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jdawg
Dodge Dakota
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10/12/2004
09:45:23
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 Subject: RE: Ball Joints
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I logged a complaint with the NHTSA about a year ago. I had a message on my voice mail yesterday and they are doing an investigation on Dakota ball joints so a recall is probably coming. I have a 99 dakota 318 v8 and that is the only problem I have had with it. I replaced the ball joints myself and all I replaced was the ball joints.
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Boydzz
Dodge Dakota
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10/20/2004
12:26:56
|  RE: Ball Joints
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Yesterday I e-mailed Peter Kivett (peter.kivett@nhtsa.dot.gov) who is the lead investigator on the issue per a post from Todd on 3/10/2004 in this same thread. I described that I have a 2004 Quad cab with 2100 miles on it, and already it is out of alignment and makes noises in the front end when going over bumps (I live in Detroit). I left him my work phone number and this morning he called me back.
Peter said that the NHTSA is wrapping up its investigation and will be submitting DCX a report which request them to make a recall based on the widespread failure of "upper and lower ball joint separation". He said this is no laughing matter and suggested I take my truck in and have it looked at, as the symptoms I described in my e-mail were typical of the problem. I asked Peter what the effect of the submitted report to DCX would mean. He said that it would recommend to DCX to perform a recall, but ultimately DCX makes the final call. The report would NOT mandate a recall.
I asked him what were the options, who else do I inform. Peter said to file a complaint with the NHTSA, as they were primarily it when it comes to looking into this kind of things. He said to file a report with the "auto safety hotline". He said that these complaints where important to their investigations.
He told me to take my truck in and have it looked at. He said DCX has been performing ball joint replacement more readily as of late...Maybe they are taking steps to avoid future lawsuits? Either way Peter was very nice. I was surprised to hear back from him, yet alone a phone call the next day. I recommend to anyone who has not yet done so to file a complaint with the "Auto safety hotline" at the NHTSA web site. (http://www.nhtsa.com/). There may be light at the end of the tunnel...just not very bright.
Tim
(I have copied Todd's post with Peter's name below)
Todd
Dodge Dakota
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3/10/2004
18:06:31
RE: Ball Joints
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I own a 2001 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab, and have been in regular contact with NHTSA on this issue. The lead investigator on the ball joint investigation is 'peter.kivett@nhtsa.dot.gov'& the investigation is Engineering Analysis EA03-023. Send him an email and help us all get this issue resolved once and for all!
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Bob Benedict
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/28/2004
23:33:01
| RE: Ball Joints
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Hello xxxxx (NHTSA),
Daimler Chrysler contacted me by email yesterday and by phone today. They emailed me to get permission to call me, which I gave.
Kelly Nackoud, a Senior Staff Representative at the DaimlerChrysler Customer Assistance Center called. She did not ask me any questions; I was expecting to get grilled. She told me that they had received my email complaint and had called the Chrysler Dealership where I had my Dodge Dakota upper ball joint failure repaired. Note: My email to Chrysler had attached to it the email I sent to you, and the email that I sent to my Congressman and CBS news (less attachments).
She told me that Chrysler was willing to pay for the repair work performed. She already knew how much my bill for the repair work was, $245.34. She said that since my truck was only “just barely” out of its warranty period that Chrysler was willing to bend a little and pay for my repairs. My truck is not “just barely” out of the warranty period, we had 57,401 miles on the truck when the ball joint separation occurred!
She asked only that I mail her my original invoice and proof of payment.
My primary interest is to get a Dodge recall to repair this extremely dangerous problem so that others are not killed or maimed. I don’t need the money. The money means little to me compared to the good I can do by assisting to get a recall instituted. I will refuse this payment from Chrysler if it will in any way impede the NHTSA investigation, or prevent me/my wife from further assisting your investigation.
Please let me know if by accepting this payment I would make myself less useful to your investigation. Also let me know of any known “strings” attached to payments of this type by Chrysler. Thank you xxxxx(NHTSA).
Best Regards,
Bob Benedict
rkbenedict@comcast.net
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Tony
Dodge Dakota
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11/01/2004
19:02:10
|  RE: Ball Joints
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Can't stress enough to all 1997 - 2004 Dakota / Durango owners out there with ball joint problem to notify the NHTSA. This is the best way to help get a recall going. If you can read this, you obviously have internet access - go to www.NHTSA.gov & file a complaint.
It's up to you, but I opted to make my info available to Dodge - I expect to get reimburst for ripping the front end apart =)! I saved all the parts in hopes it helps with the NHTSA investigation.
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Pat
Dodge Dakota
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11/29/2004
16:46:04
| RE: Ball Joints
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I have a '98 Dakota Sport 2wd(recently purchased). Is the ball joint issue concerned with 2wd or 4wd or both? What are the early symptoms?
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hkp
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/02/2004
11:24:02
| RE: Ball Joints
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Well, my lower ball joints are worn.
2001 QC 4.7 70K miles.
I'm going to replace both the lower and upper while I'm at it I think.
I will log it at the NHTSA web site.
This is the first new vehicle I have ever owned, and don't know much about recalls, so this question may be stupid. If they do issue a recall, am I able to recoupe the cost of replacing them before the recall?
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JasonB
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/02/2004
12:22:07
| RE: Ball Joints
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hkp
Yes, keep all records and receipts from your expenses. Reimbursement for your repair expenses is not uncommon if there is a recall.
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ron thomas
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/07/2004
09:01:23
|  RE: Ball Joints
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2002 dodge dakota Quad cab-54000k miles.the upper ball joints are bad, 4000k past warranty, my dealer
ask for $500.00 too replace ball joints.
is there a recall out yet.
i just had my brake rotors turned at52000k
thats when i was informed that the upper ball joints were bad.
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sonny
Dodge Dakota
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12/07/2004
23:54:44
| RE: Ball Joints
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I was wondering what that noise was so i took it to my dealer and they said they couldnt find a problem. Dont you think that a dealer would have heard of this problem? Those scumbags talked me into an extended warranty too. Anybody have the procedure covered by warranty? Now on to the NHTSA.
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jordan bowman
Dodge Dakota
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12/10/2004
05:14:37
| RE: Ball Joints
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I have a 99 dodge dakota sport v8 magnum 4x4. I've had the ball joints replaced last year and I'am already experiencing a lot of vibration from the front end. Some people have also been complaining of early wheel bearing failures. But these were in later models. This is my first new vehichle paid for by my own sweat and blood and years of overtime. Is there any solutions to solving this saftey issue. I like my truck but don't want anyone to get hurt or possibly killed. Sitting and waiting on a recall is an option if you got another vehicle. Replacing them didn't seem to work unless it was done poorly or there's something else. If anyone else has had them replaced but still has had problems please keep posting. And check this out from cbs.com
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/12/09/eveningnews/main660217.shtml?CMP=ILC-SearchStories
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Keith
Dodge Dakota
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12/10/2004
10:55:22
| RE: Ball Joints
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I had my front passenger side tire fall off my 2001 Dakota back in Oct.Fortunately I was only traveling @ 35 mph. I also complained to Chrysler(got no where)and also complained to NHTSA. Heard on the am news that they are pressuring Chrysler to issue a recall. The response from Chrysler is they don't feel that it is a safety issue, but will make a decision next week. Not a safety issue? What if I was traveling on the highway? What if it happened through the school zone I just went by prior to the tire falling off? Are these corporate geeks braindead?
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ron thomas
Dodge Dakota
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12/10/2004
12:16:47
| RE: Ball Joints
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Dodge Dakota 2002 Q/C.
Thanks for the INFO.on the Dakotas
I looked up CBS.COM And printed the letter and other good INFO for show & tell at my Dodge dealer.
this is my first Dodge Truck, after driving ford
trucks for 50+ yrs. WHAT WAS I THINKING. this will be my last Dodge Truck.
ron
South texas
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Gates
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/10/2004
12:21:33
| RE: Ball Joints
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Agency seeks recall of 600,000 Dodge trucks
Suspension problem seen with Durango, Dakota pickups
The Associated Press
Updated: 9:03 a.m. ET Dec. 10, 2004
WASHINGTON - Federal safety regulators want 600,000 Dodge Durangos and Dakota trucks recalled because their wheels could fall off, but the auto maker doesn’t believe the defect is dangerous, a company spokesman said.
Federal safety regulators have asked DaimlerChrysler AG to recall Durango sport utility vehicles and Dakota pickups from the 2000 to 2003 model years, Chrysler spokesman Max Gates confirmed. He stressed the models haven’t been recalled.
The company is planning to respond to the government’s request early next week, he said Thursday.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration made the recommendation, first reported by CBS News, after investigating reports of upper ball joint separation on dozens of vehicles. When the upper ball joint separates, the suspension can collapse and the wheel can fall off.
There are reports of several crashes but no injuries due to the issue in NHTSA’s investigation file.
Gates said Chrysler recognizes there is a problem with the upper ball joints, but “we do not think it rises to the level of a safety defect.”
Gates said a vehicle owner would hear noise coming from the vehicle well before the upper ball joint failed. Mechanics also will find out if an upper ball joint needs to be repaired during routine maintenance, Gates said.
Gates said if the upper ball joint fails, it is most likely to happen at low speeds and during turns.
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Keith
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/10/2004
12:39:04
| RE: Ball Joints
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I beg to differ with Mr. Gates. There was no noise, no warning sign, as a matter of fact the vehicle was inspected a couple weeks before my tire fell off. I watched the mechanic test the suspension. The joint itself is made out of plastic. I had all the ball joints replaced with heavy duty ones before they also wore out. Makes no sense to have a plastic joint on a heavy duty 4 wheel drive vehicle. They not only should be changed, but outlawed. Maybe a prospect of a class action lawsuit will wake them up.
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mj
Dodge Dakota
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12/10/2004
23:46:29
| RE: Ball Joints
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Finally our voices have been heard. Last year I went round and round with my dealer about the noise from my ball joints after I first heard of an proposed class action lawsiut regarding the durangos. The last thing they told me was that the issue was only focused on the durangos because they don't use the same ball joints that of the dakotas. They told me that my ball joints where with in specs. Yeah! OK you SOB's. So, I held out hopeing for something like this to happen. He he , it paid off! Recalls will be issued next month. My dealer has no option. Suckers!
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sae
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/11/2004
14:02:21
| RE: Ball Joints
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I have a 2001 Dakota Quad Cab 4.7L 4x4 and love everything about it except the clunking feeling and vibration felt in the front end while going over bumps and around bumpy turns.
I had my truck serviced by the dealer 6 times to rectify this situation. The problems became apparent within the first year and the first service attempt was within 17,000 miles.
I went in circles with the dealership while they "tried to work with me to identify the problem". They replaced the front stabilizer/sway bar and bushings 3 times yet the problem persisted! After replacing the first time or so, common sense would say that probably wasn't the cause.
I am not a mechanic but asked them to check the ball and CV joints because I had heard that they can cause similar problems. They came back and said that everything was fine but they would replace the CV joints in good faith.
They also went on to replace the upper and lower steering column shafts as well as the intermediate coupling. The clunking was still there. The service dept manager looked up any possible recalls or known problems and said that nobody else was reporting such problems. Thankfully all the above "repairs" were covered under warranty.
It is disturbing to find out that over 600,000 vehicles may have similar defects. This truck was my first new vehicle after driving a Toyota standard pickup for 13 years. In 13 years I replaced a clutch and a head gasket. That's right, only a clutch and gasket after 13 years besides the regular wear and tear (brake pads, tires, filters, and that 22R engine would run forever).
Now we can all finally get this resolved and have a safe truck that we paid good money to own and maintain.
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Doug
Dodge Dakota
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12/11/2004
15:31:52
|  RE: Ball Joints
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What about people with 97 to 99 Dakota's??? I had my upper ball joints on my 99 Dakota replaced 4 times, 3 time within the warranty period and once since. I need to do it a 5th time and was waiting for this to happen. Guess we are just outta luck!!!!!!!!
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copperlisa
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/11/2004
16:07:46
| RE: Ball Joints
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Glad to know y'all that already had ball joints replaced will get reimbursed. I've not replaced mine, but it's in the recall, so I will now. I've heard the popping/clunking sound more in the last several weeks, and was just trying to find money to have it looked at. Now I guess it'll be DC's issue. I'm way out of warranty, so this is a blessing. 2000 Quad Cab, 4.7, 116,000 miles.
Lisa
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Suprtek
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/11/2004
22:30:00
| RE: Ball Joints
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I own a 2000 Dakota QC 2WD. At 55k I decided to replace my front rotors and pads due to the common rotor warping problem that I had. While I was doing this, I noticed that one ball joint was definately bad and the other 3 were showing too much wear for the mileage. The outer tie rod ends were sloppy too. After researching the problem and finding out about the investigation, I decided the safest thing to do was to replace all the questionable parts. Even doing the work myself, this was very expensive. Especially since I went out of my way to buy non OEM parts because I didn't want the same thing to happen again. I ended up replacing all 4 ball joints and both outer tie rod ends with Moog parts that have a lifetime warranty. They also have grease fittings on them which the OEM's didn't. All the info I am seeing about this recall indicates that it only applies to 4WD Durangos and Dakotas. Does anyone know if they may eventually include 2WD vehicles? I'm glad I found the problem and got it corrected before anything bad happened, but it would be nice to recover some of the expense if possible. By the way, those rivets holding the ball joints on are real pain to get off without an air chisel!! I had to use an angle grinder and a drill. And yes, I took it in for an alignment afterwards. I also had to replace one of my power door lock/latch assemblies and two tires with slipped belts in the same month that I rebuilt the front end. I still love my truck but I'm beginning to question my sanity. Oh well. At least I can use this forum to help vent my frustrations a little bit. Guess I better quit, don't want to set a record for the longest post.
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Randy
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/12/2004
09:18:02
| RE: Ball Joints
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2001 2wd dakota.
So, I am aware that my warrenty will probably be extended to 100k miles regarding the ball joints, but, how do I convince the stealer that my joints are bad? I mean, I hear the noise when I pull into my driveway, but what if the dealer cant duplicate the noise? I am worried because when I lifted up the truck I wasn't able to make the wheel woble. May the dealer just dismiss my claim that it's bad?
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