Dodge Dakota Complaints (2003)

296 consumer complaints on file.

#10535760August 16, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, WHEELS, STEERING
I HAVE PURCHASED SEVERAL TIRES FOR THIS VEHICLE, AND THE PROBLEM IS MAINLY IN THE FRONT. I HAVE HAD IT ALIGNED AS REQUIRED AND IT CONTINUED TO EAT THE TIRES IN A VERY FEW MONTHS. I RECENTLY (WITHIN THE LAST 6 - 8 MONTHS) HAD THE BRAKES, ROTORS, IDLER ARM, BUSHINGS AND OTHER ITEMS REPLACED THAT DEALT WITH THE STEERING AND THE BRAKING OF THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, IT WILL POP, AND WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKES IT WILL GRAB, RELEASE THEN GRAB AGAIN. THE BRAKES ARE NOT MAKING A NOISE AND I KNOW WHEN NEW BRAKES ARE INSTALLED THAT THEY HAVE TO ALLOWED TO MAINTAIN THEIR FIT, HOWEVER, ONCE THEY MAINTAIN THEIR FIT, THEY SHOULDN'T START GRABBING. WHEN I HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKES IN A HURRY THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND IT CONCERNS ME THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP IN TIME. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 4 OR 5 YEARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10535105August 13, 2013
SUSPENSION
I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, TURNED THE WHEEL TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE VEHICLE. AS I STRAIGHTENED OUT THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED TRAPPING THE WHEEL BENEATH THE TRUCK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10523271July 5, 2013
SUSPENSION
WHILE TRAVELING OVER A SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE ALONG WITH THE UPPER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING ME TO TEMPORARY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I RESEARCHED TO SEE IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM RELATING TO THIS VEHICLE I FOUND ABOUT THE RECALL. HOWEVER, WHEN I CONTACTED DAIMLERCHRYSLER I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL WAS VIN SPECIFIC AND THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10502309March 11, 2013
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE AND IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10497804February 11, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY POWER MODULE AND THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
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
#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
#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
#10467715July 25, 2012
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF A FRACTURED BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE FAILURE AS DESCRIBED BY THE CONTACT. NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10463963July 2, 2012
SUSPENSION
I WAS TOLD THE BALL JOINTS ARE NO GOOD ON MY 2003 DAKOTA 4X2 AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE WARRANTY ON THE BALL JOINTS WAS GIVEN A 10 YEAR EXTENSION ON 4X2 AND RECALLED ON 4X4. I WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH THE BALL JOINTS ARE CLEARLY THE FAULTY ONES MY MANUFACTURING DATE WAS 20 DAYS AFTER THE DEC 31 2002 CUT OFF FOR WARRANTY EXTENSION. HOW IS THAT MY TRUCK IS NOT COVERED, DESPITE BEING EFFECTED BY THE SAME RECALLED PARTS. IT WOULD SEEM 20 DAYS IS QUITE A SMALL WINDOW TO BE COMPLETELY EXCLUDED FROM THE EXTENSION, AND THAT THERE IS A REASONABLE MARGIN OF AREA. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453184March 27, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE OWNED A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA V6 FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM UNTIL I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN UNION CITY GA YESTERDAY FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. AFTER WAITING 2 HOURS, THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE HAVING A PROBLEM GETTING OIL IN THE ENGINE BECAUSE THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE WHICH WAS CAUSING THE OIL TO GO IN SLOWLY. THEY RECOMMENDED ADDING AN OIL ADDITIVE. AN HOUR LATER THEY RETURNED MY CAR TO ME. I STARTED DRIVING OUT OF THE LOT MY CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH. TWO BLOCKS LATER THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, ENGINE STARTED A LITTLE TICKING AND RAN ROUGHER. I TURNED AROUND, DRIVING ABOUT 5 MPH, BARELY MADE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THERE WAS 6 QT OF OIL IN THE ENGINE. THEY WOULD HAVE TO START OVER. HALF HOUR LATER, THEY CAME OUT AND SAID NOW THEY HAD NO OIL PRESSURE AT ALL AND THEY WOULD HAD TO REMOVE THE OIL PAN AND MAYBE HAVE TO REPLACE THE OIL PLUMP AND OTHER PARTS. I MAY NEED A NEW ENGINE OR HAVE IT REBUILT. THEY WOULD CALL ME TODAY AND LET ME KNOW. MIND YOU, I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM UNTIL THEY DID THE OIL CHANGE THIS TIME. NOW THAT I CHECK THE COMPUTER, I FIND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SLUDGE AND LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE IN THE DODGE DAKOTA FOR NO REASON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE IS NO OIL PRESSURE WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10446952February 7, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY, WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE O2 SENSORS, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000. THE VIN INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10440503December 19, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR EMISSION WARNING. DEALER REPLACED $400 OF EMISSION CONTROL COMPONENTS. 2 WEEKS LATER SAME EMU WARNING. READ THIS BLOG SITE REGARDING GASOLINE FUEL CAPS. DEALER QUOTED $30 FOR REPLACEMENT. BOUGHT PLASTIC FUEL CAP @ CAN TIRE FOR $8. INSTALLED ON VEHICLE, EMU WARNING DISAPPEARED AND HAS NOT RETURNED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10438597December 5, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD SWITCH ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,660.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10438104December 2, 2011
INTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOME LIGHT SOCKET BURNED WHERE THE BULB WAS PLUGGED IN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SOCKET WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THEY OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,940.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10435667November 15, 2011
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V596000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10432727October 25, 2011
STEERING
STEERING SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT HAS EXCESSIVE WEAR, APPEARS IT IS DUE TO POOR DESIGN AS ROAD SPLASH HITS THE LOWER STEERING JOINT AND POOR SEALS ALLOW RUST AND CAUSE IT TO SEIZE, MAKING STEERING DIFFICULT AND THEN WHEN IT IS LUBED BY SPRAYING A LUBRICAANT ON IT IT FAILS A SHORT TIME LATER. SURVEY THE DODGE DEALERS AND SEE HOW MANY OF THESE JOINTS THEY ARE REPLACING... THIS PART IS ALSO ON NATIONAL BANK ORDER PER MY LOCAL DEALER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10422617August 30, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SMOKE EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO DEFECTIVE CALIPERS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10418334August 10, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES RUPTURED BEHIND THE FUEL TANK DUE TO CORROSION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A LOT OF SALT WAS NOT USED ON THE ROADWAYS, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN MARYLAND. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOFT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000. UPDATED 9/27/11 *CN UPDATED 10/007/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413230July 17, 2011
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL
ORIGINAL DATE OF PURCHASE 9/18/2010 ORIGINAL TIRE: DUNLOP ROVERS LT 265/70R16 LOAD RANGE C DA8D633V2709 GOODYEAR/MR. TIRE AUTO CEDAR BRIDGE AVE STORE # 1014 BRICK NJ 08723 (732)477-3480. CUSTOMER ID# [XXX] $892.82 ON JULY 14, 2011 I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN ONTO MAIN STREET IN TOMS RIVER WHEN THE LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED, AND A FEW SECONDS LATER THE RIGHT TIRE ALSO EXPLODED. I DROVE ABOUT 100 FEET TO A PARKING LOT TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE. ON THE INSIDE OF BOTH TIRES THERE WAS A LARGE GASH ABOUT 5 INCHES LONG ON ONE TIRE AND ON THE OTHER TIRE THERE WERE 2 DIFFERENT GASHES ABOUT 4 AND 5 INCHES LONG. I PUT A SPARE ON ONE WHEEL AND HAD A HARD TIME GETTING THE 2ND WHEEL OFF SO I HIT IT WITH THE LUG WRENCH. I TOOK THAT TIRE TO A NEARBY STS AND BOUGHT A CHEAP TIRE $171.00 AND PUT IT ON AND DROVE HOME. TWO DAYS LATER, SATURDAY JULY 16, 2011, I TOOK THE TRUCK TO GOODYEAR WHERE I PURCHASED THE TIRES LESS THEN A YEAR AGO. THEY TOLD ME BECAUSE THE BACK OF THE RIM WAS SCORED IT MUST NOT HAVE EXPLODED, IT MUST HAVE BEEN CUT IN A CARWASH. THEY CHARGED US $85.41 FOR 2 NEW TIRES. THEY TOLD US THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE ROAD IT HAD TO HAVE HAPPENED AT A CAR WASH. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN TO A CAR WASH SINCE I HAVE HAD IT SEVERAL YEARS. I HAD THEM REPLACE THE 2 BAD TIRES WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER SR-A?S BUT I STILL HAVE 2 DUNLOP TIRES ON THE BACK OF MY TRUCK. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY, AND MY FAMILY?S SAFETY, DRIVING ON THESE TIRES. I HAVE A PICTURE OF ONE TIRE AND I HAVE PICTURES OF THE INSIDE OF THE RIMS. GOODYEAR KEPT BOTH TIRES. I AM A FORMER MECHANIC, FRONT END SPECIALIST, FOR 22 YEARS, I AM A RETIRES US ARMY VET, AND CURRENTLY WORKING AS SHERIFF'S OFFICER, AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN TIRES THAT LOOKED LIKE THIS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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