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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

Suspension complaints

236 reports
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45,000 miles · Dec 10, 2004
Suspension

MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA 2WD HAS 45,000 MILES ON IT AND ALREADY NEEDS 3 BALL JOINTS REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10102488

24,000 miles · Dec 9, 2004
Suspension

I OWN 2 DODGE DAKOTAS ONE 1997 AND ONE 2001. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS, BUT THEY ARE MAKING POPING AND CRACKING NOISES. THE 2001 ONLY HAS 24000 MILES ON IT. WHEN MAKING A HARD TURN BOTH DAKOTAS SEEM TO WOBBLE LIKE SOMTHING IS LOOSE. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS YET BUT SOMTHING IS WRONG. ALSO THE FRONT TIRES HAVE W…

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I OWN 2 DODGE DAKOTAS ONE 1997 AND ONE 2001. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS, BUT THEY ARE MAKING POPING AND CRACKING NOISES. THE 2001 ONLY HAS 24000 MILES ON IT. WHEN MAKING A HARD TURN BOTH DAKOTAS SEEM TO WOBBLE LIKE SOMTHING IS LOOSE. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS YET BUT SOMTHING IS WRONG. ALSO THE FRONT TIRES HAVE WARN UNEVEN ON BOTH TRUCKS. FRONT END ALIGNMENT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSABLE ON THE 2001 MODEL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10102484

16,000 miles · Nov 11, 2004
Suspension

THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA EXTENDED CAB 4X4 PICKUP HAVE HAD MASSIVE DETERIORATION WITH ONLY 17,500 MILES ON THEM. THEY CAUSE TREMENDOUS STEERING AND TRACKING PROBLEMS, AND HAVE CAUSED ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS. BECAUSE THESE CANNOT BE LUBRICATED OR ADJUSTED, …

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THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA EXTENDED CAB 4X4 PICKUP HAVE HAD MASSIVE DETERIORATION WITH ONLY 17,500 MILES ON THEM. THEY CAUSE TREMENDOUS STEERING AND TRACKING PROBLEMS, AND HAVE CAUSED ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS. BECAUSE THESE CANNOT BE LUBRICATED OR ADJUSTED, THEY MUST BE REPLACED. I WILL EITHER DO THESE REPAIRS MYSELF IN THE NEAR FUTURE OR HAVE THEN DONE AT A QUALIFIED GARAGE, BUT I WILL SAVE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING EXCESSIVE WITH THE VEHICLE SUCH AS OFF-ROADING, TRAILERING, HEAVY LOADS, OR ANY "NON-STANDARD" USE. ALL EQUIPMENT (TIRES INCLUDED) ON THE TRUCK IS FACTORY, I.E. NO AFTERMARKET MODIFICATIONS THAT WOULD CAUSE NON-STANDARD LOADS OR STRESSES. THIS TYPE OF PREMATURE FAILING AT ONLY 17,500 MILES IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, AND FROM MY RESEARCH I UNDERSTAND IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE YEAR AND MODEL OF VEHICLE.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10098693

12,000 miles · Nov 10, 2004
Suspension

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4 X 4. THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS BEEN MAKING A LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN I GO OVER BUMPS OR MAKE TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A DODGE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY CONTINUE TO SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. WELL NOW MY TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST AT 50000 MILE…

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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4 X 4. THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS BEEN MAKING A LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN I GO OVER BUMPS OR MAKE TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A DODGE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY CONTINUE TO SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. WELL NOW MY TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST AT 50000 MILES. I HAVE REPLACED ALL FOUR SHOCKS AND THERE STILL IS A PROBLEM WITH POPPING AND CLUNKING. NOW I HAVE RESORTED TO TAKING IT TO FIRESTONE/MASTER CARE AND WITHIN MINUTES OF BEING ON THE HOIST THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE BALL JOINTS WERE SHOT. HE SAID THIS IS THE FIRST THING HE LOOKED AT BECAUSE HE HAS HAD MORE THAN HIS FAIR SHARE OF DAKOTAS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. DODGE HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM ON THERE HANDS AND NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. PLEASE HELP! THANK YOU, RYAN ARCHEY

NHTSA ODI #10098586

56,049 miles · Nov 8, 2004
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10099570

43,000 miles · Nov 7, 2004
Suspension

BALL JOINTS MAKE LOUD METALLIC NOISE, WEAR TIRES QUICKLY, REQUIRING EXCESSIVE ALIGNMENT/BALANCING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10098419

60,000 miles · Nov 6, 2004
Suspension

BALL JOINTS ON 2001 DAKOTA NEED REPLACEMENT AT 60,000 MILES. CAUSED UNEVEN TIRE WEAR, SOME DIFFICULTY WITH VEHICLE TRACKING. WILL REPLACE OLD PARTS, AND KEEP PARTS AVAILABLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10098374

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2004
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING AND UPON HITTING ANYTHING IN THE ROAD VEHICLE WILL MAKE A CLANKING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE LOOKED AT. CONSUMER HAD THE SHOCKS CHANGED. HOWEVER, IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. CONTACTED THE DODGE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THEY NEEDED THE UPPER CONTROL ARM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10099370

56,000 miles · Oct 28, 2004
Suspension

2001 DODGE DAKOTA HAD A CLUNK IN THE FRONT END WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE BALL JOINTS HAD FAILED AT LOW MILEAGE. *BF *NM

NHTSA ODI #10098952

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2004
Suspension

2001 DODGE DAKOTA HAD SEVERAL BALL JOINT REPLACEMENTS AT LOW MILES. *BF ALL THE BALL JOINTS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10098951

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.