Dodge Dakota Complaints

6,628 consumer complaints on file.

#10043912October 29, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA WITH THE LEFT SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT WORE OUT. I HAVE ONLY 36400 MILES ON THE TRUCK AND SAW A NEWS REPORT ON TV ABOUT THE BALL JOINTS AND INSPECTED MY TRUCK AND TO MY SHOCK SURE ENOUGH I JACKED THE TIRE UP AND IT HAS LOTS OF PLAY. SO MUCH PLAY IM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. IF I WOULD HAVE NOT SEEN THIS NEWS REPORT I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THIS CAME APART. SO NOW I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET IT TO THE DEALER TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIX IT. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY TRUCK LIKE THIS. I THEN DID SOME MORE INVESTIGATING ON THE INTERNET AND TO MY SUPPRISE THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. YOU WOULD THINK DODGE WOULD HAVE NOTICED THIS BY NOW. THE THING THAT SCARES ME IS THAT MY 2 YEAR OLD SON HAS RIDDEN IN THE TRUCK WITH ME A LOT. IF THOSE BALL JOINTS WOULD HAVE FAILED GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55 MPH WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO US. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE PEOPLE START GETTING HURT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043717October 28, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
I KEEP HEARING A LOUD "BANG" AND LOUDING CREAKING NOISES IN THE FRONT END OF MY 2003 DODGE DAKOTA WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DODGE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY HAVEN'T FOUND ANYTHING. I KEEP TELLING THEM IT SOUNDS LIKE A CRACKED COIL SPRING OR BODY MOUNT. THEY SAID IF I BRING IT IN AGAIN AS WARRANTY WORK, THEN THEY'LL CHARGE ME FOR THE TIME. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNALS KEEP SHORTING OUT AND WHEN YOU TURN THE LEFT ONE ON, THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS COME ON. FINALLY, THE LEFT POWER WINDOW SLOWS DOWN EXCESSIVELY WHEN I ATTEMPT TO PUT THE WINDOW UP. IT GOES DOWN FINE, BUT IT WON'T GO UP AT NORMAL SPEED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043728October 28, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
FAILURE OF UPPER BALL JOINTS ON MY 1998 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK AT 49052 MILES.OULD GET NO SATISFACTION FROM DEALER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043725October 28, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
'99 DODGE DAKOTA, CLUB CAB, 4WD, JUST TURNED 100,000 MILES, HAD TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED TWICE SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. BALL JOINTS WERE FIRST REPLACED AT 60,000 MILES WITH OEM PARTS, BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME AT 90,000 WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS. VEHICLE IS USED ONLY ON PAVED ROADS AND NOT SUBJECT TO ABUSE...PREMATURELY FAILING BALL JOINTS ARE A SAFETY CONCERN AND CAUSING PREMATURE TIRE WEAR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043740October 28, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
I HAVE A 1998 2WD DODGE DAKOTA THAT HAS SUFFERED FROM EXCESSIVE FRONT TIRE WEAR SINCE NEW. THE DEALER COULD NEVER SEEM TO FIND A CAUSE FOR THIS AND THE VEHICLE HAS COST ME A FORTUNE IN REPLACEMENT TIRES AND FRONT END ALIGNMENTS. WITH THE VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY, AN INDEPENDENT FRONT END SHOP RECENTLY REPLACED THE LOWER BALL JOINTS, INNER TIE ROD ENDS AND RIGHT-SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. IT IS TOO EARLY TO TELL IF THESE REPAIRS HAVE CORRECTED THIS LONG-STANDING (67,000 MILES) PROBLEM, BUT BECAUSE THIS TRUCK HAS THE SAME FRONT SUSPENSION AS THE DODGE DURANGO CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION, I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043751October 28, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
WORN FRONT WHEEL BEARING & EXCESSIVE WEAR ON UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10044864October 28, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
DURING INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE WARPED AND MUST BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10044865October 28, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW OR HIGH SPEEDS, A NOISE COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS MUST BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10044866October 28, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW OR HIGH SPEEDS A NOISE COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS MUST BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043754October 28, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE FOLLOWING: DRIVERS SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM, DRIVERS SIDE SPINDLE RETAINING PLATE AND LOCKING NUT. THE SIMPTOMS WERE, A SLIGHT THUMPING NOISE WHEN GOING OVER SMAL BUT SHARP BUMPS (LIKE ENTERING A DRIVEWAY), AND A SOUND SIMILAR TO A SPRING BEING STRETCHED AND COMPRESSES. THE WORK WAS DONE UNDER WARANTY (29,000 MILES). THE THING THAT BOTHERS ME IS THAT IT TOOK 2 ATTEMPTS AT THE DEALER TO GET IT FIXED, AND THAT ALL THE THINGS I'VE BEEN READING INDICATE PROBLEMS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE! AM I JUST A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN? IS DAIMLER CHRYSTLER GOING TO OWN UP TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE OR DO A BUNCH OF PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE FIRST?*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043772October 28, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
FRONT SUSPENSION PROBLEMS IDENTICAL TO THAT OF THE DODGE DURANGO. HAVE HAD BOTH LOWER AND UPPER CONTROL ARMS/BALL JOINTS RELACED WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. PARTS WERE REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP WITH SAME DEFECTIVE PARTS AS ORIGINALLY INSTALLED ON VEHICLE. PERSONALLY, NO ACCIDENTS RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM YET. CONCERNED ABOUT OVERALL SAFETY OF DAKOTA OWNERS. WE HAVE A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10044874October 28, 2003
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL FELT LIKE A WET SPONGE. THE VEHICLE NEVER SLOWED DOWN. CONSUMER APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT A COLLISION OCCURRED. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE CONSUMER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE INFORMED OF THE CRASH. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10044884October 28, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER WAS INJURIED AND TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL.A POLICE REPORT WAS DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC DETECTED THAT BOTH FRONTAL BALL JOINTS CRACKED. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10044887October 28, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
CONSUMER HAD BALL JOINTS REPLACED AT LEAST 6 TIMES. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC DID NOT TELL CONSUMER WHY BALL JOINTS CONTINUALLY FAILED. *AK 1999 DODGE DAKOTA HAS HAD BALL JOINTS REPLACED SIX TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. CONSUMER WAS NEVER TOLD THE REASON WHY THE BALL JOINTS CONTINUOUSLY FAIL.*MR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043784October 28, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, EQUIPMENT
1998 DODGE DAKOTA, UPPER ARM BALL JOINT DEFECT. A STORY ON CBS NEWS LAST NIGHT HAS PROMPTED ME TO SUBMIT THIS COMPLAINT. SEPTEMBER 2000, NOISE ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF TRUCK PROMPTED ME TO STOP AT A DODGE DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT, FOUND THE RIGHT UPPER ARM BALL JOINT WAS SO BAD THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID I COULD HAVE LOST THE WHEEL ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE SPEED LIMIT CAUSING POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE ARM WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY (34853 MILES). I RECENTLY PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES FOR THE TRUCK AND ASKED THE DEALER TO DO A FRONT END ALIGNMENT (59423), HE TRIED AND SAID HE COULD NOT BECAUSE THE BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. I HAD NO INDICATION AT THIS TIME THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINTS UNTIL I TRIED TO GET AN ALIGNMENT TO PROTECT THE NEW TIRES, I GOT A SECOND OPINION WITH THE SAME RESPONSE. I WENT TO THE DODGE DEALER AND CONFIRMS THAT ALL 4 BALL JOINTS IN THE FRONT END WERE BAD, LOWER AND UPPER. DEALER SAID IT HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY, BUT I HAVE LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK AND IT IS MY THIRD BALL JOINT ON THE UPPER FRONT. THIS TIME THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM AND IT COST ME OVER $1100 TO FIX AS IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY WAS LUCKY SINCE THE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENTS, THE PROBLEM WAS CAUGHT IN TIME. THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THE BALL JOINTS USED ON THE DODGE DAKOTA ARE DEFECTIVE AND DO NOT LAST, IN MY CASE THE REPLACED BALL JOINT IN SEPTEMBER 2000 LASTED LESS THAN 24,000 MILES UNDERSTAND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT IN PROGRESS, CAN YOU PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ON THIS, CHRYSLER/DAIMLER NEEDS TO STAND UP AND FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE THERE IS A TRAGEDY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10044909October 28, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES BROKE, CAUSING THE GREASING FIT TO LEAK. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FRONT END WILL COLLAPSE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043794October 28, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT FAILURE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043823October 28, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB, 2000 UPPER AND LOWER FRONT BALL JOINTS FAILED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043686October 27, 2003
SUSPENSION
I HAVE A 2001 DAKOTA THAT STARTED KNOCKING ON BUMPS AT APPROX. 25000 MILES. I DETERMINED THAT THIS WAS NOT NORMAL AND TOOK IT TO A 5 STAR DEALER AT APPROX. 34000 AND 37000 MILES AT WHICH BOTH TIMES THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. IT IS VERY OBVIOUS THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE SUSPENSION. MY FATHER OWNS A 1995 DAKOTA THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. ONCE THE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED, NOT BY A DODGE DEALERSHIP, THE NOISE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. THERE ARE MANY REVIEWS STATING THIS ISSUE BUT CHRYLER DOES NOTHING TO ADDRESS IT. THE ONLY THING I AM LEFT TO DO IS PAY $800-$1000 TO REPAIR IT. I UNFORTUNATELY CANNOT AFFORD THIS AND RISK HAVING IT BREAK AT ANYTIME. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043687October 27, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP. LAST YEAR IT STARTED MAKING A SQUEAKY NOISE (LIKE AN OLD CAR CREAKING) IN THE FRONT END. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO DEALMAKER DODGE HERE IN WATERTOWN, NY. THE FIRST TIME TAKING IT IN THEY STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS FROM LOOSE BOLTS IN THE FRONT END AND THAT THEY JUST TIGHTENED THEM UP. THE NOISE PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS POSSIBLY THE SWAY BARS. THEN THE OCT. 10, 2003 I WAS DRIVING AND WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, SOMETHING POPPED IN THE FRONT END, THE FRONT END DROPPED DOWN AND I LOST STEERING OF THE TRUCK. THIS WAS EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE TRUCK VERY SLOWLY OVER TO DEALMAKER DODGE AND THEY LOOKED AT IT (NEVER TEST DROVE IT, JUST LOOKED AT IT). THEY STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED BUT THAT MAYBE THE SWAY BARS GAVE WAY. TIM (SERVICE MGR) STATED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO ORDER BUSHINGS AND A PART FOR THE STEERING BOX AND THAT UNTIL THEY CAME IN THE TRUCK WOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE. UNFORTUNATELY, I DID NOT FEEL IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE - WE PARKED THE TRUCK IN OUR DRIVEWAY UNTIL THE PARTS CAME IN. WE ASKED WHY THIS HAPPENED TO A FAIRLY NEW TRUCK AND TIM (SERVICE MGR) COULD NOT ANSWER US, HE DID NOT KNOW. WE TOOK THE TRUCK IN ONCE THE PARTS ARRIVED AND HAD IT WORKED ON. WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP, I ASKED TIM (SERVICE MGR) WHAT DID THEY DO TO THE TRUCK (REPAIRS)? HE STATED HE DID NOT KNOW BUT THAT HIS WARRANTY GIRL WAS OUT OF THE OFFICE AND THAT THEY WOULD MAIL ME A COPY OF THE PAPERWORK. UPON RECEIPT OF THIS PAPERWORK, IT NOTED THAT BOTH SWAY BAR BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE COUPLING. THE NOISE SEEMS TO BE GONE IN THE FRONT END, HOWEVER, WHEN I GO OVER BUMPS OR ROUGH ROAD, IT STILL MAKES A POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. AFTER WATCHING THE CBS EVENING NEWS TONIGHT WITH REGARD THE FRONT END SAFETY ISSUES ABOUT DAKOTAS, I AM NOW VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND THE LIFE OF PASSENGERS WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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