2001 DODGE DAKOTA Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Ball Joint Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINT WAS WORN. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,647.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PREVIOUSLY HAD REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V596000 (SUSPENSION, FRONT CONTROL ARM, UPPER BALL JOINT). HE WAS EXPERIENCING AN ABNORMALLY LOUD SQUEAKING AND CLANKING SOUND WHILE HE WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IDENTICAL FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. HE STATED THAT THE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE DISENGAGED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NOT BEING LUBED. IN ADDITION, THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS. THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,689 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,471.

BALL JOINT PROBLEM ON 4X2 DODGE DAKOTA. POPPING GRATING SOUND AND LACK OF CONTROL IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES. THESE USE THE SAME UPPER BALL JOINT ASSY. AS THE 4X4 UNITS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THESE CAUSE THE SAME PROBLEMS AND DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUES. *TR

1. NORMAL DRIVING CIRCUMSTANCES. FRONT END SUSPENSION STARTED MAKING CLUNKING/POPPING NOISES AND STEERING BECAME ERRATIC. TRUCK HAS 85,000 MILES. 2. COULD NOT SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WAS TOO RISKY. I ALSO NOTICED WHILE THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS PULLING THE VEHICLE ONTO THE TRUCK THAT THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL WAS LEANING OVER AT ABOUT 30 DEGREE ANGLE. 3. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS HAS BASICALLY RUSTED AND DETERIORATED. LOWER JOINTS WERE ALSO ON THEIR WAY TO FAILURE. ADDITIONAL RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE MODELS WERE RECALLED. WHY WEREN'T THE 2 WHEEL DRIVES. THIS PROBLEM MIRRORS THE ISSUE THAT THEY HAD. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP FOR REPAIR ON THE UPPER FRONT RIGHT BALL JOINTS. A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED PERTAINING TO THE BALL JOINTS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE UPPER FRONT LEFT BALL JOINTS UNDER THE RECALL AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO SEND THE MANUFACTURER COPIES OF THE PRIOR REPAIR WORK PERFORMED ON THE BALL JOINTS. AFTER SENDING THE MANUFACTURER A LETTER WITH INVOICE, A LETTER WAS RECEIVED FROM THE MANUFACTURER DENYING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COSTS OF THE PREVIOUS REPAIRS.

OWN 2001 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. NOTICE THE SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED WITH FRONT STEERING BALL JOINT HAVING PROBLEMS. OUR TRUCK IS SUFFERING SAME PROBLEM WITH LOAD POPPING NOISE WHEN WE MAKE A HARD LEFT HAND TURN. HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES FOR PAST 9 MONTHS...BUT NOW GETTING MORE FREQUENT. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 CONCERNING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED, AS WELL AS THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. WHEN CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO BE REIMBURSED, THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE HIM FOR THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT AS WELL. *AK

DT: CONSUMER OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 31,915 MILES. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AT 37,556 MILES. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. HE DID NOT NOTICE IF THERE WAS ANY PLAY IN THE STEERING UNTIL THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT IT HAS A TIGHTER STEERING CONTROL. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE UPPER BALL JOINTS, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. *AK *MR *JB

1. CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF MY TRUCK. 2. UPPER BALL JOING WEAR AT A DANGEROUS LEVEL. 3. I HAD TO HAVE THE PARTS REPLACED, AND I STILL HAVE THE OLD PART. THIS PART WAS RECALLED UNDER THE 4X4 VEHICLES, AND MINE IS 2WD SO I HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. I BELIEVE MY SAFETY WAS AT RISK, AND IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FACT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT A 4WD.

WHEN I RECENTLY TOOK MY 1991 DODGE DAKOTA IN TO HAVE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED, I WAS TOLD THE LOWER ONES WERE SHOT, ALSO. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT. I ONLY DRIVE ON THE ROAD AND NEVER OVERLOAD MY TRUCK. WHY WOULD THE UPPER BALL JOINTS BE RECALLED AND NOT THE LOWER? THIS CONTINUES TO BE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.*AK

ANNUAL VEHICLE INSPECTION OF MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT 2WD VERHICLE (54,000 MILES), PERFORMED ON 03/05/05, NECESSITATED THE REPLACEMENT OF DETATCHED BALL JOINT. *AK

NO PARTS FOR RECALL#04596000 BALL JOINTS. EDDIE DODGE 803-359-2501. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION,BUT CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK

SINCE THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY DEALER HAD NO PARTS FOR DEFECT. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 CONCERNING UPPER BALL JOINTS.*AK

UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. RECENTLY, THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE WERE RECALLED ,AND THE OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. AGAIN HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED, BUT THEY DID NOT DO AN ALIGNMENT. CURRENTLY, THE TIRE IS PULLING TO THE LEFT, AND THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS. *AK

DODGE DAKOTA FAILURE OF FRONT BALL JOINTS, REPLACED BALL JOINT. *BF *JB

RE: DODGE RECALL: I OWN A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA, IT FEELS LIKE THE WHEELS WOBBLE. *BF

RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 WAS ISSUED. CONSUMER STATED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

2001 DODGE DAKOTA FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO FRONT END OF VEHICLE. *BF THE CONSUMER WONDERED IF THE WHEEL FALLING OFF COULD HAVE BEEN THE RESULT OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS BEING DEFECTIVE. *JB

THE CONSUMER WAS ASKED TO CALL BACK WITHIN A WEEK BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE STILL UNAVAILABLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED BACK, THE DEALER TOLD HIM THAT THEY AGAIN DID NOT HAVE PARTS AND THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM WHEN THEY DID. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FRONT RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

LEFT WHEEL STARTED TO MAKE NOISE WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALER AND WAS CHARGED $747.00 TO REPLACE "FAILED BALL JOINTS" MY VIN NUMBER IS INCLUDED IN THE RANGE COVERED ABY THE RECENT DODGE RECALL - BUT THEY SAY IT ONLY APPLIES TO 4 WHEEL DRIVE,,,,REGARDLESS THESE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AS FAILURES. *JB

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT WHEN TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR, RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL.*AK ALSO, INNER TIE ROD WORE OUT, FAILED STATE INSPECTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. SIDETO SIDE PLAY IN TIRE WHEN JOCKE DUP. DEALERSHIP STATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. *AK

2001 DODGE DAKOTA WAS RECALLED TO REPLACE UPPER BALL JOINTS. DURING REPAIR LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE ALSO FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THEM TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS COULD ALSO LEAD TO THE FAILURE OF THE LOWER, AND THIS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK

DEALERSHIP WAS NOT PERFORMING THE UPPER BALL JOINT WEAR RECALL 04V596000 REPAIRS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME. THE NEXT AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT DATE IS APRIL 5TH 2005.*AK......THE SAFETY RECALL STATES THAT CONSUMER CAN LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND CRASH. HE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, ESPECIALLY ON LONG TRIPS. DODG EHAS NOT HELPED CONSUMER. *AK

RECALL 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR: CONSUMER RECEIVED THIS RECALL NOTICE, AND CONTACTED HIS LOCAL DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT NO PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH 2005.*AK

THE CONTROL ARM AND UPPER BALL JOINTS, WHEN IS THE RECALL GOING TO HAPPEN?? MY TRUCK IS REALLY REALLY BAD. THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT I GOT IS NO GOOD AND MY NEW TIRES ARE BEING EATEN UP BY THIS. I NEED MY TRUCK FOR WORK AND THIS IS SO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. *NM

THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO PERFORM THE UPPER BALL JOINT WEAR RECALL 04V596000 BECAUSE THE CONSUMER DIDN'T PURCHASE THE VEHICLE FROM THEM. *JB

THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL. IT WAS ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD 40,000 MILES ON IT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

MY HUSBAND AND I OWN A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB, FOR ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END. NOW A RECALL ON THE BALL JOINTS HAS COME IN AND DODGE WILL NOT EVEN LOOK AT OUR VEHICLE UNTIL THE RECALLS GO IN THE MAIL. I HAVE BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE CALLED WITH THIS COMPLAINT, I AM SCARED SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME AND MY FAMILY BUT DODGE JUST TELLS ME TO STOP DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HOW CAN I DO THAT WHEN IT IS MY ONLY ONE AND I CANT GET TO WORK OR MY KIDS TO SCHOOL.. PLEASE HELP IN THIS. MY HUSBAND CAN GIVE MORE INFO IF NEEDED PLEASE CALL HIM AT 707-689-2333 IF YOU NEED MORE INFO. *JB

THE UPPER BALL JOINT IS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND CAUSING THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL TO WOBBLE, ESPECIALLY DOWN HILL AT LOWER SPEEDS. CONSUMER WILL INFORM THE DEALER. *AK *NM

2001 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB WAS SERVICED ON SIX SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR CLUNKING IN THE FRONT END WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS AND DURING TURNS. SEVERAL PARTS WERE REPLACED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY BUT DEALERSHIP INSISTED THAT BALL JOINTS AND CV JOINTS WERE FINE. THEY ALSO STATED THAT NO OTHER COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN FILED AND THAT THERE WAS NOT A SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM BECAME APPARENT WITHIN THE FIRST 17,000 MILES AND CONTINUES TO PERSIST.*AK

ON APRIL 16, 2004 I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA "SPORT" 4X4, AT APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH WHEN IT APPEARED MY HAD "FALLEN OFF", BUT WAS STILL SOMEHOW ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL COLLAPSED INSIDE THE WHEEL WELL WITH THE TOP OF THE WHEEL TOWARDS THE ENGINE. THE BRAKE LINE WAS RIPPED OUT AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD NO BRAKE POWER. THE VEHICLE SLID TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED. THE RESULT WAS THE UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATED IN THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE CAUSING THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FALLING OFF, THE BRAKE LINE BEING RIPPED OUT AND LOSING BRAKING ABILITY, AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, THE TRUCK HAD TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, REPLACED THE UPPER FRONT RIGHT BALL JOINT, BRAKE LINE WORK, AND THE COST OF LABOR. THE TOWING COST...

THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE FACT THAT ONLY THE 4X4 DODGE DAKOTAS HAVE BEEN RECALLED ABOUT THE BALL JOINTS. THE FACT IS THAT THEY ALL USE THE SAME BALL JOINTS AND WELL HOW DO WE KNOW THAT THE 4X2 ARE NOT GOING TO GO. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE GET HURT BEFORE THEY RECALL THE 4X2? I DON'T THINK THAT IS RIGHT THAT THEY ONLY RECALL THE 4X4 THEY SHOULD RECALL ALL THE DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS OF THOSE YEARS. I AM NOT ONE FOR THAT I BUY A TRUCK AND THE MANUFACTURE HAS DON'T WRONG BY GIVING FAULTY PARTS AND I WOULD HAVE TO SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCE. THAT JUST IS NOT RIGHT IF THEY ALREADY KNOW THAT THEY HAVE FAULTY PARTS ON THE TRUCKS. SO THIS IS A COMPLAINT THAT THEY SHOULD RECALL ALL THE DAKOTAS IF NOT ALL THEN ALSO THE 4X2.. THERE WAS NO INCIDENT...

RECENTLY THE BALL JOINTS WERE RECALLED FOR DODGE DAKOTAS/DURANGOS 2000-2003, BUT ONLY FOR 4 WHEEL DRIVE. MY 2001, DODGE DAKOTA NEEDS NEW BALL JOINTS. IT ALSO USES THE SAME BAL JOINT AS THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. IF THERE'S ARE BAD, WHY ISN'T MINE? *JB

MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA 2WD HAS 45,000 MILES ON IT AND ALREADY NEEDS 3 BALL JOINTS REPLACED.*AK

PASSENGER SIDE FRONT END BALL JOINT FAILURE. BALL JOINT REPLACED BY LOCAL DODGE DEALER.*AK

DODGE DAKOTA BALL JOINT PROBLEM. I HAVE ONCE HAD THEM REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES DUE TO AN AWFUL SOUND. THE SOUND IS BACK, THIS IS A PROBLEM DODGE SHOULD BE DEALING WITH. AFTER RESEARCH IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT DODGE DOES NOT WISH TO DEAL WITH, AND THERE HAS BE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS TO WHICH I WANT NO PART OF. I'M GUESSING AT THE DATE OF THE FIRST PROBLEM ON THIS SURVEY.*AK

I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL REPORTS OF THE US GOVERNMENT ASKING DAIMLERCHRYSLER TO RECALL 2000-2004 DODGE DURANGOS AND DAKOTAS, 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THE 2 WHEEL DRIVE DAKOTAS HAVE THE EXACT SAME BALL JOINT AND FAILURE! WILL THESE ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? MINE HAVE YET TO FAIL BUT MAKE A HORRIBLE POPPING/RUBBING NOISE WHEN I MAKE TURNS AT A SLOW SPEED. THIS IS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA 2 WHEEL DRIVE WITH 50,000 MILES.*AK

I JUST REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS ON MY 2001 DAKOTA. THEY WERE VERY LOOSE AND HAD ALOT OF "PLAY". I'M LUCKY I GOT MINE REPAIRED BEFORE IT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT LIKE OTHERS I'VE RECENTLY HEARD ABOUT. I'VE ALSO REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT, REAR U-JOINTS AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL ALL WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT ALL THIS IS RELATED. I'M PROBABLY UP OVER $3,000 IN REPAIRS FOR THESE THINGS.*AK

2001 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4, VIN NO. [XXX] - FAILURE OF THE FRONT BALL JOINT AND THE TIE ROD END THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST AND WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE THE OTHER SIDE NEXT YEAR ACCOURDING TO THE DEALER THAT REPLACED THE THE BALL JOINT.. THE FRONT END OF MY TRUCK HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT THE TRUCK WITH 59 MILES FOR THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS BECUASE OF THE GREASELESS BALL JOINT AND THE ONLY WAY TO HAVE IT . *AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

TIRES ON THE FRONT END OF MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA 4WD 3.9L V6 WERE WEARING REALLY UNEVENLY. COME TO FIND OUT THAT I HAD ONE UPPER AND ONE LOWER BALL JOINT ON OPPOSING SIDES THAT WENT BAD. MY TRUCK ONLY HAD 40,000 MILES ON IT AND THEY WERE ALL HIGHWAY. BOTH BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND WAS DONE IN DECEMBER 2003. IT WORE OUT TWO BRAND NEW TIRES.*AK

I OWN 2 DODGE DAKOTAS ONE 1997 AND ONE 2001. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS, BUT THEY ARE MAKING POPING AND CRACKING NOISES. THE 2001 ONLY HAS 24000 MILES ON IT. WHEN MAKING A HARD TURN BOTH DAKOTAS SEEM TO WOBBLE LIKE SOMTHING IS LOOSE. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS YET BUT SOMTHING IS WRONG. ALSO THE FRONT TIRES HAVE WARN UNEVEN ON BOTH TRUCKS. FRONT END ALIGNMENT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSABLE ON THE 2001 MODEL.*AK

FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. *AK THE FAULTY BALL JOINTS CAUSED ABNORMAL WEAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *NM

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...

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK

BALL JOINTS MAKE LOUD METALLIC NOISE, WEAR TIRES QUICKLY, REQUIRING EXCESSIVE ALIGNMENT/BALANCING. *JB

BALL JOINTS ON 2001 DAKOTA NEED REPLACEMENT AT 60,000 MILES. CAUSED UNEVEN TIRE WEAR, SOME DIFFICULTY WITH VEHICLE TRACKING. WILL REPLACE OLD PARTS, AND KEEP PARTS AVAILABLE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AND UPON HITTING ANYTHING IN THE ROAD VEHICLE WILL MAKE A CLANKING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE LOOKED AT. CONSUMER HAD THE SHOCKS CHANGED. HOWEVER, IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. CONTACTED THE DODGE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THEY NEEDED THE UPPER CONTROL ARM. *AK