Steering Idler Arm Problems of Dodge Dakota

I have purchased several tires for this vehicle, and the problem is mainly in the the front. I have had it aligned as required and it continued to eat the tires in a very few months. I recently (withing the last 6 - 8 months) had the brakes, rotors, idler arm, bushings and other items replaced that dealt with the steering and the braking of this vehicle and it is doing the same thing again. When turning left or right, it will pop, and when pressing on the brakes it will grab, release then grab again. The brakes are not making a noise and I know when new brakes are installed that they have to allowed to maintain their fit, however, once they maintain their fit, they shouldn't start grabbing. When I have to press the brakes in a hurry the abs light comes on and it concerns me the vehicle will not stop in time. This has been a problem for the last 4 or 5 years.

See all problems of the 2003 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Front left door snapped off. I can't open the drivers door from the inside. Also, both seat belts snapped, the air and heat doesn't work, the brakes locked up, which affected the steering. The transmission was replaced three timed, the vehicle would loose power and the engine would die. The catalytic converter rattled. There was a rough idle and then the vehicle would stall. The cruise control was inoperative, the tires wore out prematurely. Also, I had difficulty getting the vehicle out of park. The idler arm is in the process of breaking, the ignition broke after the keys became stuck, the fuel pump failed and the bearing and bushing needs to be replaced.

Consumer took vehicle to the dealer for annual maintenance, and was told that the upper ball joints/idle arm , and tie rod ends were defective.

See all problems of the 1999 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

I had been noticing for some time a loud rattling from the front end of my Dodge Dakota pickup truck. As the steering got worse, I took it to the local dealer, and the service manager said that the control arms on the steering were shot and needed to be replaced. This cost me more than $1,000. 00 to repair. I have sinceheard that several people have been having problems with the front ends of their Dodge vehicles. I would like to know if this is a common problem and if there is a recall.

Own a 1999 Dodge Dakota 4wd. Ball joints and idler arm going bad. Vehicle has 56,000 miles. Noticed noise arising from front suspension and loosening at around 40,000 miles, but did not know till around 53,000 miles when a mechanic brought it to my attention while it was at an alignment shop. These parts, I was advised, should not be wearing till around 130,000 miles. Two people at my work also own these vehicles, one person owns a 2wd Dakota, another owns a 4wd durango. Both persons are having the same problems with ball joints as well.

I own a 1999 Dodge Dakota. ( same suspension as durango). I was advised by my mechanic that the upper control arms, lower ball joints and the idler arm were severly warn and needed to be replaced. While diassembling all joints did come apart. At the time the vehicle had 73,778 miles on it. 99 percent of these miles are highway miles, and I was surprised and irritated that they had worn out so soon, also god only knows what would have happened if I had not caught it prior to the ball joint separating.

Prior to exp. Of warranty, (36000 miles) vehicle was brought into an independent shop for a complete inspection. Was informed ball joints and idler arm were completely worn out. Previous owner, (a personal friend) and myself never '4 wheeled' the truck. Normal city/highway use. Viewed internet bulletin boards on Dakota maint problems, and found others have had the same problem with early ball joint/idler arm failures. 36,000 miles under normal use is far to early for this type of problem. I fear there are many Dakota's out there with the same problem.

See all problems of the 1997 Dodge Dakota 🔎.