2000 Dodge Dakota complaints

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION IF LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE NOT REPAIRED. DEALER WILL REPAIR FOR RECALL ONLY.*AK

MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA R/T 5.9 IS MAKING A LOUD CHUNK NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE CURRENT RECALL ONLY INVOLVES 4X4 MODELS AND MY VEHICLE IS A 4X2 SO IT IS NOT INCLUDED. MY TRUCK HAS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND I FEEL UNSAFE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT OF SOME TYPE. *NM

POPPING AND CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT WHEELS (BALL JOINTS) WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. REPORTED TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, AND WAS TOLD "THAT'S COMMON, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT." I'VE BEEN REPORTING IT TO THEN EACH TIME I BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE OVER THE LAST YEAR AND THEY NEVER BOTHERED ONCE TO INSPECT IT. NOW THERE IS A POTENTIAL RECALL, AND I'M AFRAID MY BALL JOINTS WON'T LAST TILL CHRYSLER GETS THE RECALL CAMPAIGN GOING AND WILL COVER THE REPAIR/REPLACEMNT COSTS.*AK

DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY PART #55256713AB FAILED THUS OCCUPANT CAN NOT OPEN DOOR. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH STEERING SHAFT FAILED. AS A RESULT, STEERING FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. *AK

UPPER BALL JOINTS ON MY VEHICLE HAVE FAILED AND DAIMLER CHRYSLER REFUSES TO REPAIR AND ALSO REFUSES TO AGREE TO A RE-EMBURSMENT WHEN A RECALL DOES COME OUT AFFECTING MY VEHICLE. I OWN A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA R/T TWO WHEEL DRIVE REGULAR CAB PICKUP TRUCK. *AK

I CALLED MOSS BROTHERS DODGE TO GET AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE RECALL #D47 TO REPLACE THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS. THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL FEBRUARY 1ST 2005 BEFORE THEY WOULD HAVE THE BALL JOINT IN STOCK.*AK I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS AT 7,000 FEET AND HAVE TO DRIVE DOWN THE HILL ABOUT TWICE A WEEK AND NOW AM AFRAID TO DRIVE AT ALL. SEEMS TO ME THAT THE DODGE DEALER SHOULD HAVE THE BALL JOINT IN STOCK BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. WHAT CAN BE DONE?

THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 30 MPH. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THERE WAS A SECOND OCCURRENCE WHEN THE LEFT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. *AK

EMAIL CONSUMER LETTER ADD TO ODI NUMBER 10051116 REGARDING UPPER BALL JOINTS ON 2000 DODGE DAKOTA.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE EXHIBITED A POPPING NOISE. *JB *SC

MY WIFE DRIVES A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CAB 2 WHEEL DRIVE I DRIVE A 1999 DAKOTA 2 WHEEL DRIVE. FOR MONTHS MY WIFE'S TRUCK HAD A POPPING NOISE FROM THE LEFT FRONT END IT WAS EXAMINED AND NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG WE KEPT DRIVING IT,THE POPPING GOT MUCH WORSE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK TO THE LEFT. ON ONE OCCASION WE HEARD A MUCH LOUDER POP WE PULLED BACK IN THE DRIVEWAY I JACKED UP THE FRONT LEFT OF THE TRUCK TO LOOK UNDER, ONCE THE WEIGHT CAME OFF THE FRONT END SIDE, THE WHOLE WHEEL FELL TO THE GROUND. AFTER EXAMINATION I FOUND THAT THE UPPER ARM BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY HAD SEPARATED. THE SOCKET WAS RUSTED VERY WORN,AND DID NOT CONFORM TO THE BALL. THE BALL WAS VERY WORN RUSTED AND MISS SHAPED THE RUBBER BOOT WAS WORN AND PIECES MISSING. THE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED (WE KEPT THE OLD PART)MY 1999 DAKOTA EXHIBITS THE SAME PROBLEM AS MY WIFE'S AND CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. WE ARE STILL HEARING A POPPING NOISE FROM MY WIFE'S TRUCK THE SAME AS BEFORE. WE HAD HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM A YEAR AGO ON CBS NEWS AND CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER MANY TIMES AND HAVE NOT HEARD BACK. ON 12-9-04 THE FEDERAL GOV.ORDERED A RECALL,ON 2000-2003 DURANGOS 4X4 AND DAKOTAS WITH 4 WHEEL DRIVE.OUR TRUCKS ARE 2 WHEEL DRIVE AND PROVE THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS ON OTHER NON 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRUCKS. *JB

RECALL 2000-2004 4X4 DAKOTAS/DURANGOS HEY, WHAT'S UP WITH ONLY 4X4S???? TWO WHEEL DRIVE DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS HAVE THE SAME BALL JOINTS AS THE 4X4S. WHY DO I HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE IF MY WHEELS FALL OFF BEFORE THE 100,000 MILE GUARANTEE BEING OFFERED ON MINE IS UP? WHAT'S THIS NONSENSE IT "ONLY HAPPENS AT LOWER SPEEDS, NOT HIGH SPEEDS". THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND IS DC WAY OF SAVING MONEY. PERHAPS THE GOVERNMENT ONLY INVESTIGATED THE 4X4S SINCE THEY ARE THE MOST POPULAR VEHICLES (I.E., 600,000 4X4 VERSUS 200,000 TWO WHEEL DRIVE) NEVER GIVING A THOUGHT TO THOSE OF US WHO DO NOT OWN THE 4X4 VERSIONS. *JB

I HAVE A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA 2WD CLUB CAB PICKUP. THE BALL JOINT ON THE UPPER RIGHT SIDE WENT BAD AT 60000 MILES. I KNOW THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION INVOLVING THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE VERSION OF THIS TRUCK AND I WAS WANTING TO SHOW THAT THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE 2WD VERSION ALSO. ON FIRST INSPECTION BY THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THE BALL JOINT WAS NOT BAD. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE MECHANIC WORKING ON THE TRUCK DID NOT KNOW YOU COULDN'T CHECK BALL JOINT WEAR WHILE THE TRUCK WAS ON A TWIN POST LIFT WITH THE WHEEL HANGING FREE. AFTER I SHOWED THEM HOW TO DO IT THEY AGREED IT WAS BAD. AFTER CALLING DODGE THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I BOUGHT THE PART FROM THEM AND DID THE REPAIR MYSELF. I CALLED DODGE MYSELF AND THEY HAVE OFFERED TO REIMBURSE THE PART COST IF I SEND IN THE INVOICE. *JB

MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA WOULD NOT PASS FOR INSPECTION DUE TO UPPER BALL JOINTS SO I HAD THEM REPAIRED. WHEN I GOT MY DODGE DAKOTA BACK ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE DRIVER SIDE BROKE AND CAUSED A CRASH. WHEN THE BALL JOINT BROKE IT CAUSED THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK TO DROP DOWN ONTO THE FRAME AND BREAKING MY AXLE, BURSTING MY TIRE AND BENDING A SPINDLE AND BREAKING MY SHOCK. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS IN THE PARKING LOT OF WHERE I WORKED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. *JB

THE FRONT BALL JOINTS ARE MAKING A POPPING NOISE, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SHKAE AND RUST TO FALL OFF. DEALER WAS INFORMED BY CONSUMER FOR REPAIRS.*AK

WITH THE PENDING DODGE RECALL ON THE BALL JOINTS, WHY WILL IT ONLY COVER THE 4X4 TRUCKS. THE SAME BALL JOINTS ARE USED ON THE 2 WHEEL DRIVE ONES AND HAVE HAD THE SAME FAILURES. I AM THE OWNER OF A 2000 DAKOTA CLUB CAB. I TRAVEL 110+ MILES A DAY WITH THE TRUCK. CURRENTLY AT 90000 AND PLANING ON 200+. IS THE PLAN ON NHTSA AND DODGE TO WAIT TILL DEATHS BEFORE THE 2 WHELL TRICKS ARE FIXED??? AM IF I AM THE INFORMENT ONE TO DIE, THEN ARE YOU GOING TO EXPLAIN WHY THIS ISSUE WAS NOT FIXED TO MY WIFE AND 1 YEAR OLD SON!!!!!!! LET'S NOT DO THE JOB HALF WAY. LET'S JUST DO THE JOB RIGHT!*AK

I HAVE A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA 2WD WITH BAD BALL JOINTS. THE 2 WHEEL DRIVE AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE HAVE THE SAME "DEFECTIVE" BALL JOINTS.*AK

2000 DODGE DAKOTA UPPER BALL JOINTS. LAST YEAR, MY UPPER LEFT BALL JOINT (BJ) FAILED. THANKFULLY I WAS STILL IN A PARKIGN LOT AT THE TIME. IF THIS FAILED AT SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WOULD HAVE INVLOVED SGINIFICANT INJURIES. *AK DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE ONE BJ, I HAD A DODGE DEALER REPLACE THE LEFT TIRE ROD END AND THE LEFT FRONT AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLY SINCE THEY BENT WHEN THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSMEMBLY CAME LOOSE. IN ADDITION, I HAD THE BOTH LOWER JOINTS REPLACED AND THE RIGHT UPPER BJ AND RIGHT SIDE TIE ROD. THE PROBLEM I HAVE NOW IS THAT THE NEW DODGE TIE RODS RUB AGAINST THE WHEELS ON SHARP TURNS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE REPS INDICATED THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THIS. HOWEVER, THE TIE ROD ENDS CONTINUE TO WEAR THE FACTORY ALUMINUM WHEELS. ONE DEALER REP INDICATED THAT IN 2001 THE DAKOTAS WENT TO 16" WHEELS, AND SINCE MY 2000 HAS 15" WHEELS, THAT I NEED TO BUY 16 WHEELS SO THE TIE RODS DON'T RUB. WELL, QUITE FRANKLY THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. I FIND DODGE / DAMILER CHRYSLER RESPONSE TO THE UPPER BALL JOINT ISSUES PATHETIC. IN ADDITION, THE SPRAY NOZZLE FREEZE UP ANYTIME THE TEMPERATURE GOES BELOW 30 DEGREES. I'VE USED ALL KINDS OF WASHER FLUI, AND EVEN ADDED RUBBING ALCOHOL TO THE FUILD, REGARDLESS THIS IS A VISIBILITY HAZARD, AND IT SHOULD BE NOTED THE DESIGN WAS CHANGED IN THE 2001 DAKOTA / DURANGO MODELS

ON 11/12/04 I BROUGHT MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA, EXTENDED CAB, 4X4 , WITH 36,703 MILES, IN FOR A ROUTINE FRONT END ALLIGNMENT. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THAT THE RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT WAS BAD. I HAD IT REPLACED. THE COST WAS PARTS: 92.39, LABOR: 96.00. TODAY, I HEARD ON THE NEWS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM.*AK

2000 DODGE DAKOTA FRONT END PROBLEM. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET, BUT THE FRONT END OF MY TRUCK MAKES UNIDENTIFIABLE NOISE WHEN TURNING. I HAVE BEEN TO THE MECHANIC 3 TIMES AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY OR FIX IT. I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS IF IT DEFECT.AS WELL, I WOULD LIKE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS.*AK

I BOUGHT A 2000 DAKOTA 4X4 USED, WITH 42,000 MI. IN OCT. 03. WENT TO GET A MISSOURI STATE INSPECTION CERTIFICATE, I WAS TOLD UPPER & LOWER BALLJOINTS WERE "GOING BAD". JULY 04, TRUCK STARTED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT.IT"S AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT I CANNOT AFFORD RIGHT NOW. I SAW A NEWS STORY ON THIS ISSUE AND REALIZED I AM NOT ALONE. I BELIVE DODGE MAKES A GREAT TRUCK. THEY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THERE NAME, AS WELL AS PRODUCT.*AK

BAD FRONT BALL JOINTS.*AK

PER MECHANIC UPPER BALL JOINTS WORN OUT.*AK

TWO MONTHS AGO CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. THE FRONT END JERKED, ESPECIALLY WHILE MAKING TURNS. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO GET IT SERVICED, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE ROTORS. THEY NEEDED TO BE SHAVED. *AK

THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED (WITH NO WARNING), CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY TRUCK AS IT WENT AROUND A CORNER. I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY, DUE TO THE UNEXPECTED HEAVYNESS OF THE STREEING AND THE LOW SPEED (ABOUT 10 MPH). I DID REGAIN REGAINED CONTROL AND AVOIDED HITTING THE CARS IN THE ONCOMING LANES. I MADE IT HOME, PARKED THE TRUCK UNTIL I COULD BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE. THE TRUCK WAS NOT DRIVABLE AROUND TOWN WITH THE POWER STEERING BROKEN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP UNIT (PART #52106253AF). I BELIEVE I DISPOSED OF THE UNIT. MY TRUCK IS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 WITH THE 4.7 AND AUTOMATIC. THE MILEAGE ON THE TRUCK WAS ONLY 32,501, BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME THE IN SERVICE DATE OF 23 JUNE 2000 PUT THE TRUCK OUT OF THE WARRANTEE PERIOD. COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $501.23. THE TRUCK HAS NOT SEEN ANY OFF-ROAD ABUSE AND IS RESPONSIBLY DRIVEN.*AK

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED 3 TIMES. ROTORS WARPED BETWEEN 10,000 TO 20,000 MILES. IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THEM AGAIN ONLY WITH HIGH PERFORMANCE ROTORS, DODGE BRAKE ROTORS ARE NO GOOD.*AK

NO EVENT YET, HOWEVER AS THE 2000 4 X 2WD DODGE DAKOTA HAS THE SAME BALL JOINTS AS THE 4 X 4 VERSION IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. SINCE IT IS NOT, I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT. IF ANY FAILURE, ACCIDENT OR INJURY DOES OCCUR FROM DODGE'S REFUSAL TO REPAIR MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA UNDER THIS RECALL I WANT NOTE MADE OF MY COMPLAINT. *AK

DODGE DAKOTA UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE. SHAKING STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT END NOISE CLUED ME IN TO THE KNOWN PROBLEM. BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED WITH BETTER MOOG GREASABLE ONES.*AK

PREMATURE WEAR OF FACTORY BALL JOINTS ON MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA AND WATER LEAK THAT FILLS UP MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD. DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIND WATER LEAK PROBLEM.*AK

SUBJECT VEHICLE: 2000 DODGE DAKOTA R/T, ILES: 49000; USAGE: DAILY DRIVER-CITY/HWY ONLY; COMPLAINT: EXCESSIVE UPPER BALL JOINT PLAY EARLY FAILURE. *AK AT APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES I NOTICED A SLIGHT CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION. I LUBED THE FRONT END USING THE APPROPRIATE TOOL AND GREASE NIPPLES BUT FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO FITTING ON THE UPPER BALL JOINT. THE CLICKING SOUND PROGRESSED TO CLUNKING OVER THE NEXT 10000 MILES AND ON INSPECTION I FOUND EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE UPPER FRONT SUSPENSION ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE LEFT SIDE BEING THE MOST EGREGIOUS. IN ADDITION I STARTED TO NOTICE WANDERING IN THE STEERING TRACK OF THE VEHICLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I FOCUSED MY ATTENTION ON THE UPPER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY'S AND HAVE SINCE REPLACED BOTH. THE SYMPTOM HAS CLEARED. I HAVE HAD AN ASSORTMENT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE THIS HAVING THE MOST POTENTIAL FOR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE APPRECIATED JAMES DALY

DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD END NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT APPROX. 55,000 MILES. THIS UNIT IS SEALED AT THE FACTORY AND NOT SERVICABLE BY THE OWNER. IT WAS REPLACED BY VISSING DODGE, JEFFERSONVILLE. IN. SERVICE MANAGER NOTED THAT THIS UNIT COULD FAIL RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL,(WORST CASE SENERIO). I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING BACK TO CAL. WITH THIS PROBLEM AND ITS SAFETY RELATED ISSUES. PASSENGER SIDE UNIT IS NOW SQUEEKING AND WILL NEED REPLACEMENT. TRUCK NOW HAS APPROX. 58,500 MILES. *AK

TIE ROD BROKE. REPLACED TOE ROD AND ALL BALL JOINTS. *AK

PROBLEM STARTED WITH POPPING NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION. TIRES EVENTUALLY WERE WEARING UNEVEN. TOOK TRUCK TO DEALER FOR ALIGNMENT. THEY COULD NOT PERFORM DUE TO WORN OUT UPPER BALL JOINTS. REPLACED BALL JOINTS AND NOTICED LEFT UPPER JOINT HAD DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT IT WAS CLOSE TO SEPARATION. ALSO NOTICED TIRES HAD WORN TO THE POINT THAT INNER STEEL BELTS WERE EXPOSED. *JB

SINCE FILING MY COMPLAINT LAST MONTH, MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT DETACHED AND CAUSE MY WHEEL TO NEARLY FALL OFF. LUCKILY I HAD JUST PULLED ONTO A STREET WHEN THE WHEEL FELL OFF, SO MY SPEED WAS LESS THAN 5MPH. I HAVE BEEN WAITING ON BACKORDERED PARTS TO BE SHIPPED SINCE MY ORIGNAL COMPLAINT IN OCTOBER, SO THE WORN BALL JOINTS HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED YET. *AK

ALL FOUR OF THE DOOR ACTUATOR HAVE FAILED. FIRST THEY MAKE ATERRIBLE GRATING SOUND THEN IF NOT REPLACED, AT AN INCREASINGLY INFLATING RATE (NOW OVER $200 EACH), THE DOOR WILL EVENTUALLY LOCK AND CANNOT BE UNLOCKED BY THE KEYLESS ENTRY. YOU CAN BE LOCKED OUT OR A SMALL CHILD COULD BE LOCKED IN. AT ANY RATE IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART, IT IS UNSAFE, THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS BUT NOW OUT OF WARRANTY SO TOO BAD. IF YOU FIX IT YOU PAY OVER $200, IF YOU DO NOT YOU RUN THE RISK OF DOORS LOCKING AUTOMATICALLY AND BEING UNABLE TO UNLOCK THEM, RESULTING IN ANY NUMBER OF DANGEROUS, INJUROUS AND DESTRUCTIVE SITUATIONS.*AK

BRAKING SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE IS SUB STANDARD FOR STOPING, ON A EMERGENCY STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, BUT WILL NOT STOP AS IT SHOULD. WAS IN AN ACCIDENT THE OTHER DAY, THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IT THE BRAKES WORKED AS THEY SHOULD, I HAVE A (2002) DARANGO AND THE BRAKING SYSEM IS LIKE NIGHT A DAY VIRS THE DAKODA.*AK

BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE LOOSE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. *JB

NOTICED VERY LOUD SQUEAKING IN FRONT END OF 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. TOOK IN FOR DEALER TO SERVICE(46,000 MILES). MENTIONED BALL JOINTS. THEY REPLACED SWAY BAR BUSHINGS. FOUR MONTHS LATER SQUEAKING WAS BACK(51,000 MILES). RETURNED TO DEALER QUESTIONING BALL JOINTS AGAIN. THEY LUBRICATED THE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS. FIVE MONTHS LATER VEHICLE IN FOR STATE INSPECTION AND DRIVERS SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED, PASSENGER SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT ALMOST OUT OF TOLERANCE (55,000 MILES). HAD BOTH REPLACED WITH OEM FROM DODGE. SENT EMAIL TO SERVICE MANAGER QUESTIONING COVERAGE BY DODGE AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. *JB

DODGE DAKOTA TIE RODS. TIE ROD ACTUALLY BROKE. *BF THE CONSUMER SENT IN A COMPLAINT TO THE NHTSA ON LINE BUT HAD TROUBLE. *TC

I HAVE A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. ON NOVEMBER 2,2004 WHILE DRIVING ON CITY SIDE STREETS THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK TO ARRIVE, I CALLED THE DODGE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAD MY VECHILE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO DID MOST OF THE REPAIRS (TOTALING ABOUT $1,300). HE HANDED ME A BOX WITH THE BALL JOINTS FROM MY VEHICLE AND TOLD ME TO HANG ONTO THEM. THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT ON BOTH SIDES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UPPER BALL JOINT LOSING ALL IT'S GREASE (THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SEALED UNIT!), CAUSING UNDO STRESS ON THE JOINT UNTIL IT EVENTUALLY SHEARED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. I STILL HAVE TO TAKE MY VEHICLE IN FOR SOME REPAIRS THAT NEED TO BE COMPLETED (CV BOOT REPLACEMENT AND A TIE ROD THAT IS TWISTED) - WHICH IS ESTIMATED TO BE AN ADDITIONAL $400. I DO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS - ALL IN VARYING DEGREES OF DEFECTIVE DAMAGE ALONG WITH PHOTOS OF THE VEHICLE AT THE PLACE OF THE ACCIDENT. PHOTOS INCLUDE CLOSE UP SHOTS OF THE WHEEL AND BALL JOINT. I HAVE WRITTEN A LETTER TO DODGE CORPORATION AS I FEEL THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THE PARTS WERE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE. THIS IS ALSO A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AS IF THIS WHEEL HAD FALLEN OFF MY VEHICLE JUST 2 MILES SOONER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELING AT 65 MPH COMING DOWN THE HIGHWAY FROM THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS! THE WRECK WOULD HAVE ALMOST CERTAINLY KILLED ME!! THE WRECK WOULD HAVE ALSO TAKEN

1-GRABBING & SQUEAKY BRAKES; 2-FRONT ROTORS & DISC PADS; 3-REPLACED FRONT ROTORS & DISC PADS. DEALERSHIP KEPT OLD PARTS. AK

WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL JUMPED ON ITS ON. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING AND UPPER BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

ELECTRIC REAR DOOR LOCKS FAILED. LOUD BUZZ NOISE FROM RIGHT REAR DOOR WHEN DOOR LOCKS ACTIVATED. TOOK TO DEALER AND HAD FIXED AT A CONSIDERABLE CHARGE. APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS LATER THE LEFT REAR DOOR LOCK BEGAN DOING THE SAME THING; DUE TO COST HAVEN'T HAD REPLACED AND NOW THE DOOR LOCK WILL NOT MANUALLY UNLOCK WITHOUT FIRST HITTING THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK EVEN THOUGH THE ELECTRIC DOOR SWITCH DOESN'T UNLOCK THE DOOR. *JB

I NOTICED THAT MY DODGE DAKOTA 2000 4 X4 WITH 39,000 MILES WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE THE ALIGNMENT ADJUSTED AND WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WAS FAILING. SEEMS TO ME THAT NO PART OF THE BALL JOINT SHOULD BE FAILING AT 39,000 MILES. FROM WHAT LITTLE RESEARCH I'VE DONE, THERE SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH DODGE DAKOTA/DURANGO BALL JOINT FAILURES. *JB

HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE FROM FRONT END. VEHICLE ALSO SHAKES WHEN APPLY BRAKES. *BF WHILE DRIVING OVER 65 MPH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK AS THOUGH IT WAS MISALIGNED OR UNBALANCED. IT ALSO SHOOK WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR HIGHER. THE VEHICLE'S WHEELS HAVE BEEN BALANCED, THE STEERING ALIGNED, THE BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED YET THE PROBLEM RECURS. *NM

FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED. *AK

FAILURE OF UPPER BALL JOINT. 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. DISCOVERED DURING A TIRE PURCHASE. HAVING FIXED AT DEALERSHIP. WEAR IS PREMATURE.*AK

UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE WORN TO THE POINT OF MAKING ALIGNMENT IMPOSSIBLE. ALIGNMENT SHOP SAYS CONDITION IS DANGEROUS AND COULD RESULT IN WHEEL SEPARATION. CONDITION HAS EXISTED AND HAS WORSENED SINCE ABOUT 30,000 MILES. THIS CONDITION WAS REPEATEDLY MIS-DIAGNOSED BY SEVERAL DODGE DEALERSHIPS UNTIL WARRANTY EXPIRED. *JB

I OWN A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA THAT I BOUGHT NEW. IT IS A CLUB CAB 4X4 WITH THE 4.7L V8 AN AUTOMATIC. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD AND HAS JUST TURNED 51,000 MILES. WITHOUT WARNING THE PASS. SIDE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS BOTH WORE OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS OF COURSE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY . LUCKILY I CAUGHT THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE WHEEL FELL OFF. I DRIVE APPROX. 90 MILES A DAY ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND IF THE WHEEL WOULD HAVE COME OFF IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *JB

UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS

IN JULY 2003 CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 20 MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS SLIGHTLY INJURIED, BUT NOTHING SERIOUS. CONSUMER CONTACTED DODGE AND THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM, BUT HAS NOT HEARD FROM THEM.*AK