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.
While driving consumer heard a loud noise coming from rear. Took vehicle to the dealer for analysis, and mechanic noticed that both upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to corrosion.
Three of the four upper and lower ball joints on my '99 Dakota R/T have prematurely failed causing two control arm bushings and the front two tires to wear to the point of replacement.
The steering felt loose when driving over bumps in the road. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who determined the lower ball joints were worn and needed to be replaced. The mechanic contacted the consumer's insurance company and received authorization to replace the left and right lower ball joints. Prior to the ball joints being replaced the vehicle was taken to the dealer twice for loose steering, but they could not duplicate the problem.
Following a news report documenting upper ball joint failure in Dodge products, we had our 1999 Dodge Dakota inspected. It has been found that the lower ball joints were completely eroded and needed immediate replacement.
My 1999 Dodge Dakota needed ball joints and numerous other front end and steering components at only 30000 miles. In my opinion, this was due to a lack of lubrication because there are no grease fittings on my truck's ball joints. If I had not caught this in time, I could have been killed when my wheels fell off. I am concerned that as my truck ages, this problem will reoccur because the replacement parts used were identical to the original part that failed. I have met numerous other Dodge Dakota owners who have had similar problems. Please help us.
- Woodinville, WA, USA
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The early wear out of the ball joints on my 1999 Dodge Dakota. It was noticed three years after I bought the 4X4 truck when I had new tires put on it. The sears mechanic said he could not align the tires because the ball joints were so bad they needed relplaced. I took it to the Dodge dealer to have the seat belt recall fixed and he told me the same thing and it was not covered under the warranty at that time. There was a time when the steering locked up in a parking lot doing a full right turn. I took it to the dealer and he couldn't find anything wrong. So I thought I'd file a complaint because this is long over due. Thank you..... dan.
I recently had to have the lower ball joints on both side of truck replaced. One of the ball joints was completely disintegrated. The other was well on its way to the same. I bought the truck new and have a documented record of regular maintenance that I have had performed. I am reporting this to you because I recently found out that several other customers have had the same issue. I love my truck, but, if there are issues that need to be resolved I feel Dodge should take the initiative before people are hurt or killed. Please do the right thing and get these vehicles repaired.
I own a 1999 Dodge Dakota sport 4X4 and I needed to have the ball joints (upper and lower) and tie rods replaced at 67,000 miles. I found out that they needed to be replaced because I was having brand new tires installed, and when new tires are installed I figured it would be good to get an alignment as well. The mechanice said he couldn't give the truck an alignment because the ball joints were too loose - and this is a very reputable mechanic here in town, so I knew I wasn't getting taken for a ride. So, for a cost of $1,052 I had to have the ball joints and tie rods replaced. The mechanic did say it was not a safety issue as of yet, but after seeing in the news recently with all the other Dakotas/durangos having this problem, I wonder how much longer I could have gone before it was a safety issue, so I'm glad I had them replaced, but am thinking the truck should be recalled and the joints replaced not with the same joints, but with a better designed one.
Wanted to let you know that according to abc news and my personal experience that Dodge Dakota owners are also experiencing premature ball joint failures.
Consumer took vehicle to an independent repair shop for regular maintenance, and the technician indicated the need to be replace the catalytic converter and the lower ball joint.
While traveling consumer heard noise coming from the front of the truck. Consumer took vehicle to dealer to have it serviced. Consumer was told that the ball joints needed to be replaced.
I have a 1999 Dodge Dakota club cab 4X4 that had 32,000 miles on it when the lower front tie rod went out while I was driving down the road. I had to get the inner and outer tie rods and lower ball joints replaced. The vehicle is out of warranty by time but not the mileage. With this incident, it's the mileage that puts the wear on this particular problem not time. I have notified Chrysler about the problem and that I wanted to be reimbursed for the cost of the repair. I was told no. The bottom line is that this particular problem shouldn't be happening at such a low mileage rate. I want Chrysler to stand behind their product, not line their pockets with unnecessary repair costs.
While driving a noise was heard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined the lower right ball joints and stabilizer bushings were worn out and needed to replaced.
Left front control arm defective before 30,000 miles. Now at 115,000 miles both right and left upper and lower ball joints are bad. Dodge fixed this to replace all control arms with new. $1800.oo repair. Is this going to be a recall like the other durango's?
Dealer replaced twice both upper and lower ball joints, also, the transfer case was replaced. Dealer notified. 1999 Dodge Dakota has had the following repairs peformed: Replacement of transfer case, upper and lower ball joints, wheel bearings, right hub assembly, right rotor, right axle assembly, and front shocks.
I own a 1999 Dodge Dakota. I recently had new tires put on. The dealer said he couldn't align the front end because the ball joints (upper and lower) were too worn. The truck has 85000 mostly highway miles. Considering the tv story on Dakotas and durangos, thought I'd let you know.
Northtown Dodge of tonawanda,2020 niagara falls blvd, tonawanda, NY tel#7166927200, told me the squeak in my '99 Dodge Dakota (53,372 miles) was the failure of both upper and lower ball joints. They charged me a total of $1,870 for the job in July '03. $1,048 was for parts alone. They insisted that the ball joint connecting arms are one piece with each ball joint. Since then I called the same dealer's parts dept. Requesting information on replacement parts costs. That dept. Told me that daimler Chrysler has produced replacement parts at the cost of $100 each because they realize that the ball joints in both the Dakota and durangos have a frequent failure record. Northtown Dodge service dept. Did not inform me of those parts availability or even existence and did not afford me the opportunity to save over $640 in parts alone. I feel that they lied and cheated me and probably others with no warranty.
Own a 1999 Dodge Dakota 4WD. Ball joints and idler arm going bad. Vehicle has 56,000 miles. Noticed noise arising from front suspension and loosening at around 40,000 miles, but did not know till around 53,000 miles when a mechanic brought it to my attention while it was at an alignment shop. These parts, I was advised, should not be wearing till around 130,000 miles. Two people at my work also own these vehicles, one person owns a 2wd Dakota, another owns a 4WD durango. Both persons are having the same problems with ball joints as well.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Boonville, MO, USA