IllustrationTHE 1999 DODGE DAKOTA 4 X 4 I BOUGHT NEW HAS 48500 MILES ON IT NOW. IT'S FRONT END BALL JOINTS ARE FAILING AND WILL NEED REPLACEMENT TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THIS TRUCK HAS HAS ONLY BEEN CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVEN. *NM
1999 Dodge Dakota
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Dakota years
Owner complaints for the 1999 Dodge Dakota are substantially higher than the model-year median of 166.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Dakota years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
270–25K
8925–50K
10950–75K
5575–100K
28100–150K
22150K+
330 reports with mileage · 311 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 342 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
49 crash reports6 fire reports17 injury reports
Suspension complaints
342 reportsDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, A SQUEAKING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED.
1999 DODGE DAKOTA BALL JOINT FAILURE. *NM
PREMATURE BALL JOINT FAILURE ON 1999 DODGE DAKOTA. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST OF 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS. *JB
DEALER NOTIFIED ME THAT BOTH BALL JOINTS AND CONTROL ARMS ARE DANGEROUSLY LOOSE AND NEED REPLACED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 04V596000 SPECIFIES MANUFACTURE DATE FROM 01/07/1999 - 12/31/2002. MY TRUCK WAS BUILD IN MARCH OF 1999. THEY ARE CLAIMING THAT I GOT LUCKY AND MY TRUCK DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL, YET I STILL HAVE THE PROBLE…
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DEALER NOTIFIED ME THAT BOTH BALL JOINTS AND CONTROL ARMS ARE DANGEROUSLY LOOSE AND NEED REPLACED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 04V596000 SPECIFIES MANUFACTURE DATE FROM 01/07/1999 - 12/31/2002. MY TRUCK WAS BUILD IN MARCH OF 1999. THEY ARE CLAIMING THAT I GOT LUCKY AND MY TRUCK DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL, YET I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. 1999 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT 4X4 VIN #[XXX]. *NM UPDATED 07/12/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
SAFETY RECALL NHTSA ID 04V-596 NOT HONORED DODGE OF BELLEVUE 316 116 AVE N.E BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON 98004 (425) 454-8411 LUKE BLACKWELL (425) 454 8411 GENERAL MANAGER FAILED TO HONOR RECALL EVEN THOUGH HIS MECHANIC STATED THERE IS A FRONT END BALL JOINT PROBLEM WITH MY 1999 DODGE DAKOTA VIN [XXX]. MECHANIC STATES- INNER TIE …
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SAFETY RECALL NHTSA ID 04V-596 NOT HONORED DODGE OF BELLEVUE 316 116 AVE N.E BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON 98004 (425) 454-8411 LUKE BLACKWELL (425) 454 8411 GENERAL MANAGER FAILED TO HONOR RECALL EVEN THOUGH HIS MECHANIC STATED THERE IS A FRONT END BALL JOINT PROBLEM WITH MY 1999 DODGE DAKOTA VIN [XXX]. MECHANIC STATES- INNER TIE RODS HAVE EXCESSIVE PLAY. REC REPLACE LEFT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY. REC REPLACE .DODGE OF BELLEVUE INVOICE [XXX]. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION CONVENIENTLY REPORTS TO THE DEALERS ADVANTAGE THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN SPECIFICATION INVOICE [XXX]- PLEASE CHECK AND MEASURE ALL 4 BALL JOINTS AND ADVISE NEED TO CONTACT CHRYSLER UPON INSPECTION WITH MEASUREMENTS. CHECK ALL 4 BALL JOINT ALL WITH SPECS -LEFT FRONT UPPER .010'' -LOWER .05'' RIGHT UPPER .020'' LOWER .010 ALL WITH IN SPC'S RIGHT FRONT UPPER HAS THE MOST MOVEMENT BUT IS WITH IN SPECS. FILE # WITH CHRYSLER IS [XXX]. I FEEL THAT CHRYSLER IS PLAYING A NUMBERS GAME WITH ME - I WANT CHRYSLER TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS. *JB UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I AM ON MY SECOND SET OF HAVING TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS ON MY 1999 DODGE DAKOTA AT 89,000 MILES. I KNOW THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL OF DODGE DAKOTA'S AND DURANGO'S, AND THEY WERE FORCED TO DEAL WITH THE 4WD MODELS OF 2000-2003. MINE, HOWEVER, IS A 1999 2WD MODEL, AND THE BALL JOINTS ARE NO BETTER ON MINE. FORTUNATELY…
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I AM ON MY SECOND SET OF HAVING TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS ON MY 1999 DODGE DAKOTA AT 89,000 MILES. I KNOW THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL OF DODGE DAKOTA'S AND DURANGO'S, AND THEY WERE FORCED TO DEAL WITH THE 4WD MODELS OF 2000-2003. MINE, HOWEVER, IS A 1999 2WD MODEL, AND THE BALL JOINTS ARE NO BETTER ON MINE. FORTUNATELY, I HAVE MY TRUCK CHECKED ENOUGH THAT MY WHEELS HAVEN'T FALLEN OFF YET, BUT I WAS TOLD RECENTLY I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AGAIN. I'M SICK OF PAYING FOR THESE, AND DODGE NEEDS TO FINALLY ADMIT THEIR BIG SCREW UPS ON THESE. *JB
VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A MECHANIC FOR INTERMITTENT BRAKE NOISE. WHILE CHECKING VEHICLE BRAKES, MECHANIC NOTICED BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS NEARLY PULLED THROUGH SPINDLE. UPPER JOINTS WERE VISIBLY LOOSE WITH EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (FACTORY SPEC IS .060"; MECHANIC FOUND .125"). VEHICLE HAD STEERED AND DRIVEN NORMALLY BUT COULD HAVE HAD M…
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VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A MECHANIC FOR INTERMITTENT BRAKE NOISE. WHILE CHECKING VEHICLE BRAKES, MECHANIC NOTICED BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS NEARLY PULLED THROUGH SPINDLE. UPPER JOINTS WERE VISIBLY LOOSE WITH EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (FACTORY SPEC IS .060"; MECHANIC FOUND .125"). VEHICLE HAD STEERED AND DRIVEN NORMALLY BUT COULD HAVE HAD MAJOR SUSPENSION FAILURE WITHOUT GIVING ANY SIGN TO OPERATOR THAT THERE IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ISSUE. VEHICLE HAS 'LOW' (65K) MILES FOR SEVEN YEAR OLD VEHICLE AND IS WELL MAINTAINED. FAILED JOINTS ARE NOT SERVICEABLE-SEALED FOR LIFE- A VERY SHORT LIFE, AND CANNOT BE LUBRICATED. DESIGN OF SUSPENSION COMPONENTS' IS POOR RESULTING IN WEAR THAT IS EXCESSIVE. NO WARNING THAT FAILURE IS IMMINENT CAUSING POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC RESULTS. ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. *NM
CLUNKING IN FRONT END. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V596000, REGARDING THE UPPER BALL JOINT; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Official recalls
401V153000 · 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.
01V119000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor
Apr 11, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN VAN, WAGON, PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. 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.
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
1EA03023 · 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.