Problems with 2002 Dodge Dakota SUSPENSION

The upper ball joints wore out prematurely. *ak *sc *jb

Ball joints had to be replaced due to being worn out on my 2002 dodge dakota quad cab 4x4. dealer never mentioned the ongoing investigation or problems with ball joints. subsequently viewed the cbs report on dakota ball joints and ongoing investigation the night we got truck back from dealer with new ball joints.*ak

While driving the vehicle at 30 mph or more the right side of the vehicle vibrated. an independent mechanic stated there was a problem with the ball joints. please provide further information. *jb

While driving at any speed a noise was heard from the front end. the dealer determined, that the upper and lower ball joints had to be replaced.*ak *jb

Premature wear of ball joints on 2002 dodge dakota pickup. this wear could result in an accident if not repaired.*ak

Denial of inspection in nh for bad upper ball joints. told to take it to dealer. dealer says it's ok and charged me $15.00! iinspector showed me how much movement when i brought it back again to complain they were wrong. i agree with the inspector, this is unsafe. any movement is a problem, they shouldn't be allowed to say .60 is ok. *ak

Nhtsa recall campaign 04v596000; daimler chrysler issued an upper ball joint recall. this vehicle was included in the recall, but there were no available parts in order to do recall repairs. this was dangerous because the wheels could fall off.*ak

I own a 2002 dodge dakota with 40,385 miles. after seeing a piece on cbs about the upper ball joint problems, i had my truck checked at the dealer. both upper ball joints had to be replaced at a cost of $384.55. upon going to this site i saw an open investigation so, decided to file a complaint hoping to eventually have a recall on this obviously defective part. *nlm

Brake rotors are warped. started at approximately 20,000 miles. way to early to be warped. have read of many others with same problem. also heard noise from front suspension, thought it might be ball joint or suspension problem, but dealer stated that it is ok. read quite a bit about ball joint problems on same vehicle. *jb

Saw on a message board that there is an ongoing investigation re: dodge dakota ball joints. i have a 2002 dakota. at around 10,000 miles, i started hearing a noise in the front suspension. it was very intermittent, so i didn't pay any attention. but it got more and more frequent until around 20,000 miles, when i finally had it fixed. the dealer (anderson dodge in rockford, il) replaced both of the front ball joints. now, at 45,000 miles, it's starting to make some of the same sounds - possibly failing again. *ak

Consumer noticed uneven wear on the outside edge of the front tires. there was a groaning sound coming from the axle area when turning corners and the steering column was very loose. the dealer informed the consumer that the upper ball joints were defective. *ak *jb

Ball joint failure at 25,000 miles. *ak

2002 dodge dakota 4x4 quad cab pickup - both upper ball joints experienced premature failure. signs of failure began around 30,000 miles, but misdiagnosed by local mechanic as "no problem found." i later took the truck to dodge when knocking noise kept getting worse (after warranty expiration). both upper ball joints were replaced and front end alignment performed for approximately $500. since this is a safety issue, i believe a recall should be implemented. *ak

Had to have the balljoints replaced at less than 50'000 miles.*ak

Premature failure (40000 miles) of ball joints in a 2002 dodge dakota quad cab. *la

2002 dodge dakota dealer identified lt ball joint/control arm assembly in need of replacement @ 42,000 mi. problem existed some 6000 - 7000 prior based on drivability/noise. veh has had repeated evap leak since 14,000 mi.*ak

Popping sound in front end when turning at slow speed, driving over a speed bump at slow speed, stopping or pulling out from stop. *la

Noise when making turns and over light bumps in front suspension of a 2002 dodge dakota crew cab pickup. *la

Consumer complained about a ball joint problem. consumer took vehicle to dealer to have tires replaced when it was noticed that the ball joints were defective. *ak the consumer stated that the grease was able to wash out and there was no place to grease the ball joints. the dealer failed to correct the problem. *sc

I have problems with the front suspension in my dodge dakota. the front end vibrates at speeds over 60mph . i feel this is not right, correct, or safe. i got another opinion from daigle steer-o-master.they found that the right balljoint is the problem.the dealer claims the balljoint on all the wheels are within specs . after another opinion the right front wheel still has excess play,which i feel is not safe at any speed. it also would not pass the state inspection. my dodge dakota only has 17,152 miles. i think that the dealer will not correct this problem until the warranty has expired or there is a recall.*ak

While driving at slow speeds and turning corners there was a clicking sound coming from the front end. *ak *sc *jb

Ever since this truck was new it feels as though some component in the front end suspension is loose, i can feel it through the steering column. five trips to the dealer to find and correct the problem have resulted in: nothing out of specs on the first visit; replaced the front shocks on the second visit; replaced the rack and pinion assembly on the third visit; replaced the upper ball joints on the fourth visit; and aligned the steering column on the fifth visit. looking though the consumer complaint section i found many other consumers with the same exact complaint with their dakota trucks. *jb

This is in regards to my 2002 dodge dakota quad cab 4x4. i began noticing popping noise coming from the front right side wheel at approximately 20,000 miles. i took it into the dealer who claimed nothing was wrong. 6,000 miles later it was getting worse so i took it back to the dealer. sure enough i had a bad upper ball joint, which they replaced under warrenty. i now have 40,000 miles on this truck and the right side is making the popping noise. i wish dodge would make a recall a fix the problem for good. i feel that if i was not dillegent in my pursuit to have my truck repaired, that i would have been one of the many others who have had there front wheel fall off while driving their dakota or durango.*ak

Premature failure of the upper ball joints on my 2002 dodge dakota club cab pick-up with 26,465 miles. took the vehicle to dealer to diagnose a clanking noise in the front end when turning they did not find any problem on the first visit, i returned for a second visit and i identified the upper ball joints as the problem, they checked them and agreed. they were replaced under the warranty. after reading a large number of complaints on different web sites this seems to be a common problem with the dakotas and durangos. how about a recall! (premature front disc brake rotor failures is another common problem on both of these vehicles. mine had to be replaced at 26,120 miles and was not covered under the warranty.) *la

driver's side upper ball joint wore out prematurely. as a result the dealership was unable to perform a front end alignment. the ball joint was replaced.*ak

Problems with vehicle's upper ball joint, lower control arm, and steering.*mr *cb

The vehicle stalled while driving. *nlm *ak the vehicle experienced the following: knocking in the suspension(4 attempts to fix), the vehicle pulled to the right, the driver door had a wind noise and water leaked, the tailgate handle was loose on the right side, the lower steering column coupled, and the upper control arm bolts were found loose. *scc

2002 dodge dakota 4x2 pickup has premature failure of upper ball joints and severe tire wear. 32,000 miles having to replace upper ball joints, bad front end suspension and handling.*ak

Dealer replaced both upper and lower ball joints and control arms. consumer stated this vehicle was the version of durango, therefore , they used the same parts. *ak

The investigation on the 1998-2003 dodge durango ball joints needs to be expanded to the entire line of dakota trucks. these vehicles, from the "b" pillar forward are virtually identical. go to this site to see hundreds and hudreds of complaints: www.dodgedakotas.com use the search engine. the ball joints are completely worn on my 2002 dakota quad cab, to the point where the suspension has become unpredictable under certain road conditions. this vehicle has only 21k miles on it.

I have a 2002 dodge dakota 4x4 pick up truck which needs to have itsupper left ball joint replaced after 10 months of ownership. i previously owned a 2000 dodge durango which had the same part replaced on three occasions.

I own a 2002 dodge dakota and had to have the ball joints replaced at 24,000 miles after doing some research i found that this is common. my hope is that you would investigate this and force chrysler to do a re-call and fix the problem before someone gets hurt or killed. *ak

We own a 2002 dodge dakota quad cab truck. it's getting ready to be taken back into the shop for a ball-joint problem we supposedly already had fixed. we purchased this dodge truck as our main family vehicle. how can i feel safe transporting my family in a vehicle that could have a tire collapse at any time? i've researched information about this very problem and am disturbed to find out that it's happening to a lot of vehicle owners. for most of us, a vehicle is one of the most costly purchases we make in our lifetimes... how long are we going to have to wait for daimler/chrysler/dodge to stop sweeping this problem under the rug and take the safety of all passengers seriously? *la

Balljoints bad on my 2002 dodge dakota 4x4 at 35,000 miles.*ak

Front brake rotors had to be turned/replaced at approx. 17000 miles. dealership said they would not replace as brakes only have 1yr/12000 mile warranty. repair facility only replaces with oem parts, so they will probably have to be replaced again in another 15-20000 miles. this is unacceptable.*ak also appears i will now have to replace ball joints at approx. 18500 miles. these parts should last much longer than this. vehicle is 2002 dodge dakota cc 4x4 4.7l engine.

I have a 2002 dodge dokota sxt 2wd that has a clunking sound similar to that which i have heard described in regard to a front ball joint problem. i have spoking with other persons who also have 2wd dakotas and have hed to replace the ball joints well before they should be. i currently have 43,00 miles on the vehicle but the clunk has been present for several thousand miles and i was hoping there might be a recall before i have it fixed. i have no ride or handleing problems but just the clunk when i go over an object or onto a sidewalk to park. *ak

2002 dodge dakota club cab is making clanking, creaking noises while turning at low speeds. this is at 46k miles. has been making this noise since 40k miles. found many complaints of upper ball joint problems with other dakotas and durangos. very concerned and suspicous.

Only 27689 miles safety front end components failed power steering rack seal leaking fluid.sway bar bushings were replaced.seat right rear coming apart pass side plastic recliner handle broke my 2002 dodge dakota quad cab 4x4 sport has had suspension problems, and brake problems. the upper and lower control arms and ball joints make a popping sound when step on brakes or make a sharp left turn. i now have 29900 miles and the pounding and noise have not stopped. vehicle feels like you will loose control when going over bumps in the highway. *ak

Premature failure of upper ball joint. *ak

I own a 2002 dodge dakota. at 27,000 miles, the dealership replaced all four ball joints. they also worked on the 4 wheel drive. at 34,000 miles they replaced three ball joints and worked on the 4 wheel drive. at 42,000 miles they replaced the rack and pinion on the passenger side and worked on the 4 wheel drive. at 49,000 miles i had to replace wheel bearings in the passenger side. fortunately, i have not had any accidents. i have heard noises and taken it to the dealership or my mechanic. i am very concerned about driving it. i do not feel safe driving it anymore. i think they have some serious front end problems that they should be addressing. i don't think i should be footing the bill for it. i am also very upset that the dealership and dodge have known about the problems and chose to blame them on other conditions caused by the owner.*ak

I am owner of a 2002 dodge dakota quad cab pick-up with defective front ball joints. i have noticed noise from the front end of vehicle and took it to dealer. even took the shop forman on road test and he also heard the noise i was experiencing. then the dealer blamed it on the side bars that i had previosly installed. (the noise was there before the the bars were installed). needless to say, i was given the run around. i am a experienced mechanic by trade and i know about these things. i am very concerned that i am driving a potential time bomb just like the durango's which share the same front suspension that are having critical balljoint failures which there is now a class action law siute in process. there needs to be a recall initiated because lives are in danger!*ak

2002 dodge dakota quad cab has had grinding/jumping/bumping condition when braking since 4/03 @under 24k miles. private mechanic has checked brakes twice for this and has found no problems stemming from brakes. condition persists, and am wary of problems with this make/model and ball joint wear. is dodge covering this as a warranty repair now or not?

My 2002 dodge dakota quad cab 4x4 sport has had suspension problems, and brake problems. the upper and lower control arms and ball joints have been bad from day one. i now have 35,000 miles and the pounding and noise have not stopped. this seems to be a very common problem. why not a recall? *nlm

Upper control arm ball joint failure. *ak

The truck has had sever problems with acceleration and stalling. it also makes a clunking noise when turning the vehicle. there have been numerous amounts of problems with at leat 15 days total in the shop.

Upper control arm. *nm

I brought my dodge truck (2002) reg. cab (no 4x4) to the dealer back in 01/30/2003 i had 6470 miles on it. i complained about a thumping noise in the right front tire when i go over a bump. pryer to this when i was getting an inspection a week earlier they told me my ball joint was bad. when the dealer took it in they said that the ball joint play was within specification and found nothing wrong. to this day i still have the same thumping noise in the right front tire/ball joint. i am very worried that this is has been a problem all along and has been covered up. what should i do now. *ak

While having vehicle serviced for a brake issue dealership noticed that all four ball joints wore out prematurely, and the tie rods were defective. dealership could only replace the upper ball joint, but was unable to replace the lower once due to part being on back order. *ak

Noisy and unpredictable sound coming from suspension. warning light remains on. stalls and surges unpreditabley. reduced gas mileage. eratic electronic behavior, stops and restarts. even has eratic alarm responses.*ak

Vibration when applying brakes. warped rotors at only 27,000 miles when used only for commuting to and from work, mainly highway miles. was told that many things could cause premature wearing and or warping of the rotors such as heavy towing and high temp's. none of which the truck has endured. i do not/have not towed anything and furthermore the warping happened in the middle of winter so, high heat couldn't have been the cause either. i've done extensive research online and realize now that many other people are experiencing the same problems with this model and year. dodge will not assist with resolving the issue as they will only warranty rotors up to 12,000 miles. the other cases i've read about seem to happen at or within 10,000 miles. this is a serious issue that dodge needs to address and take responsibility of. not only the brake issue but i am also experiencing similar problems as others with the upper ball joints. mine have already had to be replaced because they were so loose that you could move them with your hand. dodge should be help accountable for these issues!!!! *nlm