I would like to know why only the upper ball joints on the 2000-2004 dakotas is covered in the recall as the lower ball joint are the same design where there is no way to grease up the lower ball joints and it would lead to the same problem as the upper ball joints?
2001 Dodge Dakota suspension complaints
Page 2 of 9: complaints 11 to 40 of 236, newest first, as owners wrote them.
1. Normal driving circumstances. Front end suspension started making clunking/popping noises and steering became erratic. Truck has 85,000 miles. 2. Could not safely drive the vehicle. The steering was too risky. I also noticed while the tow truck driver was pulling the vehicle onto the truck that the front right wheel was leaning over at about 30 degree angle. 3. Mechanic diagnosed that the upper ball joints has basically rusted and deteriorated. Lower joints were also on their way to failure. Additional research has shown that the 4 wheel drive models were recalled. Why weren't the 2 wheel drives. This problem mirrors the issue that they had.
Dt*: the contact stated there were problems with the ball joints. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic shop for repair on the upper front right ball joints. A recall letter was received pertaining to the ball joints and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer repaired the upper front left ball joints under the recall and informed the contact to send the manufacturer copies of the prior repair work performed on the ball joints. After sending the manufacturer a letter with invoice, a letter was received from the manufacturer denying reimbursement for the costs of the previous repairs.
2001 dodge dakota extended cab 4x4. Rattling in front end when going over small bumps such as man holes and washboard. Sounds similar to a loose hub cap. Was told the lower front ball joints were bad and daimler/chrysler has a bulletin published internally on how to fix the problem and may cause the wheel to fall off. Sounds like a manufacturing defect to me that they should replace.
Right front lower shock bolt sheared off while driving, causing shock to break loose from lower control arm.
Own 2001 dodge dakota quad cab. Notice the same problem has been identified with front steering ball joint having problems. Our truck is suffering same problem with load popping noise when we make a hard left hand turn. Has happened numerous times for past 9 months...but now getting more frequent.
Dt: the contact received the federal safety agency recall campaign 04v596000 concerning the upper ball joints. They had previously been repaired, as well as the lower ball joints. When contacted the manufacturer to be reimbursed, they would not reimburse him for the lower ball joints. The contact stated when the upper ball joints wore out the lower ball joints wore out as well.
Dt: the contact stated while driving vehicle had to swerve to miss an oncoming vehicle. The lower ball join broke at this time. The contact's vehicle went into a creek. The injuries to the occupants of the vehicle were still being determined. The vehicle is currently being inspected.
Dt: consumer owns a 2001 dodge dakota. The upper ball joints had to be replaced at 31,915 miles. The lower ball joints were replaced at 37,556 miles. The service dealer stated that there were problems with this year, make, and model vehicle. The consumer stated that while driving there was a noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. He did not notice if there was any play in the steering until the lower ball joints were replaced. Since the replacement it has a tighter steering control. There was a recall on the upper ball joints, but there has been no recall on the lower ball joints. *ak *mr
My 2001 dodge dakota has had upper front ball joints replaced due to popping in front end, the popping is still there. Front rotors have been changed because of being warped causing vibration in steering and rough braking. The right front wheel bearing and hub has went out causing loud squeeking noise when going down the road there is a constant squeeking noise now from front end. The blower fan has stopped working due to wiring problems. The rear end has a popping noise when putting in park dodge house says thats normal (I have never had a truck do that before) and u joints are good, and I reported it to them when my warranty was good and now my warranty is out and I have all these repairs that I cannot afford !!
1. Clunking noise coming from the front end of my truck. 2. Upper ball joing wear at a dangerous level. 3. I had to have the parts replaced, and I still have the old part. This part was recalled under the 4x4 vehicles, and mine is 2wd so I had to pay for repairs. I believe my safety was at risk, and it had nothing to do with the fact my vehicle was not a 4wd.
Approx. 2 months ago I had upper balls joints replaced under recall, the dealship noted that the lower ball joints and tierods were worn as well, was qutoed approx. $700.00 to be fixed. Today my daiughter was starting to pull out of my driveway with her 3 year old daughter, the tierod fell out of place causing the truck to stop. Luckly my daughter wasn't driving down the road when this happened because there could have been a very bad accident on a very busy street!!! I want to know why there is a recall on the upper ball joints but not the lower ball joints and tierods, it is a fact that there are serious problems with these parts, are they waiting for someone to be killed because of these defective parts?? This will be the last time I purchase a chrysler product if these matters are not dealt with when problems with defective parts are presented!!
The consumer stated the lower ball joint was loose and the wheels could actually fall off.
When I recently took my 1991 dodge dakota in to have the upper ball joints replaced, I was told the lower ones were shot, also. The truck only has 36,000 miles on it. I only drive on the road and never overload my truck. Why would the upper ball joints be recalled and not the lower? This continues to be an accident waiting to happen.
Annual vehicle inspection of my 2001 dodge dakota sport 2wd verhicle (54,000 miles), performed on 03/05/05, necessitated the replacement of detatched ball joint.
Dodge dakota 2001, consumer replaced ball joints. *bf the consumer had to pay for a 2 wheel alignment after the ball joints were replaced. The consumer feels the alignment should have been included in the replacement.
Repairs to the upper ball joint was completed by the consumer prior to receiving a recall notice. Consumer wished to have the lower ball joints repaired since they were defective. Consumer was told by manufacturer and dealer that the lower ball joints were not included in the recall.
No parts for recall#04596000 ball joints. Eddie dodge 803‑359‑2501. Please provide more information.
While driving at any speed driver heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front. Vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection,but cause had not been determined at this time.
'recall campaign' concerning upper ball joint wear. Driving on tires that are worn out unevenly. *bf the consumer could not get the tire aligned and had been driving on the tires that are worn out unevenly. The alignment reading was totally off due to the failing ball joints and the shop would not rotate the tires.
Consumer's vehicle was included in recall campaign 04v596000 concerning ball joint wear. However, consumer was waiting for awhile and was told there were no parts available.
Since the beginning of january dealer had no parts for defect. The federal safety agency recall campaign 04v596000 concerning upper ball joints.
Upper ball joints were replaced. Recently, the upper ball joints for this vehicle were recalled ,and the owner contacted the dealership. Again had the ball joints replaced, but they did not do an alignment. Currently, the tire is pulling to the left, and the dealership will not make any adjustments.
Recall campaign 04v596000 was issued. Consumer stated the upper ball joints wore out prematurely. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.
Consumer was informed that upper ball joint/tie rods werer worn out. This caused the vehicle to pull to the right. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
The consumer took the vehicle for a safety inspection. He was then informed the ball joints were worn and needed to be replaced.
The consumer was asked to call back within a week because the parts were still unavailable. When the consumer called back, the dealer told him that they again did not have parts and they would contact him when they did.
The upper ball joint is making a clicking noise and causing the front left wheel to wobble, especially down hill at lower speeds. Consumer will inform the dealer. *ak
While driving 40 MPH, the driver heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front. Suddenly, the vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the front right upper ball joint needed to be replaced. Please provide further details.
Left wheel started to make noise when turning to the left or right. Took it to the dodge dealer and was charged $747.00 to replace "failed ball joints" my VIN number is included in the range covered aby the recent dodge recall - but they say it only applies to 4 wheel drive,,,,regardless these ball joints were replaced as failures.
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