I have had my upper and lower ball joints replaced a few times under warrenty along with the intermediate steering shaft ! always replaced with the same factory part prone to failure !at $100 deductable per incident along with the cost of a front end alignment after each repair (not covered) - and now my extended warrenty is up and it will cost me more for the privledge to own this useless truck !

- Staten Isl, NY, USA

Have stayed updated on tune-ups and keeping truck running, got new tires Nov. 24, 2004 from leschuab. On Dec. 1 2004, I was hit on the front end driver side. Took truck in for reapirs, and found out that ball joints were extremely worn.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

Complaint received via E-mail." A month after purchase (10/25-02) I had a ball joint failure on the passenger side, it literally fell apart. I contacted Dodge several times and took it to Dodge for a diagnostics test and they said the ball joint was bad but would not fix it. They said that the warranty only covered the drive chain and O well. I had a mechanic fix it - not Dodge. Here it is a year later and the other ball joint is starting to fall apart. The upper radius arm bushings are too close to the engine and heat causes the bushing to dry rot allowing space, the ball joints cannot handle the movement and collapse. The 1999 Dodge trucks are not in the recall, why ? this model came out in 1997 I believe that all of them have this problem and it is a defect. One month ago I went to tate Dodge and asked the mechanic if he knew of any other trucks with this problem or if they had to do a lot of front end repairs, he lied. He said I don't know anything and I haven't heard of one yet. A week later the recall came out. I notified Dodge of my problems back in 2002, I bet a lot of accidents would have been nullified if they had listened."

- Annapolis, MD, USA

Consumer complained about steering problems. He took the vehicle to dealer to be serviced, and it was determined that the vehicle had damaged ball joints. Consumer was aware of recall on Dodge Dakota and durango 2000-2003.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

1999 Dodge Dakota right ball front ball joints went bad. Took it to the dealership to replace them. 61000 miles on the truck. No accident, or injuries, just unsafe conditions to drive with this vehicle. Just purchased this month.

- Hallwood, VA, USA

On 11/9/2004 I took my 1999 Dodge Dakota pickup into my independent mechanic to give me a normal oil/lube/filter. When they started the pickup up on the lift, the left, front ball joint broke and the whell fell off. They said it was all rusted and worn. My pickup had 41,000 miles at the time. I contacted my Chrysler dealerand was told to contact crysler directly which I did. The Chrysler customer support line registered my problem but said that since I did not use Chrysler parts or use their repair shop that I was out of luck. The latest recall program apparently is for 2000-2003 years only. This is not right that a truck 1 year earlier with exactly the same problem as the recall addresses should be the responsibility of the owner. Have you looked into earlier model years?

- Adrian, MI, USA

The right front tire completely wore from the inside. The vehicle was taken to dealer for a front end alignment, and the upper ball joints were found to be defective.

- Ellerslie, GA, USA

The upper and lower ball joints wore out prematurely.

- Soldotna, AK, USA

I have had to service and replace both the upper and lower ball joints on this truck due to near failure three times in the two years I have owned this truck. Subsequent replacements of the ball joints have been covered under warranty since they all have occured within one year of each replacement. However, I fear in the future I will begin to either encure huge expenses with annual replacements not to mention the huge risk of ball joint failure. I have done considerable research regarding this problem and am amazed that the recent 2000-2002 Dodge Dakota recall was not extended to the numerous problems plagueing the 99 models. I hope soon the recall will be extended to include these terribly faulty ball joints as well.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

There was a popping noise in the front end while turning. Vehicle was driven to the dealership, who indicated after inspection that the lower ball joints had worn out prematurely and needed to be replaced. The lower ball joints were replaced. However, failure recurred 4000 miles later with the upper ball joints.

- Leesburg, VA, USA

1) loud squeaking, poping noise 2) replaced before complete failure 3) replaced upper and lower ball joints on the drivers side.

- Acworth , GA, USA

Upper and lower ball joint failure in 1999 Dodge Dakota rt, aftermarket parts installed the first time at 39,000 miles and is in need of a second replacement now at 60,000 miles.

- Elkton , MD, USA

I own a 1999 Dodge Dakota 3.9L V6. I am aware of the recall that has been issued for models 2000-2004 for ball-joint issues. The 1999 models deserve to be in this recall...most of the complaints are starting from the 99's and 2000 models. My truck is part of this problem. I have a noticeable problem with my ball-joints, and it's only a matter of time until my wheel decides to fly off (probably while traveling 70 mph on the highway, which will be disastrous to me and others). With my truck only having near 79,000 miles on it and given the way it's delicately been driven, there should be no reason why I should have a problem with these joints. Please push Dodge to extend the recall to cover 99 models as well. I know I'm not alone in this problem. I have searched many forums, and am pretty sure there are about 100,000+ more cases just in this 99 group alone. Thanks for listening and please respond with any information or updates on this matter!

- Ocala, FL, USA

Consumer took vehicle to the dealer for annual maintenance, and was told that the upper ball joints/idle arm, and tie rod ends were defective.

- Clark, NJ, USA

The upper and lower ball joints wore out prematurely.

- Patchogue, NY, USA

Consumer complained about steering problems. Took vehicle to dealer for inspection, but it not serviced. However, mechanic determined that ball joints failed. He was aware of the durango, Dakota investigation by Dodge.

- Byron, IL, USA

After only 38,000 miles, my Dodge dealer in 2001 advised me my ball joints were defective and needed repair on my 1999 Dodge Dakota 4X4. Out of warrenty by only 2000 miles and only about a year old, they advised me to keep the paper work and parts, if there ever was a recall.

- Northwood, NH, USA

Wheels would shake and make a clicking noise when making turns and traveling at low speeds. Vehicle repaired by the dealer when consumer found out that the upper ball joints needed to be replaced.......also, replaced lower ball joints.

- East Granby, CT, USA

During a routein tire rotation at my Chrysler dearer it was discovered that after only 44,529 miles the ball joints were ready to fail on my 1999 Dakota sport cc pickup. Before I left the dealer he replaced the upper and lower ball joints both sides and the left and right inner tie rod ends. I was lucky I went in for a tire rotation.

- Menominee, MI, USA

While driving 10 mph passenger's wheel broke. Vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection, and mechanic determined that both frontal upper ball joints needed to be replaced.

- Mount Vernon, OH, USA