Lower passenger side ball joint failure.
1998 Dodge Dakota suspension complaints
Page 7 of 8: complaints 161 to 190 of 217, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Upper ball joint failure.
Lower driver's sider ball joint failure.
The upper ball joints were replaced under warranty at approximately 30,000 miles. They were making a thumping noise when simultaneously turning a corner and going over a bump. The problem reappeared and the ball joints were replaced again approximately 25,000 miles later with aftermarket units. Upon close examination of the oe units there was excessive play and the grease was hard.
I have had numerous problems with my 1998 dodge dakota. I purchased it brand new. 2 months after 8/98 purchase date, the transmission went out. The brakes have had to be replaced several times, the map sensor went out while driving down the highway causing the vehicle to shut down. I recently had to replace the lower ball joints. The seat belts come off entirely too easy. All of this and the vehicle only has 39,000 miles on it. I sent arbitration papers to chrysler twice with no response.
The upper and lower ball joints on both sides broke, causing the greasing fit to leak. Consumer was concerned that the front end will collapse.
During inspection it was determined that the upper and lower ball joints were warped and must be replaced.
1998 dodge dakota, upper arm ball joint defect. A story on cbs news last night has prompted me to submit this complaint. September 2000, noise on the right front side of truck prompted me to stop at a dodge dealer to check it out, found the right upper arm ball joint was so bad that the service manager said I could have lost the wheel on the highway at the speed limit causing potentially serious accident. The arm was replaced under warranty (34853 miles). I recently purchased 4 new tires for the truck and asked the dealer to do a front end alignment (59423), he tried and said he could not because the ball joints were defective. I had no indication at this time there was a problem with the ball joints until I tried to get an alignment to protect the new tires, I got a second opinion with the same response. I went to the dodge dealer and confirms that all 4 ball joints in the front end were bad, lower and upper. Dealer said it happens occasionally, but I have less than 60,000 miles on the truck and it is my third ball joint on the upper front. This time there was no indication of a problem and it cost me over $1100 to fix as it was no longer under warranty was lucky since the there was no accidents, the problem was caught in time. There is no doubt in my mind that the ball joints used on the dodge dakota are defective and do not last, in my case the replaced ball joint in september 2000 lasted less than 24,000 miles understand there is a class action law suit in progress, can you provide any information on this, chrysler/daimler needs to stand up and fix the problem before there is a tragedy.
Worn front wheel bearing & excessive wear on upper & lower ball joints.
I have a 1998 2wd dodge dakota that has suffered from excessive front tire wear since new. The dealer could never seem to find a cause for this and the vehicle has cost me a fortune in replacement tires and front end alignments. With the vehicle out of warranty, an independent front end shop recently replaced the lower ball joints, inner tie rod ends and right-side upper control arm bushings. It is too early to tell if these repairs have corrected this long-standing (67,000 miles) problem, but because this truck has the same front suspension as the dodge durango currently under investigation, I am submitting this complaint.
Failure of upper ball joints on my 1998 dodge dakota pickup truck at 49052 miles.ould get no satisfaction from dealer.
Upper ball joint premature wear.
While turn a corner in my 1998 dodge dakota I heard a bang. Looked around under the truck I did not see anything broken. Took truck to tire shop to have front tires rplaced and they told me that the ball joints need to be replaced. I have found out that there is an ongoing investigation by your staff intop the dodge durango (pe03032). The durango and dakaota have the same front ends underneath them. If there is a finding of defective parts in the durango is should also apply to the dakota.
Front ball joint early failure on 1998 dakota. Front upper ball joints are experincing early failures. Same suspension components as durango.
Advised by authorized chrysler service to replace both left and right, upper and lower ball joints and left and right lower control arms for excessive wear at 46059 miles. Cost $1478 plus tax. One mechanic said this is same premature problem experienced on ddodge durango.
Consumer states that vehicle wonders all over the road. Took to dealer and dealer replaced the tie rods, ball joints, upper control arm. Consumer states six months later problem reoccured. Please provide any further information.
While traveling on the highway without prior warning the right control arm bolt became loose. The dealership is aware of the problem. Nlm consumer compalined of a noise on numerous occasions before the incident occured.
The tires have been replaced twice due to wear on the outside edge of the front tires. Had the front end aligned each time and the mechanic stated minor adjustment. The problem seems to be the camber, the last mechanic I talked to (8/29/202) stated that has had several dogde dekotas in with the same problem and the dealers state that there is no problem.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Consumer stated the front wheel bearings keeps wearing out. When applying the brakes the vehicle vibrates. Also when making a sharp left turn the front wheel feels as though it skips. The dealer has been contacted. Nlm
Headlights flickering, problems with sway bar links and upper control arms noticed inspection, if parts fail completely total loss of steering would occur.
At 32,000 miles consumer had both front lower ball joints replaced. Presently, problem has reoccurred. Informed that both lower ball joint needed to be replaced again. Dealer was contacted / not cover under a recall. Feel free to provide any further information concerning this matter.
Front lower joint had worn out. Could not get a wheel alignment because lower ball joint had worn out. Contacted dealer, and dealer had to replace ball joint. *ak
While brakes are applied at any speed there is vibration in steering column. There is also a noise coming from steering column during acceleration. Dealership has made no determination as to a cause for this problem. Please provide any additional information / attachments.
In 1999 steering was tight/ hard to turn, and difficult to steer. Consumer tookvehicle to dealer, and they replaced rack and pinion. Currently, vehicle needs another rack and pinion. *ak consumer states he thought he saw where there was a recall regarding steering on his vehicle. Ball joints need replaced, however shop could not get the pin out to make repairs. Front end needed alignment, it was out of specs.
While driving 35 MPH track bar broke off the frame. Consumer could not control vehicle. Contacted dealer, and dealer got 3 estimates. *ak consumer was informed by a welder that manufacturer did not properly weld bracket to frame the track support bar supports the entire steering assembly.
The first ball joint on the right side had to be replaced at just over 36000 miles. It was covered under the warrantee. The 2nd. Ball joint failed at apr 62000 miles. I contacted chrysler but they said it was my responsibility. I find it hard to believe that with just 62000 mi. I've had to replace 2 ball joints. It seems to me that the 1998 dodge dakota has a problem and that they are the one's that should be responsible not me.. What would have happened if these ball joints would have failed doing 70 on I-75. I guess chrysler wants to wait until someone gets killed before they will fix the problem. Thanks for listening.
Lower control arm broke from vehicle because it was not welded to vehicle. Manufacturer has been notified.
The a-arm/bushing failed causing an accident, the front end always felt unstable and after numerous repairs the problem seemed to get worse not better. Nlm
Rotors (front discs) warp extemely quickly because of cylinder seal. Seal is allowing brake pads to remain in contact with rotors. Braking at high speed causes the front end to vibrate and is very difficult. Rotors turned and pads replaced at 36000, and is needed again at 59000. This vibration is also causing the front end to get out of alignment very quickly. In 59000 it has required 4 major alignments and is now in need of 5th.
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