1999 Dodge Dakota: harsh or hard shifting

7 of the 641 complaints about the 1999 Dodge Dakota describe harsh or hard shifting.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 1%
typical mileage: 45,623
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 13 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Harsh or hard shifting by model year

2008
1
2006
6
2005
4
2004
9
2003
7
2002
21
2001
15
2000
23
1999
7
1998
10
1997
5
1995
3

What owners say

Filed May 8, 2008 · Suspension · 69,000 miles · WI · 9 injuries

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.

Filed Apr 11, 2008 · Suspension · 6,000 miles · PA

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?????

Filed Jun 1, 2007 · Suspension · 40,000 miles · AK

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.

Filed Apr 2, 2007 · Suspension · 87,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed May 7, 2006 · Suspension · 45,623 miles · SD

Clunking in front end.

Filed Mar 17, 2005 · Suspension · 26,000 miles · AZ

I have a 1999 dodge dakota slt with about 26500 actual miles on it. I had the truck at the mechanic because of a nasty 'clunk' in the front end. Turned out the right ball joint was so worn that it needed to be immediately replaced; the left is showing unusual wear as well and will need to be addressed in the near future. I understand this is "fairly normal" for the 99 dakota. That doesn't make it acceptable.

Filed Jan 8, 2005 · Suspension · 105,000 miles · WI

1. Front suspension making clunking noises. Tires cupping. Steering felt loose. . I didnt allow the failure to occur. . Replaced upper and lower ball joints.