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1997 Dodge Dakota

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Dakota years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Dodge Dakota are substantially higher than the model-year median of 166.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

140 reports with mileage · 306 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

41 crash reports6 fire reports22 injury reports

What owners actually said

446 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #874464

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #735812

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAD NEW FRONT ROTORS PUT ON MY TRUCK AT 72,116 MILES PER DODGE'S REQUEST. NOTICED RUBBING WHEN APPLIED BRAKE WHEN GOING UP AND DOWN HILLS. DODGE SAID THEY NEED TO BREAK IN THAT CONDITION WOULD IMPROVE. AUGUST 5, 2000 BURNING SMELL COMING IN THROUGH VENTS AS I APPROACHED A STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND THEN VEHICL…

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I HAD NEW FRONT ROTORS PUT ON MY TRUCK AT 72,116 MILES PER DODGE'S REQUEST. NOTICED RUBBING WHEN APPLIED BRAKE WHEN GOING UP AND DOWN HILLS. DODGE SAID THEY NEED TO BREAK IN THAT CONDITION WOULD IMPROVE. AUGUST 5, 2000 BURNING SMELL COMING IN THROUGH VENTS AS I APPROACHED A STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND THEN VEHICLE VEERED TO ONE SIDE. LEFT FRONT WAS SMOKING AND VERY HOT. I WAS OUT OF STATE AT THE TIME AND THE SERVICE PERSON SAID THAT THE BRAKES WEREN'T INSTALLED CORRECTLY THAT THE FRONT LEFT WAS WARPED AND NEEDED REPLACING. NORWOOD DODGE INSPECTED IT AND SAID ALL WAS OK. RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL 891OR892 REGARDING FUEL AND BRAKE LINES RUBBING ON CHASIS. BROUGHT VEHICLE IN TO GET FIXED. BRAKES DID NOT WORK CORRECTLY SINCE THEN. WHILE DOING 65MPH AND ON THE GAS ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKES LOCKED UP OUT OF THE BLUE AND I SKIDDED ABOUT 40'. HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND SOMETHING BREAK UNDER THE TRUCK. I THINK THE SUDDEN STOP DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION OR DIFFERENTIAL (WHICH WAS WORKED ON THE DAY BEFORE) HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED. THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS ON 12 DIFFERENT OCCURANCES AND COUNTING. AT PRESENT VEHICLE IS OUT OF COMMISSION AND I WILL NOT DRIVE EVEN IF THEY SAY THEY FIXED IT. I ALMOST KILLED MYSELF AND OTHERS NOT ONCE BUT TWICE DUE TO BRAKES NOT WORKING AND BRAKES LOCKING UP WHILE ON THE GAS. DEALER HAS NO CLUE WHAT IS WRONG.*AK

NHTSA ODI #735743

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline

I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM DAIMLER-CHRYSLER FOR THE FUEL LINE (RECALL NUMBER 892). THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS CONTACTING THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, AND COULD EVENTUALLY WEAR THROUGH. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY INSTALLED AN "ISOLATOR" ON THE FUEL LINE. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, I HAPPEND TO BE L…

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I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM DAIMLER-CHRYSLER FOR THE FUEL LINE (RECALL NUMBER 892). THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS CONTACTING THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, AND COULD EVENTUALLY WEAR THROUGH. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY INSTALLED AN "ISOLATOR" ON THE FUEL LINE. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, I HAPPEND TO BE LOOKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, AND NOTED THAT THE "ISOLATOR" AMOUNTED TO NOTHING MORE THAN A SMALL CYLLINDER OF RUBBER THAT WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE FUEL LINE TO SEPARATE IT FROM THE BODY OF THE TRUCK. UNFORTUNATELY, THE ISOLATOR HAS SLIPPED DOWN AND THE FUEL LINE IS AGAIN CONTACTING THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. I NOTED THAT THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT ABRASION ON THE FUEL LINE, ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT LEAKING. I SHOVED THE RUBBER PIECE BACK INTO PLACE. HOWEVER, IT IS UNLIKELY TO STAY THERE. THIS IS A 4X4 PICKUP, AND IT IS USED OFF ROAD ON A REGULAR BASIS. HOWEVER, THE ISOLATOR HAD SLIPPED WHEN THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD BEEN DRIVEN ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. THIS IS AN INADEQUATE FIX. DAIMLER-CHRYSLER SHOULD BE REPLACING THE ENTIRE FUEL LINE WITH A NEW ONE THAT IS PRE-FORMED TO CLEAR THE BODY OF THE TRUCK AT ALL POINTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #735628

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline

AFTER RECALL REPAIR 00V-199 OF THE FUEL LINE FITTING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN BUCKING LIKE THE FUEL WAS NOT RESPONDING TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM OXYGEN SENSORS FAILED, VEHICLE RAN PERFECTLY BEFORE RECALL WORK. NLM

NHTSA ODI #557066

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2000
Equipment

AIR CONDITIONER--TESTED BY DEALER BUT COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. DYE PLACED IN SYSTEM AND FREON REFILLED. IN ONE WEEK'S TIME, AC WAS WARM AGAIN. DEALER INSPECTED AGAIN AND REPLACED CONDENSOR, REFILLED FREON. SAME PROBLEM AGAIN IN ABOUT 10 DAYS TIME. PRESENTLY HAVING CHECKED AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #735176

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline

RECALL # OOV199000 DAIMLER CHRYSLER/FUEL LINE/CAB UNDERBODY: DEALERSHIP (OWNER) REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL CAMPAIGN BECAUSE TRUCK WAS NOT PURCHASED FROM DEALERSHIP. OWNER VERY NASTY AND ABRUPT TO CUSTOMERS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #873719

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2000
Structure

AUTHORIZED DODGE DEALER INSPECTED WITH EMPLOYEE OF CHRYSLER/ STATED THERE WAS NO DEFECT WITH MANUFACTURER ALTHOUGH I DON'T FEEL THAT IT CANNOT BE BECAUSE THIS PEELING/FLAKING HAS NOT OCCURRED ELSEWHERE ON THE BODY OF THE TRUCK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #734979

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2000
Seats

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ODI #734863

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2000
Suspension

LEFT HAND UPPER BALL JOINT IS COMING APART FROM STEERING TIE ROD WHICH COULD CAUSE COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #873035

Official recalls

5

01V153000 · Air Bags

May 8, 2001

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.

00V193000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jul 17, 2000

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.

00V198000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jul 17, 2000

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.

00V199000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jul 17, 2000

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.

97V080000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

May 16, 1997

THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DESIGN ALLOWS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA03023 · Upper Ball Joint Separation

Opened Nov 19, 2003 · Closed Feb 11, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front; Suspension:front:control Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm; 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.

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.