Dodge Dakota Complaints

6,628 consumer complaints on file.

#10174162November 24, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE A RECURRING BRAKE VIBRATION ON MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA THAT STARTED AT APPROXIMATELY 12000 MILES. THE DEALER WHO IS DOING EVERYTHING HE CAN HAS REPLACED REAR AXLES, DRUMS, BRAKE PADS, FRONT ROTORS, TURNED DRUMS, CHANGED WHEELS SEVERAL TIMES. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AT LEASE 7 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I WROTE LETTERS AND PHONED CHRYSLER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE INTERESTED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE WILL PROBABLY BE A CRASH. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174128November 23, 2006
SUSPENSION, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ALARMING FAILURES WITH MY DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. IT IS A 2002 V6 AUTO TRANSMISSION PW PL. I HAVE HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE RECALL, MY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED (TWICE), MY FRONT HUBS & SPINDLES COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED AND COULD HAVE KILLED MY FAMILY, MY WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE DRIVER SIDE TAILLIGHT SEEMS TO FAIL OFTEN, THE VACUUM HOSES HAVE ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE CHEAP RUBBER USED BY THE MANUFACTURER FAIL BY CRACKING AND CAUSING ALL SORTS OF LEAKS CAUSING ENGINE LIGHTS, LOUD NOISES UNDER THE HOOD, AND HORRIBLE GAS MILEAGE. I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO BE PROACTIVE IN MY MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THE MAJOR REPAIRS DONE PROFESSIONALLY. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A 2002 VEHICLE CAN HAVE SO MANY POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEMS AND BE IGNORED. I HAVE SEARCHED HIGH AND LOW FOR QUALITY BULLETINS BUT CANNOT FIND ANYTHING. MY GAS MILEAGE IS NOW DOWN TO 14 MPG AND THE TRUCK IS FALLING APART. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173967November 21, 2006
STEERING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED ON A WORSENING BASIS WHILE TRYING TO TURN IN ANY DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT OF THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. NO REPLACEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE. THE CONTACT ENCOUNTERED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE # 10120725 REGARDING THE STEERING COLUMN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173803November 19, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
NIGHT DRIVING, SMELLED ELECTRICAL SMOKE IN CAB. HEADLAMPS WENT OFF THEN CAME BACK ON AFTER 5 TO 10 SECONDS. MOVED HEADLAMP SWITCH IN AND OUT BUT CONDITION STILL PERSISTED. LUCKILY I WAS LESS THAN ONE MILE FROM HOME ON DIVIDED HWY WITH NO TRAFFIC. IF LAMP SWITCH IS OFF THEN THERE IS NO SMELL OF ELECTRICAL SMOKE. WHEN LAMP SWITCH IS IN EITHER THE PARKING OR THE HEADLAMP POSITION, CAN SMELL ELECTRICAL SMOKE AND LIGHT WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS SECOND FAILURE IN 2 YEARS. LAMP SWITCH FAILED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173637November 16, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL IMPACT CRASH. THE APPROXIMATE SPEED AT TIME OF IMPACT WAS 45 MPH. THERE WAS PRE-IMPACT BRAKING. THE OCCUPANT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED THREE BROKEN RIBS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STERNUM AND A FRACTURED LEFT SCAPULA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. UPDATED 01/31/07. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10173646November 16, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2006 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 QUAD CAB, 4508 MILES, FAILED MASTER SWITCH FOR POWER WINDOWS (SWITCH FOR RIGHT REAR WINDOW DOES NOT WORK). THIS MASTER SWITCH FAILED A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING NEW IN 04 AUGUST 2006. ON MY SECOND VISIT 16-NOV-2006 TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY FOUND THE SWITCH TO BE DEFECTIVE AGAIN. NOW I HAVE TO TAKE THE TRUCK IN AGAIN TO GET THE SWITCH REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. DODGE CLAIMS THERE IS NO RECALL BUT THE MASTER SWITCH IS ON BACK ORDER. MAKES YOU WONDER IF DODGE IS NOT REVEALING SOMETHING. I HAVE DRIVEN ALMOST 50 TO 60 MILES ROUND TRIP TO GET THIS RESOLVED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173364November 13, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN DRIVER SIDE COLLISION. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS PRE-IMPACT BRAKING. THE OCCUPANT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUFFERED OF HYPERTHERMIA DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10173174November 11, 2006
SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
FAILED TRANSMISSION, FAILED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND CLEAR COAT DELAMANTING ON ALL PANELS OF TRUCK. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173105November 10, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
I WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN MY TRUCK LOST POWER FOR NO APPARENT REASON, IT JUST STALLED OUT. I DID GET TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND TURN IT OFF, THEN STARTED IT UP AGAIN. I CONTINUED DOWN THE ROAD WHEN IT DID IT AGAIN. I WAS 80 MILES FROM HOME AND 30 MILES FROM THE NEAREST TOWN IN A TRUCK THAT ONLY HAD 40K MILES OF IT AND IT LEFT ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE BECAUSE OF A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. THIS MUST BE A PROBLEM SINCE THERE WAS A RECALL ON REPLACED FUEL PUMPS IN THIS YEAR OF VEHICLE. A VEHICLE BETWEEN 03' AND 06 SHOULD ONLY HAVE ABOUT 12K TO 36K SO WHY ARE THE PARTS NOT STAYING TOGETHER? IT WAS A FUEL PUMP, IN THE GAS TANK WHICH YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO UNLESS ITS AT HOME OR IN A SHOP, WHY ARE THEY BUILDING VEHICLES WITH FAULTY PARTS THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN CHANGE. I HAD TO PAY $763.00 TO GET IT FIXED, AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED 125 MILES FROM WHERE I LIVED, SO I WAS WITH OUT A VEHICLE AND THEN HAD TO GET A RIDE OVER TO GET IT A WEEK LATER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173170November 10, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
AT 1 K I NOTICED A VIBRATION WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS MY FRONT ROTORS. TOOK IT TO DEALER. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND THEY REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE SHOES. IT WAS GOOD UNTIL ABOUT 4500 MILES. THE VIBRATIONS STARTED AGAIN. DURING INTERSTATE DRIVING IF I HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES SUDDENLY THE VIBRATION WAS VERY VIOLENT. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER. TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER NEW BRAKE DRUMS. AT 5700 MILES THE NEW DRUMS WERE INSTALLED. THE VIBRATION WAS STILL THERE WITH AN ADDITIONAL POPPING SOUND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. TOOK IT BACK THE NEXT DAY. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT THE NEW DRUMS WERE WARPED? THE DEALER PUT THE ORIGINAL DRUMS BACK ON. THEY CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY WANT TO BALANCE THE TIRES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172527November 3, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, THE DEALER NOTICED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE SWITCH AND CLEANED IT WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. UPDATED 11/30/2006 - THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS A VACUUM LEAK. THE WHEEL CYLINDER LOCKED UP. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172541November 3, 2006
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
OCTOBER 27, 2006 I TOOK 2 FRIENDS TO TOWN AND WHEN THE PERSON IN THE MIDDLE SEAT COULD NOT GET THE SEAT BELT TO RELEASE AFTER SEVERAL TRIES I CUT THE SEAT BELT TO GET HIM OUT. NOVEMBER 2, 2006 I WAS PICKING UP MY HUSBAND FROM THE DOCTORS OFFICE AND MY SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE AND AGAIN I HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT, SO I COULD GET OUT. ON A RECENT TRIP OF 2400 MILES THE OIL GAUGE WAS PASSED THE MIDDLE OF THE GAUGE WHICH NEAR THE (H) WHEN THIS STARTED HAPPENING THE DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT AND I HAD TO STOP AND LET THE MOTOR COMPLETELY COOL DOWN BEFORE THE LIGHTS WOULD WORK AGAIN IN THE DASH. ON THE WAY HOME FROM MICHIGAN THE ACCELORATOR PEDEL FELL OFF IN THE MOUNTAINS IN GEORGIA AND I HAD TO PUT THE PLASTIC HOLDERS ON VERY CAREFULLY SO I COULD GET TO THE NEXT TOWN AND THERE A AUTO PARTS STORE EMPLOYEE PUT A (C) CLAMP ON THE HOLDER TO SECURE THE PEDAL ENOUGH FOR ME TO MAKE IT HOME. I STILL HAD 400 MILES TO GO AND WAS VERY APPREHENSIVE ALL THE WAY HOME AND NOW WITH THE SEAT BELT FAILURES I AM VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THE TRUCK . WE ARE RETIRED AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE OR WE WOULD PUT THIS IN THE JUNK YARD. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY GOOD TRUCK UP UNTIL NOW AND WE HAVE NEVER ABUSED IT IN ANY WAY AND NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172455November 2, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ONLY ONE GALLON OF GAS WOULD FLOW INTO THE GAS TANK AT A TIME. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO FILL THE TANK, GASOLINE BACKED UP OUT OF THE FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT 10 TO 12 INCHES OF THE VENT HOSE WAS MELTED. THE PARTS WERE ORDERED. UPDATED 11/30/06.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172064October 29, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE 1999 DODGE DAKOTA 4 X 4 I BOUGHT NEW HAS 48500 MILES ON IT NOW. IT'S FRONT END BALL JOINTS ARE FAILING AND WILL NEED REPLACEMENT TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THIS TRUCK HAS HAS ONLY BEEN CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVEN. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172083October 29, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
NO KNOWN EVENT OR INDICATION OF FAILURE OCCURRED PRIOR TO INCIDENT. HEADLIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS, DOOR LOCKS, KEYLESS ENTRY, INTERMITTENT WIPERS ALL CEASED TO FUNCTION. THIS OCCURRED AT DAWN ON A RAINY DAY. HAD THIS OCCURRED DURING THE EVENING HOURS AN ACCIDENT MAY LIKELY HAVE OCCURRED. REPAIR PENDING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171984October 27, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 1 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A GARAGE, A NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE SHOE LINING WAS DESTROYED. ALSO, ON THE REAR LEFT SIDE THE BONDED LINING WAS SEPARATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE PARKING BRAKE HAD NEVER BEEN USED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171798October 25, 2006
STEERING:COLUMN
WE PURCHASED A NEW 2006 DODGE DAKOTA IN AUGUST. AFTER TEST DRIVING SEVERAL MODELS WE ORDERED ONE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. WE WERE NOT TOLD THAT WE WERE TEST DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH TILT WHEEL. SO THE VEHICLE WE RECEIVED HAD NO TILT WHEEL, WHICH WOULD BE FINE IF YOU COULD SEE THE SPEEDOMETER WHEN THE SPEED IS 50 TO 70 MPH. THE DRIVERS ARE 5'6" AND 6' TALL. THE 6' TALL PERSON HAS THE SEAT BACK AS FAR AS THE LEGS WILL ALLOW AND HAS THE SEAT TILTED BACK. THE 5'6' PERSON IS UNABLE TO SIT UP STRAIGHT IN THE SEAT AND SEE THE SPEEDOMETER. UPON CALLING THE DEALERSHIP WE WERE TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN IS A DESIGN FLAW AND WE ARE STUCK WITH THE PROBLEM. WE FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED. TILT WHEELS SHOULD NOT BE AN OPTION IT SHOULD BE STANDARD. CHRYSLER'S SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES TOLD US THAT ITS WAS OUR PROBLEM, THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW US TO TALK TO THEIR MANAGERS AND EVENTUALLY HUNG UP ON US. WE WERE UN ABLE TO CONTACT THE CHRYSLER REGIONAL REPRSENTATIVE FOR OUR AREA, BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO GIVE OUT THAT INFORMATION. EVERYONE HAS BEEN QUITE UNCOOPERATIVE IN THIS SITUATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171732October 24, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTS INTO REVERSE OR IF PARKED ON AN INCLINE WILL ROLL DOWN A HILL. THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT PROPERLY LOCK INTO THE PARKING GEAR. NO EXAMINATION OR REPAIRS WERE MADE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 00V106000 REGARDING POWERTRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171759October 24, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I OWN A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA SLT. THE ENGINE IS A 5.2 V8 WITH ONLY 45,000 MILES MY COMPLAINT STARTED AROUND 40,000 MILES. I AM GETTING A SEVERE SPARK KNOCK AND A TREMENDOUS OIL CONSUMPTION 2.5 QUARTS EVERY TWO HUNDRED MILES. THEY INSTALLED FAULTY ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD PLENUM PAN GASKETS. THROUGH MY EXTENSIVE RESEARCH THERE HAVE BEEN COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ON THIS. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CHECKED MY GAUGES I HAD A COMPLETE LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME BECAUSE MY ENGINE STALLED!!! THE DODGE DEALER TOLD ME THIS IS VERY COMMON, SO WHY ARE THEY NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171648October 23, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, A SQUEAKING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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