I purchased my 2001 dakota on 11/13/2000. By april 2001 I heard popping and creaking noise from the front end. Took it to the dealer and they said the hub was loose and re-torqued the bolt. Then about 6 to 9 months later I heard the same noise again. Took it back to the dealer and they said that it was the steer stop. They told me nothing was wrong, just not to turn the wheels all the way to one direction or the other. At 25,000 I replaced the tires because they went bald on the outer edge, but had plenty of tread on the inner edge. On the news, I heard able the issues with the ball joints on dodge dakotas and durangos. Upon researching the ball joint issue, I found that failure of the ball joints can lead to popping and creaking noises in the suspension, and premature tire wear. I also learned that there were a couple instances where the wheel actually separated from the vehicle. On 11/13/2003, the factory warranty expired...leaving me on the extended warranty. The noise has since gotten louder, so on 1/19/2004 I took my vehicle back to the dealership to have the noise checked and to ensure that the vehicle is safe to drive. They informed me that the upper right ball joint is failing and needs to be replaced. My extended warranty will cover the repair, however will not cover the alignment that is required to make sure the vehicle is complety driveable and safe again. I feel that the dealer waited on the ball joint issue until the factory warranty expired. I also feel that there should be a recall on the ball joints for these vehicles. Today, my dakota has 25,500 miles on it. Ball joints are a safety issue, and should last ove 50,000 mile or more.
2001 Dodge Dakota suspension complaints
Page 7 of 9: complaints 161 to 190 of 236, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Right front ball joint had to be replaced because of excess wear on tires and loose driving. I now have just over 50k miles and have been told that both right and left ball joint need to be replaced. Truck has a terrible ride and a dodge dealer stated that my problem would not be covered under any bullitin or warranty. Cost is estimated to be over $1200.00
When driving over bumps in the road a rattling noise was heard. Consumer found the upper ball joints were worn out and loose.
Consumer complained about a ball joint problem. Both upper and lower ball joints prematurely wore out.
Squeaking noises heard eminating from front suspension at 35000 miles, unable to lubricate suspension because components lack service/grease fittings. During follow-up inspection and tire rotation, identified premature wear to right side upper ball joint causing misalignment, unusual wear to front tires and wear to left wheel bearing. Dealer replaced left wheel bearing and right side upper ball joint at 37336 miles. Dealer also recommended the replacement of most of the other suspension components before they failed. Dodge was helpful in picking up the cost of failed parts, not recommended repairs. My cost $100.00, for going over the warrantee milage and not being able to maintain a maintenance free system. Plus, I get to pay for a re-alignment after the current repairs and most likely the cost of any other premature failure of these maintenance free parts in the near future.
Front right ball joint for my 2001 dodge dakota quad cab extremly loose and broken. Needed replacement. Cost $200 for parts and labor. Repair shop said he had the same problem with his '01 dakota and so are many others.
Ball joint failure. I have already filed a complaint in regards to upper ball joint failure on my truck. When I first started checking on the problem the only repair solution was upper control arm replacement. By the time of investigating for an after market product dodge had released a ball joint only part. This indicates to me that dodge saw that there was a unusual amount of ball joint failures. Now to make things worse I am starting to get the same symptoms I had before (within two months of replacing the uppers). Which tells me that either the lowers are going out now or the new uppers were defective as well. It also seems strange that alot of the problems are happening just after the warranty period. I think dodge may be using planned failure. I also think the federal safety agency officials investigating this problem should look at comments on other websites. Not everyone knows that they can report a problem on this website. Just do a search for dodge dakota ball joints and look and see how many complaints there are out there. The scariest thought are people who will continue to drive the vehicle and not know that it is the ball joint and how serious the failure could be.
While driving consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the ball joints. The dealership/mechanic informed the consumer that the upper front ball joints were worn out. *ak *ph
While driving consumer heard a squeaking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The front left upper ball joint was replaced by an independent mechanic.
I have a 2001 dodge dakota 2wd and I have a very loud popping noise coming from my left front suspension system that seems to be coming from the ball joint area. It happens when I turn sharp and hit a bump also. I understand from many people who own these vehicles that this is the first sign of a common problem with ball joints grinding and coming apart. This is a safety related issue that needs to be addressed.
Faulty ball joints on a 2001 dodge dakota 4x4 with 39,000 miles on it. My old honda accord sedan (1990) and my existing 1998 accord have never had this problem at 150,000 and 90,000 miles respectively despite driving all the same roads. This thing is a truck and is often advertised as being "tough" and "rugged." is chrysler kidding? Today, january 7, 2004, they are being replaced at my expense.
While making a left turn from a complete stop front left ball joints failed, causing the front left tire to detach from the vehicle. *ak
Vehicle failed georgia state inspection. Technician indicated the need to replace the upper and lower ball joints. *ak
Upper ball joints worn to the point of breakage
Upper ball joints worn out. Only 53435 miles and front end shakes, pops and wobbles.
Upper right ball joint failure.
Both upper ball joints on my 2001 dodge dakota are displaying characteristics of excessive wear. Grease is leaking out around the ball joints and a popping sound comes from the front left of the vehicle under hard braking. It also "pops" when I turn all the way to the right. The ball joints are not fitted with grease fittings, so I cannot lubricate them myself.
I have had problems with the front suspension of this truck since shortly after I purchased it new in march 2001. It has been back to the dealer 6 times, and they have replaced many parts, but the problem still persists. The front end makes a loud banging/popping noise when turning or going over bumps. It sounds like the tire is going to fall off the truck! Many others I know have the same problem. They need to isue a recall on this serious safety issue before somebody is either seriously injured or killed!
Left/driver side ball joint replacement.the front was making a squeaking noise. The ball joint was found to be bad with only 34000 miles on truck.
Both upper ball joints failed and had to be replaced. The ball joints have no way to grease them so they will fail. I replaced the upper ball joints with a 3 party joint that has a grease fitting so that I will be able to use my truck safely.
2001 dodge dakota quad-cab 4x4. I had one upper ball joint replace at 37,863 miles. The remaining ball joints also seem to be failing. There is similar noise coming from the front suspension. After viewing a program on cbs news, I felt it would beneficial to report this problem.
Ball joints. My 2001 dakota quad cab was only one year old when my ball joints started squeeking. Now two years old and they are completely rusted and worn.
The upper and lower ball joints both went out and had to be replaced.
Ball joints on 2001 dodge dakota quad cab have gone out.
I have a 2001 dodge dakoda quad cab pickup that has only 91,233 miles on it that both upper ball joints are shot alredy. I am not sure what year the dodge people came out with the ball joints and upper control arms as being one piece and this might have something to do with the premature failures. My dayly travel is about 75 miles per day to work and home. The roads are asphalt and concrete construction. The road ways are in good working condition. I drive about 100 feet in my drive to get to the hard road and never get off the road other than to my carport.
Upper and lower ball joints.
Bad ball joint failure.
I am very concerned with the national news report regarding the upper ball joints severing off the vehicle without warning. I have very recently as of 11/25/03 had the sway bar bushings replaced. I had an annoying problem with the front end squeaking very loudly. Replacing the bushings has alleviated that problem for now. I have little or no confidence in the vehicle at this time a safety issue of this magnitude should not be taken lightly, ultimately people's lives are at stake and the manufacturer should take action immediately. Thank you.
The vehicle was experiencing front end problems which included the ball joints, front end suspension and poor wheel balancing. Please provide any further information.
Upper and lower ball joints malfunctioned.
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