Dodge Dakota Complaints

6,628 consumer complaints on file.

#10248710November 13, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ENGINE OVERHEATED RELAY AND RELAY BOARD MELTED. CAN NOT REPLACE RELAY DODGE KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND SELLS A RELAY RELOCATION DEVICE. THIS IS DEFECT AND THEY KNOW IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248704November 13, 2008
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE FELT A LOT OF PLAY IN HIS STEERING WHEEL AND IT WOULD NOT LOCK IN PLACE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. HE ALSO HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. THE NOISE COULD ALSO BE HEARD WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MOVED BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW STEERING COLUMN/ARMATURE DUE TO THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248590November 12, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248518November 11, 2008
STEERING
I JUST READ ABOUT THE STEERING PROBLEMS BEING EXPERIENCED ON THE 2004 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CAB MODELS. I HAVE TWICE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM . ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND ONCE AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THE STEERING JUST FREEZES UP AND THE WHEEL CANNOT BE TURNED WITH OUT A LOT OF EFFORT. WHEN YOU ROUND A CORNER, IT DOES NOT RECOVER AND YOU MUST TURN THE WHEEL BACK YOURSELF TO HAVE THE VEHICLE CONTINUE ON A STRAIGHT COURSE AFTER THE TURN. BOTH TIMES I WAS REQUIRED TO HAVE THE "MIDDLE STEERING SHAFT" REPLACED. APPARENTLY THERE IS A TOP,MIDDLE AND LOWER STEERING SHAFT AND BOTH TIMES AT DIFFERENT REPAIR FACILITIES IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE MIDDLE SHAFT THAT HAD FAILED. IT COMPLETELY FREEZES UP ON YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247518November 3, 2008
STEERING
2004 DODGE DAKOTA POWER STEERING GOES STIFF, LOOSE, STIFF, LOOSE, ETC. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG AND JUDGING BY THE COMPLAINTS I'VE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. IT IS PUTTING PEOPLE'S LIVE IN DANGER AND A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUES ASAP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247199October 29, 2008
STEERING
1) NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, JUST REGULAR DRIVING 2) ITS VERY HARD TO STEER SOMETIMES, ITS LIKE STIFF-LOOSE-STIFF-LOOSE WHEN I TURN EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND GUYS ON DODGEFORUM.COM HAVE PINPOINTED THE PROBLEM BUT DEALERS WONT CHANGE THE PART, THEY WANT TO CHANGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHEN THE PROBLEM IS IN THE INTERMEDIATE ARM, ITS EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND WHY SHOULD WE PAY FOR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT? THE CONSEQUENCES UNFORTUNATELY CAN BE DEADLY. SOMETIMES ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER OR MAKE A QUICK TURN, IF SOMEONE CUTS YOU OFF AND YOU CANT TURN, WELL BAD THINGS CAN HAPPEN. 3)I CANNOT GET THE PART (INTERMEDIATE ARM) BECAUSE THEY ARE ON BACKORDER, COINCIDENCE?? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246633October 24, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE BALL JOINTS ON MY 97 DODGE DAKOTA ARE WORN OUT. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND SUPPOSEDLY THERE IS A RECALL IN EFFECT FOR NEWER DAKOTAS AS THOUGH THE PROBLEM DIDN'T START UNTIL AFTER 1997. THIS IS A FAULTY PART FROM THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND ITS REPAIR (AMONGST THE MANY OTHER MANUFACTURING FAULT REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE) IS RUINING ME FINANCIALLY IN THIS ECONOMY. I SHOULD NOT BE HELD FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR A CAR MAKERS INEPT MANUFACTURING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245532October 15, 2008
STRUCTURE
THE PAINT ITS COMING OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245458October 14, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WENT TO THE STORE AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK IT DID NOT HOLD HAD TO APPLY PARKING BRAKE. GOT HOME AND TRUCK LOCKED IN PARK. THREE DAYS LATER THE TRUCK WOULD NOT LOCK IN PARK AND HAS NOT LOCKED IN PARK SINCE. CHECKED THE SHIFTING MECHANISMS AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH ANY PARTS. TRIED TO ADJUST SHIFT CABLE AND THERE WAS NO ROOM TO ADJUST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245482October 14, 2008
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THEY HAD A TRUCK LIKE MINE COME IN FOR THE SAME REASON, THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THE SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR. THEY SAID THAT THE SENSOR KEEPS THE BAGS FROM DEPLOYING WHEN IN A WRECK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245314October 13, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
SINCE I'VE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, ABOUT SIX MONTHS INTO DRIVING IT, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING FRONT END PROBLEMS WITH THE CONTROL ARMS & BALL JOINTS. I'VE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER(BIG VALLEY DODGE) AT LEAST 10 TIMES(@75.00 A VISIT) FOR THEM TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS/CONTROL ARM. NOW IT'S NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND WILL COST $1500.00-$2500.00 FROM DIFFERENT QUOTES I RECEIVED. I CAN NO LONGER ENJOYABLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE. AND I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT ON THE FREEWAY AS THE WHOLE FRONT-END SHAKES THE ENTIRE TRUCK ABOVE 50MPH. PLEASE HELP ME. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THE TRUCK OTHERWISE. I JUST WANT DODGE TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND FIX THEIR PROBLEM. THEY MADE A RECALL FOR THE 4X4, WHY NOT THE 2X4 WITH A VERY SIMILAR ISSUE. PLEASE HELP! THIS IS NOT FAIR. OUT OF ALL THE NEW TRUCKS I COULD HAVE BOUGHT, I HAD TO BUY THE ONE WITH A PROBLEM THE MANUFACTURE REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE, EVERYONE I'VE TALKED TO WITH THE SAME TRUCK FROM SIMILAR YEARS (2000-2003) SAYS THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP! ALSO, FRONT TIRES BECOME EXCESSIVELY WORN ON THE OUTSIDE TO WHERE I HAVE TO REPLACE AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR WHEN I DRIVE 10000-12000 MILES A YEAR(RIDICULOUS). PLEASE HELP! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245035October 10, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
2 ISSUES-THE POWER TRAIN-I DON'T THINK IT WAS EVER FIXED AS MY GEARSHIFT LEVER INDICATOR IS NOT IN THE GEAR IT INDICATES-CAN THIS STILL BE FIXED UNDER THE RECALL-2ND PROBLEM-I CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE TRUCK JUST SHUTS ITSELF OFF WITHOUT WARNING-SOMETIMES IT WILL RESTART AFTER SITTING A FEW MINUTES BUT YESTERDAY I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED WITH MY 74 YR. OLD MOTHER-I HAVE BEEN ON THE FREEWAY AND HAD THE SHUTDOWN OCCUR-I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN-I AM NOT THE FIRST OWNER BUT THE GUY I GOT IT FROM TOLD ME ABOUT THIS ISSUE AFTER I HAD BOUGHT IT -I THOUGHT THE FUEL FILTER MAY BE PLUGGED AND HAD A COMPLETE TUNE-UP-STILL THE PROBLEM CONTINUES-IS THERE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE-THANKS BARB *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244970October 9, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY, IT SUDDENLY ROLLED IN REVERSE WITH THE SHIFTER IN THE PARK POSITION. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE'S DOOR CRASHED INTO THE GATE AND WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURES MENTIONED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V034000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION). THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THAT THERE WAS NOT A SUFFICIENT REMEDY WITH THE RECALL DEFECT REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244750October 8, 2008
WHEELS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE VEHICLE HAS CENTERLINE WHEELS, MODEL TOMAHAWK SERIES-ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND PROCEEDING TO TURN LEFT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL EXPLODED. THERE WAS MASSIVE AIR LOSS FROM THE WHEEL. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CHANGED THE WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THE WHEELS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECTIVE WHEELS AND PROVIDED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244876October 8, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WAS TOWED TO THE DRIVER'S RESIDENCE. APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED DUE TO OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244651October 7, 2008
POWER TRAIN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE STREET WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, THE GEAR SHIFTER AUTOMATICALLY MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS STATIONED BEHIND THE MOVING VEHICLE, BUT WAS ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY. HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR TO CHANGE THE GEAR SHIFTER AND WAS STRUCK BY THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER HIS RIGHT LEG, STRUCK A CURB, AND CRASHED INTO THE TREES. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES. THERE WERE NO DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10243939September 29, 2008
STEERING
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AND THE TIE ROD FELL OFF MY TRUCK AND BOTH FRONT WHEELS BUCKLED. THIS IS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK WITH GREASELESS BALL JOINTS IN THE FRONT END. THE TRUCK WAS JUST IN THE MANUFACTURES SHOP 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS FOR SERVICE AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE THIS WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. I'M NOT BLAMING THEM I'M JUST MAKING A POINT THAT THERE WAS NO SIGN THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. AND I KNOW THAT THEY LOOKED AT THE FRONT END BECAUSE THEY LET ME KNOW THAT MY BRAKES WERE GETTING CLOSE TO NEEDING REPLACED. AND THE TIE ROD IS BOLTED ON RIGHT WHERE THEY LOOK TO CHECK THE BRAKES. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AND OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE DRIVING THESE TRUCKS. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING 50 TO 60 MPH I PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE HERE TYPING THIS RIGHT NOW. THIS IS A TWO WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK THAT HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR OFF ROAD DRIVING. I DID KEEP THE TIE ROD AND HAVE PICTURES OF IT IF NEEDED SHOWING HOW DRIED OUT AND RUSTY IT IS ON THE INSIDE. SO I HOPE YOU DO GIVE THIS SERIOUS THOUGHTS ABOUT LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER. THANK YOU JOHN!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243372September 24, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, VISIBILITY
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HIS 2001 DODGE DAKOTA HOME AT NIGHT, ON A COUNTRY ROAD, AROUND AUGUST 5, 2008 AND THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF. WHEN HE GOT HOME, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WENT HAYWIRE, THE HORN CONTINUED TO HONK, THE DOOR LOCKS BEGAN LOCKING AND UNLOCKING, AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. WE FOUND OUT THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE (CMT) AND CLOCK SPRING HAD FAILED AND WAS TOLD THE TRUCK WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WE HAD BOTH REPAIRED FOR $530. I WAS TOLD THAT RECALLS EXISTED ON SEVERAL DODGE VEHICLES BUT NOT ONE OF THEM SPECIFIED OUR TRUCK. I CONTACTED DODGE AND THEY JUST SAID IT WAS NOT MY TRUCK SO I WAS OUT OF LUCK. I THEN DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS ON-LINE AND FOUND SEVERAL FORUMS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM ON THIS YEAR OF TRUCK, PLUS SEVERAL OTHERS, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY HELP FROM DODGE EITHER. THIS IS A REALLY SERIOUS MALFUNCTION AND COULD OF CAUSE A VERY BAD ACCIDENT. I JUST NEED DODGE TO OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM AND REIMBURSE US FOR THE REPAIRS WE HAD. ALSO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM ON ALL DODGE VEHICLES, BEFORE SOMEONE GET SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243232September 23, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SUSPENSION, STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
CALIPER BOLTS SEPARATING FROM SPINDLE CAUSING CALIPER TO FALL ON TO BRAKE ROTOR. LOSS OF BRAKING TO WHEEL, DIFFICULTY STEERING VEHICLE. SPINDLE (STEERING KNUCKLE) HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT AND RE TAPPED AND THREADED. HELI COILS (9M) INSTALLED TO HOLD CALIPER BOLTS. NEW CALIPERS AND ROTORS INSTALLED. FURTHER INSPECTION DETERMINED THAT UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED. ALL BALL JOINTS WILL BE REPLACED SINCE THE UPPER ONES ARE NOT SERVICEABLE AND I DO NOT TRUST THE LOWER ONES. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALLS FOR MODEL YEAR 1999 DAKOTA HOWEVER THERE ARE SEVERAL TSB'S #050399, 0200600 AND SEVERAL THOUSAND COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. WHY HASN'T THIS SAFETY ISSUE BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE NHTSA? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242888September 19, 2008
STEERING
BOUGHT A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 61,000 MILES ON IT...WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH AFTER PICKING UP MY CHILD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE PULLED ME RIGHT OFF THE ROAD ALMOST INTO A DITCH WHERE I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO COME TO A STOP AND GET OUT. TO HEAR THAT MY TIRE IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. THE TIE-ROD HAD BROKE AWAY AND I LOST CONTROL, IF I HAD BEEN GOING ANY FASTER I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE ROLLED THE VEHICLE AND MAY HAVE INJURED MY FAMILY OR OTHER PEOPLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE HE HAD TOLD ME THESE MODELS DO NOT HAVE A NIPPLE TO LUBE THE TIE-RODS SO THEY BREAK OFTEN. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AS COULD HAVE MY MOTHER AND 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OR EVEN SOMEONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. A VEHICLE WITH 61000 MILES SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE ISSUES. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET HURT OR EVEN WORSE KILLED! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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