Eight problems related to front suspension lower ball joint have been reported for the 2004 Dodge Dakota. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Dakota. While accelerating at a low speed, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. In addition, while a stop, the vehicle overheated and the temperature gauge increased. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to multiple independent mechanics, who diagnosed that the front, upper and lower ball joints, struts, control arms, idle arms, control arm bushings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving 15 mph over a railroad track, the front driver's side dropped abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 94,480.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to a local repair facility for an alignment when the contact was informed that the lower ball joints were severely worn to the point where they were unable to perform an alignment. The lower ball joints were causing the tires to wear unevenly. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000 and the current mileage was approximately 97,700.
Steering on my 2004 Dodge Dakota became hard to steer won't retract have to do it by hand. About six months before this started happening I had went to get a alignment and was told my upper and lower ball joints needed replaced. We bought this truck new and it has worn out every front tire that has ever been on it. 4 sets by 100,000 miles this began to happen at 25,000 miles there should be a recall on the front end, no vehicle should have bad ball joints at 85,000 miles or sooner because I thought it was wearing tires out because it needed a alignment!!!! I have not repaired it , we only drive it around town, I am waiting for Chrysler to recall this. I see on this site that several others are having the same problem. I would hope Chrysler don't wait until people are killed or injured like Toyota did!!!!.
Excessive movement in front suspension of 2004 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4x4, side to side lateral movement and steering difficulty. Dodge service department found excessive play in lower ball joints on both right and left wheels and steering rack coming apart at tie rod. Failure of ball joints can cause wheel to detach from vehicle without warning. Previous model years have been recalled for upper ball joints with same issue. Parts must be replaced.
I am concerned the 2004 Dodge durango and Dakota are not being investigated. They have the same ball-joints!!. Also Dodge know about the ball joint problem in 2003 but continue installing the ball-joints during the 2004 production run.
I have a brand new 2004 Dakota that has a ball joint squeak starting already at just over 4000 miles. The local garage I took it to tells me that it is the start of the ball joint problems that Dakota's are notorious for. My short investigation on the internet turned up all kinds of discussion and expensive horror stories. My son has a 2002 Dakota which has had the ball joints replaced 3 times also. Obviously, this is a major design flaw and a significant safety hazard. According to the article on cbs, if these aren't taken care of, they will separate and the wheel comes off. Replacement of these parts by daimlerchrysler is not enough. Daimlerchrysler needs to redesign these and the NHTSA needs to insist that they recall the effected vehicles and replace the ball joints with the redesigned parts. And soon, as far as I'm concerned this problem is very much the same as the Ford tire problem. Let's not wait until all the loss of life that was experienced with that problems begins with the Dodge Dakota's and durango's. I don't think the NHTSA wants that on their conscience. Please let me know what your investigation has found and what recommendation the NHTSA will be making and in what time frame. I would like to get my ball joints fixed with non-defective, correctly designed parts. Thank you. Gordon lanker ea03 - 023.
The ball joints has already started to squeak on the consumers new truck. The consumer would like them replaced with non-defective parts.