I had noticed the front tires cupping and brought it to a dealer for an alignment, there they told me it needed upper ball joints, lower ball joints, and a tie rod end. I then brought it back the dealer where I bought it and they told me the amount of "play" is acceptable according to Dodge measurements, however they did recommend to replace the tie rod end, which I had them do and had to bring it elsewhere for an alignment as they didn't have an alignment rack. I then brought it to a place they recommended close to where I live for the alignment, where I was told the upper ball joints were shot and they would not be able to align it. I then had the shop replace the upper ball joints with aftermarket parts that can be lubed and had a warranty along with an alignment. The truck is a '99 club cab V8 4X4 w/47500 miles.

- Watertown, SD, USA

Noise in front end of 1999 Dodge Dakota truck with only 51,000 miles on it. Ad to replace both lower ball joints and one tie rod end.

- Venice, FL, USA

1999 Dodge Dakota we bought it new rotors have been replaced 4 times for cracking tie rod ends are bad the first set of tires lasted 14000 miles. Front tires are impossible to keep.

- Lenoir, NC, USA

I have a 1999 Dodge Dakota 4X4. At 50,000 I installed new tires and took my truck to a mechanic for a wheel alignment. I recently moved and the mechanic was new, but had good reports. He told me that he could not do the alignment because of bad ball joints and tie rod ends. I was outraged, thinking that he might be trying to rip me off. I told him at 50,000 miles I should not have to get new steering parts, but the mechanic said that he has replaced ball joints and tie rod parts on several Dakotas and durangos at that mileage. I told him to replace the parts and do the alignment. When I picked up my Dakota, he showed me the parts, they were bad. I have worked for two large agricultural machinery manufacturers and have seen them cut costs by installing cheap chinese parts. The cost to produce the product goes down and the consumer price of the product goes up increasing the margins and lining the pockets of Mr. CEO and other higher ups without a concern to the consumer. It happens everywhere. This on the other hand is serious involving cheap parts on the steering components on a highway vehicle. This is a safety concern and I pray that Dodge does not have blood on their hands if someone gets in an accident because of their neglegence. I have also had brake issues with my Dakota. The Dakota with the 5.2 goes like a bat out of hell, but the handling components such as steering and brakes are less than to be desired.

- Oakes, ND, USA

Upper, lower and inner tie rods were worn at 92K miles.

- Brookfield, CT, USA

Ball joint replacement. I am on my third set of ball joint on 1999 Dodge Dakota 4 by 4. with the 5.2 liter V8. Last year at annual insection and again this year at annual inspection.

- Granville, MA, USA

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 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.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

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.

- Fitchburg, WI, USA

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.

- Brighton, CO, USA

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. 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 thinking about what could have happened to me, someone I love or someone else just because lee Dodge wanted to squeeze money out of me. Or because Chrysler did not want to tell their customers they had put faulty parts in their trucks. I suppose I should contact a lawyer with regards to this matter. I am very upset I have been driving a vehicle that may have caused an accident at any time! do you have any advice for me?

- Portland, ME, USA

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.

- Helena, MT, USA