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2003 Dodge Dakota

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Dodge Dakota do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 166.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

222 reports with mileage · 74 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 100 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports5 fire reports10 injury reports

Power Train complaints

38 reports
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200 miles · Jan 12, 2004
Power Train

TRUCK WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY WHEN GOING UP GRADE. ENGINE WILL REV AT 4500-5000 RPM BUT WILL NOT SHIFT UNTIL I SLIGHTLY RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL. TRUCK WILL ALSO PERFORM MULTIPLE HARD UP SHIFTS WHEN IN CRUISE CONTROL GOING UP GRADE... HAD THE TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES. FIRST TIME IN MAY, 1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASE, THE DEALER RE…

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TRUCK WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY WHEN GOING UP GRADE. ENGINE WILL REV AT 4500-5000 RPM BUT WILL NOT SHIFT UNTIL I SLIGHTLY RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL. TRUCK WILL ALSO PERFORM MULTIPLE HARD UP SHIFTS WHEN IN CRUISE CONTROL GOING UP GRADE... HAD THE TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES. FIRST TIME IN MAY, 1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASE, THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER WITH A "FLASH UPDATE" AND ADJUSTED THROTTLE LINKAGE. THAT WAS NO HELP. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER I TOOK IT IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AND DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE THIRD TIME, JANUARY 2004, I TOOK A TECHNICIAN FOR A TEST DRIVE, AND HE AGREED THAT THE TRUCK WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. THEY REPLACED THE "VALVE BODY" IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOW GOTTEN WORSE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TRUCK IS NOW HAVING PROBLEM SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. THEY CLAIM THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE SAME PART THEY JUST INSTALLED, THEY SAY IT MUST HAVE BEEN A DEFECTIVE "VALVE". FURTHERMORE, THE TECHNICIAN IS NOW SAYING THE ORIGINAL SHIFTING PROBLEM IS NORMAL BECAUSE DODGE REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION TO AVOID MULTIPLE UP & DOWN SHIFTING WHEN GOING UP A GRADE. THIS WAS DOWN TO PUT "LESS STRESS" ON THE TRANSMISSION. DOESN'T MAKE SENSE, DODGE IS SAVING THE TRANSMISSION BY MAKING IT WORK LESS AND DESTROYING THE ENGINE BY LETTING IT REV AT 5000 RPM..... P.S. THIS SHIFTING PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE THE DAY I DROVE THE TRUCK OFF THE LOT. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10053012

8,976 miles · Jan 4, 2004
Power Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT TO THIRD GEAR UNLESS THE GAS PEDAL IS ALMOST FULLY RELEASED. TRANSMISSION WILL NOT DOWNSHIFT TO PASS. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10052347

3,200 miles · Dec 15, 2003
Power Train

ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TRANMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT FROM THIRD GEAR. DEALER CONFIRMED PROBLEM, ORDERED REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION MODULE. REPLACEMENT DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. FURTHER INVESTIGATION FROM DEALER FOUND BROKEN WIRE IN WIRING HARNESS LEADING TO TRANSMISSION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10049746

6,000 miles · Dec 3, 2003
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

AT 6,000 MILES THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. WHEN RIDING OVER ANY SIZE BUMP IN THE ROAD THE FRONT END COLLAPSED. *AK THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN BRAKING, THE FLAPPER DOOR FOR THE FUEL FILLER NECK WAS MISSING AND OR FELL INSIDE THE TANK, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, THE FRONT AND REAR RO…

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AT 6,000 MILES THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. WHEN RIDING OVER ANY SIZE BUMP IN THE ROAD THE FRONT END COLLAPSED. *AK THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN BRAKING, THE FLAPPER DOOR FOR THE FUEL FILLER NECK WAS MISSING AND OR FELL INSIDE THE TANK, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS WERE GROOVED, WORN UNEVEN AND PITTED. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10044936

778 miles · Sep 25, 2003
Parking BrakePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE (1)SHIFTS HARSHLY, (2)DOES NOT UPSHIFT SMOOTHLY/UPSHIFTS AT EXCESSIVE RPM, (3)STALLS WHEN MAKING LOW-SPEED LEFT-HAND TURNS, (4)IDLES ROUGHLY, (5)FAILS TO MAINTAIN SPEED IN CRUISE CONTROL, (6)DOWNSHIFTS HARSHLY AFTER LOSING SPEED IN CRUISE CONTROL, (7)TRANSMISSION GEAR INDICATOR DID NOT INDICATE ACTUAL GEAR VEHICLE WAS IN…

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VEHICLE (1)SHIFTS HARSHLY, (2)DOES NOT UPSHIFT SMOOTHLY/UPSHIFTS AT EXCESSIVE RPM, (3)STALLS WHEN MAKING LOW-SPEED LEFT-HAND TURNS, (4)IDLES ROUGHLY, (5)FAILS TO MAINTAIN SPEED IN CRUISE CONTROL, (6)DOWNSHIFTS HARSHLY AFTER LOSING SPEED IN CRUISE CONTROL, (7)TRANSMISSION GEAR INDICATOR DID NOT INDICATE ACTUAL GEAR VEHICLE WAS IN, (8)VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO PARK, AND FROM PARK TO REVERSE, AND (9)VEHICLE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED TO RELEASE, THEN FAILED TO HOLD.

NHTSA ODI #10039556

20 miles · Sep 25, 2003
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

THE DAY I BROUGHT MY 2003 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB HOME, I NOTICED A HOWLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR BRAKES WHEN IN REVERSE. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS THE CAUSE AND FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THE BREAKS NEEDED TO BE BROKEN IN AND THEN THE NOISE WOULD STOP. TOOK TRUCK BACK FOR OIL CHANGE AF…

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THE DAY I BROUGHT MY 2003 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB HOME, I NOTICED A HOWLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR BRAKES WHEN IN REVERSE. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS THE CAUSE AND FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THE BREAKS NEEDED TO BE BROKEN IN AND THEN THE NOISE WOULD STOP. TOOK TRUCK BACK FOR OIL CHANGE AFTER 3000 MILES AND INFORMED SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE TRUCK WAS STILL MAKING HOWLING NOISE. TOLD ME THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM AND THAT AS SOON AS THE PARTS CAME IN HE WOULD CALL . I'M STILL WAITING. ALSO I AM HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHEN I AM CLIMBING A GRADE THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO GET STUCK IN SECOND GEAR. I HAVE TO LET OFF THE GAS FOR IT TO SHIFT. SOMETIMES THE SHIFT IS VERY HARSH AND AT OTHER TIMES IT MISSES A GEAR ALTOGETHER. TRUCK HAS A HARD TIME MAINTAINING SET SPEED WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS SET. SEEMS TO WAIT TOO LONG TO SHIFT TO BRING THE TRUCK UP TO SPEED

NHTSA ODI #10039534

3,600 miles · Aug 2, 2003
Power Train

AFTER DRIVING APPROX. 4 HOURS FROM FRESNO TO RENO ON JULY 6, 2003 WE WERE COMING OVER INTERSTATE 80 AT 70-75 MPH, WHEN OUR TRUCK SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, MAKING THE TRUCK SOUND AS IF IT HAD DOWNSHIFTED. WE PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY THINKING THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND CHECKED FLUID LEVELS. THEY WERE FINE. WE GOT BACK ON THE HIGHWAY…

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AFTER DRIVING APPROX. 4 HOURS FROM FRESNO TO RENO ON JULY 6, 2003 WE WERE COMING OVER INTERSTATE 80 AT 70-75 MPH, WHEN OUR TRUCK SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, MAKING THE TRUCK SOUND AS IF IT HAD DOWNSHIFTED. WE PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY THINKING THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND CHECKED FLUID LEVELS. THEY WERE FINE. WE GOT BACK ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOT 5 MILES LATER IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN. WE THOUGHT WE MIGHT BE STRANDED.THE DEALER COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCKS COMPUTER AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ON ITS MEMORY. WE GOT THE TRUCK BACK WITH NO REPAIRS. TODAY, AUGUST 2, 2003, THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO SLIP AGAIN AT 70MPH TRYING TO PASS A SLOWER VEHICLE. LOOKING THROUGH THE TSB'S THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS I DISCOVERED(OVERHEATING) STATED EVERY TRANSMISSION ON A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB EXCEPT THE ONE IN MY VEHICLE A 45RFE. COULD THE PROBLEM STATED FOR THE OTHER TRANSMISSIONS POSSIBLY BE A PROBLEM FOR MINE? IF SO HOW DO I GET THE DEALER TO FIX IT BEFORE IT GETS WORSE?. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10030656

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2002
Power Train

LOCATION OF GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS POSITIONED, WHERE IF REACHING OVER TO AJUST RADIO OR AIR CONDITIONING UNIT AND PUTTING HANDS BACK ON STEERING WHEEL, CAN KNOCK SHIFT LEVER OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL/ PARK WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8019068

Official recalls

4

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.

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.

02V322000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

Dec 2, 2002

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE (CTM) HAS AN IMPROPERLY SIZED CIRCUIT BOARD TRACE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE RIGHT HEADLAMP LOW BEAM TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE LIGHTS FAIL, A VISIBILITY PROBLEM COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CTM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 23, 2002. 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.

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.