After approximately 1 year and about 15,000 miles I took my 2002 dodge dakota slt quad cab 4.7l v8 4x2 in to the dealer for a "clunking" noise in the steering. The dealer stated that the upper ball joints were worn and replaced the parts under warranty. On 4 july 2004, after having the truck for about 2 years and 32,000 miles, while going over a speed bump at approximately 10 miles per hour, a lound crash was heard followed by a griding noise. It turns out that the upper ball joint on the passenger side just snapped and the steering arm slammed in to the rim of the wheel scraping the edge of it barely missing the tire by 1-1.5 inches. The vehicle is now having that same "clunking" noise when going over bumps and it can be felt in the steering.
2002 Dodge Dakota suspension complaints
Page 5 of 9: complaints 101 to 130 of 226, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Vehicle was taken to the dealer for a routine inspection, and mechanic determined that both upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to worn out parts.
I had loss of control of my vehicle this morning which I believe is a direct result of my steering/ball joint / rack and pinion failure. It's at the dealer now being looked over thoroughly. The dealer just replaced the intermittent steering shaft last week.
While driving at any speed and when brake were depressed pedal pulsated. Vehicle was serviced, and technician turned the rotors at 34, 000 miles. *ak vehicle has a problem with the ball joint in the past, which concerned the consumer.
Ball joints and u-joints are in need of replacement after only 26 months of ownership and 60,000 miles put on the truck.
Upper ball joints are failing.
While driving/turning or braking front upper ball joints made a popping noise. Upon inspection of the vehicle by the dealership, they noticed that the upper ball joints were defective, and needed to be replaced. The ball joints were replaced.*ak additionally the steering shaft needed to be replaced and august 2003, the dealer replaced the steering gear box.
While driving 50 MPH the front passenger side tire and rotor separated from the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle rolled over four times. The driver sustained broken ribs. *ak sc
Dodge dakota 02 with just 50000 miles has noise in front end, thud in front end on bumps and turns, camber seems to change at times when veiwed while parked, called dodge at 1‑800‑992‑1997, got a runaround from customer service, if I take truck to dodge and pay for a diognostic on ball joints they may help with repairs. This has to be extremly poor quality parts for this many vehilcles to have proplems.
Problems with front suspension and brakes on 2002 dodge dakota. *mr the front suspension squeaked and was unable to be duplicated, the brakes were noisy upon application and was also unable to be duplicated, noise would come from the shock absorber when stopping and when going over bumps, noise was coming from the left front upper ball joints on left turns and when going over bumps, the left caliper made a sticking sound and the wheel bearing was replaced, the drive belt made sounds, and the brakes pulsated. *sc
The dealer's technician noticed that the right upper ball joint had excessive play. *nm
Upon inspection of road wander complaint, vehicle was found to have a bad upper ball joint, and excessive wear on all other ball joints for mileage noted.
2002 dodge dakota has front end noise problems.*mr the vehicle was taken to the dealer but they couldn't find anything wrong with it. The dealer indicated that the noise was a characteristic of the vehicle. The dealer eventually replaced the front end but the noise was still present.
When driving and making a left hand turn there is a loud knocking noise on the passenger side of the vehicle.
Dodge dakota 4x4 2002 /have been experiencing front end problems with truck since purchase. Brought in numerous times to dealer for brake issues[front rotors,pads,rear drums and discs].told multiple times there is no problem, its the way you drive. Truck has never been abused,very well cared for. After the 5th time to dealer finnally told that the upper ball joints need replacment.this was after one full year of denial.notified dealer of noise at the steering wheel,told they could not vrify the complaint would probably go away after replacing upper ball joints.one week later after replacment of upper ball joints ,same noise reoccured [loud clunking sound at front end]took back to dealer only to be told that the bottom ball joints need replacment,no mention one week prior about wear on lower area.dealer also stated that the noise noted coming from stering wheel from previous complaints was now thought to be an intermiediate shaft in the steering column,this same noise that one week earlier could not be identified.at 30,000 miles my entire differential gear assembbly needed replacment.I have been charged multiple warranty deductibles on what seems to me to be, the same problem and possibly a canidate for lemon status.at what point will the consumers right's be protected.I am joining a class action lawsuit in regards to chrysler/daimler and suggest to everyone who reads this to do the same.check out www.dodgetalk.com for info and links.also I reccomend to anyone who has had problems with their daeler in terms of denials/non repairs/faulty workmanship/or any related costs out of pocket to file formal complaints and contact a local lemon law attorney in relation to their actions and lack of proper business ethics.only until we make change happen can we acctually achieve it.good luck to everyone who reads this.
Consumer heard a noise in the front end when the brake pedal was depressed, when making right turns and when down hill. Upon inspection of the front end by a mechanic it was determined that front driver side tire and front upper ball joint were loose. Vehicle was then taken to a dealership who indicated that the ball joints were not loose enough to be replaced.*ak
While driving, noticed that the check engine light was on and the oil pressure gauge was incorrect. Notified dealer of this issue and also an issue with grinding noise when turning left or right. The dealer has replaced the upper and lower ball joints on the front and even admitted that they have seen a high failure rate for this. Also they replaced the vacuum tube harness under the gas tank. The oil pressure gauge sensor was loose and was corrected.
My husband and I own a 2002 dodge dakota. We purchased it in march 2002 and moved to puerto rico in september 2002, where we took our dakota to an authorized dodge dealership when problems arose. In april 2003, we began to hear unusual noises coming from the front left tire area. The service techs reported premature wearing of the ball joint and replaced it, plus the upper and lower control arms, as well as the sway arm and all related bushings (they showed premature wear, too). The following january (1/23/04), less than 12 months later, we began to hear similar noises from the front right tire area. The service techs at the same dealership as before replaced the same items for the same reasons that affected the driver's side front tire. All new parts, correct? We thought so, but as my husband was making a u-turn one sunday afternoon in early april 2004, the front passenger tire disconnected from the vehicle (due to defective parts--the very ones that they replaced in january 2004. We video-taped the damages to our vehicle (ball joint, cv joint, control arms, tire, rim, brake lines, front bumper and fog light) and had the truck towed back to the dealership with whom we previously dealt. The dealer eventually agreed that the parts were indeed defective and the cause of our accident. They replaced all damaged parts. Now that we have 37000 miles on the truck, relatively low for that year model, we are concerned that this problem will occur again when we are not driving at such a low speed.
While braking the consumer heard a popping noise coming from the front ball joints. The dealership was notified but did not resolve the problem. Please provide any additional information.
Upper ball joints were loose, one to the point of coming apart. There was no noticeable failure of the part leading up to the point when I discovered the problem. When I went to rotate my tires I bumped the right front and heard an audible "click" while it was on the jackstand. I have since replaced both upper joints as the vehicle was unsafe to drive.
While driving at slow speeds and turning corners there was a clicking sound coming from the front end. *ak *sc
While driving at 45 MPH consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front end. Vehicle was taken to dealer and mechanic determined there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. Then, an independent repair shop indicated that ball joints needed to be replaced.
Failure is in progress! My upper left ball joint on my 2002 dodge dakota is loose!! The dealer tells me it is not a warranty item [40,000 miles on vehicle], that the part is on backorder, and they don't know when they will get mote parts. Everywhere I have look, both auto parts stores and online, it is the same story..they either tell me it is a dealer item or that they are out of stock. I drive a minimum of 60 miles a day, and I can't buy the part to repair this!! How can this be? Who is going to pay for the wear on my tires? Where and when can I get a new quaility part?..not the piece of crap dodge puts on !!!
When turning left, the driver heard a loud noise coming from the front. The vehicle was due for an inspection at 30000 miles. The mechanic determined that the upper ball joints on the passenger side needed to be replaced. *ak *sc
At 42,000 miles noticed a clunking noise coming from the front end of the vehicle during sharp turns over bumps at low speeds. Brought vehicle to the dealer and they indicated that both upper ball joints need replacement at a cost of ~$500. Will be having both ball joints replaced and will request that the defective parts be saved.
Consumer heard a popping noise in the front end of the vehicle when turning, driving over any imperfection in the road ,or any front end movement. Upon inspection of the vehicle by the dealership they noticed that the front upper ball joint wore out prematurely, and needed to be replaced.
2002 dodge dakota quad-cab 4x4 the upper and lower balljoints in the front end seem to be loose and causing excessive popping noises when I hit dips/bumps in the road or turn sharp. My truck only has 30,000 miles on it.
While driving at any speed and when turning corners, hit bumps, or simply turning the steering wheel, there was a distinct crunching sound in front of vehicle. Dealer examined the vehicle, and determined that the upper and lower ball joints needed replacement.*ak dealer replaced upper and lower ball joints.
While driving 65 MPH, a rattling noise was heard coming from the front of the vehicle. The driver was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic replaced both upper and lower ball joints due to corrosion. *nm control arms were replaced as well. Consumer also stated that problem is similar to dodge durango sport utility vehicle.
Consumer saw an advertisement concerning ball joints. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the upper ball joints. *ak
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