(1) front end making a popping noise. When I turned. Truck was still under warranty dealership kept saying it was brake noise. (2)upper and lower ball joint failure, ball joints were rusted out, (3)all 4 ball joints replaced at my expense, when truck was barely out of warranty.

- Rockmart, GA, USA

I heard a clicking noise from the front end and a low pitched growl fromn the rear end. I brought the vehicle into the dealer, who determined that at 35,428 miles theat it needed two upper ball joints and a new differential (rear end). Vehicle is a 1998 Dodge Dakota 4WD.

- Shelter Island Heigh, NY, USA

Purchased truck in 1998 and in 2001 at 48000 miles had to replace upper and lower ball joints in the front end on both sides and I think I am going to have to replace them again and mileage is over 99000. I also made two other complaints for both front calipers seizing on this website. I would have made complaints sooner, but just found out about this site. I wanted to make complaints after hearing about the problems with the Dodge Dakota and durango model year 2000 and up with their ball joints.

- Biddeford, ME, USA

1998 Dodge/Dakota has same problem as 2000-2003. Upper ball joints problems. Consumer wants to know why are you excluding 1998 when the problem existed in the 1998.

- Washington, DC, USA

While driving heard a loud squeaking noise. Driver noticed while turning the steering wheel a clanking noise would follow. Driver took vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that upper ball joints needed needed to be replaced.

- Bolingbrook, IL, USA

Dodge Dakota 1998 front end has failed. Consumer wants to know why the recall info doesn't include the '98 model year. The vehicles front wheel could have fallen off at anytime because the ball joints were so bad.

- Washington, DC, USA

Left and right side upper and lower ball joints severely worn. Dust boots torn and no grease fittings (suppose to be lifetime lubricated). Replaced with after market ones with grease fittings. Vehicle only has 64,700 miles.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

Upper ball joints prematurely worn out due to lubrication being washed out (same problem as detailed in NHTSA campaign id number 04V596000, but my vehicle is a 1998 model and this campaign is for 2000 and newer).

- Roxbury, CT, USA

Popping sound was coming from left front of vehicle. Dealership found that upper and lower ball joints were bad and the vehicle could not be driven without immediate replacement. Had service work done for $1500. Considering the problem is obviously related to the same issue that sparked the recall notice in later model Dakotas, I feel I should be reimbursed for the repairs.

- Fargo, ND, USA

Bad ball joints on 1998 Dodge Dakota sport, VIN [xxx], 41,300 miles, discovered at pa state annual safety inspection. Updated 07/24/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Hanover, PA, USA

Had to replace upper and lower balljoints and outer tie rod ends.

- Eutawville, SC, USA

1. excessive drifting back and forth in the lane I was driving in. Uneven tire wear. 2. service tech said that I was lucky a wheel didn't come of while driving. 3. replacement of upper and lower ball joints on my 98 Dodge dokota sport.

- Saginaw, MI, USA

I have a 1998 Dakota 4X4, making suspicious noises in front end. Took to alignment shop where I was told that all ball joints and tie rods needed replacement badly, as, according to shop owner, the wear was so extensive that the truck was dangerous to drive. Truck was repaired on 12/01/ 2004. This truck has never been an off-road used vehicle, hwy. Miles only. I was also told by the shop owner that he has recently been receiving same complaint and need for repair by an unusually high number of Dakota and durango owners. Recall for 2000-2003 vehicles as released by the media occurred after my truck was repaired.

- Stoddard, WI, USA

My husband and I own a 1998 Dodge Dakota, VIN [xxx]. we have had numerous problems with this vehicle, beginning in the second year of our lease. During the past four years, we have spent approximately $9,000 on vehicle repairs including a new transmission, new engine, new starter, new wheel baring, new brake caliper, new heater core and new water pump. The catalytic converter and alternator have been replaced twice and two O2 sensors have been replaced. The air conditioner has been repaired four times. While these repairs have been costly and inconvenient, none of them has posed a safety concern per SE. I am writing now to complain about our most recent vehicle failure which most certainly is a safety issue. On November 18, 2004, my husband was driving approximately 35 mph when his front driver side tire broke off from the axle. The tire fell on its side and the truck landed on the tire. The steering wheel locked up, and the truck skidded to a stop in the left turn lane. My husband had no control of the truck. When we took the truck to our mechanic, he found that the passenger side wheel was near the breaking point as well and replaced that axle as well. We are still driving on the two front tires, but we were informed that we should get an alignment and probably have the tires replaced as well. We understand that Dodge has recalled the 2000-2003 Dakotas for this same defect. We believe that our vehicle should also be covered under this recall. Updated 07/24/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Lowell, MI, USA

I have replaced the ball joints twice now on my 1998 Dodge Dakota in the past four years. On a recent visit to my mechanic for an oil change, I was advised that I will again need to replace my ball joints and that one in particular was close to failure and was unsafe. In his words: "you got lucky. This could have failed at any time." I have scheduled another appointment to once again replace my ball joints.

- Chatham, MI, USA

My 1998 Dodge Dakota 4X4 5.2L club cab truck had the front ball joints fail on me. I know there is now a recall for 2000 to current models, but what about the 98? it's the same problem. I have 89000 miles on it currently.

- Naperville, IL, USA

When turning or driving at low speeds there was a dry shuttering noise in the front end. Took vehicle to dealership for inspection, and dealership indicated that the upper/lower ball joints were defective and needed to be replaced. Parts were replaced. Failure recurred 3 years later on upper ball joints only. Control arm, ball joint, and tie rods were replaced again at 136,807.

- Anoka, MN, USA

During inspection consumer was informed that driver/passenger upper ball joints wore out. Dealership repaired the problem.

- Pembroke, VA, USA

Consumer stated upper ball joints wore out prematurely. The protective coating broke, which allowed dirt onto the ball joints.......also, dealer replaced wheel bearing, and performed throttle body service.

- Santa Cruz, CA, USA

While pulling into the driveway upper ball joints failed. As a result, front driver's side wheel fell off, and the front end collapsed.

- Merrimack, NH, USA