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.
1999 Dodge Dakota had ball joints and tie rod ends replaced. Now the consumer has a problem with the brake line and wants to know about any recall information for this vehicle. The consumer was informed the brake line looked a little worn. Within a week after the ball joints and tie rods were replaced the brakes went out. The consumer returned to his mechanic and had the brake line replaced.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Dakota. While driving 15 mph or less, the contact heard a loud thumping noise underneath the front passenger side of the vehicle. The noise intensified whenever a turn was made. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the ball joints failed. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic and the front passenger side ball joints were replaced. The failure recurred years later and the upper ball joints were replaced at 59,244 miles. The contact believes that the Chrysler ball joints do not have greasers, which the new replacement ball joints have along with a lifetime warranty. He believes that the manufacturer should issue a recall. The first time the ball joints failed, the contact was forced to replace them with Chrysler parts. He believes that this is why they failed a second time. The failure mileage was 32,904 and current mileage is 59,244. Updated 05/26/09 the consumer replaced the ball joints at his expense. Updated 05/28/09.
My upper ball joints have failed on my 1999 Dodge Dakota ex cab. I have been informed of many similar failures from this year/make/model. I have read the recall on certain models of Dakotas with this failure. Will my vehicle be covered by this recall? I can supply any further vehicle information that is needed if necessary. Please advise, my vehicle is currently disabled due to this. Thankfully there was no crash, bodily harm, or other injuries. Thanks.
Ball joints for the 1998-2004 Dodge trucks were faulty, I could not believe after all the complaints received that nothing has ever been done about this faulty parts that could lead to serious injury or death. You could do a search for faulty ball joints on the web and there are thousands of complaints about these ball joints wearing out after sometimes 20,000 miles this is ridiculous and dangerous you guys should be ashamed for not holding Dodge responsible for fixing these especially when there was a recall for the 2000 model year. Yet no other years yet I am sure that they used that same ball joint for all of those model years.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Dakota. While driving 5 mph, the contact heard a clunking noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The dealer stated that the upper ball joint needed to be replaced and performed the repair. Approximately three years later, she experienced the same failure. There is recall # 04V596000 for the upper ball joints for model years 2000-2003. The contact feels that her vehicle should be included. The current mileage is 72,000 and failure mileage was 40,000.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the vehicle was not included in safety recall # 04V59600 due to the VIN, specifically for the Dodge durango. On March 16, 2007, while driving at 0-5 mph, the contact heard a clunking sound near the front of the vehicle. The following day, the clunking sound increased, and the contact noticed the front control arm upper ball joints were becoming detached from the vehicle. The contact would like the vehicle repaired under the safety recall. The current and failure mileage were 87,000.
- the contact states that on 12/14/06, he took his 1999 Jeep Dakota sport in for a tire alignment because his tires were wearing unevenly. The mechanic told him that he couldn't do the alignment because all four ball joints upper and lower had gone bad. The contact did state that he had heard about the recall on the Jeep Liberty's and was concerned about his vehicle because he has the same problem. The contact states that he did contact Chrysler corporation on 12/21/06 and was told his vehicle warranty had expired and it was his responsibility to repair the vehicle. The contact informed the Chrysler representative that he has only had the vehicle for 1 1/2 years. The representative took his complaint and gave him a reference # 15798865.
Safety recall NHTSA id 04V-596 not honored Dodge of bellevue 316 116 ave N.E bellevue, Washington 98004 (425) 454-8411 luke blackwell (425) 454 8411 general manager failed to honor recall even though his mechanic stated there is a front end ball joint problem with my 1999 Dodge Dakota VIN [xxx]. mechanic states- inner tie rods have excessive play. Rec replace left front lower ball joint has excessive play. Rec replace.Dodge of bellevue invoice [xxx]. subsequent inspection conveniently reports to the dealers advantage that the vehicle is in specification invoice [xxx]- please check and measure all 4 ball joints and advise need to contact Chrysler upon inspection with measurements. Check all 4 ball joint all with specs -left front upper.010'' -lower.05'' right upper.020'' lower.010 all with in spc's right front upper has the most movement but is with in specs. File # with Chrysler is [xxx]. I feel that Chrysler is playing a numbers game with me - I want Chrysler to replace the ball joints. Updated 07/16/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
: the contact stated while having routine maintenance, the dealership determined the upper and lower ball joints were loose and needed to be replaced. There was a NHTSA recall, # 04V596000, regarding the upper ball joint; however, it was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
This web site under vehicle doesn't have the correct choices for a 98 Dodge Dakota 2 door club cab truck - manufacturer Chrysler 2 issue 1 - design flaw in the ball joints of the dadge Dakota trucks a) we replaced them April 2003 cost to us $1107.89 B) tv special aired about defects Dec 2003 and Dec 2004 C) looking for reimbersment - old part not available 2 - catalytic converter a) having our third catalytic converter replaced - known defect but Chrysler will not cover the cost. Replacement scheduled for 3/28/06.
When the contact took vehicle to dealer for inspection. The dealer determined that the upper ball joints wore out. This problem constantly recurred with this type of vehicle. Repairs have been made T at the contact's expense.
1999 Dodge Dakota, 87,000 miles Dodge dealership states upper and lower ball joints (front left and right) need replacement before front end alignment can be done. Also right hub bearing recently replaced. Normal highway driving, no accidents.
99 Dodge Dakota steering felt loose and wandered at highway speeds, I took it in for a alignment, technician informed me upper and lower ball joints and 1 tie rod were worn past spec, had to be replaced. The truck only has 34000 miles on it!, is in mint shape, and never driven offroad. I understand Chrysler recalled 2000+ up Dakota/durango for ball joint problems, what about 97-99 models? same vehicle/ same problem. Can you say rip-off.
The contact stated the upper and lower ball joints along with the tie rod assembly wore out so badly that it almost caused an an accident. The dealership told him that it was not covered under the recall for the ball joints because his VIN was not included. The NHTSA recall 04V596000 was issued he had the ball joints replaced, and was seeking reimbursement, but because of his VIN not being included they would not reimburse. Updated 12/27/2005 -
1999 Dodge Dakota ball joint and tie rods. Ball joints are separating and tie rods are bad just like the recall for the 2000-2004 models why wasn't this extended to the 1999 model. I have 78000 miles on this truck that I bought in Aug 05.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Williamsport, PA, USA