I had to have the driver side upper ball joint replaced on my 2001 Dodge Dakota. Now I believe the passenger side must be replaced.

- Ravena, NY, USA

2001 Dodge Dakota ball joint failure. Took to dealer twice before warranty expired complaining of noise from front end. They told me all was fine and not to worrk as it was "normal". two months later and 47,000 on odometer (warranty expired) entire right front wheel fell off while turning in parking lot. Dealer wanted me to pay for repair. I called daimler Chrysler several times and complained to no avail. In the end, the dealer found that the other side of the Dakota was worn as well and that they wanted to replace the ball joints there as well. After a month of fighting and complaining, I finally got my truck back (with a complete new front end). Repairs cost of $3100 of which I had to pay about $700 as a "good will". now that I have had my truck and 3000 miles later, the front end is starting to make noise again. This is a defect and Dodge should be responsible! ironically, from what I saw on the news, the durango has the same problems. My wife drives a '99 durango and is now nervous, as you can imagine.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

Faulty ball joints on my 2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab.

- Middletown, DE, USA

Ball joints on my 2001 Dodge dakata quad cab 4X4 needs replacing after 50000 miles.

- Erie, CO, USA

Upper ball joints on 2001 Dodge Dakota both balljoints filled at around 100,000 mi. Of highway driing.

- Tuolumne, CA, USA

Near crash due to faulty ball joints on a 2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4X4.

- Lula, GA, USA

While traveling at approximately 55 mph right upper ball joint seperated from the vehicle causing driver to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle swerved wildly into oncoming traffic, due to right front tire being on its side under the vehicle. Vehicle was finally brought under control and to the shoulder of the road.

- Norwich, NY, USA

Front upper ball joint failure on 2001 dosge Dakota with 43,980 miles on odometer.

- Mount Pleasant, SC, USA

2001 Dodge Dakota pick up ball joinst wore out at 54000 miles, had 1998 Dakota also bought new, all ball joints wore out at 40000 miles, seems to be a problem Chrysler hasnt fixed for several years.

- Deep Gap, NC, USA

Both upper ball joints are making noise, will need to be replaced. I only have 29000 miles on the truck.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

Have a 2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4WD. Lost the front wheel while driving earlier this year. Ball joint failure was the cause. Dodge didn't seem to think it was a problem, though at 60 mph the whole wheel flying off seemed like one to me. Not sure of the exact date...though I can find out if needed from police

- Wabash, IN, USA

Ball joints are cheap and dangerous. My vehicle has only 35,000 miles and the ball joints are in bad shape on both sides and needs to be replaced, like many others around the country!! im sure im not the only one with this problem.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

I purchased my 2001 Dakota on 11/13/2000. By April 2001 I heard popping and creaking noise from the front end. Took it to the dealer and they said the hub was loose and re-torqued the bolt. Then about 6 to 9 months later I heard the same noise again. Took it back to the dealer and they said that it was the steer stop. They told me nothing was wrong, just not to turn the wheels all the way to one direction or the other. At 25,000 I replaced the tires because they went bald on the outer edge, but had plenty of tread on the inner edge. On the news, I heard able the issues with the ball joints on Dodge Dakotas and durangos. Upon researching the ball joint issue, I found that failure of the ball joints can lead to popping and creaking noises in the suspension, and premature tire wear. I also learned that there were a couple instances where the wheel actually separated from the vehicle. On 11/13/2003, the factory warranty expired...leaving me on the extended warranty. The noise has since gotten louder, so on 1/19/2004 I took my vehicle back to the dealership to have the noise checked and to ensure that the vehicle is safe to drive. They informed me that the upper right ball joint is failing and needs to be replaced. My extended warranty will cover the repair, however will not cover the alignment that is required to make sure the vehicle is complety driveable and safe again. I feel that the dealer waited on the ball joint issue until the factory warranty expired. I also feel that there should be a recall on the ball joints for these vehicles. Today, my Dakota has 25,500 miles on it. Ball joints are a safety issue, and should last ove 50,000 mile or more.

- Aurora, CO, USA

When driving over bumps in the road a rattling noise was heard. Consumer found the upper ball joints were worn out and loose.

- Ocala, FL, USA

Consumer complained about a ball joint problem. Both upper and lower ball joints prematurely wore out.

- Las Cruces, NM, USA

Squeaking noises heard eminating from front suspension at 35000 miles, unable to lubricate suspension because components lack service/grease fittings. During follow-up inspection and tire rotation, identified premature wear to right side upper ball joint causing misalignment, unusual wear to front tires and wear to left wheel bearing. Dealer replaced left wheel bearing and right side upper ball joint at 37336 miles. Dealer also recommended the replacement of most of the other suspension components before they failed. Dodge was helpful in picking up the cost of failed parts, not recommended repairs. My cost $100, for going over the warrantee milage and not being able to maintain a maintenance free system. Plus, I get to pay for a re-alignment after the current repairs and most likely the cost of any other premature failure of these maintenance free parts in the near future.

- Ingleside, TX, USA

Front right ball joint for my 2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab extremly loose and broken. Needed replacement. Cost $200 for parts and labor. Repair shop said he had the same problem with his '01 Dakota and so are many others.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

Ball joint failure. I have already filed a complaint in regards to upper ball joint failure on my truck. When I first started checking on the problem the only repair solution was upper control arm replacement. By the time of investigating for an after market product Dodge had released a ball joint only part. This indicates to me that Dodge saw that there was a unusual amount of ball joint failures. Now to make things worse I am starting to get the same symptoms I had before (within two months of replacing the uppers). Which tells me that either the lowers are going out now or the new uppers were defective as well. It also seems strange that alot of the problems are happening just after the warranty period. I think Dodge may be using planned failure. I also think NHTSA officials investigating this problem should look at comments on other websites. Not everyone knows that they can report a problem on this website. Just do a search for Dodge Dakota ball joints and look and see how many complaints there are out there. The scariest thought are people who will continue to drive the vehicle and not know that it is the ball joint and how serious the failure could be.

- Springfield, IL, USA

I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota 2wd and I have a very loud popping noise coming from my left front suspension system that seems to be coming from the ball joint area. It happens when I turn sharp and hit a bump also. I understand from many people who own these vehicles that this is the first sign of a common problem with ball joints grinding and coming apart. This is a safety related issue that needs to be addressed.

- Indian Harbour Beach, FL, USA

Faulty ball joints on a 2001 Dodge Dakota 4X4 with 39,000 miles on it. My old Honda Accord sedan (1990) and my existing 1998 Accord have never had this problem at 150,000 and 90,000 miles respectively despite driving all the same roads. This thing is a truck and is often advertised as being "tough" and "rugged." Is Chrysler kidding? today, January 7, 2004, they are being replaced at my expense.

- Pownal, ME, USA