2000 DODGE DAKOTA Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Ball Joint Problems

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN HE DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. HE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER BALL JOINT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE UPPER BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER PERFORMED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND STATED THAT THE FRONT END WAS OUT OF SYMMETRY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LOWER BALL JOINTS, ROTORS, CALIPERS, AND TIRES. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 101,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NOISE FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND VIBRATION FROM STEERING WHEEL. SOUNDS AS IF POWER STEERING PUMP WAS LOW ON FLUID. MAKES A LOAD NOISE WHEN STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. DROVE SHORT DISTANCE TO REPAIR FACILITY AND WAS SHOCKED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSES HAD SPLIT. ALSO THE RACK AND PINION STEERING WILL HAVE TO BE REBUILT IF POSSIBLE IF NOT REPLACED. ALSO A BOOT WAS TORN AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. WORK HAS NOT BEEN STARTED AS I FIND IT IS NECESSARY TO GET MORE THAN ONE ESTIMATE. THE LOCAL GARAGE WANTS IN EXCESS OF $1200 FOR THE REPAIRS WHILE THE DEALER WANTS OVER $2000. APPROXIMATELY 12 MONTHS AGO I HAD THE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND HAD TO GET A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AT AN EXTRA CHARGE. NO VISUAL SIGNS OF WEAR WAS NOTICED. *JB

FELT 'CLUNKING' NOISES THROUGH STEERING WHEEL. DURING ANNUAL MASSACHUSETTS VEHICLE INSPECTION IN AUGUST 2006 TRUCK FAILED ON FRONT SUSPENSION TEST. TOOK TO WCS AUTOMOTIVE IN ROCKLAND, MA. MECHANIC DETERMINED BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. TOTAL REPAIR BILL WAS $809.56. OLD (ORIGINAL) PARTS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. *JB

I OWN A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA 2WD. THERE ARE DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT END. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 4WD DAKOTAS, HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL FOR THE BALL JOINTS ON THE 2WD MODELS. THERE WAS AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY" THAT WAS SILENTLY (AS IN I NEVER KNEW THERE WAS AN ISSUE) ON THE BALL JOINTS ON THE 2WD MODELS. I HAVE HAD 6 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS TROUBLE WITH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE (I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW 07/2000). AS IN I HAVE REPLACED THE ROTORS ON THE FRONT END AT LEAST EVERY 3 MONTHS FOR THE FIRST 18 MONTHS OF OWNING IT. I HAVE HAD IT ALIGNED (FRONT AND REAR ALIGNMENTS) OVER A HALF DOZEN TIMES. ALL WORK DONE IN THE FIRST 18 MONTHS WAS DONE AT THE DEALER, WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN, AND PROBABLY WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. AFTER 18 MONTHS OF...

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL (04V-596000)THAT CAUSED POSSIBLE COLLISION AND DEATH OF PASSENGER. *TS *NM

2000 DODGE DAKOTA CONSTANT MECHANICAL FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF ROTORS, BRAKE PADS, AND BALL JOINTS THEY USE. THEY USE INFERIOR PRODUCTS THAT DO NOT LAST ON A VEHICLE BASED ON NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. HAVE TO CONSTANTLY REPLACE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ABOUT EVERY 20,000 MILES. THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. DODGE PRODUCTS FROM THE EARLIER YEARS REALLY SUCK. I AM NOT SURE ABOUT THE NEWEST MODELS SUCH AS 2004 AND 2005. *NM

2000 DODGE DAKOTA RECALL #119667 (UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT). I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO GET THE RECALL PERFORMED AND I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO PAY FOR AN ALIGNMENT TO SET CASTER, THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE TOE ADJUSTMENT IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT NOT THE CASTER, DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGREES WITH THEM. I HAVE BEEN IN THE BUSINESS OF REPAIRING CARS FOR 18 YEARS AND 99% OF VEHICLES THAT HAVE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED NEED A CASTER ADJUSTMENT. DODGE NEEDS TO INCLUDE THIS IN THE RECALL AND GIVE THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE PAID FOR THIS ADJUSTMENT THEIR MONEY BACK. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE FOR THE UPPER BALL JOINTS AND THAT AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WHICH WOULD COST $60. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE'S ALIGNMENT BEFORE THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE. *NM *JB

2000 DODOGE DAKOTA - IMMEDIATE, CATASTOPHIC FAILUE OF UPPER BALL JOINT. VEHICLE OPERATED FINE JUST DAYS BEFORE THEN SUDDENLY LOUD CLUNKOMG AND STEERING PULL TO THE RIGHT. TANDARD AUTO PARTS HOUSES DO NOT CARRY THE PROPER PARTS - CITING DODGE SAYS YOU MUST REPLACE THE ENTIRE LOWER CONTROL ARM.*AK

'RECALL CAMPAIGN' DODGE DAKOTA 2000, CONSUMER REPLACED BALL JOINTS . *BF THE CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED BY PHONE THAT HE WOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE BALL JOINTS WHICH FAILED. THE TIE RODS ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED AND CONSUMER FEELS HE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THAT AS WELL. *NM

WHILE SERVICING VEHICLE FOR NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 CONCERNING UPPER BALL JOINTS IT WAS DETERMINED THAT INNER TIE RODS WERE BAD DUE TO WEAR.*AK

' RECALL CAMPAIGN' ISSUED FOR 2000 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 FOR UPPER BALL JOINTS, PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF RECALL# 04V596000. *SC *JB

NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000. CONCERNING BALL JOINTS. LITHI DODGE, 425-255-7220. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN, BUT THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE FELL OFF AT 55 MPH. *AK

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE REPAIR SHOP FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE UPPER AND THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB CONSUMER BELIEVE 2 WHEEL DRIVE AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE DODGE DAKOTA TRUCKS HAVE THE SAME FRONT BALL JOINTS, THEREFORE REPAIRS SHOULD BE PAID FOR UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL. *BF *NM

ALL THE BALLJOINTS ON MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 2WD WITH 51,000 MILES, HAVE GONE BAD. THE LOWERS I REPLACED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL OR NOTICE OF EXTENDED WARRANTY. WHILE REPLACING THE LOWERS, ONE THE THE DUST BOOTS FELL OFF THE UPPER BALL JOINT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I THEN INSPECTED THE BOOT TO FIND THAT THERE WAS DRIED GREASE(FLAKY) AND THE BALLJOINT WAS EXTREMELY EASY TO ROTATE BY HAND. I THEN REALIZED THAT THE BOOT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COME OFF ON ITS OWN. SO I CALLED TWO LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIPS AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE. THEY EXPLAINED THAT EVEN THOUGH THE BOOT CAME OFF(AND DID CONFIRM IT SHOULD NOT HAVE), AND THAT THE GREASE MAYBE DRIED OUT, THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE BALLJOINT UNTIL IT ACTUALLY HAS PLAY IN IT. NOW I KNOW THAT WITHOUT GREASE, THE BALLJOINT WILL WEAR OUT FASTER, AND THAT...

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING ALSO FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK

RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. UNABLE TO GET THE DEALER TO HONOR THE RECALL. CONSUMER STATED, IT HAS BEEN OVER THREE MONTHS. *AK

I OWN A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 WHICH HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2000-2003 BALL JOINTS PROBLEMS. CONSUMER WANTS THE VEHICLE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *BF THE FRONT END FELT LOOSE WITH SHAKING AND CLUNKING NOISES. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 *SC *JB

DEALER HAS NOT HAD PARTS FOR THREE WEEKS. THIS IS FOR NHTSA'S RECALL # 04V596000 REGARDING BALL JOINTS. *NM

ON THE EVENING OF NOVEMBER 4, 2004, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE ASSEMBLY OF MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK FELL OFF. MY 17 YEAR OLD SON WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO THE DRIVEWAY OF A FRIEND'S HOME WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG. WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK HE FOUND THE RIGHT FRONT-END OF THE TRUCK RESTING ON THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY. THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THAT I USE FOR CAR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR. UPON ARRIVAL AT THE REPAIR SHOP, THE SHOP OWNER TOLD ME THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINT HAD FAILED. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE LOWER BALL JOINT AND OUTER TIE ROD WERE ALSO DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. BASED UPON THE MILEAGE ON THE TRUCK, THE SHOP OWNER TOLD ME THAT THE BALL JOINT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. TOTAL COST TO REPAIR THE UPPER...

I HAVE HAD WOBBLING ON THE FREEWAY AND HAD TO REPLACE BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS AND ONE LOWER ONE TO GET THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. MY 2000 4X2 DAKOTA ONLY HAS 45,000 MILES ON IT AND I REPLACED THE FIRST JOINT AT 38,000. I HAVE SENT A LETTER TO CHRYSLER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR PARTS AND LABOR AND AM AWAITING A RESPONSE. *NM

THE STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION STATION WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. THE INSPECTOR INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED THE INSPECTION BECAUSE BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL.*AK

THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. *AK

NHTSA RECALL 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE NEXT AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT WOULD BE MAY 07, 2005. *AK *NM

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SEPARATED. DEALER STATED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. *AK

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THERE WERE NO APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE UNTIL APRIL, WHICH COULD BE DANGEROUS FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE DRIVEN.*AK

CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR NHTSA RECALL 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE AND ARRIVING HOME THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT RIM CRACKED, AND THE TIRE WAS RUINED. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT LUGS: NUTS WERE PLACED ON TOO TIGHTLY. THE DEALER DENIED THAT ANY TING WAS WRONG. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UPPER BALL JOINTS PROBLEMS. IN THE PROCESS THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE BEING EFFECTED BY THE DEFECT OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERS FOR THURSDAY JANUARY 6, 2005. *AK

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION IF LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE NOT REPAIRED. DEALER WILL REPAIR FOR RECALL ONLY.*AK

MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA R/T 5.9 IS MAKING A LOUD CHUNK NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE CURRENT RECALL ONLY INVOLVES 4X4 MODELS AND MY VEHICLE IS A 4X2 SO IT IS NOT INCLUDED. MY TRUCK HAS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND I FEEL UNSAFE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT OF SOME TYPE. *NM

POPPING AND CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT WHEELS (BALL JOINTS) WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. REPORTED TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, AND WAS TOLD "THAT'S COMMON, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT." I'VE BEEN REPORTING IT TO THEN EACH TIME I BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE OVER THE LAST YEAR AND THEY NEVER BOTHERED ONCE TO INSPECT IT. NOW THERE IS A POTENTIAL RECALL, AND I'M AFRAID MY BALL JOINTS WON'T LAST TILL CHRYSLER GETS THE RECALL CAMPAIGN GOING AND WILL COVER THE REPAIR/REPLACEMNT COSTS.*AK

UPPER BALL JOINTS ON MY VEHICLE HAVE FAILED AND DAIMLER CHRYSLER REFUSES TO REPAIR AND ALSO REFUSES TO AGREE TO A RE-EMBURSMENT WHEN A RECALL DOES COME OUT AFFECTING MY VEHICLE. I OWN A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA R/T TWO WHEEL DRIVE REGULAR CAB PICKUP TRUCK. *AK

I CALLED MOSS BROTHERS DODGE TO GET AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE RECALL #D47 TO REPLACE THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS. THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL FEBRUARY 1ST 2005 BEFORE THEY WOULD HAVE THE BALL JOINT IN STOCK.*AK I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS AT 7,000 FEET AND HAVE TO DRIVE DOWN THE HILL ABOUT TWICE A WEEK AND NOW AM AFRAID TO DRIVE AT ALL. SEEMS TO ME THAT THE DODGE DEALER SHOULD HAVE THE BALL JOINT IN STOCK BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. WHAT CAN BE DONE?

MY WIFE DRIVES A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CAB 2 WHEEL DRIVE I DRIVE A 1999 DAKOTA 2 WHEEL DRIVE. FOR MONTHS MY WIFE'S TRUCK HAD A POPPING NOISE FROM THE LEFT FRONT END IT WAS EXAMINED AND NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG WE KEPT DRIVING IT,THE POPPING GOT MUCH WORSE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK TO THE LEFT. ON ONE OCCASION WE HEARD A MUCH LOUDER POP WE PULLED BACK IN THE DRIVEWAY I JACKED UP THE FRONT LEFT OF THE TRUCK TO LOOK UNDER, ONCE THE WEIGHT CAME OFF THE FRONT END SIDE, THE WHOLE WHEEL FELL TO THE GROUND. AFTER EXAMINATION I FOUND THAT THE UPPER ARM BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY HAD SEPARATED. THE SOCKET WAS RUSTED VERY WORN,AND DID NOT CONFORM TO THE BALL. THE BALL WAS VERY WORN RUSTED AND MISS SHAPED THE RUBBER BOOT WAS WORN AND PIECES MISSING. THE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED...

RECALL 2000-2004 4X4 DAKOTAS/DURANGOS HEY, WHAT'S UP WITH ONLY 4X4S???? TWO WHEEL DRIVE DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS HAVE THE SAME BALL JOINTS AS THE 4X4S. WHY DO I HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE IF MY WHEELS FALL OFF BEFORE THE 100,000 MILE GUARANTEE BEING OFFERED ON MINE IS UP? WHAT'S THIS NONSENSE IT "ONLY HAPPENS AT LOWER SPEEDS, NOT HIGH SPEEDS". THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND IS DC WAY OF SAVING MONEY. PERHAPS THE GOVERNMENT ONLY INVESTIGATED THE 4X4S SINCE THEY ARE THE MOST POPULAR VEHICLES (I.E., 600,000 4X4 VERSUS 200,000 TWO WHEEL DRIVE) NEVER GIVING A THOUGHT TO THOSE OF US WHO DO NOT OWN THE 4X4 VERSIONS. *JB

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....

MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA WOULD NOT PASS FOR INSPECTION DUE TO UPPER BALL JOINTS SO I HAD THEM REPAIRED. WHEN I GOT MY DODGE DAKOTA BACK ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE DRIVER SIDE BROKE AND CAUSED A CRASH. WHEN THE BALL JOINT BROKE IT CAUSED THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK TO DROP DOWN ONTO THE FRAME AND BREAKING MY AXLE, BURSTING MY TIRE AND BENDING A SPINDLE AND BREAKING MY SHOCK. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS IN THE PARKING LOT OF WHERE I WORKED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. *JB

THE FRONT BALL JOINTS ARE MAKING A POPPING NOISE, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SHKAE AND RUST TO FALL OFF. DEALER WAS INFORMED BY CONSUMER FOR REPAIRS.*AK

I HAVE A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA 2WD WITH BAD BALL JOINTS. THE 2 WHEEL DRIVE AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE HAVE THE SAME "DEFECTIVE" BALL JOINTS.*AK

2000 DODGE DAKOTA UPPER BALL JOINTS. LAST YEAR, MY UPPER LEFT BALL JOINT (BJ) FAILED. THANKFULLY I WAS STILL IN A PARKIGN LOT AT THE TIME. IF THIS FAILED AT SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WOULD HAVE INVLOVED SGINIFICANT INJURIES. *AK DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE ONE BJ, I HAD A DODGE DEALER REPLACE THE LEFT TIRE ROD END AND THE LEFT FRONT AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLY SINCE THEY BENT WHEN THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSMEMBLY CAME LOOSE. IN ADDITION, I HAD THE BOTH LOWER JOINTS REPLACED AND THE RIGHT UPPER BJ AND RIGHT SIDE TIE ROD. THE PROBLEM I HAVE NOW IS THAT THE NEW DODGE TIE RODS RUB AGAINST THE WHEELS ON SHARP TURNS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE REPS INDICATED THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THIS. HOWEVER, THE TIE ROD ENDS CONTINUE TO WEAR THE FACTORY ALUMINUM WHEELS. ONE DEALER REP INDICATED THAT IN 2001...

ON 11/12/04 I BROUGHT MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA, EXTENDED CAB, 4X4 , WITH 36,703 MILES, IN FOR A ROUTINE FRONT END ALLIGNMENT. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THAT THE RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT WAS BAD. I HAD IT REPLACED. THE COST WAS PARTS: 92.39, LABOR: 96.00. TODAY, I HEARD ON THE NEWS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM.*AK

I BOUGHT A 2000 DAKOTA 4X4 USED, WITH 42,000 MI. IN OCT. 03. WENT TO GET A MISSOURI STATE INSPECTION CERTIFICATE, I WAS TOLD UPPER & LOWER BALLJOINTS WERE "GOING BAD". JULY 04, TRUCK STARTED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT.IT"S AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT I CANNOT AFFORD RIGHT NOW. I SAW A NEWS STORY ON THIS ISSUE AND REALIZED I AM NOT ALONE. I BELIVE DODGE MAKES A GREAT TRUCK. THEY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THERE NAME, AS WELL AS PRODUCT.*AK

BAD FRONT BALL JOINTS.*AK

PER MECHANIC UPPER BALL JOINTS WORN OUT.*AK

NO EVENT YET, HOWEVER AS THE 2000 4 X 2WD DODGE DAKOTA HAS THE SAME BALL JOINTS AS THE 4 X 4 VERSION IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. SINCE IT IS NOT, I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT. IF ANY FAILURE, ACCIDENT OR INJURY DOES OCCUR FROM DODGE'S REFUSAL TO REPAIR MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA UNDER THIS RECALL I WANT NOTE MADE OF MY COMPLAINT. *AK

DODGE DAKOTA UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE. SHAKING STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT END NOISE CLUED ME IN TO THE KNOWN PROBLEM. BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED WITH BETTER MOOG GREASABLE ONES.*AK

PREMATURE WEAR OF FACTORY BALL JOINTS ON MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA AND WATER LEAK THAT FILLS UP MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD. DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIND WATER LEAK PROBLEM.*AK

SUBJECT VEHICLE: 2000 DODGE DAKOTA R/T, ILES: 49000; USAGE: DAILY DRIVER-CITY/HWY ONLY; COMPLAINT: EXCESSIVE UPPER BALL JOINT PLAY EARLY FAILURE. *AK AT APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES I NOTICED A SLIGHT CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION. I LUBED THE FRONT END USING THE APPROPRIATE TOOL AND GREASE NIPPLES BUT FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO FITTING ON THE UPPER BALL JOINT. THE CLICKING SOUND PROGRESSED TO CLUNKING OVER THE NEXT 10000 MILES AND ON INSPECTION I FOUND EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE UPPER FRONT SUSPENSION ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE LEFT SIDE BEING THE MOST EGREGIOUS. IN ADDITION I STARTED TO NOTICE WANDERING IN THE STEERING TRACK OF THE VEHICLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I FOCUSED MY ATTENTION ON THE UPPER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY'S AND HAVE SINCE REPLACED BOTH. THE SYMPTOM HAS CLEARED. I HAVE HAD AN ASSORTMENT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE THIS HAVING THE MOST POTENTIAL FOR CATASTROPHIC...

TIE ROD BROKE. REPLACED TOE ROD AND ALL BALL JOINTS. *AK