Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint problems of the 2000 Dodge Dakota - part 1

Felt 'clunking' noises through steering wheel. During annual massachusetts vehicle inspection in August 2006 truck failed on front suspension test. Took to wcs automotive in rockland, MA. Mechanic determined both upper and lower ball joints on both right and left side required replacement. Total repair bill was $809. 56. Old (original) parts no longer available.

All the balljoints on my 2000 Dodge Dakota quad cab 2wd with 51,000 miles, have gone bad. The lowers I replaced because there was no recall or notice of extended warranty. While replacing the lowers, one the the dust boots fell off the upper ball joint on the passenger side. I then inspected the boot to find that there was dried grease(flaky) and the balljoint was extremely easy to rotate by hand. I then realized that the boot should not have been able to come off on its own. So I called two local Dodge dealerships and explained the issue. They explained that even though the boot came off(and did confirm it should not have), and that the grease maybe dried out, that they would not replace the balljoint until it actually has play in it. Now I know that without grease, the balljoint will wear out faster, and that these have already been an issue. I am really concerned that they do not want to correct the problem before it becomes dangerous. I do have high resolution pics of the balljoint described above. Thanks.

No parts were available for recall campaign 04v596000. Concerning ball joints. Lithi Dodge, 425-255-7220.

The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the upper ball joint recall. The mechanic replaced the upper ball joint and informed the driver that both lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to the parts being dective please provide further details.

I own a 1999 Dodge Dakota 4x4 which has the same problem as the 2000-2003 ball joints problems. Consumer wants the vehicle to be included in the recall. The front end felt loose with shaking and clunking noises. The consumer was informed that the ball joints were bad and needed to be replaced. This problem caused damage to the front end. The consumer requested reimbursement. Recall campaign 04v596000.

Nhtsa campaign 04v596000; daimler Chrysler issued an upper ball joint recall. This vehicle was included in the recall, but results showed that the lower ball joints needed to be replaced as well. Vehicle will not pass inspection if lower ball joints were not repaired. Dealer will repair for recall only.

Popping and clunking noise coming from front wheels (ball joints) when turning at low speeds. Reported to dealer several times, and was told "that's common, don't worry about it. " I've been reporting it to then each time I bring the vehicle in for service over the last year and they never bothered once to inspect it. Now there is a potential recall, and I'm afraid my ball joints won't last till Chrysler gets the recall campaign going and will cover the repair/replacemnt costs.

No event yet, however as the 2000 4 x 2wd Dodge Dakota has the same ball joints as the 4 x 4 version it should be included in the recall. Since it is not, I am filing this complaint. If any failure, accident or injury does occur from Dodge's refusal to repair my 2000 Dodge Dakota under this recall I want note made of my complaint.

Bad front ball joints.

Consumer received recall 04v596000 concerning ball joint wear in December 2004. Consumer contacted 3 dealerships, and was told that they could not get the parts.

While the vehicle was at the repair shop for a front end alignment, the mechanic informed the consumer that the upper and the lower ball joints needed to be replaced. Consumer believe 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive Dodge Dakota trucks have the same front ball joints, therefore repairs should be paid for under the current recall.

I noticed that my Dodge Dakota 2000 4 x4 with 39,000 miles was pulling to the right. I took it in to have the alignment adjusted and was told that it could not be performed because the lower ball joint on the front driver side was failing. Seems to me that no part of the ball joint should be failing at 39,000 miles. From what little research I've done, there seems to be a widespread problem with Dodge Dakota/durango ball joint failures.

I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota. On November 2,2004 while driving on city side streets the front passenger wheel fell off the vehicle. While waiting for a tow truck to arrive, I called the Dodge dealership where I purchased my vehicle and was told this would not be covered under warranty. I had my vechile towed to my mechanic who did most of the repairs (totaling about $1,300). He handed me a box with the ball joints from my vehicle and told me to hang onto them. The upper and lower ball joint on both sides needed to be replaced. The cause of the accident was the upper ball joint losing all it's grease (this is supposed to be a sealed unit!), causing undo stress on the joint until it eventually sheared away from the vehicle. I still have to take my vehicle in for some repairs that need to be completed (cv boot replacement and a tie rod that is twisted) - which is estimated to be an additional $400. I do have the ball joints - all in varying degrees of defective damage along with photos of the vehicle at the place of the accident. Photos include close up shots of the wheel and ball joint. I have written a letter to Dodge corporation as I feel they should pay for the repairs since the parts were obviously defective. This is also a serious safety concern as if this wheel had fallen off my vehicle just 2 miles sooner, I would have been traveling at 65 mph coming down the highway from the rocky mountains! the wreck would have almost certainly killed me!! the wreck would have also taken out any vehicles traveling near me! this is a very serious safety risk.

Consumer was a part of a recall for the ball joint. He contacted the dealer, and was told there were no parts. Was told he would be placed on a list. Please provide any further information.

Upper and lower ball joints are worn to the point of making alignment impossible. Alignment shop says condition is dangerous and could result in wheel separation. Condition has existed and has worsened since about 30,000 miles. This condition was repeatedly mis-diagnosed by several Dodge dealerships until warranty expired.

The front end of my 2000 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4wd knocks during turns. Front tires badly worn. Brought to independent shop and was told front ball joints, shocks, and tie rod ends badly worn and not safe to drive. Will cost over $900 to repair. First noticed front end noise around 60000 miles.

I own a 2000 Dodge Dakota that I bought new. It is a club cab 4x4 with the 4. 7l v8 an automatic. The vehicle has never been off road and has just turned 51,000 miles. Without warning the pass. Side upper and lower ball joints both wore out and needed to be replaced. This of course was not covered under the warranty . Luckily I caught the problem before the wheel fell off. I drive approx. 90 miles a day on a major highway and if the wheel would have come off it could have caused a major accident.

While driving 30 mph, the vehicle jerked and vibrated uncontrollably. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle and pulled over. The vehicle was towed to a body shop. The mechanic informed the driver that the upper and lower ball joint were broken and needed to be replaced. Please provide further details. The consumer swerved to avoid hitting a deer. After swerving the left front of the vehicle fell to the ground and caused the vehicle to slid into a guard rail.

Front ball joints fail on a regular and far too often basis.

I own a 2000 Dodge Dakota with just over 75,000 miles on it. On a recent service visit I was informed that my upper and lower ball joints, on both the driver and passenger side need to be replaced. While looking online I saw that this is a recurring problem with the Dakota and durango so I wanted to report it.

Front driver's side upper and lower ball joints failed.

While driving at 45 mph the consumer heard a loud bang come from under the vehicle. The consumer saw the wheel from the vehicle roll across the road. The vehicle skidded across the road and ended up in a ditch. The consumer nor the passenger was injured in the accident. A tow truck mechanic informed the consumer that the ball joints collapse on the vehicle.

Consumer complained about a ball joint problem. Vehicle was noisy around 35,000 miles . Currently, at 50,000 miles the ball joints corroded. Consumer took the vehicle to dealer for general maintenance when it was determined that the ball joints were defective.

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While driving consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership, and mechanic determined that the upper ball joints failed.

Ball joints on 2000 Dodge Dakota 4x4, I have just replaced all ball joint,s on my vehicle, an was just told by a colision busines that I should not have had to pay for it, due to the fact that Dodge is hiding the fact of bad ball joints on their vehicles, he also said that at 59000 miles I should not have needed them replaced.

2000 Dodge Dakota 4x4. While cresting a hill on a maintained gravel road traveling approximately 30 mph brakes were applied. Control of vehicle was lost. Vehicle struck berm on right side of road and returned to center of road. Vehicle stopped after sliding about 50 yards to the bottom of a downgrade. Upon exiting vehicle it was found that both front/ left ball joints had failed, causing tire/wheel assy. To buckle underneath vehicle. Damage to stearing components and axle also occured. Chrysler has been contacted and a rep is being sent to inspect the vehicle.

2000 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4x4 slt. Heavy duty suspension. Top of the line model. Took truck in for service on a squeeking front end suspension. Service finds right upper ball joint needs replaced. Once the technician got into the work he finds all four ball joints, uppers and lowers, need to be replaced. Truck has 87k road miles all on paved road. Never been taken off road. Vehicle was partially repaired. Pending my ability to pay for remaining right lower, and left upper and lower ball joint replacement.

While driving 55 mph a loud noise was heard coming from the rear. Consumer drove the vehicle to the to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the both frontal upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to worn out parts.

While an inspection was performed being performed on the vehicle, it was discovered the ball joints were defective. After searching the web a recall was found.

During inspection, the mechanic informwd the consumer that their front lower/upper ball joint were wearing.

At very low mileage, an independent shop replaced the lower and upper ball joints at the consumer's expense.

Upper and lower ball joints defective. Replaced @ 75,000 miles when handling degraded and "clunking" noise started to avoid catastrophic event.

Consumer stated that ball joints were popping so badly that he was afraid to drive the vehicle. When he made a turn either right of left it sounded as if the wheel was coming off. This problem started at 60,000 miles.

My 2000 Dakota quad cab which has 63,000 miles on it. I took it into the dealer to have it checked out because it was making clunking noises and also make squeaking noises in the front end (like a worn out 70s model truck). This problem has been occurring since the truck had about 30,000 miles on it. Their diagnosis is that both front upper and lower control arms need to be replaced. (right and left side). Both the bushings and the ball joints are worn out. The service tech that called me back to tell me what was wrong said I would not continue to drive your vehicle in the condition it is in, it is not safe due to the worn ball joints.