Excessive ball joint wear. My wife (stephanie ball) filed a complaint back in 1999 for the same problem. I think his name was steve from the federal safety agency contacted us and keep us informed of the problem. She has had the ball joints replaced five times in her dakota. The last contact from the federal safety agency was that they was going to make dodge recall these vehicles for this dangerous problem. It has been two years and we have not heard any more on this issue. I help by getting names of other people that was having the same problem. I manage an auto parts store a auto of madison wv and this is not just an isolated problem. I know of 4 dakota that were wrecked and sustained severe damage due to ball joint failure. The adjuster from state farm's mother had a wreck due to ball joint failure. And he said that he had seen several that had wrecked. I could replace these ball joints with aftermarket moog brand and solve the problem. But it shouldn't be up to me to solve it. I would have thought after the firestone episode that issues like this would be taken more seriously. I contacted the dealer today because you have to check the ball joints every couple of weeks. I don't want to take a chance on killing someone because of a problem that has existed since 1997. The dealer said that the ball joints was supposed to have so much play from the factory. The aftermarket one I sell do not. Anyone with common sense knows that if a component in a high stress area that takes a lot of beating is not supposed to have any play. The longer you drive it the worse it gets. I recently took a wv state inspection class. The state police have dodge durango's. He said to make sure and check the ball joints because they were having the same problem I am . So I think the time has come to get this problem corrected, before some else wrecks or someone gets killed. Its pretty evident when the trooper teaching the inspection class tells you to pay special attention to this problem! Please notify me if you need anything.
2001 Dodge Dakota suspension complaints
Page 9 of 9: complaints 221 to 236 of 236, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving on a side road through a neighborhood, the front driver-side tire, wheel, brake, and rotor arm fell off my car. I believe the bearing failed and disconnected itself from the axel.
Transmission continues to shift erratically, despite being seen by two different dealers. The TCM seems to be an issue. Reprogramming it doesn't seem to fix the problem. The factory tsb has been done twice but has failed to remedy the problem. Vehicle will sometimes lurch up into 2nd gear at lower speeds without warning or down to 1st from 2nd without warning despite traveling at a constant speed of approximately 20 MPH. After 22500 miles the vehicle has developed a moderate to severe problem when braking. The vehicle seems to hop in the front end during braking and the brakes seem to loose effectiveness momentarily. Closer investigation revealed both front shocks had failed. The front brake system seems to be in good working order. No leaks, normal pad and rotor wear, no grooves on rotor, the front shocks were replaced but the vehicle continues to have the braking hopping pulsating problem.
Ball joints on my 2001 dodge dakota pickup are already bad after 46k miles. I heard many complants about the same problem from other owners.
2001 dakota quad cab has a loud knock in front suspension. Three dealers unable to fix. The truck has had many front end parts replaced and the frame welded. For a total of 10 times to the dealers within a 6 month peroid. Still unble to fix. I am now concerned about the performance and saftey of vehicle. Chyrsler has offered no solution and very uncooperative with problem.
Consumer called complaining about having problems with the front driver side tire. Also stated that while driving the vehicle the whole tire came off. Dealer was contacted and stated that the wheel bearing was broken . Ts
The consumer experienced problems with (possibly)the ball joints. While he is driving there is a clunking sound that gets worse when turning on curves. The dealer has been contacted and stated that this is a common problem with this model and is unable to help. Ts other problems are as followed: the vehicle will slide/skate over any bump/uneven surface and corner, noise in front end/passenger side front wheel/passenger side window, the engine light was on-found evap leak, bad gas cap, rear brake drums are hopping, ABS light on, internal mail relay and valve plug shorted, and front inner brake pad spring clips bent out of shape. The consumer requests the following: refund of the purchase of the vehicle, lessen the bank payments for the time of use, and apply a refund towards the purchase of a new dodge ram. Scc
Vehicle will start to move to the right when the consumer applies the brakes while driving. Problem gets worse when driving at higher speeds. Vehicle has been to the dealer three times, but the repairs do not work . Contacted dealer. *ak consumer states the caiplers have been replaced on several occasions, also the vehicle was realigned, also there was an oil and transmissin leak.
Consumer states that vehicle pulls to the left when driving, on numerous occasions the vehicle has jerked to the left in such a manner as to take control away from the driver, it was found that the tires had never been balanced, a front end mechanic informed consumer that there was a problem with the front end of the vehicle, consumer states that now the front tires jump or cup during sharp turns to the left, the rear end was also replaced.
While driving and coming to a stop vehicle will start to fail, and will not pull. Had to shut vehicle down and restart. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated didn't know what the problem was. *ak the consumer stated that the front end was slightly out of alignment. The motor has a problem when the vehicle stops for a moment at a light or sign, it will shudder and choke .
The rear left axle failed.
When pressing on brakes steering wheel pulls to right. When turning steering wheel on its own it makes a loud pop. Contacted dealer.
Jump a little when hitting rough spots in the road. Problem became evident when traveling on a long gravel road
While driving around 50 MPH loud noise came from left rear wheel. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated no fluid was in back of truck.
While driving, front end of vehicle pulls severely to the right, dealer can not identify cause of problem. *ak control arm was replaced. Calipers were replaced. Dealer found air leak with the gas tank and replaced the fuel pump, this was causing the engine light to illuminate.
Vehicle handles poorly,wanders,no feel to steering.has been back to dealer several times. Dealer has stated that manufacturer is aware of problem but hasen't come up with a solution.vehicle is very difficult to drive,very hard to keep going in a straight line,and to stay in the right lane. I don't feel that dodge is doing all that it can to remedy this situation.I am planning a trip to alaska pulling a fifth wheel trailer next summer and do not feel that it would be safe to do so with this vehicle.
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