Front Suspension Upper Ball Joint problems of the 1999 Dodge Dakota - part 2

While turning consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front ball joints.

I just had my 1999 Dodge Dakota r/t's upper ball joints replaced. I was surfing the internet just to see if other people have been having the same problems as me. It is strange that a 1999 vehicle with 70,000 miles on it the upper ball joints are bad. This seems to be an ongoing problem with Dodge, I am not the only person that this is happening to it seems that a lot of people are having to fork out money for a problem that could have been prevented in the first place. All Dodge will have to do is recall all the vehicles with no grases fittings in the bal joints and replace them with ones that do. I mean after all you have metal rubbing on metal with no grease it is going to wear out without any lubrication. I wanted to make you aware of this problem , it could possible lead to malfunction of the vehicle and cause serious injury or even death.

Bad ball joints! 1999 Dakota r/t.

1999 Dodge Dakota with 27355 miles - front wheels about to fall off, had to replace upper ball joints - cost to me at the dealer was $484. 38. I am the original owner and purchased the vehicle new. I think it's absurd to have to have ball joints replaced with those few miles - have never had to have that done with other vehicles owned with more mileage. I think the manufacturer should have replaced faulty items at no cost to the owner. Front wheels susceptible to falling off - I think would be a major concern to the manufacturer and the NHTSA.

Upper ball joints were replaced at 29256 miles because they were on the verge of failing.

Dodge dealer advised me that upper ball joints on my 1999 Dodge Dakota 4wd were dry and needed replacement. The truck had 18562 miles. Having already seen the cbs special , I knew there would eventually be a recall. The recall is for 2000-2003. My 1999 has the same problem. It now has 23505 miles, with the same dry ball joints in need of replacement.

Consumer took vehicle to dealership for inspection, and mechanic informed consumer that the upper ball joints failed.

Upper ball joints are very loose and could separate from control arm. I believe the ball joint recall should include my 1999 2 wheel drive Dodge Dakota because it also is in great danger of the front suspension collapsing whle driving.

I noticed a slight squeak coming from the front left wheel on or around the first of December. As the squeak began to get more pronounced I figured I should check for worn or damaged suspention parts. Not long after this thought I saw the report on cbs reguarding the investigation of the upper ball joints on the Dodge durangos and Dakotas. Guess what. . . I drive a 1999 Dodge Dakota with very worn out upper ball joints at just over 37,000 miles. I will replace them and keep them for the impending recall that you will order. After all with out you the manufactures would continue to cut costs and cost lives.

While driving at any speed and when making a turn heard a knocking noise coming from the front end. Consumer could pull the steering wheel with his hands and hear a knocking sound in the steering column. Dealer examined the vehicle twice and found nothing wrong. An alignment shop while attempting to realign the tires found that the upper ball joints were worn out.

I recently had my truck in for pre-winter maintenance check, my mechanic said three out of the four ball joints are bad and need replacing. Also, when I do have them replaced I may as well do all four because he has seen "a lot" of Dakotas with ball joints going bad. I was told that it would cost $490 to have them replaced. With just over 58k miles, rarely driven off of blacktop, and given the recently publicity by the news media, it's obvious that there is a problem here. I find this to be justification for a recall or at the very least a manufacturers re-imbersement for the cost of the parts.

During a vehicle inspection, the mechanic found that the upper ball joints were defective and had to be replaced.

While driving at any speed consumer heard a loud knocking sound from under the vehicle when turning corners. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop. The mechanic informed the consumer, that upper ball joints were worn out.

Requesting further info on doge "durango/ Dakota" investigation on upper ball joint problem. I own a 1999 Dodge Dakota and experience front end squeaking, excessive abnormal front tire wear, and banging when going over a bump or turning a sharp corner{going on a year now}. I have presented this problem to the Dodge dealership and they have, demeaningly, only determined the issue to be tires unbalanced and rotated the tires to attempt to resolve the issue. ( quick fix and get out!! )yet the tire wear continues and noises of metal clanking occurs. I had seen the report on cbs news on October 27, 2003 and now have a higher concern of this issue, as desribed above. What sort of resolutions are being performed and what should I do????.

Faulty ball joints in my 1999 Dodge Dakota at 34,000 miles and 74,000 miles.

In September of 2003 the right front suspension began making creaking sounds anytime the truck went over a bump. When the vehicle was turned fully to the left, the right front suspension make a loud clunch sound just prior to hitting the wheel turn stop. The vehicle was looked at by an independent mechanic and he determined that the upper and lower ball joints on the right front were failing. He also noted that the left upper ball joint also had some movement. The vehicle was then looked at by the local Dodge dealership, and they determined that only the right side upper and lower control arms and ball joints neeeded to be replaced and repairs were made. Two weeks later I returned the vehicle to the dealership and showed them the movement on the left side. That side was then replaced.

While driving 10 mph passenger's wheel broke. Vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection, and mechanic determined that both frontal upper ball joints needed to be replaced.

1999 doge Dakota. Only 44,000 miles. Needs both front upper ball joints replaced with alignment. Been told numerous Dakotas have this "problem".

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Dakota. While driving 5 mph, the contact heard a clunking noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The dealer stated that the upper ball joint needed to be replaced and performed the repair. Approximately three years later, she experienced the same failure. There is recall # 04v596000 for the upper ball joints for model years 2000-2003. The contact feels that her vehicle should be included. The current mileage is 72,000 and failure mileage was 40,000.

While driving at any speed driver heard a loud squeaking noise coming from the front. Suddenly, the vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that both frontal ball joints needed to be replaced, and replaced them. However, the problem recurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. After tightening both frontal ball joints the problem recurred. Mechanic determined again that the upper ball joints needed to be replaced.

Within the past 2 weeks, I saw a news story on either the today or early show regarding the safety problems with ball joints on Dodge durangos and Dakotas. I started noticing a problem with my 1999 Dakota last year and fortunately had it checked out before it caused an accident. I ended up having both the left and right upper ball joints replaced.

I have a 1999 Dodge Dakota with bad ball joints. The problem occurred with only 52,000 miles on the truck. It is driven on paved roads 98% of the time and never off road. This is a safety problem. The truck was built without a way to grease the joints. . A major error. Something needs to be done.

63000miles and upper ball joint dry and squeaking. Found urethane seal deteriorated allowing water/salt intrusion and purging of grease. Why not detected in vehicle testing??? will repair myself with prepped aftermarket components thank you very much.

Had to replace defective ball joints at approximately 48,000 miles.

While driving, the consumer heard popping sounds coming from the wheel area. During an inspection, the mechanic found that the upper ball joints were severely worn.

1999 Dodge Dakota p/u left upper ball joint failed at 34000 miles. On removal and inspection the part contained lube which had broken down and solidified. The ball and socket were badly worn almost to the point of separation. This is a sealed and lifetime lubed part with no provisions for relube.

Complaint received via e-mail. " a month after purchase (10/25-02) I had a ball joint failure on the passenger side, it literally fell apart. I contacted Dodge several times and took it to Dodge for a diagnostics test and they said the ball joint was bad but would not fix it. They said that the warranty only covered the drive chain and o well. I had a mechanic fix it - not Dodge. Here it is a year later and the other ball joint is starting to fall apart. The upper radius arm bushings are too close to the engine and heat causes the bushing to dry rot allowing space, the ball joints cannot handle the movement and collapse. The 1999 Dodge trucks are not in the recall, why ? this model came out in 1997 I believe that all of them have this problem and it is a defect. One month ago I went to tate Dodge and asked the mechanic if he knew of any other trucks with this problem or if they had to do a lot of front end repairs, he lied. He said I don't know anything and I haven't heard of one yet. A week later the recall came out. I notified Dodge of my problems back in 2002, I bet a lot of accidents would have been nullified if they had listened. ".

Upper right ball joint failed. Vehicle had 65684 miles.

Upper ball joints failed at 28,000,front bearings and hub assembly failed 47,000. Now surging in cruise control.

1999 Dodge Dakota upper ball joints failed.

Replaced ball joints twice in my 99 Dakota 1 time with Dodge part should I have to pay for them again come on have them call the early one back to or should I not replace them and sell the truck to some person with out the knowledge I know it's a hard but please stick up for the little guy or girl the Dodge boys new about this for years but I think they but hope it just wash away please help us.

I own a 1999 Dodge Dakota 4wd sport and I have had to replace both upper ball joints twice. I started having problems late 2001 early 2002, I took it to ansted motors in ansted wv and was informed the upper ball joints were bad. I contacted the Chrysler corporation and was informed that my truck was no longer under warranty, so the best they could do was help pay for labor and that I needed to take it to a certain dealership, located in south charleston wv. Because the truck was not safe, I had the ball joints replaced in 2002 at what is now joe holland Chrysler. This lasted for about six months and I started having problems again in mid 2002, I took the truck to sears at the crossroads mall in beckley wv and was told the ball joints were bad, I had the ball joints replaced for a second time. I recently discovered a recall on Dodge durango and Dakota, but for the years 2000 through 2003, with the same problems that I have experienced. I have not received a recall notice.

Upper ball joint wore out on a 2 year old vehicle ,replacement parts not aveilable.

Upper ball joints are prematurely wearing which has caused a problem with steering control. Also, vehicle has developed a very loud noise, cause unknown.

Why is the 1999 Dodge Dakota not included in the ball joint recall. My 1999 Dodge Dakota had a bad upper ball joint at less than 60,000.