Dodge Dakota Complaints (2002)

678 consumer complaints on file.

#10151712March 3, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SYSTEM CAUSING STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION; BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED, NO CHANGE. REAR ABS PULSATING CAUSING REAR AXLE TO VIBRATE ENOUGH TO MOMENTARILY LIFT REAR TIRES OFF PAVEMENT. NEITHER PROBLEM EXTANT DURING RAIN CONDITIONS. PROBLEM INTERMITTENT: APPROX 30% OF THE TIME FOR FRONT ONLY; APPROX 60% FOR REAR ONLY; BOTH CONDITIONS SIMULTANEOUSLY, MIXED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151445February 28, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING UP AT 10 MPH THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL DETACHED. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE, HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148832January 27, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
I OWE A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA AND HAD A RECALL FOR UPPER BALL JOINT THAT WAS REPAIRED BY MERRICK DODGE IN MERRICK NY. THE DEALER ADVISED ME THAT THE WAY THEY DO THE RECALL AN ALIGNMENTWAS NOT NECESSARY. I WAS INFORMED BY CHRYSLER THAT A TOE ALIGNMENT WAS REQUIRED. THIS RECAL WAS DONE IN JANUARY 2005. THE NEW TIRES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN NOVEMBER OF 2004 HAVE EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE INNER EDGES OF BOTH FRONT TIRES EVENLY. THE ALIGNMENT WAS NEVER DONE OR DONE IMPROPERLY AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO CORRECT OR EVEN ADDRESS SAID ISSUE. ALL I ASK IS A FRONT END ALIGNMENT SO THAT THE TIRES WILL WEAR IN A SAFE AND CORRECT MANNER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148730January 26, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS UP TO 55 MPH THE TRUCK BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT AND DECELERATION WAS MUCH GREATER THAN NORMAL. AT THIS TIME I DECIDED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO INVESTIGATE. NOTICED LOTS OF HEAT COMING FROM DRIVERS SIDE DISK BREAK. WHEN RESTARTING AND MOVING FORWARD THE TRUCK STOPPED VERY QUICKLY. THE FAILURE WAS, THE CALIPER DID NOT RETRACT, CAUSING THE DISC BRAKE TO OVERHEAT AND IT SEIZED UP. THIS FAILURE COULD CAUSE THE TRUCK TO PULL LEFT INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. A TRAGEDY COULD COME OF THIS IF THIS FAILURE IS NOT CORRECTED. THE TRUCK DEALER HAD NO EXPLANATION BUT NOTICED OTHER WORN PARTS THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED UNRELATED TO THE BRAKE FAILURE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147640January 12, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 - HEADLAMPS AND CONSOLE LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF. THIS CAUSES OTHER VEHICLES TO THINK YOU ARE FLASHING YOUR LIGHTS AT THEM AND ALSO YOU END UP DRIVING IN COMPLETE DARKNESS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147394January 10, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
2002 DODGE DAKOTA STARTING MAKING CLUNKING SOUND WHEN TURNING. HAD RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FOR UPPER BALL JOINTS. UPON BRINGING TO DEALER, WAS TOLD BOTH LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS COMMON BASED ON WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE. WE HAVE ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND GOODYEAR TIRES SPLIT. ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS ARE POSTED ON THIS WEBSITE. 99.9% WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE. WE NOW HAVE 2. PREVIOUS SERVICE DEPARTMENT INTERACTIONS STOPPED ME FROM BUYING A DODGE IN JUNE OF 2005 SO I PURCHASED A NISSAN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147087January 6, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN WHEN A SUDDEN GRINDING NOISE OCCURRED. UPON STRAIGHTENING THE WHEELS, IT STOPPED. WAS APPROX 3 MILES FROM MY MECHANIC SO I WENT THERE AND HAD HIM LOOK AT IT. HE FOUND THE LEFT SIDE HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY HAD COMPLETELY FAILED (BEARING EXPOSED AND BADLY DAMAGED). HE WAS UNABLE TO SEPARATE THE BRAKE ROTOR DISK FROM THE HUB AS IT WAS SO BADLY CORRODED THAT IT HAD BECOME ONE. UPON CHECKING THE RIGHT SIDE HUB ASSY, IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED AS WELL WITH THE BRAKE ROTOR DISK IN THE SAME CONDITION. BOTH SIDES WERE REPLACED AND A COMPLETE BRAKE JOB DONE TO MAKE THE VEHICLE SAFE TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 92000 MILES AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS LUCKY THAT I DID NOT LOOSE THE LEFT WHEEL BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE AS I HAD JUST RETURNED FROM WORK (50 MILES ONE WAY) WHICH IS ALL HIGHWAY DRIVING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144994December 12, 2005
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEATER FAN MECHANISM STOPPED WORKING, RESULTING IN NO HEAT OR DEFROST. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE REPAIRS MADE, BUT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE. REPAIRS WILL BE MADE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144344December 2, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
I HAVE HAD A WARPED ROTOR ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE 3 TIMES NOW. IT WAS TURNED TWICE, REPLACED ONCE, AND NOW IT'S WARPED AGAIN. I'M FACING REPLACING THE CALIPERS AND ROTORS UPFRONT. I HAVE HEARD SEVERAL OTHER DODGE DAKOTA OWNERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS, SO OBVIOUSLY, THEY HAVE A SUPPLIER THAT IS NOT UP TO PAR. THIS SHAKING IS DANGEROUS - WITH ABS, A WET ROAD, AND SOME CLOWN PULLING IN FRONT OF YOU, THE WARPAGE DOES VERY STRANGE THINGS WITH THE ABS - AND YOU REALLY HAVE TO STOMP ON THE BRAKES TO OVERRIDE THE ABS FEATURE. I'VE OWNED MOPAR PRODUCTS EXCLUSIVELY SINCE 1981; I DOUBT SERIOUSLY THAT I'LL EVER BUY ANOTHER ONE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143248November 19, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
I RECENTLY HAD MY EXTERIOR LIGHTING GO OUT ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA AND THE DODGE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM STATING THAT IT WAS THE CTM ( CENTRAL TIMING MODULE). I AM AWARE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 03 DAKOTA FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION FOR THE 02 DAKOTA. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140949October 27, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I WAS DRIVING TO PA FROM FL IN MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB WITH A V-8 4.7L ENGINE (MSRP $27,000)WHEN I HEARD A TICKING NOISE WHILE IN SC. ALL FLUID LEVELS WERE FINE, SO I CONTINUED ON MY JOURNEY ON TUES. OCT. 11, 2005 I FOUND OUT THE DIAGNOSIS WHICH WAS THAT 3 RODS INSIDE THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED AND A NEW ENGINE WAS REQUIRED TO FIX IT. I WAS SHOCKED AND ASSUMED THAT CHRYSLER WOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY SINCE I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH CHRYSLER. THE CHRYSLER ADJUSTOR FINALLY ARRIVED TO CHECK OUT MY TRUCK ON FRI. OCT. 14 AND THAT IS WHEN I HEARD THE HORRENDOUS NEWS THAT CHRYSLER WAS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR END OF THE CONTRACT AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A LACK OF MAINTENANCE ON MY TRUCK. AFTER I FOUND THAT OUT I IMMEDIATELY HAD ALL OF MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS FAXED TO ME FROM FL WHICH PROVED THAT I FAITHFULLY CHANGED MY OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES OR LESS. I ASSUMED THAT THIS WOULD BE SUFFICIENT FOR THEM TO FIX MY ENGINE. I DECIDED TO LEAVE SC DUE TO COSTLY HOTEL EXPENSES AND HAD MY SISTER COME FROM VA TO PICK MY DAUGHTER AND I UP WHERE WE AT LEAST HAD A FREE PLACE TO STAY TEMPORARILY TILL MY TRUCK WAS FIXED. I FOUND OUT THE TERRIBLE NEWS ON MON. OCT. 24TH THAT MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS MEANT NOTHING TO THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION. I RECEIVED THE RESPONSE "LACK OF MAINTENANCE" AS BEING THE REASON WHY THEY WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I WAS SHOCKED THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PAID ALMOST 1800.00 FOR TO COVER THIS TYPE OF SITUATION WOULD NOT COVER THIS REPAIR. MY TRUCK HAD 41,369 MILES ON IT WHEN THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE ESTIMATE I RECEIVED FOR REPAIRING THE ENGINE WAS $7,301.00. I CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ASKED WHY MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS WERE NOT HONORED AND WAS TOLD "THIS IS THE FINAL DECISION MAM". I ASKED FOR FAXES TO BE SENT TO ME REGARDING THE ADJUSTORS REPORT & A LETTER FROM CHRYSLER SAYING THAT RESPONSIBILITY WAS NOT BEING TAKEN BY THEM FOR THE REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT SEND THAT TO ME. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140786October 25, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
DT: THE CONTACT NOTICED THE BLINKERS AND TAIL LIGHTS WHERE OPERATING POORLY. HE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT OTHER VEHICLES HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM WAS THE MODULE OR THE FLASHER MODULE. IF THE SHORT IN THE TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT FIXED IT WILL BLOW OUT THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH .HE HAS AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS FIXED AT A DEALERSHIP.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140595October 24, 2005
TIRES
DT: THE CONTACT HAS A PICKUP TRUCK THAT HAS ORIGINAL FACTORY GOODYEAR WRANGLER ST TIRES, P215/75R15. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED SLITS UP TO THREE INCHES LONG ON THE SIDEWALL ABOVE THE BEAD RUNNING WITH THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE TIRE DOWN TO THE INNER FABRIC ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THERE HAVE BEEN NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES. BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE NO LONGER COVERED BY WARRANTY HE REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH A DIFFERENT BRANDS. HE EXPERIENCED NO FURTHER PROBLEMS AFTER THE TIRE REPLACEMENT. *AK THERE WERE CRACKS ON 3 OF THE 4 TIRES. UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140407October 21, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT: THE CONTACT HEARD A ROD KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE. THE KNOCKING J STARTED WHERE IT COULD BE HEARD. THERE WAS A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED BY THE DEALER ,AND IT CONFIRMED IT WAS A ROD. THE TRUCK IS IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS AT THIS TIME.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139861October 17, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT: THE CONTACT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE OIL PRESSURE STAYING ON HIGH MOST OF THE TIME SINCE AUGUST 12, 2002. IN SEPTEMBER 2002 THE OBD LIGHT CAME ON. SHE KEPT TAKING VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. EVERY TIME SHE TOOK IT IN TO A DEALERSHIP THEY WOULD SAY THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING IN AUGUST 2005 THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DIE. THE CONTACT HEARD A SOUND, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ,AND THEN THREE SECONDS LATER IT DIED. AFTERWARDS, SHE TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE. THE CONTACT HAS COPIES OF MOST OF THE OIL CHANGES. THE CONTACT HAS THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES. SHE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ONLINE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. AND THAT THE WHOLE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. . THE CONTACT CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE OF DODGE ,AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE AREA REPRESENTATIVE TOLD DODGE THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE AND THAT THERE WAS LACK OF MAINTENANCE, AND THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136646September 15, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE BRAKE ROTOR ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA CONTINUOUSLY WARP. I HAD THEM TURNED AT 30,000 BY THE DEALER AND NOW I GOING TO REPLACE THEM AT 42,000. I DO NOT TOW ANYTHING WITH MY TRUCK OR USE HARD BRAKING. I'VE READ MULTIPLE MESSAGE BOARD WITH HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. DODGE SAYS IT'S NOT AN EQUIPMENT PROBLEM, BUT OBVIOUSLY IT IS. I WOULD HOPE THE NHTSA WOULD INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE DODGE CORRECT IT. DODGE HAS PUT THE WRONG MATERIAL ON THESE TRUCK AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED, BUT DODGE DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136176September 12, 2005
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT: WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED THERE WAS ABNORMAL OPERATION OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HORN, AND LIGHTING SYSTEM. ALL OF THEM CAME ON AND OFF ALL BY THEMSELVES. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO A DEALER BUT PLANNED TO DO SO. THE CONSUMER WAS REFERRED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, AND HE COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. NO CORRECTIONS OR REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS OCCURRED. THIS ONLY HAPPENED WHEN BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. NHTSA RECALL 03V389000 WAS ISSUED BUT IT WAS FOR THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES ONLY-THE CONSUMER HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10132932August 15, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
2002 DODGE DAKOTA BRAKE CALIPERS LOCK UP, THE DATE BELOW IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON APRIL 20TH 2005, THE LEFT CALIPER LOCKED UP. I HAD THAT CALIPER REPLACED. THE SECOND TIME THE RIGHT CALIPER LOCKED UP ON THE RIGHT SIDE ON JUNE 3RD 2005. NOW THE THIRD TIME AROUND AND I HAVE INFORMATION THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. ON AUGUST 12TH I PAID FOR A TOW CHARGE AND CAME CLOSE TO A FIRE. ONE OF THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT INFORMED ME OF THE SAME PROBLEM HAD THERE CALIPER CATCH FIRE. I HOPE THIS INFORMATION HELPS. I HAD NO LUCK WITH THE MANUFACTURER. I WILL TRY AND HAVE THEM HOLD THIS CALIPER FOR YOU TO LOOK AT. THANKS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10132126August 9, 2005
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
DRIVING <30MIN AT 20-50MPH,TOWING A LIGHT TRAILER, WHILE TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY, DEPRESSED CLUTCH, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND STAYED DOWN, DROVE 100 YARDS FURTHER, PARKED, OPENED HOOD. FLAMES WERE VISIBLE FROM UNDER FIREWALL BELOW BRAKE AND CLUTCH HYDRAULICS AND VISIBLE BEHIND LEFT FRONT TIRE. FLAME HEIGHTS WERE ~6 - 10 INCHES. MOVED OTHER VEHICLES FROM AREA AND EXTINGUISHED FIRE WITH DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHER. CHRYSLER FOUND CLUTCH ASY HOSE MELTED, EVAP HOSE MELTED, AND FUEL LINE DAMAGED FROM FIRE. CHRYSLER REPLACED THE HYD CLUTCH ACY, REPLACED EVAP HOSES AND FLEX FUEL LINE. CHRYSLER DID AN INDEPENDENT SPECIAL INVESTIGATION AND CONCLUDED THEY HAD "NO MANUFACTURING RESPONSIBILITY". CHYSLER SUBMITTED BILL FOR $526.54 TO ALLSTATE. ALLSTATE PAYED CLAIM. OWNER'S OPINION IS THAT PLASTIC CLUTCH HYDRAULIC LINE FAILED, SPRAYING HYDRAULIC FLUID ON NEARBY EXHAUST, IGNITING FLUID AND PLASTIC PARTS AND OTHER FLAMMABLE MATERIALS. INVESTIGATOR PHOTOGRAPHED ALL CRITICAL AREAS BUT CHRYSLER DID NOT RETURN OLD PARTS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10131800August 6, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT
EVER SINCE THIS TRUCK WAS NEW IT FEELS AS THOUGH SOME COMPONENT IN THE FRONT END SUSPENSION IS LOOSE, I CAN FEEL IT THROUGH THE STEERING COLUMN. FIVE TRIPS TO THE DEALER TO FIND AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM HAVE RESULTED IN: NOTHING OUT OF SPECS ON THE FIRST VISIT; REPLACED THE FRONT SHOCKS ON THE SECOND VISIT; REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY ON THE THIRD VISIT; REPLACED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON THE FOURTH VISIT; AND ALIGNED THE STEERING COLUMN ON THE FIFTH VISIT. LOOKING THOUGH THE CONSUMER COMPLAINT SECTION I FOUND MANY OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME EXACT COMPLAINT WITH THEIR DAKOTA TRUCKS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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