Front Suspension Upper Ball Joint problems of the 2003 Dodge Dakota - part 1

Upper ball joints determined to be seriously worn. Need to be replaced ASAP. Was told Dodge had recall/extended warranty on these parts but Chrysler will not cover replacement at current time and with current mileage. Was told by Chrysler to initiate NHTSA contact relative to Chrysler case #24796745.

I backed out of a parking spot, turned the wheel to straighten out the vehicle. As I straightened out the drivers side front wheel upper ball joint failed trapping the wheel beneath the truck.

While traveling over a set of railroad tracks, the driver side front tire along with the upper ball joints separated from the vehicle causing me to temporary lose control of the vehicle. When I researched to see if this was a common problem relating to this vehicle I found about the recall. However, when I contacted daimlerchrysler I was informed that the recall was VIN specific and that my vehicle was not covered.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the front upper and lower ball joint failed while attempting a right turn. There was a loud noise coming from under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and advised they were unable to assist because 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 88,500 and the current mileage was 89,000.

Upper ball joints were both loose and dealer recommended replacement. VIN number was not included in previous recall by Chrysler.

I have a 2003 Dodge Dakota club cab. According to the dealer the upper ball joint on both sides of the vehicle are blown. Dealer states no recall for my year due to the fact mine is a 2wd. Called corporate and have had no luck. Dealer is charging me $400. My truck only has 65,000 miles. Will not honor the 10 year or 100,000 miles extended warranty.

3 weeks after purchase had truck in shop with noise in front and rear tire/suspension areas. . . In for several service visits, seemed to get better than came back, they replaced bushings//had not heard noise. . . January 28, 2009 very loud noise and hard to turn drove to local tire company which said my suspension was bowed that tires were angled incorrectly and an immediate fix of the upper ball joints needed to be done for safety. . . $900. 00 later they replaced. I found out that night through an on line search that there had been a recall of the same part that was consistent with my situation same model make year/ I have the removed defective parts.

Upper ball joint failure passenger side of vehicle, I contacted Chrysler and they say that my vehicle is not covered under the recall #04v216000, which covered 600,000 vehicles for this very type of failure. I was never offered or informed of a extended warranty given by Chrysler to cover this very problem. If I was made aware of the possibility of this problem occurring with my vehicle, I would of made sure that my vehicle was inspected on a timely manner in this area. I did return my vehicle for a recall for my windshield washer assy in December of 2004 and also for my balljoints due the fact I was sent a recall notice. If the weather was worse or I did drive my vehicle off road I do believe my ball joint would have deteriorated as a accelerated rate. I also believe that if I experienced this failure in my vehicle,which was not recalled, there are many more Dodge Dakota pick up trucks that will experience this type of failure. Chrysler says the numbers don't warrant a recall,but this failure in their vehicle compared to gm or Ford products of the same type vehicle are about 300% to 1% comparing the numbers. I feel Chrysler should be responsible for any and all expense that I have incurred to repair my vehicle and more vehicles should be put into a recall status for this problem.

I was driving my truck over a speed hump going approx. Ten mph when something sounded like it dropped, I put the truck into park and got out to find my right passenger side tire laying horizontal, but still attached to the truck. I had to have it towed and I was informed that my upper ball joint had broke along with the half shaft/cv joint. I called Dodge because I was told there was a recall on the ball joints and they said they couldn't help me because my truck is no longer under warranty. I don't think I should be responsible for this repair. The truck only has 56,000 miles on it.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Dakota. While accelerating from a stop light, the front passenger side upper ball joint failed. The front tire became disconnected and detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and the cause of the failure was confirmed. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04v596000 (suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint). The current and failure mileages were 104,000. Updated 09/10/08 updated 09/15/08.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Dakota quad cab. The contact stated that there is excessive wear on the ball joints. The dealer stated that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04v596000 (suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint). The current and failure mileages were 71,000. Updated 03-25-08 updated 03/25/08.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Dakota 4x2. The contact stated that the upper ball joints were corroded. The failure was noticed while driving 45 mph. A mechanic repaired the vehicle. The contact believes that the failure is a safety hazard. The current and failure mileages were 23,198.

I have upper ball joints going out on my 2003 Dodge Dakota. . And the Dodge dealer in fargo nd says my VIN number is not recalled. But on your site there is a recall for them? I want clarification, of why mine has not not recalled too? please contact me through my internet addresses. Thank you.

Ball joint failure on Dodge Dakota 4x4. Recall on other vins not mine. Failure at 30000 miles. The dealer said 1200 dollars and they would put on the new modified ones. Why am I paying for a Dodge defect.

Experienced clunking noise in front suspension. Ball joint subsequently failed causing front wheel to separate from the vehicle while operating.

The consumer stated while driving there was noise coming from the suspension when going over bumps. The problem occurred at low speeds. The dealership determined the bushings and the upper ball joints were worn. There is a recall with the NHTSA # 04v596000. The consumer experienced the same problem as indicated in the recall; however, the vehicle identification number was not included.

The contact states there I NHTSA recall campaign id 04v596000 concerning the upper ball joint. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall, but it is not included in the recall due to VIN. The vehicle is currently being repaired at the contact's expense.

My husband took his 2003 Dodge Dakota to a Dodge dealership for recall work to be done. A front ball joint had to be replaced (to keep the front end of the truck from falling apart while driving and killing everyone. ) when he took it in it drove fine. After the work was done, it pulls to the right. I called another Dodge service department to ask them about procedure, they said that an alignment is standard procedure when completing that type of work, but that the car owner is screwed when it comes to recall work. I then called the manufacturer who told me basically the same thing. That's not right!! I should not have to fork over money to have fixed what they screwed up! please fix this.

With regards to the recal # 04v596000 on the 4x4 Dodge Dakota truck. I am having the same noises and problems on the 2x4 truck will this recall be exspended to 2x4?.

Rear brakes howl in reverse. Dealer stated needs break in. At 41. 000 miles, still howls. Recall on upper ball joints received in February. As of 03-29-05, dealer states there is a 2 month backorder on parts for repair.

Nhtsa campaign 04v596000; daimler Chrysler issued an upper ball joint recall. This vehicle is included in the recall, but there are no appointments available until March, which could be dangerous if vehicle is driven because the front wheels could fall off.

Nhtsa recall campaign 04v596000; daimler Chrysler issued a front upper ball joint recall. This vehicle was not included in the recall, but the left front ball joint fell off.

The vehicle failed a required state inspection because the vehicle's upper ball joints were unsafe. The consumer has since learned that there was a safety recall and warranty extension on the upper ball joints. He feels he should be reimbursed for the upper ball joint repair.

The truck was taken to the dealership to have the ball joints inspected because of the tv broadcast. Upon inspection the dealership indicated that both the upper and lower ball joints were worn and needed replacement. Only the upper ball joints were replaced.

The contact states there is a recall on 2003 Dodge Dakota concerning the upper ball joint. The contact feels the problem is going to continue because water runs down between where the door opens leading to the front suspension. The consumer has contacted two service dealers . The consumer has not contacted the manufacturer.

Consumer hears a clicking noise coming from the upper ball joints. This is causing the vehicle to shake lightly especially when traveling at low speeds and making turns. Consumer will wait to take vehicle to dealer for repairs.

2003 Dodge Dakota ball joint failure at low miles. Ball joints squeaking, noise was constant, replaced both upper joints. The vehicle ball joints began to squeak at 20000 miles but the consumer didn't realize the severity of the noise. At 40000 mile the consumer inspected the joint because the squeak had turned into a clunk and was constant. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the consumer that both upper joints had to be replaced.

Nhtsa campaign 04v596000; daimler Chrysler issued an upper ball joint recall. This vehicle is included in the recall, but there are no parts available in order to repair, which is dangerous because the wheels can fall off.

Vehicle would shimmy while driving 30 mph. Vehicle was taken to the dealer. Dealer informed that the right front upper ball joint needed to be replaced.

I purchased my 2003 Dakota quad cab 2wd in early January of 2004. It has approximately 21k. Signs of the steering making a creaking sound when being turned were first noticed at approximately 8000. It is more pronounced when entering an elevated street or a driveway, while making the turn. I believe the same defective steering components utilized in the 4x4 Dakota also apply to the 2wd versions. I would like the initiative be taken to include the 2wd Dodge Dakotas in the recall as well. My truck has not yet been serviced, but if study information is required, such as an analysis of the joint, I am willing to volunteer my vehicle for such a study if it would help in moving forward with the recall.

2003 Dodge Dakota. The consumer received manufacturer's 35190558 concerning upper ball joints failure. Consumer called the dealer, and the dealer urged the consumer to call the manufacturer. The consumer called the manufacturer, and they said to call the dealer back. The consumer complained, was getting the run around from both places. The dealership said there must be a certified mechanic to have the repairs done. The only certified mechanic was in anchorage, alaska . There were no roads to the village where consumer lived, could only get there by airplane.

At 24775 miles; the right upper ball joint failed on my 2003 Dodge Dakota 4x2.

Pe 03-032, front suspension upper ball joint failure: after inspecting the wheels, the consumer noticed that the upper ball joints are rusting out on both side.

Consumer took vehicle to dealer for an annual inspection, and mechanic determined that upper ball joints needed to be replaced, and replaced them with new ball joints. Several weeks later the driver's side wheel collapsed. Consumer is seeking Chrysler to replace the vehicle.

Upperball joint premature failure 11,000 miles.