The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while reversing out of a parking lot, he heard a loud noise and was unable to move the vehicle. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the front passenger side tie rod broke. The vehicle was towed home, where the tie rod and lower ball joints were replaced. The vehicle was not taken to an authorized dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 169,000 and the current mileage was 170,000.

- Lincoln , IL, USA

Right tie rod end fell out. The ball joint fell apart. I had just driven from Washington state to New York. Had the vehicle serviced just before leaving. It happened at low speed turning a corner. No crash no injury.

- Hoodsport, WA, USA

While driving on the highway, my front end didn't feel right. The following morning, I took my truck to my mechanic to check it out. He got in it to take it for a ride. When he turned the wheel, there was a clunk. We got out and looked, the passenger side front tire was turned to the right, the driver's side was straight. He said it looks like something happened to the tie rod. It turns out, the threads holding the tie rod together, stripped and it came apart. He said I was lucky it didn't happen on the highway that the wheel probably would have came off and it would have been disastrous. I still have the tie rod. I contacted daimler Chrysler and told them about the problem and asked to be reimbursed for the repair. They told me that they won't reimburse me because I didn't bring it to a Chrysler dealer. I was at my mechanics, what was I going to do? I think they just want to cover it up. My mechanic replaced the stripped tie rod on the driver side, and replaced the right outer tie rod end because it had play in it.

- Belchertown, MA, USA

: the contact stated while driving on the highway at 65 mph, the tie rods separated. The steering was erratic and when the vehicle went over a bump in the road, the front end wandered all over the road. An independent mechanic determined the tie rod had separated and the threads were stripped. The mechanic replaced the left inner tie rod, left tie rod end outer and right tie rod end outer. The dealership has not been informed. Updated 06/27/06.

- Belchertown, MA, USA

Approx. 2 months ago I had upper balls joints replaced under recall, the dealship noted that the lower ball joints and tierods were worn as well, was qutoed approx. $700 to be fixed. Today my daiughter was starting to pull out of my driveway with her 3 year old daughter, the tierod fell out of place causing the truck to stop. Luckly my daughter wasn't driving down the road when this happened because there could have been a very bad accident on a very busy street!!! I want to know why there is a recall on the upper ball joints but not the lower ball joints and tierods, it is a fact that there are serious problems with these parts, are they waiting for someone to be killed because of these defective parts?? this will be the last time I purchase a Chrysler product if these matters are not dealt with when problems with defective parts are presented!!

- Chatham, 00, USA

Consumer was informed that upper ball joint/tie rods werer worn out. This caused the vehicle to pull to the right. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Athol, MA, USA

NHTSA campaign 04V596000; daimler Chrysler issued an upper ball joint recall. This vehicle was included in the recall, but when taken in for repair, results showed that the lower ball joints needed to be replaced as well. Also, inner tie rod wore out, failed state inspection due to excessive wear. Sideto side play in tire when jocke dup. Dealership stated this was a common problem.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

While vehicle was being parked in reverse unexpectedly consumer was not able to steer or move vehicle. Consumer stepped out to look at front wheels and noticed that each wheel was facing in different directions. Consumer was informed that the tie rod broke off. This vehicle had been to the dealer twice for inspection twice, was told by dealer there wa sno way to tell if tie rods were defective due to rust.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA

Front end vibration at 65mph. Have replaced almost every component in the front end, including rack and pinion. The vibration has not gone away and the dealership blames the tire company, and the tire company blames the dealership.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

While driving at a low speed, the inner tie rod end came out of the socket and the front driver side tire turned to the left. This resulted in vehicle crashing into a concrete phylum. The inner tie rod, front lower ball joint, fender, bumper, blinker and rim needed to be replaced. Also when making a sharp right turn driver's side inside rim was rubbing against something underneath the vehicle. Dealership was not willing to replace any component until they were able to duplicate the failure.

- Newton, TX, USA

Upper ball joint and left right tie rod end failure.

- Barrow, AK, USA

While driving at 45 mph consumer lost control of the vehicle. Upon close inspection consumer determined that tie rod end fell off. Vehicle nearly was involved in a collision.

- Charleston, MO, USA

My 40K '01 Dakota qc has a very loose upper left ball joint, a loose lower right ball joint, a loose right outer tie rod and has been making a popping noise/thunk for a number of months. When I called Dodge and asked them why they would need to be repaired they said, "just wear and tear." As if it was no big deal. They didn't mention any safety concerns.

- Lake Oswego, OR, USA

My balljoints snapped while turning in my sons school one morning, resulting in my front wheel and brake assembly falling off completely from my 2001 Dodge Dakota 4X4 truck in December 2002. I had 1000 miles passed factory warrenty

- Modesto, CA, USA

I feel that the problem with the front brakes has to do with the new all wheel drive system. The transmission problem is very scary because sometimes it takes a few seconds to down shift and that may lead me into haveing an accident. The seat is a big comfort issue seeing that is where you sit to drive. The engine idle makes me feel like the truck is going to stall out and I will have to restart it not good if you are sitting in a line of moveing cars

- Flanders, NJ, USA

While traveling between 55 and 60 mph vehicle hit a pothole. Consumer stated tire went flat. Upon examination, consumer noticed that left front tie rod had bent. Dealership informed consumer this part was not covered under warranty, and will cost approximatley $1200 to repair. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

- Freemont, CA, USA