2000 Dodge Dakota steering problems. The consumer's vehicle made strange noises, shook excessively and pulled to the right. The consumer suspects that the ball joints are the cause of the problem. The consumer would like to know the status of the investigation in progress on the Dodge Dakota's.

- Unknown, DC, 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

I have a 2000 ddge Dakota & went to get a tire fixed & learned that my front tires are about to fall off!!! I had no idea that the upper ball joints were bad! then I found out that a recall may be issued for these concidering how many have went bad!!! I am just very lucky that my 2 infant children were not injured in an accident do to a falty part that has not been recalled yet! is there going to be a recall"?"

- Sesser, IL, USA

While driving at 20 mph out of a driveway right front wheel detached from the vehicle and rolled down the road. Vehicle was damaged on the bumper and the under carriage.

- Salamanca, NY, USA

2000 Dodge Dakota 78200 miles front right tire shimmied/shook at speeds from 40 mph on up. No noise or popping sounds heard. Front end would jump around if a pot hole was hit going around a turn. Took truck in for alignment & tire balancing. Service tech found upper right ball joint was worn out. Had ball joints replaced. Tech removed boot from ball joint and found that no lubricant was present in the sealed boot, and that joint was loose.

- Rockledge, FL, USA

I was going down the highway, doing about 60 mph when the right upper ball joint on my 2000 Dodge Dakota failed causing the whole tire assembly to fall off. The truck started to spin across three lanes off traffic, the truck started to turn on its side until it hit the guard rail causing it to land on the three tires that were left on the truck. After taking the truck to the body shop there was a total of $11,000 damage done to the truck, as of right now it is still in the shop getting fixed.

- Akron, OH, 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

2000 quad cab 4 X 4 Dakota. I bought the Dakota used with 59,000 miles. Shortly after the front end began to squeak and clunk. A dealership diagnosised the problem to be the upper ball joints. This is aweful early to have ball joint failures. I had the ball joints replaced for $360. The service manager also informed me that DaimlerChrysler is aware of the problem but will not issue a recall because they do not believe it to be a safety issue. If an upper ball joint fails, then it will seperate from the knuckle. The knuckle holds the wheel in place. So, if the ball joint fails there as high probability that the wheel will come off.

- Warren, MI, USA

2000 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4X4 slt. Heavy duty suspension. Top of the line model. Took truck in for service on a squeeking front end suspension. Service finds right upper ball joint needs replaced. Once the technician got into the work he finds all four ball joints, uppers and lowers, need to be replaced. Truck has 87K road miles all on paved road. Never been taken off road. Vehicle was partially repaired. Pending my ability to pay for remaining right lower, and left upper and lower ball joint replacement.

- Lexington, KY, USA

Had seen a news story regarding 2000 Dodge Dakota upper ball joint failures where front wheel would come off. I suspected mine were making clunking noises so I asked the dealer to check them at about 62,000 miles. I told them I had had heard of complaints/possible issues related to this problem. They indicated they were "ok". on May 2nd ( at ~67,000 miles), while jacking the front end up to check brakes and rotate tires, the upper ball joint completely dropped out of the socket on the front passenger side wheel. I consider myself very fortunate, this ball joint didn't pop out while driving. I am furious that Chrysler hasn't recalled (that I am aware of), or at least sent out a service bulletin on this problem.

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

Upper ball joints wore out prematurely.

- Greer, SC, USA

While driving 55 mph a loud noise was heard coming from the rear. Consumer drove the vehicle to the to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the both frontal upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to worn out parts.

- New Baden, IL, USA

2000 Dodge Dakota sport 49,000 miles, need both upper ball joints replaced. Upon hearing about this problem, I took it into the dealer to have it checked prior to going on a trip. After the dealer looked at the truck, they said the right wheel was about ready to fall off and the left was bad as well. They said they would not drive it across town. They provided me a car to drive until they fix it. Dodge needs to perform a recall on these and fix the problem for good. I'm am concerned that it will just happen again later, just like some of the other reports of needing replacement multiple times. If they don't do a recall, it will not only effect my wallet, but also future buying decisions. I want a company to stand behind their product. I think the resale value would also be effected if a recall is not done.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

Upper and lower ball joints wore out. Makes a horrible popping sound when turning the wheel or intially going forward and backing up while cutting the wheel.

- Saint Marys, GA, USA

I own a 2000 Dodge Dakota, and have noticed a popping noise on the dirvers side front end. I have since determined that it is in fact the upper ball joint that is badly worn, and has an extreme amount of play in it. I understand that this is becomming a growing problem and wanted to add to it in hopes of getting it replaced before my front wheel falls off.

- Austin, TX, USA