My mechanic informed me that all 4 ball joints and the inner & outer tie rod ends need replacing on my 1998 Dodge Dakota. Since there is currently a recall for 2000-2003 Dakotas & durangos and a class action lawsuit pending for 1998 durangos, I wonder if there is merit to my 1998 Dakota failure and the resulting expense.

- Satellite Beach, FL, USA

Noises in front end, upper and lower ball joints on a 1998 Dodge Dakota 4-wheel drive defective. Lower ball joints replaced under warranty at 34,853 miles. Replaced lower joints again and upper ball joints at 59,629 at a cost of $1123.55. Luckily it was caught before any serious accident occurred. Your recall indicates year 2000-2003 but problem was there prior to that.

- Portland, CT, USA

1 - took the Dodge Dakota truck in to have the snow tires put on and was told that the upper & lower ball joints where ready to fail. The automotive shop then replaced the upper & lower ball joints.

- Bridgeport, NY, USA

A recent recall announcement for Dodge Dakotas and durango only included the model years of 2000-2004 for failed ball joints and wheels falling off. This compliant is to notifiy the NHTSA that early model years also experience the sample problem. In 2001, my 1998 Dodge Dakota had the right front wheel colapse while in motion due to a failed ball joint. The NHTSA should expand this recall to earlier models.

- Boulder, CO, USA

While making a turn the tire rubbed the wheel well. The consumer was told that the ball joints were the cause of the problem.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

Ball joints have begun to fail..only 64,000 miles on vehicle...57,000 at the time problem started...know there is a recalll for 2000 and higher models...but fear this is a bigger problem than known in earlier models as well....dealer will fix, but not pay, and have no explanation as to why there is such an early failure.....also have noticed from your site that there were other recalls....did not know of these...will try to have dealer fix these......and check on my 4 ball joints.

- Winter Park, FL, USA

My upper ball joints had to be replaced in my 1998 Dodge Dakota at 56,000 miles. Why are the 98 and 99 Dodge Dakota's not being covered under the same recall. That is un-acceptable as they have the exact same ball joint in them.

- South St Paul, MN, USA

1998 Dodge Dakota, current mileage:426,000. Have had to replace all control arms twice. Ball joints unavailable, requiring entire A-arm replacement. Bummer.

- Concord, CA, USA

1998 Dodge Dakota. I purchased 4 new tires from a Goodyear dealer. They told me at this time that all four ball joints were extremely bad. One upper ball joint had about an inch to an inch and a quarter. I had the vehicle towed at my expense to the dealer where I purchased to truck and an extended warrante. Pervious to this, I had been complaining about a loud thumpiong sound coming from the passenger front. (this turned out to be the worse ball hjoint found). The dealer kept telling me that all my suspension and ball joints were fine. The sound continued and I repeatedly bought the truck back complaining about this sound. The last time, prior to my getting new tires which were rotated every other oil change, I was charged a road test fee and told nothing was wrong. After the new tires were installed and the truck brought back to the dealer, I was told that their 'front end expert' found one lower ball joint (passenger side) that has a small amount of play in it. It was replaced. I brought the truck directly back to Goodyear for the alignment and they called me into the service area where they showed me an incredible amount of play in the right upper ball joint and an more than normal amount of play in the left upper joint. The lower joint had a grease fitting and did not reveal that much play this time because the dealer and done a lube, oil and filter change while the truck was there for the ball joint work. I now see that the NHTSA and asked for a recall on the Dodge vechiles starting from the year 2000. My truck is a 1998 and certainly fits the description of the other recalled vechiles.

- Madison, CT, USA

This is in response to, and in support of, the reccommended recall of Dodge Dakotas. I have a 1998 Dakota and recently had work done (July '04) on the front ball joints and tie rods. After a few months of popping noises from the front end when backing out and turning the steering wheel and a definite feeling of loose suspension on turns I took it to the Dodge dealer for inspection and repair. They told me the truck was not driveable. The ball joints and tie rods were both failing and I was warned had I continued driving the vehicle in this condition I would have had a major accident. This, after having the same symptoms, but different repairs made by a different dealer, a year prior. The vehicle had one previous owner and 61,000 miles on it when I bought it in late 2002. I put on maybe 10,000 miles before the first incident and only a few thousand more before the second incident. I feel this vehicle is not only unsafe, but poorly manufactured and have contacted the manufacturer with my concerns. I feel the suggested recall should include the years prior to those reccommended (2000-2003). I have had two authorized Dodge dealers perform two sets of repair to the amount of nearly $3000. This is nearly the value of the vehicle and it's not even paid off yet.

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

I've submitted a complaint about my plight previously but I have another episode to report. My first complaint (last year) detailed problems with my 98' Dodge Dakota truck. The ball joints on this vehicle are substandard to say the least and are actually downright dangerous. My truck has less than 70000 highway miles on it and I have replaced two ball joints already (as noted in my previous complaint) and now a third is failing and in need of repair. You may ask how I know it failing when I haven't had it repaired yet"... because it's happened so many times before and I know the symptoms. That makes 3/4 of the ball joints on the front of this truck that will have been replaced in the last two years. I was elated to see where the NHTSA has requested Chrysler to recall the Dakota and durango as a result of these ball joint failures. I was equally dismayed to see that it only covered 2000-2003!!!! why"!!! as you read above, my truck has failed equally if not worse than the models the NHTSA recommended be recalled. Numnerous web sites are filled with complaints about these same issues on vehicles that are older than 2000. I suspect it has to do with money = anything more than 4 model years and Chrysler will start screaming. If the failing ball joints are dangerous on the 2000-2003 models, then the same failing ball joints are dangerous on the older models too. Please explain to me why my safety is less important than those with trucks two years newer than mine. Thank you.

- Chelsea, AL, USA

Consumer stated upper ball joints wore out prematurely.

- Janesville, WI, USA

1998 Dodge Dakota upper and lower ball joint failure. Reported by repair shop when asked to perform a front allignment. I was told that tey have never seen a worse case of worn out ball joints. They told me that an allignment cannot be performed without the ball joint repalcement. Fron end is loose and makes a popping sound when turning. Truck has approximately 85,000 miles. No repair completed as yet. I was informed by the repair shop that a recall to correct this defect is likely to be initiated soon and that I should wait for the recall and avoid driving the truck until fixed.

- Valencia, CA, USA

I started to notice a loud popping noise coming from the drivers side front wheel well on my 1998 Dodge Dakota slt club cab. I took my truck to an independant garage and was told that my ball joints were in desparate need of replacement. I was told by the ase certified mechanic that the ball joints are sealed and could not get the proper lubrication causing premature failure. The mechanic also stated that the ball joints could have failed at any time causing the wheel to fail which would result in loss of control of the vehicle. I asked the mechanic if the replacement ball joints were greasable. He told me yes. I feel that the original ball joints were not designed properly by daimler Chrysler, and this is a safety issue that warrants a recall.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

Left and right ball joints on my 1998 Dodge Dakota pickup truck failed with only 46,000 miles on the truck. I had to replace them in order for the truck to pass its state safety inspection.

- Stafford, VA, USA

Ball joint problem with 1998 Dodge Dakota. I have had symptoms of the problem, heavy clunking in front right, for about a year now. I went to the dealer believing it was an upper ball joint problem. I even asked them to replace the uppers. Dealer diagnosed problem as lower ball joints and I paid for them. I beleive they were just out of stock on the uppers. 7 months later, the clunking has gotten worse and when backing out of a parking spot with the wheeel cut hard to the right the front end "hopped" to the side. I had this happen twice in the same day, and took the truck to the dealer the next day. They now admit it needs upper ball joints and are charging me $500+. it is clear that this is a design problem based on the number of people having problems at relatively low mileage.

- Newark, DE, USA

My 1998 Dodge Dakota sport 4WD 5.2 auto has a loud squeak in the suspension area. I took the truck to get an oil change and asked that they make sure they lubricate all areas. The tech told me my ball joint was the problem and that it needs replaced. He told me that Dodge had a recall on them. Is this true? I will be calling the dealer this week to see if they can repair since this may be or already is a recall.

- Sebring, FL, USA

There is a squeaking noise in the front end while driving. Dealership indicated that all 4 ball joints needs to replaced due to premature wear.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

The upper and lower ball joints wore out completely at 27,000 miles. The consumer stated that a consistent rattling noise was heard coming from the front steering suspesion area. The consumer stated that the play inside the ball joint was severe.

- Houston, TX, USA

Discovered upon vehicle inspection; abnormal wear to front tires, front brakes and rotors, upper and lower front ball joints.

- Vestal, NY, USA