Dodge Dakota Complaints (1998)

545 consumer complaints on file.

#555687October 2, 2000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
A WHEEL CHAIR SLID BACK AND HIT THE TAIL GATE, CAUSING IT TO OPEN WITH THE CONSUMER'S PROPERTY FALLING ONTO THE ROAD, CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE CONSIDERING THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE GATE OR TO THE LATCH OF THE DOOR AND THERE WAS LESS THAN 600 POUNDS OF UNRESTRAINED MATERIAL, WHICH ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL IS A SAFE AMOUNT OF WEIGHT. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#733147October 2, 2000
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
LOOSE CLUNKING EMINATING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL. THIS OCCURS WHEN TURNING, ACCELERATING AND APPLYING THE BREAKS. APPEARS TO BE A LOOSE FITTING IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLOM OR THE MID SHAFT. GETTING WORSE ALL THE TIME. ONLY 21K ON THIS TRUCK. ALSO, TRUCK SLIDES ALL OVER THE ROAD WHEN SURFACE IS DAMP OR WET. THIS HAPPENS EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. ANTILOCK SYSTEM DOES NOT APPEAR TO WORK. TRUCK ALSO BURNS UP TIRES AFTER 15K MILES. ENGINE MISS-FIRES AND UTILIZES WAY TO MUCH FUEL. APROX. 12 MPG. OVERALL, MY TWO MAIN CONCERNS ARE THE STEERING AND BRAKES. PROBLEM. THIS IS MOST CERTAINLY AN UNSAFE VEHICLE WHICH SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE LOOSES THEIR LIFE. THE TIME IS NOW, NOT LATER. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH SEVERAL OWNERS OF THIS YEAR AND MODEL. THEY TOO REPORT THE SAME SITTUATION WITH RESPECT TO THE STEERING AND BRAKE SYSTEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#732212September 22, 2000
TIRES
TIRE BLOWOUT- THE TIRES HAVE LESS THAN 8000 MILES ON THEM FIRESTONE FIREHAWK P2257015 THESE ARE NOT ON THE LIST YET BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THEM. IS ANYBODY DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS TIRE? CAN I GET THEM REPLACED AT A LOWER COST, IF THEY ARE NOT ON THE LIST? I DO NOT WANT THESE TIRES ON MY TRUCK.( DOT NUMBER: HYUUJBA489 TIRE SIZE: P2257015 )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#731662September 16, 2000
SUSPENSION:FRONT
NO SUMMARY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#731457September 14, 2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
KNOCKING SOUND IN ENGINE, CASA DEALER REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOREMAN SAID THAT IT WAS IGNITION TIMING CAUSING THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE TO KNOCK AND COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DODGE DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF SERVICE BULLITENS OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM INDICATING THAT IT COULD BE AN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET OR A COMPUTER FAILURE. THE DODGE DEALER ALSO INFORMED ME THAT A LOT OF THESE LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS WERE COMING IN WITH THIS PROBLEM. IF THE PROBLEM WILL NOT BE FIXED BY THE DEALER THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM IS THERE ANY WAY TO MAKE THEM TAKE IT BACK AND PAY OFF THE FINANCE COMPANY SO THAT I WILL NOT OWE ANYTHING ON IT? THIS IS THE SECOND VEHICLE THAT I HAVE TRIED TO PURCHASE IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS THAT HAS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#870195September 11, 2000
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
VENT WAS NOT BLOWING OUT COOL AIR, TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY PLACED THE MODE DOOR AND THE DUCT. DEALER REPLACED IT AND IT BROKE AGAIN.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#869616September 5, 2000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, ENDING ON HEAD FIRST COLLISION WHERE NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#730003September 3, 2000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRUCK WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY TO THE HOUSE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND IN THE "PARKED" POSITION. NOBODY WAS IN THE TRUCK AND IT AUTOMATICALLY RAN INTO THE GARAGE AND RAN INTO THE HOUSE. IT DAMAGED THE HOUSE, LAWNMOWER, POWER WHEEL CAR AND RADIATOR. THE TRUCK WAS THEN TURNED OFF WITH THE TRANSMISSION STILL IN THE "PARKED" POSITION.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#729638August 31, 2000
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN IT WAS IMPACTED BY A MID SIZE GM AUTO TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME SPEED. IMPACT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE EXTENDED FROM THE FRONT GRILL AREA TO THE LEFT SIDE ENDING AT THE DRIVER DOOR. EXTENSIVE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND FRONT DRIVELINE DAMAGE OCCURED. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#869241August 31, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP SIGN, CONSUMER TRIED TO STOP AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES, ALMOST HIT A DUMP TRUCK, CONSUMER STOPPED WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#553778August 11, 2000
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE TANSFER CASE HAS A DEFECT WITH THE OUTPUT SHAFT BEARING WHICH CAUSES THE SHAFT TO BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE TRANSMISSION DRIVE GEARS. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#727315August 9, 2000
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#866336July 31, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKE LINE WHICH RUNS AGAINST THE VENT HOSE FOR THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS CAUSED A HOLE THROUGH THE BRAKE LINE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#725997July 25, 2000
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#724673June 28, 2000
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
PRE MATURE BALL JOINT WEAR, EVEN THOUGH SERVICED AND GREASED REGULARLY, WHICH IF NOT CHECKED VERY OFTEN, COULD RESULT IN COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND INJURIES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#724721June 28, 2000
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
STEERING COUPLER WEARS, FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS WEAR EXCESSIVELY, SERIOUS BALL JOINT WEAR EVEN THOUGH GREASED REGULARELY,(GREASED EVERY 2,000 MILES)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#864265June 26, 2000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON OR IMPACT. FIRST TIME AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS AT A SLOW PACE. SECOND TIME VEHICLE WAS GOING OVER A DIP IN THE ROAD AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER REPLACED AIRBAGS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. BUT, AFTER THE SECOND TIME, DEALER WANTED CONSUMER TO CONTACT THE INSURANCE COMPANY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#724459June 23, 2000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE PURCHASED AUG. 24, 1999. RECEIPT OF CERTIFIED LETTER FROM NATIONAL DISPUTE CENTER-DALLAS, TEXAS. SIGN THIS LEMON DISCLOSURE PAPER NOT SIGNED WHEN YOU BOUGHT TRUCK. DEALER SIGNED CONTRACT WITH CHRYSLER TO DISCLOSE TO NEXT BUYER THEY WERE PURCHASING A LAUNDERED LEMON. THE DEALER, FINANCE OFFICER, NOR THE SALESMAN DISCLOSED THIS INFORMATION TO ME AT ANY TIME. IF I DIDN'T RECEIVE FORM FROM TEXAS, IT WOULD STILL BE COVERED UP. NUMEROUS TRANSMISSION FAILURES - HAULED IN TWICE WITH NOTHING SHOWING AT THE DEALERSHIP. I WORRY EACH TIME I GET BEHIND THE WHEEL. WHO WILL GET MAIMED OR KILLED? DEALER COMMITTED FRAUD BY FAILURE TO DISCLOSE. PLEASE HELP. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#724175June 19, 2000
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I HAVE GONE THRU 3 SETS OF TIRES FOR THE FRONT RH SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE DONE 3 ALIGNMENTS ON MY TRUCK ALREADY. I TOOK THE TRUCK INTO A 2ND DEALER TO CHECK OUT THE FRONT END 2 WEEKS AGO AND THE CONCLUSION WAS THAT I NEEDED A 4TH ALIGNMENT FOR THIS TRUCK. THIS TRUCK HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT, MAINLY COMMUTING BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. I AM GOING TO BE TRAVELING 4,000 MILES NEXT MONTH AND AM VERY LEERY OF TAKING THIS VEHICLE. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE IN MY 15 YEARS OF DRIVING NEED 4 ALIGNMENTS IN 2 YEARS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P21575S15 )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#724069June 15, 2000
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE REQUIRED UR & LL CONTROL ARMS REPLACED AT 27,500 MILES FOR FAILED BALL JOINTS, NOW AT 66,500 MILES UL BALLJOINT HAS FAILED. 2WD, VIRTUALLY ALL HIGHWAY MILES, NO HEAVY USAGE, ALTHOUGH NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED THIS A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS CONDITION. IN ADDITION TO THE 3 FAILURES OF BALL JOINTS ON MY VEHICLE MY FATHERS 1997 DODGE DAKOTA REQUIRED A CONTROL ARM REPLACEMENT FOR THE SAME PROBLEM @ ~13000, MILES. FRANKLY, I BELIEVE THIS MAY WARRANT A RECALL, OR AT LEAST EXTENDED COVERAGE OF REPLACEMENT PARTS BY DAIMLER-CHRYSLER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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