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, a loud noise was heard coming from the front end of the vehicle. Upon having the vehicle inspected, the mechanic determined that the ball joints needed to be replaced. The ball joint were worn. The upper and lower joints were loose and noisy, and the front brakes had rusted.
Replacement of ball joints and additional parts that were wornout, and the truck had only 68,000 miles, $900 repair costs, definitely a hazard that could have been averted by the manufacturer, and I would like reimbursemnt for my problem that alot of vehicles of Chrysler-dailmer Dodge Dakota P/uhas had.
While driving at any speed and when making a turn heard a knocking noise coming from the front end. Consumer could pull the steering wheel with his hands and hear a knocking sound in the steering column. Dealer examined the vehicle twice and found nothing wrong. An alignment shop while attempting to realign the tires found that the upper ball joints were worn out.
During replacing brakes on 1999 Dodge Dakota 4X4 V8, (brake equipment froze on one side), mechanic heard noises and found that both upper ball joints were severely worn and in his opinion, ready to seperate (drivers side being worst). Veh. Has 70,000 miles and is in very good condition. The mechanic believes this to be unusual and abnormal wear to the vehicle. The ball joints are going to be replaced to avoid any hazardous driving conditions and I will save the parts if you request for later examination.
Premature wear to upper and lower ball joints on 1999 Dodge Dakota. Dealership quoted $1000 to fix! I put new tires on the truck and they were unable to do an allignment because of this problem. It's seems very unsafe.
- North Royalton, OH, USA
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Faulty ball joints and bushings in the front suspension failed before 50,000 miles. This could create a condition where the front wheel assembly breaks off from the vehicle and cause a major accident.
Dealership has told me that the front ball joints on my Dodge Dakota are bad. When I asked if this was normal with only 56,000 miles on a vehicle they became very evasive and would not give an answer. I asked if Chrysler was helping their customers on this issue. I was told they were taking care of some of them but they would not help me. The first 2 years I had this vehicle it was in the shop 23 times for repairs. I had to go through arbitration twice while the vehicle was still under warranty because Chrysler regional manager told the dealership not to work on it anymore. They refused to honor the factory warranty. Now they want $1,100 to repair a defect that requires $150 worth of parts.
Car became difficult to steer. Next day took it to a repair shop. They diagnosed problem as ball joints.both are completely worn out should have been replaced a long time ago. Repair estimate $1,000. This is a 1999 Dodge Dakota pickup truck.
Upper and lower ball joints were severely worn out. While pulling onto shop parking lot to be repaired the upper ball joint on the passenger side separated.
While driving consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership, and mechanic determined that the right upper ball joint failed. Lower ball joint was recommended by the dealer that it needed replacement. In addition, wheel bearing were replaced.
While driving at any speed, the consumer can feel a wobble and hear a rattling sound coming from the front of the vehicle. Also the front tires began to wear out unevenly. A dealer examined the vehicle and found that all of the ball joints were worn. Vehicle has been in and out for repairs for ball joints, and vehicle only had 20,000 miles.
Within the past 2 weeks, I saw a news story on either the today or early show regarding the safety problems with ball joints on Dodge durangos and Dakotas. I started noticing a problem with my 1999 Dakota last year and fortunately had it checked out before it caused an accident. I ended up having both the left and right upper ball joints replaced.
Due to news info concerning Dodge dakato ball joint failures, we took our 1999 Dodge Dakota, with 52,000 total miles on it, to our local dealer to have the ball joints checked on March 15, 2004. We were informed by their shop that they are bad and ready to fail and should be replaced. Their quote to replace them is $775.37!!! this is premature failure and there should be a recall!
I along with everyone else that owns a late model (1998-2002) Dodge Dakota or durango have been told I need to replace my ball joints. Since damler Chrysler is being flooded with complaints about the weak material used in these model years I feel it is their responcability to fix the weak componants.
While driving vehicle became uncontrollable and hard to maintain. Also, the ride was very bumpy due to defective upper and lower ball joints. Consumer took the vehicle to dealer for repairs at 80,000 miles.
According to the dealer service department, both lower ball joints on my 1999 Dakota are failing and need replacement at 35,700 miles. Upper left ball joint failed and was replaced in December, 2003 when I had new tires put on and the tire dealer was unable to do an allignment due to the poor condition of the ball joint.
While driving a rattling noise was heard coming from the front driver side wheel. Consumer noticed that both front wheels were loose. Driver side tire had stress marks inside and outside. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that both upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Port Byron, NY, USA