After an investigation into the failure of some of Dodge's popular 4x4 trucks and SUV's front ball joints and subsequent recall recommendation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, auto maker DiamlerChrysler has confirmed that they will be issuing a recall for the vehicles affected. This recall covers close to 600,000 Dodge Durango and Dakota trucks manufactured between the years of 200 and 2003.

Chrysler spokesman Max Gates stressed that the vehicles have not yet been recalled, but that a recall is expected. Gates further stated that 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 further stressed that because of the nature of this problem, failure would most likely happen during low-speed turning maneuvers, which is when the most stress would be applied to the vehicle.

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