1998 Dodge Dakota complaints

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE TIRES ARE AIRED UP THEY SLOWLY DEFLATE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04T001000, REGARDING THE TIRES. THE TIRES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE SERIAL NUMBER. UPDATED 4/11/2006 - *NM

WE OWN A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT 4X4. IT CURRENTLY HAS 144K KILOMETERS. WE JUST INSTALLED OUR 3RD SET OF UPPER BALL JOINTS, AND HAVE REPLACED THE LOWER BALL JOINTS TWICE. WE EXPECT TO REPLACE THE LOWERS AGAIN BEFORE NEXT YEAR. WE KNOW WHEN THE JOINTS NEED REPLACING, WHEN THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO KEEP WITHIN A LANE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, DUE TO EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING. I SEE FROM THE INTERNET THAT CHRYSLER HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR 2000 AND LATER MODELS. THIS IS INSUFFICIENT, AS MANY PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE IN MODELS AS LATE AS 1996. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE IS WELL KNOWN IN THE INDUSTRY, ONE PERSON OR FAMILY GETTING KILLED BY THIS DEFECT FOR THERE TO BE AN OFFICIAL RECALL IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. OUR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE IS PAID BY OUR COMPANY, HOWEVER A FAMILY THAT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD SUCH EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT ON A REGULAR BASIS, MAY BE PUTTING THEMSELVES IN JEOPARDY. *NM

STEERING WON'T TURN AT ALL WHEN COLD, UNTIL IT WARMS FULLY IT'S HARD TO TURN. I'VE NOTICED THIS ON 2 OTHER 98 DODGE DAKOTAS I LOOKED AT. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATES EVERY YEAR WHEN HE TAKES VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED THEY INFORM HIM THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE REPLACEMENT TAKES PLACE APPROXIMATELY EVERY 20, 000-25,000 MILES. A LOCAL MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE DESIGN OF THE BALL JOINTS THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. *AK

WALKING BACK TO MY PARKED "98 DODGE DAKOTA, AFTER DINING OUT WITH FAMILY, I NOTICED THAT MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS COCK-EYED WHILE THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS POINTING STRAIGHT. I HAD THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER/SERVICE DEPARTMENT CHECK IT OUT AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT 3 OUT OF 4 BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I WAS APPALLED TO HEAR THAT SINCE I HAD NO INDICATION THAT I OR MY PASSENGERS WERE IN ANY DANGER: THE TRUCK NEVER PULLED TO ONE SIDE, AND IT DIDN'T STEER FUNNY, OR GIVE ME ANY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT SOMETHING WAS SO TERRIBLY WRONG. THE SERVICE MANAGER URGED ME TO REPLACE ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS, WHICH I DID AT A COST OF OVER $773.81. I THINK DODGE NEEDS TO RECALL THE '98 DAKOTAS' BALL JOINTS. THERE'S NO REASON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 73,000 MILES ON IT SHOULD HAVE 3 OUT OF FOUR BALL JOINTS GO BAD TO THE POINT THAT THE WHEELS ARE COMING OFF. *NM

BALL JOINTS FAILED, PASSENGERS SIDE CAME LOOSE AND THE WHEEL FEEL OFF AND THE TRANSMISSON HAD TO BE REBUILT DUE TO CHEAP INTERNAL PARTS. BUT IF YOU OWN A 98 DODGE DAKOTA HAVE YOUR BALL JOINTS CHECKED THEY ARE A HAZARD AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED, IF THEY ALREADY HAVE NOT.... *NM

STEERING COLUMN STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AS THE WHEEL WAS TURNED. DEALER STATED THAT THE LOCKING MECHANISM WAS FAILING AND COULD EASILY LEAD TO A CATASTROPHIC AND SUDDEN LOCKING OF THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT ANY SPEED. *NM

AFTER READING ABOUT STEERING PROBLEMS IN DODGE VEHICLES, I HAVE HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME. I PURCHASED MY '98 DODGE DAKOTA FROM 5 CORNERS DODGE AT 1292 HIGHWAY 143, CEDARBURG, WISCONSIN 53012. *09 DEC '97 I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR "CUSTOMER STATES THAT WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS THERE IS S JARRING THAT COMES THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL" - REPLACE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT - N/C. *23 JULY '99 - "CHECK NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS FROM DRIVE TRAIN" - FRONT PROPELLER SHAFT BALL SOCKET INSUFFICIENT LUBE NOISY 16300100 DRIVELINE/PROPELLER SHAFTS, REMOVE INSPECT WHEELS, BRAKES, UNIVERSOLA, REPAIR/LUBE FRONT SHAFT BALL SOCKET JOINT AND REINSTALL -N/C. *07 JULY 2003 - "GRINDING NOISE FROM DRIVERS SIDE FRONT END AREA" - 2200 REPLACE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING/HUB ASSY, 219 REPLACE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS-BOTH SIDES, 2WT 2 WHEEL TRUCK ALIGNMENT, 52165 TEST DRIVE AND INSP REPLACE FAILED LF BEARING ASSY REPLACE BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACE BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS 2WHEEL TRUCK ALIGN - $1095.12!!!! I BROUGHT ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEM FROM THE BEGINNING AND BY THE TIME IT WAS FINALLY FIXED, IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. CAN YOU HELP ME, IN ANY WAY? THANK YOU, DON GRUELL. *JB

MY 98 DODGE DAKOTA HAS HAD THE EXHAUST CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED 2 TIMES ALREADY UNDER WARRANTY, THE LAST ONE ABOUT 10 MONTH AGO, NOW IT RATTLES LIKE ROCKS IN A TIN CAN AGAIN, NOW MY MILEAGE IS OVER THE WARRANTY BY ABOUT 9000 MILES AND THEY SAY THEY WILL NOT REPLACE UNLESS I PAY! OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM NATION WIDE WITH THIS EMISSION COMPONET. *JB

RECALL 00V193000 FOR THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE HAS BEEN ISSUED AND REPAIRED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *NM

WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH LOOSE STEERING ON OUR 1998 DODGE DAKOTA FOR APPROX. 2 YEARS NOW. WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE ADJUSTMENTS, AND PARTS REPLACED AND FINALLY HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE MANUFACTURING OF THE STEERING COMPONENTS AND IT WILL COST US IN EXCESS OF $1000 TO REPAIR. I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OUT THERE FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT DODGE IS NOT CONCERNED WITH ALL THESE COMPLAINTS BUT I WANTED TO FILE MINE ANYWAY. I WAS TOLD BY MY GARAGE THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE, BUT I READ STORY AFTER STORY OF ACCIDENTS THAT HAVE CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO VEHICLES, INJURY AND EVEN DEATH.

I TOOK MY 1998 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 IN FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND FOUND OUT THAT ALL FOUR FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. ONE SIDE WAS VERY LOOSE AND WAS ALMOST READY TO BREAK. I TALKED TO SEVERAL MECHANICS WHO SAID THIS IS EXPECTED FOR ANY DAKOTA OF THIS ERA. I FOUND OUT THAT THE 2000 AND ABOVE YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED. WHY AREN'T THE 98'S INCLUDED IN THIS, THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

DT: THE CONSUMER HAD A 98 DODGE DAKOTA, TOOK TO TIRE SHOP, TRUCK COULD NOT BE ALIGNED BECAUSE IT HAD DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS. CONTACT CALLED THE DAIMLER CHRYSLER, WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE VEHICLE HAD STEERING PROBLEM. THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THEN, AT REPAIR SHOP OWNER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE STEERING GEAR, AND WOULD COST $800. OWNER DID NOT REPAIR STEERING AND VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT/LEFT. TIRE COMPANY STATED THE CROWN OF THE ROAD CAUSED VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT/RIGHT. TIRE SHOP INDICATED THEY COULD REPAIR THE PROBLEM,BUT THERE WERE 500 STEERING GEARS ON BACK ORDER. OWNER FELT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING GEAR OTHERWISE THERE WOULDN'T BE 500 STEERING GEARS ON BACK ORDER. *AK

SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONS

HAD TO REPLACE RACK&PINION AFTER ONLY 35000 MILES

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. THE FRONT END UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CHRYSLER SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. *AK ALSO FRONT END WAS ALIGNED AND THE BRAKE FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED. *TT *NM

II HAD NOTED A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND AT OTHER TIMES INVOLVING TURNING OR DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMPS OR TURNING UP AN INCLINE, ALSO THE STEERING FEEL HAD BECOME VAGUE. DURING MY ANNUAL STATE INSP. THE MECH STATED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES WERE COMPLELY WORN OUT, AND AS SUCH COULD NOT PASS IT WITHOUT REPAIR.

ALL 4 FRONT BALL JOINTS FAILED AT 86,000 MILES

ALL 4 BALL JOINTS IN FRONT OF VEHICLE HAVE FAILED. ADVISED TO NOT DRIVE VEHICLE

1998 DODGE DAKOTA HAS UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILING.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE. THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED SEVER FRONT TIRE WEAR AND CONCLUDED THAT THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM

I HAVE A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. I BOUGHT IT WITH 11,000 MILES ON IT. DURING MY WARRANTY AT ABOUT 20,000, THE TRUCK WOULD BACKFIRE WHEN SHIFTING UP A GEAR.TOWSON DODGE HAD MY TRUCK FOR A DAY AND SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND IT COST ME $75 ANYWAY. AROUND 45,000 MILES MY TRUCK WAS RUNNING REAL POOR WITH NO POWER. THE CATYLITIC CONVERTER CLOGGED UP SO BAD THE TRUCK STOPPED RUNNING. THE GOODYEAR PLACE WHERE I TOOK IT, CARNEY TIRE, DIDN'T TELL ME OF THE FEDERAL WARRENTY ON CONVERTERS AND REPLACED IT AND THE MUFFLER FOR A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS. AFTER MY LEARNING OF THE WARRENTY, CARNEY TIRE REFUSED TO REFUND 50% AS SUGGESTED BY THE CHRYSLER REP. ON THE PHONE. NOW AT 80,000 MILES THE MUFFLER RUSTED ENOUGHT TO LOOSE THE TAILPIPE, WHICH NOW RESIDES IN MY DRIVEWAY. THIS IS TOTALLY UNEXCEPTABLE FOR THIS TRUCK. I HAD AN '87 DAKOTA WITH 145,000 MILES ON IT AND NEVER HAD AN EXHAUST PROBLEM . I WAS GOING TO TRADE IT IN FOR A 2500 RAM BUT THIS AND OTHER COMPLAINTS WILL KEEP ME FROM EVER BUYING ANOTHER CHRYSLER. I WILL BAD MOUTH DODGE,ESPECIALLY TOWSON DODGE (SCHAEFER & STROMENGER), TO ANYONE WHO ASKES ME.THE SERVICE MANAGERS OVER THERE DIDN'T HELP A BIT. I WAS GIVEN A SERVICE BULLITEN BY THE MECHANICS ABOUT A BROKEN BOLT ON THE MANIFOLD AFTER MY THIRD VISIT,WHEN THE 2 MANAGERS WEREN'T AROUND. I'LL NEVER BUY ANOUTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCT AND I'LL BADMOUTH DODGE TO EVERYONE I CAN. I'M GOING TO BUY A GMC PRODUCT WHERE I KNOW THEY TAKE CARE OF ANY COMPLAINTS A CUSTOMER MIGHT HAVE

WHILE DRIVING MY 1998 DODGE DAKOTA AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING FAILED, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE BEARING MAKING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THE RESULTING DAMAGE REQUIRED THE AXLE, BEARING, WHEEL, CV JOINT, CV BOOT, ROTORS AND PADS TO BE REPACED FOR A COST OF $2036. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 38,500 MILES ON IT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL FELK OFF. DRIVER PULLED OVER, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS BROKE, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND MAKE A CLANKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINT ON THE RIGHT SIDE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THEIR VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL. *AK *BF *NM

ON MY 1998 DODGE DAKOTA I EXPERIENCED A "KLUNKING" SOUND IN THE FRONT END. FOUND OUT AT 84,000 MILES THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE BAD AND CONTRIBUTED TO WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY PROBLEMS. REPAIR BILL WAS $738.95. I HAD THE REPAIR PERFORMED AT MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER "MORGAN DODGE" IN DURHAM, NC. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE REPAIR WAS NECESSARY AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE REPAIRS. THE OEM REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE ON NATIONAL BACKORDER AND THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO USE AFTERMARKET PARTS FOR THE BALL JOINTS. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE AND THEY SAID THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND "IS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY RECALL" SO THEY CAN NOT ASSIST ME.*AK

NOISE FROM FRONT END, HAD CHECKED OUT AND MECHANIC FOUND LEFT SIDE BALL JOINTS (UPPER AND LOWER) WERE PREMATURELY WORN. I HAD THEM REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. I SAVED THE OLD PARTS. NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE NEDDS TO BE REPLACED. AGAIN THE DEALER TELLS ME THE RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY CAR.

I OWN A 1998 DODGE DOKOTA TRUCK AND HAD TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED IN NOVEMBER, 2003. I HAVE HEARD THEY ARE RECALLING THE DOKOTA'S STARTING IN YEAR 2000. WHAT ABOUT THE ONES BEFORE THAT YEAR. I HAVE RECEIPTS WHERE IT COST ME $753.71 TO HAVE THIS WORK DONE.*AK

CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW WHY THE BALL JOINT RECALL WAS NOT EXPANDED TO INCLUDE 1998 DODGE DAKOTAS. *BF *NM

DODGE DAKOTA 1998 CONSUMER REPLACED BALL JOINTS. *BF THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS AT 31000 MILES AND BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AT 43000 MILES. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE LACK OF GREASE FITTINGS ON THE ORIGINAL DESIGN CREATED AND EXCESSIVE WEAR PROBLEM. *NM

OWNER OF A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA REPORTING DEFECTIVE UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS AND WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLIES. *BF THE FAULTY BALL JOINTS CAUSED UNEVEN AND EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. *NM

FAILURE OF EQUIPMENT......MANUFACTURER DEFECT...REPLACED 3 CATALYATIC CONVERTERS ON MY 1998 DAKOTA RT.....VIN# [XXX]........COST EACH SERVICE $600..........NOW REAR END NOISES (PINIONS AND BEARINGS OUT)...DUE TO OWNERS MANUAL STATES TOWING CAPACITY 3 TIMES HIGHER THAN WHAT TRUCK CAN TOW....WAS A CHANGE AFTER MARKET. *AK *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

LOUD REAR AXLE NOISE....BROUGHT TO DEALER.........REPLACED PINION AND CARRIER BEARINGS IN AXLE.......CAUSE WAS BECAUSE MAUFACTURER CHANGED TOW CAPACITY ON RT'S AFTER OWNERS MANUAL WAS PUBLISHED....I BOUGHT USED TRUCK AT 40,000 MILES AND HAS NO IDEA IT COULD ONLY TOW 2,000 LBS VRS OWNERS MANUAL SAID 6,000...AN 8CYL TRUCK AND CAN'T TOE BOAT.....HOW WEEK FOR DODOGE!*AK

LOUD REAR AXLE NOISE....BROUGHT TO DEALER.........REPLACED PINION AND CARRIER BEARINGS IN AXLE.......CAUSE WAS BECAUSE MAUFACTURER CHANGED TOW CAPACITY ON RT'S AFTER OWNERS MANUAL WAS PUBLISHED....I BOUGHT USED TRUCK AT 40,000 MILES AND HAS NO IDEA IT COULD ONLY TOW 2,000 LBS VRS OWNERS MANUAL SAID 6,000...AN 8CYL TRUCK AND CAN'T TOE BOAT.....HOW WEEK FOR DODOGE!*AK

WHEN TURNING OR DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THERE WAS A DRY SHUTTERING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PARTS WERE REPLACED. FAILURE RECURRED 3 YEARS LATER ON UPPER BALL JOINTS ONLY. *AK CONTROL ARM, BALL JOINT, AND TIE RODS WERE REPLACED AGAIN AT 136,807. *TT

WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM THE GAS PUMP CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THEN THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE FELL/DROPPED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO OBSERVE THAT THE FRONT RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS THE LOWER BALL JOINT. ALSO, THE LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK

(1) FRONT END MAKING A POPPING NOISE. WHEN I TURNED. TRUCK WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY DEALERSHIP KEPT SAYING IT WAS BRAKE NOISE. (2)UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE, BALL JOINTS WERE RUSTED OUT, (3)ALL 4 BALL JOINTS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE,WHEN TRUCK WAS BARELY OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB

HEATER CORE FAILED - NOW I HAVE NO DEFROSTER AND ANTI FREEZE LEAKED ALL OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE CARPETING CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO VACATE THE VEHICLE.*AK

I HEARD A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END AND A LOW PITCHED GROWL FROMN THE REAR END. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT AT 35,428 MILES THEAT IT NEEDED TWO UPPER BALL JOINTS AND A NEW DIFFERENTIAL (REAR END) . VEHICLE IS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA 4WD.*AK

I BOUGHT MY 1998 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK IN AUGUST OF 1998 IN MARCH OF 1999 BROUGHT THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR BECAUSE IT WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE BRAKE BECAUSE THIS WOULD OCCUR OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING AND AT TIMES THERE WAS AN ODOR THAT SMELLED LIKE THE BRAKES WERE BURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED AND THE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CALIPER WAS SEIZING UP AND DAMAGED THE ROTOR. THE CALIPER, BRAKE PADS, AND ROTOR WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER UNDER THE WARRANTY. *JB

PURCHASED TRUCK IN 1998 AND SINCE THEN THE LEFT FRONT CALIPER SEIZED AND THE ROTOR PADS AND CALIPER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER COVERED THIS UNDER WARRANTY THE TRUCK HAD ONLY 12000 MILES AND THIS OCCURRED IN 1999. SINCE THAT TIME THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER ALSO SEIZED IN 2002. THE MILEAGE ON MY TRUCK WAS 62260 MILES. THE CALIPER PADS AND ROTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AND BRAKE LINE. *JB

PURCHASED TRUCK IN 1998 AND IN 2001 AT 48000 MILES HAD TO REPLACE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS IN THE FRONT END ON BOTH SIDES AND I THINK I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AGAIN AND MILEAGE IS OVER 99000. I ALSO MADE TWO OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR BOTH FRONT CALIPERS SEIZING ON THIS WEBSITE. I WOULD HAVE MADE COMPLAINTS SOONER, BUT JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS SITE. I WANTED TO MAKE COMPLAINTS AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE DODGE DAKOTA AND DURANGO MODEL YEAR 2000 AND UP WITH THEIR BALL JOINTS. *JB

WHILE DRIVING HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. DRIVER NOTICED WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL A CLANKING NOISE WOULD FOLLOW. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS SEVERELY WORN . DUST BOOTS TORN AND NO GREASE FITTINGS (SUPPOSE TO BE LIFETIME LUBRICATED). REPLACED WITH AFTER MARKET ONES WITH GREASE FITTINGS. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 64,700 MILES . *AK

UPPER BALL JOINTS PREMATURELY WORN OUT DUE TO LUBRICATION BEING WASHED OUT (SAME PROBLEM AS DETAILED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V596000, BUT MY VEHICLE IS A 1998 MODEL AND THIS CAMPAIGN IS FOR 2000 AND NEWER).*AK

POPPING SOUND WAS COMING FROM LEFT FRONT OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE BAD AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN WITHOUT IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT. HAD SERVICE WORK DONE FOR $1500. CONSIDERING THE PROBLEM IS OBVIOUSLY RELATED TO THE SAME ISSUE THAT SPARKED THE RECALL NOTICE IN LATER MODEL DAKOTAS, I FEEL I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS. *NM

WHILE MAKING A 90-DEGREE RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING LOCKS UP. AFTER A WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE STEERING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE HEAT SHIELD FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FELL DOWN ONTO THE STEERING LINKAGES, WHICH WAS LOCKING UP THE STEERING. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *NM

FAN BLOWER GOING ON AND OFF. NO DEFROST ,HEAT,AC AVAILABLE WHEN BLOWER IS OFF. SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT IS A 1998 DAKOTA. EVERYONE IS SAYING THE PROBLEM IS A RESISTOR, WHICH IS HARD TO GET TO. SEEMS AS IF THE WHOLE DASH HAS TO COME OFF TO GET TO THIS AREA. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $85. FOR DIAGNOSTIC. CLOSE TO $200-$300 PROBLEM FOR ONLY A $9-$12 PART. SAD JUST ANOTHER PROBLEM FOR THE DODGE LOVERS. *NM

DODGE DAKOTA 1998 FRONT END HAS FAILED. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW WHY THE RECALL INFO DOESN'T INCLUDE THE '98 MODEL YEAR. THE VEHICLES FRONT WHEEL COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF AT ANYTIME BECAUSE THE BALL JOINTS WERE SO BAD. *BF *JB

CONSUMER NOTICED FRONT TIRE ON DAKOTA WAS HAVING ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS DUE TO FRONT BALL JOINTS. *BF THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED

BAD BALL JOINTS ON 1998 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT, VIN [XXX], 41,300 MILES, DISCOVERED AT PA STATE ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION.*AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)