: the contact stated while traveling 45 mph, there was a loud thud heard and the steering became inoperable. The vehicle went off the road, hitting a tree on the passenger side between the door and bed of the truck. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then seen by an independent repair shop. The repair shop determined the upper ball joint on the passenger side and the wheel bearing fractured, causing the steering to lock up. The manufacturer was alerted.

- Monroeville, AL, USA

When rotating the tires dealership informed the consumer about worn out front upper ball joints. The problem was repaired.

- Simi Valley, CA, USA

The ball joints are also defective, but this is an 1999 Dakota. I have went through eight tres in th front and can hear the ball joints squeak.

- Yacolt, WA, USA

Popping sound heard coming from driver side front wheel area. I asked the dealer to inspect the vehicle while performing normal maintenance. The service department informed me that both left and right side top and bottom ball joints had failed and that I should immediately have them replaced. The 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 has less than 70000 miles. It has not been driven off road. It primarily has been driven to school and home approximately 6 miles round trip untill 2 years ago. The mileage that is on the vehicle is either in town or interstate. The vehicle has been serviced every 3,000 miles and has had periodic maintenace performed in accordance with the manual. I don't understand unless the parts were defective when the vehicle was purchased new. Seems there is other failures of this type affecting durangos and dakotas.

- Dothan, AL, USA

There is a popping noise when turning to the left. The dealer says the front passenger tire keeps wearing faster. Also, dealer states the ball joints are bad.

- Sandy, UT, USA