← New search

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

What owners actually said

806 reports
19,000 miles · May 11, 2004
Suspension

WHEN REPLACING TIRES ON MY 2000 DAKOTA, I WAS ADVISED THAT MY BALL JOINTS WERE WORN TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE. MY VEHICLE WAS LESS THAN 30 DAYS BEYOND THE EXPIRATION OF THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY, AND HAD APPROXIMATELY 19,000 MILES ON IT. I BELIEVE BOTH THE BALL JOINTS AND THE TIRES SHOULD WEAR MORE MILEAGE THAN THAT. I A…

Read full complaint

WHEN REPLACING TIRES ON MY 2000 DAKOTA, I WAS ADVISED THAT MY BALL JOINTS WERE WORN TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE. MY VEHICLE WAS LESS THAN 30 DAYS BEYOND THE EXPIRATION OF THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY, AND HAD APPROXIMATELY 19,000 MILES ON IT. I BELIEVE BOTH THE BALL JOINTS AND THE TIRES SHOULD WEAR MORE MILEAGE THAN THAT. I ALSO BELIEVE THE DETERIORATION OF THE BALL JOINTS ACCELERATED THE WEAR OF THE TIRES. BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. DID NOT WANT TO WAIT FOR A RECALL AT THE EXPENSE OF MY FAMILY'S SAFETY.

NHTSA ODI #10072428

48,153 miles · May 11, 2004
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS AT ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER COULD HEAR A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER CAN ALSO FEEL A THUMPING SENSATION COMING THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT. *NM *NM

NHTSA ODI #10064879

41,000 miles · May 11, 2004
Suspension

DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT. CONSUMER WAS NOT HAVING ANY PROBLEMS AT THIS TIME. DEALERSHIP DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *LA

NHTSA ODI #10061318

67,000 miles · May 10, 2004
Suspension

DURING INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC INFORMWD THE CONSUMER THAT THEIR FRONT LOWER/UPPER BALL JOINT WERE WEARING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10073394

65,000 miles · May 6, 2004
Suspension

2000 QUAD CAB 4 X 4 DAKOTA. I BOUGHT THE DAKOTA USED WITH 59,000 MILES. SHORTLY AFTER THE FRONT END BEGAN TO SQUEAK AND CLUNK. A DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSISED THE PROBLEM TO BE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS IS AWEFUL EARLY TO HAVE BALL JOINT FAILURES. I HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED FOR $360. THE SERVICE MANAGER ALSO INFORMED ME THAT…

Read full complaint

2000 QUAD CAB 4 X 4 DAKOTA. I BOUGHT THE DAKOTA USED WITH 59,000 MILES. SHORTLY AFTER THE FRONT END BEGAN TO SQUEAK AND CLUNK. A DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSISED THE PROBLEM TO BE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS IS AWEFUL EARLY TO HAVE BALL JOINT FAILURES. I HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED FOR $360. THE SERVICE MANAGER ALSO INFORMED ME THAT DAIMLERCHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE THEY DO NOT BELIEVE IT TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. IF AN UPPER BALL JOINT FAILS, THEN IT WILL SEPERATE FROM THE KNUCKLE. THE KNUCKLE HOLDS THE WHEEL IN PLACE. SO, IF THE BALL JOINT FAILS THERE AS HIGH PROBABILITY THAT THE WHEEL WILL COME OFF.

NHTSA ODI #10068402

87,000 miles · May 5, 2004
Suspension

2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 SLT. HEAVY DUTY SUSPENSION. TOP OF THE LINE MODEL. TOOK TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE ON A SQUEEKING FRONT END SUSPENSION. SERVICE FINDS RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT NEEDS REPLACED. ONCE THE TECHNICIAN GOT INTO THE WORK HE FINDS ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS, UPPERS AND LOWERS, NEED TO BE REPLACED. TRUCK HAS 87K ROAD …

Read full complaint

2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 SLT. HEAVY DUTY SUSPENSION. TOP OF THE LINE MODEL. TOOK TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE ON A SQUEEKING FRONT END SUSPENSION. SERVICE FINDS RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT NEEDS REPLACED. ONCE THE TECHNICIAN GOT INTO THE WORK HE FINDS ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS, UPPERS AND LOWERS, NEED TO BE REPLACED. TRUCK HAS 87K ROAD MILES ALL ON PAVED ROAD. NEVER BEEN TAKEN OFF ROAD. VEHICLE WAS PARTIALLY REPAIRED. PENDING MY ABILITY TO PAY FOR REMAINING RIGHT LOWER, AND LEFT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10068376

67,450 miles · May 2, 2004
Suspension

HAD SEEN A NEWS STORY REGARDING 2000 DODGE DAKOTA UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURES WHERE FRONT WHEEL WOULD COME OFF. I SUSPECTED MINE WERE MAKING CLUNKING NOISES SO I ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK THEM AT ABOUT 62,000 MILES. I TOLD THEM I HAD HAD HEARD OF COMPLAINTS/POSSIBLE ISSUES RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. THEY INDICATED THEY WERE "OK". …

Read full complaint

HAD SEEN A NEWS STORY REGARDING 2000 DODGE DAKOTA UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURES WHERE FRONT WHEEL WOULD COME OFF. I SUSPECTED MINE WERE MAKING CLUNKING NOISES SO I ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK THEM AT ABOUT 62,000 MILES. I TOLD THEM I HAD HAD HEARD OF COMPLAINTS/POSSIBLE ISSUES RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. THEY INDICATED THEY WERE "OK". ON MAY 2ND ( AT ~67,000 MILES), WHILE JACKING THE FRONT END UP TO CHECK BRAKES AND ROTATE TIRES, THE UPPER BALL JOINT COMPLETELY DROPPED OUT OF THE SOCKET ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. I CONSIDER MYSELF VERY FORTUNATE, THIS BALL JOINT DIDN'T POP OUT WHILE DRIVING. I AM FURIOUS THAT CHRYSLER HASN'T RECALLED (THAT I AM AWARE OF), OR AT LEAST SENT OUT A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10068175

61,000 miles · Apr 20, 2004
Suspension

UPPER AND LOWER BALLJOINT FAILURE IN MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA,NEC TO REPLACE BALLJOINT DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR

NHTSA ODI #10066523

88,000 miles · Apr 20, 2004
Air BagsCrash

WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK *LA

NHTSA ODI #10064739

31,450 miles · Apr 20, 2004
Suspension

AT 31450 MILES DEALERSHIP REPLACED LOWER BALL JOINT AND LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT. *AK *LA

NHTSA ODI #10061666

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