The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. While driving 2 mph, the contact heard a banging noise coming from the passenger side front tire. He stated that the steering was difficult to turn. Upon inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the passenger side front lower ball joints were disengaged. The mechanic stated that the cause of the failure was due to the lower ball joints not being lubed. In addition, the lower ball joints were rubbing against the upper ball joints. The mechanic replaced the front lower and upper ball joints. There had been no further occurrences. The failure mileage was 65,689 and current mileage was 66,471.

- San Jose, CA, USA

I bought a 2001 Dodge Dakota 4WD a month ago. I have had to replace the lower ball joints, catalytic converter, timing chain, water pump and now the transfer case has gone bad. The truck only has 55000 miles on it. I have only made one payment on the truck and have paid the repair shop over $1500 in repair costs. They only time that I have got to drive the truck is to the repair shop except when I bought it. This is ridiculous, a truck with low miles like this should not have this many problems. The dealer said that they would look at it this time put they couldn't make any promises. We paid for everything else to get fixed and I refuse to pay for anything else. I paid $10,000 for a truck that I can't even drive, I'm actually scared to drive it because who knows what will happen next. Apparently Dodge are pieces of crap to put it politely.

- Leitchfield, KY, USA

I would like to know why only the upper ball joints on the 2000-2004 Dakotas is covered in the recall as the lower ball joint are the same design where there is no way to grease up the lower ball joints and it would lead to the same problem as the upper ball joints?

- Meriden, CT, USA

1. normal driving circumstances. Front end suspension started making clunking/popping noises and steering became erratic. Truck has 85,000 miles. 2. could not safely drive the vehicle. The steering was too risky. I also noticed while the tow truck driver was pulling the vehicle onto the truck that the front right wheel was leaning over at about 30 degree angle. 3. mechanic diagnosed that the upper ball joints has basically rusted and deteriorated. Lower joints were also on their way to failure. Additional research has shown that the 4 wheel drive models were recalled. Why weren't the 2 wheel drives. This problem mirrors the issue that they had.

- Glen Allen, VA, USA

2001 Dodge Dakota extended cab 4X4. Rattling in front end when going over small bumps such as man holes and washboard. Sounds similar to a loose hub cap. Was told the lower front ball joints were bad and daimler/Chrysler has a bulletin published internally on how to fix the problem and may cause the wheel to fall off. Sounds like a manufacturing defect to me that they should replace.

- Boulder, CO, USA

The contact stated while driving vehicle had to swerve to miss an oncoming vehicle. The lower ball join broke at this time. The contact's vehicle went into a creek. The injuries to the occupants of the vehicle were still being determined. The vehicle is currently being inspected.

- Shelbyanna , KY, USA

Consumer owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The upper ball joints had to be replaced at 31,915 miles. The lower ball joints were replaced at 37,556 miles. The service dealer stated that there were problems with this year, make, and model vehicle. The consumer stated that while driving there was a noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. He did not notice if there was any play in the steering until the lower ball joints were replaced. Since the replacement it has a tighter steering control. There was a recall on the upper ball joints, but there has been no recall on the lower ball joints.

- Loveland, CO, USA

Approx. 2 months ago I had upper balls joints replaced under recall, the dealship noted that the lower ball joints and tierods were worn as well, was qutoed approx. $700 to be fixed. Today my daiughter was starting to pull out of my driveway with her 3 year old daughter, the tierod fell out of place causing the truck to stop. Luckly my daughter wasn't driving down the road when this happened because there could have been a very bad accident on a very busy street!!! I want to know why there is a recall on the upper ball joints but not the lower ball joints and tierods, it is a fact that there are serious problems with these parts, are they waiting for someone to be killed because of these defective parts?? this will be the last time I purchase a Chrysler product if these matters are not dealt with when problems with defective parts are presented!!

- Chatham, 00, USA

The consumer stated the lower ball joint was loose and the wheels could actually fall off.

- Pittsfield, MA, USA

When I recently took my 1991 Dodge Dakota in to have the upper ball joints replaced, I was told the lower ones were shot, also. The truck only has 36,000 miles on it. I only drive on the road and never overload my truck. Why would the upper ball joints be recalled and not the lower? this continues to be an accident waiting to happen.

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

Repairs to the upper ball joint was completed by the consumer prior to receiving a recall notice. Consumer wished to have the lower ball joints repaired since they were defective. Consumer was told by manufacturer and dealer that the lower ball joints were not included in the recall.

- New Market, AL, USA

Consumer's vehicle was included in recall campaign 04V596000 concerning ball joint wear. However, consumer was waiting for awhile and was told there were no parts available.

- North Bend, OR, USA

Consumer was informed that upper ball joint/tie rods werer worn out. This caused the vehicle to pull to the right. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Athol, MA, USA

The consumer took the vehicle for a safety inspection. He was then informed the ball joints were worn and needed to be replaced.

- Yardley, PA, USA

2001 Dodge Dakota was recalled to replace upper ball joints. During repair lower ball joints were also found to be defective. Had to pay out of pocket for them to be replaced. The failure of the upper ball joints could also lead to the failure of the lower, and this should be included in the recall.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

NHTSA campaign 04V596000; daimler Chrysler issued an upper ball joint recall. This vehicle was included in the recall, but when taken in for repair, results showed that the lower ball joints needed to be replaced as well. Also, inner tie rod wore out, failed state inspection due to excessive wear. Sideto side play in tire when jocke dup. Dealership stated this was a common problem.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota 4X4 - recalled with campaign id #4V596000. While the garage had my pickup apart they called and said my lower ball joint had "excessive wear" -quoted $440 to repair. At 38000 miles and to have excessive wear on lower ball joints is a product defect. I decliined to have then repair due to extreme cost while the truck was apart to repair the upper ball joints.

- Gladstone, MI, USA

Recall 04V596000 concerning ball joint wear: Consumer received this recall notice, and contacted his local dealer, who informed the consumer that no parts would be available until March 2005.

- Swedesboro, NJ, USA

The consumer states the lower ball joints were worn. Please provide additional information.

- Great Falls, VA, USA

While driving 30 mph front ball joint punctured the front driver's side tire. This forced the vehicle into a ditch. Consumer had the vehicle towed. Dealership informed the consumer of the ball joint failure and repaired it.

- Plainfield, IL, USA