Dodge Recall
 

Federal Safety Agency Seeks Dodge Recall

WASHINGTON (Dec. 10) - Federal safety regulators have asked DaimlerChrysler AG to recall 600,000 Dodge Durango and Dakota trucks because their wheels could fall off, a Chrysler spokesman confirmed Thursday.



The investigation involves Durango sport utility vehicles and Dakota pickups from the 2000 to 2003 model years. Chrysler spokesman Max Gates stressed that the vehicles haven't yet been recalled. The company is planning to respond to the government's request early next week, he said.

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 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.

On the Net:

Dodge, http://www.dodge.com

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov


12/10/04 00:27 EST

Copyright 2004 The Associated Press.

Re: Dodge Recall
 

They have been farting around with this for a couple of years. Dealers are replacing thousands of ball joints a day, and yet DC has been stalling on this thing for all that time. "Who us?, We don't have a ball joint problem, not us."

Re: Dodge Recall
 

i was fooled by the title..... i thought they were recalling all dodges... :D :D :D

Re: Dodge Recall
 

Wonder if mine can get a free set ... only have 87000 miles on it, 2002.

-Greg

Re: Dodge Recall
 

I coincidently just noticed mine were loose on my 01 2 days ago. Sitting at a light I can feel a dead spot when I turn my steering wheel about an inch in either direction from center.