NHTSA Complaint #10098619 — 2000 DODGE DAKOTA

I HAVE A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. ON NOVEMBER 2,2004 WHILE DRIVING ON CITY SIDE STREETS THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK TO ARRIVE, I CALLED THE DODGE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAD MY VECHILE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO DID MOST OF THE REPAIRS (TOTALING ABOUT $1,300). HE HANDED ME A BOX WITH THE BALL JOINTS FROM MY VEHICLE AND TOLD ME TO HANG ONTO THEM. THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT ON BOTH SIDES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UPPER BALL JOINT LOSING ALL IT'S GREASE (THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SEALED UNIT!), CAUSING UNDO STRESS ON THE JOINT UNTIL IT EVENTUALLY SHEARED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. I STILL HAVE TO TAKE MY VEHICLE IN FOR SOME REPAIRS THAT NEED TO BE COMPLETED (CV BOOT REPLACEMENT AND A TIE ROD THAT IS TWISTED) - WHICH IS ESTIMATED TO BE AN ADDITIONAL $400. I DO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS - ALL IN VARYING DEGREES OF DEFECTIVE DAMAGE ALONG WITH PHOTOS OF THE VEHICLE AT THE PLACE OF THE ACCIDENT. PHOTOS INCLUDE CLOSE UP SHOTS OF THE WHEEL AND BALL JOINT. I HAVE WRITTEN A LETTER TO DODGE CORPORATION AS I FEEL THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THE PARTS WERE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE. THIS IS ALSO A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AS IF THIS WHEEL HAD FALLEN OFF MY VEHICLE JUST 2 MILES SOONER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELING AT 65 MPH COMING DOWN THE HIGHWAY FROM THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS! THE WRECK WOULD HAVE ALMOST CERTAINLY KILLED ME!! THE WRECK WOULD HAVE ALSO TAKEN OUT ANY VEHICLES TRAVELING NEAR ME! THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY RISK.