IllustrationTHE ROTORS AND BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR CHECKUP. THIS DEFECT MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP.*AK
2002 Dodge Dakota
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Dakota years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Dodge Dakota are substantially higher than the model-year median of 166.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Dakota years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1550–25K
15925–50K
8450–75K
4975–100K
36100–150K
22150K+
505 reports with mileage · 173 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 226 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 177 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 89 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
55 crash reports18 fire reports22 injury reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
177 reportsFRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE WARPING EXTREMELY EARLY. *NM
UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DIPS WITH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE LIFTING. AS A RESULT, THE REAR WHEELS LOCK UP VERY EASILY, CAUSING THE ABS SYSTEM TO KICK IN. WHEN THE ABS SYSTEM KICKS IN, THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY OTHER TYPES OF TRUCKS AND NEVER ENCOUNTERED A T…
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UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DIPS WITH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE LIFTING. AS A RESULT, THE REAR WHEELS LOCK UP VERY EASILY, CAUSING THE ABS SYSTEM TO KICK IN. WHEN THE ABS SYSTEM KICKS IN, THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY OTHER TYPES OF TRUCKS AND NEVER ENCOUNTERED A TRUCK WITH SUCH POOR BRAKING. THE TRUCK SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO LIMIT THE REAR FROM LIFTING WHILE BRAKING. *JB
REGARDING THE DAIMLER CHRYSLER RECALL OF MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK. ONE OF THE REASONS THEY MAY BE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE UPPER BALL JOINTS HAS TO DO WITH THE LOUSY METAL USED ON THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK FOR 3 YEARS AND UNDER NORMAL BRAKING THERE IS SHUTTERING, AND MUCH WORSE DURING HEAVY B…
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REGARDING THE DAIMLER CHRYSLER RECALL OF MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK. ONE OF THE REASONS THEY MAY BE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE UPPER BALL JOINTS HAS TO DO WITH THE LOUSY METAL USED ON THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK FOR 3 YEARS AND UNDER NORMAL BRAKING THERE IS SHUTTERING, AND MUCH WORSE DURING HEAVY BRAKING. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM DEVELOPED IN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS AND HAS ONLY WORSENED. THE LOCAL DEALER INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND SAID THE PADS ARE FINE BUT THE ROTORS ARE WARPED. *AK
FRONT DISC BRAKES WOULD NOT RELEASE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. OCCURRED AGAIN ON DEC 10, WITH FRONT ROTORS TURNING BRIGHT RED AND SMOKING. DEALER FOUND ABS SYSTEM WAS NOT RELEASING HYDRAULIC FLUID, REPLACED ABS COMPONENT, FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. OCCURRED AGAIN ON DEC 30 WHILE DRIVING, WILL RETURN TO…
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FRONT DISC BRAKES WOULD NOT RELEASE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. OCCURRED AGAIN ON DEC 10, WITH FRONT ROTORS TURNING BRIGHT RED AND SMOKING. DEALER FOUND ABS SYSTEM WAS NOT RELEASING HYDRAULIC FLUID, REPLACED ABS COMPONENT, FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. OCCURRED AGAIN ON DEC 30 WHILE DRIVING, WILL RETURN TO DEALER FOR RESOLUTION.
WHEN APPLYING THE ANTI- BRAKES FROM A LOW SPEED BRAKES LOCKED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK
BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AT 20,000 MILES. PADS OK. TERIBLE PULSING WHEN STOPPING. LOCAL DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE A FEE JUST TO LOOK AT IT. I BELIEVE THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ARE AFFECTED BY THIS. BRAKES HORRIBLE IN WET CONDITION.*AK
TWO MONTHS AGO CONSUMER STARTED TO NOTICE BRAKE FAILURE. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE CAR JERKED SPORADICALLY. THE PROBLEM STEADILY GOT WORSE. THREE WEEKS LATER THIS VEHICLE STARTED TO WORK PROPERLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. TWO DAYS AGO, THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
1. AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE SEVERAL MILES, AUDIBLE "GROAN" COMES FROM FRONT SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE DURING TURNS. NO PROBLEM WITH STEERING, NO EXCESSIVE PLAY, BUT MAKES THAT MOANING SOUND. SUSPECT BALL JOINTS. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM.*AK 2. AT 46,000 (APPROX) HAD TO REPLACE 1 ROTOR, 1 DRUM ON BRAKES FOR EXCESSIVE VIBRATION…
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1. AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE SEVERAL MILES, AUDIBLE "GROAN" COMES FROM FRONT SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE DURING TURNS. NO PROBLEM WITH STEERING, NO EXCESSIVE PLAY, BUT MAKES THAT MOANING SOUND. SUSPECT BALL JOINTS. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM.*AK 2. AT 46,000 (APPROX) HAD TO REPLACE 1 ROTOR, 1 DRUM ON BRAKES FOR EXCESSIVE VIBRATION DURING STOPS. PROBLEM CLEARED FOR ABOUT 18,000 MILES, NOW DOING SAME THING AGAIN. SUSPECT DODGE'S SUPPLIER OF ROTOR AND DRUMS IS NOT VERY GOOD.
DECEMBER 6, 2004 I OWN A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CABU AND NOTICED A SHAKING FEELING WHEN APPLYING MY BRAKES WHEN GOING DOWN HILL ON 11/25/04. THIS PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS THAT THERE IS A LOUD CREAKING NOISE. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN FOR ANY OIL CHANGE AND ASKED TO HAVE A …
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DECEMBER 6, 2004 I OWN A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CABU AND NOTICED A SHAKING FEELING WHEN APPLYING MY BRAKES WHEN GOING DOWN HILL ON 11/25/04. THIS PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS THAT THERE IS A LOUD CREAKING NOISE. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN FOR ANY OIL CHANGE AND ASKED TO HAVE A ROAD TEST DONE TO SEE WHAT MIGHT BE CAUSING THE PROBLEMS. I WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT MY FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE COMPLETLY RUSTED, ROTTED OUT, AND HAD GROOVES ALL OVER THEM. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT MY BALL JOINTS WERE "SHOT" AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE 22,000 MILES ON MY DAKOTA AND DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS IS EXCEPTABLE TO HAVE MY FRONT BRAKES COMPLETELY REPLACED! I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE DAKOTA FROM AND WAS TOLD THAT DODGE'S WARRANTY ONLY COVERS BRAKES FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES! AFTER READING THE NHTSA'S COMPLAINTS FOR A SIMILIAR PROBLEM, I SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE'S MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 20,000-25,000 MILES. NOT VERY HAPPY WITH DODGE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM! DEALERSHIP DID NOT SEEM TO BE VERY UNDERSTANDING. *AK
Official recalls
507V555000 · 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.
04V216000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
May 5, 2004
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD CAUSE INTERNAL CORROSION AND RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPING CAPABILITY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD 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.
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
1EA03023 · 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.