I pulled out of a parking lot and heard a loud thump coming from the passenger side of the truck. I got out and pulled on the top side of the wheel because it sounded like the wheels wanted to come off. When I pulled the tire moved an inch. Further investigation found the ball joint boot split in half and no sight of the back side control arm bushings.
1999 Dodge Dakota suspension complaints
Page 8 of 13: complaints 191 to 220 of 342, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving consumer the consumer heard a loud cracking noise coming from the front suspension. The dealership repaired the problem once, but problem recurred. *ak the problem was repaired for a second time.
Vehicle was taken for a routine general maintenance, and the mechanic noticed the upper ball joints worn out prematurely. Dealer and manufacturer has been notified.
Consumer complained about a ball joint problem. The mechanic determined that the rubber bushings wore out. *ak the consumer was told that the lower bushings were gone and that the upper ones were failing. The consumer found that others have experienced the same problems. There was a screeching noise when turning the wheel to the right or left. The service dealer found the left plate rubbing the rotor. *sc
While driving, a loud noise was heard coming from the front end of the vehicle. Upon having the vehicle inspected, the mechanic determined that the ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak the ball joint were worn. The upper and lower joints were loose and noisy, and the front brakes had rusted. *sc
When making sharp turn a popping noise was coming from the steering wheel. Took vehicle to mechanic who determined that ball joints needed to be replaced.*ak the reports were made when the vehicle had relatively low miles. Visual inspection of the ball joints indicated they needed to be replaced. The consumer received a quote to replace the upper ball joint but they have not been repaired yet. The lower ball joint also needs to be replaced. The consumer also heard a rattling noise under the vehicle. The technician determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced due to excessive wear. While driving 40 MPH or higher the consumer complained of wind noise. The technician replaced the right front door weather strip.
Consumer have rotors replaced twice. *la the consumer is now being told that the ball joints are cracked. The consumer stated that the vehicle was never driven off road therefore it is not normal and highly unusual for these types of abnormalities to exist. The consumer believes a recall should be initiated for this vehicle.
Had to relace front ball joints at 20,000 miles. Had to replace them again at 60,000. This time had mechanic replace them with ones that have nip so they can be lubricated.
Ball joints on 2000 dakota failing with only 35k mi. I went to the websitehttp://www.dodgedakotas.com/boards/v8/208.html....I think it pretty well sums up the problem...extremely cheap parts...how long will it take for dodge to recall these when people start dying from front end failure...you guy's need to read all of these complaints and look at the mileages shown. Because of the price I have not yet replaced the part...I just started driving my truck lately again after my son finished driving it to and from college and he did not say anything about it. I truly hope you do share this with chrysler corp because when I can go online and read so much collective info and see people with cheap ball joints breaking down at as low as 7k mi. If they do not react esp. When someone dies from a serious breakdown...I will never purchase another one of their vehicles.
While driving front upper/lower ball joints wore out. . This could cause the vehicle to shimmy. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
I have a 1999 dodge dakota 4x4. At 50,000 I installed new tires and took my truck to a mechanic for a wheel alignment. I recently moved and the mechanic was new, but had good reports. He told me that he could not do the alignment because of bad ball joints and tie rod ends. I was outraged, thinking that he might be trying to rip me off. I told him at 50,000 miles I should not have to get new steering parts, but the mechanic said that he has replaced ball joints and tie rod parts on several dakotas and durangos at that mileage. I told him to replace the parts and do the alignment. When I picked up my dakota, he showed me the parts, they were bad. I have worked for two large agricultural machinery manufacturers and have seen them cut costs by installing cheap chinese parts. The cost to produce the product goes down and the consumer price of the product goes up increasing the margins and lining the pockets of mr. Ceo and other higher ups without a concern to the consumer. It happens everywhere. This on the other hand is serious involving cheap parts on the steering components on a highway vehicle. This is a safety concern and I pray that dodge does not have blood on their hands if someone gets in an accident because of their neglegence. I have also had brake issues with my dakota. The dakota with the 5.2 goes like a bat out of hell, but the handling components such as steering and brakes are less than to be desired.
I have a dodge dakota,1999, all the ball joints are bad and dangerously worn. The biggest problem is they are the same as the durango!!!!! And I can't get them. They are out of stock all over at a cost of $2000.00approximately.!!!*ak I understand there is an investigation underway for the durango but did you realize the dakota is the same part.............. Not only cant I afford this repair it is a 53,000 mile vehicle that is well cared for and this is abosorbent and gouging the public. Please consider including the dakkota with the durang investigation. Thank you frank yunits sr.
While traveling consumer heard a noise coming from the front end. A technician serviced the vehicle and determined lower ball joints needed replacement.*ak
Replacement of ball joints and additional parts that were wornout, and the truck had only 68,000 miles, $900 repair costs, definitely a hazard that could have been averted by the manufacturer, and I would like reimbursemnt for my problem that alot of vehicles of chrysler-dailmer dodge dakota p/uhas had.
While driving at any speed and when making a turn heard a knocking noise coming from the front end. Consumer could pull the steering wheel with his hands and hear a knocking sound in the steering column. Dealer examined the vehicle twice and found nothing wrong. An alignment shop while attempting to realign the tires found that the upper ball joints were worn out.
During replacing brakes on 1999 dodge dakota 4x4 v8, (brake equipment froze on one side), mechanic heard noises and found that both upper ball joints were severely worn and in his opinion, ready to seperate (drivers side being worst). Veh. Has 70,000 miles and is in very good condition. The mechanic believes this to be unusual and abnormal wear to the vehicle. The ball joints are going to be replaced to avoid any hazardous driving conditions and I will save the parts if you request for later examination.
Lower ball joints had to be replaced on 99 dodge dakota at 66,000 miles.
While driving consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership, and mechanic determined that the right upper ball joint failed. *ak lower ball joint was recommended by the dealer that it needed replacement. In addition, wheel bearing were replaced.
While driving at any speed, the consumer can feel a wobble and hear a rattling sound coming from the front of the vehicle. Also the front tires began to wear out unevenly. A dealer examined the vehicle and found that all of the ball joints were worn. *nm vehicle has been in and out for repairs for ball joints, and vehicle only had 20,000 miles.
Consumer was driving approximately 45-50 MPH and noticed that front wheels were loose and were not responding well. Also, there was noise when wheels hit bumps or cracks in the road. Took vehicle to independent mechanic, and had the front upper ball joints replaced. Another independent mechanic determined that lower ball joints also needed replacement. *ak
Premature wear to upper and lower ball joints on 1999 dodge dakota. Dealership quoted $1000.00 to fix! I put new tires on the truck and they were unable to do an allignment because of this problem. It's seems very unsafe.
Faulty ball joints and bushings in the front suspension failed before 50,000 miles. This could create a condition where the front wheel assembly breaks off from the vehicle and cause a major accident.
Dealership has told me that the front ball joints on my dodge dakota are bad. When I asked if this was normal with only 56,000 miles on a vehicle they became very evasive and would not give an answer. I asked if chrysler was helping their customers on this issue. I was told they were taking care of some of them but they would not help me. The first 2 years I had this vehicle it was in the shop 23 times for repairs. I had to go through arbitration twice while the vehicle was still under warranty because chryslers regional manager told the dealership not to work on it anymore. They refused to honor the factory warranty. Now they want $1,100 to repair a defect that requires $150 worth of parts.
Car became difficult to steer. Next day took it to a repair shop. They diagnosed problem as ball joints.both are completely worn out should have been replaced a long time ago. Repair estimate $1,000. This is a 1999 dodge dakota pickup truck.
Upper and lower ball joints were severely worn out. While pulling onto shop parking lot to be repaired the upper ball joint on the passenger side separated.
Since I bought the dakota I have had problems with front end alignment, weraring of tires and breaks and other items associated with suspension. The vehicle pulls to the right. As I drive down the road the vehicle has a wobble in the front end,causing abnormal wear on the tires stress on the breaks and hideous noise. Presently the wheel sounds as if it is going to fall off making a grinding noise as I drive down the road. I have recently replaced the full break assembly(rotors, shoes,calipers,bearings etc). The noise is getting progressively worse. Th e nois might even be considered a public nuisance. The noise is so bad that innocent pedestrains look at my vehicle in shock and awe of the terrible racket as I drive past. The dealer caims that I need control arms. This will cost quite a bit in addition to what I have already invested in the dakota (22k + repairs to suspension and interest). I could have made a decent down payment on a new dodge with what I have spent on the dakotas front end. I have seen several complaints on the above issues and believe that dodge should do the right and safe thing by issuing a recall.. The recall cannot come soon enough. Am I safe driving the dakota?
Within the past 2 weeks, I saw a news story on either the today or early show regarding the safety problems with ball joints on dodge durangos and dakotas. I started noticing a problem with my 1999 dakota last year and fortunately had it checked out before it caused an accident. I ended up having both the left and right upper ball joints replaced.
Due to news info concerning dodge dakato ball joint failures, we took our 1999 dodge dakota, with 52,000 total miles on it, to our local dealer to have the ball joints checked on march 15, 2004. We were informed by their shop that they are bad and ready to fail and should be replaced. Their quote to replace them is $775.37!!! This is premature failure and there should be a recall!
While driving consumer heard a loud grinding noise coming from the front driver side of the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
I along with everyone else that owns a late model (1998-2002) dodge dakota or durango have been told I need to replace my ball joints. Since damler chrysler is being flooded with complaints about the weak material used in these model years I feel it is their responcability to fix the weak componants.
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