← 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
50,000 miles · Jun 13, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

ELECTRICAL LOCKING SYSTEM HAS FAILED. IF YOU USE THE ELECTRICAL LOCK SYSTEM, THE DOORS DO NOT ELECTRONICALLY OPEN, YOU MUST MANUALLY PUSH THE LOCKS UP TO OPEN AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. YOU CANNOT MANUALLY PUSH THE LOCKS UP TO EXIT THE VEHICLE UNLESS YOU HIT THE ELECTRIC DOOR BUTTON UP AND THEN AND ONLY THEN CAN YOU PUSH THE BUTTON…

Read full complaint

ELECTRICAL LOCKING SYSTEM HAS FAILED. IF YOU USE THE ELECTRICAL LOCK SYSTEM, THE DOORS DO NOT ELECTRONICALLY OPEN, YOU MUST MANUALLY PUSH THE LOCKS UP TO OPEN AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. YOU CANNOT MANUALLY PUSH THE LOCKS UP TO EXIT THE VEHICLE UNLESS YOU HIT THE ELECTRIC DOOR BUTTON UP AND THEN AND ONLY THEN CAN YOU PUSH THE BUTTON UP AND THEN OPEN THE DOOR. IF YOU DO NOT HIT THE ELECTRONIC BUTTON, WHICH DOES NOT ELECTRONICALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS BECAUSE IT HAS FAILED, THEN YOU CANNOT EVEN EXIT THE VEHICLE. YOU ARE LOCKED IN, CANNOT ESCAPE. MANUALLY AS WELL AS ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM HAS FAILED. IF AN ACCIDENT CAUSES THE DRIVER TO BE PINNED IN THE VEHICLE, OR UNCONSCIOUS OR THE VEHICLE MANGLED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT YOU COULD NOT PUSH THE ELECTRIC BUTTON UP, MY CHILDREN (8 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND 11 YEAR OLD SON) WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WHAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND THEY COULDN'T GET OUT, IF WE WERE UNABLE TO PUSH THAT BUTTON OR THEY WERE UNABLE TO PUSH THAT ELECTRIC BUTTON UP, THE BUTTON MUST BE PUSHED BY THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN ORDER FOR IT TO ALLOW YOU TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD RESULT IN POSSIBLE DEATH. WE TOLD DEALER, THEY WILL NOT FIX, THEY WANT TO CHARGE US $100.00 PER DOOR, I BARELY MAKE ENDS MEET, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I HAVE TO DRIVE TO GET TO WORK, THE DEALER COULD CARE LESS.....WE SPOKE WITH CHRYSLER, THEY COULD CARE LESS AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE NOT HAD A FATALITY SO UNTIL THEY DO, THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS SAFETY ISSUE. SOMEONE HAS TO BE INJURED OR DIE IN ORDER FOR THEM TO FIX VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. YOU CANNOT GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE, BY MANUALLY TRYING TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, IF THE ELECTRONIC OPENER IS NOT PUSHED FIRST, THEN YOU CANNOT MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS, THE DRIVERS ELECTRIC DOOR BUTTON MUST BE PUSHED UP, EVEN THOUGH IT DOES NOT MAKE THE DOORS ELECTRONICALLY UNLOCK, IF IT IS NOT AT LEAST PUSHED, YOU ARE LOCKED IN AND CANNOT UNLOCK THE DOORS BECAUSE THE LOCK WILL NOT GO UP....YOU ARE TRAPPED. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10023043

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THE WARPED BRAKE ROTORS ON NEWER DODGE DAKOTA'S. EVERYONE I TALK TO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. IF YOU REPLACE THEM, THEY GO BACK TO BEING WARPED AFTER A FEW THOUSAND MILES. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10023027

50,000 miles · Jun 13, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE ROTORS WARP ON 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. I HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS TURNED TWICE, FOLLOWED BY REPLACEMENT OF THE ROTORS, ALL BEFORE 50,000 MILES. THE NEW ROTORS HAVE ALREADY STARTED TO WARP, LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AFTER INSTALLATION. NOTE: BRAKE PADS SHOW NO UNUSUAL WEAR AND HAVEN'T BEEN REPLACED; THE PADS ARE SUPPOSED TO B…

Read full complaint

BRAKE ROTORS WARP ON 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. I HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS TURNED TWICE, FOLLOWED BY REPLACEMENT OF THE ROTORS, ALL BEFORE 50,000 MILES. THE NEW ROTORS HAVE ALREADY STARTED TO WARP, LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AFTER INSTALLATION. NOTE: BRAKE PADS SHOW NO UNUSUAL WEAR AND HAVEN'T BEEN REPLACED; THE PADS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THE SACRIFICIAL PART, NOT THE ROTORS!!! ALL WORK HAS BEEN PERFORMED BY CLEAR LAKE DODGE AND ALLEN SAMUELS CHRYSLER, BOTH IN HOUSTON; AT NO TIME HAS EITHER PLACE MENTIONED ANY SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH DAKOTA BRAKE ROTORS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10023024

89,000 miles · Jun 5, 2003
Air BagsCrash

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10022397

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2003
Seats

THE POWER SEAT ADJUSTMENTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE STOPPED WORKING IN 04/2003. THE SEAT WAS ALSO UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE SERIAL NUMBER FOR THE PART IS 5012532-AA. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10020478

23,000 miles · May 22, 2003
Visibility

I BEGAN TO SMELL HORRIBLE ANTIFREEZE/MUSTY SMELL (TRUCK HAD ALWAYS HAD MUSTY SMELL, BUT THIS WAS MUCH WORSE). IT WAS SO BAD THAT I HAD TO TURN THE HEAT OFF AND ROLL THE WINDOWS ALL THE WAY DOWN AND KEEP THEM THAT WAY THROUGH THE DEAD OF WINTER BECAUSE THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN, I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE SECOND TIME I…

Read full complaint

I BEGAN TO SMELL HORRIBLE ANTIFREEZE/MUSTY SMELL (TRUCK HAD ALWAYS HAD MUSTY SMELL, BUT THIS WAS MUCH WORSE). IT WAS SO BAD THAT I HAD TO TURN THE HEAT OFF AND ROLL THE WINDOWS ALL THE WAY DOWN AND KEEP THEM THAT WAY THROUGH THE DEAD OF WINTER BECAUSE THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN, I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE SECOND TIME I TOOK IT IN, I SPECIFICALLY ASKED THEM TO LOOK FOR AN ANTIFREEZE LEAK. SEEING AS HOW THEY ARE MECHANICS, THEY SHOULD KNOW THIS WAS A HEATER CORE PROBLEM. I OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T KNOW AT THE TIME. THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE THIRD TIME I TOOK IT IN (BY THIS TIME IT HAD GOTTEN TO WHERE HEAVY MIST WOULD COME OUT OF VENTS AND FOG UP THE ENTIRE CAB), THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MILDEW AND CHARGED ME TO CLEAN AND DEODERIZE. WHAT A RIPOFF SINCE THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM, MY VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY, AND IT STILL STINKS! I NOW HAVE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH A DIFFERENT (HOPEFULLY BETTER) DEALER SINCE MY WARRANTY EXPIRES IN THREE WEEKS AND CHRYSLER "CUSTOMER SERVICE" TOLD ME I HAVE TO GET IT FIXED BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRES OR I WILL HAVE TO PAY...EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 10 MONTHS AND IT IS CHRYSLERS FAULT IT IS NOT ALREADY FIXED. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH NEW DAKOTA'S. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SEARCH HEATER CORE DAKOTA ON THE INTERNET AND YOU'LL COME UP WITH MANY COMPLAINTS, MOST OF WHICH SAY THAT IF CHRYSLER FINALLY ADMITS THERE IS A PROBLEM, THEN THE PERSON IS STILL OUT OF A VEHICLE FOR WEEKS AT A TIME. HONORING WARRANTY ALSO SEEMS TO BE A HUGE PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER. I'LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER UNLESS THEY CHANGE THEIR ATTITUDE. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019130

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKE SYSTEM OVERHEATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT WHILE BRAKING. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT RELEASE WHILE DRIVING. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019701

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A STOP, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE CONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE, SHE SAW THE WHEELS WERE HOT, BECAUSE THE BRAKES FAILED TO RELEASE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10019617

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10019462

11,503 miles · May 1, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CARRIED 2000 DODGE DAKOTA SLT BACK TO DEALER @11503 MILESFOR FRONT END SHIMMIE UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDTIONS.

NHTSA ODI #10016818

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