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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

641 reports
Mileage unknown · May 27, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

CONSUMER HAVE ROTORS REPLACED TWICE. *LA THE CONSUMER IS NOW BEING TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS ARE CRACKED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER DRIVEN OFF ROAD THEREFORE IT IS NOT NORMAL AND HIGHLY UNUSUAL FOR THESE TYPES OF ABNORMALITIES TO EXIST. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES A RECALL SHOULD BE INITIATED FOR THIS VEHICLE.…

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CONSUMER HAVE ROTORS REPLACED TWICE. *LA THE CONSUMER IS NOW BEING TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS ARE CRACKED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER DRIVEN OFF ROAD THEREFORE IT IS NOT NORMAL AND HIGHLY UNUSUAL FOR THESE TYPES OF ABNORMALITIES TO EXIST. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES A RECALL SHOULD BE INITIATED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10074380

Mileage unknown · May 27, 2004
Suspension

HAD TO RELACE FRONT BALL JOINTS AT 20,000 MILES. HAD TO REPLACE THEM AGAIN AT 60,000. THIS TIME HAD MECHANIC REPLACE THEM WITH ONES THAT HAVE NIP SO THEY CAN BE LUBRICATED. *MR

NHTSA ODI #10073231

30,000 miles · May 25, 2004
Suspension

BALL JOINTS ON 2000 DAKOTA FAILING WITH ONLY 35K MI. I WENT TO THE WEBSITEHTTP://WWW.DODGEDAKOTAS.COM/BOARDS/V8/208.HTML....I THINK IT PRETTY WELL SUMS UP THE PROBLEM...EXTREMELY CHEAP PARTS...HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR DODGE TO RECALL THESE WHEN PEOPLE START DYING FROM FRONT END FAILURE...YOU GUY'S NEED TO READ ALL OF THESE COM…

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BALL JOINTS ON 2000 DAKOTA FAILING WITH ONLY 35K MI. I WENT TO THE WEBSITEHTTP://WWW.DODGEDAKOTAS.COM/BOARDS/V8/208.HTML....I THINK IT PRETTY WELL SUMS UP THE PROBLEM...EXTREMELY CHEAP PARTS...HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR DODGE TO RECALL THESE WHEN PEOPLE START DYING FROM FRONT END FAILURE...YOU GUY'S NEED TO READ ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS AND LOOK AT THE MILEAGES SHOWN. BECAUSE OF THE PRICE I HAVE NOT YET REPLACED THE PART...I JUST STARTED DRIVING MY TRUCK LATELY AGAIN AFTER MY SON FINISHED DRIVING IT TO AND FROM COLLEGE AND HE DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I TRULY HOPE YOU DO SHARE THIS WITH CHRYSLER CORP BECAUSE WHEN I CAN GO ONLINE AND READ SO MUCH COLLECTIVE INFO AND SEE PEOPLE WITH CHEAP BALL JOINTS BREAKING DOWN AT AS LOW AS 7K MI. IF THEY DO NOT REACT ESP. WHEN SOMEONE DIES FROM A SERIOUS BREAKDOWN...I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE OF THEIR VEHICLES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10073161

69,000 miles · May 21, 2004
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING FRONT UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT. . THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SHIMMY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10074056

50,000 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

60,000 miles · May 12, 2004
Steering

BALL JOINTS ON 1999 DODGE DAKOTA EXCESSIVE TIRE REPLACEMENT(3)SETS OF TIRES ON FRONT VEHICLE HAS ONLY 65000 MILES ALSO HAD TO REPLACE ROTORS AND BRAKES I DON'T BELIEE THIS IS TYPICAL FOR THIS AMOUNT OF MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10072505

70,060 miles · May 11, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION DEALERSHIPS INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT BRAKE LINE CRACKED, AND WAS CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. MECHANIC DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10067013

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY GETTING 17 MILES PER GALLON ,BUT IT WAS LOOSING MILES PER GALLON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP,AND TECHNICIAN CONFIGURED THE COMPUTER FUEL ECONOMY. THE CAR WAS IN WORSE SHAPE THAN IT EVER HAD BEEN. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10065236

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2004
Steering

UPPER, LOWER AND INNER TIE RODS WERE WORN AT 92K MILES. *PH

NHTSA ODI #10072063

Official recalls

4

01V153000 · 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

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.