Problems with 2000 Dodge Dakota SUSPENSION

2000 dodge dakota sport 49,000 miles, need both upper ball joints replaced. upon hearing about this problem, i took it into the dealer to have it checked prior to going on a trip. after the dealer looked at the truck, they said the right wheel was about ready to fall off and the left was bad as well. they said they would not drive it across town. they provided me a car to drive until they fix it. dodge needs to perform a recall on these and fix the problem for good. i'm am concerned that it will just happen again later, just like some of the other reports of needing replacement multiple times. if they don't do a recall, it will not only effect my wallet, but also future buying decisions. i want a company to stand behind their product. i think the resale value would also be effected if a recall is not done.

Upper ball joints wore out prematurely. *ak

I own a 2000 dodge dakota, and have noticed a popping noise on the dirvers side front end. i have since determined that it is in fact the upper ball joint that is badly worn, and has an extreme amount of play in it. i understand that this is becomming a growing problem and wanted to add to it in hopes of getting it replaced before my front wheel falls off. *ak

At approx. 8k miles, pulsing and shimmy started in front end. had to resurface rotors. had to do again later at about 35k. not normal. at 15k reported front end creaks/groans dealer found no problem. at 35k more of the same, dealer replaced front stabilizer/sway bushing. at 38k miles, replaced lower steering column. helped some but still creaking when steering at low speed. at 53k asked again about steering groan. dealer says he could fix for about $1000 (of course out of warranty now! and i've been asking about this since 15k miles). also at 53k, replaced lower ball joints left side and fuel pump. at 59k back in the shop today to replace right ball joints which cause vehicle steering to "wander" and have badly worn inside right tire. quality of vehicle is lousy and they won't admit it or stand behind it. the rotor and front end problems could be very dangerous because they impair the drivers control of the vehicle. *jb

2000 quad cab 4 x 4 dakota. i bought the dakota used with 59,000 miles. shortly after the front end began to squeak and clunk. a dealership diagnosised the problem to be the upper ball joints. this is aweful early to have ball joint failures. i had the ball joints replaced for $360. the service manager also informed me that daimlerchrysler is aware of the problem but will not issue a recall because they do not believe it to be a safety issue. if an upper ball joint fails, then it will seperate from the knuckle. the knuckle holds the wheel in place. so, if the ball joint fails there as high probability that the wheel will come off.

During inspection, the mechanic informwd the consumer that their front lower/upper ball joint were wearing. *jb

Ball bearings had to be replaced because they were dry, loose, and worn out according to the independent mechanic. wheel would have come off the truck while driving if not replaced in time. *jb

While the tires were being rotated mechanic found that the upper ball joints wore out prematurely. mechanic informed the consumer about the upper ball joints, and recommended that vehicle should not be driven. *ak

At very low mileage, an independent shop replaced the lower and upper ball joints at the consumer's expense. *ak *jb

Upper and lower ball joints defective. replaced @ 75,000 miles when handling degraded and "clunking" noise started to avoid catastrophic event.*ak

My 2000 dakota quad cab which has 63,000 miles on it. i took it into the dealer to have it checked out because it was making _x001c_clunking_x001d_ noises and also make squeaking noises in the front end (like a worn out 70_x0019_s model truck). this problem has been occurring since the truck had about 30,000 miles on it. their diagnosis is that both front upper and lower control arms need to be replaced. (right and left side). both the bushings and the ball joints are worn out. the service tech that called me back to tell me what was wrong said _x001c_i would not continue to drive your vehicle in the condition it is in, it is not safe due to the worn ball joints._x001d_*ak

Consumer stated that ball joints were popping so badly that he was afraid to drive the vehicle. when he made a turn either right of left it sounded as if the wheel was coming off. this problem started at 60,000 miles.*ak

Upper ball joints failed. *ak

While driving the vehicle and turning left or right, consumer heard a rattles noise. vehicle was taken to independent shop, mechanic determined need to be replaced the ball joints. dealer notified.

Dealer replaced lower ball joints at 60,000 miles. *ak

While driving 15 mph, a squeaking noise was heard coming from the front. the driver drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. the mechanic informed the driver that the upper ball joints needed replacing due to worn parts. please fill in additional information

Clunking noise coming from front of auto when driving over uneven surfaces/bumps. front right wheel assembly detached from vehicle at upper ball joint. lower ball joint remained attached. all four ball joints replaces. right brake line replaced. warned of damage to cv shaft, however dealer only replace outer cv boot

Uneven wear of front tires prompted an alignment. during alignment inspection, upper ball joints were found to be "severely worn". otherwise vehicle drove normal. *ak

My 2000 dodge dakota truck had to have the upper right ball joint replaced. the truck has under 38,000 miles of light-duty use. this seems too early for this type of part failure. when will the other ball joints fail?*ak

Right upper ball joint loose. *jb

Most recent problem. front end: ) "clunking" noises followed by front wheel assembly break. front wheel assembly disengaged from vehicle while driving.*ak hostory of brake problems: 1) rear drums ineffective, and lock up under humid condition after sitting. 2) front rotors warped x2 occurences. dealer replaced pads and rotors. second incident "nott covered under warranty." 3) front brake pads fall and wear diagonally resulting in ineffective braking. 4) generally poor and unresponsive braking.

Most recent problem. ront end: 1) "clunking" noises followed by front wheel assembly break. front wheel assembly disengaged from vehicle while driving. *ak hostory of brake problems: 1) rear drums ineffective, and lock up under humid condition after sitting. 2) front rotors warped x2 occurences. dealer replaced pads and rotors. second incident "nott covered under warranty." 3) front brake pads fall and wear diagonally resulting in ineffective braking. 4) generally poor and unresponsive braking.

Had to replace lower ball joint at 55,000 miles. *ak

While driving consumer heard a loud popping noise coming from the upper ball joints. consumer had the problem repaired. *ak *mr

During routine brake maintenance, dealership warned that upper ball joints are loose and upper control bushings are cracked and both are in urgent need of replacing. vehicle mileage was at 55,746. ball joints are supposed to last to 100,000 miles. vehicle is secondary family vehicle and only driven freeway with no towing, heavy loads, or hauling. if vehicle was not maintained regularly this defect would have been missed and serious harm or death to pregnant wife, 7 year old, and myself would have occurred due to the nature and severity of defect. *jb

I recently moved to misourri and took my truck in for the required safety inspection. i was told that my upper ball joint was wearing significantly. *ak

While driving at 30 mph and without warning the front left wheel separated from the vehicle, the suspension collapsed completely, severing the body of the vehicle which collapsed to the ground. the towing mechanic determined that the upper ball joints wore out. *ak *sc *jb

While driving 60 mph the vehicle would vibrate and pull to the right when the brakes were applied an independent shop determined that the upper ball joints needed to be replaced. the problem still exist. *nm

Heard a lot of squeaking and clunking, took to dealer and was told upper ball joints have gone bad along with inner tie-rods. this would cost around $1200 to fix, that cost could be reduced alot if a person could find non-oem parts but instead you are forced to buy from dodge and then you cant even buy the individual tie-rods you have to buy the entire steering assembly. dodge knows this is a problem and did help with the cost of the parts but this is not something that should go out on a vehicle with only 45000 miles, especially when if either part had failed completely i could have lost total control of the vehicle.*ak

Dealership informed consumer that front upper ball joints were worn out. consumer was not having any problems at this time. dealership did not resolve the problem. *ak *la

Both upper ball joints on this truck have excessive play in them. only 45,000 miles when problem began.

Dealership informed consumer that upper front ball joint were worn out. consumer was not having any problems at this time. dealership had not resolved the problem. *ak consumer received a copy of a consumer report regarding the problem with ball joints on vehicle, but manufacturer said they don't know about the existing problem. *la

Bad ball joints failed. *ak

Truck with 53,000 failed state inspection with a worn upper ball joint. it is possible to replace this part without the control arm, saving about $100 in repair costs. however, dodge has these parts on backorder due to the high demand(coincidence??), resulting in a $300 repair bill for my truck to pass inpection. recall anyone???*ak

Both upper ball joints on my truck are bad, the mechanic working on the vehicle said they could cause a wreck if they fail while i am driving the vehicle. *la

I live in massachusetts and i failled my yearly truck inspection because of a bad upper ball joint. i hace a 2000 dodge dakota quad cab and it is a 4 x 4. the truck has 33,900 miles on it. i have no recorce but to fix it since i need my vehicle to get back and forth to work. i also understand that chrysler is having many problems with upper ball joints in their dakota and durango line. if i pay out of pocket to have this problem fixed and then chrysler decides to have a recall, would i get reinbursed from chrysler? i was also informed that i need new front brake rotors. is there something wrong with their rotors? thanks steve muzzy. *ak

After hearing of the problems with upper ball joints, i pulled the right side upper ball joint loose and found extreme play in the joint. the dealership could not locate a joint for me anywhere in the state and determined that the joint was backordered by 3000. to get the ball joint i had to replace the whole upper control arm at the price of 175.00.(part only) i removed the original control arm and cut away the rubber seal to find that the lower portion of the joint was fractured and the joint was worn to the point that it was about to fall apart. i believe that with some pressure i could pull the joint apart with my hands. what makes this problem so dangerous is that i had no pulling, tire wear, knocking, or creaking noises to alert me of this problem. if i had not taken a proactive look at this joint, it would definitely have come apart soon. i have saved the part and would be willing to ship it to anyone who would like to examine it. i have also ordered a left side ball joint to replace as soon as it is available. it is clear that this is a defective product and should be replaced by the manufacturer. dodge should ignore the lawyers and step up to the plate to do what is right. it might just save a customer. right now the new ford truck is looking better than the dodge for my next purchase. *la

I own a 2000 dodge dakota. i recently found out about the upper ball joint situation with these vehicles and decided to check mine. both the passenger and driver side upper ball joints are toast. i don't know how long it has been like this. they shall be replaced immediately, though. i visited dodgedakotas.com and read about all of the other people that are having this same problem. it is ridiculous that dodge knows that this is a problem but will let people drive around with bad suspension parts. *cb

The consumer took the vehicle to the garage for inspection and the mechanic determined that the upper ball joints failed. *ak the upper ball joints were replaced twice at 30k miles. the service dealer and chrysler told the consumer that there was no problems with the ball joints and there were no recalls. *sc *jb

While driving the driver's side wheel fell off. the vehicle was towed to the dealer who determined that the upper ball joints broke off. please provide any additional information. *nm *mr

2000 dodge dakota 4.7l quad cab ball joints started making squeaking noises when turning at around 40,000 miles. noise is now getting unbearable and steering somewhat "lurches" when turning tightly. needs major work on ball joints much earlier than would be reasonable. *la

Consumer took vehicle to the dealer for routine maintenance, and mechanic noticed that both upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to worn out parts.*ak

Upon servicing the vehicle technician inspected ball joints and noticed all four ball joints were worn out, and needed to be replaced. *ak *mr

Nhtsa recall 04v596000 concerning ball joint wear. consumer contacted the dealer, and was informed that the next available appointment would be may 07, 2005. *ak *nm

upper ball joints failed. as a result, when turning in either direction wheels wobble back and forth. *ak

Vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine maintenance. the mechanic at the dealer indicated that all four ball joints failed prematurely and need to be replaced soon. please provide any additional information. *nlm

Upper and lower balljoint failure in my 2000 dodge dakota,nec to replace balljoint due to excessive wear

Premature wear on front end components. upper ball joints and brakes.*ak

Denial of problem and refusal to resolve front suspension problem. *ak

My dodge dakota 2000, is shaking the front wheels and i discovered that my upper and lower ball joints are cracked. the dealer "main street dodge" told me they will not repair this problem free because dodge do not recall this vehicles. i offered to buy the parts and do the work myself if they tell me what is the name of these and they said they will charge me for this service of identifying the parts, too.*ak