Dodge Dakota Complaints

6,628 consumer complaints on file.

#10486314November 28, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE STOPPED PARKING AND TAKING VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR, BRAKES FAILED AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS IS A SPECIAL ORDER VEHICLE THAT INCLUDED 4 WHEEL ABS. AFTER BRAKES FAILED AND FLUID LEAKED OUT OF REAR BRAKE LINES NEITHER THE ABS OR "BRAKE" WARNING LIGHTS WERE INDICATED ON THE DASH CONTROL PANEL. I AM CONCERNED THAT A BRAKE LINE FAILED AND NO INDICATION OF FAILURE SHOWED ON THE CONTROL PANEL. WITH THE FAILURE NOT UNDER ANY STOPPING FUNCTION (VEHICLE WAS ALREADY STOPPED) AND THERE WAS NO REPORT OF FAILURE WITH THE CONTROL PANEL THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE IF BRAKES FAIL WHILE DRIVING AND FIRST NOTICE IS COMPLETE LOSS OF PEDAL WILL CAUSE ACCIDENT OR AT LEAST LOSS OF CONFIDENCE AND OR CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE ALL RECORDS OF REPAIR OVER THE HISTORY OF THE TRUCK. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT A BRAKE LINE FAILURE TOOK PLACE AT ALL. I HAVE OWNED DOZENS OF VEHICLES OVER MY DRIVING LIFE AND HAVE HAD VEHICLES WITH WELL OVER 200,000 MILES WITH NO BRAKE LINE FAILURES. IF THIS IS NOT A DEFECT IN DESIGN OR WORKMANSHIP, THEN THE DEFECT HAS TO BE IN INFERIOR MATERIAL QUALITY THAT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED IN THIS IMPORTANT FUNCTION REQUIRED FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10485917November 24, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE PARKED MY BLOWER MOTOR WIRING TO THE RESISTOR JUST WENT. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME IT HAS DONE THIS. NOW I AM WITH OUT A TRUCK AND ITS SNOWING AND COLD SO IT US INOPERABLE! I HAVE SEEN PLENTY OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING! THANK GOD I WAS NOT DRIVING WITH MY KIDS IN THE TRUCK WHEN IT WENT. THE WIRING MELTED SO THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO TO REPLACE THE RESISTOR SO I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE WIRE HARNESS. THIS IN NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THESE TRUCKS! SOMETHING NEEDS DONE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OVER THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10485431November 21, 2012
SUSPENSION
LOUD CLUNKING NOISES FROM FRONT END OF TRUCK. TOOK TRUCK TO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SWAY BARS AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FRONT TIE RODS WERE REPLACED IN JULY 2012. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10485023November 17, 2012
STEERING
I WAS TRAVELING 55-60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN A STRAIGHT LINE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED WHEN I HIT A DIP IN THE ROAD AND THE TRUCK LITERALLY JUMPED OFF THE HIGHWAY. IT COMPLETELY LEFT MY LANE AND DROVE ITSELF OUT OF CONTROL ACROSS TRAFFIC AND TO THE RIGHT INTO A DITCH. IT CAUSED FRONT END BODY DAMAGE (MODERATE) AND SCARED ME TO DEATH. I HAVE SINCE DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL FROM MY TRUCK. NOW OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS THE TRUCKS FRONT END SHAKES AND RATTLES AND IS DIFFICULT TO CORNER, ACTS IF IT WILL JUMP OFF THE ROAD. THIS FRONT END OF THE DAKOTA SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE IT KILLS MANY PEOPLE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10484904November 16, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN INDICATORS FAILED. WHEN HE WOULD ENGAGE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THE RIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 81,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10483442November 5, 2012
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFTER OUT OF PARK WHILE THE IGNITION KEY WAS REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS ADVISE THE CONTACT THAT THE GEAR SHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482783October 31, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
I HAD PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE IN FEB 2011, AND EVER SINCE I HAVE REPORTED TO MY DEALER THAT I BEEN FEELING VIBRATION WHEN I APPLY MY BRAKES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO SHAKE AND BRAKES SHAKE WHEN APPLIED. THEY HAD TEST DROVE IT AN THEY CAME BACK AN TOLD ME IT WAS JUST THE ROAD, THEY INFORMED TO CHANGE THE BREAKS AND ROTORS, AND I SHOULD B FINE, SO I DID. NOW IM HAVING TROUBLE WITH ROAD VIBRATION FROM NEW TIRES, ALSO HAD A ALIGNMENT FOR ALL FOUR TIRES, AND THEY NOT ABLE TO KEEP PROPER BALANCE AND NOW AGAIN WITH MY ROTORS AND BRAKES SHAKES WHEN I APPLY AND I FEEL IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I JUST MAY NEED TO TAKE IT IN HAVE THEM LOOK EVERYTHING OVERAGAIN, BUT BY ANOTHER MECHANIC.. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482795October 31, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
10-23-12. MY TECHNICIAN ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF HIS VEHICLES BRAKES(ABS CONTROL MODULE). MY TECH NOTICED THE STOPPING LIGHT AND APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW. THE TECH NOTICED THAT THE CLOCK WENT OFF FOR A SECOND AND CAME BACK ON. HE STILL DIDN'T HAVE ANY BRAKES. RIGHT BEFORE HE CAME INTO THE INTERSECTION THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND HE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. HE TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE BRAKES AND IT WAS STILL LOCKED UP. HE STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THE BRAKES RELEASED AND HE PARKED IN PARKING LOT. I HAD HIM GET THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO SHOP CHAIN AND THEY CALLED ME LATER THAT NIGHT AND TOLD ME THAT THEY ALMOST GOT THROWN OUT OF THE WINDOW BECAUSE THE BRAKES LOCKED UP ON HIM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482466October 28, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR BAGS
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE I WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH AND PUSHED MY BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP AS I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT BRAKE LOCKED UP AND THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY A 50-60 FT SKID MARK ONLY FROM THAT WHEEL REDUCING THE SPEED FROM 45 MPH TO APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH DURING THE SKID WHILE THE OTHER 3 WHEELS FAILED TO BRAKE. THE FAILURE OF THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM, WHICH WAS AN UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF BRAKING PRESSURE, CAUSED MY TRUCK TO FAIL TO STOP IN TIME. THE DISTANCE WAS WELL WITHIN NORMAL BRAKING DISTANCE FOR THE SPEED. AND UNTIL NOW, I HAD NEVER HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THE BRAKES, CALIPER, AND ROTORS HAD BEEN REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER OF THIS 2012 WITH NEW PARTS. THEY HAD BEEN INSTALLED CORRECTLY AND I HAVE DOCUMENTATION TO PROVE THAT. DURING THE CRASH, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE ACCIDENT WAS ONE WHERE MY DODGE DAKOTA REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO INJURIES HAD OCCURRED, HOWEVER THE TRUCK SUSTAINED APPROXIMATELY $5000.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND IS CONSIDERED TOTALED DUE TO THE COST OF REPAIRS VS THE VALUE OF THE TRUCK. THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS APPROXIMATELY 206,500 MILES AND ALL MAINTENANCE WAS CURRENT AND PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE (AS REQUIRED WHEN UNDER WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES) WORK WAS COMPLETED AT BOTH A DEALERSHIP OR AN AUTHORIZED AUTO REPAIR SHOP. AFTER THE 100,000, WORK WAS COMPLETED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED BY MYSELF, OWNER, WHO IS EXPERIENCED IN AUTO REPAIR/MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES UTILIZING OEM / OEM APPROVED REPLACEMENT PARTS. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA ITEM # 10016024 THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL DUE TO AND ECU FAILURE FOR VEHICLES PRODUCED JUST BEFORE MINE WAS. I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO TELL IF MY ECU IS THE REPLACEMENT ONE OR SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT WASN'T. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE SKID MARKS AND DAMAGE ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST AND I HAVE TRUCK AT MY HOME. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10481196October 19, 2012
STEERING, SUSPENSION
A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE HAS THE EXACT SAME TRUCK AND HIS WHOLE TIRE FELL OFF GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. HE THANK GOD DID NOT GET HURT OR HURT ANYONE ELSE IN THE PROSESS. HE TOLD ME THAT IN 2004 THEIR WAS A RECALL ON THE BALL JOINTS OF THIS VEHICLE. I BOUGHT MY TRUCK FROM A PRIVATE OWNER AND DO NOT HAVE A RECALL NOTICE OF MY OWN, IS THERE A WAY NOW THAT I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE THAT I CAN STILL HAVE THIS RECALL BE TAKEN CARE OF AT A DEALERSHIP BEING THAT IT IS UNDER 10 YEARS WITHIN THE RECALL TIME LIMIT. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE WHAT HAPPENED TO MY FRIEND HAPPEN TO ME. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10479778October 11, 2012
POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION
WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD STRAIGHT NO CURVE, THE REAR AXLE OF MY TRUCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC NEAR BY WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING UNCONTROLLED DOWN THE ROAD. IN A COINCIDENCE DODGE IS HAVE A RECALL OF SAME ISSUE FOR ONLY THE 2009 AND 2010 MODELS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10479598October 10, 2012
SUSPENSION
IN OCTOBER OF 2010, I WAS DRIVING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY ONTO A MAIN STREET MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN I HEARD A METAL SNAPPING SOUND. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE, I FELT SOME SLACK IN THE STEERING WHEN I MADE A TURN AFTERWARDS. I INSPECTED THE SUSPENION SYSTEM SEVERAL TIMES IN THE NEXT WEEK BUT DIDN'T SEE THE CAUSE. LATER I FOUND THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINK BROKE APART WHERE IT ATTACHED TO THE SWAY BAR. I DIDN'T SEE THIS ON EARLIER INSPECTIONS BECAUSE THE 2 PARTS CAME TOGETHER WHEN STATIC TO CONCEAL THE BREAK. I PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT KIT AND REPLACED BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE SWAY BAR LINKS MYSELF. (DAMAGED PARTS STILL AVAILABLE) IN THE EARLY PART OF 2011, I BEGAN TO HEAR CREAKING NOISE FROM THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM AS I DROVE AND ON TURNS. I INSPECTED THE SYSTEM SEVERAL TIMES AND CONCLUDED THAT 1 OR MORE OF THE BALL JOINTS WERE DRY AND NEEDED GREASE. THE BALL JOINTS HAD NO FITTINGS TO APPLY GREASE SO A NEEDLE VALVE WAS USED TO INJECT GREASE INTO THE BOOTS. THIS HELPED FOR A SHORT PERIOD BUT THE CREAKING CAME BACK A FEW MONTHS LATER. I SENT THIS VEHICLE INTO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE DRY AND HAD EXCESS SIDE PLAY. THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT FOR SAFETY AND ALIGNMENT CONCERNS AT LESS THAN 40000 MILES. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THESE SUSPENSION PARTS ARE FAILING FAR TOO SOON. THE CONSUMER HAS NO WAY TO ADD GREASE TO THESE PARTS AND MUST RELY ON THE ORIGINAL PARTS BEING PROPERLY LUBRICATED TO HAVE REASONABLE DURABLITY. FAILURES AT THIS EARLY STAGE INDICATES DEFECTIVE PARTS AND PROCESSES THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED ASAP. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WILL BE FORCED TO HAVE THESE PARTS REPAIRED FOR SAFETY CONCERNS AND A HIGH COST TO THE VEHICLE OWNER. THESE PARTS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO LAST LONGER THAN THE SHORT PERIOD I HAVE EXPERIENCED ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10479461October 9, 2012
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR AXLE PINION NUT BECAME LOOSE. THE AXLE THEN SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,012 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,205.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10479225October 8, 2012
STEERING
ON THIS 2006 DAKOTA, STEERING IS VERY STIFF AND MAKES ME OVER CORRECT THE STEERING WITH EACH TURN, CAUSING ME TO JERK THE WHEEL HARD. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE I HAVE ALMOST HIT PARKED CARS IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING. I HAVE HEARD MANY WITH THIS PROBLEM AND FEEL OUR 2006 SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL IF THERE SHOULD BE ONE(REALLY NEEDS TO BE). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10477189September 26, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN FOLLOWED BY A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A CLOSED INVESTIGATION PERTAINING TO THE DEFECT UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA06004 (STEERING:COLUMN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10475650September 17, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CTM AND THE LOW BEAM WIRE CIRCUIT WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V322000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,710.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10474519September 10, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
REAR BRAKE LINE BELOW DRIVERS SIDE BLEW OUT. LOST BRAKES HAD TO DOWN SHIFT TO SLOW DOWN AND HAD TO GET TOWED HOME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10474258September 7, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED AN INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE REAR BRAKE BOOSTER SHOE HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 10/17/12*LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473743September 4, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
STEEL BRAKE LINE TO REAR WHEEL RUSTED AND LEAKED BRAKE FLUID OUT OF MASTER CYL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473823September 4, 2012
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW IT COMES ON EVERY TIME I TURN THE WHEEL, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT DIRECTION. THERE SEEMS TO BE A RECALL FOR THE 2000 MODEL YEAR, BUT NOT MY YEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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