NHTSA Complaint #10098693 — 2001 DODGE DAKOTA

THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA EXTENDED CAB 4X4 PICKUP HAVE HAD MASSIVE DETERIORATION WITH ONLY 17,500 MILES ON THEM. THEY CAUSE TREMENDOUS STEERING AND TRACKING PROBLEMS, AND HAVE CAUSED ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS. BECAUSE THESE CANNOT BE LUBRICATED OR ADJUSTED, THEY MUST BE REPLACED. I WILL EITHER DO THESE REPAIRS MYSELF IN THE NEAR FUTURE OR HAVE THEN DONE AT A QUALIFIED GARAGE, BUT I WILL SAVE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING EXCESSIVE WITH THE VEHICLE SUCH AS OFF-ROADING, TRAILERING, HEAVY LOADS, OR ANY "NON-STANDARD" USE. ALL EQUIPMENT (TIRES INCLUDED) ON THE TRUCK IS FACTORY, I.E. NO AFTERMARKET MODIFICATIONS THAT WOULD CAUSE NON-STANDARD LOADS OR STRESSES. THIS TYPE OF PREMATURE FAILING AT ONLY 17,500 MILES IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, AND FROM MY RESEARCH I UNDERSTAND IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE YEAR AND MODEL OF VEHICLE.*JB