Front driver side tire and hub assembly completely broke free from the vehicle this is a follow up from my first intial report to chrysler and also the federal safety agency phone conversation in which I did a report to both and paid 2500.00 which I still have receipt of paying to have fixed...father had a 2000 dodge durango which had the same recall that my didn't have as chrysler stated...
2002 Dodge Dakota suspension problems
226 complaints (33% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 35,000. 7 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 226
- of this car's complaints
- 33%
- typical mileage
- 35,000
- crashes
- 7
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Front: control arm: upper ball joint162
- Front: control arm: lower ball joint69
- Front28
- Rear4
- Front: wheel bearing4
- Front: control arm: upper arm4
- Front: control arm4
- Rear: springs: leaf spring assembly3
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Dodge Dakota suspension problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Dodge Dakota suspension
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel drive (4x4), if moisture leaks into the front suspension upper ball joint, evacuation of the lubricant and corrosion of the joint may cause the joint to wear over an extended period of time. This could cause a clunking noise in the front suspension, which may not always be heard by the vehicle occupants.
- Risk
- Excessive wear in the upper ball joint may allow it to separate, which could result in loss of control of the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front suspension upper ball joints. This safety improvement campaign began on december 21, 2004. Owners can contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 04V596000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Upper ball joint separation
Daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc) is recalling the target population of approximately 600,000 my 2000 through 2003 durango and dakota vehicles with four-wheel drive to replace the front suspension upper ball joints with redesigned parts that do not have the joint integrity concerns and have substantially improved joint retention capacity (the federal safety agency recall no. 04v‑596).though dcc does not admit to a safety-defect in the subject components, odi believes that the facts in this investigation show otherwise.because of the low rates of separation incidents in the remaining subject vehicles, a safety-related defect has not been identified in those populations and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists in those vehicles.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.for additional information, see the attached closing report.
EA03023
What 2002 Dodge Dakota owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the entire rear step bumper was corroded. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the driver's side portion bar fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 50,279.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the rear end differential fractured causing the vehicle to spin 90 degrees into the right lane and crash. The specifics of the crash were not available. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH both front tires locked up and the steering became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician replaced the brakes and upper ball joints. The failure continued to occur after the vehicle was repaired. The technician stated that the front calipers had to be replaced. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired four times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.
Pulling out of driveway and the bottom of the control arm broke free letting the wheel come free from the vehicle.....
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH he heard a clicking sound near the front suspension on the drivers side. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic who was unable to identify the problem. The contact noticed the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v596000 (suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint) and called the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated due to the VIN the vehicle was not a part of the recall. The contact stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The failure mileage was 66,000.
Truck has been driving like something was grinding against my front right wheel for a week or so, I didn't think anything of it, it had just become an annoyance. Id look under the wheel and everything looked okay and in shape, no damage was being done. The other day I drove a short distance and heard a pop, like something had popped near the wheel, I pulled over and could see no damage. I continued to drive and noticed that the grinding had stopped and my wheel seemed to be functioning correctly. I arrived to my destination with no problem. When I left the destination to return home, I started feeling heavy pull to the right on my steering wheel, if I let go of the steering wheel I would have gone into a ditch or the woods or another car. I then started noticed smoke coming from my right wheel, I was a few blocks away from home and figured I could make it, I started noticing my brakes were not working too well, and anytime id push on the brakes more smoke would arise, I went the 3 stop signs to my house and pulled in, ran around and saw that behind my wheel had caught on fire, took about 5 minutes to put the fire out with water and some cat litter we had lying around. It was so hot that it wouldn't cool down for about 45 mins to an hour. We would throw water on it and it would sizzle. I quickly removed the tire to prevent any damage to it. I noticed it had started to melt the plastic boot cover on the suspension. When you looked at the wheel you could see it had snapped off on the bottom half, causing the whole wheel to tilt inward which then caused a full on grind of the wheel and the brakepads and whatever else is down there causing such friction that it caught on fire. I then did research online and found that their had been a recall for this exact issue... :(
I am a owner of a 2002 dodge dakota sport. On certain sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel drive (4x4), if moisture leaks into the front suspension upper ball joint, evacuation of the lubricant and corrosion of the joint may cause the joint to wear over an extended period of time. This could cause a clunking noise in the front suspension, which may not always be heard by the vehicle occupants. Excessive wear in the upper ball joint may allow it to separate, which could result in loss of control of the vehicle. Whole front end is messed up.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota sport. While driving 25 MPH there was a loud noise in the rear of the vehicle. The rear end shackles had deteriorated failed. The leaf springs were caught in the bed of the truck. The vehicle was driven home and parked. The manufacturer was called and claim file#19831058 was filed. The contact stated he had to repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 11/15/10 updated 11/24/10
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. While having the tires changed at an independent mechanic, the front suspension collapsed at the upper ball bearing joints as the vehicle was lowered with the new tires installed. The vehicle was not taken to an authorized dealer to be examined for the cause of failure. The vehicle was having the front suspension replaced by the independent mechanic. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileages were 39,500.
Questions about the 2002 Dodge Dakota suspension
Does the 2002 Dodge Dakota have suspension problems?
Owners have filed 226 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Dodge Dakota, 33% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Dakota suspension problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 35,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Dodge Dakota suspension?
Yes, 1 recall: 04V596000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Dodge Dakota have bad suspension?
The Dodge Dakota model years with the most suspension complaints are 1999 (342 complaints), 2000 (282 complaints) and 2001 (236 complaints).
Other 2002 Dodge Dakota problems
Brakes 213Transmission 89Electrical 52Steering 44Engine 38Airbags 28Lights 21Visibility 20Body 18Fuel system 17Tires 14Acceleration 8Wheels 7Locks 3Seat belts 3Seats 3Driver assistance 1
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