Ball Joint Problems of Dodge Dakota - part 1

Dodge dokata 2010. Heater resistor overheats repeatedly. Electrical smoke and burning smell repeatedly. Very hot to touch. So overheated wires and resistor melts. Resistor and wires replaced numerous times. Same results. Front ball joints keep going bad causing dangerous driving conditions. Many resistor and ball joint complanta all over the internet. I fear someone will die if the 2 issues are not resolved.

See all problems of the 2010 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Nouse coming from the front of the truck every time you hit a bump. Mechanic said all the ball joints were bad. He said they should be recalled ,there was no place to grease them causing them to rust and wear out . Bad cheap way Dodge makes there vehicles. What happen to the days when Dodge made good safe cars and trucks.

See all problems of the 1999 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

I was driving home on highway and heard a pop like sound found out in morning the pinion was the issue and neighbor found nut was lose and I got another and he is a mechanic so he installed it and a week later was making noise so I took it to a garage and they found it lose and installed another one and just the other day I took it back and found it was lose some so he ordered another one and he put some retainer or not sure but he will put the new nut on when it comes in and I see 44,000 trucks from 2009 to 2010 and trucks from 2005 have pinion problems so I am amazed that 2008 has same issue and I see so many post ball joints I did one side already and for god to and now air bag I see and had fords and chevy and all I repaired on the were normal things.

See all problems of the 2008 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

At 60,597 miles, all the tie rods and ball joints completely failed. Other Dodge truck models were recalled for the same reason, but not the Dakotas. Failure was while vehicle was in motion on city street. Fortunately, I was able to get the vehicle to a garage. Repair invoice is attached (three pages, three photos) with this complaint.

See all problems of the 2011 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Dakota. While driving approximately 3 mph and making a left turn, the front driver side upper left ball joint suddenly failed and caused the wheel to separate from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who indicated that the failure was caused by rust and corrosion of the ball joint. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v596000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 114,208.

See all problems of the 2003 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Tie rods failed under 25k miles loss of control violent shaking 26 thousand miles water pump bearings failed leaking seal possible belt slippage from leak repair shop also noticed rack n pinion seals leaking fluid that was replaced now I hear a clunking when I turn. Ball joints?? that you cannot lubricate they were replaced for free on my 2002 Dakota for my ownership free they should be free for this one too before it kills someone.

I got the '99 Dakota about 7 months ago and liked it drove pretty good even through the week when it was all single digits no problem. Then once it started to warm up into the mid to high teens and up to then 60s and 70 it would shake at least twice a week. It always seemed to start at about 45 then once the engine warmed up it would stop. That stopped now that its in the 80s and 90s. Now I barely have power steering and looking at it, it seems to be the intermediate steering column shaft which looking at all the complaints I'm surprised you haven't looked into it for it to be recalled by now along with the tie rods, ball joints, etc. These things seem to be falling apart at the front. I just hope nobody dies before this is fixed.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while parked, the front driver's side tire detached from the vehicle as a result of a fractured ball joint. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home and was not taken to dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that were not familiar with the failure as described by the contact. No assistance was provided and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 93,400.

I was told the ball joints are no good on my 2003 Dakota 4x2 and need to be replaced. The warranty on the ball joints was given a 10 year extension on 4x2 and recalled on 4x4. I was told that even though the ball joints are clearly the faulty ones my manufacturing date was 20 days after the Dec 31 2002 cut off for warranty extension. How is that my truck is not covered, despite being effected by the same recalled parts. It would seem 20 days is quite a small window to be completely excluded from the extension, and that there is a reasonable margin of area.

This vehicle was purchased 11/07 new. The corrosion on the drive components is incredible. You can chip the rust off . The brakes have seized up four times. The first time it was just past the three year warranty at approximately 22,000 miles. I called the dealer at the time, and they said there was no warranty. The last time was Friday 3/23/2012, at 4 1/2 years old at 28,000 miles. It burned up the front pads. This is the fourth time I have had to redo the front brakes. I have redone the rear brakes once for the same reason. I called ram customer assistance, and at first their representative said they would buy the replacement parts. After talking with them a second time, a different representative refused to help me and said the case was closed. The steering column is falling apart, the muffler and driveshaft are ready to fall off, the front axles, ball joints and the struts are extremely rusty. You can chip the rust off of these components. I dismantled the brake system again, and the caliper pistons were frozen solid. Upon removal, I found the caliper pistons full of rust and pits on the inside. The body itself has no corrosion at all. I am looking at $2000 to $3000 thousand in parts alone. This truck has never towed a boat or been on a boat ramp. I live in an area where they rarely use salt or solution on the roads and have maybe 1-3 inches of snow a year. I need help as this truck is going to fall apart within the next year or so. I have documented all of this with pictures, and I have a case number with Chrysler.

See all problems of the 2007 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

The contact owns 2005 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that a loud squeaky noise was heard while driving at various speeds. The contact inspected the vehicle and stated that the front ball joints were loose. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance because the vehicle was not under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 56,000.

See all problems of the 2005 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

2007 Dodge Dakota slt quad cab (4-door), 4wd v-8 flexfuel w/49,000 miles, purchased 2 years ago with 22,000 miles. Drive very conservatively. Infrequently haul light loads, and have never hauled a trailer. Noticed front-end rattling noise when driving over common everyday road bumps. Found both tie rod ends were sloppy and at risk of falling off. Also found the lower right ball joint had unacceptable play. Had to replace all three parts. Old parts are available.

Have a 2005 Dodge Dakota, 40400 mile on it, the whole front end has to be replace, due in my opinion to defective manufacturing. When coming to a stop the whole front end shudders. Have replaced ball joints once and now having to replace whole suspension, at my expense. These vehicles should be recalled and Dodge should have to fix the problem. When researching this issue, I discovered that it is a major issue with Dodge vehicles. What I would like to know is why this is not being investigated more extensively and why these vehicles are not being recalled. Just because there has not been a loss of lives, it doesn't mean that Dodge owners should have to pay for these repairs out of their pockets. Dodge created this problem and Dodge should fix the problem.

I purchased a new 2004 Dodge Dakota pickup in 2004. Every year for inspection, I have needed several ball joints replaced. I was told this past year that I was really close to having the ball joints completely break off, which obviously is a major safety concern for me, especially since they have needed replaced every year.

See all problems of the 2004 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Ball joint failure.

Right side ball joints on 2005 Dodge Dakota are worn out less than 37000 miles.

Our 2003 Dodge ram 1500 dash started cracking and caving in nearly a year ago. As time goes by cracks worsen as well as new cracks have appeared. Plastic dash pieces are falling behind (into) dash board and coming out sometimes in the floorboard. Concerned about air bag safety. Would have to replace entire dashboard in order for the problem to be fixed. Our daughter owns the same year Dodge truck and hers is doing the same thing. Also, our steering wheel makes cracking, popping sound when turning. And the ball joints have been reported to be bad.

Ball joints keep going bad.

Bottom ball joints on 2005 Dodge Dakota are worn out less than 42000 miles.

The ball joints in 2000 Dakotas were recalled on only the 4x4 models. I have a 2000 with 2 wheels drive. The manufacturer sent out a letter saying it was recalled, inspected it and said they were fine. That was at 50,000 miles. Now at 99,000 the ball joint disconnected from its unit, causing me to almost crash into a telephone pole. Manufacturer will not pay for towing to get seen, and will only replace the ball joint. Most of the suspension parts on the side of the defective ball joint were damaged.

See all problems of the 2000 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Shaky steering wheel, shaky vehicle,left front tire cupping, wearing unevenly. Alignment shop cannot align, said ball joints are defective. Vehicle unsafe, now parked awaiting disposition from mfger. Dealer notified.

The ball joints on my 97 Dodge Dakota are worn out. Apparently this is a very common problem and supposedly there is a recall in effect for newer Dakotas as though the problem didn't start until after 1997. This is a faulty part from the manufacturing process and its repair (amongst the many other manufacturing fault repairs on this vehicle) is ruining me financially in this economy. I should not be held financially responsible for a car makers inept manufacturing.

See all problems of the 1997 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. While driving approximately 45 mph on normal road conditions, the front end of the vehicle pulled to the right and shook uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and they stated that the ball joints failed. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact was concerned of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 38,000 and current mileage was 40,000.

See all problems of the 2006 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

While having my tires rotated at sears, the tech informed me that the ball joints on my 2004 Dodge Dakota were very badly worn, both upper and lower. The vehicle has only 54,000 miles and is driven almost exclusively on pavement. I contacted the dealer, lithia Dodge of roseburg oregon, I spoke with service manager phil tyler and lot manager wayne knowles, and Dodge corporate, but both refused to discuss the issue further.

Ball joints failed on vehicle. One ball joint broke and took out the brakes. Was on freeway when heard clunking noise. Got off freeway and had the vehicle towed. Dealer said that I could have been killed if I would have continued driving.

Our truck is a 2004 Dodge Dakota with 40,000 miles on it. My husband was pulling out of a parking space, getting ready to get onto I-95 and the front passenger side wheel fell off. These same vehicles were recalled for 2000-2003 but not 2004. If the wheel had fallen off once on I-95 at 75 mph my husband or someone else could have been seriously injured or worse. This was a ball joint problem. $1300 later both sides are replaced. Chrysler says there is no recall and if there is a future recall then we may be reimbursed. We will never buy a Chrysler product again.

The Dodge Dakota, 1999 model, has a recall given to the ball joints that were installed during the manufacturing process. I own the Dodge Dakota, 1999 model. Also my ball joints have gone bad leading to uneven tire wear. These original ball joints also have no grease fittings for regular greasing. I have already spent countless hours replacing faulty parts going bad on my Dodge Dakota. I will not continue. I expect to get some kind of reply back on how we can work something out to replace the faulty ball joints on my Dodge Dakota. Especially when there is a recall on them. Thank you christopher perrone.

Front and rear suspension- all 4 ball joints worn and causing the suspension to shift when driving. When the suspension shifted, it was pulling/pinching the brakeline causing erractic brake function.

The 1999 Dodge Dakota 4 x 4 I bought new has 48500 miles on it now. It's front end ball joints are failing and will need replacement to avoid an accident. This truck has has only been city and highway driven.

The consumer was upset that after the recall work was done the dealer recommended a full alignment, but Chrysler will only pay for one third. Specially, Chrysler will only pay for the tow in adjustment, after ball joint replacement. The recall was 04v596000. The tow in adjustment was not affected as much as the other camber and caster. The recall work was done on the truck. The owner was looking at a charge of about $60. 00 that should be covered by the recall. The vehicle would have control issues without the alignment, which would be the owner's expense.

See all problems of the 2002 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

I took my 1998 Dodge Dakota 4x4 in for a front end alignment and found out that all four front ball joints were bad. One side was very loose and was almost ready to break. I talked to several mechanics who said this is expected for any Dakota of this era. I found out that the 2000 and above years have been recalled. Why aren't the 98's included in this, they have the same problem.

See all problems of the 1998 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Dodge Dakota 2001, consumer replaced ball joints. The consumer had to pay for a 2 wheel alignment after the ball joints were replaced. The consumer feels the alignment should have been included in the replacement.

See all problems of the 2001 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

I have a 1998 Dakota 4x4, making suspicious noises in front end. Took to alignment shop where I was told that all ball joints and tie rods needed replacement badly, as , according to shop owner, the wear was so extensive that the truck was dangerous to drive. Truck was repaired on 12/01/ 2004. This truck has never been an off-road used vehicle, hwy. Miles only. I was also told by the shop owner that he has recently been receiving same complaint and need for repair by an unusually high number of Dakota and durango owners. Recall for 2000-2003 vehicles as released by the media occurred after my truck was repaired.

I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4 x 4. The front suspension has been making a loud popping noise when I go over bumps or make turns at low speeds. I have taken it to a Dodge dealer numerous times and they continue to say there is nothing wrong. Well now my truck is out of warranty and the problem still exist at 50000 miles. I have replaced all four shocks and there still is a problem with popping and clunking. Now I have resorted to taking it to firestone/master care and within minutes of being on the hoist the technician was able to identify the ball joints were shot. He said this is the first thing he looked at because he has had more than his fair share of Dakotas with the same problem. Dodge has a serious problem on there hands and needs to address it before someone gets hurt. Please help! thank you, ryan archey.

1. Preparing to drive from California to north carolina ib 2002 Dodge Dakota quad cab 2wd. Having tires replaced and front end alignment. Front end ball joint and assy needed to be replaced due to extreme wear. Mechanic stated I was lucky the wheels didn't fall off. Had front end ball assy replaced.