79 problems related to front suspension upper ball joint have been reported for the 1999 Dodge Dakota. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
My upper ball joints have failed on my 1999 Dodge Dakota ex cab. I have been informed of many similar failures from this year/make/model. I have read the recall on certain models of Dakotas with this failure. Will my vehicle be covered by this recall? I can supply any further vehicle information that is needed if necessary. Please advise, my vehicle is currently disabled due to this. Thankfully there was no crash, bodily harm, or other injuries. Thanks.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the vehicle was not included in safety recall # 04v59600 due to the VIN ,specifically for the Dodge durango. On March 16, 2007, while driving at 0-5 mph, the contact heard a clunking sound near the front of the vehicle. The following day, the clunking sound increased, and the contact noticed the front control arm upper ball joints were becoming detached from the vehicle. The contact would like the vehicle repaired under the safety recall. The current and failure mileage were 87,000.
Clunking in front end.
VIN number: 1b7gg22yx xs206501; vehicle description: Dodge Dakota 4x4 p/u club cab model year: 1999 a knocking began in the front end and I took it to a mechanic who found both lower ball joints nearly ready to fall apart and both upper ball joints well worn. He said Dodge had recalled newer model years but was refusing to fix the same problem in the 1999 models. The mechanic said the problem in my pickup was exactly the same problem in several 2000 - 2003 models he'd fixed. I called Dodge but they just said it wasn't their problem. I entered an incident date below but there really wasn't a specific incident that happened. The ball joints just deteriorated much too quickly. I'm now paying over $700 to have the problem corrected.
The contact stated vehicle would not stay in alignment. It made loud popping and snapping sounds when making turns. Upon inspection the upper ball joint grease seal completely disintegrated. The lower ball joints had up and down play, which caused excessive wear on the tires. Both upper and lower ball joints were replaced at the contact's expense. The manufacturer offered an extended warranty for model years 2000-2002 two wheel drive only. However, this did not cover this model year. Additionally, there was NHTSA recall 04v596000 concerning upper ball joints. This recall was for model years 2000-2002 four wheel drive models only. The contact felt the extended warranty or recall should apply to this vehicle because it experienced the same problems. Updated 11/29/2005 - the outer tie roads and upper/lower bushings were also replaced.
When the contact took vehicle to dealer for inspection. The dealer determined that the upper ball joints wore out. This problem constantly recurred with this type of vehicle. Repairs have been made t at the contact's expense.
On my 3 ball joint replacement in 4 years. Uppers and lowers. Recall should be expanded. There is clearly a problem here and I'm obviously not alone.
1. Tires wearing on the inside. 2. Ruined tires. 3. Replaced ball joints.
1999 Dodge Dakota ball joint failure.
Upper ball joints replaced at approximately 65000. Abs fault lights on-not yet resolved.
Consumer stated that ball joints prematurely wore out. A recall was issued for this make/ model and year, but this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. Consumer noticed the tires were wearing out unevenly, and he took the vehicle to dealer for an alignment. Was told by dealer tires could not be aligned because the whole front end needed to be replaced. Consumer called Dodge, and was told they wouldn't cover the repair charges.
I have a 1999 Dodge Dakota slt with about 26500 actual miles on it. I had the truck at the mechanic because of a nasty 'clunk' in the front end. Turned out the right ball joint was so worn that it needed to be immediately replaced; the left is showing unusual wear as well and will need to be addressed in the near future. I understand this is "fairly normal" for the 99 Dakota. That doesn't make it acceptable.
Vehicle is experiencing problem with the ball joints. Owner recently had the vehicle go through the state inspection where it was discovered that the ball joints were defective causing the ball bearings to wear prematurely. Owner contacted the manufacturer but was informed that this year, make, and model is not included in the current recall for ball joint wear. Provide further details.
Vehicle experienced problems with the brake line. The brake line was rotting off the vehicle. Owner went to apply the brakes, and discovered that there was a hole in the brake line. Also, owner had to replace the ball joints on four occasions. Owner contacted the manufacturer, who claimed that vehicle had too many miles on it, and he will do nothing to assist the owner.
Vehicle experienced a problem with the upper ball joints. Owner was having the vehicle inspected when it was discovered that the upper ball joints were completely worn out. When turning the steering wheel in either direction the front wheels would squeak and clank.
The upper ball joints are wearing out prematurely and need to be replaced. The cause has yet to be determined. . . . . . . The truck wa sonly driven on road, very low mileage for ball joint failure. 150 other complaints in NHTSA data base on same issue.
Upper ball joint bad after less than 61,000 miles on my 1999 Dodge Dakota. There was no crash or injury as a result.
Consumer heard a clicking noise when making turns and at low speeds, making it difficult to control vehicle. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for upper ball joints repairs twice.
Consumer complained about upper ball joint problem. After hearing noise consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, and was informed that the ball joints were busted and needed immediate replacement. The service technician stated that he never saw ball joints in that condition before. . . . . .
The right front tire completely wore from the inside. The vehicle was taken to dealer for a front end alignment, and the upper ball joints were found to be defective.
I own a 1999 Dodge Dakota 3. 9l v6. I am aware of the recall that has been issued for models 2000-2004 for ball-joint issues. The 1999 models deserve to be in this recall. . . Most of the complaints are starting from the 99's and 2000 models. My truck is part of this problem. I have a noticeable problem with my ball-joints, and it's only a matter of time until my wheel decides to fly off (probably while traveling 70 mph on the highway, which will be disastrous to me and others). With my truck only having near 79,000 miles on it and given the way it's delicately been driven, there should be no reason why I should have a problem with these joints. Please push Dodge to extend the recall to cover 99 models as well. I know I'm not alone in this problem. I have searched many forums, and am pretty sure there are about 100,000+ more cases just in this 99 group alone. Thanks for listening and please respond with any information or updates on this matter!.
Consumer complained about steering problems. Took vehicle to dealer for inspection, but it not serviced. However, mechanic determined that ball joints failed. He was aware of the durango, Dakota investigation by Dodge.
Have stayed updated on tune-ups and keeping truck running, got new tires Nov. 24, 2004 from leschuab. On Dec. 1 2004, I was hit on the front end driver side. Took truck in for reapirs, and found out that ball joints were extremely worn.
On 11/9/2004 I took my 1999 Dodge Dakota pickup into my independent mechanic to give me a normal oil/lube/filter. When they started the pickup up on the lift, the left, front ball joint broke and the whell fell off. They said it was all rusted and worn. My pickup had 41,000 miles at the time. I contacted my Chrysler dealerand was told to contact crysler directly which I did. The Chrysler customer support line registered my problem but said that since I did not use Chrysler parts or use their repair shop that I was out of luck. The latest recall program apparently is for 2000-2003 years only. This is not right that a truck 1 year earlier with exactly the same problem as the recall addresses should be the responsibility of the owner. Have you looked into earlier model years?.
Ball joint failure right front side,and now the left front side is going out. I replaced the part myself with a greasable ball joint.
The consumer request that the manufacturer expand the ball joint recall to include 1999 Dodge Dakotas .
At my last regular service (oil, filter change) the service technician advised me that the upper right ball joint was on the verge of failure. I believe this to be a premature failure do to the low mileage and the fact that it has been regularly serviced by the same dealer since new.
(1) normal on-road use (2) premature ball joint wear and failure causing suspension noise, looseness and dangerous driving conditions (3) ball joints replaced with quality aftermarket supplier parts (moog).
I pulled out of a parking lot and heard a loud thump coming from the passenger side of the truck. I got out and pulled on the top side of the wheel because it sounded like the wheels wanted to come off. When I pulled the tire moved an inch. Further investigation found the ball joint boot split in half and no sight of the back side control arm bushings.
The consumer experienced "a" frame and upper ball joint problems. The manufacturer reimbursed the consumer for the parts but not the labor.
Vehicle was taken for a routine general maintenance, and the mechanic noticed the upper ball joints worn out prematurely. Dealer and manufacturer has been notified.
Safety recall NHTSA id 04v-596 not honored Dodge of bellevue 316 116 Ave n. E bellevue, washington 98004 (425) 454-8411 luke blackwell (425) 454 8411 general manager failed to honor recall even though his mechanic stated there is a front end ball joint problem with my 1999 Dodge Dakota VIN 1b7gg22y1xs172397. Mechanic states- inner tie rods have excessive play. Rec replace left front lower ball joint has excessive play. Rec replace . Dodge of bellevue invoice docs372982. Subsequent inspection conveniently reports to the dealers advantage that the vehicle is in specification invoice docs375224- please check and measure all 4 ball joints and advise need to contact Chrysler upon inspection with measurements. Check all 4 ball joint all with specs -left front upper . 010'' -lower . 05'' right upper . 020'' lower . 010 all with in spc's right front upper has the most movement but is with in specs. File # with Chrysler is 12357176. I feel that Chrysler is playing a numbers game with me - I want Chrysler to replace the ball joints.
Ball joints on 2000 Dakota failing with only 35k mi. . Read more...
During replacing brakes on 1999 Dodge Dakota 4x4 v8, (brake equipment froze on one side), mechanic heard noises and found that both upper ball joints were severely worn and in his opinion, ready to seperate (drivers side being worst). Veh. Has 70,000 miles and is in very good condition. The mechanic believes this to be unusual and abnormal wear to the vehicle. The ball joints are going to be replaced to avoid any hazardous driving conditions and I will save the parts if you request for later examination.
While rotating tires, an excessive amount of play was observed in the upper ball joint. Mileage at 50,123. The cost of repairs at Dodge 1,924. 00 parts and labor,on oem parts. These are the same ball joints that originally failed. Need to be replaced with ball joints with grease fittings, which I am having done for 565. 00 parts and labor.