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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

678 reports
33,824 miles · Oct 6, 2004
Suspension

NOISE IN FRONT END PICKUP MOVES SIDE TO SIDE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10093709

19,182 miles · Oct 4, 2004
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING HOME AFTER HAVING TRANSMISSION REBUILT MY BRAKES STARTED TO SOUND AS IF THERE WAS DIRT ON THE PADS. AS THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 19000 MILES AT THE TIME THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVED. THE NOISE OVER THE NEXT WEEK GOT LOUDER AND THE TRUCK HARDER TO STOP SAFTLY. CONTACTED DEALER BROUGHT IN AND DISCOVERED THAT THE ROTORS WERE SCA…

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WHILE DRIVING HOME AFTER HAVING TRANSMISSION REBUILT MY BRAKES STARTED TO SOUND AS IF THERE WAS DIRT ON THE PADS. AS THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 19000 MILES AT THE TIME THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVED. THE NOISE OVER THE NEXT WEEK GOT LOUDER AND THE TRUCK HARDER TO STOP SAFTLY. CONTACTED DEALER BROUGHT IN AND DISCOVERED THAT THE ROTORS WERE SCARED AND THE PADS WERE GONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE ROTOR WAS PITTED ON THE DRIVER SIDE. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX EXCEPT AS A MAINTENCE ISSUE. THEY DID HOWEVER REPLACE UPPER BALL JOINTS . I BELIEVE THE LOOSE FRONT END CAUSED THE VIBRATION IN WHEELS WHICH LED TO BRAKE FAILURE. I HAVE READ MANY COMPAINTS OF BRAKES ON THE WEB. DODGE NEEDS TO RECAL THIS VEICLE -- SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10093546

41,000 miles · Sep 30, 2004
Suspension

WORN BALL JOINTS AND RELATED SUSPENSION NOISE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10093401

56,298 miles · Sep 28, 2004
Suspension

2002 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK EXHIBITS PREMATURE WEAR ON UPPER BALL JOINTS RESULTING IN LOUD POPPING NOISE DURING TURNS AND FRONT IN RATTLE ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10093268

18,000 miles · Sep 28, 2004
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH HEARD NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT. HAD NO DIFFICULTY WITH THE DRIVING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DID NOT NEED TO REPLACE BALL JOINTS ON THE LEFT. HAD PREVIOUSLY FILED COMPLAINT #12187283. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10089513

70,000 miles · Sep 23, 2004
Equipment

PASSANGER SIDE FLOOR FLOODS WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. EVERYDAY I NEED TO SUCK OUT THE WATER WITH A VACCUME. INSIDE OF TRUCK SMELLS AS A RESULT OF THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10093101

50,000 miles · Sep 21, 2004
Visibility

A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. DEALER STATED THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WILL BW AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10093972

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2004
Suspension

UPON TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, I WOULD HEAR "POPPING" COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. BROUGHT IT IN FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BAD BALL JOINTS. REPLACED BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS (LEFT AND RIGHT). THE CONDITION OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS INDICATED THAT THEY WERE READY TO POP OUT OF THE SOCKE…

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UPON TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, I WOULD HEAR "POPPING" COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. BROUGHT IT IN FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BAD BALL JOINTS. REPLACED BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS (LEFT AND RIGHT). THE CONDITION OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS INDICATED THAT THEY WERE READY TO POP OUT OF THE SOCKET.

NHTSA ODI #10091016

43,000 miles · Sep 14, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

INTERMITTENTLY THE BRAKES FAILED TO RELEASE FULLY AFTER BEING DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE PEDAL CAME BACK UP WHEN RELEASED, BUT THE BRAKES DRAGGED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE FRONT ROTORS OVERHEATED. THE DEALERSHIP TURNED THE FRONT ROTORS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A MONTH LATER. THIS TIME THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS OVERHEATED. *AK *SC …

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INTERMITTENTLY THE BRAKES FAILED TO RELEASE FULLY AFTER BEING DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE PEDAL CAME BACK UP WHEN RELEASED, BUT THE BRAKES DRAGGED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE FRONT ROTORS OVERHEATED. THE DEALERSHIP TURNED THE FRONT ROTORS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A MONTH LATER. THIS TIME THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS OVERHEATED. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10081684

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2004
Equipment

HELLO, I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA SXT. I NOTICED WATER ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD OF THE VEHICLE. I CLEANED THE WATER AND ASSUMED I HAD LEFT THE WINDOW DOWN AT SOME POINT AND RAIN GOT INTO THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. TODAY I NOTICED THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD WAS SOAKED WITH WATER. I THOUGHT THAT MY HEATER C…

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HELLO, I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA SXT. I NOTICED WATER ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD OF THE VEHICLE. I CLEANED THE WATER AND ASSUMED I HAD LEFT THE WINDOW DOWN AT SOME POINT AND RAIN GOT INTO THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. TODAY I NOTICED THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD WAS SOAKED WITH WATER. I THOUGHT THAT MY HEATER CORE WAS BUSTED BUT THE FLUID WASN'T ANTIFREEZE IT WAS WATER. I PULLED THE CARPET BACK AND TO MY DISMAY THERE WAS 2 GALLONS OF WATER ON THE FLOOR BOARD UNDER THE CARPET. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 41000 MILES AND I THOUGHT THIS TO BE STRANGE AT SUCH AN EARLY TIME OF THE VEHICLE. I DECIDED TO LOOK ON THE INTERNET AND TYPED THE WORDS " DODGE DAKOTA PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD WET" AT MY YAHOO SEARCH ENGINE. I WAS AMAZED WHEN AT LEAST 50 MESSAGE BOARDS WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ASKING THE SAME QUESTION AND PEOPLE REPLYING TO THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE A LOT OF UPSET DODGE DAKOTA OWNERS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS IN THE MESSAGE BOARDS THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS DEFECT WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSATION VENT TUBE CAUSING THIS PROBLEM IN MANY DAKOTAS. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP YET BUT INTEND TO. I BELIEVE THERE TO ALSO BE A HEALTH CONCERN ASSOCIATED WITH THIS APPARENT DEFECT. I HAVE NOTICED AN ODOR IN THE VEHICLE IN THE PAST AND IT WAS APPARENT WHEN I PULLED THE CARPET UP TODAY WHAT IT IS. THERE IS MILDEW AND MOLD ALL OVER THE FLOORBOARD OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THIS CONDITION/WATER DEFECT. PLEASE GIVE THIS MATTER THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. BELOW ARE LINKS TO SOME OF THE RECENT MESSAGE BOARDS I HAVE FOUND REGARDING THIS SPECIFIC DEFECT. HTTP://WWW.WOODALLS.COM/FORUMS/INDEX.CFM/FUSEACTION/THREAD/TID/1543652/GOTOMSG/1569000.CFM HTTP://WWW.DAKOTAUSA.COM/VBULLETIN/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=11124 HTTP://WWW.DODGEDAKOTAS.COM/BOARDS/V8/2141.HTML HTTP://MYDODGESUCKS.ORG/DODGE_TRUCKS.HTM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10090448

Official recalls

5

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.

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

1

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.