Kept feeling a vibration in the steering and an occasional clung. Took it into the dealer who diagnosed it to be a loose upper ball joint. The dealer replaced the upper left control arm and problem was resolved, but at my expense. I have been hearing about balljoint problems on these vehicles so I thought I would file a complaint to add my problem to the list.
2000 Dodge Dakota suspension complaints
Page 9 of 11: complaints 221 to 250 of 282, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Upper and lower ball joints premature wear out 45,000 miles .
The vehicle experienced premature wear of the upper ball joints that caused popping and rattling in the front suspension.
Consumer heard a noise coming from the left front tire. Consumer took the vehicle to gas station, and mechanic noticed that both upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to corrosion.
While rotating tires right front tire fell off with the lug nuts still in place. This occurred after consumer jacked the vehicle up. Ball joints split down the middle. Prior to this incident, front end would bounce upon coming to a complete stop. *ak 2000 dodge dakota passenger front tire fell off of vehicle during wheel rotation. The result of this occurence was due to the ball joints being spilt down the middle. The regular method of checking the ball joints did not reveal a defect.
The ball joints on my 2000 dodge dakota have failed with 41,000 miles on it.
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.
My wife's 2000 dodge dakota 4x4... Failed pennsylvania state safety inspection at 37,000 because of worn upper ball joints. Estimated repair cost $275. It's absurd that this important safety item wore out before the original equipment tires and dodge is demanding full price to correct an obvious manufacturing safety defect.
2000 dodge dakota sport 42,000 miles, ball joints need replacement.
Problems with vehicle's left upper ball joint.*mr while driving the consumer could hear a thumping noise coming from the left front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the left upper ball joint was bad. The manufacturer was contacted but denied any knowledge of the ball joint failures and refused reimbursement.
When having new tires put on my 2000 dodge dakota, they advised me that the eft front tie rod was loose. I contacted the dealer and got an appointment to have it looked at. They looked at it and said the tie rod was loose as well as the upper and lower ball joints. They said the ball joints were on national back order due to problems with other dodge models (durango). They would contact me when the parts came in. They called yesterday (11-18-03). I have an appointment for next tuesday, 11-25-03, to have it fixed. I have the extended warranty on my truck, and I only have 47,000+ miles on it. The warranty will pay for all but the $100 deductible and the $49.95 for the subsequent alignment that will be necessary. With all of the similar problems you have had with the dakotas, durangos, jeeps, etc. I feel like this should be a recall issue and that I should not have to pay for any of it. My husband says suspension problems like this shouldn't occur in vehicles with this low mileage. I do not use this vehicle hard. It does not pull anything, and it does not carry heavy loads. I am the only owner.
When driving over bumps steering wheel vibrated, making it difficult to control the vehicle. Consumer took vehicle to dealer to be inspected, and mechanic informed consumer that the upper ball joints were wearing prematurely.
Frequent popping feeling in the steering wheel coming from front suspension. Always relates to front suspension up/down movement. Several garages have inspected, but cannot locate problem. Suspect problem has to do with early sign of ball joint failure. Dealer admits history front suspension and ball joint problems in this model.
The right front upper ball joint broke then the front axle broke and caused the wheel to fall off. Causing my husband to lose control of the vehicle and ending up in a 10-12 ft deep ditch with water.
Upper balljoints on my 2000 dodge dakota were badly worn out and took it to kirkwood dodge several times and they did not fix it. Then took it to newark dodge and they found the problem and fixed it but my warranty had expired so I had to pay full price. I was lucky that nothing bad happened while driving but still the danger was there. I want chrysler to reimburse me for the car rental and the cost of the work that got done to my truck.
When making a stop or turning a corner vehicle made noise in the front end.
I have a safety concern with my front suspension on my 2000 dakota quad cab 4x4. I hear a popping noise coming from the front shock and control arm area. I also notice excessive abnormal wear on recently new tires. I also hear a lot of tire noise when driving and some front end shake.
2000 dodge dakota with only 13,531 miles has upper ball joint failure.
2000 dodge dakota, bought with 27,200 miles, ball joints progressively gotten worse in two years time and unable to replace parts vehicle now has 74,000 miles a vehicle this young should not have this type of problems.
While driving at low speeds there was a loud thumping noise coming from the front. Mechanic informed the consumer that it was due to front ball joint failure. *ak front alignment suddenly went out of whack. Vehicle was 6 months out of warranty. The dealership denied there was anything wrong with the upper ball joints. After filing a complaint with the consumer protection agency, dodge recommended and refunded the repair cost.
Upper control arms loose, defective, plus steering linkage needs to be replaced.
Right upper ball joint worn at 32,000 miles.
Dodge dakota quad cab, 2000 upper and lower front ball joints failed.
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 states both upper ball and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. Vehicle was running without warranty. Dealer notified. *ak
While traveling at 20 MPH driver began to hear clicking noise coming from steering wheel. Steering wheel had a lot loose control, and the front right wheel was turning, but the left front wheel buckled under vehicle. Tires were wearing prematurely due to upper ball joint failure.
All four tires split at the bead. *mr the tires had all broken at the bead. The left upper ball joint was defective. The consumer requested a refund. *scc
I am having my ball joints replaced for the third time. I have a friend who has the exact same vehicle, and they have had theirs done four times. I also know at least three other people with same truck (year,make,model) that have had this same problem multiple times. This is not mere coinicidence- something is wrong with the suspension of these trucks.
Consumer states that upper control arm has failed.
Consumer states that upper ball joint is wearing prematurely. Dealer notified.
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