Universal Joint Problems of Dodge Dakota

The pinion gear shaft to my differential sheared off just aft of the tapered roller bearing in the front of the housing. The portion of the shaft still attached to the drive shaft through the universal joint and the roller bearing pulled out of the housing and fell to the ground. This appears to be a fatigue failure of the gear shaft. This occurred while driving on a maintained dirt road. No modifications of any kind have been made to the vehicle and aside from occasional use on maintained dirt roads, no off-roading or other severe driving conditions have been encountered. Considering the mileage and light usage of this vehicle, this is a very unexpected failure. A gear shaft of this type should not fail, certainly not before the u-joint itself. This would then seem to most likely be a result of a manufacturing defect. This is clearly a serious safety concern as this failure is followed immediately by the drive shaft dragging on the ground and a complete loss of power. A failure of this type at high speed would have been extremely dangerous.

See all problems of the 2005 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the steering locks while driving. He took the vehicle to the dealer three different times and they replaced the power steering pump, which did not correct the failure. He then took the vehicle to an authorized automotive engineer and was informed that the universal joint that goes into the yoke was bent when it should be straight. The dealer finally repaired the vehicle, but the contact does not feel safe driving the vehicle. The failure mileage was 34,000 and current mileage was 47,017. Updated 8/27/09 updated 09/09/09.

See all problems of the 2004 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Noticed a squeaking noise coming from the rear wheels of my 2001 Dodge Dakota. Dealer stated that both rear u joints failed. The truck has only 42000 miles on it and should not have this kind of failure. In addition, I was informed that the extended warranty that I had purchased was no longer valid because that particular warranty company had gone out of business. I had to pay for the cost of the repair out of pocket!.

See all problems of the 2001 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Ball joints and u-joints are in need of replacement after only 26 months of ownership and 60,000 miles put on the truck.

See all problems of the 2002 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

2001 ram 1500 extd. Cab 4wd sport. I don't use it off-road and only use 4x4 in the snow. 32000 miles needed new tires. Shop wouldn't align wheels because they said I needed new ball joints. Brought truck to dealer, they said it was within specs. 35700 miles, same dealer replaces upper and lower universal joints on warranty. I went back to tire dealer for alignment, they said the ball joints were still bad and needed to be replaced. 36010 miles, dealer replaces upper and lower, left and right ball joints on warranty. 65600 miles, check engine light came on, same dealer replaces purge solenoid, stabilizer links and shift rod link to quiet rattling noise.

Sudden failure of u-joint caused loss of power and control. Bent drive shaft resulted from failure.

See all problems of the 1996 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Consumer states driveline is on a poor angle.

See all problems of the 2000 Dodge Dakota 🔎.