I HAVE A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT WITH FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, A V8 ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I NOTICED MY FRONT TIRES WEARING ON THE INSIDE. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER ON 12-20-01. I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED LOWER BALL JOINT AND UPPER CONTROL ARMS. ON 1-31-03 I RETURNED TO THE DEALER COMPLAINING OF A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END,…
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I HAVE A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT WITH FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, A V8 ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I NOTICED MY FRONT TIRES WEARING ON THE INSIDE. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER ON 12-20-01. I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED LOWER BALL JOINT AND UPPER CONTROL ARMS. ON 1-31-03 I RETURNED TO THE DEALER COMPLAINING OF A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END, AGAIN I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED LOWER BALL JOINTS AND UPPER CONTROL ARMS. NOW I AM NOTICING THE TIRES WEARING ON THE INSIDE AGAIN AND THE DEALER TELLS ME IT AGAIN NEEDS UPPER BALL JOINTS BUT THAT THE NEW REDESIGNED PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THESE FAILURES HAVE HAPPENED AT TEN THOUSAND MILE INTERVALS, THE FIRST REPAIR WAS AT 46,261 THE SECOND AT 56,125 AND NOW IT HAS 67,261 MILES ON IT. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD AND IS USED AS A DAILY COMMUTER VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM AT 46,261 MILES IS EARLY FOR THIS TYPE OF FAILURE BUT I GUESS IT COULD HAPPEN HOWEVER TWO MORE TIMES IN 21,000 MILES IS PREMATURE FAILURE. I'VE WORKED IN THE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR BUSINESS FOR TWENTY FIVE YEARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HAD THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM ON MY OWN VEHICLES WHICH ARE METICULUSLY MAINTAINED. THIS IS DEFINATELY A SAFTEY ISSUE AS THIS CAN CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE CONTROL ARM FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10045583
32,000 miles · Nov 3, 2003
Suspension
UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE WORN PREMATURELY (36000 MILES) AND ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S NOT SAFE TO CONTINUE DRIVING WITHOUT REPLACING THEM. DODGE NEEDS TO GET A HANDLE ON THIS BEFORE ANY ACCIDENTS OCCUR. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10045358
60,000 miles · Oct 28, 2003
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW OR HIGH SPEEDS A NOISE COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS MUST BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10044866
60,000 miles · Oct 28, 2003
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW OR HIGH SPEEDS, A NOISE COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS MUST BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10044865
77,000 miles · Oct 24, 2003
Suspension
THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE WEAR. AS A RESULT, THE BALL JOINTS PRODUCED A GRINDING NOISE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB *MR
NHTSA ODI #10044675
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2003
SteeringSuspension
THREADS ON SPINDLE WERE CORRODED AND STRIPPED.*MR THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE ON HIS VEHICLE. *CB *JB
NHTSA ODI #10043937
49,600 miles · Aug 15, 2003
Suspension
UPPER BALL JOINT WORE OUT PREMATURELY AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT, PER DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE WAS KEPT IN THE GARAGE WITH ONLY 50K MILES AND THE CONSUMER DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY HE HAD EXPENSIVE FAILURES. *PH *JB
NHTSA ODI #10030151
85,000 miles · Aug 7, 2003
SteeringSuspension
FRONT END SUSPENSION FAILED, AND CAUSED THE THREAD ON THE TIE ROD TO BECOME WEAK. THE THREADS APPEARED CORRODED WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *CB *JB
NHTSA ODI #10026428
Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2003
Suspension
DEALER REPLACED UPPER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINTS AT 35000 MILES, AGAIN WAS REPLACED AT 80000. DEALER KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEMS OF THE BALL JOINTS, BUT CLAIMED THEY WERE STILL GOOD AND CONSUMER COULD STILL DRIVE ALTHOUGH THE BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT PREMATURELY.
NHTSA ODI #10031287
84,200 miles · Jul 18, 2003
Suspension
I OWN A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT PICKUP. IT IS A 4X4 WITH A 318CID ENGINE AND AUTO. TRANS. AT ABOUT 35,000 MILES, DURING A FRONT END ALIGNMENT, I HAD TO REPLACE THE LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT. HAVING 25 YEARS AUTO EXPERIENCE MYSELF, THIS PART WAS DEFINITELY BAD AND I REPLACED THE WHOLE UPPER CONTROL ARM, AS THE BALL JOINT ALONE WAS…
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I OWN A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT PICKUP. IT IS A 4X4 WITH A 318CID ENGINE AND AUTO. TRANS. AT ABOUT 35,000 MILES, DURING A FRONT END ALIGNMENT, I HAD TO REPLACE THE LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT. HAVING 25 YEARS AUTO EXPERIENCE MYSELF, THIS PART WAS DEFINITELY BAD AND I REPLACED THE WHOLE UPPER CONTROL ARM, AS THE BALL JOINT ALONE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. CURRENTLY, AT 84,000 MILES, BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE BAD AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT USED MUCH IN OFF ROAD CONDITIONS AND THEN ONLY ON PAVED ROADS. THIS IS PREMATURE PART FAILURE AND A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AS I DRIVE AT OR ABOVE THE POISTED SPEED LIMITS IN MY TRAVELS. TOTAL FAILURE OF THESE PARTS WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT. *JB
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS BUILT WITH 2.5L ENGINES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A PUNCTURE OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE FRONT WHEELS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE TUBE AND POWER STEERING HOSE FOR WEAR. IF WEAR IS EVIDENT, THE BRAKE TUBE AND/OR POWER STEERING HOSE WILL BE REPLACED. A POWER STEERING STANDOFF BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND POWER STEERING HOSE IS MAINTAINED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE REAR AXLE VENT HOSE AND THE BRAKE HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A PUNCTURE IN THE REAR BRAKE HOSE WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE REAR WHEELS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE HOSE FOR EVIDENCE OF WEAR. WORN BRAKE HOSES WILL BE REPLACED. THE REAR VENT HOSE WILL BE SHORTENED BY 3 INCHES AND A CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ASSURE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE AXLE VENT LINE AND BRAKE HOSE IS MAINTAINED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS WITH A 131 INCH WHEELBASE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE FUEL LINE AND THE CAB UNDERBODY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONTACT CAN RESULT IN WEAR, AND AFTER EXTENDED CONTACT, COULD CAUSE A PERFORATION IN THE FUEL LINE, RESULTING IN LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PROPER CLEARANCE. FUEL LINES THAT EXHIBIT INADEQUATE CLEARANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REDESIGNED FUEL LINE THAT WILL ASSURE PROPER CLEARANCE.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Suspension
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:front
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:front:control Arm
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
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