Worn ball joints and related suspension noise.

- Rochester, MN, USA

2002 Dodge Dakota pickup truck exhibits premature wear on upper ball joints resulting in loud popping noise during turns and front in rattle on uneven pavement.

- Orange, TX, USA

Upon turning the steering wheel, I would hear "popping" coming from the front suspension. Brought it in for inspection. Mechanic diagnosed the problem as bad ball joints. Replaced both upper and lower ball joints (left and right). The condition of the upper ball joints indicated that they were ready to pop out of the socket.

- Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

Premature failure on left upper ball joint for 2002 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4X4, 36,990 miles. Popping sounds coming from front left, so I took it to the dealer for evaluation. I was charged for the ball joint check and deductable on extended warranty.

- Ramsey, MN, USA

I have had clunking and squeaking noises coming from the front end of my 2002 Dodge Dakota quad cab since about 18,000 miles. I have mentioned it to the dealer and they say they do not know what it is. After viewing the internet I have realized that there is many problems with the upper and lower ball joints. I will soon be returing to the dealer with the info to try to get it fixed.

- Southampton , NY, USA

Brought 2002 Dakota to dealer cause of popping noises coming from front end especially when turning. Dealer said no problem found. Truck still makes noises. Heard that there may be a problem with ball joints.

- Anderson, SC, USA

The upper ball joints were worn out and need to be replaced. When vehicle went over a pump in the road there was a clucking or knocking noise from the front end. This was a common problem with these trucks.

- Olathe, KS, USA

After approximately 1 year and about 15,000 miles I took my 2002 Dodge Dakota slt quad cab 4.7L V8 4X2 in to the dealer for a "clunking" noise in the steering. The dealer stated that the upper ball joints were worn and replaced the parts under warranty. On 4 July 2004, after having the truck for about 2 years and 32,000 miles, while going over a speed bump at approximately 10 miles per hour, a lound crash was heard followed by a griding noise. It turns out that the upper ball joint on the passenger side just snapped and the steering arm slammed in to the rim of the wheel scraping the edge of it barely missing the tire by 1-1.5 inches. The vehicle is now having that same "clunking" noise when going over bumps and it can be felt in the steering.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

Vehicle was taken to the dealer for a routine inspection, and mechanic determined that both upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to worn out parts.

- Cabot, AR, USA

I had loss of control of my vehicle this morning which I believe is a direct result of my steering/ball joint / rack and pinion failure. It's at the dealer now being looked over thoroughly. The dealer just replaced the intermittent steering shaft last week.

- St Charles, VA, USA

Ball joints and U-joints are in need of replacement after only 26 months of ownership and 60,000 miles put on the truck.

- Corfu, NY, USA

Upper ball joints are failing.

- The Woodlands, TX, USA

Dodge Dakota 02 with just 50000 miles has noise in front end, thud in front end on bumps and turns, camber seems to change at times when veiwed while parked, called Dodge at 1-800-992-1997, got a runaround from customer service, if I take truck to Dodge and pay for a diognostic on ball joints they may help with repairs. This has to be extremly poor quality parts for this many vehilcles to have proplems.

- Grenwich, NY, USA

While driving at any speed and when brake were depressed pedal pulsated. Vehicle was serviced, and technician turned the rotors at 34, 000 miles. Vehicle has a problem with the ball joint in the past, which concerned the consumer.

- Bonner Springs, KS, USA

Upon inspection of road wander complaint, vehicle was found to have a bad upper ball joint, and excessive wear on all other ball joints for mileage noted.

- Narberth, PA, USA

Dodge Dakota 4X4 2002 /have been experiencing front end problems with truck since purchase. Brought in numerous times to dealer for brake issues[front rotors, pads, rear drums and discs].told multiple times there is no problem, its the way you drive. Truck has never been abused, very well cared for. After the 5th time to dealer finnally told that the upper ball joints need replacment.this was after one full year of denial.notified dealer of noise at the steering wheel, told they could not vrify the complaint would probably go away after replacing upper ball joints.one week later after replacment of upper ball joints, same noise reoccured [loud clunking sound at front end]took back to dealer only to be told that the bottom ball joints need replacment, no mention one week prior about wear on lower area.dealer also stated that the noise noted coming from stering wheel from previous complaints was now thought to be an intermiediate shaft in the steering column, this same noise that one week earlier could not be identified.at 30,000 miles my entire differential gear assembbly needed replacment.I have been charged multiple warranty deductibles on what seems to me to be, the same problem and possibly a canidate for lemon status.at what point will the consumers right's be protected.I am joining a class action lawsuit in regards to Chrysler/daimler and suggest to everyone who reads this to do the same.check out www.dodgetalk.com for info and links.also I reccomend to anyone who has had problems with their daeler in terms of denials/non repairs/faulty workmanship/or any related costs out of pocket to file formal complaints and contact a local lemon law attorney in relation to their actions and lack of proper business ethics.only until we make change happen can we acctually achieve it.good luck to everyone who reads this.

- Guernevile, CA, USA

While driving/turning or braking front upper ball joints made a popping noise. Upon inspection of the vehicle by the dealership, they noticed that the upper ball joints were defective, and needed to be replaced. The ball joints were replaced. Additionally the steering shaft needed to be replaced and August 2003, the dealer replaced the steering gear box.

- Meridianville, AL, USA

While driving, noticed that the check engine light was on and the oil pressure gauge was incorrect. Notified dealer of this issue and also an issue with grinding noise when turning left or right. The dealer has replaced the upper and lower ball joints on the front and even admitted that they have seen a high failure rate for this. Also they replaced the vacuum tube harness under the gas tank. The oil pressure gauge sensor was loose and was corrected.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

My husband and I own a 2002 Dodge Dakota. We purchased it in March 2002 and moved to puerto rico in September 2002, where we took our Dakota to an authorized Dodge dealership when problems arose. In April 2003, we began to hear unusual noises coming from the front left tire area. The service techs reported premature wearing of the ball joint and replaced it, plus the upper and lower control arms, as well as the sway arm and all related bushings (they showed premature wear, too). The following January (1/23/04), less than 12 months later, we began to hear similar noises from the front right tire area. The service techs at the same dealership as before replaced the same items for the same reasons that affected the driver's side front tire. All new parts, correct? we thought so, but as my husband was making a U-turn one Sunday afternoon in early April 2004, the front passenger tire disconnected from the vehicle (due to defective parts--the very ones that they replaced in January 2004. We video-taped the damages to our vehicle (ball joint, cv joint, control arms, tire, rim, brake lines, front bumper and fog light) and had the truck towed back to the dealership with whom we previously dealt. The dealer eventually agreed that the parts were indeed defective and the cause of our accident. They replaced all damaged parts. Now that we have 37000 miles on the truck, relatively low for that year model, we are concerned that this problem will occur again when we are not driving at such a low speed.

- Stem, NC, USA

Upper ball joints were loose, one to the point of coming apart. There was no noticeable failure of the part leading up to the point when I discovered the problem. When I went to rotate my tires I bumped the right front and heard an audible "click" while it was on the jackstand. I have since replaced both upper joints as the vehicle was unsafe to drive.

- Toccoa, GA, USA