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2000 Dodge Dakota

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Dakota years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Dodge Dakota are substantially higher than the model-year median of 166.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

359 reports with mileage · 447 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 282 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 248 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

60 crash reports14 fire reports35 injury reports

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

16 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2007
Latches/locks/linkages

THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA HAVE FAILED TO WORK. THEY LOCK BUT DO NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE. THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED 2 TIMES AND HAVE FAILED A THIRD . I WAS TOLD THE DOOR LATCH/LOCK ASSEMBLY IS THE PART THAT IS FAILING ALSO THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE IS ALSO IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. THE DOORS WILL UNLOCK FROM OUTSID…

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THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA HAVE FAILED TO WORK. THEY LOCK BUT DO NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE. THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED 2 TIMES AND HAVE FAILED A THIRD . I WAS TOLD THE DOOR LATCH/LOCK ASSEMBLY IS THE PART THAT IS FAILING ALSO THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE IS ALSO IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. THE DOORS WILL UNLOCK FROM OUTSIDE WITH THE REMOTE BUT WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184058

38,560 miles · Oct 21, 2006
Latches/locks/linkages

I OWN A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. 3 OUT 4 ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING IN THE SAME YEAR AND THE LAST THAT HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED WILL NOT LOCK WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171492

53,000 miles · May 22, 2006
Latches/locks/linkages

THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCKING INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT ACTIVATING THE POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH. THERE IS ALSO A CLICKING SOUND FROM THE POWER DOOR LOCKS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10157974

29,000 miles · Oct 10, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages

POWER LOCK ACTUATORS ALL FAILED ONE AFTER ANOTHER. THE FIRST ONE TO FAIL WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR IN 2002. THE OTHER REAR AND PASSENGER FRONT FAILED IN 2004 AND NOW THE DRIVER'S POWER LOCK ACTUATOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. IS THIS COMMON AND SHOULD THERE BE A RECALL IF SO?*JB

NHTSA ODI #10139196

Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages

THE CONSUMER HAD TROUBLE UNLOCKING THE PASSENGER DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. THE CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER. *JB POWER LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK EITHER DOOR OF VEHICLE, WHETHER USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY KEYHOLE OR USING THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE DOOR. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK VEHICLE IS BY A COMBINATION OF USING KEY AND REMOTE AT THE S…

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THE CONSUMER HAD TROUBLE UNLOCKING THE PASSENGER DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. THE CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER. *JB POWER LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK EITHER DOOR OF VEHICLE, WHETHER USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY KEYHOLE OR USING THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE DOOR. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK VEHICLE IS BY A COMBINATION OF USING KEY AND REMOTE AT THE SAME TIME AS PULLING UP THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON. THIS CONDITION WOULD BE QUITE UNSAFE IN ANY EMERGENCY SITUATION AND NEED TO REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER. VEHICLE STARTED MAKING NOISE AT 34,000 MILES BUT STILL WORK. VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING AT ABOUT 38,500 MILES. *SB *NM

NHTSA ODI #10105499

51,945 miles · May 26, 2005
Latches/locks/linkagesVisibility

THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW FAILED THEN TWO WEEKS LATER DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FAILED. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS MADE A LOUD NOISE WHEN LOCKING OR UNLOCKING. MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10113498

35,000 miles · Jan 31, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages

NO INJURY YET. WE DROVE FROM CA TO TX. JUST BEFORE WE GET TO TEXAS THE DRIVER SIDE LOCK STARTED MAKING VERY LOUD SHRILL NOISE EVERYTIME WE STARTED AND STOPPED THE ENGINE. LOCKES ON THIS TRUCK LOCK AND OPEN WHEN ENGINE IS STARTED OR STOPPED, WHICH IS VERY BAD. HUSBAND TRIED TO FIX PROBLEM, THEN IT LOCKED UP FOR GOOD. HUSBAND HAD…

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NO INJURY YET. WE DROVE FROM CA TO TX. JUST BEFORE WE GET TO TEXAS THE DRIVER SIDE LOCK STARTED MAKING VERY LOUD SHRILL NOISE EVERYTIME WE STARTED AND STOPPED THE ENGINE. LOCKES ON THIS TRUCK LOCK AND OPEN WHEN ENGINE IS STARTED OR STOPPED, WHICH IS VERY BAD. HUSBAND TRIED TO FIX PROBLEM, THEN IT LOCKED UP FOR GOOD. HUSBAND HAD TO SLIDE IN FROM PASSENGER SIDE THE REST OF THE TRIP. THESE LOCKS ARE VERY DANGEROUS. TOOK TRUCK TO DODGE DEALER, THEY SUGGESTED TO TAKE IT TO COLLISION PLACE. TOOK 2 HOURS AT COLLISION PLACE TO GET DOOR OPEN. BUT DOOR IS NOT FIXED. HAVE TO MANUALLY OPEN AND LOCK DOOR FROM PASSENGER SIDE NOW. NOW THE BACKDOOR ON DRIVERS SIDE IS MAKING THE SAME SOUND AND SOMETIMES WORKS AND SOMETIMES NOT. THEY SHOULD HAVE NEVER CHANGED LOCKS TO OPEN AN CLOSE WITH TURNING ON THE ENGINE. ONCE THESE LOCKES STOP WORKING ONE CANNOT GET IN OR OUT OF THE DOOR. IF THERE IS A WRECK AND THESE LOCKS STOP WORKING, THERE WILL BE INJURY OR DEATH. I AM TRYING TO WARN PEOPLE BEFORE THERE IS AN INJURY OR DEATH. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10108280

57,950 miles · Jan 21, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK ON 2000 DODGE DAKOTA FAILED IN THE LOCKED POSITION, WAS NOT ABLE TO OPEN WITH KEY, KEY FOB OR DOOR HANDLES, INSIDE OR OUT. IF FAILED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT, EMERGENCY PERSONNEL WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN DOOR. REPLACED DOOR LATCH WITH BUILT IN ACTUATOR. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10107702

76,021 miles · Dec 22, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY PART #55256713AB FAILED THUS OCCUPANT CAN NOT OPEN DOOR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10104293

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2004
EquipmentLatches/locks/linkages

ALL FOUR OF THE DOOR ACTUATOR HAVE FAILED. FIRST THEY MAKE ATERRIBLE GRATING SOUND THEN IF NOT REPLACED, AT AN INCREASINGLY INFLATING RATE (NOW OVER $200 EACH), THE DOOR WILL EVENTUALLY LOCK AND CANNOT BE UNLOCKED BY THE KEYLESS ENTRY. YOU CAN BE LOCKED OUT OR A SMALL CHILD COULD BE LOCKED IN. AT ANY RATE IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART,…

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ALL FOUR OF THE DOOR ACTUATOR HAVE FAILED. FIRST THEY MAKE ATERRIBLE GRATING SOUND THEN IF NOT REPLACED, AT AN INCREASINGLY INFLATING RATE (NOW OVER $200 EACH), THE DOOR WILL EVENTUALLY LOCK AND CANNOT BE UNLOCKED BY THE KEYLESS ENTRY. YOU CAN BE LOCKED OUT OR A SMALL CHILD COULD BE LOCKED IN. AT ANY RATE IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART, IT IS UNSAFE, THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS BUT NOW OUT OF WARRANTY SO TOO BAD. IF YOU FIX IT YOU PAY OVER $200, IF YOU DO NOT YOU RUN THE RISK OF DOORS LOCKING AUTOMATICALLY AND BEING UNABLE TO UNLOCK THEM, RESULTING IN ANY NUMBER OF DANGEROUS, INJUROUS AND DESTRUCTIVE SITUATIONS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10100129

Official recalls

5

04V596000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint

Dec 21, 2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4), IF MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT, EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT AND CORROSION OF THE JOINT MAY CAUSE THE JOINT TO WEAR OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HEARD BY THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

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.

00V197000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Jul 17, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.7L ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXPEL FLUID FROM THE FILL TUBE DURING NORMAL TEMPERATURE OPERATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COULD COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM AND IGNITION OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COULD RESULT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE VENT HOSE AND ASSURE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE.

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

4

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.

EA01010 · Front Safety Belt Anchorage

Opened Mar 8, 2001 · Closed Aug 17, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

ALLEGE THAT THE FRONT SAFETY BELT ANCHOR BOLTS DISENGAGE FROM THEIR MOUNTING POINTS OR ARE FOUND TO BE LOOSE.

PE00035 · Stop Lamp Switch

Opened Sep 7, 2000 · Closed Mar 9, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

ALLEGED THAT ELECTRICAL FAILURE OF THE BRAKE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAN RESULT IN STOP LAMPS NOT ILLUMINATION DURING SERVICE BRAKE APPLICATION, AND THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM MAY FAIL TO DISENGAGE

PE00030 · Front Safety Belt Anchorage Disengagemen

Opened Jul 21, 2000 · Closed Mar 8, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

ALLEGED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT SAFETY BELT ANCHORS DISENGAGE FROM MOUNTING POINTS