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.
1999 Dodge Dakota suspension complaints
Page 2 of 13: complaints 11 to 40 of 342, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge dakota sport. In june of 2008, the wheel bearings were replaced on the vehicle. In september and december of 2008 and again in january of 2009, the front wheel bearings were replaced. The contact stated the vehicle has never been taken to get serviced professionally. While driving at any speed, a clicking sound is heard coming from the wheels. The front wheel bearings have failed five times before while driving. This is currently the sixth occurrence and the contact would like some assistance. The failure mileage was 180,000.
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.
I have had to replace both front wheel bearings, they failed. Now I have to replace front ball joints. Why is this not being recalled? Is my safety not a concern to dodge or the federal safety agency? I have already been stranded on the highway at midnight, thanks.
Caliper bolts separating from spindle causing caliper to fall on to brake rotor. Loss of braking to wheel, difficulty steering vehicle. Spindle (steering knuckle) had to be drilled out and re tapped and threaded. Heli coils (9m) installed to hold caliper bolts. New calipers and rotors installed. Further inspection determined that upper ball joint failed. All ball joints will be replaced since the upper ones are not serviceable and I do not trust the lower ones. There has been no recalls for model year 1999 dakota however there are several tsb's #050399, 0200600 and several thousand complaints on the internet. Why hasn't this safety issue been addressed by the federal safety agency?
The dodge dakota, 1999 model, has a recall given to the ball joints that were installed during the manufacturing process. I own the dodge dakota, 1999 model. Also my ball joints have gone bad leading to uneven tire wear. These original ball joints also have no grease fittings for regular greasing. I have already spent countless hours replacing faulty parts going bad on my dodge dakota. I will not continue. I expect to get some kind of reply back on how we can work something out to replace the faulty ball joints on my dodge dakota. Especially when there is a recall on them. Thank you christopher perrone
I currently own a 1999 dodge dakota 5.2l 4wd ext. Cab. I have had upper ball joints replaced at about 65,000 mile range by the dealer and paid for the repairs. Now I am at 94,000 and now the lower ball joints are bad. Also my inner tie rod. I am seeing alot of complaints about the balls joints on this year causing major issues. I have seen there was a recall of 2000-2003 but what about 1999 year? Isn't it the same front end as the other years? Also had to replace the rear differential ABS speed sensor. Now I have read many places regarding the front suspension issue along with the ABS and brake light showing on dashboard and is because of a bad sensor in rear differential. What is the possibility of dodge reimbursing me money towards upper ball joints and fixing my lower ball joints and tie rod for free?
Ball joints failed on vehicle. One ball joint broke and took out the brakes. Was on freeway when heard clunking noise. Got off freeway and had the vehicle towed. Dealer said that I could have been killed if I would have continued driving.
Ball joints failed on all four wheels. Left front ball joint broke and burned out the brakes. Brakes failed.
I have had so many problems with this vehicle, I don't know where to begin. After purchasing this vehicle new, within the first year and several trips to the dealership for a clunking noise which got louder and faster as I accelerated the dealer couldn't figure out what it was. After picking it up the umteenth time, the noise was still there, I drove back to the dealership demanding they figure it out. They put there qa tech on it and discovered it was the drive shaft. That was replaced and I have had nothing but problems with the transmission slipping, the tires prematurely wearing, ball joints have been replaced several times. They were replaced in december 07 the last time, less than a year before the last time, along with new tires. It is now april 11, 2008 and I was just told after servicing the vehicle they need replaced again and the tires are wearing. The air conditioning failed several times, the brakes and rotors wear bi-annually and don't stop properly, after about 60,000 miles, the computer went on this vehicle, leaving me stranded many, many times. It was at the dealership several times for this and they couldn't detect the problem, even after my personal mechanic told them what it was. I had to have this fixed on my own because the dealership couldn't. The front passenger seat belt sticks and is difficult to unfastened, the paint on this vehicle is almost completely gone from everywhere but the sides of the vehicle. The serious safety issues with this vehicle are ridiculous and really need to be addressed by the manufacturer. How many deaths are you waiting for to occur before you make the manufacturer accountable for their defects??? Is it going to take a death to occur and chrysler to be sued for their neglect and faulty equipment?????
My upper ball joints have failed on my 1999 dodge dakota ex cab. I have been informed of many similar failures from this year/make/model. I have read the recall on certain models of dakotas with this failure. Will my vehicle be covered by this recall? I can supply any further vehicle information that is needed if necessary. Please advise, my vehicle is currently disabled due to this. Thankfully there was no crash, bodily harm, or other injuries. Thanks.
Front and rear suspension- all 4 ball joints worn and causing the suspension to shift when driving. When the suspension shifted, it was pulling/pinching the brakeline causing erractic brake function.
Ball joints for the 1998-2004 dodge trucks were faulty, I could not believe after all the complaints received that nothing has ever been done about this faulty parts that could lead to serious injury or death. You could do a search for faulty ball joints on the web and there are thousands of complaints about these ball joints wearing out after sometimes 20,000 miles this is ridiculous and dangerous you guys should be ashamed for not holding dodge responsible for fixing these especially when there was a recall for the 2000 model year. Yet no other years yet I am sure that they used that same ball joint for all of those model years.
Truck died in downtown denver. No bus"on digital odometer. Took to dealership for wire harness connector replacement, but it was still failing.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge dakota. While driving 5 MPH, the contact heard a clunking noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The dealer stated that the upper ball joint needed to be replaced and performed the repair. Approximately three years later, she experienced the same failure. There is recall # 04v596000 for the upper ball joints for model years 2000-2003. The contact feels that her vehicle should be included. The current mileage is 72,000 and failure mileage was 40,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge dakota. The contact stated that the vehicle was not included in safety recall # 04v59600 due to the VIN ,specifically for the dodge durango. On march 16, 2007, while driving at 0-5 MPH, the contact heard a clunking sound near the front of the vehicle. The following day, the clunking sound increased, and the contact noticed the front control arm upper ball joints were becoming detached from the vehicle. The contact would like the vehicle repaired under the safety recall. The current and failure mileage were 87,000.
The front end started making popping and other metallic sounding noises at slow speeds. When I raised it up and looked, the rubber boots on the ball joints were in tatters! I went to replace them and have been told that they are a "dealer item" and that daimler-chrysler only provides a whole upper and lower control arms with ball joint for replacement as a whole unit. While I have nearly 45 years of automotive service background this is a travisty of the n'th degree!. You produce a defective unit and then screw the poor slob who bought one by making him pay an arm and a leg to replace a whole control arm that only has a bad ball joint on the end of it.
Tl* - the contact states that on 12/14/06, he took his 1999 jeep dakota sport in for a tire alignment because his tires were wearing unevenly. The mechanic told him that he couldn't do the alignment because all four ball joints upper and lower had gone bad. The contact did state that he had heard about the recall on the jeep liberty's and was concerned about his vehicle because he has the same problem. The contact states that he did contact chrysler corporation on 12/21/06 and was told his vehicle warranty had expired and it was his responsibility to repair the vehicle. The contact informed the chrysler representative that he has only had the vehicle for 1 1/2 years. The representative took his complaint and gave him a reference # 15798865.
Failed transmission, failed upper and lower ball joints failed rear differential and clear coat delamanting on all panels of truck.
The 1999 dodge dakota 4 x 4 I bought new has 48500 miles on it now. It's front end ball joints are failing and will need replacement to avoid an accident. This truck has has only been city and highway driven.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 25 MPH on normal road conditions, a squeaking sound was heard coming from the front driver's side. The vehicle was taken into an independent mechanic who replaced the front lower ball joints, but the problem persisted.
1999 dodge dakota ball joint failure.
Premature ball joint failure on 1999 dodge dakota. These vehicles should be added to the recall list of 2000-2003 dodge dakotas and durangos.
Dealer notified me that both ball joints and control arms are dangerously loose and need replaced. The federal safety agency campaign # 04v596000 specifies manufacture date from 01/07/1999 - 12/31/2002. My truck was build in march of 1999. They are claiming that I got lucky and my truck does not fall under the recall, yet I still have the problem. 1999 dodge dakota sport 4x4 VIN #[xxx]. *nm updated 07/12/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Safety recall the federal safety agency id 04v‑596 not honored dodge of bellevue 316 116 ave n.e bellevue, washington 98004 (425) 454-8411 luke blackwell (425) 454 8411 general manager failed to honor recall even though his mechanic stated there is a front end ball joint problem with my 1999 dodge dakota VIN [xxx]. Mechanic states- inner tie rods have excessive play. Rec replace left front lower ball joint has excessive play. Rec replace .dodge of bellevue invoice [xxx]. Subsequent inspection conveniently reports to the dealers advantage that the vehicle is in specification invoice [xxx]- please check and measure all 4 ball joints and advise need to contact chrysler upon inspection with measurements. Check all 4 ball joint all with specs -left front upper .010'' -lower .05'' right upper .020'' lower .010 all with in spc's right front upper has the most movement but is with in specs. File # with chrysler is [xxx]. I feel that chrysler is playing a numbers game with me - I want chrysler to replace the ball joints. *jb updated 07/16/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
I am on my second set of having to replace the ball joints on my 1999 dodge dakota at 89,000 miles. I know this is a common problem with all of dodge dakota's and durango's, and they were forced to deal with the 4wd models of 2000-2003. Mine, however, is a 1999 2wd model, and the ball joints are no better on mine. Fortunately, I have my truck checked enough that my wheels haven't fallen off yet, but I was told recently I was going to have to replace them again. I'm sick of paying for these, and dodge needs to finally admit their big screw ups on these.
Vehicle was brought to a mechanic for intermittent brake noise. While checking vehicle brakes, mechanic noticed both lower ball joints nearly pulled through spindle. Upper joints were visibly loose with excessive movement (factory spec is .060"; mechanic found .125"). Vehicle had steered and driven normally but could have had major suspension failure without giving any sign to operator that there is a potentially dangerous issue. Vehicle has 'low' (65k) miles for seven year old vehicle and is well maintained. Failed joints are not serviceable-sealed for life- a very short life, and cannot be lubricated. Design of suspension components' is poor resulting in wear that is excessive. No warning that failure is imminent causing potentially catastrophic results. All four ball joints were replaced.
Clunking in front end.
Dt*: the contact stated while having routine maintenance, the dealership determined the upper and lower ball joints were loose and needed to be replaced. There was a the federal safety agency recall, # 04v596000, regarding the upper ball joint; however, it was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
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