2002 Dodge Dakota complaints

UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DIPS WITH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE LIFTING. AS A RESULT, THE REAR WHEELS LOCK UP VERY EASILY, CAUSING THE ABS SYSTEM TO KICK IN. WHEN THE ABS SYSTEM KICKS IN, THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY OTHER TYPES OF TRUCKS AND NEVER ENCOUNTERED A TRUCK WITH SUCH POOR BRAKING. THE TRUCK SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO LIMIT THE REAR FROM LIFTING WHILE BRAKING. *JB

NHTSA RECALL 04V596000 ON THE BALL JOINT WEAR. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE NEXT AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT IS ON MAY 26, 2005. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

THE LIGHTS ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA STARTED FLASHING AND A FEW DAYS LATER MY LIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS AND POWER DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE HAD 3 DIFFERENT AUTO MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. MY TRUCK HAS 40,900 MILES ON IT AND NO WRECKS OF ANY KIND. I READ ABOUT A RECALL WITH THIS PROBLEM ON DAKOTA'S AND THE FACTORY STATES THAT THEY ARE RECALLING DAKOTAS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS ONLY FOR THIS PROBLEM. MY TRUCK IS AN AUTOMATIC. *JB

THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE SCOPE OF THE BALL JOINT RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED. THE BALL JOINTS ON THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FAILED YET THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE CONSUMERS 100K MILES LIMITED WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION ALSO FAILED. *BF *NM *SC THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION STALLS AND GETS STUCK IN LOW GEAR WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. *TC

RECALL CAMPAIGN#04V596000: THE VEHICLE'S BALL JOINTS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. *NM THE BALL JOINTS HAD WORN OUT. THE CONSUMER REQESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB

RECALL 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. CONSUMER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE RECALL ON BALL JOINT WEAR. CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THERE IS NO DATE OF EXPECTATION EITHER. *AK......*AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT UPPER BALL JOINTS PROBLEM. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER INSPECTED IT, GAVE IT A WHEEL ALIGNMENT, AND THEN SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. CURRENTLY, MANUFACTURER IS RECALLING THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE IS A TWO WHEEL DRIVE. *AK

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THERE WERE NO APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE UNTIL LATE MARCH 2005. *AK

REGARDING THE DAIMLER CHRYSLER RECALL OF MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK. ONE OF THE REASONS THEY MAY BE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE UPPER BALL JOINTS HAS TO DO WITH THE LOUSY METAL USED ON THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK FOR 3 YEARS AND UNDER NORMAL BRAKING THERE IS SHUTTERING, AND MUCH WORSE DURING HEAVY BRAKING. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM DEVELOPED IN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS AND HAS ONLY WORSENED. THE LOCAL DEALER INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND SAID THE PADS ARE FINE BUT THE ROTORS ARE WARPED. *AK

VEHICLE IS 2002 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT PLUS QUAD CAB 4X4, WITH 58,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BRAKE REPAIR SHOP FOR ROTOR / DRUM RESURFACING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BALL JOINTS IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE HAVE WORN OUT, ARE LOOSE, AND NEED TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST IN EXCESS OF $850. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS YET, BUT WILL HAVE TO SOON. I FEEL THE BALL JOINTS SHOULD HAVE LASTED LONGER THAN 58,000 MILES.*AK

FRONT DISC BRAKES WOULD NOT RELEASE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. OCCURRED AGAIN ON DEC 10, WITH FRONT ROTORS TURNING BRIGHT RED AND SMOKING. DEALER FOUND ABS SYSTEM WAS NOT RELEASING HYDRAULIC FLUID, REPLACED ABS COMPONENT, FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. OCCURRED AGAIN ON DEC 30 WHILE DRIVING, WILL RETURN TO DEALER FOR RESOLUTION.

RECALL CAMPAIGN: 2002 DODGE DAKOTA HAVE UPPER BALL JOINTS PROBLEMS. *BF RECALL CAMPAIGN: THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL ON HIS VEHICLE DEALING WITH THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE BAD BUT NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED INFORMATION ON WHY ONLY TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS IF THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE STILL BAD AND WHAT RECOURSE HE HAS OTHER THAN CONTACTING CHRYSLER. *TC

UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AFTER 2,000 MILES OF OWNERSHIP. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION. THE DEALER WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, STATING IT WAS A WEAR ITEM. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT AND FIXED BEFORE OFFERING THE VEHICLE FOR SALE, BUT THEY CLAIM OTHERWISE. I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE BOTH SETS OF BALL JOINTS ON MY OWN. SINCE THEN, DC HAS RECALLED THE UPPER JOINTS. THE UPPER JOINTS CREATED A SITUATION CAUSING THE LOWER JOINTS TO FAIL ALSO AND SHOULD BE COVERED IN THEIR RECALL. THEY ALSO DO NOT SPECIFY COVERING THE ALIGNMENT NEEDED AFTER JOINTS ARE REPLACED. THE RECALL SHOULD BE REISSUED COVERING UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ALONG WITH ALIGNMENT TO REMEDY THE SITUATION IN THIS RECALL FAILURE. *JB

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PURCHASED AT THAT PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP. *AK

THERE ARE SO MANY PROBLEMS THAT IT IS HARD TO REALLY POINT ONE OUT THAT I AM MOST CONCERNED WITH. FIRST OF ALL IT STARTED WITH THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THEN IT LEAD INTO WHAT THE MANUFACTURER SAYS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THEN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM. NOW WE ARE AT A STANDSTILL SINCE THEY SAY THAT IT IS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THEY ALSO SAY THAT IT IS EXPECTED TO SEE THE ERRATIC BEHAVIOR FROM THE MOTOR. I AM CONFUSED SINCE THEY SAY THAT THE COMPUTER ADJUSTS AND THEN IT WON'T ALLOW THE CAR TO RUN AT OPTIMAL EFFECTIVENESS. DOES THIS MEAN THAT IT IS DESIGNED TO RUN AT LESS THAN OPTIMAL EFFECTIVENESS? I HAVE HAD A SMELL COME OUT OF THE AIR AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY FLOODED. THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAKES THREATENING SOUNDS AND THE BACK WOBBLES LIKE A SERPENT. THE BRAKES JITTER AND I HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR RENTALS AT TIMES WHEN THE MANUFACTURER APPROVED THE REIMBURSEMENT. THE STATEMENT FOR DENIAL OF REIMBURSEMENT WAS "THE AFTER MARKET ALARM CAUSED IT". THEY WERE THE SPONSORS AND INITIATORS OF THIS COMPANY SINCE I BOUGHT IT AT THE DEALERSHIP INCLUDED IN MY PRICE. *AK *TC

FRONT END OF TRUCK WOULD MAKE NOISE WHEN HITTING BUMPS THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. OTH BALL JOINTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WERE DEFECTIVE. THE UPPER HAD NEARLY 1/4" OF UP AND DOWN TRAVEL AND THE BOTTOM WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN. IT IS AMAZING THAT THE WHEEL DIDN'T FALL OFF COMPLETELY. REPLACED BOTH PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINTS. HAD TO PURCHASE THEM FROM AN AFTERMARKET VENDOR DO TO CHRYSLER HAVING THEM ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. THE ONLY PART THAT THEY HAD AVAILABLE WAS A COMPLETE A ARM ASSEMBLY AT A PRICE OF $250 EACH VERSUS THE $50 FOR THE BALL JOINT ITSELF. I FIND IT SOMEWHAT STRANGE THAT 2WD VERSIONS OF THE DAKOTA AND DURANGO ARE NOT BEING COVERED UNDER THE RECENTLY ANNOUNCE RECALL. HAVING MANAGED AUTO PARTS STORES FOR SEVERAL YEARS, ARE CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS AND SALES ARE JUST AS HIGH ON THE 2WD PARTS AS THE 4WD.*AK

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA 2WD TRUCK. I HAVE JUST BEEN REJECTED A VIRGINIA INSPECTION BECAUSE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS IN MY TRUCK ARE ABOUT TO COME OUT. THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE 2WDS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IF THE DAKOTAS ARE MADE WITH THE SAME PARTS FOR THE SAME PLACE. ISN'T IT LIKELY THAT ALL THE PARTS ARE FAULTY. NOW I HAVE A TRUCK THAT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION AND A $400.00 PROBLEM TO FIX ON A TRUCK THAT ONLY HAS 40K MILES.*AK

WHEN APPLYING THE ANTI- BRAKES FROM A LOW SPEED BRAKES LOCKED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK

BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AT 20,000 MILES. PADS OK. TERIBLE PULSING WHEN STOPPING. LOCAL DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE A FEE JUST TO LOOK AT IT. I BELIEVE THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ARE AFFECTED BY THIS. BRAKES HORRIBLE IN WET CONDITION.*AK

I HAVE HEARD NEWS THAT THERE MAY BE A RECALL OF DODGE DAKOTA TRUCKS FOR REASON OF UNSAFE BALL JOINTS. I OWN A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUADCAB 4.7L TWO WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK. SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK, I HAVE HEARD A LOUD CLUNK NOISE WHEN I TURN A CORNER OR GO UP A BUMP OR DRIVEWAY. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL NOISE ON CARS OR TRUCKS. FOR A TRUCK THAT CAN HAUL HEAVY WEIGHT, THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I AM ALWAYS AWARE OF THE NOISE AND KNOW THIS IS UNSAFE. ANYTIME YOU HAVE METAL MAKING RUBBING IN SUCH A MANNER, THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM. I DO NOT BELIEVE THESE VEHICLES ARE SAFE WITH PARTS THAT ARE NOT SOUND AND DURABLE FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLES. I ASK THAT THE TWO WHEEL DAKOTA TRUCKS ALSO BE CONSIDERED FOR RECALL FOR MORE DURABLE AND SAFE BALL JOINTS AND SUSPENSION PARTS. I DO A LOT OF HIGHWAY TRAVEL AND WHEN YOU PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FEEL YOUR WHEEL MAY FALL OFF AT ANY TIME. *JB

TOLD BY FOUR PEOPLE AT WORK THAT THEY HAD PROBLEM WITH THERE BALL JOINT AND HAD TO REPLACE THEM ON DODGE DAKOTAS TRUCK, ASK DODGE DEALER THEY SAID THEY GO BAD BECAUSE OF MICHIGAN ROADS, I ASK HIM WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER 49 STATES. *JB

SIR, I READ ABOUT DODGE DAKOTA HAS UPPER JOINT PLM. GATES(CHRYSLER) SAYS, THEY CAN HEAR NOISE FROM JOINT BUT U FORGET ABOUT DEAF PEOPLE HAVE OWN TOO. I AM DEAF AND MY TRUCK IS 2002 4X4 DODGE DAKOTA. THEY SHOULD CONCERNS ABOUT DEAF PEOPLE TOO. PLEASE INFORM ME SOON BEFORE HAPPENS ANYTIME!!! THANKS. *AK

1. PREPARING TO DRIVE FROM CALIFORNIA TO NORTH CAROLINA IB 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 2WD. HAVING TIRES REPLACED AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT. FRONT END BALL JOINT AND ASSY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXTREME WEAR. MECHANIC STATED I WAS LUCKY THE WHEELS DIDN'T FALL OFF. HAD FRONT END BALL ASSY REPLACED.*AK

THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MAKING TURNS, CAUSING THE SUSPENSION TO BECOME LOOSE AND MAINTAIN PROPER CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR FRONT BALL JOINT REPAIRS FOR THE FOURTH TIME.*AK

1. AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE SEVERAL MILES, AUDIBLE "GROAN" COMES FROM FRONT SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE DURING TURNS. NO PROBLEM WITH STEERING, NO EXCESSIVE PLAY, BUT MAKES THAT MOANING SOUND. SUSPECT BALL JOINTS. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM.*AK 2. AT 46,000 (APPROX) HAD TO REPLACE 1 ROTOR, 1 DRUM ON BRAKES FOR EXCESSIVE VIBRATION DURING STOPS. PROBLEM CLEARED FOR ABOUT 18,000 MILES, NOW DOING SAME THING AGAIN. SUSPECT DODGE'S SUPPLIER OF ROTOR AND DRUMS IS NOT VERY GOOD.

THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WENT INTO THE MEDIAN AND STOPPED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE, AND CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK

I BROUGHT MY DODGE TRUCK (2002) REG. CAB (NO 4X4) TO THE DEALER BACK IN 01/30/2003 I HAD 6470 MILES ON IT. I COMPLAINED ABOUT A THUMPING NOISE IN THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WHEN I GO OVER A BUMP. PRYER TO THIS WHEN I WAS GETTING AN INSPECTION A WEEK EARLIER THEY TOLD ME MY BALL JOINT WAS BAD. WHEN THE DEALER TOOK IT IN THEY SAID THAT THE BALL JOINT PLAY WAS WITHIN SPECIFICATION AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. TO THIS DAY I STILL HAVE THE SAME THUMPING NOISE IN THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE/BALL JOINT. I AM VERY WORRIED THAT THIS IS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ALL ALONG AND HAS BEEN COVERED UP. WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW. *AK

TWO MONTHS AGO CONSUMER STARTED TO NOTICE BRAKE FAILURE. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE CAR JERKED SPORADICALLY. THE PROBLEM STEADILY GOT WORSE. THREE WEEKS LATER THIS VEHICLE STARTED TO WORK PROPERLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. TWO DAYS AGO, THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

HAD TO HAVE THE BALLJOINTS REPLACED AT LESS THAN 50'000 MILES.*AK

(1) FAILURE OF STEERING COMPONENTS; (2) REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE PARTS; (3) PARTS REPLACEMENT IMMINENT.*AK

THERE HAS BEEN NO FAILURE OF MY FRONT END YET, HOWEVER I HAVE NOTICED A RATTLE IN THE FRONT. I HAVE NOT NOTIFIED MY DEALER YET. I DONT BELIEVE THE BALL JOINTS ARE UNDER WARRANTY. JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN.*AK

I NOTICED LOUD CRACKING-POPPING NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN TURNING OR TRAVELING OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE NOISES FROM THE SUSPENSION. THEY CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND SAID THAT I WAS IN DANGER OF LOSING A WHEEL IF I HIT A POT HOLE. THEY WANTED OVER $1000.00 TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. I DECLINED. I REPLACED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS MYSELF. I KNOW I WAS OVER THE 36000 MI. WARRANTY. I THOUGHT IT WAS AN EXCESSIVE AMMOUNT OF MONEY TO REPLACE 2 BALL JOINTS THAT COST $50.00 EACH. I DID NOT KEEP THE OLD PARTS. ONE OF THE BALL JOINTS FELL APART AS I WAS REMOVING IT.*AK

IN A RECENT NEWS ARTICLE I READ THAT THE NHTSA IS CONSIDERING RECALLING DODGE DAKOTAS FOR FAULTY UPPER BALL JOINTS. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE WITH MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB CONCERNING THIS ISSUE.*AK I RECENTLY TOOK MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB IN FOR A FRONT END ALLIGMENT. AT THE TIME OF SERVICE THE VEHICLE HAD 36,500 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE SERVICE TECH NOTIFIED ME THAT THE RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY AND WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE AND SHOULD NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT AT THE STATED MILEAGE. I HOPE THIS ISSUE CAN BE REMEDIED SOON.

THE TIRE RETAIL STORE WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AFTER REPLACING THE FRONT TIRES BECAUSE 3 OF THE BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE, AND THE FOURTH WORE OUT. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAS NO LIFT AND NO OVERSIZED TIRES. THE DEFECTIVE TIRES HAVE 20 TO 25% OF THE TREAD STILL ON THEM SHOWING INDICATION OF FAULTY BALL JOINTS. *TC

DRIVING MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA (SLT 4X4) IN A 55 MPH SPEED LIMIT. WAS TRAVELING AT 49 MPH. APPLIED BRAKES WITH ABNORMALLY SLOW RESPONSE, JERKING AND VIBRATION, RESULTING IN REAR-ENDING THE CAR AHEAD. RESULTED IN $5050 DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK AND $4781 IN DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE. HAVE HAD BRAKES CHECKED TWICE BY THE DEALERSHIP SINCE ACCIDENT WITH EXPLAINATION THAT THE FRONT BRAKES ARE DISC AND THE BACK ARE DRUM AND THAT FRONT DISC BRAKES WILL APPLY BEFORE THE REAR, AND THIS IS THE NORMAL OPERATION OF THESE BRAKES. THIS TRUCK CONTINUES TO HAVE A LONG STOPPING DISTANCE COMPARED TO OTHER TRUCKS I HAVE OWNED. I AM NOW SEEING MULTIPLE OTHER BRAKING COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THIS TRUCK. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF LOOKING FOR A DIFFERENT VEHICLE BECAUSE THIS ONE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE WHILE STOPPING.*AK

DECEMBER 6, 2004 I OWN A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CABU AND NOTICED A SHAKING FEELING WHEN APPLYING MY BRAKES WHEN GOING DOWN HILL ON 11/25/04. THIS PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS THAT THERE IS A LOUD CREAKING NOISE. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN FOR ANY OIL CHANGE AND ASKED TO HAVE A ROAD TEST DONE TO SEE WHAT MIGHT BE CAUSING THE PROBLEMS. I WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT MY FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE COMPLETLY RUSTED, ROTTED OUT, AND HAD GROOVES ALL OVER THEM. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT MY BALL JOINTS WERE "SHOT" AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE 22,000 MILES ON MY DAKOTA AND DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS IS EXCEPTABLE TO HAVE MY FRONT BRAKES COMPLETELY REPLACED! I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE DAKOTA FROM AND WAS TOLD THAT DODGE'S WARRANTY ONLY COVERS BRAKES FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES! AFTER READING THE NHTSA'S COMPLAINTS FOR A SIMILIAR PROBLEM, I SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE'S MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 20,000-25,000 MILES. NOT VERY HAPPY WITH DODGE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM! DEALERSHIP DID NOT SEEM TO BE VERY UNDERSTANDING. *AK

I PURCHASED MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUADCAB 4X4 NEW FROM THE DEALER. AND AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES I NOTICE SUSPENSION NOISE FROM THE FRONT. IT WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST THEN AS I APPROACHED 50,000 MILES THE NOISE BECAME A METALLIC CHATTER AT ALL TIMES. I HAD THE PARTS REPLACED BY A LOCAL SHOP AFTER THE DEALER FAILED TO HONOR MY APPOINTMENT TIMES. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE OUT AND THAT THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO COMMENTED THAT HE HAS NEVER SEEN A BALL JOINT WEAR OUT IN JUST 50,000 MILES. HE GAVE ME THE OLD PARTS SHOWED THE PLAY IN THE JOINT AND THE ABSENCE OF GREASE IN THE BOOT. HE CLAIMED THAT THE DESIGN MUST BE DEFECTIVE TO WEAR OUT THAT EARLY AND COMPLETELY. I USE THE CAR FOR WORK AND LOSE MONEY WHEN IT IS NOT OPERATIVE. MY MAIN CONCERN WAS SAFETY AND RELIABILITY SINCE I AM REQUIRED TO WORK IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS WITH MY CONTRACT TO THE LOCAL UTILITY, PG&E. NOW I AM AT 65,000 MILES AND THEY ARE GIONG OUT AGAIN. IT IS UNDER WARRANTY WITH THE LOCAL SHOP BUT IS IT FAIR FOR THIS BUSINESS TO DEAL WITH A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM? THE DATE OF REPAIR WAS 8/23/04 BUT THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED 4/5/04 AND WORSENED TO I FELT I COULDN'T SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANYMORE. NOW THE EARLY SIGNS ARE STARTING AGAIN 10,000 MILES AFTER REPAIR. *AK

I OWN A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA AND HAD TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED AT 24,000 MILES AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS IS COMMON. MY HOPE IS THAT YOU WOULD INVESTIGATE THIS AND FORCE CHRYSLER TO DO A RE-CALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *AK

2002 - DODGE DAKOTA: TRUCK MECHANICALLY SOUND WHEN IT COMES TO THE ENGINE. RECENTLY HAD A TUNE-UP & 27 POINT INSPECTION @ 50,000 MILES AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACEMENT AND WOULD COST ABOUT $1200.00 TO FIX. THE DEALERS MECHANIC ASKED IF I HAVE BEEN HEAR A "CLUNKING" SOUND WHEN MAKING SHARP TURNS. I ADVISED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS SOUND STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 30,000 MILES BUT DID NOT PAY TO MUCH ATTENTION. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF IT WAS COMMON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN SO PREMATURELY. NO ANSWER. ANY RECALLS IN THE WORKS. THERE SEEMS TO BE MAY ISSUES FROM OTHERS SURROUNDING THE BALLJOINTS!!! IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE ADDITIONAL COST OF $1200.00 MAYBE I WOULD NOT HAVE CONSIDERED PURCHASING THE TRUCK IN THE FIRST PLACE.*AK FP

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GET THE FRONT END ALIGNED ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA IT WAS DISCOVERED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED AND SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 30,000 MILES. THE MECHANICE STATES IT IS A DEFECT OF THE PARTS. *AK

THE FRONT BRAKES ON MY TRUCK WAS DIAGNOSED WITH DEFECTIVE ROTORS. I DO MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING SO I EXPECTED 40,000 TO 50,000 MILES ON THE FRONT BRAKES. I HAD 15,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK FOR ITS 1ST BRAKE INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD AT THAT TIME THAT I STILL HAD APPROXIMATELY 80% OF PADS LEFT. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK IN AT 31,000 AND REQUESTED TO HAVE THE BRAKES INSPECTED AGAIN. I WAS TAKEN BY SURPRISE WHEN THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ROTORS WERE SHOT AND ASKED TO SEE THEM BEFORE I WOULD AUTHORIZE A REPAIR. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS OVER 50% OF THE BRAKE PADS LEFT BUT SOMEHOW THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE SCORED SO BADLY THAT THEY COULD NOT BE CUT DOWN TO REPAIR THEM, THEY MUST BE REPLACED, AND I COULD ALSO SEE THAT THE ROTORS WERE THAT BAD. CONSIDERING THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF BRAKE PAD LEFT I OPTED NOT TO SPEND THE $565.00 AT THIS TIME AND GET MORE LIFE OUT OF THE BRAKES. THEY STILL STOP THE VEHICLE WITH NO PROBLEMS. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO.. DEFECTIVE METAL IN THE ROTORS, ( NOT HARD ENOUGH ) , DEFECTIVE PADS, ( HARD STEEL EMBEDDED IN THEM ) ETC. *AK

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT UNLATCH. DRIVER HAD TO CUT SEATBELT. *AK

THE AIR BAG SENSOR STAYED ON. CLOCK SPRING MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. *AK

RACK AND PINION, AND TIE ROD FAILURE AFTER 2 YEARS ON DODGE DAKOTA....TIRE ROTATION STORE INFORMED ME THAT WHEEL WAS IN DANGER OF COMING OFF. RACK AND PINION GEAR AND TIE ROD REPLACED AT COST OF 1,000.00. WAS "WORN" THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE PIECES. A SEARCH OF THE WEB INDICATES THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF WHEELS COMING OFF, BALL JOINTS, AND TIE RODS FAILING ON THE DURANGO/DAKOTA FRONT CLIP. WILL IT TAKE A DEATH FOR CHRYSLER TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES? I HAVE DRIVEN FOR 35 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A FAILURE IN SUSPENSIN LIKE THIS. THIS HAS BEEN "UNDER INVESTIGATION" FOR 3 YEARS. WHY IS THAT? *AK

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. *NM DRIVERS SIDE HEATED UP SO MUCH THAT IT BLEW THE TIRE AND THE RIM OFF THE HUB WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. DUE TO THE DAMAGE THE WHEEL BEARING HUB, ROTOR, BRAKE AND TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED. ONE WEEK LATER THE PASSENGERS SIDE FAILED. *TC *JB

PREMATURE BALL JOINT FAILURE IN 2002 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4. BALL JOINTS WHERE MAKING CLUNKING SOUND AND WERE BAD AT 35000 BUT DEALER REFUSED TO FIX. NOW WHEN I RETURNED AT 79000 AND THEY ARE REALLY REALLY BAD AND UNSAFE THEY ADMIT THAT THEY ARE BAD AND THAT THEY KNOW DODGE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINTS BUT STILL REFUSED TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

FRONT END VIBRATION AND CREEKING. DEALER STATES BOTH UPPER FRONT BALL JOINTS WORN AND NEED REPLACING. OLD PARTS AVAILABLE.*AK

BOUGHT 2002 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CAB SLT+ IN JUNE OF 2002. WITHIN 6,000 MILES, BEGAN TO HEAR AN OCCASIONAL 'SCRUNCH' SOUND WHEN TURNING SHARP (LIKE INTO PARKING SPACES) - MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN HITTING A BUMP WHILE TURNING SHARP (ON MY STREET, THERE'S A SLIGHT - LESS THAN 2 INCH - DROPOFF FROM THE ROAD TO MY DRIVEWAY). GRADUALLY GOT MORE AND MORE NOTICEABLE, AND TOOK LESS AND LESS TO CAUSE THE SOUND, UNTIL I TOOK IT IN AT ABOUT 24,000 MILES. BOTH SIDES, BOTH BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. TRUCK DROVE GREAT FOR A WHILE, THEN AT ABOUT 30,000 OR SO, STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN. SAME THING. TRUCK NOW HAS 48,000 MILES, AND IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR THE SAME SERVICE.*AK

DODGE DAKOTA HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS AT LOW MILES, NOTICE SCRUNCH SOUND IN FRONT SUSPENSION WHENEVER CONSUMER PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY. *BF *TC

THIS IS IN REGARDS TO MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4. I BEGAN NOTICING POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE WHEEL AT APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER WHO CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG. 6,000 MILES LATER IT WAS GETTING WORSE SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. SURE ENOUGH I HAD A BAD UPPER BALL JOINT, WHICH THEY REPLACED UNDER WARRENTY. I NOW HAVE 40,000 MILES ON THIS TRUCK AND THE RIGHT SIDE IS MAKING THE POPPING NOISE. I WISH DODGE WOULD MAKE A RECALL A FIX THE PROBLEM FOR GOOD. I FEEL THAT IF I WAS NOT DILLEGENT IN MY PURSUIT TO HAVE MY TRUCK REPAIRED, THAT I WOULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THERE FRONT WHEEL FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING THEIR DAKOTA OR DURANGO.*AK