While driving consumer heard a squeaking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The front left upper ball joint was replaced by an independent mechanic.

- St. Thomas, 00, USA

Upper ball joints wore out prematurely.

- Centreville, VA, USA

While making a left turn from a complete stop front left ball joints failed, causing the front left tire to detach from the vehicle.

- Middletown, DE, USA

Upper ball joints worn to the point of breakage

- Kingsland, GA, USA

Upper ball joints worn out. Only 53435 miles and front end shakes, pops and wobbles.

- Gulfport, MS, USA

Upper right ball joint failure.

- Beckley, WV, USA

Both upper ball joints on my 2001 Dodge Dakota are displaying characteristics of excessive wear. Grease is leaking out around the ball joints and a popping sound comes from the front left of the vehicle under hard braking. It also "pops" when I turn all the way to the right. The ball joints are not fitted with grease fittings, so I cannot lubricate them myself.

- Las Cruces, NM, USA

Left/driver side ball joint replacement.the front was making a squeaking noise. The ball joint was found to be bad with only 34000 miles on truck.

- Evansville, IN, USA

Both upper ball joints failed and had to be replaced. The ball joints have no way to grease them so they will fail. I replaced the upper ball joints with a 3 party joint that has a grease fitting so that I will be able to use my truck safely.

- Benton, AR, USA

2001 Dodge Dakota quad-cab 4X4. I had one upper ball joint replace at 37,863 miles. The remaining ball joints also seem to be failing. There is similar noise coming from the front suspension. After viewing a program on cbs news, I felt it would beneficial to report this problem.

- Barto, PA, USA

Ball joints. My 2001 Dakota quad cab was only one year old when my ball joints started squeeking. Now two years old and they are completely rusted and worn.

- Oneida, NY, USA

The upper and lower ball joints both went out and had to be replaced.

- Haughton, LA, USA

Ball joints on 2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab have gone out.

- Crete, NE, USA

I have a 2001 Dodge dakoda quad cab pickup that has only 91,233 miles on it that both upper ball joints are shot alredy. I am not sure what year the Dodge people came out with the ball joints and upper control arms as being one piece and this might have something to do with the premature failures. My dayly travel is about 75 miles per day to work and home. The roads are asphalt and concrete construction. The road ways are in good working condition. I drive about 100 feet in my drive to get to the hard road and never get off the road other than to my carport.

- Middleburg, FL, USA

Upper and lower ball joints.

- Crowley, LA, USA

While driving consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the ball joints. The dealership/mechanic informed the consumer that the upper front ball joints were worn out.

- Blythewood, SC, USA

Bad ball joint failure.

- Gadsden, AL, USA

I am very concerned with the national news report regarding the upper ball joints severing off the vehicle without warning. I have very recently as of 11/25/03 had the sway bar bushings replaced. I had an annoying problem with the front end squeaking very loudly. Replacing the bushings has alleviated that problem for now. I have little or no confidence in the vehicle at this time a safety issue of this magnitude should not be taken lightly, ultimately people's lives are at stake and the manufacturer should take action immediately. Thank you.

- Marstons Mills, MA, USA

Upper and lower ball joints malfunctioned.

- Hilliard, OH, USA

My 40K '01 Dakota qc has a very loose upper left ball joint, a loose lower right ball joint, a loose right outer tie rod and has been making a popping noise/thunk for a number of months. When I called Dodge and asked them why they would need to be repaired they said, "just wear and tear." As if it was no big deal. They didn't mention any safety concerns.

- Lake Oswego, OR, USA