The consumer took the vehicle to have the upper ball joints repaired under recall. It was also discovered that the lower ball joints were defective. The vehicle had 40,000 miles on it. The consumer contacted the manufacturer and received no assistance. Provide further details.

- Newhall, CA, USA

2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab was serviced on six separate occasions for clunking in the front end while going over bumps and during turns. Several parts were replaced while under warranty but dealership insisted that ball joints and cv joints were fine. They also stated that no other complaints had been filed and that there was not a service bulletin regarding this problem. The problem became apparent within the first 17,000 miles and continues to persist.

- Absecon, NJ, USA

Tires on the front end of my 2001 Dodge Dakota 4WD 3.9L V6 were wearing really unevenly. Come to find out that I had one upper and one lower ball joint on opposing sides that went bad. My truck only had 40,000 miles on it and they were all highway. Both ball joints have been replaced and was done in December 2003. It wore out two brand new tires.

- Floyd, VA, USA

2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4X4, VIN no. [xxx] - failure of the front ball joint and the tie rod end that had to be replaced at my cost and will have to replace the the other side next year accourding to the dealer that replaced the the ball joint.. the front end of my truck has been making noise from the time I bought the truck with 59 miles for the dealer and I was told it was becuase of the greaseless ball joint and the only way to have it. Updated 07/24/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Clinton Township, MI, USA

I just replaced the ball joints on my 2001 Dakota. They were very loose and had alot of "play". I'm lucky I got mine repaired before it caused an accident like others I've recently heard about. I've also replaced the front drive shaft, rear U-joints and rear differential all within the last year. I have to believe that all this is related. I'm probably up over $3,000 in repairs for these things.

- Freeland, MI, USA

Dodge Dakota ball joint problem. I have once had them replaced at 30,000 miles due to an awful sound. The sound is back, this is a problem Dodge should be dealing with. After research it is my understanding that this is a very common problem that Dodge does not wish to deal with, and there has be serious accidents to which I want no part of. I'm guessing at the date of the first problem on this survey.

- Port Matilda, PA, USA

My 2001 Dodge Dakota 2wd has 45,000 miles on it and already needs 3 ball joints replaced.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

Front upper and lower ball joints wore out prematurely. The faulty ball joints caused abnormal wear on the driver's side front tire. The manufacturer refused any assistance because the vehicle was out of warranty.

- Morganton, NC, USA

The upper and lower ball joints on my 2001 Dodge Dakota extended cab 4X4 pickup have had massive deterioration with only 17,500 miles on them. They cause tremendous steering and tracking problems, and have caused me to not be able to drive the vehicle because of safety concerns. Because these cannot be lubricated or adjusted, they must be replaced. I will either do these repairs myself in the near future or have then done at a qualified garage, but I will save the defective parts. I have not done anything excessive with the vehicle such as off-roading, trailering, heavy loads, or any "non-standard" use. All equipment (tires included) on the truck is factory, I.e. no aftermarket modifications that would cause non-standard loads or stresses. This type of premature failing at only 17,500 miles is not acceptable, and from my research I understand it is a common problem with the year and model of vehicle.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

Ball joints make loud metallic noise, wear tires quickly, requiring excessive alignment/balancing.

- Goose Creek, SC, USA

I bought the truck new in 2001. I complained about clunking noises coming from the wheel area when I made turns. Slow and usually at intersections. Now it is more advanced and noisy on bumps.

- Seattle, WA, USA

Upper and lower ball went bad after only 40,000 miles.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

I would like to know why Dodge has not recalled the Dodge Dakotas for defective ball joints and disc rotors. I have scanned the internet and found a large number of people who have had the same problem as I. my 2001 Dakota was purchased in December. Of 01 and has 44,000 miles. I am 54 years old and this was my first new vehicle. Unfortunately it was a Dodge. I will never own another Dodge product, and if asked my opinion will not recommend Dodge to anyone !!!!!!!!! please send this to the Dodge Corp.

- Slippery Rock, PA, USA

The vehicle vibrated when the brakes were applied. The consumer thought that the brakes were bad when it was discovered that it was not the brakes but the ball joints had failed. The consumer had to have the ball joints replaced and had to come out of pocket to do so.

- College Station, TX, USA

Driver side front of P/U started 'knocking' when traversing bumps or making right hand turns at 12000. Passenger side front tire began to feather at 30000. At 37775 with new shocks and tires, allignment was needed to correct pulling to the right. Was discovered that lower passenger and upper driver side ball joints were "horribly shot.

- Grand Junction, CO, USA

Wheel and assembly came off while traveling on the highway. Cv joint, ball joints, brake removed.

- Cambridge, OH, USA

Within several thousand miles of ownership vehicle experienced heavy vibration coming from the front. Several parts were replaced, except the original ball joints. Vehicle was back at dealership several times with no change in condition or replacement of the original ball joints.

- Pittsfield, MA, 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

Webmaster FOIA request all complaint/notices/documents or warning between NHTSA nd daimler Chrysler re: Problems malfunction, failures of the upper/lower ball joints associated with the Dodge Dakota truck for my 2001. (nar)

- Logan, WV, USA

Upper and lower ball joints need to be replaced at 20,000 miles. Known issue on Dodge durangos that share the same suspension components. Not covered under warranty and a definite safety hazard. Ball joints are the only thing holding the wheels in line and failure could result in a severe accident.

- Dallas, TX, USA