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 2003 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the windshield wipers failed and the exterior lighting sporadically malfunctioned. Also, the side cap to the main radiator spewed antifreeze approximately five feet in the air. The contact shut off the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were made aware of the failure. In addition, while driving at a low speed, a loud popping sound emitted from the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the ball joint fractured. The contact was made aware that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V596000 (suspension). The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where he performed the repair. The failure mileage was 220,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Dakota. While driving approximately 3 MPH and making a left turn, the front driver side upper left ball joint suddenly failed and caused the wheel to separate from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who indicated that the failure was caused by rust and corrosion of the ball joint. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V596000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 114,208.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ball joint failed on the front suspension. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V596000 (suspension).the approximate failure mileage was 100,497.
While driving at 55 MPH on the highway consumer lost control of vehicle and crashed into the guard rail. The driver was injuried and transported by ambulance to the hospital.a police report was done. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for analysis. The mechanic detected that both frontal ball joints cracked.
Driving down the road heard a bang lost control of the truck and hit a parked car. Car was towed away and fixed body shop and front end shop said tie rod and ball joint snapped off clean this truck only has 5000 miles on it, also I have all the damaged parts if any body wants to test them.
The right front lower control arm ball joint separated causing my 2003 Dodge Dakota to run off the road and swerve to the right. The truck hit a parked car and both vehicles were totaled. There was no noise or indication of any problem prior to the incident. Mileage was 31,600.
While driving, the vehicle swerved to the left without warning and the vehicle to hit a tree and rolled over. The dealer believed that the cause was due to front end suspension failure, however the airbags deployed upon impact.
The front end got a hard vibrate i replace the shocks two times and its not fix the problem seem like something going too brake off like a wheel or something dont feel safe driving it
I have a 2003 Dodge Dakota sport quad cab 4 wheel drive vehicle. I've had an embarrassing squeak in my steering and front end for 4 years. After listening to it for a while after purchasing, I took it to trail Dodge on 08/26/04 and complained. The service note said "customer states there is a loud squeaking noise from right side suspension area while driving. Inspected and road tested and could not duplicate customer's concerns, no noises heard at this time (wet out) did inspect front end all is tight." it took it in to fury motors, south st. Paul, mn, at about 36,000 miles and the same. They could not find it at that time. Noise persisted, till it's now embarrassing to drive the vehicle all together. …
Upper ball joint failure passenger side of vehicle, I contacted Chrysler and they say that my vehicle is not covered under the recall #04V216000, which covered 600,000 vehicles for this very type of failure. I was never offered or informed of a extended warranty given by Chrysler to cover this very problem. If I was made aware of the possibility of this problem occurring with my vehicle, I would of made sure that my vehicle was inspected on a timely manner in this area. I did return my vehicle for a recall for my windshield washer assy in December of 2004 and also for my balljoints due the fact I was sent a recall notice. If the weather was worse or I did drive my vehicle off road I do believe my ball joint would have deteriorated as a accelerated rate. …
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 2003 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 100 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Dodge Dakota, 34% of the model year's 296 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › upper ball joint (54 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 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 2003 Dodge Dakota suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 6 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.