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 recently had my truck in for pre-winter maintenance check, my mechanic said three out of the four ball joints are bad and need replacing. Also, when I do have them replaced I may as well do all four because he has seen "a lot" of Dakotas with ball joints going bad. I was told that it would cost $490 to have them replaced. With just over 58K miles, rarely driven off of blacktop, and given the recently publicity by the news media, it's obvious that there is a problem here. I find this to be justification for a recall or at the very least a manufacturers re-imbersement for the cost of the parts.
I have a 1999 Dodge Dakota with 29,985 miles. I bought it new. The ball joints are in bad shape. The dealer (russell Dodge - now under new ownership) says they expect a recall to occur on this as this is a common problem. But they keep telling me to wait. I am very concerned about my safety. I have emailed Chrysler twice, but all they say is that there is no current recall. Are they waiting for injuries or deaths" I see numerous complaints on the web about these ball joints breaking. Is NHTSA doing anything about this? is Chrysler doing anything about it" also, I just bought 4 new Michelin tires to replace the dangerous Goodyear tires that came with this vehicle. Not replacing all the ball joints could ruin these expensive tires and void their warrantee. In the "incident date" box below, I have entered todays date, but this has been an ongoing problem over many months. Please help.
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.
- Wichita Falls, TX, USA
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I have a 1999 Dodge Dakota with bad ball joints. The problem occurred with only 52,000 miles on the truck. It is driven on paved roads 98% of the time and never off road. This is a safety problem. The truck was built without a way to grease the joints.. a major error. Something needs to be done.
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.
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 noticed a slight squeak coming from the front left wheel on or around the first of December. As the squeak began to get more pronounced I figured I should check for worn or damaged suspention parts. Not long after this thought I saw the report on cbs reguarding the investigation of the upper ball joints on the Dodge durangos and Dakotas. Guess what...I drive a 1999 Dodge Dakota with very worn out upper ball joints at just over 37,000 miles. I will replace them and keep them for the impending recall that you will order. After all with out you the manufactures would continue to cut costs and cost lives.
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.
While driving a noise was heard coming from the front end of the vehicle, and the steering became difficult. Dealer determined the upper ball joints were worn out and replaced them.
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.
While driving, the consumer heard popping sounds coming from the wheel area. During an inspection, the mechanic found that the upper ball joints were severely worn.
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.
On 11/21/01 I took my Dakota in to cumberland ave. Garage for inspection. I usually go to lee auto mall. I was in a hurry to get the truck inspected so I went to cumberland garage. I came upon a repair order from cumberland ave. Garage. Aside from some minor repairs they had listed both upper ball joints as needing repair. At $298.74. I ended up taking my truck to lee auto mall in westbrook (me.) they never mentioned the ball joints had a problem. Note the date of the repair order from cumberland garage as being 2001. This means lee Dodge let me drive a vehicle that wasn't safe since 2001! I brought my truck in to lee Dodge this past summer. I was told both my ball joints and upper control arms needed to be replaced!the cost was $900. I mentioned I knew at just46K mls. It was unusual for a vehicle to have ball joints that needed replacement. I said this type of problem usually didn't occur until about 100K miles. I was told this was untrue. Also note when cumberland garage noticed my truck needed ball joints repaired my truck had only about 37K miles. 11/04/03 I had a minor accident.the short of it : I lost control of my tires. My wheel would turn but my front tires would not respond and my rear tires were stuck/spinning on piles of wet leaves. I stepped on the gas while trying to turn my vehicle and the gas did not respond. My break went to the floor and then all of a sudden my truck thrust forward and hit my brothers car. I have had a lot of trouble sleeping just thinking about what could have happened to me, someone I love or someone else just because lee Dodge wanted to squeeze money out of me. Or because Chrysler did not want to tell their customers they had put faulty parts in their trucks. I suppose I should contact a lawyer with regards to this matter. I am very upset I have been driving a vehicle that may have caused an accident at any time! do you have any advice for me?
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Urbandale, IA, USA