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
When vehicle hit a bump a clicking sound came from the front wheels. A mechanic examined the vehicle and determined that upper ball joints were severely worn out. Also, rotors on both sides were warped to the point that they couldn't be turned safely.
- Brockway, PA, USA
Dealership informed consumer that front upper ball joints were worn out. Consumer was not having any problems at this time. Dealership did not resolve the problem.
- Redgranite, WI, USA
Dealership informed consumer that upper front ball joint were worn out. Consumer was not having any problems at this time. Dealership had not resolved the problem. Consumer received a copy of a consumer report regarding the problem with ball joints on vehicle, but manufacturer said they don't know about the existing problem.
- Thornton, WV, USA
My husband and I use to own a 2000 Dakota quad cab.I don't recall exactly when we discovered the problem, but I do remember the cost to fix it was going to be approximately $2000. We originally thought it was a tire or brake or an alignment problem. Ours didn't squeek or clunk, ours shimmied so bad our watches on our arms (while driving) rattled. When we took it in to the dealer they told me that it was caused due to us not putting the original tires back on the truck when we replaced the tires. Putting original tires back on the truck did alleviate enough of the problem that we traded the Dakota for another vechicle without taking a tremendous loss as was the situation when we tried to trade it in before returning the tires to original. For those who might believe it was due to oversize tires that was not the case. We only put cooper tires comparable to the originals on the truck, but Goodyear is the only maker of the size of tire we needed and those tires were on back-order.
- Princeton , TX, USA
While driving the front of vehicle vibrated severely. Consumer replaced the tires, but mechanic told her they could not do an alignment due to ball joint failure.
- Fort Pierce, FL, USA
Premature failure of right front upper control arm balljoint and lower balljoint (50,000 miles).
- Danielson, CT, USA
I recently moved to misourri and took my truck in for the required safety inspection. I was told that my upper ball joint was wearing significantly.
- Kansas City, MO, USA
Uneven wear of front tires prompted an alignment. During alignment inspection, upper ball joints were found to be "severely worn". otherwise vehicle drove normal.
- Strasburg, CO, USA
Right upper ball joint loose.
- Detroit, MI, USA
My 2000 Dodge Dakota truck had to have the upper right ball joint replaced. The truck has under 38,000 miles of light-duty use. This seems too early for this type of part failure. When will the other ball joints fail?
- Stowe, VT, USA
Most recent problem. Ront end: 1) "clunking" noises followed by front wheel assembly break. Front wheel assembly disengaged from vehicle while driving. Hostory of brake problems: 1) rear drums ineffective, and lock up under humid condition after sitting. 2) front rotors warped X2 occurences. Dealer replaced pads and rotors. Second incident "nott covered under warranty." 3) front brake pads fall and wear diagonally resulting in ineffective braking. 4) generally poor and unresponsive braking.
- Syracuse, NY, USA
Most recent problem. Front end: ) "clunking" noises followed by front wheel assembly break. Front wheel assembly disengaged from vehicle while driving. Hostory of brake problems: 1) rear drums ineffective, and lock up under humid condition after sitting. 2) front rotors warped X2 occurences. Dealer replaced pads and rotors. Second incident "nott covered under warranty." 3) front brake pads fall and wear diagonally resulting in ineffective braking. 4) generally poor and unresponsive braking.
- Syracuse, NY, USA
While driving at 30 mph and without warning the front left wheel separated from the vehicle, the suspension collapsed completely, severing the body of the vehicle which collapsed to the ground. The towing mechanic determined that the upper ball joints wore out.
- Auburn, WV, USA
Heard a lot of squeaking and clunking, took to dealer and was told upper ball joints have gone bad along with inner tie-rods. This would cost around $1200 to fix, that cost could be reduced alot if a person could find non-oem parts but instead you are forced to buy from Dodge and then you cant even buy the individual tie-rods you have to buy the entire steering assembly. Dodge knows this is a problem and did help with the cost of the parts but this is not something that should go out on a vehicle with only 45000 miles, especially when if either part had failed completely I could have lost total control of the vehicle.
- Bismarck, ND, USA
While driving 60 mph the vehicle would vibrate and pull to the right when the brakes were applied an independent shop determined that the upper ball joints needed to be replaced. The problem still exist.
- Terrell, TX, USA
Both upper ball joints on this truck have excessive play in them. Only 45,000 miles when problem began.
- Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Consumer complained about a ball joint problem.
- Lawton, MI, USA
Vehicle was taken to dealership for ball joint replacement. Wheel came off, and consumer had vehicle towed. Dealership refused to repair ball joints. Also, they would not allow consumer to speak to any diamler Chrysler Dodge personnel, and they were not giving any adequate information concerning repair cost or even if they would repair the vehicle.
- Littleton, CO, USA
The consumer took the vehicle to the garage for inspection and the mechanic determined that the upper ball joints failed. The upper ball joints were replaced twice at 30K miles. The service dealer and Chrysler told the consumer that there was no problems with the ball joints and there were no recalls.
- Everett, PA, USA
- Rochelle, IL, USA