While driving at 45 mph consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front end. Vehicle was taken to dealer and mechanic determined there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. Then, an independent repair shop indicated that ball joints needed to be replaced.

- Verona, WI, USA

2002 Dodge Dakota quad-cab 4X4 the upper and lower balljoints in the front end seem to be loose and causing excessive popping noises when I hit dips/bumps in the road or turn sharp. My truck only has 30,000 miles on it.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

While driving at 55 mph the driver could hear a loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The mechanic informed the driver both upper and lower ball joints needed replacing due to worn parts.

- Spencer, MA, USA

While driving at any speed and when turning corners, hit bumps, or simply turning the steering wheel, there was a distinct crunching sound in front of vehicle. Dealer examined the vehicle, and determined that the upper and lower ball joints needed replacement. Dealer replaced upper and lower ball joints.

- Pownal, VT, USA

While driving 65 mph, a rattling noise was heard coming from the front of the vehicle. The driver was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic replaced both upper and lower ball joints due to corrosion. Control arms were replaced as well. Consumer also stated that problem is similar to Dodge durango sport utility vehicle.

- Meridianville, AL, USA

2002 Dodge Dakota quad cab, had noise in front end starting at about 25000 miles. Complained to dealer at the following 2 oil changes about front end pulling to the right and noises in front end, diagnosed as "normal". finally, I told dealer that I would pay for a front end alignment, and both upper ball joints diagnosed as bad and needed to be replaced before the alignment could happen. Ball joints were replaced after a 4 week wait for the ball joints that were on "back order", 32,000 miles at replacement time.

- Marydel, MD, USA

While driving consumer heard a clanking noise coming from the front ball joints. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Madera, PA, USA

Four months ago while driving at 45 mph consumer heard noise coming through the front end. Vehicle was taken to the dealership, and technician determined nothing was wrong with the vehicle. Four months later and without warranty dealership indicated to the consumer the need to replace upper and lower ball joints.

- Bracey, VA, USA

While driving 30 mph consumer heard a noise coming from the front driver side wheel. Consumer took vehicle to dealer more than once, but problem still exists. Mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem.

- Milpitas, CA, USA

While driving at any speed a noise was heard from the front end. The dealer determined, that the upper and lower ball joints had to be replaced.

- Woodacre, CA, USA

While driving consumer heard a rough sound coming from the front. Vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the mechanic replaced the upper and lower ball joints on the right side.

- Northern Cambria, PA, USA

Vehicle was taken to dealer 4 times for popping and cracking sound heard in the front of vehicle when making turns. Also, consumer heard a popping and cracking noise when driving on bumpy roads. Ball joints were changed. However, after 500 miles the problem recurred.

- Gonzales, LA, USA

When making a left turn there was a popping noise in the steering. Dealership replaced the steering shaft sector, rack and pinion, and upper and lower ball joints.

- Malvern, AR, USA

Vehicle has definitive clunk when crossing over small bumps or turning tightly. Worn ball joints are to blame. Vehicle has 50,000 miles.

- Columbus, OH, USA

My 2002 Dodge Dakota sport 4X2 has approximately 15,200 miles on it. At approximately 13,000 miles I began to notice that the front end started to rattle and seem loose when going over bumps. After doing some research and having someone look at it, I found that the ball joints are failing prematurely.

- Charleston, SC, USA

Premature wear of ball joints on 2002 Dodge Dakota pickup. This wear could result in an accident if not repaired.

- Denham Springs, LA, USA

Consumer complained about a ball joint problem. Consumer took vehicle to dealer to have tires replaced when it was noticed that the ball joints were defective. The consumer stated that the grease was able to wash out and there was no place to grease the ball joints. The dealer failed to correct the problem.

- Independence, MO, USA

Vehicle = 2002 Dodge Dakota quad cab - V6 (currently @ 49,000 miles) took vehicle to independent mechanic for annual inspection and was told that both the upper and lower ball joints were worn excessively and would totally fail in approximately 1000 miles. After further investigation on numerous websites I have found this problem to be quite common and is what was causing the feeling of loss of control when hitting bumps in the road at speed, strange noises when turning slowly, and it also seems this is what could have led to my premature brake failures (which I had to have my rotors ground at approx 25K miles). I will be speaking to my dealer tomorrow directly - my girlfriend had called them for me because I was out of town for work and it sounds as though they are claiming they have never heard of the problem. This appears to be quite a common problem and had my mechanic not caught the problem doing the annual inspection it would have definitely caused an extreme safety hazard. Hopefully something is being done to remedy this problem. Thanks.

- Saltsburg, PA, USA

While having vehicle serviced for a brake issue dealership noticed that all four ball joints wore out prematurely, and the tie rods were defective. Dealership could only replace the upper ball joint, but was unable to replace the lower once due to part being on back order.

- Cadillac, MI, USA

Premature failure of upper lower ball joints. This started at 20K at which time I brought it into a dealership, but the "front end" guy was sick that day (how convient), so no one would look at the truck. Very loud popping noise from front end especially when turning at low speed on icy conditions. When turning sharp the wheel feels as if its about to colapes under itself. Very dangerous. Now that im over the 36K warrenty Dodge tells me I have to pay to have it fixed. I will never purchase a Dodge again. This is a life threatening condition should it fail. I have children and no longer feel safe transporting them in this vehicle. I cannot even trade it in untill I fix it as all the other car dealers are quite aware of this defect....help please!!!

- Ham Lake, MN, USA