Noticed improper tire wear on the front end. Took for an inspection and all ball joints were found to be in need of replacement. Mechanic stated that the they could have failed at any time.
1997 Dodge Dakota suspension complaints
Page 4 of 6: complaints 71 to 100 of 142, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Ball joints defective-taken to dealer parts not available-vehicle unsafe according to dealer-no re-call issued yet - may re-call later-various accidents were reported nation wide-of front wheels falling off!!!!!!!
During a routine inspection dealerships informed consumer that front upper ball joints were worn out.
While having vehicle serviced technician determined upper and lower ball joints needed replacement.
Premature failure of ball joints & lower steering column u-joints. Upper ball joints need to be replaced again.
1997 dodge dakota - ball joint problems - premature wear. Also causing tires to prematurely wear and scalp.
Failure of upper and lower ball joints.
While driving there was a popping noise in the front end, and vibration in the steering wheel and the rear seat. State inspector noticed that front tires had play in them while inspecting the truck, and told the consumer that the upper ball joints needed to be replaced.
The dealership refused to perform a front end alignment because the truck's upper and lower ball joints were worn.
I have a dodge dakota that is a 1997 model. I have replaced the ball joints at under 30,000 miles and I now have ones my machanic says are bad and need replaced. I was a ware of this problem before. My machanic thought it was very unusual for them to wear out so fast
Ball joints failed.
While driving consumer heard a loud noise coming through the front end. Dealership informed consumer that front lower arm ball joint wore out.
Lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to permature wear. *ak
Upper ball joints wore out prematurly.
While driving, the consumer heard a noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The consumer took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who replaced the upper ball joints due to deterioration. *jb the ball joints were worn.
Upper and lower ball joints needed replacement. *ph (nar) the vehicle was taken to a tire service facility for a front end alignment due to noticeable right front tire wear. Once the technician looked at the vehicle he determined that the vehicles upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The vehicle wa taken to the dealer who indicated that the ball joints were within specs. The consumer had the ball joints replaced despite the dealer findings. The consumer request reimbursement from the manufacturer.
Upper and lower ball joints failed at 77,000 miles. *ak the vehicle started squeaking over slight bumps and worsened to squeaking all of the time, the steering wheel began to make unusual noises when turning, and coolant leaked from the engine. *sc
Have a 1997 dodge dakota 4 wheel drive, 5.2l v8. Heard knocking sporadic noises in front suspension. Took it to dodge dealership who informed me that ball joints need to be replaced. In doing some research this seems to be a serious and dangerous problem with dakotas. If I wouldn't have taken mine in to be looked at, it could have resulted in a serious accident. I have ask dodge for my old ball joints so that I can have them as evidence. Dodge is charging about $600 for the repair. It doesn't seem fair that dodge is making money of the repair of a ball joint that shouldn't have needed it in the first place. Dodge should issue a service advisory and this type of repair should be handled free of charge.
1997 dodge dakota upper and lower balljoints have failed pre-maturely. I currently am experiencing loud noises from the front of the vehicle when riding over small bumps. My mechanic stated that the upper and lower balljoints need to be replace on both sides of the vehicle. I am the orginal owner of this vehicle and it has never been used off paved roads.
While driving steering wheel is very loose. When riding over bumps in the road there is a rattling noise in the front end. Mechanic says there is excessive wear in the ball joints. *ak the rubber boot on top of the ball joints were busted.
I own a 1997' dodge dakota v8 long bed standard cab pick-up with only 32000 origional miles. The ball joints are bad and I have to have them replaced. I went to look up how to replace them and discovered the problem is wide spread. Sears mechanics were suprised that the ball joints were so worn with so few miles on the vehicle.
The front tires experienced uneven tread wear. Dealership was unable to perform a front end alignment because all 4 ball joints wore out prematurely.
I had to replace the lower ball joints in my 1997 dodge dakota @ 72,000 miles. I believe this failure was premature.
My 1997 dodge dakota has had to have both upper and lower ball joints replaced on both sides, twice since I bought the truck in 1999.
Failure of upper ball joints at approx. 80000 miles. Failure identified because ofsevere front tire wear. Had upper ball joints replaced, but this did not correct tire wear. Took truck to another dealer, and they explained that I had to have the lower ball joints replaced also because "you never just replace the upper, you have to replace the lower one's also" this corrected the tire wear problems. The dates are estimates, I would have to search thru my records or the records of the dodge dealers for exact dates. I keep all the paper work, so a search is available if needed. Vin is available, I just don't have it here at work.
Vehicle vibrated while driving. Dealer replaced the left upper ball joint twice.
Replace both sides of upper and lower ball joints at 60k and 120k despite using the best grease in them synthetic. I've complained about the seat back before since new it falls back. Front bucket.
Lower ball joints had to be reply at 40000 miles also all rubber seals on top and on all steering arms are gone, truck had extended warranty but they would only reply the lower joints because they were ready to fail, warranty company would not replace upper ball joints or any of the steering assembly even though they are dry and will probably fail with-in the next 5000 miles/ truck had only 100 miles left on warranty... Also have had to have the catalitic converter repl 3 times.
We had to replace the ball joints on our '97 dodge dakota after 49,000 miles because it became dangerous to drive our truck. This also affected the wear of our tires which we had to replace at the same time. Also, the brakes have never worked right, they were replaced at just over 30,000 miles. We would like to be reimbursed for the defective ball joints we had replaced. Ideally, we'd like to also be compensated for the premature wear on the tires, but realize that might be asking too much. How do we find out how to become part of the class action suit against daimler-chrysler? (it was still dodge when we bought the dakota) fortunately, my husband was aware of the danger the ball joints created and we had them replaced before an accident occurred. Help! Thanks for your time.
1997 dodge dakota, VIN#[xxx]: defective ball joints for the second time in 8000 miles. The first replacement was needed @ 30,000mi, but not done until 55,668mi. 2nd set wore beyond .19" 8000mi later. Lithia dodge's remarks: not life threatening, just keep them greased.*ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
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