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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
34,500 miles · Dec 19, 2003
Suspension

BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BEING WORN OUT ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4. DEALER NEVER MENTIONED THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION OR PROBLEMS WITH BALL JOINTS. SUBSEQUENTLY VIEWED THE CBS REPORT ON DAKOTA BALL JOINTS AND ONGOING INVESTIGATION THE NIGHT WE GOT TRUCK BACK FROM DEALER WITH NEW BALL JOINTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10050781

1,500 miles · Dec 19, 2003
Power Train

AT A FULL STOP YOU FEEL LIKE A "BUMP" IN THE TRANSMISSION, OR JUST LIKE SOMEONE HIT YOU FROM THE BACK. IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME. IT NORMALLY HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN HALF HOUR IN TRAFFIC OR LOCAL ROADS WITH FREQUENT STOPS. DEALER HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, WHICH STARTED AT 1500 MILES. …

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AT A FULL STOP YOU FEEL LIKE A "BUMP" IN THE TRANSMISSION, OR JUST LIKE SOMEONE HIT YOU FROM THE BACK. IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME. IT NORMALLY HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN HALF HOUR IN TRAFFIC OR LOCAL ROADS WITH FREQUENT STOPS. DEALER HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, WHICH STARTED AT 1500 MILES. THEY SERVICE THE DIFFERENTIAL BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN WILLING TO DRIVE IT ENOUGH EVEN WHEN I LEFT THE VEHICLE FOR THEM TO TRY FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS. VEHICLE NOW HAS 17,000 MILES, HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 3000 MILES IN FIVE START DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10050764

35,500 miles · Dec 19, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

AT 35,500 I WAS TOLD THAT MY FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE ROTORS WERE PITTED AND BRAKES WERE WORN. I COULD UNDERSTAND BRAKES PADS NEED REPLACING (ALTHOUGH I DO MOST DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY THEREFORE NOT USING BRAKES MUCH) BUT ROTORS NEED REPLACING BECAUSE OF PITTING; SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE. IN ADDITION,…

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AT 35,500 I WAS TOLD THAT MY FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE ROTORS WERE PITTED AND BRAKES WERE WORN. I COULD UNDERSTAND BRAKES PADS NEED REPLACING (ALTHOUGH I DO MOST DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY THEREFORE NOT USING BRAKES MUCH) BUT ROTORS NEED REPLACING BECAUSE OF PITTING; SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE. IN ADDITION, EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THIS TRUCK (REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES) I NOTICE THAT WHEN THE ANTI-LOCK KICKS IN IT SEEMS AS THOUGH I'VE LOST ALOT OF BRAKING POWER. I'VE FOUND MYSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AT TIMES BECAUSE THE TRUCK WOULDN'T STOP AND I WAS NOT GOING THAT FAST. I HAD A TRUCK CUT IN FRONT OF ME ONE DAY ON THE HIGHWAY (SOMEONE IN FRONT OF HIM HAD STOPPED) AND THE ONLY WAY I ADVOIDED HITTING HIM WAS TO DRIVE OFF ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD; THE BRAKES QUIT WORKING. I HAVE A '92 DAKOTA WITH REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND IT STOPS WITH OUT PROBLEMS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10050759

15,000 miles · Dec 16, 2003
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 30 MPH OR MORE THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10051586

21,600 miles · Dec 10, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE DOES NOT BRAKE ADEQUATELY DURING "PANIC" STOPPING. REAR WHEEL ABS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WORKING PROPERLY. HAVE HAD THREE OCCURRENCES WHEN I NEEDED TO "PANIC" STOP AND IN ALL CASES HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID COLLISION BECAUSE BRAKES WERE NOT STOPPING VEHICLE. REAR WHEEL ABS ENGAGES BUT ALLOWS TOO MUCH "FREE-WHEELING" WHICH …

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VEHICLE DOES NOT BRAKE ADEQUATELY DURING "PANIC" STOPPING. REAR WHEEL ABS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WORKING PROPERLY. HAVE HAD THREE OCCURRENCES WHEN I NEEDED TO "PANIC" STOP AND IN ALL CASES HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID COLLISION BECAUSE BRAKES WERE NOT STOPPING VEHICLE. REAR WHEEL ABS ENGAGES BUT ALLOWS TOO MUCH "FREE-WHEELING" WHICH ALLOWS VEHICLE TOO MUCH TRAVEL. REGULAR BRAKING (EVEN "HARD" BRAKING WITHOUT ABS INVOLVEMENT) SEEMS TO WORK CORRECTLY. HAVE HAD VEHICLE TO DEALER TWICE AND FIRST TIME REAR DRUMS WERE TURNED AND SECOND TIME ABS MODULE WAS REPLACED, BUT HAS NOT FIXED PROBLEM. SERVICE ADVISOR AND MECHANIC SAY THAT THE ABS SYSTEM IS WORKING AS DESIGNED FOR A REAR WHEEL ONLY ABS. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY RESOLUTION TO PROBLEM BUT NOW DEALER WON'T LOOK AT IT BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THEY CAN. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10049545

25,000 miles · Dec 9, 2003
Suspension

DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT WORE OUT PREMATURELY. AS A RESULT THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10050278

30,000 miles · Dec 9, 2003
Suspension

2002 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 QUAD CAB PICKUP - BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE FAILURE. SIGNS OF FAILURE BEGAN AROUND 30,000 MILES, BUT MISDIAGNOSED BY LOCAL MECHANIC AS "NO PROBLEM FOUND." I LATER TOOK THE TRUCK TO DODGE WHEN KNOCKING NOISE KEPT GETTING WORSE (AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRATION). BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REP…

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2002 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 QUAD CAB PICKUP - BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE FAILURE. SIGNS OF FAILURE BEGAN AROUND 30,000 MILES, BUT MISDIAGNOSED BY LOCAL MECHANIC AS "NO PROBLEM FOUND." I LATER TOOK THE TRUCK TO DODGE WHEN KNOCKING NOISE KEPT GETTING WORSE (AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRATION). BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT PERFORMED FOR APPROXIMATELY $500. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, I BELIEVE A RECALL SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10049491

18,000 miles · Dec 9, 2003
Suspension

DENIAL OF INSPECTION IN NH FOR BAD UPPER BALL JOINTS. TOLD TO TAKE IT TO DEALER. DEALER SAYS IT'S OK AND CHARGED ME $15.00! IINSPECTOR SHOWED ME HOW MUCH MOVEMENT WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK AGAIN TO COMPLAIN THEY WERE WRONG. I AGREE WITH THE INSPECTOR, THIS IS UNSAFE. ANY MOVEMENT IS A PROBLEM, THEY SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO SAY .60 I…

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DENIAL OF INSPECTION IN NH FOR BAD UPPER BALL JOINTS. TOLD TO TAKE IT TO DEALER. DEALER SAYS IT'S OK AND CHARGED ME $15.00! IINSPECTOR SHOWED ME HOW MUCH MOVEMENT WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK AGAIN TO COMPLAIN THEY WERE WRONG. I AGREE WITH THE INSPECTOR, THIS IS UNSAFE. ANY MOVEMENT IS A PROBLEM, THEY SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO SAY .60 IS OK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10049473

10,000 miles · Dec 5, 2003
EquipmentSuspension

UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE EXHIBITING PREMATURE SIGNS OF FAILURE AT 10,000 MILES LOAD POPPING SOUNDS WHEN TURNING AND BRAKING. VEHICLE NOW HAS 23,000 MILES AND IS SHOWING SIGNS OF STEERING VIBRATIONS. WHY HAVEN'T THE DAKOTA MODELS BEEN INCLUDED WITH THE DURANGO SUSPENSION ENGINEERING INVESTIGATION. THERE ARE ALMOST 100 COMP…

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UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE EXHIBITING PREMATURE SIGNS OF FAILURE AT 10,000 MILES LOAD POPPING SOUNDS WHEN TURNING AND BRAKING. VEHICLE NOW HAS 23,000 MILES AND IS SHOWING SIGNS OF STEERING VIBRATIONS. WHY HAVEN'T THE DAKOTA MODELS BEEN INCLUDED WITH THE DURANGO SUSPENSION ENGINEERING INVESTIGATION. THERE ARE ALMOST 100 COMPLAINTS ON THE WEBSITE? *JB

NHTSA ODI #10049268

40,405 miles · Dec 3, 2003
Suspension

I OWN A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 40,385 MILES. AFTER SEEING A PIECE ON CBS ABOUT THE UPPER BALL JOINT PROBLEMS, I HAD MY TRUCK CHECKED AT THE DEALER. BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $384.55. UPON GOING TO THIS SITE I SAW AN OPEN INVESTIGATION SO, DECIDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT HOPING TO EVENTUALLY HAVE A RECAL…

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I OWN A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 40,385 MILES. AFTER SEEING A PIECE ON CBS ABOUT THE UPPER BALL JOINT PROBLEMS, I HAD MY TRUCK CHECKED AT THE DEALER. BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $384.55. UPON GOING TO THIS SITE I SAW AN OPEN INVESTIGATION SO, DECIDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT HOPING TO EVENTUALLY HAVE A RECALL ON THIS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE PART. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10049088

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.