Dodge Dakota Complaints

6,628 consumer complaints on file.

#10237741August 11, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE HAVING MY TIRES ROTATED AT SEARS, THE TECH INFORMED ME THAT THE BALL JOINTS ON MY 2004 DODGE DAKOTA WERE VERY BADLY WORN, BOTH UPPER AND LOWER. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 54,000 MILES AND IS DRIVEN ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY ON PAVEMENT. I CONTACTED THE DEALER, LITHIA DODGE OF ROSEBURG OREGON, I SPOKE WITH SERVICE MANAGER PHIL TYLER AND LOT MANAGER WAYNE KNOWLES, AND DODGE CORPORATE, BUT BOTH REFUSED TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE FURTHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237491August 8, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED WITH 39K MILES I HAD IT FOR A MONTH AND NOTICED VIBRATIONS WHEN BRAKING FROM 50 - 40 MPH. I FIGURED THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR OF THIS I TOOK THE ROTORS OFF AND INTO A PARTS STORE TO HAVE THEM CHECKED, THEY WERE WARPED AND TOO THIN TO TURN (LATHE). I BOUGHT NEW ROTORS AND PADS, CLEANED AND GREASED THE CALIPER SLIDE PINS AND REASSEMBLED THE BRAKES. AFTER THIS THE BRAKING VIBRATION WENT AWAY. RECENTLY I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND ONCE I GOT TO MY EXIT I NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, ALSO THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT HARD. I PULLED OVER TO FIND THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE SMOKING. I JACKED UP THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE (WHEELS OFF THE GROUND) AND FOUND THAT NEITHER WHEEL/TIRE COULD BE TURNED BY HAND. AFTER THE VEHICLE SAT FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 HOURS TO COOL DOWN THE WHEELS COULD THEN BE TURNED. TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP THAT CONFIRMED THE BRAKE PAD WEAR INDICATED THAT FOR THE MOST PART THE PISTONS AND SLIDES SEEMED TO BE OPERATING PROPERLY. I AM AN A.S.E. CERTIFIED MASTER MECHANIC AND HAVE NEVER SEEN BRAKES OVERHEAT LIKE THIS AND CAUSE CALIPER LOCK UP. HAPPEN. I BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING INHERENTLY WRONG WITH THESE VEHICLES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237380August 7, 2008
STEERING
INTERMITTENT HARD STEERING. SEEMS LIKE THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING. HAD THE POWER STEERING UNIT REPLACED BUT THAT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. SEEMS TO BE THE U-JOINTS ON THE STEERING SHAFT. HAVE TO REPLACE SHAFT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237235August 6, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED HOT BRAKE FLUID AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE GRINDING INTO THE ROTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A DEFECT IN THE KNUCKLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 169,015.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236983August 5, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT LEASED A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT AUTHORIZE THE DEALER TO REPLACE ANY PARTS SINCE THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST DID NOT PROVIDE AN ERROR CODE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236858August 4, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE SALES LOT, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THEY FILED BANKRUPTCY AND WERE CLOSED DOWN. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR ONE ISSUE UNDER THE RECALL, BUT ANOTHER ISSUE HAD TO BE REPAIRED FOR $700 AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE SHE WAS THE SECOND OWNER, SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,289. UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED EVEN AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED, HE IS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE GEAR SHIFT. UPDATED 09/11/08*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236502July 31, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THIS IS IN REGARDS TO A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT WITH A CLUB CAB. IT ONLY GETS DRIVEN A FEW MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR AND ONLY HAS 53,000 MILE ON IT. I DROVE MY TRUCK TO THE CITY TRANSFER STATION ON SUNDAY. WHILE BACKING UP TO THE DUMPSTER MY BRAKES LET GO. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS BARLEY ABLE TO STOP BEFORE THE TRUCK ROLLED INTO THE DUMPSTER. UPON INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES HAD ROTTED AND GAVE WAY. THAT FOLLOWING MONDAY I TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP. MY TECH SHOWED ME THAT EVERY BRAKE LINE UNDER THE TRUCK WAS ROTTEN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED COSTING $900 PLUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236365July 30, 2008
SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANG AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE STRUCK TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE DRIVESHAFT WAS PULLED OUT AT THE SCENE AND THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE GROUND. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE LEAF SPRING SNAPPED OFF. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY SERVICE AND WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS IN A CRASH, THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY INSTRUCTED HIM NOT TO GO TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 12,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/11/08
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236450July 30, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PICKUP WAS PARKED IN DRIVE WAY ON A THURSDAY EVENING APPROS 1700 HRS, ON SAT APPROS 1730 HRS THE HORN SOUNDED AND THE WINDOWS APPEARED TO BE TINTED, INVESTIGATION SHOWED THE STEERING COLUMN TO BE ABLAZE, FIREDEPT CALLED AND FIRE EXTINGUISHED, STEERING COLUMN TOTAL LOSS. VEHICLE UNUSABLE. TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235961July 28, 2008
STRUCTURE
THE PAINT IS COMING OFF OF MY TRUCK. I HAVE SEEN QUITE A FEW TRUCKS ON THE ROAD WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. A REPAIR SHOP NEAR MY HOUSE SAYS HE HAS SEEN THIS OFTEN, ALSO. HE SAYS THE PRIMER USED IS PROBABLY THE CAUSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236025July 28, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT WOULD SPORADICALLY HEAR A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION. UPON INSPECTION, A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD SEVERE WEAR AND MOVEMENT, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE RUBBER GROMMETS SUPPORTING THE TIE RODS FAILED AND CREATED A METAL TO METAL CONDITION, WHICH CREATED A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE COMPONENTS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AS WELL. UPDATED 09/16/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236166July 28, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/DODGE/DAKOTA/2002/BRAKES/BRAKE_CYLINDER_LOCK-UP.SHTML JUST VIEW THE WEB SITE ABOVE. THE BRAKES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA LOCK-UP AND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE WHEEL WELL. I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS OCCURRING ON MANY OTHER DAKOTAS. DO A SEARCH ONLINE FOR DODGE DAKOTA SMOKING BRAKES AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED AT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OUT THERE. I TRULY THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235736July 25, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE, SUSPENSION:REAR, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
REGARDS TO A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA CLUBCAB PICKUP TRUCK. LOUD BANG FROM REAR END OF TRUCK @ A STOP @ A TOLL BOOTH ON MASS PIKE I-90 IN WESTBORO,MA. TOWED TO NEARBY WESTBORO DODGE DEALER. REAR END FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT DOWN FAILED. COULD HAVE CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. STILL @ DEALERSHIP. TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 3000 MILES. BEEN IN TOUCH WITH CHRYSLER DEALER, THEY ARE CALLING IT A DEFECT BUT WANT ME TO PAY FIRST $500.00. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT THAT THE DOT SHOULD BE AWARE OF. IF I WAS TRAVELING AND NOT STOPPED THE DRIVE SHAFT COULD HAVE FELL COMPLETELY OUT AND CAUSED A CRASH OR EVEN WORSE. MY TRUCK IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 16 2008. I'M A SINGLE MOM AND TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF THE TRUCK. IT WAS SERVICED EVER 3,000 MILES OIL, FLUIDS ECT. I'M WAITING NOW ON FAXES FROM WESTBORO DODGE IN WESTBORO MA. TO SEE ALL OF THE DEFECTS INVOLVED. PLEASE CONTACT ME THANK YOU! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235590July 24, 2008
SUSPENSION
THE DODGE DAKOTA, 1999 MODEL, HAS A RECALL GIVEN TO THE BALL JOINTS THAT WERE INSTALLED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. I OWN THE DODGE DAKOTA, 1999 MODEL. ALSO MY BALL JOINTS HAVE GONE BAD LEADING TO UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. THESE ORIGINAL BALL JOINTS ALSO HAVE NO GREASE FITTINGS FOR REGULAR GREASING. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS REPLACING FAULTY PARTS GOING BAD ON MY DODGE DAKOTA. I WILL NOT CONTINUE. I EXPECT TO GET SOME KIND OF REPLY BACK ON HOW WE CAN WORK SOMETHING OUT TO REPLACE THE FAULTY BALL JOINTS ON MY DODGE DAKOTA. ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS A RECALL ON THEM. THANK YOU CHRISTOPHER PERRONE *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235460July 23, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, WHEN IT WAS ACTUALLY FULL. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, BUT THE FUEL GAUGE STILL INDICATED THAT IT WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FOLLOWING WEEK, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND AGAIN ON JULY 22, 2008. DURING THE MOST RECENT FAILURE, THE BODY SHOP MECHANIC HAD TO REPAIR A SMALL DING IN HER DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. ONCE AT THE DEALER, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO REMAIN THERE FOR INSPECTION. SHE IS CURRENTLY AWAITING THE DEALER TO INFORM HER IF A RENTAL WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE INTERIM. THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235392July 22, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NO SPECIFIC CRASHES THAT I AM PERSONALLY AWARE OF, BUT THERE HAVE SURELY BEEN MANY, POSSIBLY ATTRIBUTED TO OTHER CAUSES. THE FAILURE-SEVERELY RUSTED BRAKE FLUID LINES WHICH HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF BRAKING. IT OCCURS VERY FREQUENTLY IN THE 'RUST BELT STATES', IE MASSACHUSETTS FOR EXAMPLE. REPAIR INVOLVES REPLACING RUSTED LINES AND RELATED PARTS, USUALLY AT SUBSTANTIAL COST TO VEHICLE OWNER. THE REASON FOR REPORTING THIS PROBLEM IS THAT I AM A REPAIR SHOP OWNER WITH OVER 40 YEARS IN BUSINESS, AND I AM SEEING MORE OF THIS PROBLEM EVERY DAY. IT CONSTITUTES A SUBSTANTIAL PERCENTAGE OF MY SHOP'S BUSINESS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235091July 21, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS WARMING UP FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES, THE SERVICE CAP ON THE RADIATOR HOSE RUPTURED. THE VEHICLE IS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 117,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234955July 20, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT, TIRES:BEAD, TIRES:MARKINGS, EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:WRECKER AND WHEEL LIFT DEVICES
NOTIFIED DEALER OF TIRE STRUTS & SHOCKS ON JULY 19, 2008 BY PHONE. LARRY SAID TO COME IN AND PICK UP WARRANTY AND FACTORY WARRANTY AND TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DODGE SERVICE DEALER LITHIA DODGE FOR WARRANTY AND TO PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. APPOINTMENT MADE TO GET VEHICLE FIXED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234970July 20, 2008
STRUCTURE
2001 DODGE DAKOTA LEAKS WATER DURING RAINSTORMS ON THE PASSENGER FRONT FLOOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234768July 18, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ENGINE IN HER VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE POWER. THE FUEL GAUGE DIAL DROPPED BELOW EMPTY WHEN THE GAS TANK WAS MORE THAN HALFWAY FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS. AFTER THE ENGINE RESTARTED, THE FUEL GAUGE DIAL REMAINED BELOW EMPTY AND NEVER RETURNED TO THE ORIGINAL POSITION. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND DID NOT HAVE IT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THREE DAYS AFTER THE INCIDENT, THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AGAIN, BUT WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THEY FOUND RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE, BUT NONE THAT WERE RELATED TO THIS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE BECAUSE SHE IS SCARED TO DRIVE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 4,108.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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