NHTSA Complaint #10142855 — 1999 DODGE DAKOTA

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. IT MADE LOUD POPPING AND SNAPPING SOUNDS WHEN MAKING TURNS. UPON INSPECTION THE UPPER BALL JOINT GREASE SEAL COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD UP AND DOWN PLAY, WHICH CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRES. BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MODEL YEARS 2000-2002 TWO WHEEL DRIVE ONLY. HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT COVER THIS MODEL YEAR. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 04V596000 CONCERNING UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS RECALL WAS FOR MODEL YEARS 2000-2002 FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MODELS ONLY. THE CONTACT FELT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OR RECALL SHOULD APPLY TO THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - THE OUTER TIE ROADS AND UPPER/LOWER BUSHINGS WERE ALSO REPLACED. *NM