10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 22,303 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.
The ball joints in 2000 Dakotas were recalled on only the 4X4 models. I have a 2000 with 2 wheels drive. The manufacturer sent out a letter saying it was recalled, inspected it and said they were fine. That was at 50,000 miles. Now at 99,000 the ball joint disconnected from its unit, causing me to almost crash into a telephone pole. Manufacturer will not pay for towing to get seen, and will only replace the ball joint. Most of the suspension parts on the side of the defective ball joint were damaged.
- Runnemede, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Dakota. Whenever the contact turns the steering wheel while driving at any speed, the front end of the vehicle pops. She also hears a clanking noise in the front suspension. The contact took the vehicle to a repair shop and was informed of NHTSA campaign id number 04V596000 (suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint). The failure mileage was 8,000.
- Middelton, ID, USA
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.
- Ocoee, FL, USA
Dodge Dakota 2000 consumer states vehicle shakes when brakes are applied. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer because he heard about a recall on the Dodge Dakota. The dealer explained that the recall was for 4X4 vehicle's only.
- Washington, DC, USA
2000 Dodge Dakota front end problem. Nothing has happened yet, but the front end of my truck makes unidentifiable noise when turning. I have been to the mechanic 3 times and no one has been able to identify or fix it. I don't feel I should have to pay for this if it defect.as well, I would like the problem corrected. Please advise. Thanks.
- Goodyear, AZ, USA
"clunking noise" coming from front of auto when driving over uneven surfaces/bumps. Front right wheel assembly detached from vehicle at upper ball joint. Lower ball joint remained attached. All four ball joints replaces. Right brake line replaced. Warned of damage to cv shaft, however dealer only replace outer cv boot
- Syracuse, NY, USA
Upper and lower balljoint failure in my 2000 Dodge Dakota, nec to replace balljoint due to excessive wear
- Coquille, OR, USA
At approx. 8K miles, pulsing and shimmy started in front end. Had to resurface rotors. Had to do again later at about 35K. Not normal. At 15K reported front end creaks/groans dealer found no problem. At 35K more of the same, dealer replaced front stabilizer/sway bushing. At 38K miles, replaced lower steering column. Helped some but still creaking when steering at low speed. At 53K asked again about steering groan. Dealer says he could fix for about $1000 (of course out of warranty now! and I've been asking about this since 15K miles). Also at 53K, replaced lower ball joints left side and fuel pump. At 59K back in the shop today to replace right ball joints which cause vehicle steering to "wander" and have badly worn inside right tire. Quality of vehicle is lousy and they won't admit it or stand behind it. The rotor and front end problems could be very dangerous because they impair the drivers control of the vehicle.
- Southbury, CT, USA
Denial of problem and refusal to resolve front suspension problem.
- Frenchtown, NJ, USA
My 2000 Dodge Dakota R/T has just under 50,000 miles and was diagnosed with faulty upper ball joints. Along with a slew of front suspension components including tie rods, sway bars, and lower control arms.
- Berkley, MI, USA
Frequent popping feeling in the steering wheel coming from front suspension. Always relates to front suspension up/down movement. Several garages have inspected, but cannot locate problem. Suspect problem has to do with early sign of ball joint failure. Dealer admits history front suspension and ball joint problems in this model.
- Joelton, TN, USA
When making a stop or turning a corner vehicle made noise in the front end.
- Erie, PA, USA
I don't have access to vehicle at this time for additional info, accident was vs tree, front end.
- Kenosha, WI, USA
Front suspension makes a popping noise when the steering wheel is turned and the vehicle's front suspension is compressing and decompressing. The dealer has been notified twice and they state that there is nothing wrong with it (unable to reproduce the problem).
- Covina, CA, USA
There was a loud noise in rear axle. Manfacturer's representative was sent out and acknowleged the problem, but could not fix it. The rear axle was replaced after keeping the vehicle for a period of nine days, come to find out the axle was not replace the axle was just repainted that just justifies that rear axle is noisy the front suspension is the same.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
Consumer noticed a popping sensation coming from front end. Left front ball joint replaced, steering shaft freplaced, however popping noise still exists. Consumer states vehicle pulls to the right and there is tire wear.
- Coco, FL, USA
Vehicle dies in middle of traffic and backing up intermittently, causing a safety hazard. Also, there is a clicking noise coming from left front suspension.
- Sacramento, CA, USA
When making a turn under braking, either at turn-in or just before the truck stops, a thump/clunk can be heard from the front end, possibly on the left. 3 visits to the dealer has failed to correct this, although the noise has been acknowleged by technicians.
- Kittery, ME, USA
When driving at lower speeds heard a loud noise, and vehicle jerked or pulled. Also, defroster puts a film on the inside of windshield. Dealership suggested to clean inside the windshield with wiper fluid. Contacted dealer.
- Frostburg, MD, USA
- Orange, CA, USA