Dodge Dakota Complaints

6,628 consumer complaints on file.

#10215547January 21, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY/EXPRESSWAY THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SEEM TO SHIFT TO THE NEXT GEAR. THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE VERY ROUGHLY AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE TO THE DESIRED SPEED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214886January 15, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEATER FAN RESISTORS MELTED AND THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTED TO THE HEATER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER FURTHER STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. A YEAR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE HEAT RESISTORS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214634January 13, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 2000 DODGE QUADCAB 4.7 PIECE OF CRAP TRUCK THAT I BOUGHT NEW. IT HAS 59,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED SINCE NEW WITH THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. IN ADDITION, I HAVE REPLACED TWO OF THE COMPUTERS WHICH COST ME ABOUT $1800 COMBINED. FOR THE PAST YEAR OR SO IT HAS BEEN RUNNING LIKE CRAP. IT STALLS, THE IDLE SPEED FLUCTUATES DRASTICALLY. AT TIMES THE IDLE SPEED WILL GO FROM 500 TO 2500 RPMS FLUCTUATING UP AND DOWN WHEN SITTING AT A RED LIGHT. THE PEOPLE NEXT TO ME MUST WONDER WHAT'S GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE LUNGING THE WAY IT DOES. THE SECOND COMPUTER THAT WAS REPLACED WAS DONE IN AN EFFORT TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AND IT FAILED. IM AM TIRED OF SPENDING MONEY ON A VEHICLE WITH SO FEW MILES FOR A PROBLEM THAT MANY MANY OTHER DODGE OWNER HAVE EXPERIENCED. I FEEL LIKE I WAS DUPED. MY WIFE'S TOYOTA CAMRY JUST HIT 130,000 MILES AND WE HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214613January 12, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM), SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 50,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO BOG DOWN WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES IT WOULD ONLY GO ABOUT 5 MPH WHILE REVING ABOUT 3500 RPM. PAID FOR TOW TO DODGE DEALER IN HAMPTON VA FOR ANALYSIS AND REPAIR. TOW OPERATOR REMARKED ALMOST ALL DODGE DAKOTAS TOWED FOR TRANNY WORK ENDED UP COSTING $2300-$2900 FOR A REPLACEMENT. I WAS LUCKY AND ONLY HAD TO REPLACE ALL PRESSURE REGULATING VALVES FOR ABOUT $670 (FUNNY HOW THEY ALL WENT BAD AT THE SAME TIME BUT I WOULD NOT ARGUE THE POINT SINCE THE PARTS WERE CHEAP COMPARED TO DOING IT OVER IN A FEW MONTHS). DEALER INDICATED THIS WAS A YEARS OLD PROBLEM WHICH WAS COMMON TO REPLACE THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND THAT MY $600 REPAIR WAS NOT GUARANTEED TO PREVENT TOTAL FAILURE. DODGE HAS NOT AGREED TO ANY RECALL TO FIX BUT SHOULD DO THIS. THEREFORE, I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER DODGE OR CHRYSLER OF ANY SORT. UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ALSO FAILED AT UNDER 50,000 MILES AND NO REPAIR RECALL ON THIS LONG STANDING PROBLEM AS WELL. SUBJECT ON ANOTHER COMPLAINT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214616January 12, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
BALL JOINT FAILURES: TRUCK FAILED STATE INSPECTION DUE TO DEFECTIVE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS OR BALL JOINT AND LOWER CONTROL ARM. ANOTHER BALL JOINT HAD BEEN REPLACED THE PREVIOUS YEAR. ALL DEFECTS OCCURRED AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES. THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE DAKOTA AND CHRYSLER WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS. PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON DOZENS OF INTERNET SITES, BLOGS, ETC AND ALL MECHANICS AND STATE INSPECTORS ALL NOD KNOWINGLY ABOUT THE DODGE PICKUP. THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE AND FAILURE OF BALL JOINTS IS NOT A PROBLEM IN ALMOST ANY CAR EXCEPT CHRYSLER PRODUCTS. HOW DO THEY GET AWAY WITH THIS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND CRASHES AND AT UNDER 50,000 MILES. IT IS TIME NHTSA FORCES DODGE TO RECALL AND REIMBURSE ALL COSTS TO THOSE ALREADY HAVING PAID FOR SUCH REPAIRS. THIS SHOULD BE APPLICABLE FOR ANY YEAR VEHICLE UP TO AT LEAST 100,000. I HAVE OWNED OVER A DOZEN VEHICLES AND MOST DRIVEN OVER 100,000 AND ONE AT 145,000 AND ONE 200,000 AND HAVE NEVER REPLACE BUT ONE BALL JOINT ON A 1970 CUTLASS. ONLY ONE HIGH MILEAGE VEHICLE WITH CV JOINTS BUT MAYBE NO BALL JOINTS HAD TO HAVE A CV JOINT REPLACED. THIS DOES NOT SPEAK WELL OF CHRYSLER/DODGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214478January 11, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE FUSE FOR MY DIMMER SWITCH KEPT BLOWING. AND I KEPT REPLACING. BECAUSE WITH OUT IT IN I CAN NOT SEE GAUGES. AND MY OUTSIDE MARKER LIGHT FUSE KEPT DOING SAME. I REPLACED FUSES AGAIN TODAY THEY IMMEDIATELY BLEW. I ROTATED THE DIMMER SWITCH TO THE LOWEST POSITION. AGAIN I REPLACED FUSES. THEN I TURNED ON LIGHTS AND SLOWLY ROTATED DIMMER SWITCH UP AND I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM CORNER OF INSTRUMENT PANEL NEAR WHERE SWITCH SETS IN DASH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214464January 10, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
REPLACE EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKETS, SCREWS AND STUDS ON RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES OF ENGINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214333January 9, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT FAILS INTERMITTENTLY AND THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR DISPLAYS SPORADICALLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V322000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH) AND DAIMLER CHRYSLER RECALL NUMBER B32. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED, WHICH WOULD COST $500. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THEY ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NHTSA WAS THE AGENCY THAT ISSUES RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000. UPDATED 01/29/08 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214369January 9, 2008
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
VEHICLE FAILS TO REVERSE, THEN JERKS IN AND OUT OF REVERSE, VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER FOR REPAIR, SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL DAKOTAS AND 1500'S AND AT THIS TIME THERE IS NO KNOWN SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM, HE ALSO STATED THAT CHRYSLER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY KEEP ON SELLING THEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214203January 8, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
POWER TRAIN, MANY TIMES WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR IS SHIFTED INTO A GEAR, IT IS NOT ACTUALLY IN THE GEAR SELECTED. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A LONG TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213747January 4, 2008
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
CLIPS IN REAR DIFFERENTIAL BROKE (BELIEVE THEY HELD THE SPRING TO THE CLUTCH PLATES). CAR IS DODGE DAKOTA 2000, WITH 80,000 MILES OF LIGHT USE ( NO TOWING, LIGHT AND INFREQUENT HAULING) BELEIVE THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT WITH THE CLIPS THAT MAY CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL.*CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213641January 3, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
ENGINE WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO PURCHASE TRUCK WAS SOLD AS NEW ENGINE REPLACEMENT WAS NOT DISCLOSED, CONTINUING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, REPLACED TRANSMISSION AT 8800 MILES, VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION ON FREEWAY, MULTIPLE EXHAUST LEAKS, HUB FAN REPLACED. WHEN A PROBLEM REPEATS ITSELF THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS IT TO BE "NORMAL". DEALER PRINCIPLE UNWILLING TO ADDRESS ISSUES. I CONTINUE TO HEAR NOISES AND HAVE TRANSMISSION ISSUES. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT DO ANY WORK ON THE VEHICLE UNLESS I GO WHEN ITS CONVIENT FOR THE "TECHNICIAN" TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. DEALERSHIP LIED ABOUT ENGINE BEING RECALLED AS AN EXPLANATION FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE WHEN IN FACT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATING TO THE ENGINE. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS ALL REPAIRS ARE NORMAL WHEN IN THE MANUEL IT ONLY STATES MAINTENANCE IS REQUIRED AT HIGH MILEAGE NOT REPLACEMENT BEFORE 10K.*CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213058December 28, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DECELERATING FROM 40 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED APPROXIMATELY 50-60 FEET. THE CONTACT REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND AFTER REAPPLYING IT, THE BRAKES WORKED CORRECTLY WITHOUT SKIDDING. HIS WIFE ALSO STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN RAINY WEATHER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,858 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000. UPDATED 01/17/08 *BF UPDATED 01/17/08 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10212979December 27, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WITH HIS FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AND HESITATE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE TO ALLOW THE FRONT DISC BRAKES TO COOL OFF SINCE THEY WERE DRAGGING. THE BRAKE LINES AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 64000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30000. THE CONTACT WILL ADD THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE AND PURCHASE DATE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211997December 15, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
I HAVE A 2001 DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 PURCHASED NEW AND THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT ROTORS WEAR OUT EXTREMELY FAST. THEY BECOME DAMAGED ON THE INSIDE OF THE ROTOR APPEARING EXTREMELY RUSTED AND AS IF MAYBE THEY OVERHEATED ON THE INSIDE. 64,000 AND THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES. DEALERS DENY THIS IS COMMON , MY BROTHER HAS A 2002 (PURCHASED NEW) AND HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. BALL JOINTS FAILED ON BOTH TRUCKS , STEERING RACK AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL LEAKS ON BOTH . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211792December 13, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT, SUSPENSION:REAR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JUMP SIDEWAYS WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR POTHOLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. AS OF DECEMBER 13, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,600.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211617December 12, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
I OWN A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA (PICKUP) PURCHASED NEW (I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER). THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT 23,000 MILES (UNDER WARRANTY). THEY ARE NOW BAD AGAIN AT 78,000 MILES (NO WARRANTY NOW, THIS BILL WAS ON ME)! THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE ALSO REPLACED TWICE (THOSE ARE UNDER AN OFFICIAL NHTSA RECALL). MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. THESE PARTS SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT THIS OFTEN, AND I FEEL THIS IS A BAD DESIGN! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE (IN MY OPINION) AND ALSO A BIG EXPENSE FOR THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. I FEEL THE LOWER BALL JOINTS SHOULD ALSO BE AN OFFICIAL NHTSA RECALL!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211751December 12, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
25JAN06 TELL DODGE DEALER THAT PASS WINDOW INOP FROM PASS SIDE SWITCH WORKS FROM DRIVERS SIDE SWITCH. DODGE REPLACE SWITCH. 20APR06 TELL DODGE DEALER PASS WINDOW INOP FROM PASS SIDE BUT WORKS FROM DRIVERS SIDE. DODGE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. PERSISTS UP TO 7DEC07, HOPEFULLY MY MECHANIC FOUND THE TROUBLE. 1DEC07 "SERVICE 4WD" LIGHT CAME ON 3DEC07 CALLED TO GET APPTMT FOR TRUCK 4DEC07 REMOTE DOOR ENTRY WOULDN'T WORK OR DOOR LOCK FOR ALL DOORS ON DRIVER ARM REST, WINDSHIELD WASHER AND WIPER PULSE WOULDN'T WORK 5DEC07 HEADLIGHTS DID NOT COME ON DURING EVENING TRAFFIC COMMUTE, TURN SIGNALS WORKED 7DEC07 TAKE TRUCK TO SHOP FINDS SHORT TO GROUND IN CIRCUIT TO INTO LIGHTS (FUSE#1) PNK WIRE NEAR PARKING BRAKE PETAL, REPLACE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE (P/N 56049072AL). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10210965December 5, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
MY TIRES HAVE BEEN WEARING ON THE OUTSIDE FOR OVER A YEAR NOW, I HAD THE TRUCK LOOKED AT AND ALL BALL JOINT UPPERS AND LOWERS ARE BAD. THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 90,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN TO AND FROM WORK FOR THE LAST 5 1/2 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED IT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IS READY TO GIVE WAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10210776December 4, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, EQUIPMENT
BALL JOINT FAILURE.........HAD TO REPLACE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS IN MARCH 2005, AND NOW IN DECEMBER 2007, I AM HAVING TO REPLACE UPPER BALL JOINTS AGAIN. BALL JOINTS IN 1997 DODGE DAKOTA ARE A DEFECTIVE DESIGN, AND WEAR OUT TOO QUICKLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Dodge Dakota