NHTSA Complaint #10112576 — 1999 DODGE DAKOTA

ON FEBRUARY 6, 2004 MY 1999 DODGE DAKOTA HAD BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES REPLACED BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE WEAR AND DETERIORATION. THE TRUCK HAD 46,500 MILES AT THAT TIME AND IS DRIVEN UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. IT IS NOT USED COMMERCIALLY. THE COST FOR REPAIRS CAME TO $1078. SUBSEQUENTLY, ON MARCH 4, 2005 I HAD TO HAVE TO HAVE MY UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED ON BOTH SIDES, AGAIN BECAUSE OF WEAR AND DETERIORATION. THE COST TO REPAIR WAS $338. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE ORIGINAL BALL JOINTS USED BY DODGE ARE SUFFICIENTLY LACKING IN QUALITY, AND SO ARE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS, AS WELL. *AK