I noticed loud cracking-popping noises coming from the front suspension when turning or traveling over rough pavement. I took the vehicle to the dealership for service. I told them about the noises from the suspension. They checked the vehicle and said that I was in danger of losing a wheel if I hit a pot hole. They wanted over $1000.00 to replace the upper ball joints. I declined. I replaced the upper ball joints myself. I know I was over the 36000 mi. Warranty. I thought it was an excessive ammount of money to replace 2 ball joints that cost $50.00 each. I did not keep the old parts. One of the ball joints fell apart as I was removing it.
2002 Dodge Dakota suspension complaints
Page 4 of 9: complaints 71 to 100 of 226, newest first, as owners wrote them.
There has been no failure of my front end yet, however I have noticed a rattle in the front. I have not notified my dealer yet. I dont believe the ball joints are under warranty. Just wanted to express my concern.
The tire retail store was unable to perform a front end alignment after replacing the front tires because 3 of the ball joints were defective, and the fourth wore out. *ak the consumer stated that his vehicle has no lift and no oversized tires. The defective tires have 20 to 25% of the tread still on them showing indication of faulty ball joints.
I purchased my 2002 dodge dakota quadcab 4x4 new from the dealer. And at about 40,000 miles I notice suspension noise from the front. It was intermittent at first then as I approached 50,000 miles the noise became a metallic chatter at all times. I had the parts replaced by a local shop after the dealer failed to honor my appointment times. The mechanic said that the upper ball joints were out and that they had to be replaced. He also commented that he has never seen a ball joint wear out in just 50,000 miles. He gave me the old parts showed the play in the joint and the absence of grease in the boot. He claimed that the design must be defective to wear out that early and completely. I use the car for work and lose money when it is not operative. My main concern was safety and reliability since I am required to work in all weather conditions with my contract to the local utility, pg&e. Now I am at 65,000 miles and they are giong out again. It is under warranty with the local shop but is it fair for this business to deal with a manufacturing problem? The date of repair was 8/23/04 but the problem was first noticed 4/5/04 and worsened to I felt I couldn't safely drive the vehicle anymore. Now the early signs are starting again 10,000 miles after repair.
I own a 2002 dodge dakota and had to have the ball joints replaced at 24,000 miles after doing some research I found that this is common. My hope is that you would investigate this and force chrysler to do a re-call and fix the problem before someone gets hurt or killed.
While attempting to get the front end aligned on my 2002 dodge dakota it was discovered the upper ball joints have failed and separated. The vehicle had less than 30,000 miles. The mechanice states it is a defect of the parts.
The driver and passenger side wheel bearings failed. *nm drivers side heated up so much that it blew the tire and the rim off the hub while the vehicle was in motion. Due to the damage the wheel bearing hub, rotor, brake and tire had to be replaced. One week later the passengers side failed. *tc
Premature ball joint failure in 2002 dodge dakota 4x4. Ball joints where making clunking sound and were bad at 35000 but dealer refused to fix. Now when I returned at 79000 and they are really really bad and unsafe they admit that they are bad and that they know dodge has a problem with the ball joints but still refused to fix under warranty.
Front end vibration and creeking. Dealer states both upper front ball joints worn and need replacing. Old parts available.
Dodge dakota had several problems at low miles, notice scrunch sound in front suspension whenever consumer pulled into the driveway. *bf
Bought 2002 dodge dakota club cab slt+ in june of 2002. Within 6,000 miles, began to hear an occasional 'scrunch' sound when turning sharp (like into parking spaces) - more pronounced when hitting a bump while turning sharp (on my street, there's a slight - less than 2 inch - dropoff from the road to my driveway). Gradually got more and more noticeable, and took less and less to cause the sound, until I took it in at about 24,000 miles. Both sides, both ball joints were replaced. Truck drove great for a while, then at about 30,000 or so, started all over again. Same thing. Truck now has 48,000 miles, and is in the shop again for the same service.
My 2002 dodge dakota's upper and lower ball joints failed at around 48,000 miles of regular highway driving, and now at 58,000 it feels as if they are going again. They were replaced with dodge parts, and chrysler told me that they are not recalling it. After all the news I've seen on dakota/durango ball joint problems, I figured I'd file a complaint with you guys, I'm just fed up I guess.thank you .
This is in regards to my 2002 dodge dakota quad cab 4x4. I began noticing popping noise coming from the front right side wheel at approximately 20,000 miles. I took it into the dealer who claimed nothing was wrong. 6,000 miles later it was getting worse so I took it back to the dealer. Sure enough I had a bad upper ball joint, which they replaced under warrenty. I now have 40,000 miles on this truck and the right side is making the popping noise. I wish dodge would make a recall a fix the problem for good. I feel that if I was not dillegent in my pursuit to have my truck repaired, that I would have been one of the many others who have had there front wheel fall off while driving their dakota or durango.
Due to the worn front upper ball joints, the consumer would hear a clunking noise when driving. The dealership is aware of the problem, but did not resolve. Please provide more information.
The upper and lower ball joints continued to wear prematurely. Please provide additional informtion.
Upper and lower ball joint failure, both sides. Replacement estimated at $1100.00.
Reported a popping sound on the right front of vehicle to dealership appro. One year ago, informed nothing was wrong. Upon a personal inspection during a routine oil change I noted that the right upper control arm ball joint had prematurely failed. *ak(current vechicle mileage 16,000) purchased replacement control arm and installed per manufactuers instructions. I have saved the old part. My concern in this matter is, if these same parts are used on both dodge dakotas and dodge durangos and this part is prone to premature failure, what will be the end result?
Upper ball joints of a 2002 dodge dakota quad cab 4x4 needing replaced with only 15,153 miles on truck.
Upper control arm.
Noise in front end pickup moves side to side.
Worn ball joints and related suspension noise.
2002 dodge dakota pickup truck exhibits premature wear on upper ball joints resulting in loud popping noise during turns and front in rattle on uneven pavement.
While driving at approximately 40 MPH heard noises coming from the front. Had no difficulty with the driving. Took vehicle to dealership, and mechanic determined that the right side lower ball joints needed to be replaced. Did not need to replace ball joints on the left. Had previously filed complaint #12187283. *ak
Upon turning the steering wheel, I would hear "popping" coming from the front suspension. Brought it in for inspection. Mechanic diagnosed the problem as bad ball joints. Replaced both upper and lower ball joints (left and right). The condition of the upper ball joints indicated that they were ready to pop out of the socket.
Premature failure on left upper ball joint for 2002 dodge dakota quad cab 4x4, 36,990 miles. Popping sounds coming from front left, so I took it to the dealer for evaluation. I was charged for the ball joint check and deductable on extended warranty.
I have had clunking and squeaking noises coming from the front end of my 2002 dodge dakota quad cab since about 18,000 miles. I have mentioned it to the dealer and they say they do not know what it is. After viewing the internet I have realized that there is many problems with the upper and lower ball joints. I will soon be returing to the dealer with the info to try to get it fixed.
I have a 2002 dodge dakota quad cab--with 49000 on it and it needs lower ball joints! Is there any type of recall or course of action I can take ? These ball-joints should not need to be replaced at 49000.
Brought 2002 dakota to dealer cause of popping noises coming from front end especially when turning. Dealer said no problem found. Truck still makes noises. Heard that there may be a problem with ball joints.
The upper ball joints were worn out and need to be replaced. When vehicle went over a pump in the road there was a clucking or knocking noise from the front end. This was a common problem with these trucks.
Saw on a message board that there is an ongoing investigation re: dodge dakota ball joints. I have a 2002 dakota. At around 10,000 miles, I started hearing a noise in the front suspension. It was very intermittent, so I didn't pay any attention. But it got more and more frequent until around 20,000 miles, when I finally had it fixed. The dealer (anderson dodge in rockford, il) replaced both of the front ball joints. Now, at 45,000 miles, it's starting to make some of the same sounds - possibly failing again.
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