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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.

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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

Electrical System complaints

52 reports
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40,000 miles · Sep 3, 2004
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED UP, AND THE HEADLIGHTS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE, WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO THE HOUSE. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10090351

49,000 miles · Aug 2, 2004
Electrical System

2002 DODGE DAKOTA 52000 MILES FIRST THE SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING, THEN ALL THE GUAGES ON THE DASH GO DEAD FOR ABOUT THREE SECONDS. ODOMETER ALSO WILL NOT RECORD ANY MILEAGE ALSO. THEN THE GAUGES RESET NORMAL. THIS HAPPENS ONLY WHEN THE INSIDE GETS HOT FROM THE SUN. TURNING THE AIR ON AND COOLING THE INSIDE HELPS …

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2002 DODGE DAKOTA 52000 MILES FIRST THE SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING, THEN ALL THE GUAGES ON THE DASH GO DEAD FOR ABOUT THREE SECONDS. ODOMETER ALSO WILL NOT RECORD ANY MILEAGE ALSO. THEN THE GAUGES RESET NORMAL. THIS HAPPENS ONLY WHEN THE INSIDE GETS HOT FROM THE SUN. TURNING THE AIR ON AND COOLING THE INSIDE HELPS TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN THE PULSING OF THE GUAGES FROM DEAD TO NORMAL. REPLACED CENTRAL TIMING UNIT COMPUTER . DID NOTHING, OLD UNIT PUT BACK IN .NEXT STEP IS TO REPLACE DASH CLUSTER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10083189

24,600 miles · Jul 15, 2004
Electrical SystemFire

A POWER PORT INSIDE OF A CENTER CONSOLE HAD A DEVICE PLUGGED INTO IT AND THE VEHICLE STARTED ON FIRE. THE START OF THE FIRE WAS TRACED TO THE PLUG IN INSIDE OF THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE FUSIBLE LINK/FUSE NEVER BLEW AND SO THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED $4000 WORTH OF DAMAGE BEFORE THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10081129

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2004
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING,THE VEHICLE WOULD STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART, BUT WAS UNABLE TO START. THE DRIVER NOTICED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION WHILE TURNING ON THE LIGHTS. THE INTERIOR, AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND OFF ON ITS OWN. THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE D…

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WHILE DRIVING,THE VEHICLE WOULD STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART, BUT WAS UNABLE TO START. THE DRIVER NOTICED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION WHILE TURNING ON THE LIGHTS. THE INTERIOR, AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND OFF ON ITS OWN. THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10075672

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2004
Electrical SystemFuel System, OtherSuspension

NOISY AND UNPREDICTABLE SOUND COMING FROM SUSPENSION. WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON. STALLS AND SURGES UNPREDITABLEY. REDUCED GAS MILEAGE. ERATIC ELECTRONIC BEHAVIOR, STOPS AND RESTARTS. EVEN HAS ERATIC ALARM RESPONSES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10060145

200 miles · Jan 10, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

IN OCT.2002 MY TRUCK SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IN THE PAST THE TRUCK HAD SHUT OFF IN REVERSE OR WHEN I WAS AT A DEAD STOP AND THEN PRESS THE GAS, BUT THIS TIME I HAD TO DRIVE WITH MY FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME AND THEN PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AT A STOP TO KEEP THE GAS GOING. I HAD ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WIT…

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IN OCT.2002 MY TRUCK SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IN THE PAST THE TRUCK HAD SHUT OFF IN REVERSE OR WHEN I WAS AT A DEAD STOP AND THEN PRESS THE GAS, BUT THIS TIME I HAD TO DRIVE WITH MY FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME AND THEN PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AT A STOP TO KEEP THE GAS GOING. I HAD ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY BLINKERS. YOU TURN THE LEFT ONE ON AND OCCASIONALLY THE RIGHT ONE WILL BLINK TO-LIKE "HAZARD LIGHTS". MY DASH BOARD WOULD ALSO LIGHT UP WHILE DRIVING OR EVEN WHEN I COME TO A STOP AT A LIGHT. I PUT IT OFF UNTIL THE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A COMPUTER PROBLEM AND THE TRUCK HAD BEEN DOING IT SINCE DAY 1, THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM TO THE BLINKERS. ALSO THE A/C CONDESATION LINE HAD A CRACK IN IT AND WAS LEAKING INTO MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR-THAT WAS A SECOND TRIP. NOW MY TRUCK IS HAVEING THE SAME SHUT-OFF PROBLEM STARTING JUST LIKE IT DID LAST TIME-SO NOW I AM LOOKING INTO THE "LEMON LAW", IT SEEMS TO APPLY SO FAR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10052800

51,000 miles · Nov 11, 2003
Electrical System

2002 DODGE DAKOTA R/T. ISSUE IN WIRING HARNESS/ELECTRICAL CAUSES THE 5AMP FUSE REGILATING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING TO BLOW REGULARLY, CAUSING A LOSE OF ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10045963

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2003
Electrical SystemFire

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH DRIVER NOTICED SPARKS WERE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10046738

500 miles · Jan 4, 2003
Electrical System

DIMMER SWITCH ON 2002 DODGE DAKOTA GETS EXCESSIVELY HOT AFTER LIGHTS ARE ON FOR SEVERAL HOURS WITH DIMMER SWITCH IN THE IN DIM POSITION. IT IS HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A CHILD'S HAND. SWITCH WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES BY DEALER AND STILL NO CHANGE. DEALER REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ELSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOTIFIED THEIR CUSTOMER SER…

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DIMMER SWITCH ON 2002 DODGE DAKOTA GETS EXCESSIVELY HOT AFTER LIGHTS ARE ON FOR SEVERAL HOURS WITH DIMMER SWITCH IN THE IN DIM POSITION. IT IS HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A CHILD'S HAND. SWITCH WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES BY DEALER AND STILL NO CHANGE. DEALER REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ELSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOTIFIED THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, RECALL DEPARTMENT AND THEIR CORP. HEADQUARTERS. TS

NHTSA ODI #10000520

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE SPECIAL ORDERED WITH POWER WINDOWS AND LOCKS STALLED OUT 3 TIMES. DEALER REPLACED BLOWN IGNITION FUSE, REPLACED FUSE THAT SHORTEN RELATING TO THE INSTALLATION OF THE POWER WINDOWS AND LOCKS AND REPLACED A MIS-ROUTED WIRING IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRIC LOCKS DO NOT WORK, AND THE LIGH…

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CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE SPECIAL ORDERED WITH POWER WINDOWS AND LOCKS STALLED OUT 3 TIMES. DEALER REPLACED BLOWN IGNITION FUSE, REPLACED FUSE THAT SHORTEN RELATING TO THE INSTALLATION OF THE POWER WINDOWS AND LOCKS AND REPLACED A MIS-ROUTED WIRING IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRIC LOCKS DO NOT WORK, AND THE LIGHT SWITCH MUST BE JIGGLED IN ORDER TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REPLACEMENT OF ANOTHER DAKOTA (SLT) MODEL. *TT

NHTSA ODI #567427

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.