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.
Ball joints have failed after 29,000 miles. I brought it to the dealership twice complaining of the problem. They told me that there was not a problem and did not fix it. I took the truck to another mechanic he determined that it was a ball joint issue. The vehical is now out of warrantee, and I am affaid that the dealership is going to ask me to pay for the fix. I am waiting for the dealership to contact me.
Local Dodge dealer service dept informed me today that most likely ball joints on my 2001 Dodge Dakota probally need to be replaced. With less than 30000 miles this is unbelieveable. Jwk
I took my 2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab to a dealer to check a noise coming from the front end of my vehicle. They informed me that my upper and lower ball joints were wearing down and that I could loose the tires on my vehicle while driving. My complaint is based on the fact that all four ball joints should not need to be replaced on a vehicle until at least 100,000 miles. From my research this is an obvious problem that needs correction in these models.
Front end felt loose and the steering wheel shook. Vehicle was inspected by a dealer, who determined that upper and lower ball joints were worn out and must be replaced.
Premature wear of the upper ball joints on 2001 Dodge Dakota. Dodge Dakota quad cab 4X4 VIN: [xxx]. ball joints were replaced before separation failure occurred. Diligence by the owner identified the problem and ensured replacement thereby preventing the possibility of danger to others. Lower control arm (ball joint) replaced [xxx] qty 2. Sept 20, 2002 upper control arm (ball joint) replaced - left [xxx] qty 1. Mar 13, 2003 [xxx] updated 07/26/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- San Ramon, CA, USA
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I own a 2001 Dodge 4X4 4.7L qc Dakota. My mechanic has told me the popping sound in the front end is due to wear on the ball joints and bushings being loose. The truck only has 41000miles on it and has been taken care of. Add my complaint to your growing list of unsatisfied owners.
While driving between 25 and 30 mph, consumer heard noise coming through the front end. Dealership replaced driver side upper and lower ball joints. At consumer's expense.
Consumer heard a noise in the front end. It was diagnosed as a problem with the ball joints. Consumer replaced the ball joints 3 times in the past 55,000 miles. Currently, he was about to put on a new set of ball joints.
Upper and lower ball joints defective and worn after 60,000 miles. Ball joints replaced by 3rd party autoshop for less than 1/3 of quoted price from dealer.
At any speed when vehicle hits a bump a rattling sound is heard in the front end. Dealer examined the vehicle and did not find a problem with the suspension.
Have a 2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4WD. Lost the front wheel while driving earlier this year. Ball joint failure was the cause. Dodge didn't seem to think it was a problem, though at 60 mph the whole wheel flying off seemed like one to me. Not sure of the exact date...though I can find out if needed from police
Ball joints are cheap and dangerous. My vehicle has only 35,000 miles and the ball joints are in bad shape on both sides and needs to be replaced, like many others around the country!! im sure im not the only one with this problem.
Ball joint failure. I have already filed a complaint in regards to upper ball joint failure on my truck. When I first started checking on the problem the only repair solution was upper control arm replacement. By the time of investigating for an after market product Dodge had released a ball joint only part. This indicates to me that Dodge saw that there was a unusual amount of ball joint failures. Now to make things worse I am starting to get the same symptoms I had before (within two months of replacing the uppers). Which tells me that either the lowers are going out now or the new uppers were defective as well. It also seems strange that alot of the problems are happening just after the warranty period. I think Dodge may be using planned failure. I also think NHTSA officials investigating this problem should look at comments on other websites. Not everyone knows that they can report a problem on this website. Just do a search for Dodge Dakota ball joints and look and see how many complaints there are out there. The scariest thought are people who will continue to drive the vehicle and not know that it is the ball joint and how serious the failure could be.
I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota 2wd and I have a very loud popping noise coming from my left front suspension system that seems to be coming from the ball joint area. It happens when I turn sharp and hit a bump also. I understand from many people who own these vehicles that this is the first sign of a common problem with ball joints grinding and coming apart. This is a safety related issue that needs to be addressed.
Faulty ball joints on a 2001 Dodge Dakota 4X4 with 39,000 miles on it. My old Honda Accord sedan (1990) and my existing 1998 Accord have never had this problem at 150,000 and 90,000 miles respectively despite driving all the same roads. This thing is a truck and is often advertised as being "tough" and "rugged." Is Chrysler kidding? today, January 7, 2004, they are being replaced at my expense.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Oak Ridge, NC, USA