2000 DODGE DAKOTA Steering Problems

"TAKATA RECALL" THE POWER STEERING CONTINUES TO LEAK EVEN AFTER SEVERAL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

Mileage: 200,000

IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED. I HAVE RECEIVED A SECOND OPINION AND HAVE BEEN TOLD INTERMEDIATE DRIVE SHAFT NEEDS TO REPLACED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND AM TOTALLY CONFUSED AS TO WHY CHRYSTAL HAS NOT YET ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS FAULTY PART, IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR MANY DODGE OWNERS. ALL NHTSA NEEDS TO DO IS SEARCH IT ONLINE. SO MANY COMPLAINTS AND YET NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN. I HAVE WRITTEN/ EMAILED TO DODGE CORP. AND WAS TOLD THAT RECALLS NEED TO BE PROCESSED THROUGH NHTSA. PLEASE ANYONE ELSE HAVING THIS PROBLEM FILE A COMPLAINT SO DODGE WILL FINALLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

Mileage: 207,834

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE TUBE AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO BECOME PUNCTURED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V193000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

STEERING LOCKING UP DUE TO FAULTY STEERING SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

UNIVERSAL IN THE SHAFT WEARS OUT AND CAUSES EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL,AND COULD BREAK. HAD TO BUY A NEW SHAFT OFF EBAY,THAT DODGE HAS SINCE IMPROVED. *TR

Mileage: 94,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION, BALL JOINTS, AND TIRE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY FOUR YEARS LATER, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 85,100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,400.

Mileage: 57,400

NOISE FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND VIBRATION FROM STEERING WHEEL. SOUNDS AS IF POWER STEERING PUMP WAS LOW ON FLUID. MAKES A LOAD NOISE WHEN STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. DROVE SHORT DISTANCE TO REPAIR FACILITY AND WAS SHOCKED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSES HAD SPLIT. ALSO THE RACK AND PINION STEERING WILL HAVE TO BE REBUILT IF POSSIBLE IF NOT REPLACED. ALSO A BOOT WAS TORN AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. WORK HAS NOT BEEN STARTED AS I FIND IT IS NECESSARY TO GET MORE THAN ONE ESTIMATE. THE LOCAL GARAGE WANTS IN EXCESS OF $1200 FOR THE REPAIRS WHILE THE DEALER WANTS OVER $2000. APPROXIMATELY 12 MONTHS AGO I HAD THE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND HAD TO GET A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AT AN EXTRA CHARGE. NO VISUAL SIGNS OF WEAR WAS NOTICED. *JB

Mileage: 71,528

NOISE FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND VIBRATION FROM STEERING WHEEL. SOUNDS AS IF POWER STEERING PUMP WAS LOW ON FLUID. MAKES A LOAD NOISE WHEN STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. DROVE SHORT DISTANCE TO REPAIR FACILITY AND WAS SHOCKED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSES HAD SPLIT. ALSO THE RACK AND PINION STEERING WILL HAVE TO BE REBUILT IF POSSIBLE IF NOT REPLACED. ALSO A BOOT WAS TORN AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. WORK HAS NOT BEEN STARTED AS I FIND IT IS NECESSARY TO GET MORE THAN ONE ESTIMATE. THE LOCAL GARAGE WANTS IN EXCESS OF $1200 FOR THE REPAIRS WHILE THE DEALER WANTS OVER $2000. APPROXIMATELY 12 MONTHS AGO I HAD THE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND HAD TO GET A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AT AN EXTRA CHARGE. NO VISUAL SIGNS OF WEAR WAS NOTICED. *JB

Mileage: 71,528

TRUCK STARTED TO PULL TO RIGHT UPON MID-LEVEL BRAKING. WAS TOLD BRAKES OK, TIE ROD ENDS BAD/REPLACED, NO CHANGE. THEN TOLD RACK & PINION BAD/REPLACED, SLIGHT CHANGE, STILL PULLS TO RIGHT, GETTING WORSE. NOW 3 MONTHS LATER AND AFTER $400.00 IN REPAIRS, I GO WITH A DIFFERENT SHOP, I WAS TOLD BRAKES CALIPER BOLTS ARE STRIPPING OUT. THIS CAUSES THE BRAKE SHOES TO MOVE WHEN BRAKING, BINDING, THEN PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF HANDS. HAS ALSO CAUSED RIGHT TIE-ROD END TO GO BAD AGAIN. THE BIGGEST DANGER IS THAT UPON BRAKING THE STEERING WHEEL TURNS TO THE RIGHT AND I COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND A GOOD USED STEERING KNUCKLE AND ALL THE ONES FOUND HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE FIX IS, IF CAUGHT SOON ENOUGH, HELI-COIL NEW THREADS OR REPLACING THE STEERING KNUCKLE ($415.00 PART ALONE). *JB

Mileage: 115,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED ON A WORSENING BASIS WHILE TRYING TO TURN IN ANY DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT OF THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. NO REPLACEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE. THE CONTACT ENCOUNTERED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE # 10120725 REGARDING THE STEERING COLUMN.

Mileage: 100,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF AN ANGLED PARKING SPACE, THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WOULD NOT TURN. THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE OUTER TIE ROD CAME APART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

Mileage: 106,395

ON MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA MY STEERING KNUCKLE SNAPPED PAST THE TIE ROD ON THE WHEEL PART OF THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE IF THE VEHICLE (FRONT) THIS PART IS APPROXIMATELY A 1 INCH BY ONE INCH OF SOLID STEEL. THIS RESULTED IN A CRASH WITH A PARKED MANATEE COUNTY PATROL CAR. I BELIEVE THIS PART SHOULD NOT HAVE SNAPPED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. THE INVESTIGATING POLICE OFFIER AGREED. I WAS NOT ISSUED ANY TRAFFIC VIOLATION AFTER THE OFFICER SAW WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED . I PLAN TO BE FOLLOWING UP ON THIS WITH A PHONE CALL TO YOUR AGENY. I WONDER HOW MANY TICKING TIME BOMBS ARE OUT THERE? I AM AWARE OF THE RECALL OF UPPER BALL JOINTS FALLING OFF AND I AM WONDERING IF MAYBE DEFECTIVE STEEL IS THE CAUSE. *NM

Mileage: 72,000

I READ IN TODAY'S PAPER ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION OF 2004-05 DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS WITH THE INVESTIGATION INTO STEERING LOOSENESS AND PROBLEMS - OUR 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB HAD TO HAVE THE SHAFT REPLACED DUE TO A BROKEN CONNECTION - IT HAD LOOSENED FOR A LONG TIME UNTIL IT AFFECTED OUR DRIVING. THE DEALER REPAIRED IT TO THE TUNE OF $ 250 AND ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER MY MINISTER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER DODGE DURANGO ALSO 2000 - THE MECHANIC EVEN SAID "DO YOU KNOW A MRS. KSIONZYK FROM YOUR TOWN - I JUST REPLACED THE SAME THING ON HER DAKOTA" I DON'T THINK THIS IS A COINCIDENCE - THIS IS A VERY SMALL DEALER AND COMMUNITY. *JB

Mileage: 98,000

VEHICLE 2000 DODGE DAKOTA PICK UP 2 WHEEL DRIVE. FAILED NEW JERSEY MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION FOR BALL JOINTS. THERE WAS A LETTER ABOUT THE UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE. UPON INSPECTION FOUND BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE EXCESSIVE PLAY TO THE POINT WHERE THEY MAY PULL OUT OF THE SOCKET.

Mileage: 50,000

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MADE A COMPLETE STOP STARTED TO MAKE RIGHT TURN BUT THE TIRES DID NOT TURN LUCKIELY I STOPPED JUST IN TIME TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT THE STEERING SHAFT THAT CONNECTS TO THE STEERING COLUM COMPLETLY BROKE OFF THERFORE LEAVING ME WITH NO CONTROL OF MY TRUCK. I REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT. THE REPLACEMEN PART HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A UPGRADED PART. THAT LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THE MANUFACTUER KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT A MUCH HIGHER SPEED. I WAS OUT OF 286.00 DOLLARS BUT I MUCH RATHER BE OUT OF 286. DOLLARS THAN OUT OF MY LOVED ONES.PLEASE HELP BEFORE SOME BODY GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR LOSES THIER LIVES. DODGE ALSO HAVE A RECALL ON THIS TRUCK PROBLEMS WITH THE CONROL ARMS THAT COULD BREAK AND HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING THIS ALSO LEADS ME TO BELIEVE WHY THE THE STEERING SHAFT ON MY TRUCK BROKE OFF. *AK

Mileage: 60,000

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED STEERING RACK AND PINION FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT, AND RESULTING IN A COLLISION. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED.*AK

Mileage: 88,500

WHILE SERVICING VEHICLE FOR NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 CONCERNING UPPER BALL JOINTS IT WAS DETERMINED THAT INNER TIE RODS WERE BAD DUE TO WEAR.*AK

POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES. APPARENTLY THE MAIN SEAL BLEW OUT AND ALL FLUID LEAKED OUT CAUSING DIFFICULT STEERING. REQUIRED THAT THE ENTIRE PUMP BE REPLACED. *AK

Mileage: 60,100

WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF THE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. THE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING ALSO FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK

Mileage: 52,000

STEERING COLUMN DEVELOPS CLUNK. IS MOST NOTABLE ON BRAKING AND ACCELERATION. ORIGINAL COLUMN REPLACED AT END OF 36000 MI WARRANTY PERIOD. NEW UNIT DEVELOPED SAME PROBLEM AFTER 12000 MI. CONCERNED THAT FAILURE MAY CAUSE BINDING IN STEERING AND LOSS OF CONTROL. *NM

Mileage: 36,000

THE VEHICLE'S STEERING RACK FAILED RESULTING IN NOISE WHILE STEERING. *NM THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE BALL JOINT RECALL DONE. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE DEALER OF A CREAKING NOISE IN THE STEERING AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE NOISE WAS A SYMPTOM OF THE RECALLED BALL JOINTS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FINALLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER THEY INDICATED THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS FAULTY AND CAUSING THE NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY $1000. TO HAVE THE STEERING RACK REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE BALL JOINTS. *NM

Mileage: 48,000

ON THE EVENING OF NOVEMBER 4, 2004, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE ASSEMBLY OF MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK FELL OFF. MY 17 YEAR OLD SON WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO THE DRIVEWAY OF A FRIEND'S HOME WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG. WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK HE FOUND THE RIGHT FRONT-END OF THE TRUCK RESTING ON THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY. THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THAT I USE FOR CAR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR. UPON ARRIVAL AT THE REPAIR SHOP, THE SHOP OWNER TOLD ME THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINT HAD FAILED. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE LOWER BALL JOINT AND OUTER TIE ROD WERE ALSO DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. BASED UPON THE MILEAGE ON THE TRUCK, THE SHOP OWNER TOLD ME THAT THE BALL JOINT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. TOTAL COST TO REPAIR THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT AND THE OUTER TIE ROD WAS $595.67. *NM

Mileage: 89,375

CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD TO HAVE THE LOWER BALL JOINT, AND TIE ROD REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH STEERING SHAFT FAILED. AS A RESULT, STEERING FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. *AK

Mileage: 70,000

WITH THE PENDING DODGE RECALL ON THE BALL JOINTS, WHY WILL IT ONLY COVER THE 4X4 TRUCKS. THE SAME BALL JOINTS ARE USED ON THE 2 WHEEL DRIVE ONES AND HAVE HAD THE SAME FAILURES. I AM THE OWNER OF A 2000 DAKOTA CLUB CAB. I TRAVEL 110+ MILES A DAY WITH THE TRUCK. CURRENTLY AT 90000 AND PLANING ON 200+. IS THE PLAN ON NHTSA AND DODGE TO WAIT TILL DEATHS BEFORE THE 2 WHELL TRICKS ARE FIXED??? AM IF I AM THE INFORMENT ONE TO DIE, THEN ARE YOU GOING TO EXPLAIN WHY THIS ISSUE WAS NOT FIXED TO MY WIFE AND 1 YEAR OLD SON!!!!!!! LET'S NOT DO THE JOB HALF WAY. LET'S JUST DO THE JOB RIGHT!*AK

THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED (WITH NO WARNING), CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY TRUCK AS IT WENT AROUND A CORNER. I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY, DUE TO THE UNEXPECTED HEAVYNESS OF THE STREEING AND THE LOW SPEED (ABOUT 10 MPH). I DID REGAIN REGAINED CONTROL AND AVOIDED HITTING THE CARS IN THE ONCOMING LANES. I MADE IT HOME, PARKED THE TRUCK UNTIL I COULD BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE. THE TRUCK WAS NOT DRIVABLE AROUND TOWN WITH THE POWER STEERING BROKEN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP UNIT (PART #52106253AF). I BELIEVE I DISPOSED OF THE UNIT. MY TRUCK IS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 WITH THE 4.7 AND AUTOMATIC. THE MILEAGE ON THE TRUCK WAS ONLY 32,501, BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME THE IN SERVICE DATE OF 23 JUNE 2000 PUT THE TRUCK OUT OF THE WARRANTEE PERIOD. COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $501.23. THE TRUCK HAS NOT SEEN ANY OFF-ROAD ABUSE AND IS RESPONSIBLY DRIVEN.*AK

Mileage: 32,501

DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD END NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT APPROX. 55,000 MILES. THIS UNIT IS SEALED AT THE FACTORY AND NOT SERVICABLE BY THE OWNER. IT WAS REPLACED BY VISSING DODGE, JEFFERSONVILLE. IN. SERVICE MANAGER NOTED THAT THIS UNIT COULD FAIL RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL,(WORST CASE SENERIO). I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING BACK TO CAL. WITH THIS PROBLEM AND ITS SAFETY RELATED ISSUES. PASSENGER SIDE UNIT IS NOW SQUEEKING AND WILL NEED REPLACEMENT. TRUCK NOW HAS APPROX. 58,500 MILES. *AK

Mileage: 55,000

TIE ROD BROKE. REPLACED TOE ROD AND ALL BALL JOINTS. *AK

DODGE DAKOTA TIE RODS. TIE ROD ACTUALLY BROKE. *BF THE CONSUMER SENT IN A COMPLAINT TO THE NHTSA ON LINE BUT HAD TROUBLE. *TC

WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL JUMPED ON ITS ON. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING AND UPPER BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE FROM FRONT END. VEHICLE ALSO SHAKES WHEN APPLY BRAKES. *BF WHILE DRIVING OVER 65 MPH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK AS THOUGH IT WAS MISALIGNED OR UNBALANCED. IT ALSO SHOOK WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR HIGHER. THE VEHICLE'S WHEELS HAVE BEEN BALANCED, THE STEERING ALIGNED, THE BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED YET THE PROBLEM RECURS. *NM

I OWN A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB VIN [XXX]. THIS VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 58000 MILES. DURING AN INSPECTION OF MY BRAKES, I DISCOVERED SEVERAL FRONT END PARTS WITH UNACCEPTABLE WEAR. AT MY OWN EXPENSE, I AM REPLACING UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES AS WELL AS BOTH OUTER TIE-ROD ENDS. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE DISCOVERED THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE ANY ACTUAL FAILURE OCCURRED. THE TRUCK IS NOT NEW BUT THESE PARTS SHOULD HAVE NO WHERE NEAR THIS AMOUNT OF WEAR AT ONLY 58000 MILES. I HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT I AM ONLY ONE OF MANY THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THESE PROBLEMS WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. I PLAN TO SAVE ALL THE OLD PARTS AS WELL AS MY RECEIPTS IN HOPES THAT EVENTUALLY I MIGHT BE REIMBURSED. *NM UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mileage: 58,000

I OWN A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB TRUCK, AND WANTED IT TO BE NOTED THAT BOTH FRONT TIRES CAME OFF THE TRUCK DUE TO INNER TIE ROD SOCKET DISCONNECTED FROM MAIN RACK AND VARIOUS BALL JOINT REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THUS FAR, I HAVE NOT CRASHED OR INJURED ANYONE, BUT THAT MAY BE BECAUSE I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE TRUCK. *JB

Mileage: 35,000

WHILE DRIVING, HEARD A RUBBING NOISE FROM FRONT WHEEL AREA. BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE HAD WENT BAD. DID NOT HEAR ANY PRE-WARNING SIGNS. ONLY NOTICED WHEN THE NOISE OF RUBBING STARTED. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD. *JB

DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED AND FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH. NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE WERE SUSTAINED BECAUSE OF THE LOW SPEED BEING DRIVEN AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT AND TIE ROD SEPARATED AND FELL OFF. *AK

Mileage: 97,000

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH BALL JOINTS ON DRIVER'S SIDE EXPLODED UNDERNEATH THE PICKUP, BREAKING INTO BITS AND PIECES. THE TIRE COMPLETELY DISENGAGED. THE AXLE WAS BENT, AND THE INNER TIE ROD HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK *TS *TC

ONLY 70000 ON THE 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. TIE RODS BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. HAD TO REPLACE 2 OUTER AND 1 INNER TIE ROD. AT THE SAME TIME THE BALL BEARINGS WERE FOUND TO BE IN HORRIBLE SHAPE. THOSE HAD TO BE REPLACED TOO. *AK

Mileage: 72,000

AT APPROX. 8K MILES, PULSING AND SHIMMY STARTED IN FRONT END. HAD TO RESURFACE ROTORS. HAD TO DO AGAIN LATER AT ABOUT 35K. NOT NORMAL. AT 15K REPORTED FRONT END CREAKS/GROANS DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM. AT 35K MORE OF THE SAME, DEALER REPLACED FRONT STABILIZER/SWAY BUSHING. AT 38K MILES, REPLACED LOWER STEERING COLUMN. HELPED SOME BUT STILL CREAKING WHEN STEERING AT LOW SPEED. AT 53K ASKED AGAIN ABOUT STEERING GROAN. DEALER SAYS HE COULD FIX FOR ABOUT $1000 (OF COURSE OUT OF WARRANTY NOW! AND I'VE BEEN ASKING ABOUT THIS SINCE 15K MILES). ALSO AT 53K, REPLACED LOWER BALL JOINTS LEFT SIDE AND FUEL PUMP. AT 59K BACK IN THE SHOP TODAY TO REPLACE RIGHT BALL JOINTS WHICH CAUSE VEHICLE STEERING TO "WANDER" AND HAVE BADLY WORN INSIDE RIGHT TIRE. QUALITY OF VEHICLE IS LOUSY AND THEY WON'T ADMIT IT OR STAND BEHIND IT. THE ROTOR AND FRONT END PROBLEMS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THEY IMPAIR THE DRIVERS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

Mileage: 15,000

2000 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP 27,700 MILES OF USE 4 YEARS OLD THE LOCAL DEALER REPLACED ALL FOUR FRONT END BALL JOINTS AND BOTH TIE RODS. THE DEALER PAID FOR ALL PARTS AND I PAID $365.00 IN LABOR COSTS. THE DEALER STATED THESE PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD HAVE LASTED MUCH LONGER THAN THE 27,700 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. MY CONCERN IS I WOULD HAVE BEEN UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR A CBS TV REPORT. THESE VEHICLES AND THE 2000 DODGE DURANGOS SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE OWNERS. DEFECTIVE PARTS WERE PLACED ON THESE MODELS AND SHOULD BE CHECKED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION.*AK

Mileage: 27,700

FAILED VA STATE SAFETY INSPECTION BECAUSE OF LOOSE INNER TIE ROD, THE ENTIRE RACK WAS REPLACED INORDER FOR IT TO PASS.*AK

Mileage: 64,833

HEARD A LOT OF SQUEAKING AND CLUNKING, TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD UPPER BALL JOINTS HAVE GONE BAD ALONG WITH INNER TIE-RODS. THIS WOULD COST AROUND $1200 TO FIX, THAT COST COULD BE REDUCED ALOT IF A PERSON COULD FIND NON-OEM PARTS BUT INSTEAD YOU ARE FORCED TO BUY FROM DODGE AND THEN YOU CANT EVEN BUY THE INDIVIDUAL TIE-RODS YOU HAVE TO BUY THE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY. DODGE KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM AND DID HELP WITH THE COST OF THE PARTS BUT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD GO OUT ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 45000 MILES, ESPECIALLY WHEN IF EITHER PART HAD FAILED COMPLETELY I COULD HAVE LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

Mileage: 45,000

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP FOR HEATER CORE REPLACEMENT. THE MECHANIC WAS ON A TEST DRIVE WHEN THE TIE ROD BROKE. *AK *SCC

Mileage: 76,000

2000 DODGE DAKOTA WORN OUT BALL JOINTS ON FRONT OF TRUCK. WAS TOLD THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL DAKOTA'S OF THIS TYPE BY SEVERAL MECHANICS. THERE IS NO WAY TO GREASE THE BALL JOINTS . WAS TOLD PARTS ARE IN VERY HIGH DEMAND DUE TO SO MANY TRUCKS WITH FAILURES. MY TRUCK PULLS TO THE RIGHT VERY BADLY .*AK

Mileage: 71,000

CONSUMER WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION POWER STEERING LOCKED. VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED.*AK

Mileage: 52,000

AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES PREMATURE FAILURE OF UPPER CONTROL ARMS, BALL JOINTS, TIE RODS AND THEN TIRES AND ALLIGNMENT COSTING OVER $1200 ON 2000 DODGE DAKOTA 2WD . **AK

Mileage: 30,000

PURCHASED 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. QUAD CAB SUMMER 2002, APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES AT TIME OF PURCHASE. VEHICLE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AT THAT TIME. HAD PROBLEMS WITH STEERING. THE WHEEL WOULD JERK FROM SIDE TO SIDE AS IF THE POWER STEERING WOULD ENGAGE AND THEN DISENGAGE DURING A TURN. BROUGHT TO DEALER. THEY SAID THEY FIXED PROBLEM BY REPLACING STEERING COLUMN. PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. RETURNED TO DEALER. REPLACED BEARINGS IN COLUMN DURING SECOND REPAIR. DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. RETURNED AGAIN, DEALER(FORMERLY COURTESY DODGE, NORWICH, CT) STATED THAT THEY SOLD THERE WARRANTY TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT MAKE REPAIR. I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE TO OTHER DEALERSHIP. TAKEN TO OTHER DEALER SHIP BUT AT THIS TIME PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN FIXED AND VEHICLE WAS OVER 36,000 MILES. DEALER SAID I WOULD HAVE TO FILL OUT FORMS AND THAT IT WAS UNLIKELY THE REPAIR WOULD BE AUTHORIZED. HOW IS IT IF THE REPAIR WAS NEVER COMPLETED THAT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO WAIT UNTIL WARRANTY EXPIRES AND SAY TOO BAD. I WAS THEN RECALLED BY THE MILITARY AND HAD TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE TO NEW JERSEY SO THE REPAIR WAS NEVER COMPLETED. THANKS, NOW COURTESY KIA. I WISH I COULD CONDUCT MY BUSINESS LIKE THE DEALERS. JUST IGNORE THE PROBLEM AND IT WILL GO AWAY!!!!!!!. IM NOT FINISHED WITH THIS YET!!!! JPL. *LA

TIE RODS AND BALL JOINTS FAILED PREMATURELY, CAUSING THE LEFT FRONT TIRE TO BLOW OUT AT 10,000 MILES. ALSO, THE RIM WAS DESTROYED. *AK

Mileage: 10,000

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP AND JUMPED OFF THE ROAD. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD END WAS WORN OUT AND MUST BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

Mileage: 35,000

MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA R/T HAS JUST UNDER 50,000 MILES AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH FAULTY UPPER BALL JOINTS. ALONG WITH A SLEW OF FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS INCLUDING TIE RODS, SWAY BARS, AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS. *LA

Mileage: 49,000

TIE ROD BROKE ON A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA.*MR WHEN RETURNING HOME, THE CONSUMER TURNED THE CORNER AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO SLIDE. IMMEDIATELY IT BEGAN TO SHAKE SIDE TO SIDE LIKE A WASHING MACHINE WITH AN UNEVEN LOAD. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO GET OFF THE ROAD ONTO A PARKING LOT. CONSUMER FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS A FLAT TIRE, BUT IT WASN'T. A MAN AND WOMAN WHO SAW THE VEHICLE SHAKING, STOPPED TO SEE IF THE CONSUMER NEEDED HELP. THE MAN WENT TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE TIE ROD WAS BROKEN ON THE RIGHT SIDE AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER REPORTED THE FAILURE TO THE MANAGER ON AUGUST 4,2003 AND HE STATED THERE WASN'T A RECALL AND HE WASN'T SURE IF OTHER DODGE DAKOTA'S EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *PH *JB

Mileage: 77,000

THE POWER STEERING COOLER LINE WAS CHAFFED(RUBBED A HOLE) FROM A BIGGER POWER STEERING HOSE WITH A GUARD ON IT. CHAFFED LINE TURNED INTO A LEAK OF THE POWER STEERING FLIUD, WHICH IN TIME WILL CAUSE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE TO THE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE THIS IS ON, IS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB PICKUP. HAS A 4.7L V-8 ENGINE W/ AUTOMATIC. HAS ABOUT 60,000 MILES ON IT AT TIME OF LEAK BEING NOTICED . *AK

Mileage: 59,000

UPPER CONTROL ARMS LOOSE, DEFECTIVE, PLUS STEERING LINKAGE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *LA

Mileage: 28,832

POWER STEERING FAILS. LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AFTER ABOUT 1.25 HOURS. FIRST OCCURANCE IN AUGUST 2002, THEN OCTOBER, 2002. DID NOT DRIVE ON HIGHWAY FOR EXTENDED PERIOD UNTIL AUGUST 2003 - FAILED AGAIN AND AGAIN ON MOUNTAIN ROADS, EXITS, STRAIGHTAWAYS WHILE PASSING, GENTLE CURVES. NOVEMBER 2002 DEALER REPLACES RACK AND PINION AND BUSHINGS AT 23,997 MILES. AUGUST 18, 2003, 31424 MILES, DEALER REPLACES COLUMN, INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND BOLT PER STARLINE. SEP 3, 2003, 31904 MILES, DEALER REPLACES ALL FOUR CONTROL ARMS - CANNOT REPLICATE PROBLEM AS THEY WILL NOT DRIVE THE REQUIRED MILES, I'M THEIR TEST DUMMY. THE KNOBS FOR AIR CONDITIONING ALSO BROKE AT THIS TIME - CHARGED TO FIX THIS. MANUFACTURER SAYS TO CONTACT DEALER, DEALER WON'T DRIVE NECESSARY MILES - I STILL HAVE TO CHECK THE SEP 3 REPAIR TO SEE IF IT REALLY FIXED THE PROBLEM. EACH TIME THE ALIGNMENT IS OUT AND THEY WILL NOT FIX THIS AS PART OF THE WARRANTY ITEM ALTHOUGH I MAINTAIN MY VEHICLES' ALIGNMENT. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN RELINED AT 26K MILES BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID THEY WERE SHUDDERING - WHICH I HAD NOT EXPERIENCED UNTIL THEY REPAIRED THEM. SHOCKS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE REAR STRUTS REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE SWAY AND LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN CARRYING A LOAD, ANOTHER THING THEY CLAIM NOT TO REPLICATE.

Mileage: 20,000

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD SNAPPED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD INTO A PARKING LOT, THEN BACKED UP, AND THE TIE ROD SNAPPED OFF. THE TIE ROD HAD GONE THROUGH THE RIM ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WHICH ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO DODGE AND THEY DID NOT RESPOND. *SCC *JB

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. DEALER NOTIFIED. *PH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN 3RD GEAR IT WENT TO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE RPM'S INCREASED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD HAVE CHANGED TO 4TH GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER 6 TIMES FOR REPAIRS. THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO WARPED ROTORS. FAULTY WHEEL BEARINGS CAUSED A POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE LEFT TURNS. *SCC *NLM

NUMEROUS FRONT SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. BAD BALL JOINT/CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES/ BAD TIE-RODS/BAD SHOCK ABSORBERS, AND BAD STRUT BUSHINGS. ALL OF THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER. MOST OF THE PROBLEMS STARTED AT ABOUT 15000 MILES, AND HAVE CONTINUED. WAY TOO MANY PROBLEMS AT LOW MILES. I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS AT 51000 MILES.*AK

Mileage: 19,532

POWER STEERING PUMP WENT BAD, CAUSING A MAJOR LEAK OF POWER STEERING FLUID TO BE SPRAYED THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING BOTH THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSING THE DRIVE TRAIN BELT TO BEGIN SLIPPING. *NLM

Mileage: 41,500

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SLACK IN THE STEERING COLUMN. ALSO, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS CAUSING THE TIRES TO WEAR UNEVENLY. THERE IS A RATTLING AND SQUEAKING NOISE IN THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. *AK *JB

Mileage: 66,000

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING APPROX 45 MPH VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING FAILED W/O WARNING. CHECKED BY DLR WHO ADVISED RACK AND PINION FAILED. MR

CONSUMER STATES THE SHAFT UNDER THE HOOD FELL APART AT THE GEAR BOX, THIS CAUSED CONSUMER COMPLETE STEERING LOSS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING LEFT TIE ROD FELL OFF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, STATED IT WAS CAUSED BY WEAR AND TEAR. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE AND COULD NOT TURN. AFTER STOPPING AND LOOKING AT VEHICLE SAW FRONT TIE ROD HAD COME APART.TOWED VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO DETERMINED TIR ROD CAME APART AND THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE BAD.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO EXIT MAIN ROAD, BUT COULD NOT CONTROL STEERING, VEHICLE HIT A CURB AND CAME TO A REST, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHO DETERMINED FRONT TIE ROD HAD COME APART. *AK *TT

WHILE BACKING UP SHE COULD NOT STRAIGHTEN WHEELS, HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER WHO IS REPLACING A BROKEN TIE ROD AT THIS TIME, SIDE UNKNOWN. *AK

THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE REGULARLY MAKES POPPING SOUND. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO OPERATE. *YH

WHEN STEERING TO LEFT OR TO RIGHT A NOISE WILL OCCUR. DEALER REPLACED STEERING SHAFT ONCE, AND STEERING COLUMN TWICE, BUT NOISE STILL OCCURS. *AK REAR BRAKE DRUMS AND FRONT BRAKE ROTORS FAILED. *YH

CONSUMER NOTICED A POPPING SENSATION COMING FROM FRONT END. *AK LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT REPLACED, STEERING SHAFT FREPLACED, HOWEVER POPPING NOISE STILL EXISTS. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND THERE IS TIRE WEAR. *SLC

THERE IS PLAY IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL MOVE APPROXIMATELY 1/8 TO 1/4" UP AND DOWN. THE DEALER CLAIMS IT'S BECAUSE OF THE COLLASPABLE STEERING COLUMN.