When driving and/or while turning in either direction, the driver heard a popping noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice and was not able to determine the cause of the noise. After watching a tv report about the ball joints, the consumer suspected the problem may have been the ball joints. *ak the consumer stated when the vehicle was placed in reverse, it did not engage. The air condition was inoperative.
2002 Dodge Dakota suspension complaints
Page 6 of 9: complaints 131 to 160 of 226, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Failed right upper ball joint with 42,000 miles on vehicle. Problem found after vehicle exhibited wheel binding while making hard right hand turns, clunking noises during left hand turns.
While driving at 55 MPH the driver could hear a loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The mechanic informed the driver both upper and lower ball joints needed replacing due to worn parts.
Vehicle had excessive brake pad wear. The front pads has been replaced 4 times and the rear twice within a short period of time. Also at 4,000 when turning there was clucking noise in the front end of the truck. The front tires had a quarter inch cup in them. The upper ball joints were bad. The dealership replaced the ball joint but the problem recurred. The upper ball joint had to be replace again.
The ball joints on my 2002 dodge dakato 4x4 have prematurely failed. The truck has approx. 27000 miles on it. The infamous knocking sound comes from the front suspension when I turn. The truck has been taken to 2 different dealerships a grand total of 5 times for this same problem. A service tech and a service manager have both ridden in the truck and agree that there is a problem initially. Upon inspection, I have been repeatedly told that there is no problem "under normal operating condition." I have contacted dodge and have been told that they always favor the service dealers over the customer's opinion. Through research I found out that the ball joints on dakotas and durangos prematurely fail. I informed dodge that I knew this and that I would like them to rethink their original decision. They said that nothing in my research provided reason to change their conclusion. My truck has prematurely failed ball joints and neither dodge nor the dodge service dealer will do anything about it.
While driving at any speed a noise was heard from the front end. The dealer determined, that the upper and lower ball joints had to be replaced.*ak
While driving consumer heard a rough sound coming from the front. Vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the mechanic replaced the upper and lower ball joints on the right side. *ak
Upper ball joints are bad, both left and right hand side, was told by a mechanic that there is no way that they should be bad in a '02 truck.
2002 dodge dakota quad cab, had noise in front end starting at about 25000 miles. Complained to dealer at the following 2 oil changes about front end pulling to the right and noises in front end, diagnosed as "normal". Finally, I told dealer that I would pay for a front end alignment, and both upper ball joints diagnosed as bad and needed to be replaced before the alignment could happen. Ball joints were replaced after a 4 week wait for the ball joints that were on "back order", 32,000 miles at replacement time.
Both upper ball joints.
During a routine inspection the consumer was informed that the upper ball joints were severely worn. The manufacturer and the dealer are aware of the problem. *nm
Upper ball joints failed without warning.
Clunking and excessive squeaking coming from the front-end. Slow 90 degree or u - turns consistently reveal clunking. 18000 miles currently on dakota quad cab. Steering shimmy inadvertently appears when driving straight down the road. These symptoms have been happening for 3+ months. I am experienced with front-end work, and recognize these symptoms to be familiar with upper ball-joints failure. I refuse to have the same product installed. There is obviously a problem.
While driving consumer heard a clanking noise coming from the front ball joints. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Four months ago while driving at 45 MPH consumer heard noise coming through the front end. Vehicle was taken to the dealership, and technician determined nothing was wrong with the vehicle. Four months later and without warranty dealership indicated to the consumer the need to replace upper and lower ball joints.
While driving there's a vibration in the front end. Vehicle is currently at the dealership for inspection.
Front end and wheel vibrated while driving. Upon inspection by the dealership they indicated that the bushings deteriorated, and only bolt remained. Also, front end was loose.
When turning in either direction front end produces a knocking noise.
While driving 30 MPH consumer heard a noise coming from the front driver side wheel. Consumer took vehicle to dealer more than once, but problem still exists. Mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem.
While making right hand turns consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front end. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Brake rotors are warped. Started at approximately 20,000 miles. Way to early to be warped. Have read of many others with same problem. Also heard noise from front suspension, thought it might be ball joint or suspension problem, but dealer stated that it is ok. Read quite a bit about ball joint problems on same vehicle.
While driving consumer lost control. Dealership informed consumer that the problem pertained to the front upper ball joints.
I own a 2002 dodge dakota pickup. After hearing and reading cbs news piece on the durango and dakota having faulty ball joints, I had my local dodge dealer check the upper ball joints on my truck. One upper joint was loose and they recommended it be replaced. The cost was $188. I feel since there have been over 700 complaints about this, that daimler chrysler should recall affected vehicles and fix the problem. The fact that dodge has had so many complaints and it took a cbs news report to educate the public is tragic. What's more tragic is that it put the life of myself and my son in danger. I feel that dodge should reimburse my $188.
Popping noise in the front ball joints of my 2002 dodge dakota. I noticed this the day I bought this unit. And just today (3-4-04) I found out on cbs that it is a manufacturer defect. And would like very much to have the problem resolved before something bad does happen on the highway.
Vehicle was taken to dealer 4 times for popping and cracking sound heard in the front of vehicle when making turns. Also, consumer heard a popping and cracking noise when driving on bumpy roads. Ball joints were changed. However, after 500 miles the problem recurred.
When making a left turn there was a popping noise in the steering. Dealership replaced the steering shaft sector, rack and pinion, and upper and lower ball joints.
I bought my 2002 dodge dakota new in march of 2002. Ever since approximately july of that summer, I heard the now infamous clunking noise in my front end. It wasn't until last fall of 2003 and several visits to 3 different dealerships, that they finally somewhat fixed my vehicle. I have since seen the reports by cbs news in regards to the ball joints and that has put further concern in the reliability of my vehicle. Even though several parts, including the ball joints have been replaced by the dealerships (none of whom said they could figure out what the problem was, or even claimed that I didn't know what I was talking about when I said I heard the noise), I still hear the clunking and feel that it will never be fixed. I have put in several complaints at chrysler, so my problems should be very well documented, but feel it is chryslers responsibilty if anything futher would happen to my vehicle, or any other for that matter. Please continue to do your investigation into this matter before someone does get seriously hurt.
Vehicle has definitive clunk when crossing over small bumps or turning tightly. Worn ball joints are to blame. Vehicle has 50,000 miles.
All four ball joints bad at 21000. Heater switch bad at 21000k and also canister hose cracked at 21000. My main concern is faulty, failing ball joints.
2002 dodge dakota quad cab, vibration in the front end, taken to dealership mult times with no luck, vibration has lasted since truck was new, now 24000 miles later same problem. Truck jerks in gear 1st to 2nd and popping when turns, taken it 2 different dealers, 1 said balance tires (3-4 times) no help, other said power steering pump bad, fix did not help. What can I do 30k+ truck has not been fixed since day one! What do I do from here .
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2002 Dodge Dakota?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history