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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.

About this comparison →

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

Power Train complaints

89 reports
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67,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Power TrainCrash

TRUCK HAD PROBLEMS OF SWITICNG INTO 2ND WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH PLUS. HAD IT LOOKED AT THREE TIMES. IN APRIL THE TRANSNISSION WENT. THE REVERSE GEAR BLEW UP AND BLEW INTO THE CASE AND ASLO RUNINED THE RADIATOR. THANKS DODGE !!

NHTSA ODI #10069183

1,500 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

THE TRUCK HAS HAD SEVER PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION AND STALLING. IT ALSO MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF PROBLEMS WITH AT LEAT 15 DAYS TOTAL IN THE SHOP.

NHTSA ODI #10069020

1,500 miles · Dec 19, 2003
Power Train

AT A FULL STOP YOU FEEL LIKE A "BUMP" IN THE TRANSMISSION, OR JUST LIKE SOMEONE HIT YOU FROM THE BACK. IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME. IT NORMALLY HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN HALF HOUR IN TRAFFIC OR LOCAL ROADS WITH FREQUENT STOPS. DEALER HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, WHICH STARTED AT 1500 MILES. …

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AT A FULL STOP YOU FEEL LIKE A "BUMP" IN THE TRANSMISSION, OR JUST LIKE SOMEONE HIT YOU FROM THE BACK. IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME. IT NORMALLY HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN HALF HOUR IN TRAFFIC OR LOCAL ROADS WITH FREQUENT STOPS. DEALER HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, WHICH STARTED AT 1500 MILES. THEY SERVICE THE DIFFERENTIAL BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN WILLING TO DRIVE IT ENOUGH EVEN WHEN I LEFT THE VEHICLE FOR THEM TO TRY FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS. VEHICLE NOW HAS 17,000 MILES, HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 3000 MILES IN FIVE START DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10050764

19,000 miles · Dec 3, 2003
Power Train

WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND WOULD MOSTLY OCCUR IN TRAFFIC. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10046708

2,000 miles · Oct 27, 2003
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR FROM 1ST TO 2ND SHIFT WHICH IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN CROSSING INTERSECTIONS OR ATTEMPTING TO PASS VEHICLES AS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING OFTEN BUT INCONSISTENTLY. HAVE TAKEN TRUCK BACK TO DEALER 5 TIMES AND ONLY ONCE COULD THEY FIND THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED TRANSMISSION OIL PUMP AND VALVE BODY BUT P…

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TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR FROM 1ST TO 2ND SHIFT WHICH IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN CROSSING INTERSECTIONS OR ATTEMPTING TO PASS VEHICLES AS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING OFTEN BUT INCONSISTENTLY. HAVE TAKEN TRUCK BACK TO DEALER 5 TIMES AND ONLY ONCE COULD THEY FIND THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED TRANSMISSION OIL PUMP AND VALVE BODY BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. ALSO WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE INTO DRIVE IT SOMETIMES ACTS AS REVERSE, AND WHEN IN REVERSE LUNGES FORWARD AS IN DRIVE. DEALER REPLACED PRDNL (GEAR SHIFT) ONCE BUT STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH GEAR POSITION. DEALERSHIP STATES THEY MUST BE ABLE TO REPRODUCE PROBLEM IN ORDER TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. WAS ALSO TOLD BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE WITH NO SOLUTION IN SIGHT THUS FAR. AM PURSUING LEMON LAW LITIGATION AS THIS IS MORE THAN JUST A SAFETY HAZARD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10043707

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2003
Power Train

WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE TRANSMISSION STALLS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10042051

80 miles · Aug 13, 2003
EquipmentPower Train

TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. SHIFTS AT 35 MPH AND THEN WINDS OUT TO 55 MPH OR MORE AND WILL NOT SHIFT UNTIL YOU TAKE FOOT OFF GAS SLIGHTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK 6 TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM. THEIR "FIX" WAS FROM ADJUSTMENTS TO CHANGING INTERNAL TRANMISSION PARTS TO INSTALLING A NEW TRANSMISSION WITH THE SAME PROBLEM …

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TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. SHIFTS AT 35 MPH AND THEN WINDS OUT TO 55 MPH OR MORE AND WILL NOT SHIFT UNTIL YOU TAKE FOOT OFF GAS SLIGHTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK 6 TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM. THEIR "FIX" WAS FROM ADJUSTMENTS TO CHANGING INTERNAL TRANMISSION PARTS TO INSTALLING A NEW TRANSMISSION WITH THE SAME PROBLEM PERSISTING. NOW AM IN LEMON LAW LITIGATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10032730

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2003
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT PROPERLY FROM THE THIRD TO THE FOURTH GEAR ,WON'T SHIFT. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE EIGHT TIMES, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10033725

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2003
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY FOR SEVERAL BLOCKS BRAKES ARE PULSATING WHEN MAKEING NORMAL START, HAS 13500 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10029102

13,150 miles · Jul 14, 2003
Power Train

2002 DODGE DAKOTA PARKING SAFETY FAILURE: MY 5 YEAR OLD SON WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVE-WAY; NEITHER IGNITION KEY WAS IN THE VEHICLE NOR THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK DOWN THE DRIVE-WAY; LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURY OR DAMAGE TO THE PROPERTY. THE DEALER, CAR…

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2002 DODGE DAKOTA PARKING SAFETY FAILURE: MY 5 YEAR OLD SON WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVE-WAY; NEITHER IGNITION KEY WAS IN THE VEHICLE NOR THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK DOWN THE DRIVE-WAY; LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURY OR DAMAGE TO THE PROPERTY. THE DEALER, CARL GREGORY DODGE IN ATLANTA GA, FIXED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND IT TOOK THE DEALER 4 DAYS TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER FINALLY INFORMED THE DEALER THAT IT WAS A BAD CASTING IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN PARTS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND YET THE DEALER HAS NO KNOWLEDGE AND THERE WERE NO RE-CALL. MY FRIEND ALSO TOLD ME A SIMILAR INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED RECENTLY ON DODGE DURANGO. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND A LITTLE BOY WAS KILLED. BOTH VEHICLES USE THE SAME STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. DODGE NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10026040

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.