Steering on my 2004 Dodge Dakota became hard to steer won't retract have to do it by hand. About six months before this started happening I had went to get a alignment and was told my upper and lower ball joints needed replaced. We bought this truck new and it has worn out every front tire that has ever been on it. 4 sets by 100,000 miles this began to happen at 25,000 miles there should be a recall on the front end, no vehicle should have bad ball joints at 85,000 miles or sooner because I thought it was wearing tires out because it needed a alignment!!!! I have not repaired it, we only drive it around town, I am waiting for Chrysler to recall this. I see on this site that several others are having the same problem. I would hope Chrysler don't wait until people are killed or injured like Toyota did!!!!

- Collinsville, IL, USA

I purchased a new 2004 Dodge Dakota pickup in 2004. Every year for inspection, I have needed several ball joints replaced. I was told this past year that I was really close to having the ball joints completely break off, which obviously is a major safety concern for me, especially since they have needed replaced every year.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

I own a 2004 Dakota quad 4X4 with 78K miles on it. I bought the truck new and have taken care of it. Most of the miles are highway and it has not been driven off road. Since its no longer under warranty I got online to research a diy solution. I found that many of the problems I have had and are having are not just being experienced by myself but other Dakota owners. 1) steering issues the steering wheel becomes extremely hard to turn at times both going into and coming out of a turn. This started happening in Feb 2009 with 71K on it. It is much more prevalent in cold weather. I was unable to drive the truck until the weather warmed up. (I have not had this fixed yet.) 2) brake issues 27K I had to have the front rotors and the rear drums turned and new pads and shoes installed and had the brake fluid changed. 46K I had to have new front rotors and pads along with the brake fluid changed 77K rear brakes began making noise. The parking brake pad had fallen off. I now need new rear drums and shoes and parking brake shoe. ( I have not had this fixed yet) 3)suspension 77K I need a front upper ball joint probably due to excess strain from the defective steering. ( I have not had this fixed yet).

- Lowell, IN, USA

Steering began to feel loose and heard a clunk infront end. Ball joints were bad and had to be replaced. After work was completed still had steering issues. Dealer said that it was normal, local mechanic found that the intermediate steering shaft was failing. When it was removed to be replaced the lower U-joint came apart. Imagine that happening at 55 mph.

- Ozone Park, NY, USA

From the very beginning I kept hearing noises from the brakes and front end. This was going into the 2nd year of ownership. My Dodge Dakota has been in the shop at least 15 times for the same thing. They have replaced the steering parts, sway bar, brakes rotors, caliber and still make a a moaning groaning noise when ever I turn or go over bumps.

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

While having my tires rotated at sears, the tech informed me that the ball joints on my 2004 Dodge Dakota were very badly worn, both upper and lower. The vehicle has only 54,000 miles and is driven almost exclusively on pavement. I contacted the dealer, lithia Dodge of roseburg Oregon, I spoke with service manager phil tyler and lot manager wayne knowles, and Dodge corporate, but both refused to discuss the issue further.

- Sutherlin, OR, USA

Can hear a popping noise from right front end when going into driveways or making right turns. On 6/4/08 took vehicle into dealer and they stated the upper control arms were worn out as well as the shocks. 1500$ later they replaced the upper control arms, shocks, and a full alignment. All of this at only 37K miles! as soon as I got the vehicle home the noise is still there albeit less noticeable. Took vehicle back to same dealer on 6/6/08 and noise could not be heard and dealers mechanic stated it was safe to drive and to bring it back if the noise is reproducible. Be reading other complaints and suspect that the lower control arms are bad or going but dealer said they were ok. Something is wrong when so many people are having their front ends go out at such low miles. Please contact me so we can get this fixed through a recall. Dealer said he kept the broken parts.

- Fontana, CA, USA

Our truck is a 2004 Dodge Dakota with 40,000 miles on it. My husband was pulling out of a parking space, getting ready to get onto I-95 and the front passenger side wheel fell off. These same vehicles were recalled for 2000-2003 but not 2004. If the wheel had fallen off once on I-95 at 75 mph my husband or someone else could have been seriously injured or worse. This was a ball joint problem. $1300 later both sides are replaced. Chrysler says there is no recall and if there is a future recall then we may be reimbursed. We will never buy a Chrysler product again.

- Cocoa, FL, USA

My 2004 Dodge Dakota club cab has popping noises emitting from the front suspension when maneuvering at low speeds. I've had this checked at 2 different dealers. The first visit resulted in a "could not duplicate" answer. The second visit I was told the noises were perfectly normal noises coming from the steering rack as the fluid moves through the system. The noises happen when I steer at low speeds and the weight of the truck shifts form side to side. The front end alignment has altered and the tires are wearing unevenly.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

My truck had been making the notorious squeaking sounds from the font end that the Dodge Dakota has been known for over the past few years. I knew nothing of the ball joint problems with this vehicle until my fiance was in an accident with the truck. The accident that occurred was faulted to my fiance's fault. When speaking with her, she stated that she was unable to steer the truck and therefore struck the other car 'while going around the corner'. when she stopped the vehicle after the accident, she found the truck lowered to the ground on the front drivers side due to the wheel assembly popping off the truck. By 'popping off' I mean that the lower ball joint popped out of its location and the rivets holding the top of the spindle popped out of there position. Yes I said popped. There were no ripping of parts etc, the assembly just popped off the truck. This accident occurred at a low speed going through a turn. This is the exact enactment that Chrysler has stated that the wheel would fall off if the part full malfunctioned. Chrysler has been using the same parts in the 04 Dakota truck as that used in the 00-03. Why is the part not being corrected" why is Chrysler not taking control of this issue and resolving the issue with a recall? Chrysler is putting lives at risk everyday that they are not recalling this part and correcting the issue. Is it going to take the death of an individual caused by this failing part for them to step up and admit they have messed up? we cant wait for this. Start saving the lives at risk now by getting this recall started and getting all of the Dakota fixed. If it is not done now, each individual that has the power to get it done, is putting many lives at risk. What should we as Dodge Dakota owners do to get this issue resolved and protect our families"

- Raleigh, NC, USA

I am looking for all people that are willing to speak to my attorney about problems they are having with their 04 Dakota's. I have had clunking noise coming from front end, whirling noise at idling gets louder when blinker on, windows make clunking noise while rolling up or down, sever E shaking while braking ( warped rotors), transmission leaking, and the list goes on. I am in the middle of lemon law and it took me a long time to be able to find an attorney. This one is excellent.

- Zephyrhills, FL, USA

The consumer stated that there was a shimmy/vibration in the front suspension. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three separate times for inspection and repair. The rack and pinion, front shocks and all four tires had been changed. The problem still exist. The consumer had been in contact with the manufacturer. (12/05/05) the vehicle had been to three different dealers with no results.

- Tanner, AL, USA

Bought Dakota new Jan,04 at 10000,15000, and 18000rotors were replaced for shake in tk when braking still has problem front hubs and bearings replaced has popping noise in front end when turning sometimes when applying brakes truck pulls to left front driveshaft and driver window regulater has been replaced also 2 sensors in trans replaced.temperature guage went all the way to hot 1 time when truck was started. Wish Dodge would just buy it back.my first and last Dodge ever.

- Ravenswood, WV, USA

I bought a 2004 Dodge Dakota 3/20/04 and ever since it was new it has made a "popping" or a "scraping" noise when I turn. I made complaints to the dealer at the 3,000 mi and 7,000 mi oil changes but the dealer tells me they can't find anything. Now I see that 2003 and previous Dakota's have been recalled for ball joint service I am wondering. I have not drove my Dakota since October cause I don't feel safe driving it.

- Swanton, OH, USA

Steering shook severely while driving at 62 mph, and the vehicle vibrated when going up a slight incline. Vehicle had been to the dealer on several occasions, and they are unable to locate the cause of the problem.

- Spencer, MA, USA

Transmission slips, rattling in the front suspension of the vehicle. Took this truck back to outten county Chrysler numerous times and they would not fix any of the problems.

- Minersville, PA, USA