NHTSA Complaint #10102729 — 2000 DODGE DAKOTA

I HAVE A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA 2WD CLUB CAB PICKUP. THE BALL JOINT ON THE UPPER RIGHT SIDE WENT BAD AT 60000 MILES. I KNOW THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION INVOLVING THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE VERSION OF THIS TRUCK AND I WAS WANTING TO SHOW THAT THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE 2WD VERSION ALSO. ON FIRST INSPECTION BY THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THE BALL JOINT WAS NOT BAD. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE MECHANIC WORKING ON THE TRUCK DID NOT KNOW YOU COULDN'T CHECK BALL JOINT WEAR WHILE THE TRUCK WAS ON A TWIN POST LIFT WITH THE WHEEL HANGING FREE. AFTER I SHOWED THEM HOW TO DO IT THEY AGREED IT WAS BAD. AFTER CALLING DODGE THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I BOUGHT THE PART FROM THEM AND DID THE REPAIR MYSELF. I CALLED DODGE MYSELF AND THEY HAVE OFFERED TO REIMBURSE THE PART COST IF I SEND IN THE INVOICE. *JB