1999 Dodge Dakota complaints

THREE OF THE FOUR UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON MY '99 DAKOTA R/T HAVE PREMATURELY FAILED CAUSING TWO CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AND THE FRONT TWO TIRES TO WEAR TO THE POINT OF REPLACEMENT.

FOLLOWING A NEWS REPORT DOCUMENTING UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE IN DODGE PRODUCTS, WE HAD OUR 1999 DODGE DAKOTA INSPECTED. IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE COMPLETELY ERODED AND NEEDED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT.

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA WITH BAD BALL JOINTS. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH ONLY 52,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. IT IS DRIVEN ON PAVED ROADS 98% OF THE TIME AND NEVER OFF ROAD. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THE TRUCK WAS BUILT WITHOUT A WAY TO GREASE THE JOINTS.. A MAJOR ERROR. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.

MY 1999 DODGE DAKOTA NEEDED BALL JOINTS AND NUMEROUS OTHER FRONT END AND STEERING COMPONENTS AT ONLY 30000 MILES. IN MY OPINION, THIS WAS DUE TO A LACK OF LUBRICATION BECAUSE THERE ARE NO GREASE FITTINGS ON MY TRUCK'S BALL JOINTS. IF I HAD NOT CAUGHT THIS IN TIME, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED WHEN MY WHEELS FELL OFF. I AM CONCERNED THAT AS MY TRUCK AGES, THIS PROBLEM WILL REOCCUR BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS USED WERE IDENTICAL TO THE ORIGINAL PART THAT FAILED. I HAVE MET NUMEROUS OTHER DODGE DAKOTA OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. PLEASE HELP US.*AK

THE EARLY WEAR OUT OF THE BALL JOINTS ON MY 1999 DODGE DAKOTA. IT WAS NOTICED THREE YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT THE 4X4 TRUCK WHEN I HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON IT. THE SEARS MECHANIC SAID HE COULD NOT ALIGN THE TIRES BECAUSE THE BALL JOINTS WERE SO BAD THEY NEEDED RELPLACED. I TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALER TO HAVE THE SEAT BELT RECALL FIXED AND HE TOLD ME THE SAME THING AND IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AT THAT TIME. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE STEERING LOCKED UP IN A PARKING LOT DOING A FULL RIGHT TURN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. SO I THOUGHT I'D FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE THIS IS LONG OVER DUE. THANK YOU ..... DAN. *AK

THE BALL JOINTS IN MY 1999 DODGE DAKOTA, UPPER AND LOWER BOTH SIDES, ARE WORN OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRUCK HAS 70,000 MILES AND SHOULD NOT NEED THIS APPROXIMATELY $1,000.00 REPAIR. THE REASON THEY WEAR OUT SO FAST IS THAT THERE ARE NOT GREASE FITTINGS, AND THE PART CAN'T BE PROPERLY LUBRICATED. THE DAIMLER CHRYSLER CORPORATION REPRESENTATIVE I SPOKE TO SAID I CAN'T GET ANY RELIEF UNLESS THERE IS A RECALL. PLEASE RECALL THESE PARTS. *AK

THE UPPER SUSPENSION ARM ON MY 1999 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT (5.2L MANUAL TRANSMISSION) RAPT A HOLE IN THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE HOSE, CAUSING TOTAL BRAKING FAILURE. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT ON THE GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY CAMPUS. *LA

I NOTICED A SLIGHT SQUEAK COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL ON OR AROUND THE FIRST OF DECEMBER. AS THE SQUEAK BEGAN TO GET MORE PRONOUNCED I FIGURED I SHOULD CHECK FOR WORN OR DAMAGED SUSPENTION PARTS. NOT LONG AFTER THIS THOUGHT I SAW THE REPORT ON CBS REGUARDING THE INVESTIGATION OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON THE DODGE DURANGOS AND DAKOTAS. GUESS WHAT...I DRIVE A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA WITH VERY WORN OUT UPPER BALL JOINTS AT JUST OVER 37,000 MILES. I WILL REPLACE THEM AND KEEP THEM FOR THE IMPENDING RECALL THAT YOU WILL ORDER. AFTER ALL WITH OUT YOU THE MANUFACTURES WOULD CONTINUE TO CUT COSTS AND COST LIVES.*AK

UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT PREMATURE WEAR

I RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDE OF TRUCK REPLACED. ONE OF THE BALL JOINTS WAS COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED. THE OTHER WAS WELL ON ITS WAY TO THE SAME. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW AND HAVE A DOCUMENTED RECORD OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE THAT I HAVE HAD PERFORMED. I AM REPORTING THIS TO YOU BECAUSE I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT SEVERAL OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I LOVE MY TRUCK, BUT, IF THERE ARE ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE RESOLVED I FEEL DODGE SHOULD TAKE THE INITIATIVE BEFORE PEOPLE ARE HURT OR KILLED. PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING AND GET THESE VEHICLES REPAIRED.

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. *AK *MR

I OWN A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT 4X4 AND I NEEDED TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS (UPPER AND LOWER) AND TIE RODS REPLACED AT 67,000 MILES. I FOUND OUT THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE I WAS HAVING BRAND NEW TIRES INSTALLED, AND WHEN NEW TIRES ARE INSTALLED I FIGURED IT WOULD BE GOOD TO GET AN ALIGNMENT AS WELL. THE MECHANICE SAID HE COULDN'T GIVE THE TRUCK AN ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE BALL JOINTS WERE TOO LOOSE - AND THIS IS A VERY REPUTABLE MECHANIC HERE IN TOWN, SO I KNEW I WASN'T GETTING TAKEN FOR A RIDE. SO, FOR A COST OF $1,052 I HAD TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC DID SAY IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AS OF YET, BUT AFTER SEEING IN THE NEWS RECENTLY WITH ALL THE OTHER DAKOTAS/DURANGOS HAVING THIS PROBLEM, I WONDER HOW MUCH LONGER I COULD HAVE GONE BEFORE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, SO I'M GLAD I HAD THEM REPLACED, BUT AM THINKING THE TRUCK SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE JOINTS REPLACED NOT WITH THE SAME JOINTS, BUT WITH A BETTER DESIGNED ONE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT. DEALER DETERMINED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT AND REPLACED THEM. *AK

I OWN A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 55,000 MILES. I RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE NEARLY THE ENTIRE FRONT END FIXED DUE TO INFERIOR PARTS. AT TWO DIFFERENT AUTO SHOPS I WAS TOLD THAT I AM EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT MY WHEELS DID NOT FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING. I NEEDED 4 NEW SHOCKS, TWO NEW TIE ROD ENDS, AND MY BALL JOINTS WERE TOTALLY SHOT.*AK

WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT ACCORDING TO ABC NEWS AND MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT DODGE DAKOTA OWNERS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING PREMATURE BALL JOINT FAILURES.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT. *AK

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, AND THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THE NEED TO BE REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE LOWER BALL JOINT. *AK

DURING A VEHICLE INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SCC *JB

WHILE TRAVELING CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE IT SERVICED. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CAB 4X4 THAT HAD 32,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE LOWER FRONT TIE ROD WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I HAD TO GET THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS AND LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY TIME BUT NOT THE MILEAGE. WITH THIS INCIDENT, IT'S THE MILEAGE THAT PUTS THE WEAR ON THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM NOT TIME. I HAVE NOTIFIED CHRYSLER ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THAT I WANTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR. I WAS TOLD NO. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE RATE. I WANT CHRYSLER TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT, NOT LINE THEIR POCKETS WITH UNNECESSARY REPAIR COSTS. *NLM

I WAS DRIVING MY 1999 2WD DODGE DAKOTA ABOUT 5MPH WHEN THE DRIVE PINION GEAR SHAFT THAT GOES INTO THE REAR END SNAPPED CLEAN INTO TWO PIECES. IT CAUSED THE DRIVELINE TO FALL AND SPIN HITTING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK INCLUDING THE GAS TANK AND CAUSED THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCKUP AND STOP TURNING. (GOOD THING I WAS ONLY GOING 5MPH)*AK

ON 11/21/01 I TOOK MY DAKOTA IN TO CUMBERLAND AVE. GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. I USUALLY GO TO LEE AUTO MALL. I WAS IN A HURRY TO GET THE TRUCK INSPECTED SO I WENT TO CUMBERLAND GARAGE. I CAME UPON A REPAIR ORDER FROM CUMBERLAND AVE. GARAGE. ASIDE FROM SOME MINOR REPAIRS THEY HAD LISTED BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS AS NEEDING REPAIR. AT $298.74. I ENDED UP TAKING MY TRUCK TO LEE AUTO MALL IN WESTBROOK (ME.) THEY NEVER MENTIONED THE BALL JOINTS HAD A PROBLEM. NOTE THE DATE OF THE REPAIR ORDER FROM CUMBERLAND GARAGE AS BEING 2001. THIS MEANS LEE DODGE LET ME DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT WASN'T SAFE SINCE 2001! I BROUGHT MY TRUCK IN TO LEE DODGE THIS PAST SUMMER. I WAS TOLD BOTH MY BALL JOINTS AND UPPER CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED!THE COST WAS $900.00. I MENTIONED I KNEW AT JUST46K MLS. IT WAS UNUSUAL FOR A VEHICLE TO HAVE BALL JOINTS THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I SAID THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM USUALLY DIDN'T OCCUR UNTIL ABOUT 100K MILES. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS UNTRUE. ALSO NOTE WHEN CUMBERLAND GARAGE NOTICED MY TRUCK NEEDED BALL JOINTS REPAIRED MY TRUCK HAD ONLY ABOUT 37K MILES. 11/04/03 I HAD A MINOR ACCIDENT.THE SHORT OF IT : I LOST CONTROL OF MY TIRES. MY WHEEL WOULD TURN BUT MY FRONT TIRES WOULD NOT RESPOND AND MY REAR TIRES WERE STUCK/SPINNING ON PILES OF WET LEAVES. I STEPPED ON THE GAS WHILE TRYING TO TURN MY VEHICLE AND THE GAS DID NOT RESPOND. MY BREAK WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRUCK THRUST FORWARD AND HIT MY BROTHERS CAR. I HAVE HAD A LOT OF TROUBLE SLEEPING JUST THINKIN

THE WATER PUMP STOPPED OPERATING, FOR THE THIRD TIME, WHILE DRIVING. THE THERMOSTAT HAD BROKE AND CAUSED THE SEAL TO THE PUMP TO BREAK. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER. MECHANIC WILL CHECK ON CAUSE OF BROKEN WATER PUMP. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM DEFECTIVE BEFORE 30,000 MILES. NOW AT 115,000 MILES BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE BAD. DODGE FIXED THIS TO REPLACE ALL CONTROL ARMS WITH NEW. $1800.OO REPAIR. IS THIS GOING TO BE A RECALL LIKE THE OTHER DURANGO'S? *LA

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE POWER STEERING FAILED, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT . AFTER THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED, THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER. ALSO, THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT THAT GEAR BOX HAD A HOLE IN IT. THERE WAS A 2 INCH PIECE OF A BOLT THAT WAS KNOCKED OUT WITH FORCED PRESSURE. THE DEALER DID NOT WANT TO HELP THE CONSUMER.*AK THE STEERING BOX LEAKED AND CONTAINED EXCESSIVE PLAY. THE ROTORS AND WINDSHIELD WIPES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB *NM

DEALER REPLACED TWICE BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, ALSO, THE TRANSFER CASE WAS REPLACED. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH 1999 DODGE DAKOTA HAS HAD THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS PEFORMED: REPLACEMENT OF TRANSFER CASE, UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, WHEEL BEARINGS, RIGHT HUB ASSEMBLY, RIGHT ROTOR, RIGHT AXLE ASSEMBLY, AND FRONT SHOCKS.*MR

DODGE DAKOTA TOP PAINT WEARING OFF AND BACK WINDSHIELD LEAKING 1999 CLUB CAB

STARTER SHORTED AND CAUSED A FIRE ON THE WIRING FROM BATTERY TO STARTER

1999 DODGE DAKOTA SLT 4WD. ROUTINE STATE INSPECTION REVEALED FRONT BALL JOINTS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND PLAY. FAILED NEW HAMPSHIRE INSPECTION[SAFETY RELATED ITEM:CONTROL] ONLY 54K MILES. BALL JOINTS REPLACED AND ALIGNMENT COMPLETED AT SULLIVAN TIRE INC. MANAGER REVEALED HE HAD DONE ANOTHER DAKOTA AND A DURANGO THAT SAME DAY FOR BALL JOINTS ALSO. FREQUENT ITEM FOR DODGE SO HE NOW KEEPS THEM IN STOCK IN HOUSE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE WHEN TURNING CORNERS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT. *AK

REQUESTING FURTHER INFO ON DOGE "DURANGO/ DAKOTA" INVESTIGATION ON UPPER BALL JOINT PROBLEM. I OWN A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA AND EXPERIENCE FRONT END SQUEAKING, EXCESSIVE ABNORMAL FRONT TIRE WEAR, AND BANGING WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP OR TURNING A SHARP CORNER{GOING ON A YEAR NOW}. I HAVE PRESENTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE, DEMEANINGLY, ONLY DETERMINED THE ISSUE TO BE TIRES UNBALANCED AND ROTATED THE TIRES TO ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. ( QUICK FIX AND GET OUT!! )YET THE TIRE WEAR CONTINUES AND NOISES OF METAL CLANKING OCCURS. I HAD SEEN THE REPORT ON CBS NEWS ON OCTOBER 27, 2003 AND NOW HAVE A HIGHER CONCERN OF THIS ISSUE, AS DESRIBED ABOVE. WHAT SORT OF RESOLUTIONS ARE BEING PERFORMED AND WHAT SHOULD I DO????*AK

I OWN A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA. I RECENTLY HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON. THE DEALER SAID HE COULDN'T ALIGN THE FRONT END BECAUSE THE BALL JOINTS (UPPER AND LOWER) WERE TOO WORN. THE TRUCK HAS 85000 MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES. CONSIDERING THE TV STORY ON DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS, THOUGHT I'D LET YOU KNOW. *LA

I HAD MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER GO OUT. TOOK OUT THE MUFFLER AND BURNED OUT THE CLUTCH PLATEWELL AFTER THAT THE TRUCKS WENT TO HELL THEN THE OIL PUMP WENT OUT NOW ABOUT 8 MONTHS LATER MY TRUCK LOST ALL OIL PRESSURE NOW THEY SAY IF I DONT PROVE ENOUGH OIL CHANGES OVER THE LAST 4 YEARS THEY ARENT GOING TO WARRENTY IT EVEN THOUGH IM PRETTY SURE THAT THE CATAYLAC CONVERTER STOPPED UP AND THE OIL PUMP GOING OUT HAS RUINT THAT MOTOR THERE FAULT BUT THEY WANT TO SAY SLUDGE MY ASS THERE SELLING LEMONS AND LIES IVE LOOKED UP ON INTERNET AND THERE IS ALOT OF PEOPLE THOUSANDS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM SOMEBODY NEEDS TO CORRECT THEM ITS THERE MISTAKE NOT MINE AND HONOR THERE WARRANTY. *AK

UNSAFE "GOODYEAR WRANGLER ST" TIRES. THIS MORNING IN A LIGHT DRIZZLE WITH THE ROAD GETTING WET BUT NOT PUDDLED, MY SON AND I WHILE DRIVING WITH IN THE SPEED LIMIT AND MAKING A 90 DEGREE TURN SLID INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE, LUCKILY NO ONE WAS COMING IN THAT LANE. THIS WAS THE TWELFTH TIME THAT I HAVE SLID ON A SLIGHTLY WET ROAD. THE FIRST TIME I WAS STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT AND I BEGAN TO FISH TAIL, WE WENT TWO MORE BLOCKS TO THE NEXT RED LIGHT , PUT ON MY BRAKES AND WE BEGAN TO FISH TAIL AGAIN. THESE TIRES DO NOT HAVE ANY TRACTION ON A WET ROAD, EVEN AT A SLOW SPEED. I NOW HAVE 11,000 MILES ON THESE TIRES AND FROM DAY ONE THEY HAVE BEEN UNSAFE ON WET ROADS, I HAVE HAD TWELVE CLOSE CALLS WITH THESE TIRES AND I BELIEVE IT IS TIME FOR ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT. WOULD YOU PLEASE CHECK THE HISTORY RECORD ON THESE "GOODYEAR WRANGLER ST" TIRES AND SEE IF THERE ARE ANY MORE COMPLAINTS. I AM 69 YEARS OLD , DRIVING SINCE I WAS 16 AND NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT, AND I DON'T WANT ONE NOW OVER THESE TIRES THAT HAVE NO TRACTION. I THINK THAT GOODYEAR SHOULD TAKE THESE FIVE TIRES BACK AND GIVE ME SAFE TIRES THAT HAVE TRACTION ON WET ROADS. THESE TIRES WERE ON THE BRAND NEW DODGE DAKOTA PICK UP TRUCK THAT I PURCHASED. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NORTHTOWN DODGE OF TONAWANDA ,2020 NIAGARA FALLS BLVD, TONAWANDA,NY TEL#7166927200, TOLD ME THE SQUEAK IN MY '99 DODGE DAKOTA (53,372 MILES) WAS THE FAILURE OF BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. THEY CHARGED ME A TOTAL OF $1,870.00 FOR THE JOB IN JULY '03. $1,048 WAS FOR PARTS ALONE. THEY INSISTED THAT THE BALL JOINT CONNECTING ARMS ARE ONE PIECE WITH EACH BALL JOINT. SINCE THEN I CALLED THE SAME DEALER'S PARTS DEPT. REQUESTING INFORMATION ON REPLACEMENT PARTS COSTS. THAT DEPT. TOLD ME THAT DAIMLER CHRYSLER HAS PRODUCED REPLACEMENT PARTS AT THE COST OF $100.00 EACH BECAUSE THEY REALIZE THAT THE BALL JOINTS IN BOTH THE DAKOTA AND DURANGOS HAVE A FREQUENT FAILURE RECORD. NORTHTOWN DODGE SERVICE DEPT. DID NOT INFORM ME OF THOSE PARTS AVAILABILITY OR EVEN EXISTENCE AND DID NOT AFFORD ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE OVER $640.00 IN PARTS ALONE. I FEEL THAT THEY LIED AND CHEATED ME AND PROBABLY OTHERS WITH NO WARRANTY. *LA

PREMATURE WEAR OF BALL JOINTS IN MY 1999 DODGE DAKOTA. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAT 48000 ON IT AND WAS TOLD WHEN I WENT FOR AN ALIGNMENT THAT MY BALL JOINTS WERE WEARING OUT. SHOULDN'T BE WEARING OUT SO SOON. HAVE NOT REPLACED YET, DEALER MECHANIC CLAIMS HE HAS SEEN QUITE A FEW OF THESE.*AK

OWN A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA 4WD. BALL JOINTS AND IDLER ARM GOING BAD. VEHICLE HAS 56,000 MILES. NOTICED NOISE ARISING FROM FRONT SUSPENSION AND LOOSENING AT AROUND 40,000 MILES, BUT DID NOT KNOW TILL AROUND 53,000 MILES WHEN A MECHANIC BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION WHILE IT WAS AT AN ALIGNMENT SHOP. THESE PARTS, I WAS ADVISED, SHOULD NOT BE WEARING TILL AROUND 130,000 MILES. TWO PEOPLE AT MY WORK ALSO OWN THESE VEHICLES, ONE PERSON OWNS A 2WD DAKOTA, ANOTHER OWNS A 4WD DURANGO. BOTH PERSONS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH BALL JOINTS AS WELL. *LA

1999 DODGE DAKOTA 4WD 71500 MILES. NOTIFIED BY MECHANIC THAT I NEED BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS, BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS AND BOTH TIE ROD ENDS REPLACED. TOOK IT IN FOR UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR THAT HAS OCCURRED SINCE 40,000 MILES. MECHANIC WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH DAKOTAS. SAID HE HAS SEEN MANY LIKE IT.*AK

UPPER RIGHT BALL JOINT FAILED. VEHICLE HAD 65684 MILES.*AK

1999 DODGE DAKOTA UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. *AK

'99 DODGE DAKOTA, CLUB CAB, 4WD, JUST TURNED 100,000 MILES, HAD TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED TWICE SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. BALL JOINTS WERE FIRST REPLACED AT 60,000 MILES WITH OEM PARTS, BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME AT 90,000 WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS. VEHICLE IS USED ONLY ON PAVED ROADS AND NOT SUBJECT TO ABUSE...PREMATURELY FAILING BALL JOINTS ARE A SAFETY CONCERN AND CAUSING PREMATURE TIRE WEAR.*AK

CONSUMER HAD BALL JOINTS REPLACED AT LEAST 6 TIMES. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC DID NOT TELL CONSUMER WHY BALL JOINTS CONTINUALLY FAILED. *AK 1999 DODGE DAKOTA HAS HAD BALL JOINTS REPLACED SIX TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. CONSUMER WAS NEVER TOLD THE REASON WHY THE BALL JOINTS CONTINUOUSLY FAIL.*MR

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS AND STUDS BROKEN OFF. FROM WHAT I READ ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. *LA

1999 DODGE DAKOTA WIRING PROBLEM. MY 1999 DODGE DAKOTA HAS A WIRING PROBLEM THAT CAUSES THE CRUISE CONTROL TO BE STUCK IN THE ON POSITION AND CAUSES THE TURN SIGNAL TO FREEZE WHILE AT A LONG LIGHT. THE CRUISE CONTROL IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE IT CAN NOT BE DISENGAGED WITH THE BRAKE, YOU MUST MANUALLY TURN THE SYSTEM OFF. SUPERIOR DODGE IN NICHOLASVILLE, KY HAS ALREADY CHARGED ME FOR 2 HOURS LABOR TO TRY AND FIND THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE HAD NO LUCK FINDING THE SHORTED OUT WIRE YET. *LA

LOST OF STEERING IN A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4, STEERING BOX EXPLODED. CAME WITHIN INCHES OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT. *LA

OIL PRESSURE GAUGE DROPS TO ZERO, WHEN COMING TO A STOP, AFTER RUNNING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE DEALER(4) TIMES : REPLACED OIL SENDING UNIT 4-9-01/24,305 MI. ; REPLACED OIL PUMP 8-24-01/28,730 MI. ; CHECKED OIL PRESSURE GAUGE 2-7-03/ 45,478 MI. ; REPLACED OIL PUMP AND CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS 8-29-03/ 50,903 MI. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR. *JB

MULTIPLE FAILURES OF VEHICLE'S CATALYTIC CONVERTER.*MR *PH *JB THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON, THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE CLIMBING STEEP HILLS. *SC

HAD JUST STARTED VEHICLE AND IT WAS MOVING WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE RIGHT CENTER OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. HAD CONTACTED DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MECHANIC CHECK AIR BAGS NON-DEPLOYMENT.*AK

THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS LOOSENED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND WITH NO WARNING LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOWOUT. CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER. MICHELIN , PILOT LTX, SIZE# P/255/55R17 DOT# UNKNOWN. DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK