**OUCH** dodge to recall 600,000 trucks
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From: DETROIT, (formerly Eaton County, Michigan)
**OUCH** dodge to recall 600,000 trucks
From CNN.com
U.S. wants Dodge SUV, pickup recall
Regulators tell DaimlerChrysler that the Durango and the Dakota may pose front-end hazard.
December 10, 2004: 10:14 AM EST
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Federal safety regulators have told DaimlerChrysler to recall 600,000 of the most popular vehicles on the road -- the Dodge Durango SUV and the Dodge Dakota pickup truck -- due to problems that could lead to the front wheels falling off.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall covers Durangos and Dakotas built from 2000 to 2003, a spokesman for the safety agency told CNN Thursday.
Chrysler spokesman Max Gates confirmed that the auto maker has received a letter from the NHTSA, and it is currently reviewing the government's request.
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"We will take another look at our own analyses, but no decision has been made at this time," he added.
Gates said the company will respond to the government's request by Monday.
CBS News had reported that some Durango drivers were put in dangerous driving situations when the vehicles' front-end ball joints failed. In its report, the TV network said wheels can suddenly fall off when the upper ball joint separates.
Ball joints are part of the front-end suspension system, attaching the wheel assemblies to the vehicle.
CBS reported that NHTSA found defective ball joints in nearly a third of the vehicles it investigated, and almost all were made at a plant in Indiana.
Shares of DaimlerChrysler (down $0.58 to $45.47, Research) fell more than 1 percent on the report in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
"We are in the final stages of an investigation by NHTSA and us," Chrysler President and CEO Dieter Zetsche told Reuters. He said there was no recall of the vehicles at this stage.
Recalls are very expensive for car companies, and the costs could rise if DaimlerChrysler is hit with lawsuits as a result of the vehicle problems. The company has until Monday to respond to the government's recall request.
An NHTSA spokesman said that some companies do not comply with its requests for recalls. If that is the case, he said the agency would fight for a recall.
It is fairly unusual, however, for an auto maker to fight the agency on a safety recall.
A Chrysler official also told Reuters that the recall, if issued, would probably be much smaller than 600,000 vehicles.
U.S. wants Dodge SUV, pickup recall
Regulators tell DaimlerChrysler that the Durango and the Dakota may pose front-end hazard.
December 10, 2004: 10:14 AM EST
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Federal safety regulators have told DaimlerChrysler to recall 600,000 of the most popular vehicles on the road -- the Dodge Durango SUV and the Dodge Dakota pickup truck -- due to problems that could lead to the front wheels falling off.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall covers Durangos and Dakotas built from 2000 to 2003, a spokesman for the safety agency told CNN Thursday.
Chrysler spokesman Max Gates confirmed that the auto maker has received a letter from the NHTSA, and it is currently reviewing the government's request.
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www.carfax.com
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"We will take another look at our own analyses, but no decision has been made at this time," he added.
Gates said the company will respond to the government's request by Monday.
CBS News had reported that some Durango drivers were put in dangerous driving situations when the vehicles' front-end ball joints failed. In its report, the TV network said wheels can suddenly fall off when the upper ball joint separates.
Ball joints are part of the front-end suspension system, attaching the wheel assemblies to the vehicle.
CBS reported that NHTSA found defective ball joints in nearly a third of the vehicles it investigated, and almost all were made at a plant in Indiana.
Shares of DaimlerChrysler (down $0.58 to $45.47, Research) fell more than 1 percent on the report in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
"We are in the final stages of an investigation by NHTSA and us," Chrysler President and CEO Dieter Zetsche told Reuters. He said there was no recall of the vehicles at this stage.
Recalls are very expensive for car companies, and the costs could rise if DaimlerChrysler is hit with lawsuits as a result of the vehicle problems. The company has until Monday to respond to the government's recall request.
An NHTSA spokesman said that some companies do not comply with its requests for recalls. If that is the case, he said the agency would fight for a recall.
It is fairly unusual, however, for an auto maker to fight the agency on a safety recall.
A Chrysler official also told Reuters that the recall, if issued, would probably be much smaller than 600,000 vehicles.
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From: NH
I wonder if Ford will be next with their possible ball joint design problem…
No need to worry though, neither Dodge or Ford feels it is of any importance nor will it put your saftey at risk should your tire fall off while traveling down the freeway...
No need to worry though, neither Dodge or Ford feels it is of any importance nor will it put your saftey at risk should your tire fall off while traveling down the freeway...
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From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
A buddy of mine bought a brand new Dodge Ram about a year ago ( yes it's got a hemi). Two months after he bought it he was leaving a light, a brisk push on the throttle, nothing stupid, and the torque converter blew up inside the bell housing!
Took it back to Dodge and they tried to charge him $2500 to fix it! Refused to cover under warranty. They told him that he must have been towing beyond what it was rated for and that's why the converter died. Amazing! This is one of many reasons why I would never buy a Dodge. They refuse to stand behind what they build. He did get it covered by warranty, but it took about two weeks of calls to Dodge Canada and ALOT of screaming, yelling and frustration.
If only he had listened to me and bought a Ford!
Took it back to Dodge and they tried to charge him $2500 to fix it! Refused to cover under warranty. They told him that he must have been towing beyond what it was rated for and that's why the converter died. Amazing! This is one of many reasons why I would never buy a Dodge. They refuse to stand behind what they build. He did get it covered by warranty, but it took about two weeks of calls to Dodge Canada and ALOT of screaming, yelling and frustration.
If only he had listened to me and bought a Ford!
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 248
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From: Alberta, Canada
Ford will be next, the 97 t0 2003 f-150 have falty ball joints and tie rods, I owned a 2002 that never went down the road in a stright line before and after, new front shocks, stabilzer bar and bushings, 3 sets of upper and lower ball joints on booth sides and tie rods, booth sides. this lemmon never went off road and caused me a lot of grief. truck had 55,000 km on it when my lease expired, glad warrenty work was so bad, saved me from keeping it.
But,......I did buy a 04 f-150 and so far, I like my truck, I have accepted thier are gonna be problems with a new style, design of truck, Ford has quitley admited their previous generation of f-150 was a **** poor truck, or they would still be building them.
Booth dodge and gm have problems, untill one auto maker steps up and builds a beter product than their rival, buying a good quality truck is a hit and miss.
I don't feall good as a consumer if dodge, gm, or who ever has to to do a recall...... I gave ford a 2nd chance with my 04 f-150 not by chioce, but by $$$$ , it was the best truck for me due to circumstance's byhond my control and I'm happy with my ford, providing it holds to gethier beter than my last one.
So, what ever you drive, hope it works to your standerds.:santa:
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
But,......I did buy a 04 f-150 and so far, I like my truck, I have accepted thier are gonna be problems with a new style, design of truck, Ford has quitley admited their previous generation of f-150 was a **** poor truck, or they would still be building them.
Booth dodge and gm have problems, untill one auto maker steps up and builds a beter product than their rival, buying a good quality truck is a hit and miss.
I don't feall good as a consumer if dodge, gm, or who ever has to to do a recall...... I gave ford a 2nd chance with my 04 f-150 not by chioce, but by $$$$ , it was the best truck for me due to circumstance's byhond my control and I'm happy with my ford, providing it holds to gethier beter than my last one.
So, what ever you drive, hope it works to your standerds.:santa:
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
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From: Georgia on my mind...
You'd probably call me a liar if I told you I have a '97 F250 LD with everything in the front and rear suspension aside from tires and wheel bearings as delivered by Ford with close to 160,000 miles on it. Tracks straight, vibrates a little, but nothing excessive.
Yes, and we can form a solid, factual statement about all vehicles that a manufacturer sells based on one jackass dealership. This is akin to the '04+ F150 owners that unfortunately have a vibrating truck and damns everything with a blue oval on it in sight, despite that there are several good trucks out there.
I wouldn't so much blast the brand as I would the dealer. After a vehicle is bought and delivered to the dealership, the manufacturer is more or less out of the picture. Everything now rests solely on the dealership's shoulders. Then after the salesman sells you your nice, shiny new vehicle, they're out of the loop, it's mostly the service department's responsibility to see that things are right and you're a happy customer. Yes, manufacturers turn out junk from time to time, but to blame the manufacturer for a lousy dealership experience and what may have been a fluke (since I don't see torque converter bits flying out of Dodge pickups whenever I pull up next to one at a light) is ignorant, there's several players there.
Edited 'cause like a jackass, I didn't read all of the article the first time.
This is one of many reasons why I would never buy a Dodge.
This is akin to the '04+ F150 owners that unfortunately have a vibrating truck and damns everything with a blue oval on it in sight, despite that there are several good trucks out there.I wouldn't so much blast the brand as I would the dealer. After a vehicle is bought and delivered to the dealership, the manufacturer is more or less out of the picture. Everything now rests solely on the dealership's shoulders. Then after the salesman sells you your nice, shiny new vehicle, they're out of the loop, it's mostly the service department's responsibility to see that things are right and you're a happy customer. Yes, manufacturers turn out junk from time to time, but to blame the manufacturer for a lousy dealership experience and what may have been a fluke (since I don't see torque converter bits flying out of Dodge pickups whenever I pull up next to one at a light) is ignorant, there's several players there.
Edited 'cause like a jackass, I didn't read all of the article the first time.
Last edited by Quintin; Dec 11, 2004 at 07:21 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 248
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From: Alberta, Canada
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Quintin
[B]You'd probably call me a liar if I told you I have a '97 F250 LD with everything in the front and rear suspension aside from tires and wheel bearings as delivered by Ford with close to 160,000 miles on it. Tracks straight, vibrates a little, but nothing excessive.
No, I would not call you a liar, You got a good truck that was well put togethier and looked after, your were a head right from the start. My 97 f-150 was bought used and never gave me a problem, thought a new 02 would be worth it, but that was than and now I'm a happy guy with my 04.
Not all ford dealers are = and ford costurmer service has a lot to be desired, Daimler Chrysler, Gm and Ford all follow a similer buesnness plan + build and sell quick.
In 97, the f-150 had a lot off problems that ford till this day has not solved, glad my 04 is not yet prone to cracking doors, leaf sprinds falling off ( ford had to put extra clips on springs ) flue line seperating ( recalled ) bad lug nuts. ( ford had to redsign )
So if a higher up ex. at ford reads this get your act's togethier and solve theas problems with the 04, this new model probbly had 4 years in design.....and if ford wants to keep the f-150 alive, more substance has to be put into the truck, quality control..
No problems with my 04..but some off you do, and I take no pride in that.
[B]You'd probably call me a liar if I told you I have a '97 F250 LD with everything in the front and rear suspension aside from tires and wheel bearings as delivered by Ford with close to 160,000 miles on it. Tracks straight, vibrates a little, but nothing excessive.
No, I would not call you a liar, You got a good truck that was well put togethier and looked after, your were a head right from the start. My 97 f-150 was bought used and never gave me a problem, thought a new 02 would be worth it, but that was than and now I'm a happy guy with my 04.
Not all ford dealers are = and ford costurmer service has a lot to be desired, Daimler Chrysler, Gm and Ford all follow a similer buesnness plan + build and sell quick.
In 97, the f-150 had a lot off problems that ford till this day has not solved, glad my 04 is not yet prone to cracking doors, leaf sprinds falling off ( ford had to put extra clips on springs ) flue line seperating ( recalled ) bad lug nuts. ( ford had to redsign )
So if a higher up ex. at ford reads this get your act's togethier and solve theas problems with the 04, this new model probbly had 4 years in design.....and if ford wants to keep the f-150 alive, more substance has to be put into the truck, quality control..
No problems with my 04..but some off you do, and I take no pride in that.
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,509
Likes: 6
From: Georgia on my mind...
I noticed the other day at work that the latest and greatest leaf springs from Ford have clamps on both ends of the springs. I had a '99 model F150 where the leafs had shifted and caused some noise going over bumps or jouncing the rear of the truck.
Nonetheless, I agree, everyone has their off days; my '04 is relatively trouble free, unfortunately, some people have problem children and it sucks for everyone.
Nonetheless, I agree, everyone has their off days; my '04 is relatively trouble free, unfortunately, some people have problem children and it sucks for everyone.