FaultScore

2001 Dodge Dakota suspension problems

307 of the 945 complaints about the 2001 Dodge Dakota are about the suspension — 32% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 44,490 miles.

D

307

Complaints

9

Crashes

0

Fires

3

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Upper Ball Joint 162 52.8%
Lower Ball Joint 77 25.1%
Suspension 22 7.2%
Front 16 5.2%
Wheel Bearing 6 2.0%
Lower ARM 5 1.6%
Control ARM 4 1.3%
Rear 4 1.3%
Upper ARM 4 1.3%
Shock Absorber 2 0.7%

Suspension across every Dodge Dakota year

1994 11 0.5%
1995 18 0.8%
1996 13 0.6%
1997 209 9.0%
1998 318 13.7%
1999 503 21.7%
2000 372 16.0%
2001 307 13.2%
2002 300 12.9%
2003 121 5.2%
2004 53 2.3%
2005 54 2.3%
2006 27 1.2%
2007 13 0.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 300,000 miles Paso Robles, CA

SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was a wobble coming from the front passenger’s side tire. The contact was able to pull over and had the vehicle towed to a local mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ball joints needed to be replaced however, the vehicle was not repaired. There was no warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000.

NHTSA complaint #11445473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 73,647 miles Concord, CA

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10596327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 73,647 miles Concord, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

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.

NHTSA complaint #10596327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Alexandria, VA

SUSPENSION

I STARTED NOTICING A "LURCH OR LATERAL SHIFT" OF THE FRONT END DURING TIGHT LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS AT LOW SPEED (35 MPH OR LESS). DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON STRAIGHT ROADS DID NOT INDICATE ANY PROBLEMS. RECENTLY, DURING A BRAKE SYSTEM INSPECTION, SIGNIFICANT "SLOP / FREE MOVEMENT" AT THE UPPER BALL JOINT & WHEEL KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY CONNECTION WAS NOTED (> 0.5"). I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED THE NHTSA ISSUED RECALL FOR "UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURES ON 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTAS" AS WELL AS THE DODGE ISSUED TSB FOR THE SAME DEFECT. I TOOK MY 2001 DAKOTA IN TO A DODGE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DODGE DEALER AND CHRYSLER BOTH CONVENIENTLY TOOK THE POSITION THAT MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL, THEREFORE THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING THE REPAIR. MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME FAILURE MODE DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA RECALL AND THE DODGE ISSUED TSB. THE NHTSA SHOULD FORCE DODGE TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF VIN'S COVERED BY THE RECALL TO INCLUDE ALL 2000-2003 DAKOTAS THAT EXPERIENCE PREMATURE BALL JOINT FAILURES. A SAFETY RELATED SUSPENSION COMPONENT SHOULD NOT FAIL AT 50,000 MILES. TO ARBITRARILY EXCLUDE SOME VEHICLE VIN'S FROM THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE THE SAME DEFECTS IS DISHONEST AND NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE TRAVELING PUBLIC. I URGE THE NHTSA TO FORCE DODGE/CHRYSLER TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT ON ALL 2000-2003 DAKOTAS.

NHTSA complaint #10428043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 169,000 miles Lincoln, IL

SUSPENSION:FRONT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME, WHERE THE TIE ROD AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA complaint #10418358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 142,000 miles Louisville, KY

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE UPPER BALL JOINTS ARM SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA complaint #10400620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Halethorte, MD

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

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.

NHTSA complaint #10330461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,689 miles SAN Jose, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

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.

NHTSA complaint #10221235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,689 miles SAN Jose, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

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.

NHTSA complaint #10221235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,000 miles Waynesboro, VA

SUSPENSION

I HAVE A 2001 DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 PURCHASED NEW AND THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT ROTORS WEAR OUT EXTREMELY FAST. THEY BECOME DAMAGED ON THE INSIDE OF THE ROTOR APPEARING EXTREMELY RUSTED AND AS IF MAYBE THEY OVERHEATED ON THE INSIDE. 64,000 AND THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES. DEALERS DENY THIS IS COMMON , MY BROTHER HAS A 2002 (PURCHASED NEW) AND HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. BALL JOINTS FAILED ON BOTH TRUCKS , STEERING RACK AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL LEAKS ON BOTH .

NHTSA complaint #10211997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,500 miles Falling Waters, WV

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

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.

NHTSA complaint #10209684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Leitchfield, KY

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

I BOUGHT A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA 4WD A MONTH AGO. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, TIMING CHAIN, WATER PUMP AND NOW THE TRANSFER CASE HAS GONE BAD. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 55000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE ONLY MADE ONE PAYMENT ON THE TRUCK AND HAVE PAID THE REPAIR SHOP OVER $1500 IN REPAIR COSTS. THEY ONLY TIME THAT I HAVE GOT TO DRIVE THE TRUCK IS TO THE REPAIR SHOP EXCEPT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, A TRUCK WITH LOW MILES LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT THIS TIME PUT THEY COULDN'T MAKE ANY PROMISES. WE PAID FOR EVERYTHING ELSE TO GET FIXED AND I REFUSE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING ELSE. I PAID $10,000 FOR A TRUCK THAT I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE, I'M ACTUALLY SCARED TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE WHO KNOWS WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. APPARENTLY DODGES ARE PIECES OF CRAP TO PUT IT POLITELY.

NHTSA complaint #10184715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,822 miles Meriden, CT

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY ONLY THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON THE 2000-2004 DAKOTAS IS COVERED IN THE RECALL AS THE LOWER BALL JOINT ARE THE SAME DESIGN WHERE THERE IS NO WAY TO GREASE UP THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND IT WOULD LEAD TO THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE UPPER BALL JOINTS?

NHTSA complaint #10176858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles Glen Allen, VA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

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.

NHTSA complaint #10171063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles Glen Allen, VA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

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.

NHTSA complaint #10171063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,000 miles East Islip, NY

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

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.

NHTSA complaint #10164492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,000 miles Boulder, CO

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

2001 DODGE DAKOTA EXTENDED CAB 4X4. RATTLING IN FRONT END WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS SUCH AS MAN HOLES AND WASHBOARD. SOUNDS SIMILAR TO A LOOSE HUB CAP. WAS TOLD THE LOWER FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE BAD AND DAIMLER/CHRYSLER HAS A BULLETIN PUBLISHED INTERNALLY ON HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND MAY CAUSE THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF. SOUNDS LIKE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT TO ME THAT THEY SHOULD REPLACE.

NHTSA complaint #10161176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,410 miles Framingham, MA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER

RIGHT FRONT LOWER SHOCK BOLT SHEARED OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING SHOCK TO BREAK LOOSE FROM LOWER CONTROL ARM.

NHTSA complaint #10152458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bolling AFB, DC

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

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.

NHTSA complaint #10152038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wendell, NC

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

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.

NHTSA complaint #10143907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,680 miles Shelbyanna, KY Crash 2 injured

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HAD TO SWERVE TO MISS AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE LOWER BALL JOIN BROKE AT THIS TIME. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WENT INTO A CREEK. THE INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE WERE STILL BEING DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING INSPECTED.

NHTSA complaint #10140969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 31,915 miles Loveland, CO

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

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

NHTSA complaint #10135555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 31,915 miles Loveland, CO

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

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

NHTSA complaint #10135555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Blum, TX

SUSPENSION:FRONT

MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA HAS HAD UPPER FRONT BALL JOINTS REPLACED DUE TO POPPING IN FRONT END, THE POPPING IS STILL THERE. FRONT ROTORS HAVE BEEN CHANGED BECAUSE OF BEING WARPED CAUSING VIBRATION IN STEERING AND ROUGH BRAKING. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB HAS WENT OUT CAUSING LOUD SQUEEKING NOISE WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD THERE IS A CONSTANT SQUEEKING NOISE NOW FROM FRONT END. THE BLOWER FAN HAS STOPPED WORKING DUE TO WIRING PROBLEMS. THE REAR END HAS A POPPING NOISE WHEN PUTTING IN PARK DODGE HOUSE SAYS THATS NORMAL (I HAVE NEVER HAD A TRUCK DO THAT BEFORE) AND U JOINTS ARE GOOD, AND I REPORTED IT TO THEM WHEN MY WARRANTY WAS GOOD AND NOW MY WARRANTY IS OUT AND I HAVE ALL THESE REPAIRS THAT I CANNOT AFFORD !!

NHTSA complaint #10128537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,000 miles Alpharetta, GA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

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.

NHTSA complaint #10126556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chatham, 00

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

APPROX. 2 MONTHS AGO I HAD UPPER BALLS JOINTS REPLACED UNDER RECALL, THE DEALSHIP NOTED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND TIERODS WERE WORN AS WELL, WAS QUTOED APPROX. $700.00 TO BE FIXED. TODAY MY DAIUGHTER WAS STARTING TO PULL OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WITH HER 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, THE TIEROD FELL OUT OF PLACE CAUSING THE TRUCK TO STOP. LUCKLY MY DAUGHTER WASN'T DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT ON A VERY BUSY STREET!!! I WANT TO KNOW WHY THERE IS A RECALL ON THE UPPER BALL JOINTS BUT NOT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND TIERODS, IT IS A FACT THAT THERE ARE SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THESE PARTS, ARE THEY WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BE KILLED BECAUSE OF THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS?? THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME I PURCHASE A CHRYSLER PRODUCT IF THESE MATTERS ARE NOT DEALT WITH WHEN PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS ARE PRESENTED!!

NHTSA complaint #10125691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pittsfield, MA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

THE CONSUMER STATED THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS LOOSE AND THE WHEELS COULD ACTUALLY FALL OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10119380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

JIM Falls, WI

SUSPENSION

DODGE DAKOTA 2001, CONSUMER REPLACED BALL JOINTS. *BF THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR A 2 WHEEL ALIGNMENT AFTER THE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER FEELS THE ALIGNMENT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10114863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST. Petersburg, FL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

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.

NHTSA complaint #10114415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST. Petersburg, FL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

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.

NHTSA complaint #10114415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2001 Dodge Dakota problems

← Full 2001 Dodge Dakota report