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Kat
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2005
14:41:01

Subject: I will never buy another Dodge
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Our Dodge Dakota has been recalled, it is the main car which I driver our 2 and 4 yr old boys around in. It has been recalled because apparently the ball joints just break and tires fly off. Trying to schedule an appointments with Dodge is ridiculous! At Dublin Dodge the first appointment they have is in May because they can only do six a day. In Walnut Creek they aren't even scheduling appointments because they don't even have parts. I called Dodge, they say there is nothing they can do if they don't have parts. So imagine all the potential accidents driving around out there just waiting to happen, not just to the drivers of Dodge vehicle, but that will involved other cars.
I am angry and will never buy another Dodge. Is anyone else experiencing this problem? I contacted 7 On Your Side and want to get the word out on how much concern Dodge/Crysler has for the safety of their customers. I would also appreciate any other info and who I can contact about this. Thanks.



BruceWard
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2005
14:45:42

RE: I will never buy another Dodge
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Before the recall you had no idea that your
wheels could fall off or did not care. Now that
Dodge is working to fix the problem you are
impatient.

There is no greater risk of the wheels
falling off between now and May than there was
from the time you bought the Dakota until now.

If you are concerned do the reasonable thing and
crawl under there and have a look at them.



GET OUT
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2005
14:49:30

RE: I will never buy another Dodge
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IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE HEAT............THEN GET OUT OF DA KITCHEN!!!!! (atleast their fixing it, instead not telling you about the dangers of it breaking) *all cars break, so if you "feared" for you life , then START WALKING!!!!



Kat
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2005
14:54:36

RE: I will never buy another Dodge
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You guys are ridiculous! I should be able to trust that with normal maintanance my car is safe. Up to the point of the recall, I thought it was. Now that there is a known danger, Dodge has the duty to fix it. I also had the ball joints checked and was told that is no guarantee because the front end was so heavy the weight could break it at any time, without any warning. You may not care about your life or the life of your children, but I do...



START WALKING
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2005
14:58:17

RE: I will never buy another Dodge
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U BEST GET STARTED! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!



Crow318
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2005
15:44:23

RE: I will never buy another Dodge
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Kat,
I dont want to come off like those guys, but they do have a point in that you didn't know, and didn't seem to care. And now that it is brought to your attention, you are worried.

Also, I dont know where you live, but around here, there are 6 dodge dealerships within 20 min of where I live. I find it hard to believe that even in a 2 hour drive (without your kids of course) you cant find a dealership to do it sooner than May.
You may also want to look for an independent dealer that is certified to work on Dodges. Again, around here, I know of at least 2.
And worst case, have your regular mechanic do the work.

Final note, all cars have problems. Some worse than others. At least you have one that wont crumple if you happen to loose a wheel and put it over the curb.



Izzy
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2005
16:05:45

RE: I will never buy another Dodge
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Kat, you have a valid concern and like many of the others are saying, you so worried because you now know it is a problem. I had to wait a week to get mine replaced because the stealership had to get the recall kits in before they could do the job. I also had it done before the millions of recall notices were sent out. You are now competing with everyone of those people who got the notices.

If you really want it done and done soon then I suggest you find a local mechanic, have him order MOOG balljoints (greasable ones) and have him replace them. In the end you are getting a far more superior ball joint than what the dealer will be putting in AND they can be routinely serviced each time you have your oil changed and they "lube" your chassis.

If you go that route, the correct paart numbers for MOOG BJ's are:

335 K7392 (Upper BJ's) - $44.79 each through RockAuto.com
335 K7393 (Lower BJ's) - $44.89 each through RockAuto.com

Dalmer-Chrysler claims that they will reimburse you for the replacements if you submit original receipts. You wil have to call their recall number for more info.




GB2000
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2/03/2005
16:08:39

RE: I will never buy another Dodge
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Just have someone mechanically inclined check your damn balljoints... they don't spontaneous blow off the truck. Normally you will be given a warning because they loosen up and start clunking. And sorry but I agree with the other guys.


GB2000
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2/03/2005
16:09:52

RE: I will never buy another Dodge
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...and before someone comments on my wonderful grammar.

*spontaneousLY


Damkman
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2005
16:13:49

RE: I will never buy another Dodge
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just letting you guys know that that tank full of gasoline your riding on can blow at any minute if the smallest spark gets to it!



GB2000
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2/03/2005
16:27:28

RE: I will never buy another Dodge
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Aw crap! Dude! I gotta get this fixed soon! Ain't no way I'm driving it and risking my life anymore than I have to! So you're saying I'm basically driving a car bomb around?! CRAP! I should sue Dodge for not telling me about this! I'm never buying another Dodge again!

Thanks for warning us Damkman!


IntenseDak39
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2/03/2005
16:34:45

RE: I will never buy another Dodge
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just as GB said... they are not just gonna fall off.

While it is chrsyler's fault for putting the part on our truck from the lowest bidder, it's the owners fault for abusing the balljoint.

Now i am not saying he hit it with a hammer or anything... but there are signs of a bad ball joint.. and yes, if you consistantly drive on a bad ball joint, reprocussions are sure to happen.


whenever you do maintaince checks on your truck, you should always check out the steering and suspension..



and one more thing... this isnt the first ever recall. Recalls happen all the time.. some as tiny as GM's tailgate strap recall or as big as Fords F150 engine fire recall.

i put bad ball joints somewhere in the middle ;)



bitter
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2005
17:24:46

RE: I will never buy another Dodge
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You guys have a full tank of gas!!!??? Mine is empty, darn Dodge. This is the last one I'll ever buy! My next vehicle will have a full tank.



rtdktoa
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2005
17:33:13

RE: I will never buy another Dodge
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My ball joints exploded....


Oh wait, that was my knee.


:^)


Relax--- You've probably got wheels that are under torqued too-- you run a greater risk of losing a wheel from a tire change at joe-blow auto than the balljoints coming apart before you get them replaced due to obvious noise.

I want to buy a Ford and have it catch fire in my garage...

:^X





Kat
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2005
17:51:57

RE: I will never buy another Dodge
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I appreciate the constructive information. It does help to know that most likely I will have some warning if there is a problem. It's the idea of not knowing, and not being able to do something about it that's hard.
I, however, think most of you are *%)! I understand cars need maintenance, and that they break down. This is not the case however - these are faulty materials that Dodge purchased and put in all their trucks. That doesn't bother me nearly as much that trying to get the damn thing fixed is months down the road. Dodge can't even get it together to get the parts in their store to schedule appointments. They should be responsible for fixing the problem now, not 5 months down the road.
Again, thanks to those who helped assure me that the odds of something happening are slim.
For those of you who think you're really funny with your supposed sense of humor, I've got some crap I'd like to see you, apparently you're the correct market for it.



kat.
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2005
17:54:14

RE: I will never buy another Dodge
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Okay, here I'm trying to be rude and I can't even get that right.
It's crap I'd like to "sell" you...



IntenseDak39
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2/03/2005
18:26:44

RE: I will never buy another Dodge
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"I understand cars need maintenance, and that they break down. This is not the case however - these are faulty materials that Dodge purchased and put in all their trucks."


i hope you arent suggesting that i mean it was just a maintenance problem. It's dodge's problem.. but it can be prevented or recognized with proper maintenance.



"It's the idea of not knowing, and not being able to do something about it that's hard."

there are plenty of options



"Dodge can't even get it together to get the parts in their store to schedule appointments"

the manufacturer just got a demand increase of 600,000+ ball joints.. what do you think is gonna happen?



"This is not the case however - these are faulty materials that Dodge purchased and put in all their trucks"

only 600,000 4x4 dakotas and durangos



man, not to be a smartass, but i am suprised you didnt trade in your truck when they released the recall a few years ago concerning the rear differential breather hose contacting the brake line and rubbing a hole in it. Now i dont ever see a rubber hose rubbing a hole in a brake line, but there's the possibility of loosing your brakes and crashing and burning...








.dog
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2005
18:50:24

RE: I will never buy another Dodge
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Maybe, what kind of crap is it?



burn
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2005
18:59:20

RE: I will never buy another Dodge
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dang! intense dak, you really are intense. that was good



Kat
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2005
19:36:54

RE: I will never buy another Dodge
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Well, that was one way to entertain myself while at work, although I don't think I'll do it again, you guys are kind of a pain.
Before I'm done, I did want to clarify that in no way was I suggesting it was routine maintenance. If it was, I wouldn't be complaining. I take great care of my truck, inside and out, it's very pretty.
So, based upon what I've read, I'm guessing my ball joints will not just fall off, that I would probably have some kind of warning, and the odds of them doing that is slim.
I still won't buy another Dodge, because that was not the main issue in the first place. I spent $25,000 on my truck, they screwed up, they should correct it NOW, not in five months. I don't care whether it was 6 trucks or 600k. How they do should be their problem, not mine. Plus, they purchase cheap parts on their trucks (Dodges/Durangos Dak).
It's too bad, I'll have to buy a non-American made vehicle.
Thanks again...have a great day.




02 dak
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2005
20:02:48

RE: I will never buy another Dodge
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Wheels flying off. Let's not get too dramatic!! I think you would have some warning signs before the "WHEELS COME FLYING OFF"!! Typical woman.



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