Dodge Dakota Complaints (2004)

206 consumer complaints on file.

#10284825September 21, 2009
STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, PARKING BRAKE, SUSPENSION:FRONT
I OWN A 2004 DAKOTA QUAD 4X4 WITH 78K MILES ON IT. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW AND HAVE TAKEN CARE OF IT. MOST OF THE MILES ARE HIGHWAY AND IT HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN OFF ROAD. SINCE ITS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY I GOT ONLINE TO RESEARCH A DIY SOLUTION. I FOUND THAT MANY OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD AND ARE HAVING ARE NOT JUST BEING EXPERIENCED BY MYSELF BUT OTHER DAKOTA OWNERS. 1) STEERING ISSUES THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN AT TIMES BOTH GOING INTO AND COMING OUT OF A TURN. THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN FEB 2009 WITH 71K ON IT. IT IS MUCH MORE PREVALENT IN COLD WEATHER. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK UNTIL THE WEATHER WARMED UP. (I HAVE NOT HAD THIS FIXED YET.) 2) BRAKE ISSUES 27K I HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT ROTORS AND THE REAR DRUMS TURNED AND NEW PADS AND SHOES INSTALLED AND HAD THE BRAKE FLUID CHANGED. 46K I HAD TO HAVE NEW FRONT ROTORS AND PADS ALONG WITH THE BRAKE FLUID CHANGED 77K REAR BRAKES BEGAN MAKING NOISE. THE PARKING BRAKE PAD HAD FALLEN OFF. I NOW NEED NEW REAR DRUMS AND SHOES AND PARKING BRAKE SHOE. ( I HAVE NOT HAD THIS FIXED YET) 3)SUSPENSION 77K I NEED A FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT PROBABLY DUE TO EXCESS STRAIN FROM THE DEFECTIVE STEERING. ( I HAVE NOT HAD THIS FIXED YET). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283378September 9, 2009
SUSPENSION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, WHEELS
WHILE DRIVING, HEARD CLUNKING NOISE THAT SEEMED TO COME FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE APPEARED NORMAL, INCLUDING THE WHEELS. I CHECKED UNDER HOOD AND UNDER FRONT END AND FOUND NOTHING BROKEN, MISSING OR LEAKING AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL LATER FELL OFF WITH ALL STUDS SHEARED OFF. ALSO, ONE LUG NUT ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WAS MISSING AND SEVERAL OTHERS WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE, WITH SEVERAL STUDS CRACKED. BOTH WHEELS HAD BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED AND TIGHTEN SOME MONTHS EARLIER. TO CORRECT, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS REPLACED. ALL STUDS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS AND ALL LUG NUTS WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE FELL ONTO THE LEFT FRONT ROTOR.*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277629July 21, 2009
STEERING, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING LOCKS WHILE DRIVING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE DIFFERENT TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. HE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT THAT GOES INTO THE YOKE WAS BENT WHEN IT SHOULD BE STRAIGHT. THE DEALER FINALLY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,017. UPDATED 8/27/09 *CN UPDATED 09/09/09 *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277511July 20, 2009
STEERING
THE STEERING IN MY 2004 DODGE DAKOTA IS VERY TIGHT. IT TAKES ALL MY STRENGTH TO TURN A CORNER. THEN JUST WHEN I GET THE WHEEL TURNED IT GETS VERY LOOSE AND I AM OVER STEERING. BUT TO TURN THE WHEEL BACK IT IS TIGHT AGAIN. THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AS WELL AS DANGEROUS. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE DAKOTA'S. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO LIE WITH AN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IN THE STEERING. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED! IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE MY TRUCK! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277521July 20, 2009
STEERING
2004 DODGE DAKOTA INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276253July 9, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
EXHAUST LEAK ON 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276067July 8, 2009
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF WHEN MAKING VARIOUS TURNS. IT FELT AS IF THE POWER STEERING WAS FAILING. THE FAILURE LASTED FOR A WEEK BEFORE THE CONTACT FINALLY WENT TO A MECHANIC. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAILED. THE DEALER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE THE NECESSARY PART IS ON BACKORDER. THE REPAIR WILL BE MADE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,550.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276107July 8, 2009
STEERING
2004 DODGE DAKOTA - POWER STEERING VERY STIFF. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275731July 3, 2009
STEERING
2004 DODGE DAKOTA LOSES POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY. IT CUTS IN AND OUT WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274788June 23, 2009
STEERING
1. NORMAL DRIVING (4 YEARS 95,000 MILES) 2. THE STEERING IS UNPREDICTABLE AND VERY STIFF. I HAVE A VERY HARD TIME TURNING THE VEHICLE WITH TWO HANDS ON THE WHEEL. THE STIFFNESS IS SPORADIC AND CHOPPY. IT MAKES THE TRUCK MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. 3. GREASING THE TWO U-JOINTS ON THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. A GREASE TIP ON BOTH JOINTS WOULD PERMANENTLY SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267427May 1, 2009
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY I NOTICED A KNOCK IN THE FRONT END WHILE I JUST WENT DOWN THE STREET, THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A BALL JOINT OR TIE ROD. THEN ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE STEERING BECAME CLOSE TO IMPOSSIBLE. VERY JERKY AND IT FELT GUMMY. I HAD THE RACK REPLACED AS SUGGESTED BY THE "5-STAR DEALER" AND THAT ONLY FIXED THE NOISE, NOT THE STEERING ISSUE. READ ONLINE ABOUT IT BEING THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AND U-JOINTS, SO I SPRAYED THEM WITH LUBRICANT AND AM GOING TO SEE HOW THE TRUCK RUNS LATER. SOME OF THOSE ENGINEERS REALLY NEED TO DESIGN GREASED FITTINGS INTO THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10261385March 10, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
BOUGHT USED 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB IN DEC 2008 ALMOST TWO MONTHS LATER I NOTICED THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS FLOORBOARD IS WET. TOOK IT BACK TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY TOOK THE INTERIOR OUT AND DRIED IT THEN TOOK THE TRUCK TO A BODY SHOP TO GET THE LEAK FIXED BUT COULD NOT TELL ME EXACTLY WHERE THE LEAK IS LOCATED. I WOULD LIKE DODGE TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AS I HAVE HEARD OF MANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH DODGE DAKOTAS. TOO MUCH MONEY FOR A TRUCK TO HAVE A PROBLEM. THE TRUCK SMELLS OF MOLD AND I HAVE WASTED MY MONEY AND HAVE NO WHERE TO TURN AT THIS POINT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10261367March 9, 2009
STEERING
STEERING VERY TIGHT FOUND THAT INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FREEZING UP POOR DESIGN CAUSE ACCIDENT DUE TO LACK OF STEERING RESPONSE WITH SPRAY OIL FREED UP DEALER SAID SHOULD REPLACE KNUCKLES ON SHAFT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260663March 4, 2009
STEERING
STEERING VERY TIGHT - TAKES TWO HANDS TO TURN STEERING WHEEL - READ DODGE FORUM AND FOUND THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS FREEZING UP. I SOAKED WITH PENETRATING SPRAY OIL AND IT IMMEDIATELY FREED UP. NOW CONCERNED THAT THE KNUCKLES ARE WEAKENED AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. POOR DESIGN THAT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LACK OF STEERING RESPONSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254678January 12, 2009
STEERING, SUSPENSION:FRONT
STEERING BEGAN TO FEEL LOOSE AND HEARD A CLUNK INFRONT END. BALL JOINTS WERE BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER WORK WAS COMPLETED STILL HAD STEERING ISSUES. DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL, LOCAL MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS FAILING. WHEN IT WAS REMOVED TO BE REPLACED THE LOWER U-JOINT CAME APART. IMAGINE THAT HAPPENING AT 55 MPH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254722January 12, 2009
STEERING
I STARTED HAVING DIFFICULTY TO STEERING MY VEHICLE. AS EACH DAY PASSED IT BECAME MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT FELT AS IF IT HAD NO STEERING WHEEL FLUID. AND BY JANUARY I COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL. I COULD BARELY MAKE A TURN. THIS OCCURRED EVERY DAY AND I WAS AFRAID I WAS GOING TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I CHANGED THE STEERING FLUID AND THE TIRES THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER LAST WEEK WHO REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A STEERING SHAFT FAILURE BEFORE IN A VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254328January 8, 2009
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS
GROANING OCCURS WHENEVER THE VEHICLE MOVES IN REVERSE AND THE WHEEL IS TURNED ONE ROTATION LEFT. ALSO RECENTLY, A LOUD SQUEAL HAS OCCURRED ON FORWARD VEHICLE MOVEMENT. I AM CONCERNED WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OF BALL JOINT FAILURE AND VEHICLE SAFETY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253694January 3, 2009
STEERING, WHEELS
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, STEERING WHEEL FELT A LITTLE LOOSE. LUCKILY ONLY WHILE BACKING INTO A PARKING SPOT - THE STEERING WHEEL FELL OFF INTO LAP. THE METAL BRACKET WAS CRACKED. CAR WAS BROUGHT TO A DEALERSHIP AND A NEW PART WAS ORDERED, CURRENTLY WAITING TO BE FIXED. DEALERSHIP DOES NOT SEEMED CONCERNED, NOR CAN THEY DETERMINE IF IT'S A MANUFACTURING DEFAULT. A CLAIM WAS STARTED WITH THE CHRYSLER CORPORATE OFFICE. WILL HAVE TO SEE IF RETRIBUTION WILL BE MADE. TRUCK HAS 125K MILES, HOWEVER REGULAR MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED. NO OTHER ISSUES OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY. A 9-MONTH PREGNANT WIFE AND HUSBAND COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY. DODGE SHOULD INVESTIGATE BEFORE A TRAGIC ACCIDENT OR DEATH OCCURS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252051December 16, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DRIVING AT 35 MPH VALVE SPRING BROKE LOSING ALL COMPRESSION IN CYLINDER #1. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248518November 11, 2008
STEERING
I JUST READ ABOUT THE STEERING PROBLEMS BEING EXPERIENCED ON THE 2004 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CAB MODELS. I HAVE TWICE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM . ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND ONCE AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THE STEERING JUST FREEZES UP AND THE WHEEL CANNOT BE TURNED WITH OUT A LOT OF EFFORT. WHEN YOU ROUND A CORNER, IT DOES NOT RECOVER AND YOU MUST TURN THE WHEEL BACK YOURSELF TO HAVE THE VEHICLE CONTINUE ON A STRAIGHT COURSE AFTER THE TURN. BOTH TIMES I WAS REQUIRED TO HAVE THE "MIDDLE STEERING SHAFT" REPLACED. APPARENTLY THERE IS A TOP,MIDDLE AND LOWER STEERING SHAFT AND BOTH TIMES AT DIFFERENT REPAIR FACILITIES IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE MIDDLE SHAFT THAT HAD FAILED. IT COMPLETELY FREEZES UP ON YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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