2003 Dodge Dakota Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint Problems

NHTSA component category: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT · data through 07/12/2026

22Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint complaints

7.5%Of all 295 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint ranks on this vehicle

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT54 · 18.3%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM24 · 8.1%

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT22 · 7.5%

SUSPENSION21 · 7.1%

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC17 · 5.8%

Share of the 295 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2003 Dodge Dakota overview page.

What owners report

“TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A BLOWER FAN PROBLEM, AND TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER OF A SQUEAK GOING AROUND CORNERS. FOUND THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE…”NHTSA complaint 10082621 — filed 07/25/2004

“WHEN MAKING SHARP RIGHT TURNS A POPPING NOISE CAN BE HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER SUSPECTS THERE MAY BE A…”NHTSA complaint 10044858 — filed 07/19/2004

“WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC…”NHTSA complaint 10065158 — filed 03/29/2004

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Dodge Dakota have suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint problems?

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2003 Dodge Dakota: 22 of 295 complaints on file (7.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2003 Dodge Dakota have in total?

295 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 16 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 12 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.