Eight problems related to front suspension control arm have been reported for the 1998 Dodge Dakota. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
- the contact owns a 1998 Dodge Dakota, whose left lower control arm on the front driver side broke off due to defective welding. The contact's dealer advised him that the vehicle was beyond the warranty period and not repairable. Per the contact, the lower suspension bolts fell off the vehicle while driving 25 mph. There was no collision at the time of the failure. Updated 2/2/2007 -.
Ball joints seperated. . . Costing me over $1000 in repairs. . . And now they have failed again. . . . Also control arm bushing is failing.
This is in response to, and in support of, the reccommended recall of Dodge Dakotas. I have a 1998 Dakota and recently had work done (July '04) on the front ball joints and tie rods. After a few months of popping noises from the front end when backing out and turning the steering wheel and a definite feeling of loose suspension on turns I took it to the Dodge dealer for inspection and repair. They told me the truck was not driveable. The ball joints and tie rods were both failing and I was warned had I continued driving the vehicle in this condition I would have had a major accident. This, after having the same symptoms, but different repairs made by a different dealer, a year prior. The vehicle had one previous owner and 61,000 miles on it when I bought it in late 2002. I put on maybe 10,000 miles before the first incident and only a few thousand more before the second incident. I feel this vehicle is not only unsafe, but poorly manufactured and have contacted the manufacturer with my concerns. I feel the suggested recall should include the years prior to those reccommended (2000-2003). I have had two authorized Dodge dealers perform two sets of repair to the amount of nearly $3000. 00. This is nearly the value of the vehicle and it's not even paid off yet.
The first ball joint on the right side had to be replaced at just over 36000 miles. It was covered under the warrantee. The 2nd. Ball joint failed at Apr 62000 miles. I contacted Chrysler but they said it was my responsibility. I find it hard to believe that with just 62000 mi. I've had to replace 2 ball joints. It seems to me that the 1998 Dodge Dakota has a problem and that they are the one's that should be responsible not me. . What would have happened if these ball joints would have failed doing 70 on I-75. I guess Chrysler wants to wait until someone gets killed before they will fix the problem. Thanks for listening.
Pre mature ball joint wear, even though serviced and greased regularly, which if not checked very often, could result in complete loss of vehicle control and injuries.
Vehicle required ur & ll control arms replaced at 27,500 miles for failed ball joints, now at 66,500 miles ul balljoint has failed. 2wd, virtually all highway miles, no heavy usage, although no accident has occurred this a potentially hazardous condition. In addition to the 3 failures of ball joints on my vehicle my fathers 1997 Dodge Dakota required a control arm replacement for the same problem @ ~13000, miles. Frankly, I believe this may warrant a recall, or at least extended coverage of replacement parts by daimler-Chrysler.
Truck has only 46000 miles on it. Highway use, very little 4-wd usage. I find it suspicious that the ball joints wore out so quickly, and the parts are nationally backordered for 1 month.
Left front ball joint failed.