Dodge Dakota Complaints (1998)

545 consumer complaints on file.

#10106229January 12, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
BAD BALL JOINTS ON 1998 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT, VIN [XXX], 41,300 MILES, DISCOVERED AT PA STATE ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION.*AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106155January 11, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
HAD TO REPLACE UPPER AND LOWER BALLJOINTS AND OUTER TIE ROD ENDS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106015January 9, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
1. EXCESSIVE DRIFTING BACK AND FORTH IN THE LANE I WAS DRIVING IN . UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. 2. SERVICE TECH SAID THAT I WAS LUCKY A WHEEL DIDN'T COME OF WHILE DRIVING. 3. REPLACEMENT OF UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON MY 98 DODGE DOKOTA SPORT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104850December 31, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
I HAVE A 1998 DAKOTA 4X4, MAKING SUSPICIOUS NOISES IN FRONT END. TOOK TO ALIGNMENT SHOP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT ALL BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS NEEDED REPLACEMENT BADLY, AS , ACCORDING TO SHOP OWNER, THE WEAR WAS SO EXTENSIVE THAT THE TRUCK WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. TRUCK WAS REPAIRED ON 12/01/ 2004. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN AN OFF-ROAD USED VEHICLE, HWY. MILES ONLY. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE SHOP OWNER THAT HE HAS RECENTLY BEEN RECEIVING SAME COMPLAINT AND NEED FOR REPAIR BY AN UNUSUALLY HIGH NUMBER OF DAKOTA AND DURANGO OWNERS. RECALL FOR 2000-2003 VEHICLES AS RELEASED BY THE MEDIA OCCURRED AFTER MY TRUCK WAS REPAIRED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104705December 29, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
I HAVE REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS TWICE NOW ON MY 1998 DODGE DAKOTA IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS. ON A RECENT VISIT TO MY MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE, I WAS ADVISED THAT I WILL AGAIN NEED TO REPLACE MY BALL JOINTS AND THAT ONE IN PARTICULAR WAS CLOSE TO FAILURE AND WAS UNSAFE. IN HIS WORDS: "YOU GOT LUCKY. THIS COULD HAVE FAILED AT ANY TIME." I HAVE SCHEDULED ANOTHER APPOINTMENT TO ONCE AGAIN REPLACE MY BALL JOINTS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104719December 29, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM
I HAVE 61000 MILES ON MY 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. WHEN I GOT MY TIRES ROTATED I WAS SHOWN THAT MY UPPER CONTROL ARMS WERE WORN OUT. I HAD HEARD A "CHUNKING" NOISE WHEN I TURNED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY ARE FAILING WITH SO LITTLE MILEAGE ON MY TRUCK. I CALLED THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION ON DECEMBER 28 & 29 TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING. I HAD TALKED TO THREE PEOPLE, 1)WHITNEY, 2)BILLY (12/28/04), AND I TALKED WITH 3)CAROL (12/29/04). CAROL HAD TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING CHRYSLER COULD DO AND THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE I WAS ABLE TO SPEAK WITH. I HAVE READ THAT THERE ARE RECALLS TO THE 2000-2003 DAKOTA'S. WHY WEREN'T THE 1998-1999 INCLUDED? THEY HAVE THE IDENTICAL FRONT END. IS THERE ANY WAY YOU COULD GIVE ME SOME ANSWERS TO MY QUESTION. THANK YOU. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104743December 29, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
MY HUSBAND AND I OWN A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA, VIN [XXX]. WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, BEGINNING IN THE SECOND YEAR OF OUR LEASE. DURING THE PAST FOUR YEARS, WE HAVE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $9,000 ON VEHICLE REPAIRS INCLUDING A NEW TRANSMISSION, NEW ENGINE, NEW STARTER, NEW WHEEL BARING, NEW BRAKE CALIPER, NEW HEATER CORE AND NEW WATER PUMP. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ALTERNATOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND TWO O2 SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOUR TIMES. WHILE THESE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COSTLY AND INCONVENIENT, NONE OF THEM HAS POSED A SAFETY CONCERN PER SE. I AM WRITING NOW TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR MOST RECENT VEHICLE FAILURE WHICH MOST CERTAINLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE. ON NOVEMBER 18, 2004, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN HIS FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BROKE OFF FROM THE AXLE. THE TIRE FELL ON ITS SIDE AND THE TRUCK LANDED ON THE TIRE. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND THE TRUCK SKIDDED TO A STOP IN THE LEFT TURN LANE. MY HUSBAND HAD NO CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. WHEN WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO OUR MECHANIC, HE FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS NEAR THE BREAKING POINT AS WELL AND REPLACED THAT AXLE AS WELL. WE ARE STILL DRIVING ON THE TWO FRONT TIRES, BUT WE WERE INFORMED THAT WE SHOULD GET AN ALIGNMENT AND PROBABLY HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED AS WELL. WE UNDERSTAND THAT DODGE HAS RECALLED THE 2000-2003 DAKOTAS FOR THIS SAME DEFECT. WE BELIEVE THAT OUR VEHICLE SHOULD ALSO BE COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. *NM UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104652December 28, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
MY 1998 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 5.2L CLUB CAB TRUCK HAD THE FRONT BALL JOINTS FAIL ON ME. I KNOW THERE IS NOW A RECALL FOR 2000 TO CURRENT MODELS, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE 98? IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE 89000 MILES ON IT CURRENTLY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105131December 21, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
DURING INSPECTION CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT DRIVER/PASSENGER UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104976December 16, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER STATED UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. THE PROTECTIVE COATING BROKE, WHICH ALLOWED DIRT ONTO THE BALL JOINTS. *AK......ALSO, DEALER REPLACED WHEEL BEARING, AND PERFORMED THROTTLE BODY SERVICE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10103852December 15, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. AS A RESULT, FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF, AND THE FRONT END COLLAPSED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102940December 14, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
1 - TOOK THE DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK IN TO HAVE THE SNOW TIRES PUT ON AND WAS TOLD THAT THE UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS WHERE READY TO FAIL. THE AUTOMOTIVE SHOP THEN REPLACED THE UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102948December 14, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM, EQUIPMENT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
NOISES IN FRONT END, UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA 4-WHEEL DRIVE DEFECTIVE. LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 34,853 MILES. REPLACED LOWER JOINTS AGAIN AND UPPER BALL JOINTS AT 59,629 AT A COST OF $1123.55. LUCKILY IT WAS CAUGHT BEFORE ANY SERIOUS ACCIDENT OCCURRED. YOUR RECALL INDICATES YEAR 2000-2003 BUT PROBLEM WAS THERE PRIOR TO THAT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102952December 14, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT ALL 4 BALL JOINTS AND THE INNER & OUTER TIE ROD ENDS NEED REPLACING ON MY 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. SINCE THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL FOR 2000-2003 DAKOTAS & DURANGOS AND A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PENDING FOR 1998 DURANGOS, I WONDER IF THERE IS MERIT TO MY 1998 DAKOTA FAILURE AND THE RESULTING EXPENSE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102964December 14, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT
SIR, I JUST READ ON THE INTERNET WHERE CHRYSLER IS RECALLING THE DODGE DAKOTA GOING ALONG WITH THE GOVERNMENTS RECOMMENDATION. I UNDERSTAND THEY ARE ONLY GOING BACK TO THE 2000 MODELS. WELL, I HAVE AN 1998 MODEL THAT'S GOING THROUGH THE SAME THINGS. THE BALL JOINTS HAVE GONE BAD THE STEERING HAS GONE BAD. THERE'S BEEN A BAD CRUNCHING COMING FROM THE FRONT-END FOR OVER A YEAR AND NO-ONE CAN FIND OUT WHAT'S MAKING IT. I'M GETTING SCARED TO DRIVE IT. I'VE ALREADY SPENT A LOAD OF MONEY ON THE FRONT-END OF THIS VEHICLE!!! I HAVE BEEN TO THE DODGE DEALERS NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY TELL ME THERE IS NO BULLETINS ON THESE PROBLEMS BUT YOU CAN GO ON THE INTERNET AND CHECK ON COMPLAINTS FOR THE DAKOTA AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS ON THE FRONT-END EVER SINCE THEY CHANGED TO THE NEW BODY STYLE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS CAN DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT I THINK YOU SHOULD, IN GOOD FAITH, MAKE THEM REIMBURSE OR RECALL ALL OF THESE VEHICLES HAVING THE PROBLEMS NOT JUST THE LAST 4 YEARS. THIS IS JUST A COP-OUT ON THEIR PART TO KEEP YOU GUYS OFF THEIR BACKS. IF YOU THINK THERE ARE NOT COMPLAINTS JUST GO ON THE INTERNET AND CHECK IT OUT. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN SEVERAL YEARS AGO, NOT JUST IN 2000. THANK YOU -------- AN ANSWER TO THIS E-MAIL WOULD BE APPRECIATED. JIM JERLES . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10103795December 14, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND SUDDENLY CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT, AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONTAL LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105438December 13, 2004
SUSPENSION
DODGE DAKOTA BALL JOINT FAILURE. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM AN ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE SEVERELY WORN. *TC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102826December 13, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
BALL JOINTS HAVE BEGUN TO FAIL..ONLY 64,000 MILES ON VEHICLE...57,000 AT THE TIME PROBLEM STARTED...KNOW THERE IS A RECALLL FOR 2000 AND HIGHER MODELS...BUT FEAR THIS IS A BIGGER PROBLEM THAN KNOWN IN EARLIER MODELS AS WELL....DEALER WILL FIX, BUT NOT PAY, AND HAVE NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THERE IS SUCH AN EARLY FAILURE.....ALSO HAVE NOTICED FROM YOUR SITE THAT THERE WERE OTHER RECALLS....DID NOT KNOW OF THESE...WILL TRY TO HAVE DEALER FIX THESE......AND CHECK ON MY 4 BALL JOINTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10101374December 13, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHILE MAKING A TURN THE TIRE RUBBED THE WHEEL WELL. *NM THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *TC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102852December 13, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
A RECENT RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR DODGE DAKOTAS AND DURANGO ONLY INCLUDED THE MODEL YEARS OF 2000-2004 FOR FAILED BALL JOINTS AND WHEELS FALLING OFF. THIS COMPLIANT IS TO NOTIFIY THE NHTSA THAT EARLY MODEL YEARS ALSO EXPERIENCE THE SAMPLE PROBLEM. IN 2001, MY 1998 DODGE DAKOTA HAD THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL COLAPSE WHILE IN MOTION DUE TO A FAILED BALL JOINT. THE NHTSA SHOULD EXPAND THIS RECALL TO EARLIER MODELS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Dodge Dakota