Premature wear of the upper ball joints on 2001 dodge dakota. Dodge dakota quad cab 4x4 VIN: [xxx]. Ball joints were replaced before separation failure occurred.*ak diligence by the owner identified the problem and ensured replacement thereby preventing the possibility of danger to others. Lower control arm (ball joint) replaced [xxx] qty 2. Sept 20, 2002 upper control arm (ball joint) replaced - left [xxx] qty 1. Mar 13, 2003 [xxx] updated 07/26/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
2001 Dodge Dakota suspension complaints
Page 6 of 9: complaints 131 to 160 of 236, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I own a 2001 dodge 4x4 4.7l qc dakota. My mechanic has told me the popping sound in the front end is due to wear on the ball joints and bushings being loose. The truck only has 41000miles on it and has been taken care of.*ak add my complaint to your growing list of unsatisfied owners.
While driving between 25 and 30 MPH, consumer heard noise coming through the front end. Dealership replaced driver side upper and lower ball joints. At consumer's expense.
Consumer heard a noise in the front end. It was diagnosed as a problem with the ball joints. Consumer replaced the ball joints 3 times in the past 55,000 miles. Currently, he was about to put on a new set of ball joints.
Upper ball joints failed. As a result, front wheels wobbled while driving.
Upper and lower ball joints defective and worn after 60,000 miles. Ball joints replaced by 3rd party autoshop for less than 1/3 of quoted price from dealer.
2001 dodge dakota quad cab. Loud groaning noise from front end when making hard left turn over bump (e.g., driveway apron) at slow speed. Fear it may be a ball-joint problem. Will be inspected at next service. 22k000 miles on vehicle.
Want to check to see how many complaints about the airbag clock spring on a 2001 dodge dakota. Also want to no more about the ball joint on the same truck and what cause the problem and roughly how many miles on these vehicle before this occurs. Thanks.
While driving consumer heard a popping noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. Dealer replaced the front axle, but the problem recurred.
At any speed when vehicle hits a bump a rattling sound is heard in the front end. Dealer examined the vehicle and did not find a problem with the suspension.
At 53000 the upper ball joints on my 2001 dalota quad cab needed to be replaced. The fact I caught this defect early I'm certain prevented an accident. Perhaps even a fatality. Dodge engineering seems to be somewhat faulty in this case compunded by the fact that I'm not alone with this problem.
Front end problems are numerous on this vehicle. All ball joints have been replaced, sway links replaced, sway bar bushings replaced, power steering rack replaced, tie rods replaced... And this is all between 24-60k miles!! Now it is making another front end noise that the dealer can't figure out.
Upper ball joint failure on 2001 dodge dakota quad cab.
My wife and I own a 2001 dodge dakota and a 2003 dodge durango. Ever since I bought my dakota new there have been problems with popping noises from the front end. After seeing the recent news story about bad upper ball joints I am convinced this is the problem. Now I am worried we will have the same problem with our durango, and my dakota is no longer under warranty. I think there should be a recall from the sounds of this problem, and after doing some more research on my own.
I own a 2001 dodge dakota and noticed a loud clunking sound from my wheel when I turn the wheel at a hard angle and it is worse when in 4 wheel drive. The vechicle is out of warranty so it has not been in to get repaired. I have saw several reports where similar noise resulted in a lost wheel on the vechicle. Dodge should recall this ball joint problem and make my vehicle safe to drive. I drive my vehicle for work sales purposes and put on very many miles per year at highway speeds. This noise happens most of the time and when cold or in 4 wheel drive worse when the wheel is turned hard.
I had to have the driver side upper ball joint replaced on my 2001 dodge dakota. Now I believe the passenger side must be replaced.
2001 dodge dakota ball joint failure. Took to dealer twice before warranty expired complaining of noise from front end. They told me all was fine and not to worrk as it was "normal". Two months later and 47,000 on odometer (warranty expired) entire right front wheel fell off while turning in parking lot. Dealer wanted me to pay for repair. I called daimler chrysler several times and complained to no avail. In the end, the dealer found that the other side of the dakota was worn as well and that they wanted to replace the ball joints there as well. After a month of fighting and complaining, I finally got my truck back (with a complete new front end). Repairs cost of $3100 of which I had to pay about $700.00 as a "good will". Now that I have had my truck and 3000 miles later, the front end is starting to make noise again. This is a defect and dodge should be responsible! Ironically, from what I saw on the news, the durango has the same problems. My wife drives a '99 durango and is now nervous, as you can imagine.
Faulty ball joints on my 2001 dodge dakota quad cab.
Ball joints on my 2001 dodge dakata quad cab 4x4 needs replacing after 50000 miles.
Upper ball joints wore out prematurely. *ak
The upper ball joints have become loose, causing front end to produce a loud thumping noise. *ak
Upper ball joints on 2001 dodge dakota both balljoints filled at around 100,000 mi. Of highway driing.
Near crash due to faulty ball joints on a 2001 dodge dakota quad cab 4x4.
While traveling at approximately 55 MPH right upper ball joint seperated from the vehicle causing driver to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle swerved wildly into oncoming traffic, due to right front tire being on its side under the vehicle. Vehicle was finally brought under control and to the shoulder of the road.
Front upper ball joint failure on 2001 dosge dakota with 43,980 miles on odometer.
Webmaster foia request all complaint/notices/documents or warning between the federal safety agency nd daimler chrysler re: problems malfunction, failures of the upper/lower ball joints associated with the dodge dakota truck for my 2001. (nar) *ph *cb
2001 dodge dakota pick up ball joinst wore out at 54000 miles, had 1998 dakota also bought new , all ball joints wore out at 40000 miles, seems to be a problem chrysler hasnt fixed for several years.
Both upper ball joints are making noise, will need to be replaced. I only have 29000 miles on the truck.
Have a 2001 dodge dakota quad cab 4wd. Lost the front wheel while driving earlier this year. Ball joint failure was the cause. Dodge didn't seem to think it was a problem, though at 60 MPH the whole wheel flying off seemed like one to me. *ak not sure of the exact date...though I can find out if needed from police
Ball joints are cheap and dangerous. My vehicle has only 35,000 miles and the ball joints are in bad shape on both sides and needs to be replaced, like many others around the country!! Im sure im not the only one with this problem.
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