I RECENTLY SAW A CBS NEWS STORY CONCERNING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS OF DODGE DAKOTAS WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. MY DAKOTA IS A 2002. I HAVE TAKEN IN INTO MY LOCAL DODGE DEALORSHIP REPEATEDLY BECAUSE I HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN MAKING A TURN, ESPECIALLY ON AN INCLINE. EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN IT IN, THEY ARE NEVER ABLE TO DUPLICAT…
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I RECENTLY SAW A CBS NEWS STORY CONCERNING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS OF DODGE DAKOTAS WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. MY DAKOTA IS A 2002. I HAVE TAKEN IN INTO MY LOCAL DODGE DEALORSHIP REPEATEDLY BECAUSE I HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN MAKING A TURN, ESPECIALLY ON AN INCLINE. EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN IT IN, THEY ARE NEVER ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE EVEN TAKEN THE MECHANIC FOR A RIDE WITH ME AFTER THEY HAD IT ALL MORNING AND THE NOISE, SURE ENOUGH, CAN'T BE DUPLICATED WHILE HE IS IN THE TRUCK. BUT SURE ENOUGH, 3 OR 4 DAYS LATER THE NOISE COMES BACK. AND THE PORCESS REPEATS AGAIN. I TAKE IT, THEY CAN'T FIND IT, I TAKE THE MECHANIC AND THE NOISE IS GONE, 3 OR 4 DAYS LETTER - HELLO - ITS BACK! CAN YOU HELP ME? FYI: FOR THE INCIDENT DATE, I JUST PUT TODAY'S DATE. I TOOK THE TRUCK IN WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT ON 5/24/2002; 12/6/2002; & 9/3/2003 . *AK
AT 6,000 MILES THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. WHEN RIDING OVER ANY SIZE BUMP IN THE ROAD THE FRONT END COLLAPSED. *AK THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN BRAKING, THE FLAPPER DOOR FOR THE FUEL FILLER NECK WAS MISSING AND OR FELL INSIDE THE TANK, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, THE FRONT AND REAR RO…
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AT 6,000 MILES THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. WHEN RIDING OVER ANY SIZE BUMP IN THE ROAD THE FRONT END COLLAPSED. *AK THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN BRAKING, THE FLAPPER DOOR FOR THE FUEL FILLER NECK WAS MISSING AND OR FELL INSIDE THE TANK, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS WERE GROOVED, WORN UNEVEN AND PITTED. *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10044936
5,000 miles · Dec 2, 2003
SuspensionCrash
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE TO HIT A TREE AND ROLLED OVER. THE DEALER BELIEVED THAT THE CAUSE WAS DUE TO FRONT END SUSPENSION FAILURE, HOWEVER THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. *AK *SCC
NHTSA ODI #10046167
Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2003
Suspension
RH SIDE - UPPER BALL JOINT NEEDS REPLACEMENT AT 15,700 MILES. DEALER FOUND BALL JOINT TO BE "OUT OF SPEC" AFTER AN INSPECTION WAS REQUESTED DURING ROUTINE SERVICE. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10047567
5,400 miles · Nov 14, 2003
SteeringSuspensionCrash
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD HEARD A BANG LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND HIT A PARKED CAR. CAR WAS TOWED AWAY AND FIXED BODY SHOP AND FRONT END SHOP SAID TIE ROD AND BALL JOINT SNAPPED OFF CLEAN THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 5000 MILES ON IT, ALSO I HAVE ALL THE DAMAGED PARTS IF ANY BODY WANTS TO TEST THEM. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10046917
50,000 miles · Nov 14, 2003
Suspension
MY BALL JOINTS HAVE WORN OUT AT ABOUT 55,000 MILES. IT IS NOT COVERED IN MY 7 YEAR 70,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10046909
3,000 miles · Nov 6, 2003
Suspension
WHEN HITTING ANY SIZE BUMP IN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE LOOSES CONTROL. DEALER STATES THAT UPPER CONTROL ARM BOLT MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10046499
14,000 miles · Oct 28, 2003
SuspensionCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER WAS INJURIED AND TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL.A POLICE REPORT WAS DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC DETECTED THAT BOTH FRONTAL BALL JOINTS CRACKED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10044884
3,000 miles · Oct 28, 2003
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSuspension
I KEEP HEARING A LOUD "BANG" AND LOUDING CREAKING NOISES IN THE FRONT END OF MY 2003 DODGE DAKOTA WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DODGE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY HAVEN'T FOUND ANYTHING. I KEEP TELLING THEM IT SOUNDS LIKE A CRACKED COIL SPRING OR BODY MOUNT. THEY SAID IF I BRING IT IN AGAIN AS WARRANTY WORK,…
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I KEEP HEARING A LOUD "BANG" AND LOUDING CREAKING NOISES IN THE FRONT END OF MY 2003 DODGE DAKOTA WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DODGE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY HAVEN'T FOUND ANYTHING. I KEEP TELLING THEM IT SOUNDS LIKE A CRACKED COIL SPRING OR BODY MOUNT. THEY SAID IF I BRING IT IN AGAIN AS WARRANTY WORK, THEN THEY'LL CHARGE ME FOR THE TIME. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNALS KEEP SHORTING OUT AND WHEN YOU TURN THE LEFT ONE ON, THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS COME ON. FINALLY, THE LEFT POWER WINDOW SLOWS DOWN EXCESSIVELY WHEN I ATTEMPT TO PUT THE WINDOW UP. IT GOES DOWN FINE, BUT IT WON'T GO UP AT NORMAL SPEED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10043717
700 miles · Jul 24, 2003
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE TIRES BOUNCED UP AND DOWN. *AK *CB *NLM
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.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE (CTM) HAS AN IMPROPERLY SIZED CIRCUIT BOARD TRACE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE RIGHT HEADLAMP LOW BEAM TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE LIGHTS FAIL, A VISIBILITY PROBLEM COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CTM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 23, 2002. 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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.
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