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2001 Dodge Dakota

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Dakota years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Dodge Dakota are substantially higher than the model-year median of 166.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

413 reports with mileage · 265 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 236 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 118 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

44 crash reports11 fire reports21 injury reports

Steering complaints

48 reports
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29,000 miles · Oct 28, 2003
SteeringSuspension

RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE FOLLOWING: DRIVERS SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM, DRIVERS SIDE SPINDLE RETAINING PLATE AND LOCKING NUT. THE SIMPTOMS WERE, A SLIGHT THUMPING NOISE WHEN GOING OVER SMAL BUT SHARP BUMPS (LIKE ENTERING A DRIVEWAY), AND A SOUND SIMILAR TO A SPRING BEING STRETCHED AND COMPRESSES. THE WORK WAS DON…

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RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE FOLLOWING: DRIVERS SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM, DRIVERS SIDE SPINDLE RETAINING PLATE AND LOCKING NUT. THE SIMPTOMS WERE, A SLIGHT THUMPING NOISE WHEN GOING OVER SMAL BUT SHARP BUMPS (LIKE ENTERING A DRIVEWAY), AND A SOUND SIMILAR TO A SPRING BEING STRETCHED AND COMPRESSES. THE WORK WAS DONE UNDER WARANTY (29,000 MILES). THE THING THAT BOTHERS ME IS THAT IT TOOK 2 ATTEMPTS AT THE DEALER TO GET IT FIXED, AND THAT ALL THE THINGS I'VE BEEN READING INDICATE PROBLEMS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE! AM I JUST A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN? IS DAIMLER CHRYSTLER GOING TO OWN UP TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE OR DO A BUNCH OF PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE FIRST?*AK

NHTSA ODI #10043754

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2003
Steering

THE STEERING WAS LOOSE WHEN CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. AFTER THREE TRIPS TO THE MECHANIC AND FIVE POSSIBLE REASONS FOR THE NOISE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE PART WAS REPAIRED BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE LOOSENESS ON OCCASIONS. *PH *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10033583

37,000 miles · Jul 28, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE WEARING AND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THERE WAS HEAVY VIBRATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE POWER STEERING UNIT HAD BROKEN AND THE ROTORS AND DRUMS WERE BADLY WARPED. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10026173

71,342 miles · Jul 23, 2003
Parking BrakeSteeringSuspension

MY BALLJOINTS SNAPPED WHILE TURNING IN MY SONS SCHOOL ONE MORNING , RESULTING IN MY FRONT WHEEL AND BRAKE ASSEMBLY FALLING OFF COMPLETELY FROM MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 TRUCK IN DECEMBER 2002. I HAD 1000 MILES PASSED FACTORY WARRENTY

NHTSA ODI #10028932

2,115 miles · Jul 22, 2003
SteeringSuspension

BAD CONTROL ARMS BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY,STEERING WONDERS TO RIGHT,POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED,STEERING SHAFT REPLACED WAITING FOR NEW STEERING COLUMN,LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY,CHRYSLER ZONE OFFICE KNOWS THEY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE FRONT END OF THE DAKOTA AND DURANGO STATED IT WAS CHEEPER TO REPLACE PAR…

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BAD CONTROL ARMS BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY,STEERING WONDERS TO RIGHT,POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED,STEERING SHAFT REPLACED WAITING FOR NEW STEERING COLUMN,LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY,CHRYSLER ZONE OFFICE KNOWS THEY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE FRONT END OF THE DAKOTA AND DURANGO STATED IT WAS CHEEPER TO REPLACE PARTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10028802

44,035 miles · Jul 13, 2003
Steering

POPING NOISE FROM STEERING AND CAB DURING TURNS. HAD DEALER LOOK AT AND NOTHING FOUND WRONG.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10025984

8,500 miles · Jun 4, 2003
Steering

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S STEERING COLUMN. *MR THE CONSUMER ALWAYS NOTICED A SLACK OR A LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING . THE VEHICLE ALSO DEVELOPED A NOISE. THE INPUT SHAFT SEAL WAS DRIED AT THE RACK AND PINION AND THE DUST COVER WAS REMOVED TO THE INPUT SHAFT AND THE SEAL WAS PULLED BACK. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10022537

29,980 miles · May 31, 2003
Power TrainSteering

2001 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 DRIVING ALONG THE HWY AROUND CURVE AT 55 MILES AND HOUR POWER STEERING FAILED ALMOST HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A WEEK BEING FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. ODOMETER 29980.00 MILES. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK EVER SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT NEW, THEY HAD TO REPLA…

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2001 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 DRIVING ALONG THE HWY AROUND CURVE AT 55 MILES AND HOUR POWER STEERING FAILED ALMOST HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A WEEK BEING FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. ODOMETER 29980.00 MILES. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK EVER SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT NEW, THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT (MIL) ON THE DASH. TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. RECEIVED THE TRUCK BACK FROM THE DEALER DROVE 22 MILES TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AGAIN MIL LIGHT ON AGAIN. HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIO MALFUNCTION, I COULD GO ON AND ON. I FEEL THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILING, COULD HAVE COST MY WIFES LIFE NOT TO MENTION THE OCCUPENTS OF THE ON COMMING TRUCK. THE TRUCK IS DRIVEN BY HER 99 PERCENT OF THE TIME. I JUST HAPPENED TO BE DRIVING IT ON THE LONG WEEKEND. I WAS ABLE TO FIGHT WITH IT AND MANAGED TO DRIVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE ACCURED WITH THE KIND OF MILEAGE PRECENT ON THE TRUCK AS WELL AS THE AGE. ANY HELP YOU CAN PROFIDE IN ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES, WOULD BE APPRECIATED

NHTSA ODI #10020793

4,001 miles · Jan 15, 2003
Steering

LOAD CLUNK COMING FROM FRONT SUSPENSION

NHTSA ODI #10002729

Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2002
Steering

HAVE HAD 3 POWER STEERING RACKS IN 8000 MILES AND STILL NOT RIGHT. STEERING WHEEL IS COKED TO THE LEFT AND STEERING IS SLOPPY. ALSO, LOUD POPPING NOISES WHEN MAKING HARD TURNS. DT

NHTSA ODI #770512

Official recalls

7

07V555000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift

Dec 4, 2007

ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARSHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

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.

03V505000 · Equipment:other:labels

Dec 10, 2003

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS AND 4X2 PICKUP TRUCKS, THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR) THAT EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IMPROPERLY LOADING YOUR VEHICLE CAN CAUSE TIRE FAILURE AND RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL OVERLAYS CONTAINING CORRECTED INFORMATION RELATIVE TO VEHICLE GAWR AND TIRE SIZE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.

03V389000 · Electrical System:wiring

Oct 10, 2003

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE HEADLAMP AND DASH WIRING HARNESS MAY BE CHAFED BY THE ACTUATION OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL. THIS COULD RESULT IN ABNORMAL OPERATION OF THE WIPERS, TURN SIGNALS, HORN OR LIGHTING SYSTEMS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY, COULD PREVENT A DRIVER FROM SOUNDING A WARNING BY USING THE HORN, AND, WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE WIRE HARNESS AND REPAIR THE HARNESS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.

01V233000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Jul 5, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: QUAD CAB PICKUP TRUCKS. THE FRONT OUTBOARD LOWER SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED CORRECTLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED SEAT BELT ANCHOR MAY NOT PROVIDE THE ANTICIPATED LEVEL OF OCCUPANT RESTRAINT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LOWER SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS AND TIGHTEN TO SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 19, 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.

01V077000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift

Mar 7, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THE ELECTRIC SHIFT TRANSFER CASE MAY NOT FULLY ENGAGE INTO GEAR WHEN THE OPERATOR MOVES THE TRANSFER CASE SELECTOR SWITCH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE TRANSFER CASE TO END UP IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION UNEXPECTEDLY AND ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANSFER CASE CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 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.

00V366000 · Child Seat

Nov 9, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.

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

2

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.