Front Suspension Control Arm Problems of Dodge Dakota - part 1

Truck needs struts and parts have been on back order for over 6 months, there is a bolt and nut that cannot be removed without cutting it off because of poor design. The replacement part for the nut and bolt are not available . . . . Struts are available. This is a known defect in Dodges but as far as I can tell there has not been a recall. Truck is now unsafe to drive control arms have to be cut off to replace struts.

See all problems of the 2006 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Pulled out of driveway and started down street could not control vehicle. The 1999 Dodge Dakota r/t started screeching. I immediately applied the brake to see what was problem and the vehicle veered to the right. I was able to stop the vehicle in the middle of the street but could not turn the vehicle's wheel except on one side. I got out of vehicle and noticed that the front passenger wheel was turned towards the right while the left wheel was straight. I looked underneath vehicle and observed the lower control arm on right side of vehicle was broke from the frame or weld. The control arm was hanging from the frame of the vehicle broken away from the weld. I also have pics of the lower control arm break.

See all problems of the 1999 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Pulling out of driveway and the bottom of the control arm broke free letting the wheel come free from the vehicle. . . . .

See all problems of the 2002 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Can hear a popping noise from right front end when going into driveways or making right turns. On 6/4/08 took vehicle into dealer and they stated the upper control arms were worn out as well as the shocks. 1500$ later they replaced the upper control arms, shocks, and a full alignment. All of this at only 37k miles! as soon as I got the vehicle home the noise is still there albeit less noticeable. Took vehicle back to same dealer on 6/6/08 and noise could not be heard and dealers mechanic stated it was safe to drive and to bring it back if the noise is reproducible. Be reading other complaints and suspect that the lower control arms are bad or going but dealer said they were ok. Something is wrong when so many people are having their front ends go out at such low miles. Please contact me so we can get this fixed through a recall. Dealer said he kept the broken parts.

See all problems of the 2004 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Ball joint failures: truck failed state inspection due to defective upper and lower ball joints or ball joint and lower control arm. Another ball joint had been replaced the previous year. All defects occurred at about 50,000 miles. This is common problem with Dodge Dakota and Chrysler will not pay for repairs. Problem is well documented on dozens of internet sites, blogs, etc and all mechanics and state inspectors all nod knowingly about the Dodge pickup. This is safety issue and failure of ball joints is not a problem in almost any car except Chrysler products. How do they get away with this safety issue which can cause loss of control and crashes and at under 50,000 miles. It is time NHTSA forces Dodge to recall and reimburse all costs to those already having paid for such repairs. This should be applicable for any year vehicle up to at least 100,000. I have owned over a dozen vehicles and most driven over 100,000 and one at 145,000 and one 200,000 and have never replace but one ball joint on a 1970 cutlass. Only one high mileage vehicle with cv joints but maybe no ball joints had to have a cv joint replaced. This does not speak well of Chrysler/Dodge.

See all problems of the 1997 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

The front end started making popping and other metallic sounding noises at slow speeds. When I raised it up and looked, the rubber boots on the ball joints were in tatters! I went to replace them and have been told that they are a "dealer item" and that daimler-Chrysler only provides a whole upper and lower control arms with ball joint for replacement as a whole unit. While I have nearly 45 years of automotive service background this is a travisty of the n'th degree!. You produce a defective unit and then screw the poor slob who bought one by making him pay an arm and a leg to replace a whole control arm that only has a bad ball joint on the end of it.

- the contact owns a 1998 Dodge Dakota, whose left lower control arm on the front driver side broke off due to defective welding. The contact's dealer advised him that the vehicle was beyond the warranty period and not repairable. Per the contact, the lower suspension bolts fell off the vehicle while driving 25 mph. There was no collision at the time of the failure. Updated 2/2/2007 -.

See all problems of the 1998 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

2002 Dodge Dakota quad cab both upper and lower control arm bushings failed on both sides. The consumer stated she heard a noise every time she went over bump. When the vehicle was taken to a local garage, they could not find a problem. Finally, after not being able to take the noise any longer, the consumer took the vehicle to another establishment where they discovered the problem.

Dealer notified me that both ball joints and control arms are dangerously loose and need replaced. Nhtsa campaign # 04v596000 specifies manufacture date from 01/07/1999 - 12/31/2002. My truck was build in March of 1999. They are claiming that I got lucky and my truck does not fall under the recall, yet I still have the problem. 1999 Dodge Dakota sport 4x4 VIN #1b7gg22yxxs235562.

Ball joints seperated. . . Costing me over $1000 in repairs. . . And now they have failed again. . . . Also control arm bushing is failing.

1999 Dodge Dakota pickup, v-6. The vehicle front ball joints are defective and will have to be replaced immediately by my mechanic. The mechanic mention a recall on on the ball joints so I contacted the dealer. They informed me that the recall is only for 2000-2003 vehicles. Since the ball joints are faulty, I beleive the recall needs expanding to other years and if service has been completed, reimbursement is warranted to the owner.

I had to replace the upper and control arms ( both sides) because the tires were wearing uneven. I do not drive this pick-up off road! if you look at the lack of size to the ball joints, it is amazing they lasted 3 years.

1999 Dodge Dakota ball joint.

The upper control arm broke at 5 mph. This caused the left front tire to cave in. Vehicle was towed to dealer, who replaced the upper control are on both sides. On right hand turns, there was a clunk noise and the steering had become difficult. The tire collapsed in the wheel well. The control arm broke.

See all problems of the 2000 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

This is in response to, and in support of, the reccommended recall of Dodge Dakotas. I have a 1998 Dakota and recently had work done (July '04) on the front ball joints and tie rods. After a few months of popping noises from the front end when backing out and turning the steering wheel and a definite feeling of loose suspension on turns I took it to the Dodge dealer for inspection and repair. They told me the truck was not driveable. The ball joints and tie rods were both failing and I was warned had I continued driving the vehicle in this condition I would have had a major accident. This, after having the same symptoms, but different repairs made by a different dealer, a year prior. The vehicle had one previous owner and 61,000 miles on it when I bought it in late 2002. I put on maybe 10,000 miles before the first incident and only a few thousand more before the second incident. I feel this vehicle is not only unsafe, but poorly manufactured and have contacted the manufacturer with my concerns. I feel the suggested recall should include the years prior to those reccommended (2000-2003). I have had two authorized Dodge dealers perform two sets of repair to the amount of nearly $3000. 00. This is nearly the value of the vehicle and it's not even paid off yet.

Faulty ball joints and bushings in the front suspension failed before 50,000 miles. This could create a condition where the front wheel assembly breaks off from the vehicle and cause a major accident.

While driving 65 mph, a rattling noise was heard coming from the front of the vehicle. The driver was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic replaced both upper and lower ball joints due to corrosion. Control arms were replaced as well. Consumer also stated that problem is similar to Dodge durango sport utility vehicle.

Control arms and ball joints made clunking and popping sounds. Bushings made loud squeaking sounds. All mentioned parts needed to be replaced. Sounds started as early as 10,000 miles logged on vehicle. After searching internet found ball joints could separate and finally took vehicle to dealer. Dealer is replacing parts under warranty but my concern is they are replacing them with the same defective parts.

My 2000 Dodge Dakota was in the shop to have upper and lower control arms replaced on the left front side. The vehicle had 90923 miles at the time of repair, at a cost of $803.

I have a safety concern with my front suspension on my 2000 Dakota quad cab 4x4. I hear a popping noise coming from the front shock and control arm area. I also notice excessive abnormal wear on recently new tires. I also hear a lot of tire noise when driving and some front end shake.

Dealer replaced both upper and lower ball joints and control arms. Consumer stated this vehicle was the version of durango, therefore , they used the same parts.

There has been a startling number of ball joint failures in the 1998-2003 Dodge Dakota and Dodge durango vehicles. I own a 2003 Dakota, and had an independent mechanic inspect mine. Because my vehicle only had 8500 miles on it at the time, the ball joints checked out ok. It was his estimation that because of the greaseless fitting, however, I could expect the same problem so many other Dakota owners have had in the near future. These parts should last 100,000 miles, but the ones on these Dodge vehicles fail at about 25,000 to 30,000. I have voiced my concerns to Dodge. The person I talked to at their recall center acknowledged the problem and that their was an investigation ongoing at this time, and told me to listen for "clunking" noises in the front end of the vehicle. Of the reports I've seen of failure of the joint, few say there was any warning of this type, however.

See all problems of the 2003 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Excessive ball joint wear. My wife (stephanie ball) filed a complaint back in 1999 for the same problem. I think his name was steve from NHTSA contacted us and keep us informed of the problem. She has had the ball joints replaced five times in her Dakota. The last contact from NHTSA was that they was going to make Dodge recall these vehicles for this dangerous problem. It has been two years and we have not heard any more on this issue. I help by getting names of other people that was having the same problem. I manage an auto parts store a auto of madison wv and this is not just an isolated problem. I know of 4 Dakota that were wrecked and sustained severe damage due to ball joint failure. The adjuster from state farm's mother had a wreck due to ball joint failure. And he said that he had seen several that had wrecked. I could replace these ball joints with aftermarket moog brand and solve the problem. But it shouldn't be up to me to solve it. I would have thought after the firestone episode that issues like this would be taken more seriously. I contacted the dealer today because you have to check the ball joints every couple of weeks. I don't want to take a chance on killing someone because of a problem that has existed since 1997. The dealer said that the ball joints was supposed to have so much play from the factory. The aftermarket one I sell do not. Anyone with common sense knows that if a component in a high stress area that takes a lot of beating is not supposed to have any play. The longer you drive it the worse it gets. I recently took a wv state inspection class. The state police have Dodge durango's. He said to make sure and check the ball joints because they were having the same problem I am . So I think the time has come to get this problem corrected, before some else wrecks or someone gets killed. Its pretty evident when the trooper teaching the inspection class tells you to pay special attention to this problem! please notify me if you need anything.

See all problems of the 2001 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

1997 Dodge Dakota club cab 2 wd pickup had excessive tire wear at 25,000 miles so all tires replaced. Tires had been rotated every 7,000 mi. After tire replaced took to Dodge dealer for front end alignment. Dealer refused because they said front ball joints needed replaced costing $900. When asked if this was unusual dealer said no and that ball joints could wear out in 10,000 miles. I called daimler Chrysler to complain and they refused my request for assistance saying no problems of this type have been reported. The truck was never driven off road, never involved in an accident, only driven to work and home within 40 miles of my home. Truck was never abused and I feel the ball joints (and tires) should not have worn out in this small amount of time. I am an engineer and believe there is a design or manufacturing problem that led to this premature failure. I have continued to drive the truck without replacing the ball joints yet since no one has told me there is any safety reason not to. The truck drives fine, straight, and easy.

While driving consumer heard a squeaking noise from the front end of the vehicle. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership to have serviced. The dealership indicated that the upper driver side control arm bushing was going out. The dealership replaces the parts, problem reaccured 1000 miles later on the both lower control arm bushing. Consumer feels theirs a defect in this part. Please provide more information. Ts.

Since I've purchased this vehicle, about six months into driving it, I began experiencing front end problems with the control arms & ball joints. I've had it back to the dealer(big valley Dodge) at least 10 times(@75. 00 a visit) for them to repair/replace the ball joints/control arm. Now it's no longer under warranty and will cost $1500. 00-$2500. 00 from different quotes I received. I can no longer enjoyably drive the vehicle. And I can't even drive it on the freeway as the whole front-end shakes the entire truck above 50mph. Please help me. I love everything about the truck otherwise. I just want Dodge to be responsible and fix their problem. They made a recall for the 4x4, why not the 2x4 with a very similar issue. Please help! this is not fair. Out of all the new trucks I could have bought, I had to buy the one with a problem the manufacture refuses to acknowledge, everyone I've talked to with the same truck from similar years (2000-2003) says they have the same problem. Please help! also, front tires become excessively worn on the outside to where I have to replace at least once a year when I drive 10000-12000 miles a year(ridiculous). Please help!.

While driving at 15 mph the consumer turned a corner and the right front wheel snapped off. The dealer found that the upper right ball joint</a> has malfunctioned. This caused considerable damage to the under body of the vehicle. Also the right control arm broke after the right ball joint was replaced.

Consumer states vehicle pulls to the left at all times. Dealer found excessive play in ball joints and had to replace them, also performed a front end alignment.

Premature failure of ball join during inspection by dealer.

Vehicle failed inspection 2 years in a row because upper and lower ball joints were worn out. Consumer had an appointment at dealer to find out the cause.

All four ball joints prematurely need replacement. , excessive play. The dealer stated that the ball joints have 60 thousands of an inch play from the factory. I had an independent front end specialist inspect my brakes and doing so he found the ball joints in the front end no good (excessive play). He said that this is a known problem throughout the industry and Dodge has not corrected this problem.

The first ball joint on the right side had to be replaced at just over 36000 miles. It was covered under the warrantee. The 2nd. Ball joint failed at Apr 62000 miles. I contacted Chrysler but they said it was my responsibility. I find it hard to believe that with just 62000 mi. I've had to replace 2 ball joints. It seems to me that the 1998 Dodge Dakota has a problem and that they are the one's that should be responsible not me. . What would have happened if these ball joints would have failed doing 70 on I-75. I guess Chrysler wants to wait until someone gets killed before they will fix the problem. Thanks for listening.

Excessive tire wear aligned at 12000 still had wear took to an alignment specialist and found a bad ball joint.

Pre mature ball joint wear, even though serviced and greased regularly, which if not checked very often, could result in complete loss of vehicle control and injuries.

Vehicle required ur & ll control arms replaced at 27,500 miles for failed ball joints, now at 66,500 miles ul balljoint has failed. 2wd, virtually all highway miles, no heavy usage, although no accident has occurred this a potentially hazardous condition. In addition to the 3 failures of ball joints on my vehicle my fathers 1997 Dodge Dakota required a control arm replacement for the same problem @ ~13000, miles. Frankly, I believe this may warrant a recall, or at least extended coverage of replacement parts by daimler-Chrysler.