Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint Problems of Dodge Dakota - part 1

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the lower ball joints for the front suspension fractured without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed by the dealer. The contact stated that the parts to repair the vehicle were no longer available. The vehicle was not able to be repaired. The contact purchased a lower control arm to repair the vehicle; however, it did not correct the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

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Around 50,000 miles upper and lower ball joints making popping sounds. Took to local repair shop . Replaced all 4 , then popping stopped. Way to early for ball joint replacement. Occured while moving 5 mph and turning either direction.

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Tl-the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the abs brake warning light remained illuminated and when driving over bumps he would hear a loud knocking sound. The contact was certified mechanic who diagnosed that the upper/lower ball joints had become lose and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. Ne.

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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.

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Vehicle failed state safety test due to need for lower ball joints at <70k miles.

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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.

I noticed in November 2012 that the steering on my 2006 dodage Dakota quad cab seemed stiff and hard to turn, almost as if it wasn't getting enough power steering fluid - checked it and it was ok. Seemed at first to be stiffer when it was cold so attributed it to winter cold. Then at the end of March 2013, I was turning and heard a clunk as if I had hit a pothole. I heard it again on the same day and then heard a squeak as if the springs needed oiling. I stopped at my local repair shop. The mechanic oiled something - drove it and didn't hear a clunk. Three days later I took it to him and said it is clunking regularly and the steering still seems stiff. He replaced upper and lower ball joints that had gone bad, control arms, and tie rods that had play in them. This at 82,000 miles. These repairs are ridiculous for 82,000 miles. After spending $1400 I am still having tight steering. I don't know about Dodge executives, but I can't afford repairs like this. The most complaints listed for this model and year are for steering and I've heard from the dealer that the ball joints go out early - as mine did. This vehicle should be recalled for steering and ball joints! my 1993 Dakota is still going without these problems and it has 204,000 miles. If they can't make them the way they used to I'm not buying Dodge again. P. S. My sister's 2009 Dakota had a broken tie rod, ball joint, and steering issues. They can't find anything wrong with the steering. She is dumping it - won't drive it again.

2007 Dodge Dakota with 63700 miles had tie rod end failure causing steering and controll problems. Had this failure occurred at highway speed there could have easily been a serious and possibly deadly event. I had the problem repaired and contacted Dodge about this. Dodge covered all expenses ($265. 00) at 65500 miles I took the truck in for inspection because it was pulling to the right. The mechanic found a nail in the right front tire which caused the pulling problem but futher inspection revealed that both the upper and lower ball joints on the right and left sides were noticably worn. I then took the truck to my local Dodge dealer where their inspection confirmed the previous findings. At both inspections I was told that the tie rod end failure and the ball joint problem had most likely occurred because these joints had no grease fittings for lubrication. I called Dodge to see if they would repair the ball joint issue and they refused. I think that had these joints come with grease fittings these issues (tie rod ends and ball joints) would not be a problem at 60000+ miles under normal conditions. Quote for repairs at dosge dealer $1451. 00.

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The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while reversing out of a parking lot, he heard a loud noise and was unable to move the vehicle. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the front passenger side tie rod broke. The vehicle was towed home, where the tie rod and lower ball joints were replaced. The vehicle was not taken to an authorized dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 169,000 and the current mileage was 170,000.

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Low noise in front while turning - dealership verified complaint and found both outer tire rod ends to be loose and left lower ball joint to be noisy - replaced both outer tire rod ends and set toe also replaced the left lower ball joint.

Purchased a 2006 Dodge Dakota with 29119 miles. Right front tire was worn unevenly. Purchased new tires at 33,325 miles and was told alignment could not be done because lower ball joint had failed. Waiting to check with dealer. Ridiculously low miles for a suspension part to fail.

Both lower ball joints had to be replaced at 35555 miles. The garage said I was very lucky that the ball joints didn't break and cause an accident. We need to have these Dodge Dakota recalled before they cause a wreck. I had cars/trucks with 90,000 miles on them and never have problems.

Dodge Dakota 4x4 required replacement of front suspension upper and lower ball joints. Wear of ball joints resulted in premature, rapid destruction of a set of tires due to inner shoulder wear. Set of 4 tires had to be replaced at approximately 1/2 of expected tread life. Total repair cost due to premature failure of ball joints, including new tires, was $1384. 93 condition of ball joints was hazardous and could have resulted in an accident through suspension or tire failure. Condition was also difficult to notice, as the wear was on inner shoulder of front tires. The ball joint and tire wear was not identified during a thorough inspection by an independent mechanic at 60586 miles or by a Dodge dealership during 60,000 mile service performed at 60789 miles. Dodge is aware of the safety hazard of the front ball joints on these vehicles, however did not notify me of the condition. I am the original vehicle owner, and these are original miles. Dodge has declined to assist in the cost of repair.

Simultaneous failure of the inter and outer tie rods, upper and lower ball joints on a 2002 Dodge ram 1500 quad cab. The vehicle has never been use as a work truck, driven on dirt roads and currently has 120,000 highway miles. Rack and pinion is leaking oil, and needs to be replaced is coming a part.

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The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota extended cab. The contact stated that the vehicle began to exhibit and unusual squeaking from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic facility for routine maintenance where the contact was informed that the front suspension lower ball joints and stabilizer bar could collapse at any time without warning and would need to be repaired. The manufacturer was called and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. No other assistance was offered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 72,908.

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!!!!.

The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Dakota. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact would sporadically hear a loud squeaking noise. He took the vehicle to the dealer for a routine alignment and tire rotation. Upon inspection, a technician stated that the lower ball joints had severe wear and movement, and needed to be replaced. He also stated that the rubber grommets supporting the tie rods failed and created a metal to metal condition, which created a squeaking noise. The components have not been replaced. The failure mileage was 125,000 and current mileage was 128,000. Updated 09/10/08 the upper ball joints were replaced as well. Updated 09/16/08.

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Dakota. While driving approximately 35 mph on normal road conditions, the vehicle began to vibrate excessively without warning. The contact heard a loud noise coming from the tires and the ride performance was very poor. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection and they stated that the failure was related to the front lower ball joints. The vehicle was repaired under the service warranty and all four tires were replaced. The vehicle was taken to the authorized dealer on a separate occasion for the identical failure; however, the parts were unavailable and placed on a massive back order. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 19,000 and current mileage was 29,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. While driving 2 mph, the contact heard a banging noise coming from the passenger side front tire. He stated that the steering was difficult to turn. Upon inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the passenger side front lower ball joints were disengaged. The mechanic stated that the cause of the failure was due to the lower ball joints not being lubed. In addition, the lower ball joints were rubbing against the upper ball joints. The mechanic replaced the front lower and upper ball joints. There had been no further occurrences. The failure mileage was 65,689 and current mileage was 66,471.

My tires have been wearing on the outside for over a year now, I had the truck looked at and all ball joint uppers and lowers are bad. This truck only has 90,000 miles and has been driven to and from work for the last 5 1/2 years that I have owned it. The front passenger side is ready to give way.

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Ball joint failure. . . . . . . . . Had to replace upper and lower ball joints in March 2005, and now in December 2007, I am having to replace upper ball joints again. Ball joints in 1997 Dodge Dakota are a defective design, and wear out too quickly.

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I own a 2003 Dodge Dakota (pickup) purchased new (I am the original owner). The lower ball joints were replaced by the dealer at 23,000 miles (under warranty). They are now bad again at 78,000 miles (no warranty now, this bill was on me)! the upper ball joints were also replaced twice (those are under an official NHTSA recall). My complaint is about the lower ball joints. These parts should not wear out this often, and I feel this is a bad design! this is a safety issue (in my opinion) and also a big expense for the owners of these vehicles. I feel the lower ball joints should also be an official NHTSA recall!!!.

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While coming out of a curve the truck jolted, dipped and could not be controlled (1st failure). Subsequently I hit a telephone pole detrying the passenger side front panel and the truck slid to stop after "shutting off" ( 2nd failure). When I got out of the truck , behind me on the side of the road, the passenger side side wheel was laying on the ground still attached to the axle. There were no pot holes or rocks on the road to cause the "jolt". This is a similar condition that I believe has been described for the durango and Dakota of the same year.

During 200, squeak in front end became louder and louder. Had to have upper and lower ball joints replaced on the left and right. Truck had 95,000 miles. 2 years late same problem with squeak in front end became louder and louder. Needed to have the ball joints replaced again. Only about 10,000 miles on truck this time.

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.

2003 Dodge Dakota 4x4 pickup 1d7h32n03s124289 loud clunking noises, front end, steering loosesness,skittishness, severe vibration and poor handling felt in front end section of vehicle. (purchased from mitchell simsbury,CT )brought to local dealer who diagnosed & replaced (2)bad /defective upper ball joints 17011019 but charged for parts/service. Approx mileage:48,318 very premature for good product design & reliability. Dangerous safety related defects.

I would like to know why only the upper ball joints on the 2000-2004 Dakotas is covered in the recall as the lower ball joint are the same design where there is no way to grease up the lower ball joints and it would lead to the same problem as the upper ball joints?.

: the contact stated while driving 25 mph on normal road conditions, a squeaking sound was heard coming from the front driver's side. The vehicle was taken into an independent mechanic who replaced the front lower ball joints, but the problem persisted.

1999 Dodge Dakota ball joint failure.

1. Normal driving circumstances. Front end suspension started making clunking/popping noises and steering became erratic. Truck has 85,000 miles. 2. Could not safely drive the vehicle. The steering was too risky. I also noticed while the tow truck driver was pulling the vehicle onto the truck that the front right wheel was leaning over at about 30 degree angle. 3. Mechanic diagnosed that the upper ball joints has basically rusted and deteriorated. Lower joints were also on their way to failure. Additional research has shown that the 4 wheel drive models were recalled. Why weren't the 2 wheel drives. This problem mirrors the issue that they had.

Premature ball joint failure on 1999 Dodge Dakota. These vehicles should be added to the recall list of 2000-2003 Dodge Dakotas and durangos.

Power steering fluid leakage. I have to dump a whole bottle in once a week. Ball joints need replaced. Lifters in motor knock and have to be fixed.

Felt 'clunking' noises through steering wheel. During annual massachusetts vehicle inspection in August 2006 truck failed on front suspension test. Took to wcs automotive in rockland, MA. Mechanic determined both upper and lower ball joints on both right and left side required replacement. Total repair bill was $809. 56. Old (original) parts no longer available.

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Premature wear and failure of upper and lower ball joints. Truck was making popping noises when you turned the wheel or went over bumps. Took to local mechanic; mechanic stated that the ball joints were scary bad. Mechanic also stated that if I had not brought the vehicle in the front wheels could have broken off causing the vehicle to wreck.