This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
While driving at 45 mph consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front end. Vehicle was taken to dealer and mechanic determined there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. Then, an independent repair shop indicated that ball joints needed to be replaced.
Failure is in progress! my upper left ball joint on my 2002 Dodge Dakota is loose!! the dealer tells me it is not a warranty item [40,000 miles on vehicle], that the part is on backorder, and they don't know when they will get mote parts. Everywhere I have look, both auto parts stores and online, it is the same story..they either tell me it is a dealer item or that they are out of stock. I drive a minimum of 60 miles a day, and I can't buy the part to repair this!! how can this be" who is going to pay for the wear on my tires? where and when can I get a new quaility part"..not the piece of crap Dodge puts on !!!
At 42,000 miles noticed a clunking noise coming from the front end of the vehicle during sharp turns over bumps at low speeds. Brought vehicle to the dealer and they indicated that both upper ball joints need replacement at a cost of ~$500. Will be having both ball joints replaced and will request that the defective parts be saved.
- Raymond, NH, USA
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Consumer heard a popping noise in the front end of the vehicle when turning, driving over any imperfection in the road, or any front end movement. Upon inspection of the vehicle by the dealership they noticed that the front upper ball joint wore out prematurely, and needed to be replaced.
2002 Dodge Dakota quad-cab 4X4 the upper and lower balljoints in the front end seem to be loose and causing excessive popping noises when I hit dips/bumps in the road or turn sharp. My truck only has 30,000 miles on it.
Failed right upper ball joint with 42,000 miles on vehicle. Problem found after vehicle exhibited wheel binding while making hard right hand turns, clunking noises during left hand turns.
Consumer heard a noise in the front end when the brake pedal was depressed, when making right turns and when down hill. Upon inspection of the front end by a mechanic it was determined that front driver side tire and front upper ball joint were loose. Vehicle was then taken to a dealership who indicated that the ball joints were not loose enough to be replaced.
When turning left, the driver heard a loud noise coming from the front. The vehicle was due for an inspection at 30000 miles. The mechanic determined that the upper ball joints on the passenger side needed to be replaced.
Vehicle had excessive brake pad wear. The front pads has been replaced 4 times and the rear twice within a short period of time. Also at 4,000 when turning there was clucking noise in the front end of the truck. The front tires had a quarter inch cup in them. The upper ball joints were bad. The dealership replaced the ball joint but the problem recurred. The upper ball joint had to be replace again.
The ball joints on my 2002 Dodge dakato 4X4 have prematurely failed. The truck has approx. 27000 miles on it. The infamous knocking sound comes from the front suspension when I turn. The truck has been taken to 2 different dealerships a grand total of 5 times for this same problem. A service tech and a service manager have both ridden in the truck and agree that there is a problem initially. Upon inspection, I have been repeatedly told that there is no problem "under normal operating condition." I have contacted Dodge and have been told that they always favor the service dealers over the customer's opinion. Through research I found out that the ball joints on Dakotas and durangos prematurely fail. I informed Dodge that I knew this and that I would like them to rethink their original decision. They said that nothing in my research provided reason to change their conclusion. My truck has prematurely failed ball joints and neither Dodge nor the Dodge service dealer will do anything about it.
While driving at any speed and when turning corners, hit bumps, or simply turning the steering wheel, there was a distinct crunching sound in front of vehicle. Dealer examined the vehicle, and determined that the upper and lower ball joints needed replacement. Dealer replaced upper and lower ball joints.
While driving 65 mph, a rattling noise was heard coming from the front of the vehicle. The driver was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic replaced both upper and lower ball joints due to corrosion. Control arms were replaced as well. Consumer also stated that problem is similar to Dodge durango sport utility vehicle.
2002 Dodge Dakota quad cab, had noise in front end starting at about 25000 miles. Complained to dealer at the following 2 oil changes about front end pulling to the right and noises in front end, diagnosed as "normal". finally, I told dealer that I would pay for a front end alignment, and both upper ball joints diagnosed as bad and needed to be replaced before the alignment could happen. Ball joints were replaced after a 4 week wait for the ball joints that were on "back order", 32,000 miles at replacement time.
Clunking and excessive squeaking coming from the front-end. Slow 90 degree or U - turns consistently reveal clunking. 18000 miles currently on Dakota quad cab. Steering shimmy inadvertently appears when driving straight down the road. These symptoms have been happening for 3+ months. I am experienced with front-end work, and recognize these symptoms to be familiar with upper ball-joints failure. I refuse to have the same product installed. There is obviously a problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Salem, VA, USA