10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 34,906 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Passenger side front end ball joint failure. Ball joint replaced by local Dodge dealer.
- Jeffersonton, VA, USA
My 2001 Dodge Dakota 2wd has 45,000 miles on it and already needs 3 ball joints replaced.
- Glendale, AZ, USA
I own 2 Dodge Dakotas one 1997 and one 2001. I have not replaced the ball joints, but they are making poping and cracking noises. The 2001 only has 24000 miles on it. When making a hard turn both Dakotas seem to wobble like somthing is loose. I have not had any accidents yet but somthing is wrong. Also the front tires have warn uneven on both trucks. Front end alignment was almost impossable on the 2001 model.
- Blanchester, OH, 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
While driving 10 mph upper ball joint failed. As a result, the front passenger side tire separated from the vehicle.
- White Bear Lake, MN, USA
Ball joints make loud metallic noise, wear tires quickly, requiring excessive alignment/balancing.
- Goose Creek, SC, USA
Ball joints on 2001 Dakota need replacement at 60,000 miles. Caused uneven tire wear, some difficulty with vehicle tracking. Will replace old parts, and keep parts available.
- Omaha, NE, USA
While driving and upon hitting anything in the road vehicle will make a clanking noise. Took vehicle to dealer to be looked at. Consumer had the shocks changed. However, it did not solve the problem. Contacted the Dodge dealer, and was told they needed the upper control arm.
- Jonesville, MI, 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 ball joint failed on the wheel assembly on the passenger side; entire wheel assembly fell off the Dodge Dakota truck. Fortunately my wife was only driving at about 5 to 10 mph when it happened. No one was injured. My wife had just been on the pa turnpike 30 minutes earlier she would have been killed if the upper ball joint had failed when she was on the turnpike. 2 001 Dodge Dakota 4-wheel drive truck, V8 engine. Dealer can fix the wheel assembly, we have yet to get the bill, the truck is still in the shop.
- Downingtown, PA, USA
Upper and lower ball went bad after only 40,000 miles.
- Anchorage, AK, USA
My front passenger side tire fell off my 2001 Dodge Dakota. This was due to a faulty ball joint. As a result, the brake line and axle also needed replacing. I notified the dealership and Dodge. I was told there is nothing they could do, because the vehicle was no longer under warranty, nor was it recalled.
- New Boston, NH, 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
I have been told that I need to have the ball joints replaced on my 01 Dakota. The dealer states that failure to do so will result in the wheels falling off at any time.
- Apex, NC, 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
When turning in either direction front end produced a cracking and squeaking noise. Dealers stated upper ball joints broke.
- Elkton, MD, USA
Noticeable grinding and stress sound especially when making a sharp turn over an uneven surface, such as turning into driveway while traversing a shallow curb. While getting vehicle inspected, I was informed that my upper ball joint was in need of replacement before total failure. This seems rather a premature failure of such a part seeing as how the truck is a 2001 with then around 55,000 miles on it.
- Scotia, NY, USA
- Port Matilda, PA, USA