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 2004 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Dakota 4x4. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the contact attempted to make a turn then unexpectedly the front driver's side wheel collapsed due to a fractured ball joint. The vehicle crashed into a cement post in a parking lot. There were no personal injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. There was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 04V596000 (suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint); however the VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Dakota. While accelerating at a low speed, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. In addition, while a stop, the vehicle overheated and the temperature gauge increased. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to multiple independent mechanics, who diagnosed that the front, upper and lower ball joints, struts, control arms, idle arms, control arm bushings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
I have a brand new 2004 Dakota that has a ball joint squeak starting already at just over 4000 miles. The local garage I took it to tells me that it is the start of the ball joint problems that Dakota's are notorious for. My short investigation on the internet turned up all kinds of discussion and expensive horror stories. My son has a 2002 Dakota which has had the ball joints replaced 3 times also. Obviously, this is a major design flaw and a significant safety hazard. According to the article on cbs, if these aren't taken care of, they will separate and the wheel comes off. Replacement of these parts by daimlerchrysler is not enough. Daimlerchrysler needs to redesign these and the NHTSA needs to insist that they recall the effected vehicles and replace the ball joints with the redesigned parts. …
My truck had been making the notorious squeaking sounds from the font end that the Dodge Dakota has been known for over the past few years. I knew nothing of the ball joint problems with this vehicle until my fiance was in an accident with the truck. The accident that occurred was faulted to my fiance's fault. When speaking with her, she stated that she was unable to steer the truck and therefore struck the other car 'while going around the corner'. When she stopped the vehicle after the accident, she found the truck lowered to the ground on the front drivers side due to the wheel assembly popping off the truck. By 'popping off' I mean that the lower ball joint popped out of its location and the rivets holding the top of the spindle popped out of there position. Yes I said popped. There were no ripping of parts etc, the assembly just popped off the truck. …
I own a 2004 Dakota quad 4x4 with 78K miles on it. I bought the truck new and have taken care of it. Most of the miles are highway and it has not been driven off road. Since its no longer under warranty I got online to research a diy solution. I found that many of the problems I have had and are having are not just being experienced by myself but other Dakota owners. 1) steering issues the steering wheel becomes extremely hard to turn at times both going into and coming out of a turn. This started happening in feb 2009 with 71K on it. It is much more prevalent in cold weather. I was unable to drive the truck until the weather warmed up. (I have not had this fixed yet.) 2) brake issues 27K I had to have the front rotors and the rear drums turned and new pads and shoes installed and had the brake fluid changed. …
Loud thunking noise comes from the transmission when attempting to stop. Rep from Chrysler stated this was coming from the gas tank . There is a vibration between 30-45 MPH coming from the drive train. Rep stated this was "normal".there is also a loud whirring noise coming from the fuel pump. Rep also states this is normal.bearing nosie is coming from the power steering pump. My 2004 Dodge Dakota sxt has been to the dealer 5 times and the dealer still cannot fix. The rep from Chrysler stated this is the "best" truck Dodge has ever built. I'd hate to see the worst! So far the dealer has replaced the ac condenser, complete rack & pinion steering system, complete drive shaft, rear differential housing, rear swaybar links, the brakes shudder when attempting to stop , left front brake squeal, front end needed aligning after rack & pinion steering replacement . …
Can hear a popping noise from right front end when going into driveways or making right turns. On 6/4/08 took vehicle into dealer and they stated the upper control arms were worn out as well as the shocks. 1500$ later they replaced the upper control arms, shocks, and a full alignment. All of this at only 37K miles! As soon as I got the vehicle home the noise is still there albeit less noticeable. Took vehicle back to same dealer on 6/6/08 and noise could not be heard and dealers mechanic stated it was safe to drive and to bring it back if the noise is reproducible. Be reading other complaints and suspect that the lower control arms are bad or going but dealer said they were OK. Something is wrong when so many people are having their front ends go out at such low miles. Please contact me so we can get this fixed through a recall. Dealer said he kept the broken parts.
I own a 2002 Dodge Dakota [redacted]. I now have 40,000 miles on it. My front brakes (disc) needed to be replaced three times due to pulsating. This pulsating is attributed to rotors warping. The rotor warping is caused by too much heat friction in the front braking system. As a result, the rotors warp causing a substantial loss in braking power. The ball joints and control arms were also replaced under warranty because they were 'loose' and they made a clunking sound often. Since the parts were replaced, the same sound still occurs leading me to believe that the OEM parts are faulty. I do not use this vehicle for medium or heavy loads at any time; I do, however, use this vehicle under normal driving conditions in the capacity of a passenger vehicle. Updated 07/24/2012
When braking for a stop, with the gas tank between half and full, there is a loud "thumping" noise a few seconds after begin stopped. The original gas tank has been replaced but the noise still exists. Per the dealer, 2005 and later models this problem has been corrected. Why can this not be corrected on the 2004 models? The consumer stated it is to his understanding that this is an ongoing problem with the gas tank on 2004 Dodge Dakota's. The consumer is questioning why the later models were corrected and not the model he possess which has the same defect? The dealer stated knocking noise on floor the vehicle was placed on a lift and the axle nuts were re-torqued. Water leaked over the accelerator pedal, and the hole was sealed. The dealer stated clicking noise came from the rear when coming to a stop. Updated 09/05/07 updated 09/06/07.
Steering on my 2004 Dodge Dakota became hard to steer won't retract have to do it by hand. About six months before this started happening I had went to get a alignment and was told my upper and lower ball joints needed replaced. We bought this truck new and it has worn out every front tire that has ever been on it. 4 sets by 100,000 miles this began to happen at 25,000 miles there should be a recall on the front end, no vehicle should have bad ball joints at 85,000 miles or sooner because I thought it was wearing tires out because it needed a alignment!!!! I have not repaired it , we only drive it around town, I am waiting for Chrysler to recall this. I see on this site that several others are having the same problem. I would hope Chrysler don't wait until people are killed or injured like Toyota did!!!!
Suspension complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2004 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the suspension of the 2004 Dodge Dakota, 22% of the model year's 206 complaints. The component named most often is front (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Dodge Dakota suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2004 Dodge Dakota, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Dodge Dakota suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 32,000 miles, and 49% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 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.