Heard a lot of squeaking and clunking, took to dealer and was told upper ball joints have gone bad along with inner tie-rods. This would cost around $1200 to fix, that cost could be reduced alot if a person could find non-oem parts but instead you are forced to buy from dodge and then you cant even buy the individual tie-rods you have to buy the entire steering assembly. Dodge knows this is a problem and did help with the cost of the parts but this is not something that should go out on a vehicle with only 45000 miles, especially when if either part had failed completely I could have lost total control of the vehicle.
2000 Dodge Dakota steering complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 68 of 68, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The vehicle was taken to repair shop for heater core replacement. The mechanic was on a test drive when the tie rod broke. *ak
2000 dodge dakota worn out ball joints on front of truck. Was told this is a very common problem on all dakota's of this type by several mechanics. There is no way to grease the ball joints . Was told parts are in very high demand due to so many trucks with failures. My truck pulls to the right very badly .
Consumer was complaining about a power steering problem. While driving through an intersection power steering locked. Vehicle was then towed.
At about 30,000 miles premature failure of upper control arms, ball joints, tie rods and then tires and allignment costing over $1200 on 2000 dodge dakota 2wd . *
Purchased 2000 dodge dakota. Quad cab summer 2002, approximately 20,000 miles at time of purchase. Vehicle covered under warranty at that time. Had problems with steering. The wheel would jerk from side to side as if the power steering would engage and then disengage during a turn. Brought to dealer. They said they fixed problem by replacing steering column. Problem was not fixed. Returned to dealer. Replaced bearings in column during second repair. Did not fix problem. Returned again, dealer(formerly courtesy dodge, norwich, ct) stated that they sold there warranty to another dealership and they could not make repair. I would have to take to other dealership. Taken to other dealer ship but at this time problem had not been fixed and vehicle was over 36,000 miles. Dealer said I would have to fill out forms and that it was unlikely the repair would be authorized. How is it if the repair was never completed that they are allowed to wait until warranty expires and say too bad. I was then recalled by the military and had to drive my vehicle to new jersey so the repair was never completed. Thanks, now courtesy kia. I wish I could conduct my business like the dealers. Just ignore the problem and it will go away!!!!!!!. Im not finished with this yet!!!! Jpl.
Tie rods and ball joints failed prematurely, causing the left front tire to blow out at 10,000 miles. Also, the rim was destroyed.
While driving the vehicle hit a bump and jumped off the road. The dealer determined that the upper/lower ball joints and the left outer tie rod end was worn out and must be replaced. Please provide any additional information.
My 2000 dodge dakota r/t has just under 50,000 miles and was diagnosed with faulty upper ball joints. Along with a slew of front suspension components including tie rods, sway bars, and lower control arms.
Tie rod broke on a 2000 dodge dakota.*mr when returning home, the consumer turned the corner and the vehicle seemed to slide. Immediately it began to shake side to side like a washing machine with an uneven load. The consumer managed to get off the road onto a parking lot. Consumer first thought it was a flat tire, but it wasn't. A man and woman who saw the vehicle shaking, stopped to see if the consumer needed help. The man went to look at the vehicle and noticed the tie rod was broken on the right side after looking under the vehicle. Consumer reported the failure to the manager on august 4,2003 and he stated there wasn't a recall and he wasn't sure if other dodge dakota's experienced the same failure. Consumer was informed that the vehicle wouldn't be covered under warranty and there was nothing they could do. *ph
The power steering cooler line was chaffed(rubbed a hole) from a bigger power steering hose with a guard on it. Chaffed line turned into a leak of the power steering fliud, which in time will cause power steering pump failure to the system. The vehicle this is on, is a 2000 dodge dakota quad cab pickup. Has a 4.7l v-8 engine w/ automatic. Has about 60,000 miles on it at time of leak being noticed .
Upper control arms loose, defective, plus steering linkage needs to be replaced.
Power steering fails. Lose control of steering at highway speeds after about 1.25 hours. First occurance in august 2002, then october, 2002. Did not drive on highway for extended period until august 2003 - failed again and again on mountain roads, exits, straightaways while passing, gentle curves. November 2002 dealer replaces rack and pinion and bushings at 23,997 miles. August 18, 2003, 31424 miles, dealer replaces column, intermediate shaft and bolt per starline. Sep 3, 2003, 31904 miles, dealer replaces all four control arms - cannot replicate problem as they will not drive the required miles, I'm their test dummy. The knobs for air conditioning also broke at this time - charged to fix this. Manufacturer says to contact dealer, dealer won't drive necessary miles - I still have to check the sep 3 repair to see if it really fixed the problem. Each time the alignment is out and they will not fix this as part of the warranty item although I maintain my vehicles' alignment. The brakes have been relined at 26k miles because the dealer said they were shuddering - which I had not experienced until they repaired them. Shocks have been replaced, have been trying to get the rear struts replaced due to excessive sway and loss of control when carrying a load, another thing they claim not to replicate.
Consumer stated that while driving the vehicle would only shift to neutral. Dealer notified. *ph when the vehicle was in 3rd gear it went to neutral and the engine RPM's increased for a short period of time when the transmission should have changed to 4th gear. The vehicle had been to the service dealer 6 times for repairs. There was a vibration in the front of the vehicle due to warped rotors. Faulty wheel bearings caused a popping noise in the steering when the consumer made left turns. *scc
Consumer stated that while driving and without warning the front passenger side tie rod snapped. Dealer notified. *ak the consumer pulled off the road into a parking lot, then backed up, and the tie rod snapped off. The tie rod had gone through the rim on the right front tire which all had to be replaced. The problem was reported to dodge and they did not respond. *scc
Numerous front suspension problems. Bad ball joint/control arm assemblies/ bad tie-rods/bad shock absorbers, and bad strut bushings. All of these issues have been replaced by the dealer. Most of the problems started at about 15000 miles, and have continued. Way too many problems at low miles. I still have problems at 51000 miles.
Power steering pump went bad, causing a major leak of power steering fluid to be sprayed throughout the engine compartment, causing both the power steering to fail while driving and causing the drive train belt to begin slipping.
Vehicle is experiencing slack in the steering column. Also, there is a problem with the rack and pinion steering. Right side of the vehicle is causing the tires to wear unevenly. There is a rattling and squeaking noise in the front right side. *ak
Consumer states while driving approx 45 MPH vehicle's power steering failed w/o warning. Checked by dlr who advised rack and pinion failed. Mr
Consumer states the shaft under the hood fell apart at the gear box, this caused consumer complete steering loss. Please provide any further information.
While driving 20-25 MPH and without warning left tie rod fell off, causing vehicle to become inoperative. Dealer has been notified; however, stated it was caused by wear and tear.
While driving 35 MPH vehicle started to shake and could not turn. After stopping and looking at vehicle saw front tie rod had come apart.towed vehicle to dealer who determined tir rod came apart and the upper and lower ball joints are bad.
While driving 10 MPH, vehicle started to shake violently. Consumer attempted to exit main road, but could not control steering, vehicle hit a curb and came to a rest, vehicle was towed to dealer who determined front tie rod had come apart. *ak
While backing up she could not straighten wheels, had vehicle towed to dealer who is replacing a broken tie rod at this time, side unknown.
The steering wheel feels loose on the steering column. The vehicle regularly makes popping sound. The consumer believes the vehicle was unsafe to operate.
When steering to left or to right a noise will occur. Dealer replaced steering shaft once, and steering column twice, but noise still occurs. *ak rear brake drums and front brake rotors failed.
Consumer noticed a popping sensation coming from front end. *ak left front ball joint replaced, steering shaft freplaced, however popping noise still exists. Consumer states vehicle pulls to the right and there is tire wear.
There is play in the steering column. The steering wheel will move approximately 1/8 to 1/4" up and down. The dealer claims it's because of the collaspable steering column.
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