Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was a wobble coming from the front passenger's side tire. The contact was able to pull over and had the vehicle towed to a local mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ball joints needed to be replaced however, the vehicle was not repaired. There was no warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000.
While driving at a low speed, the inner tie rod end came out of the socket and the front driver side tire turned to the left. This resulted in vehicle crashing into a concrete phylum. The inner tie rod , front lower ball joint, fender, bumper, blinker and rim needed to be replaced. Also when making a sharp right turn driver's side inside rim was rubbing against something underneath the vehicle. Dealership was not willing to replace any component until they were able to duplicate the failure.
Have a 2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4wd. Lost the front wheel while driving earlier this year. Ball joint failure was the cause. Dodge didn't seem to think it was a problem, though at 60 MPH the whole wheel flying off seemed like one to me. Not sure of the exact date...though I can find out if needed from police
Dt: the contact stated while driving vehicle had to swerve to miss an oncoming vehicle. The lower ball join broke at this time. The contact's vehicle went into a creek. The injuries to the occupants of the vehicle were still being determined. The vehicle is currently being inspected.
While driving 30 MPH front ball joint punctured the front driver's side tire. This forced the vehicle into a ditch. Consumer had the vehicle towed. Dealership informed the consumer of the ball joint failure and repaired it.
I started noticing a "lurch or lateral shift" of the front end during tight left and right turns at low speed (35 MPH or less). Driving at highway speeds on straight roads did not indicate any problems. Recently, during a brake system inspection, significant "slop / free movement" at the upper ball joint & wheel knuckle assembly connection was noted (> 0.5"). I researched the problem and discovered the NHTSA issued recall for "upper ball joint failures on 2000-2003 Dodge dakotas" as well as the Dodge issued TSB for the same defect. I took my 2001 Dakota in to a Dodge dealer for the recall repair. The Dodge dealer and Chrysler both conveniently took the position that my VIN was not part of this recall, therefore they were not responsible for making the repair. My vehicle has the same failure mode described in the NHTSA recall and the Dodge issued TSB. …
I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota 2x4 with 38,000 miles. Both upper ball joints are bad. This is the same ball joint that is in the durango. I work at a small family owned tire store. I have replaced many, many, many sets of Dodge durango/Dakota upper ball joints over the last year. 90% of them go bad before the vehicle reaches 100,000 miles. I have been disappointing several times over the last few weeks with Chrysler's customer service. All distributors are back ordered on the parts so I can not even get the parts to repair my own Dakota. I have heard through our parts distributors that there is an investigation underway. These ball joints are not safe! They develop extensive play in the socket part of the joint in a short period of time. The only saving grace is that they usually start to make a lot of noise (a popping or squeaking sound when the suspension flexes) before they fall out. …
2001 Dodge Dakota ball joint failure. Took to dealer twice before warranty expired complaining of noise from front end. They told me all was fine and not to worrk as it was "normal". Two months later and 47,000 on odometer (warranty expired) entire right front wheel fell off while turning in parking lot. Dealer wanted me to pay for repair. I called daimler Chrysler several times and complained to no avail. In the end, the dealer found that the other side of the Dakota was worn as well and that they wanted to replace the ball joints there as well. After a month of fighting and complaining, I finally got my truck back (with a complete new front end). Repairs cost of $3100 of which I had to pay about $700.00 as a "good will". Now that I have had my truck and 3000 miles later, the front end is starting to make noise again. This is a defect and Dodge should be responsible! …
Front upper ball joints on both sides are worn out before 38,612 miles (mileage at time I am sending this email). Took Dakota dealer (rainier Dodge, olympia, washington) last Monday, October 20, 2003, and was told that it was safe to drive and would only take a few days to get new parts. They still don't have the parts to fix it and we just saw a news report (on durangos that also mentioned dakotas being worse) showing how dangerous it is to drive a vehicle with bad upper ball joints (broke off and wheel and all went across 4 lanes of traffic). On their word that it was safe to drive, we took an out of town trip this weekend. I thank god that we made the trip safely! When is a recall going to be made on both the Dakota and durango? Our Dodge dealer seems to be dragging their feet getting the parts to fix ours, and I am afraid to drive my Dakota until it is repaired. …
I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota with the left side upper ball joint wore out. I have only 36400 miles on the truck and saw a news report on tv about the ball joints and inspected my truck and to my shock sure enough I jacked the tire up and it has lots of play. So much play im afraid to drive it. If I would have not seen this news report I could have been killed if this came apart. So now I have to figure out how to get it to the dealer to see if they can fix it. I am scared to drive my truck like this. I then did some more investigating on the internet and to my supprise this has been going on for years. You would think Dodge would have noticed this by now. The thing that scares me is that my 2 year old son has ridden in the truck with me a lot. If those ball joints would have failed going down the road at 55 MPH what would have happened to us. …
Related recalls
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Upper ball joint separation
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.
Suspension complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2001 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 236 complaints about the suspension of the 2001 Dodge Dakota, 35% of the model year's 678 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › upper ball joint (162 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Dodge Dakota suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-596 (upper ball joint, Dec 21, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Dodge Dakota suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.