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

The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Dakota quad cab. While driving approximately 30 mph the contact began to hear a squeaking noise and the steering wheel suddenly became loose. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where they informed that the the steering wheel failure was related to the defective upper ball joints. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was advised the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 04v596000 (suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 98,000 and the current mileage was 134,000.

The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Dakota. Whenever the contact turns the steering wheel while driving at any speed, the front end of the vehicle pops. She also hears a clanking noise in the front suspension. The contact took the vehicle to a repair shop and was informed of NHTSA campaign id number 04v596000 (suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint). The failure mileage was 8,000.

The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Dakota. The contact heard a clunking noise when he drove over a bump in the road. He noticed that the steering wheel was loose when he attempted to turn the vehicle. The dealer replaced the upper ball joint. The failure occurred immediately after the upper ball joint was replaced. The dealer performed a wheel alignment and stated that the front end was out of symmetry. The dealer stated that the lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the lower ball joints, rotors, calipers, and tires. However, the failure persists. The current mileage is 101,000 and failure mileage was 95,000.

2000 Dodge Dakota recall #119667 (upper ball joint replacement). I took my vehicle in to get the recall performed and I was told I needed to pay for an alignment to set caster, they are telling me that the toe adjustment is included in the recall but not the caster, Dodge customer service agrees with them. I have been in the business of repairing cars for 18 years and 99% of vehicles that have upper ball joints replaced need a caster adjustment. Dodge needs to include this in the recall and give the people that have paid for this adjustment their money back.

Dt: the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Dakota. The consumer stated that he had the recall work done for the upper ball joints and that after the recall work was done the vehicle pulled to the right. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who indicated the vehicle needed a front end alignment which would cost $60. The consumer indicated that he did not have a problem with the vehicle's alignment before the recall work was done.

' recall campaign' issued for 2000 Dodge Dakota 4x4 for upper ball joints, parts not available. Recall# 04v596000.

The upper ball joints wore out prematurely on the passenger's side.

Consumer took the vehicle to dealer for NHTSA recall 04v596000 concerning ball joint replacement. After retrieving the vehicle and arriving home the driver's side front rim cracked, and the tire was ruined. Consumer was told that lugs: nuts were placed on too tightly. The dealer denied that any ting was wrong.

Nhtsa campaign 04v596000; daimler Chrysler issued an upper ball joint recall. This vehicle was included in the recall, but there were no appointments available until April, which could be dangerous for the vehicle to be driven.

Dealer has not had parts for three weeks. This is for NHTSA's recall # 04v596000 regarding ball joints.

Vehicle experienced upper ball joints problems. In the process the lower ball joints were being effected by the defect of the upper ball joints. Consumer made an appointment with the dealers for Thursday January 6, 2005.

I called moss brothers Dodge to get an appointment to have the recall #d47 to replace the front upper ball joints. They told me I would have to wait until February 1st 2005 before they would have the ball joint in stock. I live in the mountains at 7,000 feet and have to drive down the hill about twice a week and now am afraid to drive at all. Seems to me that the Dodge dealer should have the ball joint in stock because of the recall. What can be done?.

Upper ball joints on my vehicle have failed and daimler Chrysler refuses to repair and also refuses to agree to a re-embursment when a recall does come out affecting my vehicle. I own a 2000 Dodge Dakota r/t two wheel drive regular cab pickup truck.

Recall 2000-2004 4x4 Dakotas/durangos hey, what's up with only 4x4s???? two wheel drive Dakotas and durangos have the same ball joints as the 4x4s. Why do I have to wait to see if my wheels fall off before the 100,000 mile guarantee being offered on mine is up? what's this nonsense it "only happens at lower speeds, not high speeds". This is totally unacceptable and is DC way of saving money. Perhaps the government only investigated the 4x4s since they are the most popular vehicles (I. E. , 600,000 4x4 versus 200,000 two wheel drive) never giving a thought to those of us who do not own the 4x4 versions.

I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota 2wd with bad ball joints. The 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive have the same "defective" ball joints.

Per mechanic upper ball joints worn out.

The front ball joints are making a popping noise, causing the wheel to shkae and rust to fall off. Dealer was informed by consumer for repairs.

Subject vehicle: 2000 Dodge Dakota r/t, iles: 49000; usage: daily driver-city/hwy only; complaint: excessive upper ball joint play early failure. At approximately 35,000 miles I noticed a slight clicking sound coming from the front right suspension. I lubed the front end using the appropriate tool and grease nipples but found that there was no fitting on the upper ball joint. The clicking sound progressed to clunking over the next 10000 miles and on inspection I found excessive play in the upper front suspension on both sides of the vehicle. The left side being the most egregious. In addition I started to notice wandering in the steering track of the vehicle at higher speeds. I focused my attention on the upper ball joint assembly's and have since replaced both. The symptom has cleared. I have had an assortment of problems with this vehicle this having the most potential for catastrophic failure. Your attention to this problem would be appreciated james daly.

I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota 2wd club cab pickup. The ball joint on the upper right side went bad at 60000 miles. I know there is an investigation involving the 4 wheel drive version of this truck and I was wanting to show that there is also a problem with the 2wd version also. On first inspection by the dealer I was told the ball joint was not bad. This occurred because the mechanic working on the truck did not know you couldn't check ball joint wear while the truck was on a twin post lift with the wheel hanging free. After I showed them how to do it they agreed it was bad. After calling Dodge they told me it would not be covered because it was out of warranty and I was not the original owner. I bought the part from them and did the repair myself. I called Dodge myself and they have offered to reimburse the part cost if I send in the invoice.

My 2000 Dodge Dakota r/t 5. 9 is making a loud chunk noise in the front suspension. The current recall only involves 4x4 models and my vehicle is a 4x2 so it is not included. My truck has the same exact problem and I feel unsafe. I believe that this problem will result in an accident of some type.

'recall campaign' Dodge Dakota 2000, consumer replaced ball joints . The consumer was notified by phone that he would be reimbursed for the ball joints which failed. The tie rods also had to be replaced and consumer feels he should be reimbursed for that as well.

Dodge Dakota upper ball joint failure. Shaking steering wheel and front end noise clued me in to the known problem. Ball joints were replaced with better moog greasable ones.

Problem started with popping noise in front suspension. Tires eventually were wearing uneven. Took truck to dealer for alignment. They could not perform due to worn out upper ball joints. Replaced ball joints and noticed left upper joint had deteriorated to the point that it was close to separation. Also noticed tires had worn to the point that inner steel belts were exposed.

Since filing my complaint last month, my front passenger side upper ball joint detached and cause my wheel to nearly fall off. Luckily I had just pulled onto a street when the wheel fell off, so my speed was less than 5mph. I have been waiting on backordered parts to be shipped since my orignal complaint in October, so the worn ball joints had not been replaced yet.

My 2000 Dodge Dakota would not pass for inspection due to upper ball joints so I had them repaired. When I got my Dodge Dakota back about a week later the lower ball joint on the driver side broke and caused a crash. When the ball joint broke it caused the front of my truck to drop down onto the frame and breaking my axle, bursting my tire and bending a spindle and breaking my shock. I was lucky that I was in the parking lot of where I worked at the time of the accident.

On 11/12/04 I brought my 2000 Dodge Dakota, extended cab, 4x4 , with 36,703 miles, in for a routine front end allignment. The mechanic showed me that the right upper ball joint was bad. I had it replaced. The cost was parts: 92. 39, labor: 96. 00. Today, I heard on the news that you are currently conducting an investigation into this problem.

Noticed very loud squeaking in front end of 2000 Dodge Dakota. Took in for dealer to service(46,000 miles). Mentioned ball joints. They replaced sway bar bushings. Four months later squeaking was back(51,000 miles). Returned to dealer questioning ball joints again. They lubricated the sway bar bushings. Five months later vehicle in for state inspection and drivers side upper ball joint failed, passenger side upper ball joint almost out of tolerance (55,000 miles). Had both replaced with oem from Dodge. Sent email to service manager questioning coverage by Dodge and received no response.

Begining symptoms of ball joint wear and possible failure on my 2000 Dodge Dakota. Have also replaced my front rotors four times with only 61,000 miles on vehicle.

There were no warning signs leading up to the upper ball joint failing, and the front left tire folding over, causing the truck slow quickly and pull to the right. So far the dealership has not called with any repair prices.

Consumer complaint regarding upper ball joint recall (04v-596000)that caused possible collision and death of passenger.

2000 Dodge Dakota quad cab 52000 miles dealer maintained regularly turned into parking lot where entrance crossed over city sidewalk, mild to moderate bump, heard a loud thump, then grinding, and lost steering control. Stopped car and found right front upper ball joint separated with wheel almost complete flat on ground. Allied dealer refused to cover repair. Vehicle towed, replaced ball joint. ~$160 concerned about the rest of ball joints on vehicle!!!!!!!.

The state vehicle inspection station was inspecting the vehicle. The inspector informed the consumer that the vehicle failed the inspection because both upper ball joints needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified, and informed the consumer that this vehicle was not covered under that recall.

While driving 20 mph the passenger side wheel snapped off. The consumer stated that steering did not feel right in the front end.

At 72,000 miles had the upper <a href=". . Read more...

8/18/my son was driving west bound on 2nd Ave (TX hwy 22). Just prior to turning left from 15th st (also hwy 22), he heard a popping noise in the front end of the truck. After traveling approximately 2 blocks, his front driver side wheel fell off, causing him to lose control and pull to the left across three lanes of traffic. Fortunately, he did not hit a car and came to rest in a parking lot for an a/c company. Although the damage is being fixed under an extended warranty, Chrysler and the dealership (berry Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge, corsicana, TX) are refusing to replace the tire that was dragged on its sidewall approximately 200ft; the tire was pinned under the truck. The cause of the accident was two broken ball joints on that wheel. I orignally believed this problem to be faulty craftsmanship on the dealership which had repaired another problem on that wheel a year ago; the brake caliper fell off. I now believe this to be the manufacturer as many Dakotas and durangos have been reported with the same problem and often similar consequences. L.