Chrysler recalls 600,000 Durango/Dakota 4×4

Chrysler Group
has apparently bowed to pressure from the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) and negative CBS News reports and ordered a recall of
approximately 600,000 model year 2000-2003.5 Dodge Durango 4×4 SUVs and
Dodge Dakota pickup trucks to replace front suspension upper ball joints
that may be subject to progressive wear.

The company is also extending warranty to 10 years or
100,000 miles on the suspension upper ball joints on an additional 400,000
Durango and Dakota 4×2 vehicles.

Repairs will be made at no cost to owners and owners of
vehicles covered by this action who have previously paid for the repair will
be reimbursed.

“Chrysler Group’s internal investigation has shown that
the front suspension upper ball joints on some vehicles may be subject to
corrosion and progressive wear,” the company said in a statement. “If this
condition is ignored for an extended period of time, it could lead to front
end noise, tyre wear, and in extreme cases separation of the front
suspension. There have been no substantiated reports of injuries associated
with this condition on these vehicles.”

Owners will be notified of the recall by letter beginning
later this month.