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.
2000 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4X4 slt. Heavy duty suspension. Top of the line model. Took truck in for service on a squeeking front end suspension. Service finds right upper ball joint needs replaced. Once the technician got into the work he finds all four ball joints, uppers and lowers, need to be replaced. Truck has 87K road miles all on paved road. Never been taken off road. Vehicle was partially repaired. Pending my ability to pay for remaining right lower, and left upper and lower ball joint replacement.
While driving 55 mph a loud noise was heard coming from the rear. Consumer drove the vehicle to the to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the both frontal upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to worn out parts.
Upper and lower ball joints wore out. Makes a horrible popping sound when turning the wheel or intially going forward and backing up while cutting the wheel.
My 2000 Dakota quad cab which has 63,000 miles on it. I took it into the dealer to have it checked out because it was making clunking noises and also make squeaking noises in the front end (like a worn out 70S model truck). This problem has been occurring since the truck had about 30,000 miles on it. Their diagnosis is that both front upper and lower control arms need to be replaced. (right and left side). Both the bushings and the ball joints are worn out. The service tech that called me back to tell me what was wrong said I would not continue to drive your vehicle in the condition it is in, it is not safe due to the worn ball joints.
- Cypress, TX, USA
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Consumer indicates there is a lot of play in the front wheels, and can hear a popping noise while driving. Consumer feels this may be related to ball joint problem, and the wheel may come off.
Consumer stated that ball joints were popping so badly that he was afraid to drive the vehicle. When he made a turn either right of left it sounded as if the wheel was coming off. This problem started at 60,000 miles.
Noise felt in front suspension when turning - especially with left turns. Took to dealer and they were unable to reproduce problem. Took to a different dealer a few months later and they told me I needed new upper ball joints. I took it to a different dealer and was told that I needed new lower ball joints. I have replaced the lower ball joints for a little over $600! I still can't afford to replace the upper ball joints and I am still feeling a slight thump when turning. This problem is so common with this vehicle and I am mad at Dodge for not recalling. I read a report on 60 minutes about ball joint problems causing tires to fall off vehicles during driving. What a dangerous thing to happen. I think of this everyday as I drive on the highway. What would happen if my tires fell of on the highway while driving over 60 mph? I hope Dodge gets some sense and does a recall on this! here is the link to the article: www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/03/eveningnews/main603833.shtml
While driving 15 mph, a squeaking noise was heard coming from the front. The driver drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the upper ball joints needed replacing due to worn parts. Please fill in additional information
While driving there was a popping metal noise in the front end. Dealership replaced the upper then the lower ball joints because they were worn out. The ball joints were replaced at 27K miles and again at 65K miles.
While driving the vehicle and turning left or right, consumer heard a rattles noise. Vehicle was taken to independent shop, mechanic determined need to be replaced the ball joints. Dealer notified.
While driving the front of vehicle vibrated severely. Consumer replaced the tires, but mechanic told her they could not do an alignment due to ball joint failure.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lexington, KY, USA