NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
342 reportsClear category filter50,000 miles · May 16, 2004
SteeringSuspension
I HAVE A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4. AT 50,000 I INSTALLED NEW TIRES AND TOOK MY TRUCK TO A MECHANIC FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. I RECENTLY MOVED AND THE MECHANIC WAS NEW, BUT HAD GOOD REPORTS. HE TOLD ME THAT HE COULD NOT DO THE ALIGNMENT BECAUSE OF BAD BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD ENDS. I WAS OUTRAGED, THINKING THAT HE MIGHT BE TRYING TO…
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I HAVE A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4. AT 50,000 I INSTALLED NEW TIRES AND TOOK MY TRUCK TO A MECHANIC FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. I RECENTLY MOVED AND THE MECHANIC WAS NEW, BUT HAD GOOD REPORTS. HE TOLD ME THAT HE COULD NOT DO THE ALIGNMENT BECAUSE OF BAD BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD ENDS. I WAS OUTRAGED, THINKING THAT HE MIGHT BE TRYING TO RIP ME OFF. I TOLD HIM AT 50,000 MILES I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GET NEW STEERING PARTS, BUT THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE HAS REPLACED BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD PARTS ON SEVERAL DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS AT THAT MILEAGE. I TOLD HIM TO REPLACE THE PARTS AND DO THE ALIGNMENT. WHEN I PICKED UP MY DAKOTA, HE SHOWED ME THE PARTS, THEY WERE BAD. I HAVE WORKED FOR TWO LARGE AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY MANUFACTURERS AND HAVE SEEN THEM CUT COSTS BY INSTALLING CHEAP CHINESE PARTS. THE COST TO PRODUCE THE PRODUCT GOES DOWN AND THE CONSUMER PRICE OF THE PRODUCT GOES UP INCREASING THE MARGINS AND LINING THE POCKETS OF MR. CEO AND OTHER HIGHER UPS WITHOUT A CONCERN TO THE CONSUMER. IT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE. THIS ON THE OTHER HAND IS SERIOUS INVOLVING CHEAP PARTS ON THE STEERING COMPONENTS ON A HIGHWAY VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND I PRAY THAT DODGE DOES NOT HAVE BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS IF SOMEONE GETS IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THEIR NEGLEGENCE. I HAVE ALSO HAD BRAKE ISSUES WITH MY DAKOTA. THE DAKOTA WITH THE 5.2 GOES LIKE A BAT OUT OF HELL, BUT THE HANDLING COMPONENTS SUCH AS STEERING AND BRAKES ARE LESS THAN TO BE DESIRED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10072702
53,300 miles · May 14, 2004
Suspension
I HAVE A DODGE DAKOTA,1999, ALL THE BALL JOINTS ARE BAD AND DANGEROUSLY WORN. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THEY ARE THE SAME AS THE DURANGO!!!!! AND I CAN'T GET THEM. THEY ARE OUT OF STOCK ALL OVER AT A COST OF $2000.00APPROXIMATELY.!!!*AK I UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY FOR THE DURANGO BUT DID YOU REALIZE THE DAK…
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I HAVE A DODGE DAKOTA,1999, ALL THE BALL JOINTS ARE BAD AND DANGEROUSLY WORN. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THEY ARE THE SAME AS THE DURANGO!!!!! AND I CAN'T GET THEM. THEY ARE OUT OF STOCK ALL OVER AT A COST OF $2000.00APPROXIMATELY.!!!*AK I UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY FOR THE DURANGO BUT DID YOU REALIZE THE DAKOTA IS THE SAME PART.............. NOT ONLY CANT I AFFORD THIS REPAIR IT IS A 53,000 MILE VEHICLE THAT IS WELL CARED FOR AND THIS IS ABOSORBENT AND GOUGING THE PUBLIC. PLEASE CONSIDER INCLUDING THE DAKKOTA WITH THE DURANG INVESTIGATION. THANK YOU FRANK YUNITS SR.
NHTSA ODI #10072625
93,000 miles · Apr 29, 2004
Suspension
WHILE TRAVELING CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. A TECHNICIAN SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT.*AK *LA
NHTSA ODI #10062941
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2004
EquipmentSuspension
REPLACEMENT OF BALL JOINTS AND ADDITIONAL PARTS THAT WERE WORNOUT, AND THE TRUCK HAD ONLY 68,000 MILES, $900 REPAIR COSTS, DEFINITELY A HAZARD THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVERTED BY THE MANUFACTURER, AND I WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMNT FOR MY PROBLEM THAT ALOT OF VEHICLES OF CHRYSLER-DAILMER DODGE DAKOTA P/UHAS HAD.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10067832
52,000 miles · Apr 23, 2004
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN MAKING A TURN HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. CONSUMER COULD PULL THE STEERING WHEEL WITH HIS HANDS AND HEAR A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE TWICE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. AN ALIGNMENT SHOP WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REALIGN THE TIRES FOUND …
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WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN MAKING A TURN HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. CONSUMER COULD PULL THE STEERING WHEEL WITH HIS HANDS AND HEAR A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE TWICE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. AN ALIGNMENT SHOP WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REALIGN THE TIRES FOUND THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10071483
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2004
Suspension
DURING REPLACING BRAKES ON 1999 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 V8, (BRAKE EQUIPMENT FROZE ON ONE SIDE), MECHANIC HEARD NOISES AND FOUND THAT BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE SEVERELY WORN AND IN HIS OPINION, READY TO SEPERATE (DRIVERS SIDE BEING WORST). VEH. HAS 70,000 MILES AND IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. THE MECHANIC BELIEVES THIS TO BE UNUSUAL…
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DURING REPLACING BRAKES ON 1999 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 V8, (BRAKE EQUIPMENT FROZE ON ONE SIDE), MECHANIC HEARD NOISES AND FOUND THAT BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE SEVERELY WORN AND IN HIS OPINION, READY TO SEPERATE (DRIVERS SIDE BEING WORST). VEH. HAS 70,000 MILES AND IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. THE MECHANIC BELIEVES THIS TO BE UNUSUAL AND ABNORMAL WEAR TO THE VEHICLE. THE BALL JOINTS ARE GOING TO BE REPLACED TO AVOID ANY HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS AND I WILL SAVE THE PARTS IF YOU REQUEST FOR LATER EXAMINATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10067693
66,000 miles · Apr 21, 2004
Suspension
LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON 99 DODGE DAKOTA AT 66,000 MILES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10067579
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2004
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED. *AK LOWER BALL JOINT WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEALER THAT IT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. IN ADDITION, WHEEL BEARING WERE REPLACED. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10064980
20,000 miles · Apr 20, 2004
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER CAN FEEL A WOBBLE AND HEAR A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE FRONT TIRES BEGAN TO WEAR OUT UNEVENLY. A DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT ALL OF THE BALL JOINTS WERE WORN. *NM VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT FOR REPAIRS FOR BALL JOINTS, AND VEHICLE…
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WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER CAN FEEL A WOBBLE AND HEAR A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE FRONT TIRES BEGAN TO WEAR OUT UNEVENLY. A DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT ALL OF THE BALL JOINTS WERE WORN. *NM VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT FOR REPAIRS FOR BALL JOINTS, AND VEHICLE ONLY HAD 20,000 MILES. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10064887
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2004
Suspension
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH AND NOTICED THAT FRONT WHEELS WERE LOOSE AND WERE NOT RESPONDING WELL. ALSO, THERE WAS NOISE WHEN WHEELS HIT BUMPS OR CRACKS IN THE ROAD. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, AND HAD THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED. ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT LOWER BALL …
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CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH AND NOTICED THAT FRONT WHEELS WERE LOOSE AND WERE NOT RESPONDING WELL. ALSO, THERE WAS NOISE WHEN WHEELS HIT BUMPS OR CRACKS IN THE ROAD. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, AND HAD THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED. ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT LOWER BALL JOINTS ALSO NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK *LA
NHTSA ODI #10061416
Official recalls
4May 8, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. 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.
Apr 11, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN VAN, WAGON, PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 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.
Jul 17, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS BUILT WITH 2.5L ENGINES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A PUNCTURE OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE FRONT WHEELS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE TUBE AND POWER STEERING HOSE FOR WEAR. IF WEAR IS EVIDENT, THE BRAKE TUBE AND/OR POWER STEERING HOSE WILL BE REPLACED. A POWER STEERING STANDOFF BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND POWER STEERING HOSE IS MAINTAINED.
Jul 17, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE REAR AXLE VENT HOSE AND THE BRAKE HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A PUNCTURE IN THE REAR BRAKE HOSE WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE REAR WHEELS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE HOSE FOR EVIDENCE OF WEAR. WORN BRAKE HOSES WILL BE REPLACED. THE REAR VENT HOSE WILL BE SHORTENED BY 3 INCHES AND A CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ASSURE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE AXLE VENT LINE AND BRAKE HOSE IS MAINTAINED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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