Dodge Dakota Complaints

6,628 consumer complaints on file.

#10141912November 7, 2005
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING A T HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON BUMPY ROADS THE VEHICLE HAD POOR STABILITY. HE FELT AS THOUGH HE COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. HE NOTED DAIMLER/CHRYSLER WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT AT THIS TIME THERE WAS NO SOLUTION. THE DEALER RESURFACED A ROTOR ON THE FRONT BRAKES WHICH DID RELIEVE SOME VIBRATION IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. NO FURTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141985November 7, 2005
STEERING:RACK AND PINION, SUSPENSION:FRONT, TIRES
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHIMMY/VIBRATION IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE SEPARATE TIMES FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. THE RACK AND PINION, FRONT SHOCKS AND ALL FOUR TIRES HAD BEEN CHANGED. THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THE CONSUMER HAD BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. *AK (12/05/05) THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS WITH NO RESULTS. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141993November 7, 2005
STEERING:COLUMN
STEERING COLUMN STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AS THE WHEEL WAS TURNED. DEALER STATED THAT THE LOCKING MECHANISM WAS FAILING AND COULD EASILY LEAD TO A CATASTROPHIC AND SUDDEN LOCKING OF THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT ANY SPEED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141814November 5, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
HERE'S WHAT I SUBMITTED TO THE DODGE WEBSITE: LAST NIGHT I RETURNED FROM MY DODGE DEALERSHIP AFTER HAVING NEW BRAKE PADS AND NEW ROTORS INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVING FINE AND THE BRAKES ARE OPERATING PERFECTLY. THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER, WES, WAS HELPFUL AND PROFESSIONAL. HOWEVER, I DON'T THINK SPENDING $900 ON NEW ROTORS SHOULD BE REQUIRED AFTER TWO YEARS OF OPERATION AND LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. I AM METICULOUS ABOUT MAINTENANCE AND TIRE ROTATION. I DO NOT RIDE THE TRUCK HARD AND ALL OF MY DRIVING IS COUNTRY, NOT CITY, MILEAGE. EVEN YOUR DODGE PERSONNEL COULD NOT GIVE ME ANY REASON WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN SO SOON. I AM NOT A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, BUT I BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH EITHER THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKES OR THE MATERIALS OR COMPONENTS USED IN THE BRAKE DESIGN. I BOUGHT A NEW '91 DODGE DAYTONA AND SAID I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE DUE TO PROBLEMS AND MAINTENANCE COSTS. IN 2003, I THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE DODGE ANOTHER SHOT AND BOUGHT A NEW LOADED, DAKOTA TRUCK. REST ASSURED, THIS WILL BE THE LAST DODGE VEHICLE I EVER OWN. SINCERELY, WILLIAM WILSON. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141758November 4, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM KEEPS MALFUNCTIONING. THE FUEL GAUGE DOESN'T WORK RIGHT AND THE TEMPERATURE HAND SOMETIMES IS ON HOT AS SOON AS YOU CRANK THE TRUCK. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON TOO. IT HAS BEEN WORKED ON 3 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT A YEAR AGO. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141646November 3, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
IN 2003, WHEN MY VEHICLE, A DODGE DAKOTA PICK-UP WAS DUE A SMOG CHECK. MILEAGE WAS ONLY APPROXIMATELY 39,900 MILES. IT FAILED. IT FAILED 3 TIMES. AFTER PAYING ABOUT $800.00 IT PASS THE SMOG TEST. THIS YEAR, MY PICK-UP WAS DUE A SMOG TEST. THE MILEAGE WAS 49,900 MILES, AGAIN IT FAILED THE SMOG TEST (TWICE NOW). TO THIS DATE, IT HAS NOT PASSED THE SMOG TEST AND COST HAS ALREADY GONE TO APPROXIMATED $300.00. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141593November 2, 2005
STEERING, SUSPENSION
AFTER READING ABOUT STEERING PROBLEMS IN DODGE VEHICLES, I HAVE HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME. I PURCHASED MY '98 DODGE DAKOTA FROM 5 CORNERS DODGE AT 1292 HIGHWAY 143, CEDARBURG, WISCONSIN 53012. *09 DEC '97 I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR "CUSTOMER STATES THAT WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS THERE IS S JARRING THAT COMES THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL" - REPLACE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT - N/C. *23 JULY '99 - "CHECK NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS FROM DRIVE TRAIN" - FRONT PROPELLER SHAFT BALL SOCKET INSUFFICIENT LUBE NOISY 16300100 DRIVELINE/PROPELLER SHAFTS, REMOVE INSPECT WHEELS, BRAKES, UNIVERSOLA, REPAIR/LUBE FRONT SHAFT BALL SOCKET JOINT AND REINSTALL -N/C. *07 JULY 2003 - "GRINDING NOISE FROM DRIVERS SIDE FRONT END AREA" - 2200 REPLACE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING/HUB ASSY, 219 REPLACE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS-BOTH SIDES, 2WT 2 WHEEL TRUCK ALIGNMENT, 52165 TEST DRIVE AND INSP REPLACE FAILED LF BEARING ASSY REPLACE BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACE BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS 2WHEEL TRUCK ALIGN - $1095.12!!!! I BROUGHT ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEM FROM THE BEGINNING AND BY THE TIME IT WAS FINALLY FIXED, IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. CAN YOU HELP ME, IN ANY WAY? THANK YOU, DON GRUELL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141404November 1, 2005
STEERING:COLUMN
I READ IN TODAY'S PAPER ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION OF 2004-05 DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS WITH THE INVESTIGATION INTO STEERING LOOSENESS AND PROBLEMS - OUR 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB HAD TO HAVE THE SHAFT REPLACED DUE TO A BROKEN CONNECTION - IT HAD LOOSENED FOR A LONG TIME UNTIL IT AFFECTED OUR DRIVING. THE DEALER REPAIRED IT TO THE TUNE OF $ 250 AND ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER MY MINISTER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER DODGE DURANGO ALSO 2000 - THE MECHANIC EVEN SAID "DO YOU KNOW A MRS. KSIONZYK FROM YOUR TOWN - I JUST REPLACED THE SAME THING ON HER DAKOTA" I DON'T THINK THIS IS A COINCIDENCE - THIS IS A VERY SMALL DEALER AND COMMUNITY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141465November 1, 2005
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WORKS SOME TIME IT DOESN'T. YOU CAN TURN THE SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON THE LIGHT MY GO OUT OR IT MAY NOT YOU NEVER KNOW WHETHER IT IS WORKING OR NOT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141333October 31, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
99 DODGE DAKOTA STEERING FELT LOOSE AND WANDERED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I TOOK IT IN FOR A ALIGNMENT, TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AND 1 TIE ROD WERE WORN PAST SPEC, HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 34000 MILES ON IT!, IS IN MINT SHAPE, AND NEVER DRIVEN OFFROAD. I UNDERSTAND CHRYSLER RECALLED 2000+ UP DAKOTA/DURANGO FOR BALL JOINT PROBLEMS, WHAT ABOUT 97-99 MODELS? SAME VEHICLE/ SAME PROBLEM. CAN YOU SAY RIP-OFF. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140949October 27, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I WAS DRIVING TO PA FROM FL IN MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB WITH A V-8 4.7L ENGINE (MSRP $27,000)WHEN I HEARD A TICKING NOISE WHILE IN SC. ALL FLUID LEVELS WERE FINE, SO I CONTINUED ON MY JOURNEY ON TUES. OCT. 11, 2005 I FOUND OUT THE DIAGNOSIS WHICH WAS THAT 3 RODS INSIDE THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED AND A NEW ENGINE WAS REQUIRED TO FIX IT. I WAS SHOCKED AND ASSUMED THAT CHRYSLER WOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY SINCE I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH CHRYSLER. THE CHRYSLER ADJUSTOR FINALLY ARRIVED TO CHECK OUT MY TRUCK ON FRI. OCT. 14 AND THAT IS WHEN I HEARD THE HORRENDOUS NEWS THAT CHRYSLER WAS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR END OF THE CONTRACT AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A LACK OF MAINTENANCE ON MY TRUCK. AFTER I FOUND THAT OUT I IMMEDIATELY HAD ALL OF MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS FAXED TO ME FROM FL WHICH PROVED THAT I FAITHFULLY CHANGED MY OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES OR LESS. I ASSUMED THAT THIS WOULD BE SUFFICIENT FOR THEM TO FIX MY ENGINE. I DECIDED TO LEAVE SC DUE TO COSTLY HOTEL EXPENSES AND HAD MY SISTER COME FROM VA TO PICK MY DAUGHTER AND I UP WHERE WE AT LEAST HAD A FREE PLACE TO STAY TEMPORARILY TILL MY TRUCK WAS FIXED. I FOUND OUT THE TERRIBLE NEWS ON MON. OCT. 24TH THAT MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS MEANT NOTHING TO THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION. I RECEIVED THE RESPONSE "LACK OF MAINTENANCE" AS BEING THE REASON WHY THEY WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I WAS SHOCKED THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PAID ALMOST 1800.00 FOR TO COVER THIS TYPE OF SITUATION WOULD NOT COVER THIS REPAIR. MY TRUCK HAD 41,369 MILES ON IT WHEN THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE ESTIMATE I RECEIVED FOR REPAIRING THE ENGINE WAS $7,301.00. I CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ASKED WHY MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS WERE NOT HONORED AND WAS TOLD "THIS IS THE FINAL DECISION MAM". I ASKED FOR FAXES TO BE SENT TO ME REGARDING THE ADJUSTORS REPORT & A LETTER FROM CHRYSLER SAYING THAT RESPONSIBILITY WAS NOT BEING TAKEN BY THEM FOR THE REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT SEND THAT TO ME. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140969October 27, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HAD TO SWERVE TO MISS AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE LOWER BALL JOIN BROKE AT THIS TIME. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WENT INTO A CREEK. THE INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE WERE STILL BEING DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING INSPECTED. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10140786October 25, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
DT: THE CONTACT NOTICED THE BLINKERS AND TAIL LIGHTS WHERE OPERATING POORLY. HE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT OTHER VEHICLES HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM WAS THE MODULE OR THE FLASHER MODULE. IF THE SHORT IN THE TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT FIXED IT WILL BLOW OUT THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH .HE HAS AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS FIXED AT A DEALERSHIP.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140595October 24, 2005
TIRES
DT: THE CONTACT HAS A PICKUP TRUCK THAT HAS ORIGINAL FACTORY GOODYEAR WRANGLER ST TIRES, P215/75R15. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED SLITS UP TO THREE INCHES LONG ON THE SIDEWALL ABOVE THE BEAD RUNNING WITH THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE TIRE DOWN TO THE INNER FABRIC ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THERE HAVE BEEN NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES. BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE NO LONGER COVERED BY WARRANTY HE REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH A DIFFERENT BRANDS. HE EXPERIENCED NO FURTHER PROBLEMS AFTER THE TIRE REPLACEMENT. *AK THERE WERE CRACKS ON 3 OF THE 4 TIRES. UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140596October 24, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
TOOK DELIVERY OF TRUCK ON 6/24/04 WITH 341 MILES AT DELIVERY. NOT EVEN SIX MONTHS LATER, 12/16/04 IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING. THEY REPLACED BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS, MILEAGE 12,031. A LITTLE OVER SIX MONTHS LATER, 6/27/05 IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN, FOR THE SAME VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING. AGAIN THEY REPLACED BOTH FRONT ROTORS, MILEAGE 25,033. WE WERE TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT CHRYSLER WILL NOT WARRANTY THEM AGAIN, THIS WAS THE LAST TIME THEY WOULD WARRANTY THE BRAKES. ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO, AT APPROXIMATELY 33,000 MILES NOTICED THE VIBRATION AGAIN. CALLED THE DEALER AND WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD HAVE TO CALL THE (800) NUMBER AND SEE WHAT THEY SAID. FIRST SPOKE WITH MATT, THEN WAS TRANSFERRED TO DON IN OUT OF WARRANTY DEPARTMENT (WHEN CALLING THE 800 NUMBER) I WAS TOLD THAT IF IT WAS CAUSED BY THE CALIPERS THEY WOULD PAY TO REPAIR THE CALIPERS AND ROTORS, HOWEVER IF IT WAS DUE TO THE ROTORS ONLY, WE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE REPAIR. ASKED ABOUT THE LEMON LAWS, AS THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN FOR THE SAME REPAIR SINCE OWNING THE TRUCK. I'VE NEVER HEARD OF SOMEONE HAVING THIS MUCH TROUBLE WITH BRAKES. THIS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, BRAKES SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 12, 0000 MILES. WAS FURTHER TOLD BY DON, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT MY STATE ATTORNEYS OFFICE TO DEAL WITH THE LEMON LAW ISSUE. IN LOOKING AT THE LEMON LAW BOOK THAT I WAS PROVIDED UPON DELIVER OF MY TRUCK IT STATES I SHOULD CONTACT CHRYSLER/DODGE IN WRITING BY MAIL OR CONTACT THROUGH WEBSITE. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST DODGE TRUCK, BUT AFTER THIS ORDEAL I AM STARTING TO THINK IT WILL BE MY LAST, WITH THE PROBLEM I'VE BEEN HAVING WITH THIS BRAKE ISSUE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140620October 24, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ALONG WITH THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY WORE OUT SO BADLY THAT IT ALMOST CAUSED AN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE BALL JOINTS BECAUSE HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE NHTSA RECALL 04V596000 WAS ISSUED HE HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED, AND WAS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT, BUT BECAUSE OF HIS VIN NOT BEING INCLUDED THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE. *AK UPDATED 12/27/2005 - *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140407October 21, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT: THE CONTACT HEARD A ROD KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE. THE KNOCKING J STARTED WHERE IT COULD BE HEARD. THERE WAS A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED BY THE DEALER ,AND IT CONFIRMED IT WAS A ROD. THE TRUCK IS IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS AT THIS TIME.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140332October 20, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE PIPES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139845October 17, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 5 TIMES. THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED GEARS, AND THERE WA SA CLANKING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED THE PUMP AND THE CONVERTER. IT WILL STICK IN GEAR, AND IT SEEMED TO HAVE NO POWER WHEN GOING UP A HILL IN REVERSE. DEALER SAID TO KEEP BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER SAID TO THE CONTACT CALL CONSUMER OFFICE AND FILE A COMPLAINT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139861October 17, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT: THE CONTACT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE OIL PRESSURE STAYING ON HIGH MOST OF THE TIME SINCE AUGUST 12, 2002. IN SEPTEMBER 2002 THE OBD LIGHT CAME ON. SHE KEPT TAKING VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. EVERY TIME SHE TOOK IT IN TO A DEALERSHIP THEY WOULD SAY THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING IN AUGUST 2005 THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DIE. THE CONTACT HEARD A SOUND, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ,AND THEN THREE SECONDS LATER IT DIED. AFTERWARDS, SHE TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE. THE CONTACT HAS COPIES OF MOST OF THE OIL CHANGES. THE CONTACT HAS THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES. SHE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ONLINE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. AND THAT THE WHOLE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. . THE CONTACT CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE OF DODGE ,AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE AREA REPRESENTATIVE TOLD DODGE THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE AND THAT THERE WAS LACK OF MAINTENANCE, AND THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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