I noticed that my Dodge Dakota 2000 4 X4 with 39,000 miles was pulling to the right. I took it in to have the alignment adjusted and was told that it could not be performed because the lower ball joint on the front driver side was failing. Seems to me that no part of the ball joint should be failing at 39,000 miles. From what little research I've done, there seems to be a widespread problem with Dodge Dakota/durango ball joint failures.

- Fresno, CA, USA

Front driver's side upper and lower ball joints failed.

- Ocala, FL, USA

I own a 2000 Dodge Dakota that I bought new. It is a club cab 4X4 with the 4.7L V8 an automatic. The vehicle has never been off road and has just turned 51,000 miles. Without warning the pass. Side upper and lower ball joints both wore out and needed to be replaced. This of course was not covered under the warranty. Luckily I caught the problem before the wheel fell off. I drive approx. 90 miles a day on a major highway and if the wheel would have come off it could have caused a major accident.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

Upper and lower ball joints are worn to the point of making alignment impossible. Alignment shop says condition is dangerous and could result in wheel separation. Condition has existed and has worsened since about 30,000 miles. This condition was repeatedly mis-diagnosed by several Dodge dealerships until warranty expired.

- Logan , UT, USA

Upper and lower ball joints

- Ravenswood, WV, USA

The front end of my 2000 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4WD knocks during turns. Front tires badly worn. Brought to independent shop and was told front ball joints, shocks, and tie rod ends badly worn and not safe to drive. Will cost over $900 to repair. First noticed front end noise around 60000 miles.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

I own a 2000 Dodge Dakota quad cab VIN [xxx]. this vehicle currently has 58000 miles. During an inspection of my brakes, I discovered several front end parts with unacceptable wear. At my own expense, I am replacing upper and lower ball joints on both sides as well as both outer tie-rod ends. I was lucky enough to have discovered these problems before any actual failure occurred. The truck is not new but these parts should have no where near this amount of wear at only 58000 miles. I have since discovered that I am only one of many that has experienced these problems with this type of vehicle. I plan to save all the old parts as well as my receipts in hopes that eventually I might be reimbursed. Updated 07/24/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

While driving 30 mph, the vehicle jerked and vibrated uncontrollably. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle and pulled over. The vehicle was towed to a body shop. The mechanic informed the driver that the upper and lower ball joint were broken and needed to be replaced. The consumer swerved to avoid hitting a deer. After swerving the left front of the vehicle fell to the ground and caused the vehicle to slid into a guard rail.

- Palmyra, IN, USA

Front ball joints fail on a regular and far too often basis.

- Smyrna, GA, USA

While an inspection was performed being performed on the vehicle, it was discovered the ball joints were defective. After searching the web a recall was found.

- Robertsville, MO, USA

I own a 2000 Dodge Dakota with just over 75,000 miles on it. On a recent service visit I was informed that my upper and lower ball joints, on both the driver and passenger side need to be replaced. While looking online I saw that this is a recurring problem with the Dakota and durango so I wanted to report it.

- Oakdale, NY, USA

While driving at 45 mph ball joints on driver's side exploded underneath the pickup, breaking into bits and pieces. The tire completely disengaged. The axle was bent, and the inner tie rod had to be replaced.

- Harrison, AR, USA

While driving at 45 mph the consumer heard a loud bang come from under the vehicle. The consumer saw the wheel from the vehicle roll across the road. The vehicle skidded across the road and ended up in a ditch. The consumer nor the passenger was injured in the accident. A tow truck mechanic informed the consumer that the ball joints collapse on the vehicle.

- Duluth, MN, USA

While driving consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership, and mechanic determined that the upper ball joints failed.

- Westborough, MA, USA

Ball joints on 2000 Dodge Dakota 4X4, I have just replaced all ball joint, S on my vehicle, an was just told by a colision busines that I should not have had to pay for it, due to the fact that Dodge is hiding the fact of bad ball joints on their vehicles, he also said that at 59000 miles I should not have needed them replaced.

- Waterford, NY, USA

Consumer complained about a ball joint problem. Vehicle was noisy around 35,000 miles. Currently, at 50,000 miles the ball joints corroded. Consumer took the vehicle to dealer for general maintenance when it was determined that the ball joints were defective.

- Menomonee Falls, WI, USA

2000 Dodge Dakota 4X4. While cresting a hill on a maintained gravel road traveling approximately 30 mph brakes were applied. Control of vehicle was lost. Vehicle struck berm on right side of road and returned to center of road. Vehicle stopped after sliding about 50 yards to the bottom of a downgrade. Upon exiting vehicle it was found that both front/ left ball joints had failed, causing tire/wheel assy. To buckle underneath vehicle. Damage to stearing components and axle also occured. Chrysler has been contacted and a rep is being sent to inspect the vehicle.

- Hopkinsville, KY, USA

When replacing tires on my 2000 Dakota, I was advised that my ball joints were worn to the point of being unsafe. My vehicle was less than 30 days beyond the expiration of the manufacturer's warranty, and had approximately 19,000 miles on it. I believe both the ball joints and the tires should wear more mileage than that. I also believe the deterioration of the ball joints accelerated the wear of the tires. Ball joints have been replaced at my own expense. Did not want to wait for a recall at the expense of my family's safety.

- Peoria, IL, USA

During inspection, the mechanic informwd the consumer that their front lower/upper ball joint were wearing.

- Brooklyn, MD, USA

The consumer had the ball joints checked and it was confirmed by the Dodge dealer that they needed to be replaced. There were problems when making sharp turns. Ball joints failed tires fell off. While the consumer was driving the vehicle the ball joints came apart and the many parts were damaged as a result of it. The consumer was told to buy a left inter tie rod end. She has to buy the whole rack pinon. The vehicle dropped to the ground and skidded 215 feet. The steering box broke off the frame.

- Harrison, AR, USA