Dodge Dakota Complaints

6,628 consumer complaints on file.

#10056389February 3, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
WHILE DRIVING, A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING BRAKES WAS SMELLED. THERE WAS A LARGE PLUME OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WELL, AND THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE TRUCK HAD TO BE STOPPED FOR FEAR OF FIRE OR INJURY. DODGE STATES THAT THE FRONT LEFT CALIPER SEIZED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RELATIVELY NEW FRONT ROTORS AND PADS I PURCHASED. LAST JULY, APPROXIMATELY 7 MONTHS AGO, THE TRUCK'S RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER SEIZED, CAUSING A SIMILAR SITUATION ONLY ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. DODGE REFUSES TO ADMIT FAULT IN SUPPLYING FAULTY PARTS TO CUSTOMERS. BRAKE CALIPERS SHOULD NOT FAIL UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AFTER 36,000-42,000 MILES. AFTER NUMEROUS OTHER MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE I HAVE LOST COMPLETE CONFIDENCE IN IT, AND BELIEVE IT TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056418February 3, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES ON TRUCK. THE BRAKES HAD BEEN CHECKED REGULARLY DURING THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE AND NO INDICATION OF TROUBLE HAD BEEN MADE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056433February 3, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
OWN A 19'99 DAKOTA EXT CAB 4X4, 5.2L. 52K MILES. UPON INSPECTION OF BALL JOINTS THERE IS STARTING TO BE SOME LOOSNESS, BUT ARE STILL WITHIN SPEC. THERE IS UNUSAL NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT END WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, INDICATING SOME TYPE OF LOOSENESS. ALL 4 JOINTS ARE LEAKING GREASE INDICATING FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN WITHIN THE NEXT 10K MILES WHICH WOULD PUT IT IN THE RANGE OF OTHER FAILED TRUCKS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056451February 3, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
PULSATING, SHAKING IN BRAKE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS AND PADS NUMEROUS TIMES. PADS AND ROTORS NEVER SEEM TO LAST AS LONG AS THEY SHOULD. I HAVE REPLACED MY STOCK ROTORS WITH CROSS DRILLED ROTORS, AND THAT SEEMED TO HELP FOR A LITTLE WHILE. EVENTUALLY THEY WARPED AS WELL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056213January 31, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AT CERTAIN TIMES THE ENGINE OMITS A HIGH PITCH WHISTLE WHEN DRIVING. THE NOISE COMES AND GOES PERIODICALLY AND AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10057226January 30, 2004
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
CONSUMER WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION POWER STEERING LOCKED. VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10057176January 29, 2004
SUSPENSION
UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *PH (NAR) THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SERVICE FACILITY FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT DUE TO NOTICEABLE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WEAR. ONCE THE TECHNICIAN LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE HE DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLES UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WA TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE WITHIN SPECS. THE CONSUMER HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED DESPITE THE DEALER FINDINGS. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055184January 29, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
I HAVE NEEDED TO HAVE THE ROTORS ON MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB FOR THE SECOND TIME NOW AND IT ONLY HAS 39K MILES ON IT! THE TRUCK VIBRATE UNCONTROLLABLY FROM HIGHWAY TO ANYTHING ABOVE 30MPH WHEN YOU TRY AND STOP. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN PERSISTANT SINCE ABOUT 12000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. ILL DODGE EVER STAND BEHIND THIS OR MAKE A GOOD REPLACEMENT PART OR DO WE ALL HAVE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT??*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055214January 29, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
BAD BALL JOINTS FAILED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055967January 28, 2004
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE AT A STOP VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO RECLINE BACK. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055117January 28, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
2001 DODGE DAKOTA PICK UP BALL JOINST WORE OUT AT 54000 MILES, HAD 1998 DAKOTA ALSO BOUGHT NEW , ALL BALL JOINTS WORE OUT AT 40000 MILES, SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM CHRYSLER HASNT FIXED FOR SEVERAL YEARS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055857January 27, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE THERE WAS A MOANING NOISE IN THE REAR BRAKES. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE AWARE OF THE NOISE BUT WERE UNABLE TO FIX IT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052003January 27, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. *AK *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050462January 27, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD POPPING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE WHEEL AREA. DURING AN INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE SEVERELY WORN. *AK *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050284January 27, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SUSPENSION
UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED AT 77,000 MILES. *AK THE VEHICLE STARTED SQUEAKING OVER SLIGHT BUMPS AND WORSENED TO SQUEAKING ALL OF THE TIME, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO MAKE UNUSUAL NOISES WHEN TURNING, AND COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE ENGINE. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054869January 26, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
FOR A VEHICLE SUPPOSEDLY WITH AN ABS BRAKE SYSTEM, THIS DAKOTA'S WHEELS LOCK UP AT THE SLIGHTEST PRESENCE OF WATER. THIS CAUSED ME TO SLIDE INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE DURING A RAINSTORM AT SOMETHING LESS THAN 20 MPH. I SUSTAINED $5,000 DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS IS THE ONLY ACCIDENT I HAVE EVER HAD IN OVER 40 YRS OF DRIVING. TESTING STOPPING DISTANCES ON WET PAVEMENT ARE AT BEST, SCARY. THIS THING LOCKS WHEELS TOO EASILY IN MY OPINION, CAUSING UNCONTROLLABLE SKIDS THAT I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED IN MY 1990 DODGE CARAVAN, OR ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED. *LA
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054902January 26, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
BALL JOINT FAILURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054920January 26, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 4W ANTILOCK BRAKES DON'T PROVIDE ADEQUATE BRAKING. VEHICLE DOES NOT BRAKE ADEQUATELY DURING "PANIC" STOPPING. THE ANTILOCK FEATURE RELEASES THE BRAKES LONG BEFORE IT SHOULD. ABS ENGAGES BUT ALLOWS TOO MUCH "FREE-WHEELING" WHICH ALLOWS VEHICLE TOO MUCH TRAVEL. I HAVE SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS. THE LAST TIME THIS HAS CAUSED A REAR END CRASH IN MY TRUCK AND BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND COST 11,000.00. REPLACING THE AIR BAGS COST 8,500.00. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO 3 LOCAL DEALERS AND THEY SAID THE ABS IS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE LAST DEALER I TOOK IT TO I TALKED TO THE TECH. HE SAID IT IS A BAD DESIGN. HE ALSO SAID THE MASTER CYLINDER VACUUM CHAMBER IS TO SMALL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND ALL 2001 AND NEWER TRUCKS SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE HAD ANTILOCK BRAKES ON SEVERAL OF MY PREVIOUS VEHICLES BUT THIS TRUCK HAS THE WORST BRAKES EVER. WE NEED A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT TO FORCE DODGE TO FIX DEFECT!! *LA
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055847January 26, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
THE VEHICLE'S UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054833January 25, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
AFTER HEARING OF THE PROBLEMS WITH UPPER BALL JOINTS, I PULLED THE RIGHT SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT LOOSE AND FOUND EXTREME PLAY IN THE JOINT. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT LOCATE A JOINT FOR ME ANYWHERE IN THE STATE AND DETERMINED THAT THE JOINT WAS BACKORDERED BY 3000. TO GET THE BALL JOINT I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE UPPER CONTROL ARM AT THE PRICE OF 175.00.(PART ONLY) I REMOVED THE ORIGINAL CONTROL ARM AND CUT AWAY THE RUBBER SEAL TO FIND THAT THE LOWER PORTION OF THE JOINT WAS FRACTURED AND THE JOINT WAS WORN TO THE POINT THAT IT WAS ABOUT TO FALL APART. I BELIEVE THAT WITH SOME PRESSURE I COULD PULL THE JOINT APART WITH MY HANDS. WHAT MAKES THIS PROBLEM SO DANGEROUS IS THAT I HAD NO PULLING, TIRE WEAR, KNOCKING, OR CREAKING NOISES TO ALERT ME OF THIS PROBLEM. IF I HAD NOT TAKEN A PROACTIVE LOOK AT THIS JOINT, IT WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE COME APART SOON. I HAVE SAVED THE PART AND WOULD BE WILLING TO SHIP IT TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO EXAMINE IT. I HAVE ALSO ORDERED A LEFT SIDE BALL JOINT TO REPLACE AS SOON AS IT IS AVAILABLE. IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER. DODGE SHOULD IGNORE THE LAWYERS AND STEP UP TO THE PLATE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT. IT MIGHT JUST SAVE A CUSTOMER. RIGHT NOW THE NEW FORD TRUCK IS LOOKING BETTER THAN THE DODGE FOR MY NEXT PURCHASE. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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