Front Suspension Upper Ball Joint problems of the 2001 Dodge Dakota - part 2

The contact received NHTSA recall campaign 04v596000 concerning the upper ball joints. They had previously been repaired, as well as the lower ball joints. When contacted the manufacturer to be reimbursed, they would not reimburse him for the lower ball joints. The contact stated when the upper ball joints wore out the lower ball joints wore out as well.

While driving at about 50 mph right upper ball joint broke apart, causing the rim to pivot into what was remaining. It destroyed the rim and broke the brake line. Luckily, no other traffic was close so no accident with another vehicle occured. The truck was hauled (wrecker) to the dealer and a new ball joint, rim, and brake line were installed.

While pulling out of a driveway the front driver side tire separated from the vehicle. As a result the front end collapsed. The dealer stated that upper ball joint failed.

While driving through a parking lot and making a left hand turn the right upper ball joint disengaged. Vehicle was moving about 5 mph at time of incident.

While driving at any speed driver heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front. Vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection,but cause had not been determined at this time.

My pick-up passed virginia state vehicle safety inspection on 28 of may 2004. On June 9, I was driving home on a bumpy road and the upper right ball joint separated.

Premature ball joint failure.

2001 Dakota club cab ball joints worn completely out at 59k miles. 1 joint had 7/8 of up and down movement, almost completely out of socket. All miles hwy miles. Several other problems since new also. Very poorly built. Will never purchase another Chrysler product, never.

On April 16, 2004 I was driving my 2001 Dodge Dakota "sport" 4x4, at approximately 15-20 mph when it appeared my had "fallen off", but was still somehow attached to the vehicle. The wheel collapsed inside the wheel well with the top of the wheel towards the engine. The brake line was ripped out and I lost control of the vehicle and had no brake power. The vehicle slid to the side of the road and eventually stopped. The result was the upper ball joint separated in the front right tire causing the suspension to collapse, the right front wheel falling off, the brake line being ripped out and losing braking ability, and lost control of the vehicle. To correct the failure, the truck had to be towed to a repair shop, replaced the upper front right ball joint, brake line work, and the cost of labor. The towing cost $45, the ball joint cost $56. 80, and the labor cost $75 for a total of $187. 41.

Upper ball joints wore out. Dealer stated the parts were on back order and not available.

I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4x4 and had the passenger side upper ball joint fail (luckly I was having my mechanic change the oil) when he said that the upper ball joint simply fell out. I think that Dodge should have made owners aware of this problem rather than cause injuries to consumers. Also why is it that you cannot purchase a replacement ball joint from Dodge (you must purchase the whole upper control arm assembly?).

Dodge ram, model year 2001 upper and lower ball joints defective. Truck is three years old, 21,000 miles, never driven off road, the ball joints should not be failing on this vehical unless there is a defect in the parts.

While driving 55 mph, a clanking noise was heard coming front both sides of the vehicle. The driver was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic determined the passenger side upper ball joint needed replacing due to worn out parts. The sway bar squeaked. The broken seal caused the ball joints to dry.

Premature ball joint damage @ 32,000 miles had the ball joint replaced before any damage could be done. . . . Thats to the news report on other Dodge Dakota ball joint failuers.

2001 Dodge Dakota has never held it's alighnment since it was bought brand new. When we heard the report on cbs news about ball joint problems on this type of vehicle, and checked in internet about same problem we became very alarmed. I took the truck in again to see what was wrong with it and had them check the ball joints just in case. They said it has problem, and we are not the only customers with this problem on this year or type of truck. The dealer can not get the ball joints in because they are on back order, too much demand. There is not a recall as of yet. This truck has had a problem since we bought it that keeps it from holding an alighnment. There are other cases of problems with this type of truck, and durangos (use the same ball joint). The company does not want to face the problem. I believe that an investagation should be done on these trucks before someone is hurt or killed. I also believe that many cases of the problem were not reported, they were probley just fixed or traded off. I am useing the most recent date only to be able to preceed.

My wife and I own a 2001 Dodge Dakota and a 2003 Dodge durango. Ever since I bought my Dakota new there have been problems with popping noises from the front end. After seeing the recent news story about bad upper ball joints I am convinced this is the problem. Now I am worried we will have the same problem with our durango, and my Dakota is no longer under warranty. I think there should be a recall from the sounds of this problem, and after doing some more research on my own.

At 53000 the upper ball joints on my 2001 dalota quad cab needed to be replaced. The fact I caught this defect early I'm certain prevented an accident. Perhaps even a fatality. Dodge engineering seems to be somewhat faulty in this case compunded by the fact that I'm not alone with this problem.

2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab. Loud groaning noise from front end when making hard left turn over bump (e. G. , driveway apron) at slow speed. Fear it may be a ball-joint problem. Will be inspected at next service. 22k000 miles on vehicle.

Upper ball joints failed. As a result, the front wheels wobbled back and forth.

Upper ball joints failed. As a result, front wheels wobbled while driving.

Front upper ball joint failure on 2001 dosge Dakota with 43,980 miles on odometer.

While traveling at approximately 55 mph right upper ball joint seperated from the vehicle causing driver to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle swerved wildly into oncoming traffic, due to right front tire being on its side under the vehicle. Vehicle was finally brought under control and to the shoulder of the road.

Upper ball joint failure on my Dodge Dakota, at 18500 miles.

Both upper ball joints are making noise, will need to be replaced. I only have 29000 miles on the truck.

I purchased my 2001 Dakota on 11/13/2000. By April 2001 I heard popping and creaking noise from the front end. Took it to the dealer and they said the hub was loose and re-torqued the bolt. Then about 6 to 9 months later I heard the same noise again. Took it back to the dealer and they said that it was the steer stop. They told me nothing was wrong, just not to turn the wheels all the way to one direction or the other. At 25,000 I replaced the tires because they went bald on the outer edge, but had plenty of tread on the inner edge. On the news, I heard able the issues with the ball joints on Dodge Dakotas and durangos. Upon researching the ball joint issue, I found that failure of the ball joints can lead to popping and creaking noises in the suspension, and premature tire wear. I also learned that there were a couple instances where the wheel actually separated from the vehicle. On 11/13/2003, the factory warranty expired. . . Leaving me on the extended warranty. The noise has since gotten louder, so on 1/19/2004 I took my vehicle back to the dealership to have the noise checked and to ensure that the vehicle is safe to drive. They informed me that the upper right ball joint is failing and needs to be replaced. My extended warranty will cover the repair, however will not cover the alignment that is required to make sure the vehicle is complety driveable and safe again. I feel that the dealer waited on the ball joint issue until the factory warranty expired. I also feel that there should be a recall on the ball joints for these vehicles. Today, my Dakota has 25,500 miles on it. Ball joints are a safety issue, and should last ove 50,000 mile or more.

Want to check to see how many complaints about the airbag clock spring on a 2001 Dodge Dakota. Also want to no more about the ball joint on the same truck and what cause the problem and roughly how many miles on these vehicle before this occurs. Thanks.

Front right ball joint for my 2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab extremly loose and broken. Needed replacement. Cost $200 for parts and labor. Repair shop said he had the same problem with his '01 Dakota and so are many others.

While driving 40 mph, the driver heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front. Suddenly, the vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the front right upper ball joint needed to be replaced. Please provide further details.

Squeaking noises heard eminating from front suspension at 35000 miles, unable to lubricate suspension because components lack service/grease fittings. During follow-up inspection and tire rotation, identified premature wear to right side upper ball joint causing misalignment, unusual wear to front tires and wear to left wheel bearing. Dealer replaced left wheel bearing and right side upper ball joint at 37336 miles. Dealer also recommended the replacement of most of the other suspension components before they failed. Dodge was helpful in picking up the cost of failed parts, not recommended repairs. My cost $100. 00, for going over the warrantee milage and not being able to maintain a maintenance free system. Plus, I get to pay for a re-alignment after the current repairs and most likely the cost of any other premature failure of these maintenance free parts in the near future.

Upper ball joints wore out prematurely.

Ball joints on 2001 Dakota need replacement at 60,000 miles. Caused uneven tire wear, some difficulty with vehicle tracking. Will replace old parts, and keep parts available.

Noticeable grinding and stress sound especially when making a sharp turn over an uneven surface, such as turning into driveway while traversing a shallow curb. While getting vehicle inspected, I was informed that my upper ball joint was in need of replacement before total failure. This seems rather a premature failure of such a part seeing as how the truck is a 2001 with then around 55,000 miles on it.

2001 Dodge Dakota pick up ball joinst wore out at 54000 miles, had 1998 Dakota also bought new , all ball joints wore out at 40000 miles, seems to be a problem Chrysler hasnt fixed for several years.

While driving consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the ball joints. The dealership/mechanic informed the consumer that the upper front ball joints were worn out.

I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota with the left side upper ball joint wore out. I have only 36400 miles on the truck and saw a news report on tv about the ball joints and inspected my truck and to my shock sure enough I jacked the tire up and it has lots of play. So much play im afraid to drive it. If I would have not seen this news report I could have been killed if this came apart. So now I have to figure out how to get it to the dealer to see if they can fix it. I am scared to drive my truck like this. I then did some more investigating on the internet and to my supprise this has been going on for years. You would think Dodge would have noticed this by now. The thing that scares me is that my 2 year old son has ridden in the truck with me a lot. If those ball joints would have failed going down the road at 55 mph what would have happened to us. Something needs to be done before people start getting hurt.