At 24775 miles; the right upper ball joint failed on my 2003 dodge dakota 4x2.
2003 Dodge Dakota suspension complaints
Page 4 of 4: complaints 71 to 100 of 100, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Front suspension popping when stopping and turning.
Front suspension popping when stopping and turning.
Worn ball joints at less than 30000 miles.
Consumer took vehicle to dealer for an annual inspection, and mechanic determined that upper ball joints needed to be replaced, and replaced them with new ball joints. Several weeks later the driver's side wheel collapsed.*ak consumer is seeking chrysler to replace the vehicle.
While driving 10 MPH consumer heard a noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.
While driving on md rt 468 at approximately 7:10 am on january 9, 2004, the driver of my truck hit a small patch of ice at which time the truck went into a 360 degree spin. At some point during the spin the front wheel came off at which time the driver lost complete control of the vehicle and it ran off of the road and hit three trees. An inspection of the wheel, tire rod and ball joint revealed that the ball joint was rusted and snapped off.
While driving at a low speed, the consumer heard a loud metal banging coming from the front end of vehicle. The dealership serviced the vehicle, but could not resolve the problem. *ak the front upper ball joints were prematurely worn out and had to be replaced. Dodge suggested that nothing was wrong with the vehicle.
There has been a startling number of ball joint failures in the 1998-2003 dodge dakota and dodge durango vehicles. I own a 2003 dakota, and had an independent mechanic inspect mine. Because my vehicle only had 8500 miles on it at the time, the ball joints checked out ok. It was his estimation that because of the greaseless fitting, however, I could expect the same problem so many other dakota owners have had in the near future. These parts should last 100,000 miles, but the ones on these dodge vehicles fail at about 25,000 to 30,000. I have voiced my concerns to dodge. The person I talked to at their recall center acknowledged the problem and that their was an investigation ongoing at this time, and told me to listen for "clunking" noises in the front end of the vehicle. Of the reports I've seen of failure of the joint, few say there was any warning of this type, however.
Ball joint replacement on 1998 dodge dakota
Upperball joint premature failure 11,000 miles.
While vehicle was getting a regular check up consumer found that the upper ball joints wore out, and the nut holding them together was stripped completely. *ak there was abnormal tire wear seven weeks earlier. The dealer checked the front end for noise and found no problem.
(front end suspension problem) the vehicle had been checked three times with no improvement because of the unstable balance of the vehicle. The dealership suggested that the consumer change the tires and shocks and place sand bags on in the vehicle to stabilize the balance. *ak *sc
2003 dodge dakota with 19,000 miles. I have been told that the ball joints will need replacing very soon.
The front upper ball joints wore out prematurely. The consumer could hear loud noises coming from the steering column. The dealership was notified but was unable to resolve the problem. *ak the consumer contacted the manufacture but was refused any assistance for repairs.
Upper ball joints joints worn out and attaching nut completely stripped out on left side. Heard a noise and took it to the dealer to be checked out in november 03. Dealer claimed everything checked out fine, could not find any problem. December 03 noticed tire wear on inside, took the truck to an alignment shop. It was there that the mechanic pointed out that the ball joint on the right was worn badly and the left was about to fall apart. The dealers knew of this problem in this type of vehicle. I was to leave an hour after the alignment on an eight hour trip through the mountains. I consider myself very lucky and very wronged by the dealer and manufacturer for not notifying their customers of this problem. For that matter why hasn't any safety agency stepped up to tell us of this problem???.
Vehicle vibrated when it exceeded speeds of 45 MPH. This was due to premature wear of the upper ball joints. This was a common problem, per the dealership.
Rearend whines under power from 50-60 MPH and while decelerating from 45-40 MPH.
Consumer heard a noise coming from the front end of vehicle. Dealer replaced the upper ball joints, but the noise continued.
Dodge dakota 2003 sport: first few months of ownership, I went to have tires rotated (20,000mi) and I was told that the ball joints were out of spec. By the mechanic and that I should take the vehicle to the dealer. After inspection, the dealer said nothing was wrong.I know something is wrong with the vehicle because since that time, everytime I turn left while applying brakes in a downhill situation, a terrible grinding sound is heard. The vehicle now has 54000mi and I hear about wheels breaking off. I am scared for my families and personal safety.
I recently saw a cbs news story concerning the upper ball joints of dodge dakotas wearing out prematurely. My dakota is a 2002. I have taken in into my local dodge dealorship repeatedly because I heard a knocking sound when making a turn, especially on an incline. Every time I have taken it in, they are never able to duplicate the problem. I have even taken the mechanic for a ride with me after they had it all morning and the noise, sure enough, can't be duplicated while he is in the truck. But sure enough, 3 or 4 days later the noise comes back. And the porcess repeats again. I take it, they can't find it, I take the mechanic and the noise is gone, 3 or 4 days letter - hello - its back! Can you help me? Fyi: for the incident date, I just put today's date. I took the truck in with the same complaint on 5/24/2002; 12/6/2002; & 9/3/2003 .
At 6,000 miles the upper ball joints failed. When riding over any size bump in the road the front end collapsed. *ak the vehicle pulled to the right when driving and when braking, the flapper door for the fuel filler neck was missing and or fell inside the tank, the transmission did not shift properly, the front and rear rotors were grooved, worn uneven and pitted. *scc
While driving, the vehicle swerved to the left without warning and the vehicle to hit a tree and rolled over. The dealer believed that the cause was due to front end suspension failure, however the airbags deployed upon impact. *ak
Rh side - upper ball joint needs replacement at 15,700 miles. Dealer found ball joint to be "out of spec" after an inspection was requested during routine service.
Driving down the road heard a bang lost control of the truck and hit a parked car. Car was towed away and fixed body shop and front end shop said tie rod and ball joint snapped off clean this truck only has 5000 miles on it, also I have all the damaged parts if any body wants to test them.
My ball joints have worn out at about 55,000 miles. It is not covered in my 7 year 70,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty.
When hitting any size bump in the road the vehicle looses control. Dealer states that upper control arm bolt malfunctioned.
While driving at 55 MPH on the highway consumer lost control of vehicle and crashed into the guard rail. The driver was injuried and transported by ambulance to the hospital.a police report was done. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for analysis. The mechanic detected that both frontal ball joints cracked.
I keep hearing a loud "bang" and louding creaking noises in the front end of my 2003 dodge dakota when I turn the wheel. I have taken it to the dodge dealer several times, but they haven't found anything. I keep telling them it sounds like a cracked coil spring or body mount. They said if I bring it in again as warranty work, then they'll charge me for the time. Also, the turn signals keep shorting out and when you turn the left one on, the emergency flashers come on. Finally, the left power window slows down excessively when I attempt to put the window up. It goes down fine, but it won't go up at normal speed.
While driving the rear of the vehicle vibrated and the tires bounced up and down. *ak *cb
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