My 2001 dodge dakota 2wd has 45,000 miles on it and already needs 3 ball joints replaced.
2001 Dodge Dakota suspension complaints
Page 4 of 9: complaints 71 to 100 of 236, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I own 2 dodge dakotas one 1997 and one 2001. I have not replaced the ball joints, but they are making poping and cracking noises. The 2001 only has 24000 miles on it. When making a hard turn both dakotas seem to wobble like somthing is loose. I have not had any accidents yet but somthing is wrong. Also the front tires have warn uneven on both trucks. Front end alignment was almost impossable on the 2001 model.
The upper and lower ball joints on my 2001 dodge dakota extended cab 4x4 pickup have had massive deterioration with only 17,500 miles on them. They cause tremendous steering and tracking problems, and have caused me to not be able to drive the vehicle because of safety concerns. Because these cannot be lubricated or adjusted, they must be replaced. I will either do these repairs myself in the near future or have then done at a qualified garage, but I will save the defective parts. I have not done anything excessive with the vehicle such as off-roading, trailering, heavy loads, or any "non-standard" use. All equipment (tires included) on the truck is factory, I.e. No aftermarket modifications that would cause non-standard loads or stresses. This type of premature failing at only 17,500 miles is not acceptable, and from my research I understand it is a common problem with the year and model of vehicle.
I have a 2001 dodge dakota quad cab 4 x 4. The front suspension has been making a loud popping noise when I go over bumps or make turns at low speeds. I have taken it to a dodge dealer numerous times and they continue to say there is nothing wrong. Well now my truck is out of warranty and the problem still exist at 50000 miles. I have replaced all four shocks and there still is a problem with popping and clunking. Now I have resorted to taking it to firestone/master care and within minutes of being on the hoist the technician was able to identify the ball joints were shot. He said this is the first thing he looked at because he has had more than his fair share of dakotas with the same problem. Dodge has a serious problem on there hands and needs to address it before someone gets hurt. Please help! Thank you, ryan archey
While driving 10 MPH upper ball joint failed. As a result, the front passenger side tire separated from the vehicle.
Ball joints make loud metallic noise, wear tires quickly, requiring excessive alignment/balancing.
Ball joints on 2001 dakota need replacement at 60,000 miles. Caused uneven tire wear, some difficulty with vehicle tracking. Will replace old parts, and keep parts available.
While driving and upon hitting anything in the road vehicle will make a clanking noise. Took vehicle to dealer to be looked at. Consumer had the shocks changed. However, it did not solve the problem. Contacted the dodge dealer, and was told they needed the upper control arm.
2001 dodge dakota had a clunk in the front end when driving over bumps. It was later determined that the ball joints had failed at low mileage. *bf
2001 dodge dakota had several ball joint replacements at low miles. *bf all the ball joints were covered under warranty.
I bought the truck new in 2001. I complained about clunking noises coming from the wheel area when I made turns. Slow and usually at intersections. Now it is more advanced and noisy on bumps.
Upper ball joint failed on the wheel assembly on the passenger side; entire wheel assembly fell off the dodge dakota truck. Fortunately my wife was only driving at about 5 to 10 MPH when it happened. No one was injured. My wife had just been on the pa turnpike 30 minutes earlier she would have been killed if the upper ball joint had failed when she was on the turnpike. 2 001 dodge dakota 4-wheel drive truck, v8 engine. Dealer can fix the wheel assembly, we have yet to get the bill, the truck is still in the shop.
Upper and lower ball went bad after only 40,000 miles.
My front passenger side tire fell off my 2001 dodge dakota. This was due to a faulty ball joint. As a result, the brake line and axle also needed replacing. I notified the dealership and dodge. I was told there is nothing they could do, because the vehicle was no longer under warranty, nor was it recalled.
I would like to know why dodge has not recalled the dodge dakotas for defective ball joints and disc rotors. I have scanned the internet and found a large number of people who have had the same problem as I. My 2001 dakota was purchased in december. Of 01 and has 44,000 miles . I am 54 years old and this was my first new vehicle. Unfortunately it was a dodge. I will never own another dodge product,and if asked my opinion will not recommend dodge to anyone !!!!!!!!! Please send this to the dodge corp.
I have been told that I need to have the ball joints replaced on my 01 dakota. The dealer states that failure to do so will result in the wheels falling off at any time.
The vehicle vibrated when the brakes were applied. The consumer thought that the brakes were bad when it was discovered that it was not the brakes but the ball joints had failed. The consumer had to have the ball joints replaced and had to come out of pocket to do so.
Driver side front of p/u started 'knocking' when traversing bumps or making right hand turns at 12000. Passenger side front tire began to feather at 30000. At 37775 with new shocks and tires, allignment was needed to correct pulling to the right. Was discovered that lower passenger and upper driver side ball joints were "horribly shot.
When turning in either direction front end produced a cracking and squeaking noise. Dealers stated upper ball joints broke.
Noticeable grinding and stress sound especially when making a sharp turn over an uneven surface, such as turning into driveway while traversing a shallow curb. While getting vehicle inspected, I was informed that my upper ball joint was in need of replacement before total failure. This seems rather a premature failure of such a part seeing as how the truck is a 2001 with then around 55,000 miles on it.
While driving consumer heard a knocking noise coming from the upper ball joints. Dealership repaired the problem four times, but problem recurred.
I have a 2001 dodge dakota and my ball joints are abnormally worn and I'm going to have to replace them here soon. I know about the problem with the ball joints not being lubed and I'm asking that you guys push daimler/chrysler into recalling the dodge dakota 2001 with the defective ball joints. I know I'm not the only one, this problem has been noted with dodge durangos but the dakotas use the same ball joints. Recall please. I don't want my wheels to fall off because of the ball joints. Recall. Urge daimler/chrysler please, protect us the consumer. 2001 dodge dakota cabplus 35000 miles4x4 thank you.
Failure of upper ball joint/socket assembly.
While pulling out of a driveway the front driver side tire separated from the vehicle. As a result the front end collapsed. The dealer stated that upper ball joint failed. *ak
Wheel and assembly came off while traveling on the highway. Cv joint, ball joints, brake removed.
2001 dakota club cab ball joints worn completely out at 59k miles. 1 joint had 7/8 of up and down movement, almost completely out of socket. All miles hwy miles.several other problems since new also. Very poorly built. Will never purchase another chrysler product, never.
Pe 03-032 , front susp. Upper ball joint:the vehicle was taken in for an oil change and the consumer found that the upper ball joints were worn. *jb the vehicle's rotors were also warped.
Within several thousand miles of ownership vehicle experienced heavy vibration coming from the front. Several parts were replaced, except the original ball joints. Vehicle was back at dealership several times with no change in condition or replacement of the original ball joints.
While driving at a low speed, the inner tie rod end came out of the socket and the front driver side tire turned to the left. This resulted in vehicle crashing into a concrete phylum. The inner tie rod , front lower ball joint, fender, bumper, blinker and rim needed to be replaced. Also when making a sharp right turn driver's side inside rim was rubbing against something underneath the vehicle. Dealership was not willing to replace any component until they were able to duplicate the failure.
While driving at about 50 MPH right upper ball joint broke apart, causing the rim to pivot into what was remaining. It destroyed the rim and broke the brake line. Luckily, no other traffic was close so no accident with another vehicle occured. The truck was hauled (wrecker) to the dealer and a new ball joint, rim, and brake line were installed.
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