Steering Knuckle Spindle Problems of Dodge Dakota

Truck started to pull to right upon mid-level braking. Was told brakes ok, tie rod ends bad/replaced, no change. Then told rack & pinion bad/replaced, slight change, still pulls to right, getting worse. Now 3 months later and after $400. 00 in repairs, I go with a different shop, I was told brakes caliper bolts are stripping out. This causes the brake shoes to move when braking, binding, then pulling the steering wheel out of hands. Has also caused right tie-rod end to go bad again. The biggest danger is that upon braking the steering wheel turns to the right and I could lose control of the truck. Have been trying to find a good used steering knuckle and all the ones found have the same problem. The fix is, if caught soon enough, heli-coil new threads or replacing the steering knuckle ($415. 00 part alone).

See all problems of the 2000 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

On my 2000 Dodge Dakota my steering knuckle snapped past the tie rod on the wheel part of the right passenger side if the vehicle (front) this part is approximately a 1 inch by one inch of solid steel. This resulted in a crash with a parked manatee county patrol car. I believe this part should not have snapped under any circumstances. The investigating police offier agreed. I was not issued any traffic violation after the officer saw what had happened. I also believe this is a manufacturer defect that should be investigated . I plan to be following up on this with a phone call to your ageny. I wonder how many ticking time bombs are out there? I am aware of the recall of upper ball joints falling off and I am wondering if maybe defective steel is the cause.

Vehicle 2000 Dodge Dakota pick up 2 wheel drive. Failed new jersey motor vehicle inspection for ball joints. There was a letter about the upper ball joint failure. Upon inspection found both upper and lower ball joints have excessive play to the point where they may pull out of the socket.

Reported a popping sound on the right front of vehicle to dealership appro. One year ago, informed nothing was wrong. Upon a personal inspection during a routine oil change I noted that the right upper control arm ball joint had prematurely failed. (current vechicle mileage 16,000) purchased replacement control arm and installed per manufactuers instructions. I have saved the old part. My concern in this matter is, if these same parts are used on both Dodge Dakotas and Dodge durangos and this part is prone to premature failure, what will be the end result?.

See all problems of the 2002 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

While driving 25 mph, the consumer heard a noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. A few seconds later the vehicle went to one side and collided with a tree. The consumer was knocked unconscious in the collision. The cause of the collision was the spindle and the wheel separated from the vehicle. The manufacturer and the dealer were aware of the problem.

I have a 1997 Dodge Dakota sport with four wheel drive, a v8 engine and automatic transmission. I noticed my front tires wearing on the inside. I took the truck to the dealer on 12-20-01. I was told it needed lower ball joint and upper control arms. On 1-31-03 I returned to the dealer complaining of a vibration in the front end, again I was told it needed lower ball joints and upper control arms. Now I am noticing the tires wearing on the inside again and the dealer tells me it again needs upper ball joints but that the new redesigned parts are on backorder from the manufacturer. These failures have happened at ten thousand mile intervals, the first repair was at 46,261 the second at 56,125 and now it has 67,261 miles on it. This truck has never been off road and is used as a daily commuter vehicle. The problem at 46,261 miles is early for this type of failure but I guess it could happen however two more times in 21,000 miles is premature failure. I've worked in the automotive repair business for twenty five years and this is the first time I've had this type of problem on my own vehicles which are meticulusly maintained. This is definately a saftey issue as this can cause separation of the control arm from the steering knuckle.

See all problems of the 1997 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

1999 Dodge Dakota slt 4wd. Routine state inspection revealed front ball joints excessive wear and play. Failed new hampshire inspection[safety related item:control] only 54k miles. Ball joints replaced and alignment completed at sullivan tire inc. Manager revealed he had done another Dakota and a durango that same day for ball joints also. Frequent item for Dodge so he now keeps them in stock in house.

See all problems of the 1999 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Recently had to replace the following: drivers side upper ball joint and control arm, drivers side spindle retaining plate and locking nut. The simptoms were, a slight thumping noise when going over smal but sharp bumps (like entering a driveway), and a sound similar to a spring being stretched and compresses. The work was done under waranty (29,000 miles). The thing that bothers me is that it took 2 attempts at the dealer to get it fixed, and that all the things I've been reading indicate problems on the passenger side! am I just a disaster waiting to happen? is daimler chrystler going to own up to defective design and manufacture or do a bunch of people have to die first?.

See all problems of the 2001 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

I notice today an investigation by NHTSA of complaints on Dodge durango upper ball joints. I own a 1999 Dodge Dakota and have replaced same at 48,000 miles (at my own expense). This truck is the pickup version of the durango. The truck still exhibits negative characteristics such as loss of tracking and control when negotiating turns on bumpy roads. Example is the on-ramp to the verrazzano narrows bridge (I-278), brooklyn side. The truck will jump lanes at speeds over 40 mph. Not good.

If we were traveling at a higher speed we would have been severly injured or killed. No safety defect listed.

Steering knuckle spindle assembly failed causing caliper to come loose . Hub bearings on both front wheel assemblys wore out. Was told that this could result in wheel coming off of vehicle.

Threads on spindle were corroded and stripped. The consumer requested a reimbursement for repairs made on his vehicle.

While driving upper ball joints failed. They were replaced along with the steering knuckle. Problem recurred.