When driving down the road straight no curve, the rear axle of my truck on the passenger side broke off and lost control of the vehicle fortunately, there was no traffic near by while vehicle was moving uncontrolled down the road. In a coincidence dodge is have a recall of same issue for only the 2009 and 2010 models.
2003 Dodge Dakota suspension complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 100, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge dakota. The contact stated that while parked, the front driver's side tire detached from the vehicle as a result of a fractured ball joint. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home and was not taken to dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that were not familiar with the failure as described by the contact. No assistance was provided and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 93,400.
I was told the ball joints are no good on my 2003 dakota 4x2 and need to be replaced. The warranty on the ball joints was given a 10 year extension on 4x2 and recalled on 4x4. I was told that even though the ball joints are clearly the faulty ones my manufacturing date was 20 days after the dec 31 2002 cut off for warranty extension. How is that my truck is not covered, despite being effected by the same recalled parts. It would seem 20 days is quite a small window to be completely excluded from the extension, and that there is a reasonable margin of area.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge dakota. The contact stated that the front upper and lower ball joint failed while attempting a right turn. There was a loud noise coming from under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and advised they were unable to assist because the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v596000 (suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 88,500 and the current mileage was 89,000.
Upper ball joints were both loose and dealer recommended replacement. Vin number was not included in previous recall by chrysler.
I have a 2003 dodge dakota club cab. According to the dealer the upper ball joint on both sides of the vehicle are blown. Dealer states no recall for my year due to the fact mine is a 2wd. Called corporate and have had no luck. Dealer is charging me $400. My truck only has 65,000 miles. Will not honor the 10 year or 100,000 miles extended warranty.
This is a 2003 dodge dakota pick-up with 2 wheel drive. Upper ball joint and front hub bearing are both bad, and must be replaced . This vehicle has only 34,900 miles on it. Started making a loud humming sound when making a turn and was taken to repair shop for inspection. We thought maybe it just needed a front end alignment. Was told by the repair shop the alignment could not be done and the repairs were very much needed for our safety. Reading on line I see many complaints about the same problem, but chrysler has only agreed to recall 4 wheel drive vehicles with this same problem. If dakota's with 2 wheel drive are having the same problem, why are they not included in the recall?
3 weeks after purchase had truck in shop with noise in front and rear tire/suspension areas...in for several service visits, seemed to get better than came back, they replaced bushings//had not heard noise...january 28, 2009 very loud noise and hard to turn drove to local tire company which said my suspension was bowed that tires were angled incorrectly and an immediate fix of the upper ball joints needed to be done for safety...$900.00 later they replaced. I found out that night through an on line search that there had been a recall of the same part that was consistent with my situation same model make year/ I have the removed defective parts.
2003 dodge dakota, 2wd, 5 spd manual, v6. Although a recall has been generated pertaining to the 4wd version only, my truck has the same issue. When I am driving at any speed and turning or going through a bump I hear a clunk which sounds like what is described on the existing recall for the 4wd only. I am concerned about this.
Upper ball joint failure passenger side of vehicle, I contacted chrysler and they say that my vehicle is not covered under the recall #04v216000, which covered 600,000 vehicles for this very type of failure. I was never offered or informed of a extended warranty given by chrysler to cover this very problem. If I was made aware of the possibility of this problem occurring with my vehicle, I would of made sure that my vehicle was inspected on a timely manner in this area. I did return my vehicle for a recall for my windshield washer assy in december of 2004 and also for my balljoints due the fact I was sent a recall notice. If the weather was worse or I did drive my vehicle off road I do believe my ball joint would have deteriorated as a accelerated rate. I also believe that if I experienced this failure in my vehicle,which was not recalled, there are many more dodge dakota pick up trucks that will experience this type of failure. Chrysler says the numbers don't warrant a recall,but this failure in their vehicle compared to gm or ford products of the same type vehicle are about 300% to 1% comparing the numbers. I feel chrysler should be responsible for any and all expense that I have incurred to repair my vehicle and more vehicles should be put into a recall status for this problem.
I was driving my truck over a speed hump going approx. Ten MPH when something sounded like it dropped, I put the truck into park and got out to find my right passenger side tire laying horizontal, but still attached to the truck. I had to have it towed and I was informed that my upper ball joint had broke along with the half shaft/cv joint. I called dodge because I was told there was a recall on the ball joints and they said they couldn't help me because my truck is no longer under warranty. I don't think I should be responsible for this repair. The truck only has 56,000 miles on it.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge dakota. While accelerating from a stop light, the front passenger side upper ball joint failed. The front tire became disconnected and detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and the cause of the failure was confirmed. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v596000 (suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint). The current and failure mileages were 104,000. Updated 09/10/08 *bf updated 09/15/08
I have a 2003 dodge dakota sport quad cab 4 wheel drive vehicle. I've had an embarrassing squeak in my steering and front end for 4 years. After listening to it for a while after purchasing, I took it to trail dodge on 08/26/04 and complained. The service note said "customer states there is a loud squeaking noise from right side suspension area while driving. Inspected and road tested and could not duplicate customer's concerns, no noises heard at this time (wet out) did inspect front end all is tight." it took it in to fury motors, south st. Paul, mn, at about 36,000 miles and the same. They could not find it at that time. Noise persisted, till it's now embarrassing to drive the vehicle all together. Today, may 12, 2008, I brought it back to fury motors, because of the sound, that has progressively gotten worse (now 50,000 miles), and they tell me I need both upper and both lower ball joints, to the tune of $1500!!!! Then I get on line and find out there has been a recall (the federal safety agency action #ea03023). I called fury motors to let them know and they state my VIN number is not included in the recall. It has been the same sound that was progressively getting worse and worse, and now I find out it could have been disastrous and I'm not covered??? Please help!
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge dakota. While driving between 5-10 MPH, the contact heard a loud thud coming from the axle area. The four wheel drive indicator light illuminated and the headlights, interior lights, and windshield wipers failed completely. Eventually, the horn began to sound intermittently, the windshield wipers began wiping automatically, and the low fuel indicator light illuminated and continued to chime. The contact believes that all the failures were related to the central timer module. The federal safety agency campaign id number 02v322000 (exterior lighting:headlights switch) was referenced. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 66,000 and failure mileage was 65,700.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge dakota quad cab. The contact stated that there is excessive wear on the ball joints. The dealer stated that his VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v596000 (suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint). The current and failure mileages were 71,000. Updated 03-25-08 *bf updated 03/25/08
I own a 2003 dodge dakota (pickup) purchased new (I am the original owner). The lower ball joints were replaced by the dealer at 23,000 miles (under warranty). They are now bad again at 78,000 miles (no warranty now, this bill was on me)! The upper ball joints were also replaced twice (those are under an official the federal safety agency recall). My complaint is about the lower ball joints. These parts should not wear out this often, and I feel this is a bad design! This is a safety issue (in my opinion) and also a big expense for the owners of these vehicles. I feel the lower ball joints should also be an official the federal safety agency recall!!!
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge dakota 4x2. The contact stated that the upper ball joints were corroded. The failure was noticed while driving 45 MPH. A mechanic repaired the vehicle. The contact believes that the failure is a safety hazard. The current and failure mileages were 23,198.
I have upper ball joints going out on my 2003 dodge dakota..and the dodge dealer in fargo nd says my VIN number is not recalled. But on your site there is a recall for them? I want clarification, of why mine has not not recalled too? Please contact me through my internet addresses. Thank you.
To whom it may concern, I own a 2003 dodge dakota quad cab slt. And I have run into a lot of problems with this truck that people I know say they had very similar problems with the same make of vehicle. To start with my truck only has about 62,184 miles on it, for a 2003 model truck, that is considered low mileage. The problems I have run into is as follows: both front wheel hub bearing sets have prematurely failed, in particular, the right front hub tried to lock up on me and almost caused me to loose control of the truck, I have since replaced that hub but still need to replace the left front before it locks up:second is that the steering and suspension system has no provisions for preventative maintenance, I.e. No grease zircs for the ball joints, tie rods,upper and lower control arm bushings, wheel bearings, etc...causing rapid wear and failure:third big issue, I have already replaced all four brake rotors due to warpage. The brake calipers were built with some type of composite plastic pistons that distort due to excessive heat build up in the brakes. Which in turn causes uneven pad contact, that then causes excessive heat, accelerated pad wear, brake fade, rotor warpage, and an awful "squeal" when the brakes are applied. I have noticed that my brand new brake pads are actually cracked now because of a combination of the calipers and the hubs going bad: fourth issue is that the transmission causes the engine to over "rev" in the highway passing gear especially with the over drive and cruise control on. When you're driving down the highway and you give it a little more gas to get around somebody, the engine RPM's shouldn't go up to sometimes around 7000, that in turn could cause premature engine or transmission failure. I have been in contact with daimler-chrysler about these concerns but they just keep giving me the run around and not answering my questions. I still have the old parts also.
2003 dodge dakota 4x4 4.7 automatic: steering/handling looseness, instability, skittishness on roadways worse at higher speeds, very pronounced over bumps. Inconsistencies in roadways. Vehicle "walks" sideways when going across road discontinuities. Dealer service return for diagnosis: major safety component intermediate steering shaft defective/worn.
2003 dodge dakota 4x4 pickup 1d7h32n03s124289 loud clunking noises, front end, steering loosesness,skittishness, severe vibration and poor handling felt in front end section of vehicle. (purchased from mitchell simsbury,ct )brought to local dealer who diagnosed & replaced (2)bad /defective upper ball joints 17011019 but charged for parts/service. Approx mileage:48,318 very premature for good product design & reliability. Dangerous safety related defects.
Popping noise in front end entering driveway or over speed bumps had dealer inspect and perform tsb. On upper ball joints per letter from chrysler corp. They did repair and told me the hub bearings were also bad not covered, 552.00 I replaced them myself I can't find a problem the hubs . The noise is still there !
Ball joint failure on dodge dakota 4x4. Recall on other vins not mine. Failure at 30000 miles. The dealer said 1200 dollars and they would put on the new modified ones. Why am I paying for a dodge defect.
I was caught in an ice storm in my 2003, dodge dakota, 4x4 quad cab. The truck went into a slight spin and bumped a small curb then slid up over the curb. I was only traveling at approx. 5 MPH when I bumped the curb. The axle sheared off and broke the hub, rotor, wheel, tire, and bent the axle housing. The truck was rendered undrivable and was towed to a dodge dealership for repairs. I called daimlerchrysler and asked for the parts to be tested for defectiveness. I had seen several web sites devoted to axles put into dodge trucks that were known to daimlerchrysler to be defective due to poor heat treating. I was treated very rudely and the problem was not addressed. Since the accident, I have had several mechanics and machinists look at this axle and all say that it should have never broken under the circumstances it was subjected to. I am now afraid to drive this vehicle, fearing that the rest of the axles are also defective. I am getting no satisfaction in solving this problem and my own insurance had to pay the $3,000. Damage caused by a 5 MPH bump.
Experienced clunking noise in front suspension. Ball joint subsequently failed causing front wheel to separate from the vehicle while operating.
Dt: the consumer stated while driving there was noise coming from the suspension when going over bumps. The problem occurred at low speeds. The dealership determined the bushings and the upper ball joints were worn. There is a recall with the federal safety agency # 04v596000. The consumer experienced the same problem as indicated in the recall; however, the vehicle identification number was not included.
Dt: the contact states there I the federal safety agency recall campaign id 04v596000 concerning the upper ball joint. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall, but it is not included in the recall due to VIN. The vehicle is currently being repaired at the contact's expense.
My 18 month old son and I were in a single car rollover, on september 9, 2005. I was driving a 2003 dodge dakota when my truck started to make a noise, then we were sent into a rollover. The right front tire was gone when we stopped. I was sent information from my uncle after I sent him pictures of the accident and he sent me information on the possible recall. I need to know what my options are and what do I do now.
My husband took his 2003 dodge dakota to a dodge dealership for recall work to be done. A front ball joint had to be replaced (to keep the front end of the truck from falling apart while driving and killing everyone.) when he took it in it drove fine. After the work was done, it pulls to the right. I called another dodge service department to ask them about procedure, they said that an alignment is standard procedure when completing that type of work, but that the car owner is screwed when it comes to recall work. I then called the manufacturer who told me basically the same thing. That's not right!! I should not have to fork over money to have fixed what they screwed up! Please fix this.
Dt: 2003 dodge dakota. The consumer received manufacturer's 35190558 concerning upper ball joints failure. Consumer called the dealer, and the dealer urged the consumer to call the manufacturer. The consumer called the manufacturer, and they said to call the dealer back. The consumer complained, was getting the run around from both places. The dealership said there must be a certified mechanic to have the repairs done. The only certified mechanic was in anchorage, alaska . There were no roads to the village where consumer lived, could only get there by airplane.
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