10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 42,209 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.
On my 1998 Dodge Dakota I experienced a "klunking" sound in the front end. Found out at 84,000 miles that the ball joints were bad and contributed to wheel bearing and hub assembly problems. Repair bill was $738.95. I had the repair performed at my local Dodge dealer "morgan Dodge" in durham, nc. The dealership told me the repair was necessary and the vehicle was unsafe to drive without the repairs. The oem replacement parts are on national backorder and the dealership had to use aftermarket parts for the ball joints. I have contacted Dodge and they said the vehicle is out of warranty and "is not subject to any recall" so they can not assist me.
- Cary, NC, USA
Consumer stated upper ball joints wore out prematurely. The protective coating broke, which allowed dirt onto the ball joints.......also, dealer replaced wheel bearing, and performed throttle body service.
- Santa Cruz, CA, USA
I have a 1998 Dodge Dakota. I purchase the vehicle with 55,000 miles. Within a couple of weeks I heard a clunking from the front end in a hard right low speed turn. I took the vehicle to the Dodge dealer and both front wheel bearings had to be replace. Had a failure occured at high speed it could have been a big failure. As a second owner I can say how the vehicle was maintained, but the vehicle showed not other signs of abuse. Quite the opposite it showed signs of excellent maintenance. Date below is approximate. The repair was expensive, but more important it someone could be killed if the wheel cuts lose at even moderate speed. The property damage checked is to vehicle thanks.
- Gonzales, TX, USA
Worn front wheel bearing & excessive wear on upper & lower ball joints.
- Washington, NJ, USA
Consumer stated the front wheel bearings keeps wearing out. When applying the brakes the vehicle vibrates. Also when making a sharp left turn the front wheel feels as though it skips. The dealer has been contacted. Nlm
- Northport, FL, USA
The A-arm/bushing failed causing an accident, the front end always felt unstable and after numerous repairs the problem seemed to get worse not better. Nlm
- Riverside, CA, USA
- Gansevoort, NY, USA