1999 Dodge Dakota: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Mar 12, 2017 · Suspension · MD

Nouse coming from the front of the truck every time you hit a bump. Mechanic said all the ball joints were bad.he said they should be recalled ,there was no place to grease them causing them to rust and wear out .bad cheap way dodge makes there vehicles. What happen to the days when dodge made good safe cars and trucks.

Filed Oct 14, 2016 · Suspension · 63,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge dakota. The contact stated that the lower ball joints for the front suspension fractured without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed by the dealer. The contact stated that the parts to repair the vehicle were no longer available. The vehicle was not able to be repaired. The contact purchased a lower control arm to repair the vehicle; however, it did not correct the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

Filed Sep 2, 2014 · Suspension · 171,000 miles · TX

Pulled out of driveway and started down street could not control vehicle. The 1999 dodge dakota r/t started screeching. I immediately applied the brake to see what was problem and the vehicle veered to the right. I was able to stop the vehicle in the middle of the street but could not turn the vehicle's wheel except on one side. I got out of vehicle and noticed that the front passenger wheel was turned towards the right while the left wheel was straight. I looked underneath vehicle and observed the lower control arm on right side of vehicle was broke from the frame or weld. The control arm was hanging from the frame of the vehicle broken away from the weld. I also have pics of the lower control arm break.

Filed Jul 8, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 158,000 miles · PA

I got the '99 dakota about 7 months ago and liked it drove pretty good even through the week when it was all single digits no problem. Then once it started to warm up into the mid to high teens and up to then 60s and 70 it would shake at least twice a week. It always seemed to start at about 45 then once the engine warmed up it would stop. That stopped now that its in the 80s and 90s. Now I barely have power steering and looking at it, it seems to be the intermediate steering column shaft which looking at all the complaints I'm surprised you haven't looked into it for it to be recalled by now along with the tie rods, ball joints, etc. These things seem to be falling apart at the front. I just hope nobody dies before this is fixed.

Filed Dec 30, 2009 · Body, Suspension · 134,467 miles · MO

Faulty weld at front lower control arm[rt side] control arm weld failed from inadequate penetration nearly resulting in loss of wheel and crash. No evidence of any damage to any other part of vehicle to cause weld failure.

Filed Nov 17, 2009 · Suspension · 11,246 miles · NJ

Ball joint failure.

Filed Oct 15, 2009 · Electrical, Engine · 138,000 miles · OK

I own a 1999 dodge dakota v-8 magnum 5.2l, it only has 138,000 miles on it. When I bought it it only had 76,600 miles. In that little time I have had to replace the upper and lower ball joints twice, and the rack and pinion, and the water pump, the thermostat, the power steering pump, the tie rods, and there is so much more wrong. Why am having to replace these things twice in such little mileage? After reading up on it through the internet I am not the only one with these problems, there are hundreds of people with the same complaints, why is there a recall on the 2000, & 1998 but not 1999? I am out so much money and have almost wrecked my truck twice because of these problems, once with 6 kids in the car with me and again with my 3 kids. This needs immediate attention before several people get hurt or worse, die!!!

Filed Sep 28, 2009 · Brakes, Steering · PA

1999 dodge dakota had ball joints and tie rod ends replaced. Now the consumer has a problem with the brake line and wants to know about any recall information for this vehicle. *nj the consumer was informed the brake line looked a little worn. Within a week after the ball joints and tie rods were replaced the brakes went out. The consumer returned to his mechanic and had the brake line replaced.

Filed Jun 14, 2009 · Suspension · 61,749 miles · WA

Dodge dakota 4x4 required replacement of front suspension upper and lower ball joints. Wear of ball joints resulted in premature, rapid destruction of a set of tires due to inner shoulder wear. Set of 4 tires had to be replaced at approximately 1/2 of expected tread life. Total repair cost due to premature failure of ball joints, including new tires, was $1384.93 condition of ball joints was hazardous and could have resulted in an accident through suspension or tire failure. Condition was also difficult to notice, as the wear was on inner shoulder of front tires. The ball joint and tire wear was not identified during a thorough inspection by an independent mechanic at 60586 miles or by a dodge dealership during 60,000 mile service performed at 60789 miles. Dodge is aware of the safety hazard of the front ball joints on these vehicles, however did not notify me of the condition. I am the original vehicle owner, and these are original miles. Dodge has declined to assist in the cost of repair.

Filed Apr 27, 2009 · Suspension · 35,300 miles · OH

Shaky steering wheel, shaky vehicle,left front tire cupping, wearing unevenly. Alignment shop cannot align, said ball joints are defective. Vehicle unsafe, now parked awaiting disposition from mfger. Dealer notified.

Filed Apr 21, 2009 · Suspension · 32,904 miles · IL

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge dakota. While driving 15 MPH or less, the contact heard a loud thumping noise underneath the front passenger side of the vehicle. The noise intensified whenever a turn was made. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the ball joints failed. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic and the front passenger side ball joints were replaced. The failure recurred years later and the upper ball joints were replaced at 59,244 miles. The contact believes that the chrysler ball joints do not have greasers, which the new replacement ball joints have along with a lifetime warranty. He believes that the manufacturer should issue a recall. The first time the ball joints failed, the contact was forced to replace them with chrysler parts. He believes that this is why they failed a second time. The failure mileage was 32,904 and current mileage is 59,244. Updated 05/26/09 *bf the consumer replaced the ball joints at his expense. Updated 05/28/09.

Filed Feb 6, 2009 · Engine, Suspension · FL

Premature ball joint failure resulting in extensive repair costs, premature transmission failure resulting in replacement of transmission, excessive oil sludge build up causing loss of oil pressure, possible damage to engine.