2003 DODGE DAKOTA Suspension Problems

The front end got a hard vibrate i replace the shocks two times and its not fix the problem seem like something going too brake off like a wheel or something dont feel safe driving it

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE UPPER LEFT BALL JOINT SUDDENLY FAILED AND CAUSED THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY RUST AND CORROSION OF THE BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V596000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,208.

Mileage: 114,208

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINT FAILED ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V596000 (SUSPENSION).THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,497.

Mileage: 100,497

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED AND THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING SPORADICALLY MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO, THE SIDE CAP TO THE MAIN RADIATOR SPEWED ANTIFREEZE APPROXIMATELY FIVE FEET IN THE AIR. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, A LOUD POPPING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BALL JOINT FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V596000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE HE PERFORMED THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

Mileage: 220,000

I'VE HAD MY 2003 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 FOR 2.5 YEARS AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS ALWAYS HAD A CLUNCKING NOISE IN IT. I SEEN THE RECALL FROM DAIMLER/CHRYSLER IN REFERENCE TO SUSPENSION(FRONT CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT) NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V596000. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA03023. I THOUGHT FOR SURE THAT MY TRUCK WOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL,HOWEVER, IT APPEARS TO ME THAT IT ISN'T. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND I AM WORRIED THAT THE BALL JOINTS MAY SEPARATE AND CAUSE ME OR MY WIFE TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK BECAUSE OF EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT DUE TO MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR MAKING A TURN AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT COULD HEAR AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CENTRAL TIMING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO STATED THAT THE BALL JOINT WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED AND MIGHT FRACTURE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE UNDERBODY WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V596000 (SUSPENSION) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08E064000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

Mileage: 92,000

WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A LOUD HUMMING NOISE IN FRONT END AND KNOCKING FROM FRONT AND A SQUEEKY NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH. *JS

Mileage: 104,000

UPPER BALL JOINTS DETERMINED TO BE SERIOUSLY WORN. NEED TO BE REPLACED ASAP. WAS TOLD DODGE HAD RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THESE PARTS BUT CHRYSLER WILL NOT COVER REPLACEMENT AT CURRENT TIME AND WITH CURRENT MILEAGE. WAS TOLD BY CHRYSLER TO INITIATE NHTSA CONTACT RELATIVE TO CHRYSLER CASE #[XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 111,800

I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, TURNED THE WHEEL TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE VEHICLE. AS I STRAIGHTENED OUT THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED TRAPPING THE WHEEL BENEATH THE TRUCK. *TR

Mileage: 115,000

WHILE TRAVELING OVER A SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE ALONG WITH THE UPPER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING ME TO TEMPORARY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I RESEARCHED TO SEE IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM RELATING TO THIS VEHICLE I FOUND ABOUT THE RECALL. HOWEVER, WHEN I CONTACTED DAIMLERCHRYSLER I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL WAS VIN SPECIFIC AND THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED. *TR

Mileage: 100,210

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD STRAIGHT NO CURVE, THE REAR AXLE OF MY TRUCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC NEAR BY WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING UNCONTROLLED DOWN THE ROAD. IN A COINCIDENCE DODGE IS HAVE A RECALL OF SAME ISSUE FOR ONLY THE 2009 AND 2010 MODELS. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF A FRACTURED BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE FAILURE AS DESCRIBED BY THE CONTACT. NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,400.

Mileage: 93,400

I WAS TOLD THE BALL JOINTS ARE NO GOOD ON MY 2003 DAKOTA 4X2 AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE WARRANTY ON THE BALL JOINTS WAS GIVEN A 10 YEAR EXTENSION ON 4X2 AND RECALLED ON 4X4. I WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH THE BALL JOINTS ARE CLEARLY THE FAULTY ONES MY MANUFACTURING DATE WAS 20 DAYS AFTER THE DEC 31 2002 CUT OFF FOR WARRANTY EXTENSION. HOW IS THAT MY TRUCK IS NOT COVERED, DESPITE BEING EFFECTED BY THE SAME RECALLED PARTS. IT WOULD SEEM 20 DAYS IS QUITE A SMALL WINDOW TO BE COMPLETELY EXCLUDED FROM THE EXTENSION, AND THAT THERE IS A REASONABLE MARGIN OF AREA. *JS

Mileage: 63,569

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V596000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

Mileage: 88,500

UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE BOTH LOOSE AND DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT. VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN PREVIOUS RECALL BY CHRYSLER. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

I HAVE A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CAB. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE UPPER BALL JOINT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE ARE BLOWN. DEALER STATES NO RECALL FOR MY YEAR DUE TO THE FACT MINE IS A 2WD. CALLED CORPORATE AND HAVE HAD NO LUCK. DEALER IS CHARGING ME $400. MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 65,000 MILES. WILL NOT HONOR THE 10 YEAR OR 100,000 MILES EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

Mileage: 65,500

THIS IS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA PICK-UP WITH 2 WHEEL DRIVE. UPPER BALL JOINT AND FRONT HUB BEARING ARE BOTH BAD, AND MUST BE REPLACED . THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 34,900 MILES ON IT. STARTED MAKING A LOUD HUMMING SOUND WHEN MAKING A TURN AND WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. WE THOUGHT MAYBE IT JUST NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR SHOP THE ALIGNMENT COULD NOT BE DONE AND THE REPAIRS WERE VERY MUCH NEEDED FOR OUR SAFETY. READING ON LINE I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT CHRYSLER HAS ONLY AGREED TO RECALL 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. IF DAKOTA'S WITH 2 WHEEL DRIVE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, WHY ARE THEY NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? *TR

Mileage: 34,900

3 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE HAD TRUCK IN SHOP WITH NOISE IN FRONT AND REAR TIRE/SUSPENSION AREAS...IN FOR SEVERAL SERVICE VISITS, SEEMED TO GET BETTER THAN CAME BACK, THEY REPLACED BUSHINGS//HAD NOT HEARD NOISE...JANUARY 28, 2009 VERY LOUD NOISE AND HARD TO TURN DROVE TO LOCAL TIRE COMPANY WHICH SAID MY SUSPENSION WAS BOWED THAT TIRES WERE ANGLED INCORRECTLY AND AN IMMEDIATE FIX OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE DONE FOR SAFETY...$900.00 LATER THEY REPLACED. I FOUND OUT THAT NIGHT THROUGH AN ON LINE SEARCH THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL OF THE SAME PART THAT WAS CONSISTENT WITH MY SITUATION SAME MODEL MAKE YEAR/ I HAVE THE REMOVED DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TR

2003 DODGE DAKOTA, 2WD, 5 SPD MANUAL, V6. ALTHOUGH A RECALL HAS BEEN GENERATED PERTAINING TO THE 4WD VERSION ONLY, MY TRUCK HAS THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN I AM DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND TURNING OR GOING THROUGH A BUMP I HEAR A CLUNK WHICH SOUNDS LIKE WHAT IS DESCRIBED ON THE EXISTING RECALL FOR THE 4WD ONLY. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

2003 DODGE DAKOTA, 2WD, 5 SPD MANUAL, V6. ALTHOUGH A RECALL HAS BEEN GENERATED PERTAINING TO THE 4WD VERSION ONLY, MY TRUCK HAS THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN I AM DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND TURNING OR GOING THROUGH A BUMP I HEAR A CLUNK WHICH SOUNDS LIKE WHAT IS DESCRIBED ON THE EXISTING RECALL FOR THE 4WD ONLY. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE, I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY SAY THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL #04V216000, WHICH COVERED 600,000 VEHICLES FOR THIS VERY TYPE OF FAILURE. I WAS NEVER OFFERED OR INFORMED OF A EXTENDED WARRANTY GIVEN BY CHRYSLER TO COVER THIS VERY PROBLEM. IF I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING WITH MY VEHICLE, I WOULD OF MADE SURE THAT MY VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED ON A TIMELY MANNER IN THIS AREA. I DID RETURN MY VEHICLE FOR A RECALL FOR MY WINDSHIELD WASHER ASSY IN DECEMBER OF 2004 AND ALSO FOR MY BALLJOINTS DUE THE FACT I WAS SENT A RECALL NOTICE. IF THE WEATHER WAS WORSE OR I DID DRIVE MY VEHICLE OFF ROAD I DO BELIEVE MY BALL JOINT WOULD HAVE DETERIORATED AS A ACCELERATED RATE. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT IF I EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE IN MY VEHICLE,WHICH WAS NOT RECALLED, THERE ARE MANY MORE DODGE DAKOTA PICK UP TRUCKS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. CHRYSLER SAYS THE NUMBERS DON'T WARRANT A RECALL,BUT THIS FAILURE IN THEIR VEHICLE COMPARED TO GM OR FORD PRODUCTS OF THE SAME TYPE VEHICLE ARE ABOUT 300% TO 1% COMPARING THE NUMBERS. I FEEL CHRYSLER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY AND ALL EXPENSE THAT I HAVE INCURRED TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE AND MORE VEHICLES SHOULD BE PUT INTO A RECALL STATUS FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 104,601

I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK OVER A SPEED HUMP GOING APPROX. TEN MPH WHEN SOMETHING SOUNDED LIKE IT DROPPED, I PUT THE TRUCK INTO PARK AND GOT OUT TO FIND MY RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE LAYING HORIZONTAL, BUT STILL ATTACHED TO THE TRUCK. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND I WAS INFORMED THAT MY UPPER BALL JOINT HAD BROKE ALONG WITH THE HALF SHAFT/CV JOINT. I CALLED DODGE BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BALL JOINTS AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP ME BECAUSE MY TRUCK IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

Mileage: 56,500

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE FRONT TIRE BECAME DISCONNECTED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V596000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 104,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/15/08 *JB

Mileage: 104,000

I HAVE A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT QUAD CAB 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE. I'VE HAD AN EMBARRASSING SQUEAK IN MY STEERING AND FRONT END FOR 4 YEARS. AFTER LISTENING TO IT FOR A WHILE AFTER PURCHASING, I TOOK IT TO TRAIL DODGE ON 08/26/04 AND COMPLAINED. THE SERVICE NOTE SAID "CUSTOMER STATES THERE IS A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE FROM RIGHT SIDE SUSPENSION AREA WHILE DRIVING. INSPECTED AND ROAD TESTED AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE CUSTOMER'S CONCERNS, NO NOISES HEARD AT THIS TIME (WET OUT) DID INSPECT FRONT END ALL IS TIGHT." IT TOOK IT IN TO FURY MOTORS, SOUTH ST. PAUL, MN, AT ABOUT 36,000 MILES AND THE SAME. THEY COULD NOT FIND IT AT THAT TIME. NOISE PERSISTED, TILL IT'S NOW EMBARRASSING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ALL TOGETHER. TODAY, MAY 12, 2008, I BROUGHT IT BACK TO FURY MOTORS, BECAUSE OF THE SOUND, THAT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE (NOW 50,000 MILES), AND THEY TELL ME I NEED BOTH UPPER AND BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS, TO THE TUNE OF $1500!!!! THEN I GET ON LINE AND FIND OUT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL (NHTSA ACTION #EA03023). I CALLED FURY MOTORS TO LET THEM KNOW AND THEY STATE MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IT HAS BEEN THE SAME SOUND THAT WAS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE AND WORSE, AND NOW I FIND OUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS AND I'M NOT COVERED??? PLEASE HELP! *TR

Mileage: 50,000

I HAVE A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT QUAD CAB 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE. I'VE HAD AN EMBARRASSING SQUEAK IN MY STEERING AND FRONT END FOR 4 YEARS. AFTER LISTENING TO IT FOR A WHILE AFTER PURCHASING, I TOOK IT TO TRAIL DODGE ON 08/26/04 AND COMPLAINED. THE SERVICE NOTE SAID "CUSTOMER STATES THERE IS A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE FROM RIGHT SIDE SUSPENSION AREA WHILE DRIVING. INSPECTED AND ROAD TESTED AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE CUSTOMER'S CONCERNS, NO NOISES HEARD AT THIS TIME (WET OUT) DID INSPECT FRONT END ALL IS TIGHT." IT TOOK IT IN TO FURY MOTORS, SOUTH ST. PAUL, MN, AT ABOUT 36,000 MILES AND THE SAME. THEY COULD NOT FIND IT AT THAT TIME. NOISE PERSISTED, TILL IT'S NOW EMBARRASSING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ALL TOGETHER. TODAY, MAY 12, 2008, I BROUGHT IT BACK TO FURY MOTORS, BECAUSE OF THE SOUND, THAT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE (NOW 50,000 MILES), AND THEY TELL ME I NEED BOTH UPPER AND BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS, TO THE TUNE OF $1500!!!! THEN I GET ON LINE AND FIND OUT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL (NHTSA ACTION #EA03023). I CALLED FURY MOTORS TO LET THEM KNOW AND THEY STATE MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IT HAS BEEN THE SAME SOUND THAT WAS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE AND WORSE, AND NOW I FIND OUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS AND I'M NOT COVERED??? PLEASE HELP! *TR

Mileage: 50,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD THUD COMING FROM THE AXLE AREA. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED COMPLETELY. EVENTUALLY, THE HORN BEGAN TO SOUND INTERMITTENTLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN WIPING AUTOMATICALLY, AND THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CONTINUED TO CHIME. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT ALL THE FAILURES WERE RELATED TO THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V322000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS SWITCH) WAS REFERENCED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,700.

Mileage: 65,700

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE BALL JOINTS. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V596000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 71,000. UPDATED 03-25-08 *BF UPDATED 03/25/08 *TR

Mileage: 71,000

I OWN A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA (PICKUP) PURCHASED NEW (I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER). THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT 23,000 MILES (UNDER WARRANTY). THEY ARE NOW BAD AGAIN AT 78,000 MILES (NO WARRANTY NOW, THIS BILL WAS ON ME)! THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE ALSO REPLACED TWICE (THOSE ARE UNDER AN OFFICIAL NHTSA RECALL). MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. THESE PARTS SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT THIS OFTEN, AND I FEEL THIS IS A BAD DESIGN! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE (IN MY OPINION) AND ALSO A BIG EXPENSE FOR THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. I FEEL THE LOWER BALL JOINTS SHOULD ALSO BE AN OFFICIAL NHTSA RECALL!!! *TR

Mileage: 23,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA 4X2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE CORRODED. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. A MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 23,198.

Mileage: 23,198

I HAVE UPPER BALL JOINTS GOING OUT ON MY 2003 DODGE DAKOTA..AND THE DODGE DEALER IN FARGO ND SAYS MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT RECALLED. BUT ON YOUR SITE THERE IS A RECALL FOR THEM? I WANT CLARIFICATION, OF WHY MINE HAS NOT NOT RECALLED TOO? PLEASE CONTACT ME THROUGH MY INTERNET ADDRESSES. THANK YOU. *JB

Mileage: 68,800

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I OWN A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB SLT. AND I HAVE RUN INTO A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK THAT PEOPLE I KNOW SAY THEY HAD VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME MAKE OF VEHICLE. TO START WITH MY TRUCK ONLY HAS ABOUT 62,184 MILES ON IT, FOR A 2003 MODEL TRUCK, THAT IS CONSIDERED LOW MILEAGE. THE PROBLEMS I HAVE RUN INTO IS AS FOLLOWS: BOTH FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARING SETS HAVE PREMATURELY FAILED, IN PARTICULAR, THE RIGHT FRONT HUB TRIED TO LOCK UP ON ME AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK, I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THAT HUB BUT STILL NEED TO REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT BEFORE IT LOCKS UP:SECOND IS THAT THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAS NO PROVISIONS FOR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE, I.E. NO GREASE ZIRCS FOR THE BALL JOINTS, TIE RODS,UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, WHEEL BEARINGS, ETC...CAUSING RAPID WEAR AND FAILURE:THIRD BIG ISSUE, I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED ALL FOUR BRAKE ROTORS DUE TO WARPAGE. THE BRAKE CALIPERS WERE BUILT WITH SOME TYPE OF COMPOSITE PLASTIC PISTONS THAT DISTORT DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP IN THE BRAKES. WHICH IN TURN CAUSES UNEVEN PAD CONTACT, THAT THEN CAUSES EXCESSIVE HEAT, ACCELERATED PAD WEAR, BRAKE FADE, ROTOR WARPAGE, AND AN AWFUL "SQUEAL" WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY BRAND NEW BRAKE PADS ARE ACTUALLY CRACKED NOW BECAUSE OF A COMBINATION OF THE CALIPERS AND THE HUBS GOING BAD: FOURTH ISSUE IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION CAUSES THE ENGINE TO OVER "REV" IN THE HIGHWAY PASSING GEAR ESPECIALLY WITH THE OVER DRIVE AND CRUISE CONTROL ON. WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND YOU GIVE IT A LITTLE MORE GAS TO GET AROUND SOMEBODY, THE ENGINE RPM'S SHOULDN'T GO UP TO SOMETIMES AROUND 7000, THAT IN TURN COULD CAUSE PREMATURE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH DAIMLER-CHRYSLER ABOUT THESE CONCERNS BUT THEY JUST KEEP GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND AND NOT ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS. I STILL HAVE THE OLD PARTS ALSO.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I OWN A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB SLT. AND I HAVE RUN INTO A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK THAT PEOPLE I KNOW SAY THEY HAD VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME MAKE OF VEHICLE. TO START WITH MY TRUCK ONLY HAS ABOUT 62,184 MILES ON IT, FOR A 2003 MODEL TRUCK, THAT IS CONSIDERED LOW MILEAGE. THE PROBLEMS I HAVE RUN INTO IS AS FOLLOWS: BOTH FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARING SETS HAVE PREMATURELY FAILED, IN PARTICULAR, THE RIGHT FRONT HUB TRIED TO LOCK UP ON ME AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK, I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THAT HUB BUT STILL NEED TO REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT BEFORE IT LOCKS UP:SECOND IS THAT THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAS NO PROVISIONS FOR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE, I.E. NO GREASE ZIRCS FOR THE BALL JOINTS, TIE RODS,UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, WHEEL BEARINGS, ETC...CAUSING RAPID WEAR AND FAILURE:THIRD BIG ISSUE, I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED ALL FOUR BRAKE ROTORS DUE TO WARPAGE. THE BRAKE CALIPERS WERE BUILT WITH SOME TYPE OF COMPOSITE PLASTIC PISTONS THAT DISTORT DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP IN THE BRAKES. WHICH IN TURN CAUSES UNEVEN PAD CONTACT, THAT THEN CAUSES EXCESSIVE HEAT, ACCELERATED PAD WEAR, BRAKE FADE, ROTOR WARPAGE, AND AN AWFUL "SQUEAL" WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY BRAND NEW BRAKE PADS ARE ACTUALLY CRACKED NOW BECAUSE OF A COMBINATION OF THE CALIPERS AND THE HUBS GOING BAD: FOURTH ISSUE IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION CAUSES THE ENGINE TO OVER "REV" IN THE HIGHWAY PASSING GEAR ESPECIALLY WITH THE OVER DRIVE AND CRUISE CONTROL ON. WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND YOU GIVE IT A LITTLE MORE GAS TO GET AROUND SOMEBODY, THE ENGINE RPM'S SHOULDN'T GO UP TO SOMETIMES AROUND 7000, THAT IN TURN COULD CAUSE PREMATURE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH DAIMLER-CHRYSLER ABOUT THESE CONCERNS BUT THEY JUST KEEP GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND AND NOT ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS. I STILL HAVE THE OLD PARTS ALSO.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I OWN A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB SLT. AND I HAVE RUN INTO A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK THAT PEOPLE I KNOW SAY THEY HAD VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME MAKE OF VEHICLE. TO START WITH MY TRUCK ONLY HAS ABOUT 62,184 MILES ON IT, FOR A 2003 MODEL TRUCK, THAT IS CONSIDERED LOW MILEAGE. THE PROBLEMS I HAVE RUN INTO IS AS FOLLOWS: BOTH FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARING SETS HAVE PREMATURELY FAILED, IN PARTICULAR, THE RIGHT FRONT HUB TRIED TO LOCK UP ON ME AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK, I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THAT HUB BUT STILL NEED TO REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT BEFORE IT LOCKS UP:SECOND IS THAT THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAS NO PROVISIONS FOR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE, I.E. NO GREASE ZIRCS FOR THE BALL JOINTS, TIE RODS,UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, WHEEL BEARINGS, ETC...CAUSING RAPID WEAR AND FAILURE:THIRD BIG ISSUE, I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED ALL FOUR BRAKE ROTORS DUE TO WARPAGE. THE BRAKE CALIPERS WERE BUILT WITH SOME TYPE OF COMPOSITE PLASTIC PISTONS THAT DISTORT DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP IN THE BRAKES. WHICH IN TURN CAUSES UNEVEN PAD CONTACT, THAT THEN CAUSES EXCESSIVE HEAT, ACCELERATED PAD WEAR, BRAKE FADE, ROTOR WARPAGE, AND AN AWFUL "SQUEAL" WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY BRAND NEW BRAKE PADS ARE ACTUALLY CRACKED NOW BECAUSE OF A COMBINATION OF THE CALIPERS AND THE HUBS GOING BAD: FOURTH ISSUE IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION CAUSES THE ENGINE TO OVER "REV" IN THE HIGHWAY PASSING GEAR ESPECIALLY WITH THE OVER DRIVE AND CRUISE CONTROL ON. WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND YOU GIVE IT A LITTLE MORE GAS TO GET AROUND SOMEBODY, THE ENGINE RPM'S SHOULDN'T GO UP TO SOMETIMES AROUND 7000, THAT IN TURN COULD CAUSE PREMATURE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH DAIMLER-CHRYSLER ABOUT THESE CONCERNS BUT THEY JUST KEEP GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND AND NOT ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS. I STILL HAVE THE OLD PARTS ALSO.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I OWN A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB SLT. AND I HAVE RUN INTO A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK THAT PEOPLE I KNOW SAY THEY HAD VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME MAKE OF VEHICLE. TO START WITH MY TRUCK ONLY HAS ABOUT 62,184 MILES ON IT, FOR A 2003 MODEL TRUCK, THAT IS CONSIDERED LOW MILEAGE. THE PROBLEMS I HAVE RUN INTO IS AS FOLLOWS: BOTH FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARING SETS HAVE PREMATURELY FAILED, IN PARTICULAR, THE RIGHT FRONT HUB TRIED TO LOCK UP ON ME AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK, I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THAT HUB BUT STILL NEED TO REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT BEFORE IT LOCKS UP:SECOND IS THAT THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAS NO PROVISIONS FOR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE, I.E. NO GREASE ZIRCS FOR THE BALL JOINTS, TIE RODS,UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, WHEEL BEARINGS, ETC...CAUSING RAPID WEAR AND FAILURE:THIRD BIG ISSUE, I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED ALL FOUR BRAKE ROTORS DUE TO WARPAGE. THE BRAKE CALIPERS WERE BUILT WITH SOME TYPE OF COMPOSITE PLASTIC PISTONS THAT DISTORT DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP IN THE BRAKES. WHICH IN TURN CAUSES UNEVEN PAD CONTACT, THAT THEN CAUSES EXCESSIVE HEAT, ACCELERATED PAD WEAR, BRAKE FADE, ROTOR WARPAGE, AND AN AWFUL "SQUEAL" WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY BRAND NEW BRAKE PADS ARE ACTUALLY CRACKED NOW BECAUSE OF A COMBINATION OF THE CALIPERS AND THE HUBS GOING BAD: FOURTH ISSUE IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION CAUSES THE ENGINE TO OVER "REV" IN THE HIGHWAY PASSING GEAR ESPECIALLY WITH THE OVER DRIVE AND CRUISE CONTROL ON. WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND YOU GIVE IT A LITTLE MORE GAS TO GET AROUND SOMEBODY, THE ENGINE RPM'S SHOULDN'T GO UP TO SOMETIMES AROUND 7000, THAT IN TURN COULD CAUSE PREMATURE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH DAIMLER-CHRYSLER ABOUT THESE CONCERNS BUT THEY JUST KEEP GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND AND NOT ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS. I STILL HAVE THE OLD PARTS ALSO.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I OWN A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB SLT. AND I HAVE RUN INTO A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK THAT PEOPLE I KNOW SAY THEY HAD VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME MAKE OF VEHICLE. TO START WITH MY TRUCK ONLY HAS ABOUT 62,184 MILES ON IT, FOR A 2003 MODEL TRUCK, THAT IS CONSIDERED LOW MILEAGE. THE PROBLEMS I HAVE RUN INTO IS AS FOLLOWS: BOTH FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARING SETS HAVE PREMATURELY FAILED, IN PARTICULAR, THE RIGHT FRONT HUB TRIED TO LOCK UP ON ME AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK, I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THAT HUB BUT STILL NEED TO REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT BEFORE IT LOCKS UP:SECOND IS THAT THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAS NO PROVISIONS FOR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE, I.E. NO GREASE ZIRCS FOR THE BALL JOINTS, TIE RODS,UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, WHEEL BEARINGS, ETC...CAUSING RAPID WEAR AND FAILURE:THIRD BIG ISSUE, I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED ALL FOUR BRAKE ROTORS DUE TO WARPAGE. THE BRAKE CALIPERS WERE BUILT WITH SOME TYPE OF COMPOSITE PLASTIC PISTONS THAT DISTORT DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP IN THE BRAKES. WHICH IN TURN CAUSES UNEVEN PAD CONTACT, THAT THEN CAUSES EXCESSIVE HEAT, ACCELERATED PAD WEAR, BRAKE FADE, ROTOR WARPAGE, AND AN AWFUL "SQUEAL" WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY BRAND NEW BRAKE PADS ARE ACTUALLY CRACKED NOW BECAUSE OF A COMBINATION OF THE CALIPERS AND THE HUBS GOING BAD: FOURTH ISSUE IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION CAUSES THE ENGINE TO OVER "REV" IN THE HIGHWAY PASSING GEAR ESPECIALLY WITH THE OVER DRIVE AND CRUISE CONTROL ON. WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND YOU GIVE IT A LITTLE MORE GAS TO GET AROUND SOMEBODY, THE ENGINE RPM'S SHOULDN'T GO UP TO SOMETIMES AROUND 7000, THAT IN TURN COULD CAUSE PREMATURE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH DAIMLER-CHRYSLER ABOUT THESE CONCERNS BUT THEY JUST KEEP GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND AND NOT ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS. I STILL HAVE THE OLD PARTS ALSO.

2003 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 PICKUP 1D7H32N03S124289 LOUD CLUNKING NOISES, FRONT END, STEERING LOOSESNESS,SKITTISHNESS, SEVERE VIBRATION AND POOR HANDLING FELT IN FRONT END SECTION OF VEHICLE. (PURCHASED FROM MITCHELL SIMSBURY,CT )BROUGHT TO LOCAL DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED & REPLACED (2)BAD /DEFECTIVE UPPER BALL JOINTS 17011019 BUT CHARGED FOR PARTS/SERVICE. APPROX MILEAGE:48,318 VERY PREMATURE FOR GOOD PRODUCT DESIGN & RELIABILITY. DANGEROUS SAFETY RELATED DEFECTS. *NM

Mileage: 48,318

2003 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 4.7 AUTOMATIC: STEERING/HANDLING LOOSENESS, INSTABILITY, SKITTISHNESS ON ROADWAYS WORSE AT HIGHER SPEEDS, VERY PRONOUNCED OVER BUMPS. INCONSISTENCIES IN ROADWAYS. VEHICLE "WALKS" SIDEWAYS WHEN GOING ACROSS ROAD DISCONTINUITIES. DEALER SERVICE RETURN FOR DIAGNOSIS: MAJOR SAFETY COMPONENT INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT DEFECTIVE/WORN. *NM

Mileage: 48,318

POPPING NOISE IN FRONT END ENTERING DRIVEWAY OR OVER SPEED BUMPS HAD DEALER INSPECT AND PERFORM TSB. ON UPPER BALL JOINTS PER LETTER FROM CHRYSLER CORP. THEY DID REPAIR AND TOLD ME THE HUB BEARINGS WERE ALSO BAD NOT COVERED, 552.00 I REPLACED THEM MYSELF I CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM THE HUBS . THE NOISE IS STILL THERE ! *JB

Mileage: 19,398

POPPING NOISE IN FRONT END ENTERING DRIVEWAY OR OVER SPEED BUMPS HAD DEALER INSPECT AND PERFORM TSB. ON UPPER BALL JOINTS PER LETTER FROM CHRYSLER CORP. THEY DID REPAIR AND TOLD ME THE HUB BEARINGS WERE ALSO BAD NOT COVERED, 552.00 I REPLACED THEM MYSELF I CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM THE HUBS . THE NOISE IS STILL THERE ! *JB

Mileage: 19,398

BALL JOINT FAILURE ON DODGE DAKOTA 4X4. RECALL ON OTHER VINS NOT MINE. FAILURE AT 30000 MILES. THE DEALER SAID 1200 DOLLARS AND THEY WOULD PUT ON THE NEW MODIFIED ONES. WHY AM I PAYING FOR A DODGE DEFECT. *NM

Mileage: 300,000

I WAS CAUGHT IN AN ICE STORM IN MY 2003, DODGE DAKOTA, 4X4 QUAD CAB. THE TRUCK WENT INTO A SLIGHT SPIN AND BUMPED A SMALL CURB THEN SLID UP OVER THE CURB. I WAS ONLY TRAVELING AT APPROX. 5 MPH WHEN I BUMPED THE CURB. THE AXLE SHEARED OFF AND BROKE THE HUB, ROTOR, WHEEL, TIRE, AND BENT THE AXLE HOUSING. THE TRUCK WAS RENDERED UNDRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. I CALLED DAIMLERCHRYSLER AND ASKED FOR THE PARTS TO BE TESTED FOR DEFECTIVENESS. I HAD SEEN SEVERAL WEB SITES DEVOTED TO AXLES PUT INTO DODGE TRUCKS THAT WERE KNOWN TO DAIMLERCHRYSLER TO BE DEFECTIVE DUE TO POOR HEAT TREATING. I WAS TREATED VERY RUDELY AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT ADDRESSED. SINCE THE ACCIDENT, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS AND MACHINISTS LOOK AT THIS AXLE AND ALL SAY THAT IT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BROKEN UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES IT WAS SUBJECTED TO. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE, FEARING THAT THE REST OF THE AXLES ARE ALSO DEFECTIVE. I AM GETTING NO SATISFACTION IN SOLVING THIS PROBLEM AND MY OWN INSURANCE HAD TO PAY THE $3,000. DAMAGE CAUSED BY A 5 MPH BUMP. *NM

Mileage: 32,000

EXPERIENCED CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION. BALL JOINT SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED CAUSING FRONT WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE OPERATING. *NM

Mileage: 48,000

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM THE SUSPENSION WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT LOW SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE BUSHINGS AND THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN. THERE IS A RECALL WITH THE NHTSA # 04V596000. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB

Mileage: 40,000

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE I NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID 04V596000 CONCERNING THE UPPER BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE.*AK

Mileage: 64,000

MY 18 MONTH OLD SON AND I WERE IN A SINGLE CAR ROLLOVER, ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2005. I WAS DRIVING A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA WHEN MY TRUCK STARTED TO MAKE A NOISE, THEN WE WERE SENT INTO A ROLLOVER. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS GONE WHEN WE STOPPED. I WAS SENT INFORMATION FROM MY UNCLE AFTER I SENT HIM PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT AND HE SENT ME INFORMATION ON THE POSSIBLE RECALL. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE AND WHAT DO I DO NOW. *NM

MY HUSBAND TOOK HIS 2003 DODGE DAKOTA TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL WORK TO BE DONE. A FRONT BALL JOINT HAD TO BE REPLACED (TO KEEP THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK FROM FALLING APART WHILE DRIVING AND KILLING EVERYONE.) WHEN HE TOOK IT IN IT DROVE FINE. AFTER THE WORK WAS DONE, IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT. I CALLED ANOTHER DODGE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO ASK THEM ABOUT PROCEDURE, THEY SAID THAT AN ALIGNMENT IS STANDARD PROCEDURE WHEN COMPLETING THAT TYPE OF WORK, BUT THAT THE CAR OWNER IS SCREWED WHEN IT COMES TO RECALL WORK. I THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOLD ME BASICALLY THE SAME THING. THAT'S NOT RIGHT!! I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FORK OVER MONEY TO HAVE FIXED WHAT THEY SCREWED UP! PLEASE FIX THIS. *JB

DT: 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED MANUFACTURER'S 35190558 CONCERNING UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILURE. CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER, AND THE DEALER URGED THE CONSUMER TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID TO CALL THE DEALER BACK. THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED, WAS GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM BOTH PLACES. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE MUST BE A CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE. THE ONLY CERTIFIED MECHANIC WAS IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA . THERE WERE NO ROADS TO THE VILLAGE WHERE CONSUMER LIVED, COULD ONLY GET THERE BY AIRPLANE. *AK

Mileage: 6,000

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A RECALL ON 2003 DODGE DAKOTA CONCERNING THE UPPER BALL JOINT. THE CONTACT FEELS THE PROBLEM IS GOING TO CONTINUE BECAUSE WATER RUNS DOWN BETWEEN WHERE THE DOOR OPENS LEADING TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED TWO SERVICE DEALERS . THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

2003 DODGE DAKOTA UPPER LEFT BALL JOINT HAD TO BE REPLACED.*MR THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT THE DEALER ALSO REPLACE THE UPPER RIGHT BALL JOINT BUT THEY REFUSED STATING THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULDN'T COVER THE REPLACEMENT UNTIL IT FAILED. *NM

1) AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES MY FRONT DRIVERS SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT STARTED MAKING AN EXTREMELY LOUD CRUNCHING NOISE AS IF METAL WERE GRINDING WITH METAL. 2) I SUBSEQUENTLY TOOK MY TRUCK TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO NOTIFIED ME THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS LOOSE AND THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE PREVIOUS RECALL WHICH COVERED THE UPPER BALL JOINT ONLY. 3) THE PARTS AND LABOR TO REPLACE THIS PART COST IN EXCESS OF $270.00 NOT INCLUDING THE $40 INSPECTION FEE

Mileage: 41,000

2003 DODGE DAKOTA EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BALL JOINTS AS WELL AS THE WELDS OF THE TRUCK BED AT THE UPPER PART NEAR THE REAR WINDOW.*MR A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE UPPER BALL JOINTS (04V596000) BUT THE DEALER WANTED THE CONSUMER TO PAY TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE PLASTIC RIVETS ON BOTH SIDE PANELS THAT ATTACH TO THE REAR PANEL TRUCK BED. THE REAR PANEL TRUCK BED IS SO WEAK THAT ABOUT FIVE POUNDS OF PRESSURE BENT THE PANEL. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE PLASTIC BED LINER IS STRONGER THAN THE REAR TRUCK BED PANEL *NM

WITH REGARDS TO THE RECAL # 04V596000 ON THE 4X4 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK. I AM HAVING THE SAME NOISES AND PROBLEMS ON THE 2X4 TRUCK WILL THIS RECALL BE EXSPENDED TO 2X4?

CONSUMER STATES: LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT RIGHT FRONT SEPARTED AND WHEEL AND CAME OFF VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION

Mileage: 31,600

THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT SEPARATED CAUSING MY 2003 DODGE DAKOTA TO RUN OFF THE ROAD AND SWERVE TO THE RIGHT. THE TRUCK HIT A PARKED CAR AND BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALED. THERE WAS NO NOISE OR INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. MILEAGE WAS 31,600.*AK

Mileage: 31,600

REAR BRAKES HOWL IN REVERSE. DEALER STATED NEEDS BREAK IN. AT 41.000 MILES, STILL HOWLS. RECALL ON UPPER BALL JOINTS RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY. AS OF 03-29-05, DEALER STATES THERE IS A 2 MONTH BACKORDER ON PARTS FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED A FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT FELL OFF.*AK

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE IN ORDER TO REPAIR, WHICH IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE WHEELS CAN FALL OFF. *NM

I OWN A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 HAS PROBLEM WITH BALL JOINTS. FRONT END ALIGNMENT PULLING TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR TIME AND LABOR. *BF THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER FOUND THAT THERE WAS AN EVAPORATOR LEAK WHICH WAS CAUSED BY AN AFTERMARKET FUEL CAP. *JB

Mileage: 25,835

SQUEALING BRAKES, UNUSUAL FRONT TIRE WEAR, GRINDING NOISE ON LEFT FRONT WHEEL WHEN TURN HARD LEFT, WORN OUTSIDE WALLS ON FRONT TIRES AND REPLACEMENT AND BRAKE WORK DONE AT MIDAS . *AK

Mileage: 28,000

SQUEALING BRAKES, UNUSUAL FRONT TIRE WEAR, GRINDING NOISE ON LEFT FRONT WHEEL WHEN TURN HARD LEFT, WORN OUTSIDE WALLS ON FRONT TIRES AND REPLACEMENT AND BRAKE WORK DONE AT MIDAS . *AK

Mileage: 28,000

THE VEHICLE FAILED A REQUIRED STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE THE VEHICLE'S UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE UNSAFE. *NM THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL AND WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. HE FEELS HE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE UPPER BALL JOINT REPAIR. *NM

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THERE ARE NO APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH, WHICH COULD BE DANGEROUS IF VEHICLE IS DRIVEN BECAUSE THE FRONT WHEELS COULD FALL OFF.*AK

2003 DAKOTAQUAD CAB IS HAVING BALL JOINT POPPING SIMILAR TO DURANGO. THE PROBLEM IS THIS IS A HIGHWAY DRIVEN TRUCK, NOT AN OFFROAD TRUCK. PROBLEM STARTED AT 20,000. COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF NOT REPAIRED.*AK

Mileage: 20,000

THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS INSPECTED BECAUSE OF THE TV BROADCAST. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. ONLY THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. *JB

Mileage: 60,000

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN AND WITHOUT WARNING PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND LOST STEERING CONTROL. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO N INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ENTIRE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Mileage: 50,600

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN AND WITHOUT WARNING PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND LOST STEERING CONTROL. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO N INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ENTIRE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Mileage: 50,600

UNEVEN TIRE WEAR LED ME TO HAVE TRUCK SERVICED AT MIDAS TIRE CO. THEY REPORTED EXCESSIVE LOOSE PLAY IN BOTH TOP AND BOTTOM FRONTEND BALL JOINTS. VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY W/DAIMLERCHRYSLER SO TOOK TO SALES/SERVICE DEALER "SOUTARS" IN BARSTOW, CA TWO DIFFERENT TIMES W/SAME CONCERN. THEY REPORTED NOTHING WRONG W/BALL JOINTS BOTH TIMES. SAN BERNARDINO SUN TELEGRAM 12/11/04 NEWS REPORTS SERIOUS PROBLEMS W/BALL JOINTS IN DODGE DAKOTA 2003 MODELS CAUSING WHEELS TO FALL OFF.*AK

UNEVEN TIRE WEAR LED ME TO HAVE TRUCK SERVICED AT MIDAS TIRE CO. THEY REPORTED EXCESSIVE LOOSE PLAY IN BOTH TOP AND BOTTOM FRONTEND BALL JOINTS. VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY W/DAIMLERCHRYSLER SO TOOK TO SALES/SERVICE DEALER "SOUTARS" IN BARSTOW, CA TWO DIFFERENT TIMES W/SAME CONCERN. THEY REPORTED NOTHING WRONG W/BALL JOINTS BOTH TIMES. SAN BERNARDINO SUN TELEGRAM 12/11/04 NEWS REPORTS SERIOUS PROBLEMS W/BALL JOINTS IN DODGE DAKOTA 2003 MODELS CAUSING WHEELS TO FALL OFF.*AK

I AM POSTING THIS COMPLAINT DUE TO RECENT PROBLEMS I AM HAVING WITH MY 2003 DODGE DAKOTA SLT PLUS 4X4 PICKUP. MY VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 13,000 MILES AND IS ALREADY DISPLAYING CONSIDERABLE WEAR DUE TO DEFECTIVE FRONT END BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE IS MAKING A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNS ARE MADE INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND PARKING DECK AT WORK. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED INDEPENDENTLY AND CONFIRMED THAT THIS IS THE ISSUE. I URGE THE NHTSA TO CONTINUE IN THEIR EFFORTS TO FIGHT FOR A RECALL OF THESE DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER, DAIMLERCHRYSLER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

Mileage: 13,000

I AM POSTING THIS COMPLAINT DUE TO RECENT PROBLEMS I AM HAVING WITH MY 2003 DODGE DAKOTA SLT PLUS 4X4 PICKUP. MY VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 13,000 MILES AND IS ALREADY DISPLAYING CONSIDERABLE WEAR DUE TO DEFECTIVE FRONT END BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE IS MAKING A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNS ARE MADE INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND PARKING DECK AT WORK. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED INDEPENDENTLY AND CONFIRMED THAT THIS IS THE ISSUE. I URGE THE NHTSA TO CONTINUE IN THEIR EFFORTS TO FIGHT FOR A RECALL OF THESE DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER, DAIMLERCHRYSLER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

Mileage: 13,000

CONSUMER HEARS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE LIGHTLY ESPECIALLY WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS AND MAKING TURNS. CONSUMER WILL WAIT TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS.*AK

I PURCHASED MY 2003 DAKOTA QUAD CAB 2WD IN EARLY JANUARY OF 2004. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 21K. SIGNS OF THE STEERING MAKING A CREAKING SOUND WHEN BEING TURNED WERE FIRST NOTICED AT APPROXIMATELY 8000. IT IS MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN ENTERING AN ELEVATED STREET OR A DRIVEWAY, WHILE MAKING THE TURN. I BELIEVE THE SAME DEFECTIVE STEERING COMPONENTS UTILIZED IN THE 4X4 DAKOTA ALSO APPLY TO THE 2WD VERSIONS. I WOULD LIKE THE INITIATIVE BE TAKEN TO INCLUDE THE 2WD DODGE DAKOTAS IN THE RECALL AS WELL. MY TRUCK HAS NOT YET BEEN SERVICED, BUT IF STUDY INFORMATION IS REQUIRED, SUCH AS AN ANALYSIS OF THE JOINT, I AM WILLING TO VOLUNTEER MY VEHICLE FOR SUCH A STUDY IF IT WOULD HELP IN MOVING FORWARD WITH THE RECALL.*AK

Mileage: 8,000

MY 2003 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB HAS HAD THE BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES WITH NO SEVERE USE. AND ALSO THE BALL JOINTS ARE WORN OUT AT 35,000 MILES. THESE PARTS SHOULD LAST A LOT LONGER ON A LIGH USE VEHICLE.*AK

Mileage: 30,000

RECENT INSPECTION BY AUTHORIZED MECHANIC REVEALS HEAVILY WORN BALL JOINTS ON 2003 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 24,000 MILES

Mileage: 23,985

2003 DODGE DAKOTA BALL JOINT FAILURE AT LOW MILES. BALL JOINTS SQUEAKING, NOISE WAS CONSTANT, REPLACED BOTH UPPER JOINTS. *BF THE VEHICLE BALL JOINTS BEGAN TO SQUEAK AT 20000 MILES BUT THE CONSUMER DIDN'T REALIZE THE SEVERITY OF THE NOISE. AT 40000 MILE THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE JOINT BECAUSE THE SQUEAK HAD TURNED INTO A CLUNK AND WAS CONSTANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT BOTH UPPER JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM

THE VEHICLE'S BALL JOINT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 24,000 MILES. *NM THE REAR LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *SC *JB

Mileage: 12,500

VEHICLE WOULD SHIMMY WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. DEALER INFORMED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Mileage: 30,000

TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A BLOWER FAN PROBLEM, AND TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER OF A SQUEAK GOING AROUND CORNERS. FOUND THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE WORN AND REQUIRE REPLACING. ONLY 32,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. *AK

Mileage: 30,000

TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A BLOWER FAN PROBLEM, AND TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER OF A SQUEAK GOING AROUND CORNERS. FOUND THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE WORN AND REQUIRE REPLACING. ONLY 32,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. *AK

Mileage: 30,000

WHEN MAKING SHARP RIGHT TURNS A POPPING NOISE CAN BE HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER SUSPECTS THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINTS, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. *AK *NM

Mileage: 6,000

VEHICLE WILL EITHER GO INTO NEUTRAL WHEN PUT IN REVERSE OR WHILE REVERSING POP OUT OF REVERSE INTO NEUTRAL. THIS MOSTLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT SINCE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD TWO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION MODULE SHORTED OUT ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO BE NEARLY REAR ENDED THREE TIMES. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE BUT ACTED AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT, THE BRAKES WOULD SQUEAK AND THE VEHICLE HAD POOR GAS MILEAGE. *SC THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE DID NOT START AT TIMES. *JB

Mileage: 100

PE 03-032, FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE: AFTER INSPECTING THE WHEELS, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE RUSTING OUT ON BOTH SIDE. *NM

Mileage: 3,800

FRONT SUSPENSION POPPING WHEN STOPPING AND TURNING. *AK

Mileage: 35,000

FRONT SUSPENSION POPPING WHEN STOPPING AND TURNING. *AK

Mileage: 35,000

AT 24775 MILES; THE RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED ON MY 2003 DODGE DAKOTA 4X2. *AK

Mileage: 24,775

WORN BALL JOINTS AT LESS THAN 30000 MILES. *AK

Mileage: 29

WORN BALL JOINTS AT LESS THAN 30000 MILES. *AK

Mileage: 29

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR AN ANNUAL INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED THEM WITH NEW BALL JOINTS. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL COLLAPSED.*AK CONSUMER IS SEEKING CHRYSLER TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE. *LA

Mileage: 11,000

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON MD RT 468 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:10 AM ON JANUARY 9, 2004, THE DRIVER OF MY TRUCK HIT A SMALL PATCH OF ICE AT WHICH TIME THE TRUCK WENT INTO A 360 DEGREE SPIN. AT SOME POINT DURING THE SPIN THE FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF AT WHICH TIME THE DRIVER LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT RAN OFF OF THE ROAD AND HIT THREE TREES. AN INSPECTION OF THE WHEEL, TIRE ROD AND BALL JOINT REVEALED THAT THE BALL JOINT WAS RUSTED AND SNAPPED OFF. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD METAL BANGING COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE PREMATURELY WORN OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. DODGE SUGGESTED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *SC

Mileage: 11,000

THERE HAS BEEN A STARTLING NUMBER OF BALL JOINT FAILURES IN THE 1998-2003 DODGE DAKOTA AND DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES. I OWN A 2003 DAKOTA, AND HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECT MINE. BECAUSE MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD 8500 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME, THE BALL JOINTS CHECKED OUT OK. IT WAS HIS ESTIMATION THAT BECAUSE OF THE GREASELESS FITTING, HOWEVER, I COULD EXPECT THE SAME PROBLEM SO MANY OTHER DAKOTA OWNERS HAVE HAD IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THESE PARTS SHOULD LAST 100,000 MILES, BUT THE ONES ON THESE DODGE VEHICLES FAIL AT ABOUT 25,000 TO 30,000. I HAVE VOICED MY CONCERNS TO DODGE. THE PERSON I TALKED TO AT THEIR RECALL CENTER ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND THAT THEIR WAS AN INVESTIGATION ONGOING AT THIS TIME, AND TOLD ME TO LISTEN FOR "CLUNKING" NOISES IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. OF THE REPORTS I'VE SEEN OF FAILURE OF THE JOINT, FEW SAY THERE WAS ANY WARNING OF THIS TYPE, HOWEVER.*AK

THERE HAS BEEN A STARTLING NUMBER OF BALL JOINT FAILURES IN THE 1998-2003 DODGE DAKOTA AND DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES. I OWN A 2003 DAKOTA, AND HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECT MINE. BECAUSE MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD 8500 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME, THE BALL JOINTS CHECKED OUT OK. IT WAS HIS ESTIMATION THAT BECAUSE OF THE GREASELESS FITTING, HOWEVER, I COULD EXPECT THE SAME PROBLEM SO MANY OTHER DAKOTA OWNERS HAVE HAD IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THESE PARTS SHOULD LAST 100,000 MILES, BUT THE ONES ON THESE DODGE VEHICLES FAIL AT ABOUT 25,000 TO 30,000. I HAVE VOICED MY CONCERNS TO DODGE. THE PERSON I TALKED TO AT THEIR RECALL CENTER ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND THAT THEIR WAS AN INVESTIGATION ONGOING AT THIS TIME, AND TOLD ME TO LISTEN FOR "CLUNKING" NOISES IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. OF THE REPORTS I'VE SEEN OF FAILURE OF THE JOINT, FEW SAY THERE WAS ANY WARNING OF THIS TYPE, HOWEVER.*AK

THERE HAS BEEN A STARTLING NUMBER OF BALL JOINT FAILURES IN THE 1998-2003 DODGE DAKOTA AND DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES. I OWN A 2003 DAKOTA, AND HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECT MINE. BECAUSE MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD 8500 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME, THE BALL JOINTS CHECKED OUT OK. IT WAS HIS ESTIMATION THAT BECAUSE OF THE GREASELESS FITTING, HOWEVER, I COULD EXPECT THE SAME PROBLEM SO MANY OTHER DAKOTA OWNERS HAVE HAD IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THESE PARTS SHOULD LAST 100,000 MILES, BUT THE ONES ON THESE DODGE VEHICLES FAIL AT ABOUT 25,000 TO 30,000. I HAVE VOICED MY CONCERNS TO DODGE. THE PERSON I TALKED TO AT THEIR RECALL CENTER ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND THAT THEIR WAS AN INVESTIGATION ONGOING AT THIS TIME, AND TOLD ME TO LISTEN FOR "CLUNKING" NOISES IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. OF THE REPORTS I'VE SEEN OF FAILURE OF THE JOINT, FEW SAY THERE WAS ANY WARNING OF THIS TYPE, HOWEVER.*AK

BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT ON 1998 DODGE DAKOTA

Mileage: 33,500

UPPERBALL JOINT PREMATURE FAILURE 11,000 MILES. *AK

Mileage: 11,186

WHILE VEHICLE WAS GETTING A REGULAR CHECK UP CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT, AND THE NUT HOLDING THEM TOGETHER WAS STRIPPED COMPLETELY. *AK THERE WAS ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR SEVEN WEEKS EARLIER. THE DEALER CHECKED THE FRONT END FOR NOISE AND FOUND NO PROBLEM. *SC

Mileage: 68,500

(FRONT END SUSPENSION PROBLEM) THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN CHECKED THREE TIMES WITH NO IMPROVEMENT BECAUSE OF THE UNSTABLE BALANCE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED THAT THE CONSUMER CHANGE THE TIRES AND SHOCKS AND PLACE SAND BAGS ON IN THE VEHICLE TO STABILIZE THE BALANCE. *AK *SC *JB

Mileage: 12

2003 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 19,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS WILL NEED REPLACING VERY SOON. *CB

2003 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 19,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS WILL NEED REPLACING VERY SOON. *CB

THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. THE CONSUMER COULD HEAR LOUD NOISES COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE BUT WAS REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE FOR REPAIRS. *NM

Mileage: 58,000

UPPER BALL JOINTS JOINTS WORN OUT AND ATTACHING NUT COMPLETELY STRIPPED OUT ON LEFT SIDE. HEARD A NOISE AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT IN NOVEMBER 03. DEALER CLAIMED EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT FINE, COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. DECEMBER 03 NOTICED TIRE WEAR ON INSIDE, TOOK THE TRUCK TO AN ALIGNMENT SHOP. IT WAS THERE THAT THE MECHANIC POINTED OUT THAT THE BALL JOINT ON THE RIGHT WAS WORN BADLY AND THE LEFT WAS ABOUT TO FALL APART. THE DEALERS KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM IN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. I WAS TO LEAVE AN HOUR AFTER THE ALIGNMENT ON AN EIGHT HOUR TRIP THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS. I CONSIDER MYSELF VERY LUCKY AND VERY WRONGED BY THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER FOR NOT NOTIFYING THEIR CUSTOMERS OF THIS PROBLEM. FOR THAT MATTER WHY HASN'T ANY SAFETY AGENCY STEPPED UP TO TELL US OF THIS PROBLEM???. *AK

Mileage: 68,700

VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN IT EXCEEDED SPEEDS OF 45 MPH. THIS WAS DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, PER THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

Mileage: 35,000

REAREND WHINES UNDER POWER FROM 50-60 MPH AND WHILE DECELERATING FROM 45-40 MPH. *LA

Mileage: 8,976

DODGE DAKOTA 2003 SPORT: FIRST FEW MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, I WENT TO HAVE TIRES ROTATED (20,000MI) AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE OUT OF SPEC. BY THE MECHANIC AND THAT I SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. AFTER INSPECTION, THE DEALER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG.I KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SINCE THAT TIME, EVERYTIME I TURN LEFT WHILE APPLYING BRAKES IN A DOWNHILL SITUATION, A TERRIBLE GRINDING SOUND IS HEARD. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 54000MI AND I HEAR ABOUT WHEELS BREAKING OFF. I AM SCARED FOR MY FAMILIES AND PERSONAL SAFETY.*AK

Mileage: 20,000

DODGE DAKOTA 2003 SPORT: FIRST FEW MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, I WENT TO HAVE TIRES ROTATED (20,000MI) AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE OUT OF SPEC. BY THE MECHANIC AND THAT I SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. AFTER INSPECTION, THE DEALER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG.I KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SINCE THAT TIME, EVERYTIME I TURN LEFT WHILE APPLYING BRAKES IN A DOWNHILL SITUATION, A TERRIBLE GRINDING SOUND IS HEARD. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 54000MI AND I HEAR ABOUT WHEELS BREAKING OFF. I AM SCARED FOR MY FAMILIES AND PERSONAL SAFETY.*AK

Mileage: 20,000

CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE. DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS, BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED. *AK

Mileage: 17,000

I RECENTLY SAW A CBS NEWS STORY CONCERNING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS OF DODGE DAKOTAS WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. MY DAKOTA IS A 2002. I HAVE TAKEN IN INTO MY LOCAL DODGE DEALORSHIP REPEATEDLY BECAUSE I HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN MAKING A TURN, ESPECIALLY ON AN INCLINE. EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN IT IN, THEY ARE NEVER ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE EVEN TAKEN THE MECHANIC FOR A RIDE WITH ME AFTER THEY HAD IT ALL MORNING AND THE NOISE, SURE ENOUGH, CAN'T BE DUPLICATED WHILE HE IS IN THE TRUCK. BUT SURE ENOUGH, 3 OR 4 DAYS LATER THE NOISE COMES BACK. AND THE PORCESS REPEATS AGAIN. I TAKE IT, THEY CAN'T FIND IT, I TAKE THE MECHANIC AND THE NOISE IS GONE, 3 OR 4 DAYS LETTER - HELLO - ITS BACK! CAN YOU HELP ME? FYI: FOR THE INCIDENT DATE, I JUST PUT TODAY'S DATE. I TOOK THE TRUCK IN WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT ON 5/24/2002; 12/6/2002; & 9/3/2003 . *AK

Mileage: 2,869

AT 6,000 MILES THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. WHEN RIDING OVER ANY SIZE BUMP IN THE ROAD THE FRONT END COLLAPSED. *AK THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN BRAKING, THE FLAPPER DOOR FOR THE FUEL FILLER NECK WAS MISSING AND OR FELL INSIDE THE TANK, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS WERE GROOVED, WORN UNEVEN AND PITTED. *SCC *JB

Mileage: 6,000

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE TO HIT A TREE AND ROLLED OVER. THE DEALER BELIEVED THAT THE CAUSE WAS DUE TO FRONT END SUSPENSION FAILURE, HOWEVER THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. *AK *SCC

Mileage: 5,000

RH SIDE - UPPER BALL JOINT NEEDS REPLACEMENT AT 15,700 MILES. DEALER FOUND BALL JOINT TO BE "OUT OF SPEC" AFTER AN INSPECTION WAS REQUESTED DURING ROUTINE SERVICE. *LA

MY BALL JOINTS HAVE WORN OUT AT ABOUT 55,000 MILES. IT IS NOT COVERED IN MY 7 YEAR 70,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. *LA

Mileage: 50,000

MY BALL JOINTS HAVE WORN OUT AT ABOUT 55,000 MILES. IT IS NOT COVERED IN MY 7 YEAR 70,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. *LA

Mileage: 50,000

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD HEARD A BANG LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND HIT A PARKED CAR. CAR WAS TOWED AWAY AND FIXED BODY SHOP AND FRONT END SHOP SAID TIE ROD AND BALL JOINT SNAPPED OFF CLEAN THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 5000 MILES ON IT, ALSO I HAVE ALL THE DAMAGED PARTS IF ANY BODY WANTS TO TEST THEM. *LA

Mileage: 5,400

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD HEARD A BANG LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND HIT A PARKED CAR. CAR WAS TOWED AWAY AND FIXED BODY SHOP AND FRONT END SHOP SAID TIE ROD AND BALL JOINT SNAPPED OFF CLEAN THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 5000 MILES ON IT, ALSO I HAVE ALL THE DAMAGED PARTS IF ANY BODY WANTS TO TEST THEM. *LA

Mileage: 5,400

WHEN HITTING ANY SIZE BUMP IN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE LOOSES CONTROL. DEALER STATES THAT UPPER CONTROL ARM BOLT MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

Mileage: 3,000

I KEEP HEARING A LOUD "BANG" AND LOUDING CREAKING NOISES IN THE FRONT END OF MY 2003 DODGE DAKOTA WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DODGE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY HAVEN'T FOUND ANYTHING. I KEEP TELLING THEM IT SOUNDS LIKE A CRACKED COIL SPRING OR BODY MOUNT. THEY SAID IF I BRING IT IN AGAIN AS WARRANTY WORK, THEN THEY'LL CHARGE ME FOR THE TIME. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNALS KEEP SHORTING OUT AND WHEN YOU TURN THE LEFT ONE ON, THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS COME ON. FINALLY, THE LEFT POWER WINDOW SLOWS DOWN EXCESSIVELY WHEN I ATTEMPT TO PUT THE WINDOW UP. IT GOES DOWN FINE, BUT IT WON'T GO UP AT NORMAL SPEED.*AK

Mileage: 3,000

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER WAS INJURIED AND TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL.A POLICE REPORT WAS DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC DETECTED THAT BOTH FRONTAL BALL JOINTS CRACKED. *AK

Mileage: 14,000

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER WAS INJURIED AND TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL.A POLICE REPORT WAS DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC DETECTED THAT BOTH FRONTAL BALL JOINTS CRACKED. *AK

Mileage: 14,000

WHILE DRIVING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE TIRES BOUNCED UP AND DOWN. *AK *CB *NLM

Mileage: 700