This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I have a 1997 Dodge Dakota sport with four wheel drive, a V8 engine and automatic transmission. I noticed my front tires wearing on the inside. I took the truck to the dealer on 12-20-01. I was told it needed lower ball joint and upper control arms. On 1-31-03 I returned to the dealer complaining of a vibration in the front end, again I was told it needed lower ball joints and upper control arms. Now I am noticing the tires wearing on the inside again and the dealer tells me it again needs upper ball joints but that the new redesigned parts are on backorder from the manufacturer. These failures have happened at ten thousand mile intervals, the first repair was at 46,261 the second at 56,125 and now it has 67,261 miles on it. This truck has never been off road and is used as a daily commuter vehicle. The problem at 46,261 miles is early for this type of failure but I guess it could happen however two more times in 21,000 miles is premature failure. I've worked in the automotive repair business for twenty five years and this is the first time I've had this type of problem on my own vehicles which are meticulusly maintained. This is definately a saftey issue as this can cause separation of the control arm from the steering knuckle.
Dealer replaced upper control arm and ball joints at 35000 miles, again was replaced at 80000. Dealer knew about the problems of the ball joints, but claimed they were still good and consumer could still drive although the ball joints were worn out prematurely.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lincoln, NE, USA