10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 10 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 2
- Average Mileage:
- 37,166 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
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.
- Columbia , MO, USA
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.
- Edenton, NC, USA
The upper ball joints wore out prematurely on the passenger's side.
- Grove City, OH, USA
NHTSA recall 04V596000 concerning ball joint wear. Consumer contacted the dealer, and was informed that the next available appointment would be May 07, 2005.
- Massillon, OH, USA
While driving 20 mph front passenger side wheel separated. Dealer stated the upper ball joints failed.
- Arnold, MO, USA
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.
- Radisson, WI, USA
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.
- Pfafftown, NC, USA
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.
- Martinsburg, WV, USA
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.
- Front Royal, VA, USA
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.
- Angleton, TX, USA
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.
- Knoxville, TN, USA
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. 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?
- Sugarloaf, CA, USA
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.
- Mcas Beaufort, SC, USA
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 (we kept the old part)my 1999 Dakota exhibits the same problem as my wife's and continues to get worse. We are still hearing a popping noise from my wife's truck the same as before. We had heard of this problem a year ago on cbs news and contacted daimler Chrysler many times and have not heard back. On 12-9-04 the federal gov.ordered a recall, on 2000-2003 durangos 4X4 and Dakotas with 4 wheel drive.our trucks are 2 wheel drive and prove that the problem exists on other non 4 wheel drive trucks.
- Frankfort, KY, USA
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.
- Cedar Bluff, VA, USA
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. I called Dodge myself and they have offered to reimburse the part cost if I send in the invoice.
- Moscow, OH, USA
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.
- Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA
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.
- Grover Beach, CA, USA
Per mechanic upper ball joints worn out.
- Elverta, CA, USA
- Norman, OK, USA