT IS 3/4 WORTH THE VALUE OF MY CAR. I THOUGHT THIS VAN WOULD BE WITH MY FAMILY FOR A DECADE, BUT I ONLY HAD THE VAN FOR 3 YEARS! DUE TO THIS FLAW IN THE VEHICLE, IT WILL BE SOLD FOR PARTS. I CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIR COSTS. SINCE I AM A SINGLE MOM OF FOUR, JUST LAID OFF TWO WEEKS AGO, THIS "FLAW" OF CHRYSLER'S DODGE GC WILL COST ME MORE THAN JUST ITS REPLACEMENT VALUE. THIS IS WRONG. KNOW OF ANY CLASS ACTION SUITS AGAINST CHRYSLER FOR THE SHOCK TOWER FLAW? THEY HAVE ISSUED A TSB # 23-044-02 ON OCTOBER 14, 2002. SO THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND YET IT CONTINUES. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. SINCERELY, LAURA HOSKE *TR

WHEEL BEARINGS WEARING OUT, ABS BRAKE LIGHT STAYING ON, BRAKE PADS BEING REPLACED ALOT, WEARING OUT TIRES ON THE FRONT (NEW TIRES) IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS, BRAKE CALIPER NEEDING TO BE REPLACED REPEATEDLY, BALL JOINTS WEARING OUT, UNSAFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF FAILURES, LOSS OF USE OF VEHICLE DUE TO THAT FACT. *TR

FRONT STRUT TOWERS OF 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ARE RUSTING THROUGH CAUSING POTENTIAL FAILURE OF FRONT SUSPENSION. CHRYSLER HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUSPENSION/BODY - STRUT TOWER CORROSION. NUMBER: 23-044-02 GROUP: BODY DATE: OCT. 14, 2002 SUBJECT: NS STRUT TOWER CORROSION THEY ARE CONSIDERING IT A COSMETIC ISSUE. HOWEVER, IT SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. CHRYSLER HAS PRODUCED A REMEDY WITH A CAP KIT, AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. NO NOTIFICATION TO PRESENT OWNERS TO INSPECT THIS SAFETY ITEM HAS BEEN PRODUCED. *TR

HELLO, MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT A ABOUT WHAT I CONSIDER A DESIGN AND MATERIALS DEFECT ON THE STRUT TOWER MOUNTING ON MY DODGE CARAVAN. THERE IS CONSIDERABLE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DEFECT ON YOUR WEBSITE AS WELL AS OTHERS AND I FEEL THAT A RECALL IS WAY PAST DUE ON THIS ISSUE. I DID CONTACT CHRYSLER AT THEIR REQUEST AND PROVIDED THE INFORMATION WHICH THEY REQUESTED. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS ITEM AND BECAUSE I WAS THE THIRD OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE THAT THERE WAS NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WHICH THEY WERE WILLING TO PROVIDE. I AM HOPING THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ASSIST ME WITH THIS PROBLEM IN GETTING A FAIR RESPONSE FROM CHRYSLER. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SHARE MY PAST CORRESPONDENCE WITH CHRYSLER WITH YOU ALONG WITH SOME PHOTOS. *JB

LEFT FRONT STRUT HOUSING RUSTED AND NEED OF REPAIR. DODGE DEALER STATES MY PROBLEM. IS THERE A TSB ON THIS ISSUE? *JB

1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN TAKEN TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP IN MARCH 2007 FOR NORMAL SERVICING , OIL CHANGE/TIRE ROTATION, AND SHOP MANAGER INDICATED THAT THE FRONT STRUTS WERE WORN OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT DO THIS SINCE BOTH FRONT STRUT MOUNTS WERE BADLY RUSTED AND WOULD LIKELY BREAK UPON SERVICING. THE REPAIR SHOP WARNED ME TO IMMEDIATELY GET THE STRUT MOUNTS FIXED FOR SAFETY REASONS. I VISITED A LOCAL 5 STAR DODGE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES OCCUR AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY/RECALL. COST TO REPAIR PROBLEM , NO NEW STRUTS WAS $1300. I CALLED A NUMBER OF BODY SHOPS AND FOUND A LOCAL SHOP WHICH HAS BEEN REPAIRING THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2000! THEY SAID THIS PROBLEM WAS COMMON FOR THESE VEHICLES FOR MODEL YEARS 1996-2000 IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY. THEY HAD DEVELOPED A SYSTEM TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM INCLUDING REMOVING THE OLD STRUT MOUNTS, MACHINING NEW STRUT MOUNTS FROM ALUMINUM BLOCKS, AND BOLTING/WELDING THEM IN PLACE. REPAIR WAS MADE , EXCLUDING NEW STRUTS FOR $600.*AK

UPPER BALL JOINTS ON MY DURANGO THAT ONLY HAS 64,000 MILES ON IT HAVE TO BE CHANGED AND THE REAR IS GOING AND THAT HAS TO BE CHANGED. *TR

TIRE HAS BEEN SQUEAKING LOUDLY FOR QUITE A WHILE...FOUND OUT THE BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED.. SAW MULTIPLE THINGS ONLINE SAYING THEY WERE RECALLED FOR OTHER YEARS ,AND CLOSE TO BEING RECALLED FOR THIS MODEL, SO I AM INDICATING THAT THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS...I DRIVE 3 CHILDREN AROUND AND COULD BREAK DOWN WITH THEM. I BOUGHT THIS AS A RELIABLE FAMILY VEHICLE AND IT TURNED INTO A PIECE OF JUNK. *AK

I BOUGHT A USED 1999 DURANGO IN 2004 WITH ONLY 37,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER REACHING 51,000 MILES THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT AND TOOK SEVERAL OTHER COMPONENTS WITH IT COSTING $900 IN REPAIRS. NOW AT 67,000 MILES, I NEED TO REPLACE TIRES AGAIN AND REPLACE BALL JOINTS FOR ANOTHER $800. NO CRASHES OR INJURIES, JUST FRUSTRATION AT A POORLY BUILT PRODUCT WHICH NO ONE SEEMS WILLING TO STAND BEHIND. *TR

FRONT END WAS HITTING HARD ON EVEN MILDLY ROUGH ROADS. UPON INSPECTION BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE CAUSED BY SEVERE RUSTING OF THE STRUT TOWER MOUNT ON BOTH SIDES. AT THE TIME OF FILING THIS COMPLAINT REPAIRS, COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF STRUT TOWERS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE DUE TO COST , APPROXIMATELY $2800. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY 3 DIFFERENT REPAIR FACILITIES THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE CARAVANS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEARS! BESIDES THE COSTLY REPAIRS, THIS ALSO PRESENTS A POTENTIALLY A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE!. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 55,000 MILES.*AK

1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN STRUT TOWERS RUSTED SIGNIFICANTLY AND MAY BREAK. PROBLEM OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. CHRYSLER SHOULD PAY FOR REPAIRS UNDER A RECALL PROGRAM. REFERENCE ODI CASES 10185700, 10183434, 10145830, 10132914, 10130797, 10117269, 10106788, 10101334, 10065499, 10048107, 10168557, 10079282. *AK

DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER IS CORRODING AND POPPING THROUGH APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON TIRES, VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL, AND COULD POSE A SIGNIFICANT DANGER IF IT WERE TO RUST COMPLETELY THROUGH. AS DESCRIBED BY AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC, THIS ISSUE IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. IF THIS ITEM WERE TO COMPLETELY FAIL SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH COULD RESULT. *JB

SHOCK TOWERS ARE JUST ABOUT RUSTED THROUGH ON 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. RUSTING STARTED 3-4 YEARS AGO. *JB

I FAILED THE VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTION ON 23 JANUARY 2005 BECAUSE OF MALFUNCTIONED SUSPENSION. THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED ON 1999 DODGE DURANGO. THE INSPECTION FACILITY TOLD ME THAT 7 OUT OF 10 OLDER DODGES HAVE THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM, IT IS A RASH OF THEM FAILING AND THAT THEY ARE SHOULD BE ON RECALL. MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE IS OVER 130,000. I CONTACTED TWO DIFFERENT MERCHANTS WHO DO REPAIR WORK, BOTH HAVE INDICATED THEY BELIEVE THESE TO BE ON RECALL BECAUSE OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED MY DODGE DEALER WHO SAID THEY ARE NOT ON RECALL. I CONTACTED THE DODGE COMPANY AND THEY SAID THEY ARE NOT ON RECALL, BUT ALL THE MERCHANTS FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND CONSIDERING THE FAILURE RATE THEY SEE. HOW DO WE GO ABOUT GETTING THIS INVESTIGATED AND POSSIBLY HAVING THIS FAILURE ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST? THANK YOU.*AK

UPPER BALL JOINT REPORTED VERY LOOSE BY MECHANIC. MUST BE REPLACED ASAP. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME BALL JOINT NEED REPLACING. FIRST TIME AT 62,000 MILES NOW AGAIN AT 92,000 MILES. DCC PROVIDED ASSISTANCE THE FIRST TIME REFUSED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE THE SECOND TIME. *JB

PURCHASED 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN NEW. I HAVE OBSERVED SEVERE RUSTING ON THE FRONT DRIVER STRUT TOWER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD AND NOW IT IS RUSTING THROUGH. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS ON 1996-2000 MODELS AND HAS CHRYSLER TSB #23-0044-02 OPEN AGAINST IT. APPARENTLY MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM, AND CHRYSLER ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY TO COVER REPAIR. IS THIS NOT A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE? *JB

1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 96,000 MILES IS BADLY RUSTED AT THE TOP OF THE FRONT STRUT WELLS. EXCESSIVE WATER IS COLLECTING ON TOP OF THE STRUT WELLS AND EATING AWAY AT THE STEEL. I REMOVED THE LOOSE CHUNKS OF RUSTED STEEL AND FOUND HOLES OVER BOTH WHEELS. FIRST NOTICE THE RUST ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE STRUTS POPPING THROUGH THE HOOD. I AM CURIOUS TO KNOW IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *NM

I GOT A INSPECTION DONE. MECHANIC NOTICED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE EXTREMELY BAD. HE CALLED MANUFACTURE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BALL JOINTS. I GOT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED AND A YEAR LATER I'M HAVING PROBLEMS W/ THE BALL JOINTS AGAIN. I'M ALSO EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS W/ THE WINDOW MOTOR. *NM

THE FRONT UPPER DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT MOUNT IS BULGING UP, OUT OF SHAPE, MAKING THE VEHICLE 1/2 INCH OUT OF LEVEL AND HAS ALLOWED WATER TO UNDERCUT THE MOUNT. THIS IS IN AN AREA THAT IS UNDER THE HOOD AND NOT ACCESSIBLE TO WATER. OUR MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE STRUT WHICH SUPPORTS THE CORNER OF THE CAR COULD RUPTURE THE MOUNT AND GO THROUGH THE HOOD RESULTING IS LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DANGER TO OUR LIVES. THE MOUNT IS PART OF VEHICLE BODY AND SUPPORTS THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S MISTAKE IS THAT THEY BADLY ENGINEERED THIS COMPONENT OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM . THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS NO PROBLEM CHRYSLER SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM WITH THE STRUCTURE OF THEIR VEHICLE (1999 GRAND CARAVAN) AT THEIR EXPENSE. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT HE HAS SEEN OTHER GRAND CARAVANS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT CHRYSLER FIXED THEM AT CHRYSLER'S EXPENSE. *NM

STRUT TOWER CORROSION CHRYSLER TSB23-044-02

1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS EXCESSIVE RUST EATING AWAY AT THE INNER STRUT PLATE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.*MR THE DEALER'S TECHNICIAN WAS REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST ON STRUT PLATE. *BF *NM

THE UPPER STRUT TOWER HAD RUSTED OUT. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THIS. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, HOWEVER THEY WILL DO NOTHING TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER IN GETTING THE REPAIRS COMPLETED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PLEASE PROVIDE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE FELL OFF. DRIVER PULLED OVER, AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

CORROSION ON THE TOP OF THE STRUT TOWERS (BOTH SIDES) ON THE 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR *TT *NM

THE UPPER BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE LOWER BALL JOINTS TWICE. THE CONSUMER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE BALL JOINT RECALL 04V596000.*AK

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE DURANGO. I HAD BEEN HAVING DRIVING/STEERING PROBLEMS WITH MY FRONT WHEELS. THEY SEEMED TO BE "SLIPPING". TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED RECALL FOR DURANGOS FOR 2000-2003,I TOOK MY DURANGO TO THE SHOP TO BE INSPECTED. THEY TOLD ME THE BALL JOINTS FOR THE FRONT WHEELS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AS THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM AS WITH THE 2000-2003 MODEL YEARS. I CONTACTED CHYRSLER ABOUT THIS, BUT THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS TOO OLD AND WAS NOT IN THE RECALL. I TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM WAS THE SAME, YET THEY CHOSE NOT TO CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY ISSUES OF THIS MODEL. ALTHOUGH I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A WRECK, I FEEL THAT THIS MAY BE HAPPENING TO 1999 DURANGOS AND THIS MODEL YEAR SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OR AT LEAST CHECKED INTO. IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME TO KEEP THE OLD PARTS. MY TRUST WAS IN CHRYSLER, BUT CONSIDERING THE LACK OF CONCERN ON THEIR PART, I DON'T BELIEVE THEY ARE TRUSTWORTHY. *AK

1999 DODGE DURANGO. HAD TO REPLACE BALL JOINTS WHEN MECHANIC TOLD US THE WHEELS WOULD FALL OFF. BILL WAS OVER $800. RECENTLY DODGE RECALLED DURANGO SUVS STARTING IN 2000. THE PROBLEM OBVIOUSLY DID NOT START IN 2000 AND MY 1999 SHOULD BE INCLUDED. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND THEY SHOULD STAND UP AND EXTEND TO ALL MODELS. NO CLEAR REASON NOT TO EXCEPT TO SAVE MONEY. I WANT TO GET AN ANSWER. (SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA # 04V596000)*JB

L999 DODGE DURANGO UPPER AND OR LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURES ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS OVER A FOUR YEAR PERIOD. UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS USED AS ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER INSTALLED AND REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE KNOWN TO BE DEFICIENT ACCORDING TO NHTSA, AND ACCIDENTS AS WELL AS EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT COSTS HAVE OCCURED. I AM NOW IN MY FOURTH REPLACEMENT CYCLE, WITH UPPER BALL JOINTS HAVING BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE LOWERS NOW IN THEIR SECOND TIME. NHTSA HAS FAILED TO INCLUDE L998 AND L999 MODEL YEARS, ALLOWING DAIMLER CHRYSLER TO SLIP THE NOOSE REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAME DEFECTIVE PARTS USED IN 2000-2004 MY VEHICLES. NHTSA SHOULD REQUIRE DODGE TO INCLUDE L998, L999 MODEL YEARS IN ITS RECALL INVESTIGATION. DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE REJECTED MY TWO SEPARATE APPEALS FOR REPLACEMENT OR REIMBURSEMENT, ONE IN 2003 AND THE OTHER IN 2004 PARTS FAILURE DATES WERE 12/27/01, 12/27/03, APRIL '04 AND ON 12/L8/04.*AK

I HAVE A 1999 DURANGO. IT SEEMED TO BE DRIVING DIFFERENT. MY HUSBAND NOTICED THE FRONT TIRES WERE WORN IN THE INSIDE EDGE. HE TOOK IT TO A GARAGE. HE FOUND OUT THE BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. HE WAS TOLD HE SHOULDN'T DRIVE IT OFF THE LOT. THEY WERE THAT BAD. IT COST OVER $500 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN. WHAT IF MY TIRES HAD FALLEN OFF? THE 1999 DURANGO'S SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*AK

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE DURANGO WITH FRONT SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME I HAVE SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY FRONT BALL JOINTS, HUBS ETC... I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RECALL FROM DODGE ON THE YEAR 2000 THRU 2003 FOR THIS PROBLEM. I THE MODEL YEAR 1999 COVERED? THE FRONT SUSPENSION IS THE SAME.

I HAD MY 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN FOR REGULAR SERVICING AND THE MECHANIC NOTED THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS RUST PROBLEM WITH THE LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER. THE PERSON FROM THE SHOP WHO CALLED ME SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE IT TO A BODY SHOP TO BE EVALUATED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I DISCOVERED LATER THAT THE ACTUAL MECHANIC LOOKING AT THE PROBLEM WROTE: "RECOMMEND: GET NEW VEHICLE SOON!"THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT A 1999 WOULD BE SO BADLY RUSTED AND QUOTED ME AN ESTIMATE OF $1300 TO REPLACE THE STRUT TOWER AND TAKE CARE OF THE RUST THAT HAD BEGUN TO EAT AT THE OTHER SIDE. NCE THEY HAD IT IN THE SHOP AND DISASSEMBLED, THEY CALLED TO SAY IT WOULD TAKE AN ADDITIONAL WEEK OF SERVICE SINCE THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP HAD ORDERED THE WRONG PART. THEY SAID THAT, BECAUSE THE DAMAGE WAS SO SEVERE, THEY WERE NOT COMFORTABLE REASSEMBLING THE VEHICLE FOR ME TO USE WHILE THEY WAITED FOR DELIVERY OF THE PART. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN AND WIDESPREAD. (COMPLAINT NUMBER 10090457 ALSO DOCUMENTS THIS ISSUE.) I AM SURPRISED THAT SOMEONE HAS NOT BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED AS A RESULT OF THIS. MY VAN IS ONLY A 1999 AND THE STRUT TOWER WAS RUSTED NEARLY HALF WAY THROUGH. I HAD MY VAN IN FOR SERVICE MANY TIMES WITHIN THE LAST YEAR AND NO ONE HAD NOTICED THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE UNDOUBTEDLY INNUMBERABLE FAMILIES DRIVING AROUND IN A SERIOUSLY UNSAFE VEHICLE SIMPLY BECAUSE A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. IF THIS IS NOT A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, IT DON'T KNOW WHAT IS.*AK

CAR USED FOR HIGHWAY USE MOSTLY, CAR SHAKES AT SPEED OF 50 MPH, WOULD VEER TO RIGHT, HAD INSIDE TIRE WEAR, DRIVING WITH KIDS IN CAR STARTED MAKING A REALLY BAD THUD NOISE LIKE A FLAT TIRE, WE PULLED OVER, UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE, IT GOT SO HOT THE SHOCKS STARTED LEAKING. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT $2,000, THE TIRES ARE STILL WEARING ON THE INSIDE, AND THE CAR SHAKES, AND THE CAR IS MAKING A SQUEAKY NOISE WHEN I HIT BUMPS. TOO MANY PROBLEMS!!!!! *JB

I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT THE 1999 DODGE DURANGO ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE BALL JOINT RECALL. I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 1999 DURANGO. *JB

MY CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. WHEN I TOOK IT INTO DODGE FOR A CHECK- THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO BEING LOOSE AND DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING MY CAR. I PAID A TOTAL OF $653.00 ON MARCH 5,2004. BECAUSE IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED, I HAD TO PAY FOR THE PROBLEM MYSELF. I FELT I WAS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE CAUGHT THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMETHING AWFUL HAPPENED. *AK

I JUST FIND OUT THAT THERE A DODGE RECALL AND I THINK I AM ONE OF THOSE RECALLS, LET EXPLAIN I HAD HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH MY 1999 DODGE DURANGO, I BUOGHT USED AFTER A COUPLE MONTHS I START AHVING A CRACKING FEELING ON STEERING WHEEL TOOK IT TO SHOP AND THEY FOUND THAT THE FRONT END NEEDED TO BE REPLACE (MEANING RIGHT AND LEFT LOWER ARM) THEY CALLED MY WARRANTY FOR APPROVAL AND THEY APROVED, BUT THEN ON THE SHOP THEY SAID THAT THOSE PARTS WHERE ON BACK ORDER AND I NEEDED TO WAIT FOR THE PARTS. AFTER A MONTH THEY CALL ME TO COME BACK AND DO THE JOB, SO I CALLED FOR APPOINTMENT THEY GIVE A DATE I CAME BUT WHEN I GOT THERE THEY SAID THEY WERE TO BUSY AND THEY COULD NOT GET IT DONE THAT DAY, THEY DID THIS TWICE AND I DO NOT LIVE AROUND THE CORNER I LIVE LIKE 15 MILES AWAY, SO I GOT MAD AND MOVE TO A CLOSER SHOP AND THEY TEST DRIVE THE SUV AND FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM, AND ALSO THEY SAID THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE SOME BUSHING SO THEY CALL THE WARRANTY AND DENIED THE JOB. APPROVING PREVIUOSLY AS I MENTION BEFORE, BUT THEY DENIED BECAUSE THERE WERE MORE THINGS TO BE DONE. SO THEY SENT AN INSPECTOR AND CHECK THE SUV APPROVING ONLY ONE LOWER ARM, AND THE REST WAS UNDER TOLERANCE. AFTER THAT I STILL FEEL THAT CRACKING FEELING AND WHEN I AM DRIVING THERE A LITTLE PLAY ON THE STEERING WHEEL, I WILL BE GOD HONEST I AM SCARED DRIVING THIS SUV AND NOW MORE WITH THIS RECALL I HAVE A WIFE AND A 3 YR OLD AND MY WIFE IS THE ONE DRIVING MORE OFTEN THIS CAR, I WORRY FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY I TRY TO HAVE SOME BODY REVIEW THIS PROBLEM TO SEE IF I COULD SUE OR SOMETHING BUT I COULD NOT GET HELP PLEASE ADVISE. I WILL APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH. P.S. IF NEED MORE INFO PLEASE DONT HESATEIT TO CALL ME 408-202-3001. *AK

AFTER 2.5 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, I NOTICED RUST FORMING ON THE STRUT TOWERS. IT WASN'T BAD ENOUGH TO WORRY ABOUT,BUT I KEPT AN EYE ON IT. OVER THE NEXT YEARS IT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE ON BOTH SIDES TO A POINT THAT WE WERE NOT GOING TO KEEP THE CAR MUCH LONGER AT ONLY 70K. I GOT AN OIL CHANGE BEFORE A TRIP SOUTH (7/04)AND THE MECHANIC SAID THIS SHOULD BE THE LAST TRIP FOR THIS CAR. THIS WAS LATER CONFIRMED BY THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND 2 BODY SHOPS. IF THE STRUTS HAD FAILED AND POPPED THROUGH THE TOWERS, THE DEALER TOLD US THE CAR WOULD "DROP" AND WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STEER OR STOP. WE HAVE THE CAR IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND ARE FORCED TO INCUR A $2000 REPAIR OR TRADE THE CAR TO A DEALER SINCE WE CANNOT SELL IT TO SOMEONE. *NM

DODGE DURANGO, UPPER BALL JOINT WORE OUT JUST AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. *LA

THE LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER, WHERE THE SUSPENSION WAS BOLTED TO THE VEHICLE, RUSTED OUT. THE STRUT CAN FALL OFF THE VEHICLE AT ANYTIME WITHOUT WARNING. *AK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED, THE CONSUMER NOTICED MINOR RUST ON THE STRUT TOWER RIGHT HAND SIDE ONLY. THE CONSUMER SAID THAT THERE WERE OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *SCC *JB

PREMATURE WEAR IN THE DRIVERS SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT. ON JULY 14TH OF THIS YEAR I TOOK MY DURANGO IN TO HAVE THE ROTERS TURNED. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY UPPER BALL JOINT SHOWED UNUSUAL WEAR AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD HIM REPLACE THE BALL JOINT.

THERE WAS RUST ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TOWER WHICH HELD THE SPRING ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE TOWER CAN BE WELDED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *JB

WHILE DRIVING THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. NLM.

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE CONTROL ARM SNAP CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER AND THE TURN SIGNAL NOT TO WORK. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE, AND THEN VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING WHILE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK DEALER FOUND BROKEN PIN POSSIBLY WITH THE TRANSMISSION.*TT

EXCESSIVE WEAR ON TIRES AND SHAKING OF FRONT END WHEN CAR REACHES SPEEDS OF 50 MPH AND AT SPEEDS OF 70-75 MPH, EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT WITH NEW TIRES,ROTATED AND BALANCED. FRONT END ALIMENT SERVICED AT THE SAME TIME. WITH ALL THESE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS THE VEHICLES STILL SHAKES AND REQUIRES NEW TIRES AFTER 10,000 MILES WEAR. MORE NOTICABLE OF THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE. REPORTED TO SERVICE CENTER SINCE PURCHASED IN OCT 1999*AK (TIRESIZE: 65R15)

THE STEERING ALIGNMENT WAS INCONSISTANT, SOME TIMES PULLING TO ONE SIDE, SOMETIMES NOT. AN ALIGNMENT SHOP REPLACED THE BADLY CORRODED BALL JOINT. THE BALL JOINT WAS SEALED, MEANING IT WAS NOT GREASABLE BY ROUTINE SERVICE. IF THE PART WOULD HAVE HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, THE CONSEQUENCES ARE UNKNOWN, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY.

EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE PADS AT 13,000 MILES. THE SERVICE DEPT FAILED TO INSPECT WHEELS AND BRAKES. THEN AT 28,000 MILES A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED. ADDITIONALLY, A STRUT IS DEFECTIVE.*AK

VEHICLE WILL PULL TOO SEVERELY TO THE RIGHT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE, AND HAS DEEMED IT AS UNFIXABLE, AND A NORMALCHARACTERISTIC OF VEHICLE.*AK

THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES DUE TO POSSIBLE SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, DEALERSHIP CHANGED TIRES, HOWEVER CONSUMER FEELS THE REPAIR IS NOT SUFFICIENT. *MJS

LEFT FRONT STRUT WAS WEAK, ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO SAG, VERY POOR STABILITY AND VERY POOR HANDLING. LEFT FRONT STRUT WAS REPLACED AND VEHICLE REALIGNED, AFTER BRING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON FIVE OCCASSIONS. I HAD TO PUSH TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, AND CONDITION IS NOW CORRECTED.