IllustrationON MY 3 BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT IN 4 YEARS. UPPERS AND LOWERS. RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED. THERE IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM HERE AND I'M OBVIOUSLY NOT ALONE. *NM
1999 Dodge Dakota
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Dakota years
Owner complaints for the 1999 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
270–25K
8925–50K
10950–75K
5575–100K
28100–150K
22150K+
330 reports with mileage · 311 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 342 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
49 crash reports6 fire reports17 injury reports
Suspension complaints
342 reportsUPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE (MULTIPLE TIMES) ALONG WITH CONTROL ARM AND TIE ROD. *JB
DT: CONSUMER STATED THAT BALL JOINTS PREMATURELY WORE OUT. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS MAKE/ MODEL AND YEAR, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. CONSUMER NOTICED THE TIRES WERE WEARING OUT UNEVENLY, AND HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT. WAS TOLD BY DEALER TIRES COULD NOT BE ALIGNED …
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DT: CONSUMER STATED THAT BALL JOINTS PREMATURELY WORE OUT. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS MAKE/ MODEL AND YEAR, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. CONSUMER NOTICED THE TIRES WERE WEARING OUT UNEVENLY, AND HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT. WAS TOLD BY DEALER TIRES COULD NOT BE ALIGNED BECAUSE THE WHOLE FRONT END NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER CALLED DODGE, AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULDN'T COVER THE REPAIR CHARGES.*AK *JB
I OWN A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA 4WD SPORT AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS TWICE. I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS LATE 2001 EARLY 2002, I TOOK IT TO ANSTED MOTORS IN ANSTED WV AND WAS INFORMED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. I CONTACTED THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY TRUCK WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, S…
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I OWN A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA 4WD SPORT AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS TWICE. I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS LATE 2001 EARLY 2002, I TOOK IT TO ANSTED MOTORS IN ANSTED WV AND WAS INFORMED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. I CONTACTED THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY TRUCK WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, SO THE BEST THEY COULD DO WAS HELP PAY FOR LABOR AND THAT I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO A CERTAIN DEALERSHIP, LOCATED IN SOUTH CHARLESTON WV. BECAUSE THE TRUCK WAS NOT SAFE, I HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED IN 2002 AT WHAT IS NOW JOE HOLLAND CHRYSLER. THIS LASTED FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS AND I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AGAIN IN MID 2002, I TOOK THE TRUCK TO SEARS AT THE CROSSROADS MALL IN BECKLEY WV AND WAS TOLD THE BALL JOINTS WERE BAD, I HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED FOR A SECOND TIME. I RECENTLY DISCOVERED A RECALL ON DODGE DURANGO AND DAKOTA, BUT FOR THE YEARS 2000 THROUGH 2003, WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE.
DT: BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. . WHEN THE CALLER GOT NEW TIRES HE WAS TOLD THE BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. THE CALLER SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON OTHER YEARS MODELS BUT NOT ON HIS YEAR MODEL. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. MANUFACTURER SAID THE CALL WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS HIMSELF. *AK
1. TIRES WEARING ON THE INSIDE. 2. RUINED TIRES. 3. REPLACED BALL JOINTS. *NM
1999 DODGE DAKOTA BALL JOINT FAILURE. *NM
UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED AT APPROXIMATELY 65000. ABS FAULT LIGHTS ON-NOT YET RESOLVED.
I OWNED A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CAB SINCE 09-99. IT WAS BOUGHT NEW. .BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED ON SEPT-2000, THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE FROM MY FRONT END, WHICH WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE BALL JOINTS. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT EVERY TIME I FILLED IT UP, GAS WOULD START POURING OUT FROM THE TANK. I TOOK IT TO THE THE DEALERSHIP MAROONE DODG…
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I OWNED A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CAB SINCE 09-99. IT WAS BOUGHT NEW. .BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED ON SEPT-2000, THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE FROM MY FRONT END, WHICH WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE BALL JOINTS. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT EVERY TIME I FILLED IT UP, GAS WOULD START POURING OUT FROM THE TANK. I TOOK IT TO THE THE DEALERSHIP MAROONE DODGE IN PEMBROKE PINES, FL), AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS PROBABLY BECAUSE I PUT TOO MUCH GAS IN IT. AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, THE PROBLEM GOT WORST, AND I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP GASKET, AND THE BALL JOINTS. I ASKED WHY I HAVEN'T BEEN TOLD THAT BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED, BUT THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT ATTENDED ME WASN'T WORKING THERE ANYMORE. I COMPLAINED TO CHRYSLER, TRYING TO SERVICE MY TRUCK SINCE I HAD COMPLAINED FROM BEFORE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, BUT THEY NEVER GOT BACK TO ME. I WAS JUST IN THIS CHAT ROOM, AND SAW THAT PLENTY OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINTS, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE FUEL LEAKING ALL OVER FROM THE TANK.
DT: CONTACT STATES THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND LEFT SIDE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A REJECTION NOTICE FROM A SAFETY INSPECTION. THIS YEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED THEY REJECTED THE SAFETY PART OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVE…
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DT: CONTACT STATES THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND LEFT SIDE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A REJECTION NOTICE FROM A SAFETY INSPECTION. THIS YEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED THEY REJECTED THE SAFETY PART OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN IT MADE A THUMPING NOISE AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT SIDE. THE STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY HAD TO BE TURNED TO THE LEFT. THERE WAS ABNORMAL WEAR ON THE TIRES, AND THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON MODEL YEAR 2003-2004 FOR THIS COMPONENT, BUT THIS MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER YET. THE CONSUMER WAS GOING TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
Official recalls
401V153000 · Air Bags
May 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.
01V119000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor
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.
00V193000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
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.
00V198000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
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 ↗
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.