Ball joint failure.

- Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, USA

I own a 1999 Dodge Dakota V-8 magnum 5.2L, it only has 138,000 miles on it. When I bought it it only had 76,600 miles. In that little time I have had to replace the upper and lower ball joints twice, and the rack and pinion, and the water pump, the thermostat, the power steering pump, the tie rods, and there is so much more wrong. Why am having to replace these things twice in such little mileage" after reading up on it through the internet I am not the only one with these problems, there are hundreds of people with the same complaints, why is there a recall on the 2000, & 1998 but not 1999" I am out so much money and have almost wrecked my truck twice because of these problems, once with 6 kids in the car with me and again with my 3 kids. This needs immediate attention before several people get hurt or worse, die!!!

- Henryetta, OK, USA

Dodge Dakota 4X4 required replacement of front suspension upper and lower ball joints. Wear of ball joints resulted in premature, rapid destruction of a set of tires due to inner shoulder wear. Set of 4 tires had to be replaced at approximately 1/2 of expected tread life. Total repair cost due to premature failure of ball joints, including new tires, was $1384.93 condition of ball joints was hazardous and could have resulted in an accident through suspension or tire failure. Condition was also difficult to notice, as the wear was on inner shoulder of front tires. The ball joint and tire wear was not identified during a thorough inspection by an independent mechanic at 60586 miles or by a Dodge dealership during 60,000 mile service performed at 60789 miles. Dodge is aware of the safety hazard of the front ball joints on these vehicles, however did not notify me of the condition. I am the original vehicle owner, and these are original miles. Dodge has declined to assist in the cost of repair.

- Richland, WA, USA

Shaky steering wheel, shaky vehicle, left front tire cupping, wearing unevenly. Alignment shop cannot align, said ball joints are defective. Vehicle unsafe, now parked awaiting disposition from mfger. Dealer notified.

- Van Wert, OH, USA

I have had to replace both front wheel bearings, they failed. Now I have to replace front ball joints. Why is this not being recalled" is my safety not a concern to Dodge or NHTSA" I have already been stranded on the highway at midnight, thanks.

- Grass Lake , MI, USA

I currently own a 1999 Dodge Dakota 5.2L 4WD ext. Cab. I have had upper ball joints replaced at about 65,000 mile range by the dealer and paid for the repairs. Now I am at 94,000 and now the lower ball joints are bad. Also my inner tie rod. I am seeing alot of complaints about the balls joints on this year causing major issues. I have seen there was a recall of 2000-2003 but what about 1999 year" isn't it the same front end as the other years? also had to replace the rear differential ABS speed sensor. Now I have read many places regarding the front suspension issue along with the ABS and brake light showing on dashboard and is because of a bad sensor in rear differential. What is the possibility of Dodge reimbursing me money towards upper ball joints and fixing my lower ball joints and tie rod for free"

- Winfield Park, NJ, USA

I have had so many problems with this vehicle, I don't know where to begin. After purchasing this vehicle new, within the first year and several trips to the dealership for a clunking noise which got louder and faster as I accelerated the dealer couldn't figure out what it was. After picking it up the umteenth time, the noise was still there, I drove back to the dealership demanding they figure it out. They put there qa tech on it and discovered it was the drive shaft. That was replaced and I have had nothing but problems with the transmission slipping, the tires prematurely wearing, ball joints have been replaced several times. They were replaced in December 07 the last time, less than a year before the last time, along with new tires. It is now April 11, 2008 and I was just told after servicing the vehicle they need replaced again and the tires are wearing. The air conditioning failed several times, the brakes and rotors wear bi-annually and don't stop properly, after about 60,000 miles, the computer went on this vehicle, leaving me stranded many, many times. It was at the dealership several times for this and they couldn't detect the problem, even after my personal mechanic told them what it was. I had to have this fixed on my own because the dealership couldn't. the front passenger seat belt sticks and is difficult to unfastened, the paint on this vehicle is almost completely gone from everywhere but the sides of the vehicle. The serious safety issues with this vehicle are ridiculous and really need to be addressed by the manufacturer. How many deaths are you waiting for to occur before you make the manufacturer accountable for their defects"?? is it going to take a death to occur and Chrysler to be sued for their neglect and faulty equipment????"

- Honey Brook, PA, USA

The 1999 Dodge Dakota 4 X 4 I bought new has 48500 miles on it now. It's front end ball joints are failing and will need replacement to avoid an accident. This truck has has only been city and highway driven.

- Seattle, WA, USA

Dealer notified me that both ball joints and control arms are dangerously loose and need replaced. NHTSA campaign # 04V596000 specifies manufacture date from 01/07/1999 - 12/31/2002. My truck was build in March of 1999. They are claiming that I got lucky and my truck does not fall under the recall, yet I still have the problem. 1999 Dodge Dakota sport 4X4 VIN #[xxx]. updated 07/12/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Coralville, IA, USA

VIN number: 1B7gg22yx XS206501; vehicle description: Dodge Dakota 4X4 P/U club cab model year: 1999 a knocking began in the front end and I took it to a mechanic who found both lower ball joints nearly ready to fall apart and both upper ball joints well worn. He said Dodge had recalled newer model years but was refusing to fix the same problem in the 1999 models. The mechanic said the problem in my pickup was exactly the same problem in several 2000 - 2003 models he'd fixed. I called Dodge but they just said it wasn't their problem. I entered an incident date below but there really wasn't a specific incident that happened. The ball joints just deteriorated much too quickly. I'm now paying over $700 to have the problem corrected.

- Centerburg, OH, USA

The contact stated vehicle would not stay in alignment. It made loud popping and snapping sounds when making turns. Upon inspection the upper ball joint grease seal completely disintegrated. The lower ball joints had up and down play, which caused excessive wear on the tires. Both upper and lower ball joints were replaced at the contact's expense. The manufacturer offered an extended warranty for model years 2000-2002 two wheel drive only. However, this did not cover this model year. Additionally, there was NHTSA recall 04V596000 concerning upper ball joints. This recall was for model years 2000-2002 four wheel drive models only. The contact felt the extended warranty or recall should apply to this vehicle because it experienced the same problems. Updated 11/29/2005 - the outer tie roads and upper/lower bushings were also replaced.

- Cathedral City, CA, USA

3 different mechanics told me that my ball joints were about to decay and possibly make my wheels collapse. I had to get them replaced after hearing and reading about other 1999 Dakota problems and dangers with the ball joints.

- Cedar Springs, MI, USA

Because I heard of all the problems with front ends on these vehicles I have it checked every time I get my oil changed. With only 35,000 miles on my Dodge dokota sport I had theupper and lower ball joint replaced, the tie rod ends and last week the U-joint. Hard to believe there - Ashland, WI, USA