NHTSA Complaint #10064168 — 1999 DODGE DAKOTA

SINCE I BOUGHT THE DAKOTA I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH FRONT END ALIGNMENT, WERARING OF TIRES AND BREAKS AND OTHER ITEMS ASSOCIATED WITH SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. AS I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE HAS A WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END,CAUSING ABNORMAL WEAR ON THE TIRES STRESS ON THE BREAKS AND HIDEOUS NOISE. PRESENTLY THE WHEEL SOUNDS AS IF IT IS GOING TO FALL OFF MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AS I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD. I HAVE RECENTLY REPLACED THE FULL BREAK ASSEMBLY(ROTORS, SHOES,CALIPERS,BEARINGS ETC). THE NOISE IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. TH E NOIS MIGHT EVEN BE CONSIDERED A PUBLIC NUISANCE. THE NOISE IS SO BAD THAT INNOCENT PEDESTRAINS LOOK AT MY VEHICLE IN SHOCK AND AWE OF THE TERRIBLE RACKET AS I DRIVE PAST. THE DEALER CAIMS THAT I NEED CONTROL ARMS. THIS WILL COST QUITE A BIT IN ADDITION TO WHAT I HAVE ALREADY INVESTED IN THE DAKOTA (22K + REPAIRS TO SUSPENSION AND INTEREST). I COULD HAVE MADE A DECENT DOWN PAYMENT ON A NEW DODGE WITH WHAT I HAVE SPENT ON THE DAKOTAS FRONT END. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE ABOVE ISSUES AND BELIEVE THAT DODGE SHOULD DO THE RIGHT AND SAFE THING BY ISSUING A RECALL.. THE RECALL CANNOT COME SOON ENOUGH. AM I SAFE DRIVING THE DAKOTA? *AK