Dodge Dakota Complaints

6,628 consumer complaints on file.

#10268766May 14, 2009
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 63,000. UPDATED 6/18/09 *CN UPDATED 06/22/09 *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268673May 13, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE DAKOTA CLUBCAB 4X2. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE, THE GEAR BECAME STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. HE WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. FIRE AND POLICE REPORTS WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 28,000. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS TOWING A BOAT OUT OF THE WATER. SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE HOOD AND MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED. UPDATED 06/12/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
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
#10267463May 1, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STEERING
BOUGHT A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA NEW. TOOK IT BACK 3 TIMES FOR COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFTER PROBLEMS WITHIN DAYS OF IT JAMMING, COULD NOT GET IT OUT OF PARK,THEN IT WOULDN'T STAY IN PARK, MAKING A CRUNCHING SOUND WHEN YOU TRY TO SHIFT THREW THE GEARS. EACH TIME I TOOK IT BACK, ANOTHER PROBLEM CAME UP CAUSED BUY THE DEALERS NEGLECT DAMAGING THE TRUCK, I COMPLAINED TO CHRYSLER CORP AND THEY BLEW ME OFF AND TOLD ME I WAS A TROUBLED CUSTOMER AND THEY NEVER WOULD RETURN MY CALLS. I PARKED THE TRUCK IN THE GARAGE AND NEVER TRUSTED IT FOR ANY LONG TRIPS AND SUCH. GOT STUCK 250 MILES FROM HOME WHEN THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK, AND THEN NOT STAY IN PARK. NOW I WAS SENT A RECALL NOTICE OF THIS ISSUE ( RECALL G28 IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM) I TOOK THIS TRUCK TO GLENN E THOMAS DODGE IN LONG BEACH CALIFORNIA FOR THE RECALL AND THEY ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THIS, I DID NOT EVEN GET OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN I NOTICED THE SHIFTER STILL DID NOT WORK CORRECT AND STILL WAS HAVING AN PROBLEM. I ASKED FOR THE SERVICE PERSONNEL TO LOOK AT THIS AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL, IT CLEARLY WAS NOT ! THEY ATTEMPTED TO TAKE IT IN AGAIN, AND STILL IT DID THE SAME THING, THIS 3 TIME REPEAT REPAIR BEFORE I EVEN GOT OFF THE LOT. I GOT DISGUSTED AGAIN AND LEFT BUT WHEN I GOT DOWN THE STREET I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF CENTER AND NOT EVEN STRAIGHT ANYMORE. THIS TRUCK HAS ONLY 11,250 MILES ON IT AND IS LIKE MINT NEW CONDITION ( EXCEPT FOR THIS PROBLEM) NOT A SCRATCH, MARK OR DIRT ANYWHERE ON IT. I AM NOT TRUSTING THIS VEHICLE IT COULD GO INTO REVERSE AND KILL SOMEONE. THERE IS MORE I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS AND WOULD LIKE TO INFORM NHTSA OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS. ALSO WANT THIS FIXED OR FOR CHRYSLER TO TAKE IT BACK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267391April 30, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT, STEERING
DUE TO POOR CHOICE OF MATERIALS (I ASSUME) THE FRONT HUB AND SPINDLE ASSEMBLY WEARS. LEAVING FRONT BRAKE SLIDER PINS UNATTACHED TO CALIPER MOUNTING PLATE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE FRONT CALIPER WOBBLES IN IT'S PLACE, POSSIBLY EJECTING THE SLIDEPINS BECAUSE THEY "WOBBLE" IN THE KNUCKLE HOLES DESIGNED TO RETAIN THEM. THIS CAUSES EXCESS WEAR ON THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY, INCREASED WEAR IN BRAKES, AND STRESS ON THE HUB BEARINGS. HAVING READ THE "ALLDATA" DATA BASE, THERE IS A REDESIGNED KNUCKLE WITH IMPROVED SLIDE PIN SUPPORTS. THERE ALSO IS A REPAIR KIT INVOLVING THE USAGE OF "HELI-COIL" INSERTS TO SECURE BRAKE PAD CARRIER TO SPINDLE ASSEMBLY. (SLIDE PINS) I FEEL TOTALLY UNSAFE WITH THIS ARRANGEMENT. I PREFER TO HAVE THE RE-DESIGNED SPINDLE ASSEMBLIES INSTALLED FOR FREE BY DEALER WITH UP-DATED PART NUMBERS. THE DEALER WANTS $1000 PER SIDE FOR THE REDESIGNED UNITS. I THINK THIS IS ABSURD. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD CAUSE LOSS OF LIFE DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE BRAKE ASSEMBLIES IN PLACE IS THE WHEEL, ITSELF!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267008April 27, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
SHAKY STEERING WHEEL, SHAKY VEHICLE,LEFT FRONT TIRE CUPPING, WEARING UNEVENLY. ALIGNMENT SHOP CANNOT ALIGN, SAID BALL JOINTS ARE DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE UNSAFE, NOW PARKED AWAITING DISPOSITION FROM MFGER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266717April 25, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT END NOISE-BOTH FRONT SWAYBAR LINKS BROKEN-BOTH OUTER TIE ROD ENDS BAD. TIE ROD ENDS REPLACED. BOTH LINKS REPLACED WITH HEAVIER-DUTY LINKS AT CUSTOMER EXPENSE AND TOLD BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR-AND-TEAR AND THEY'VE BEEN GETTING SEVERAL OF THESE LATELY. WE LIVE ONE MILE OUT A GRAVEL ROAD AND THIS TRUCK IS BABIED BY A 53 YEAR OLD FEMALE DRIVER!!! NORMAL?? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266583April 24, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE BALL JOINTS IN 2000 DAKOTAS WERE RECALLED ON ONLY THE 4X4 MODELS. I HAVE A 2000 WITH 2 WHEELS DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT OUT A LETTER SAYING IT WAS RECALLED, INSPECTED IT AND SAID THEY WERE FINE. THAT WAS AT 50,000 MILES. NOW AT 99,000 THE BALL JOINT DISCONNECTED FROM ITS UNIT, CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CRASH INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY FOR TOWING TO GET SEEN, AND WILL ONLY REPLACE THE BALL JOINT. MOST OF THE SUSPENSION PARTS ON THE SIDE OF THE DEFECTIVE BALL JOINT WERE DAMAGED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266544April 23, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FOR THE LAST 3 OR 4 YEARS, I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 JERKING WHICH SEEMED TO GET WORSE WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES. I JUST TOOK IT IN FOR INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT MY LOWER & UPPER BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACED IN ORDER TO PASS INSPECTION. THIS JUST DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT WHEN THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 22,400 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN ONLY DRIVEN ON CITY STREETS. I DID GET ON THE INTERNET AND SEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS LIKE ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. SHOULDN'T THERE BE A RECALL WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266237April 21, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DODGE DAKOTA SLT 2005 MISFIRE IN CYLINDER 5 WAS THE CODE GIVEN. REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND COIL. DID NOT HELP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP...THEY RAN DIAGNOSTIC SAID IT WAS NOT THE COMPUTER THERE IS A MISFIRE. DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED COMBUSTION CLEANING (ABOUT $200) AND IF THAT DIDN'T WORK THEN THEY WOULD REPLACE HALF OF THE INTAKE VALVE LOCKS AND IF THAT DIDN'T WORK THEY WOULD REPLACE THE OTHER HALF OF THE INTAKE VALVE LOCKS (ABOUT $1650). THEY WOULD WARRANTY THE WORK FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM IS THE TRUCK HAS ONLY 25,000 MILES ON IT NOW! THE TRUCK IS ALMOST NEW IN TERMS OF MILEAGE BUT YET HAS THIS ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO COME TO REALIZE THAT THE "IDLE LOW UNTIL IT ALMOST DIES" IS ANOTHER COMMON COMPLAINT AMONG THESE TRUCKS. OBVIOUSLY, DODGE MADE A HUNK OF JUNK AND I BOUGHT ONE. AFTER LOOKING AT SOME OF THE BLOGS, I SEE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON STUCK WITH AN EXPENSIVE LAWN DECORATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266286April 21, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH OR LESS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD THUMPING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE INTENSIFIED WHENEVER A TURN WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED YEARS LATER AND THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AT 59,244 MILES. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE CHRYSLER BALL JOINTS DO NOT HAVE GREASERS, WHICH THE NEW REPLACEMENT BALL JOINTS HAVE ALONG WITH A LIFETIME WARRANTY. HE BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. THE FIRST TIME THE BALL JOINTS FAILED, THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO REPLACE THEM WITH CHRYSLER PARTS. HE BELIEVES THAT THIS IS WHY THEY FAILED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,904 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 59,244. UPDATED 05/26/09 *BF THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS AT HIS EXPENSE. UPDATED 05/28/09.*JP
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266155April 20, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
ACCELERATION WOULD OCCUR WHEN IN PARK POSITION. IT WOULD ALSO OCCUR AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS. THIS LEAD TO THE CADILLAC CONVERTER TO MALFUNCTION AND FAIL, NEXT THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT, THE O2 SENSOR, AND VARIOUS BELTS. MY TRUCK IS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA WITH ONLY 78,000 MILES, THE REPAIRS WILL REACH 2000.00 I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT AND WAS TOLD THAT A VEHICLE WITH THESE LOW MILES SHOULD NOT OCCUR. THE CADILLAC CONVERTER IS A CA EMISSIONS ONE, WHICH IS EXPENSIVE. THIS SHOULD HAD NEVER HAPPENED, MY TRUCK IS DRIVEN 10 MILES A DAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265736April 17, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LEFT FRONT BRAKE OVERHEATED, VEHICLE PULLS HARD TO THE LEFT AND VERY POOR BRAKING. NEARLY HAD A BAD ACCIDENT AT AN INTERSECTION. LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAD SAME PROBLEM. WILL DO MY OWN MAINTENANCE WHEN I FOUND OUT THE TRUE FIX. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264982April 11, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LIGHTS BLINK ON AND OFF CONTROL MODULE BAD AND WAS RECALLED FOR 03 MODEL DAKOTAS BUT NOT 02 MODELS. DODGE DEALER SAYS 02 AND 03 ARE THE SAME. WHEN THE WHEN THE CENTRAL TIMING MODULE FAILS YOU HAVE NO LIGHTS OF ANY KIND. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264994April 11, 2009
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 OF 4 WINDOW CABLES AND MOTORS. TRUCK IS NOW BACK IN FOR THIRD WINDOW IN A SEVEN MONTH PERIOD. WINDOWS ARE HARDLY EVER ROLLED UP OR DOWN. VEHICLE HAS 46000 MILES ON IT, PROVING NOT A LOT OF WEAR AND TEAR. FIRST WINDOW, WAS ROLLING BACK UP, GOT HALF WAY AND FELL DOWN. SECOND WINDOW FELL WHILE IN PARKING LOT AND NO ONE WAS AROUND. THIRD WINDOW FELL WHEN CLOSING DOOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264139April 4, 2009
AIR BAGS
NEED TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING SO THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD WORK. THIS COST ME $201.64 AT A MECHANICAL SHOP. THIS ITEM HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR MODEL YEAR 2000 QUAD CAB DAKOTA TRUCKS. I'M WONDERING IF CHRYSLER ACTUALLY CHANGED THE CONFIGURATION FOR 2001 TRUCKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264140April 4, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
BODY RUST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263914April 1, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED BUT THE DAY I WAS GOING TO BRING IT IN THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING AND THE MOTOR IS NO MORE GOOD. THE TRUCK WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS GOOD AND IT WAS GOING ON FOR A WHILE. MY FATHER CHANGED THE HEAD GASKETS BUT IT DID NOT HELP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263159March 26, 2009
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH ON A MUDDY ROAD, THE CONTACT SWERVED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IMMEDIATELY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS INVESTIGATING THE CRASH AND BELIEVES THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN UNSPECIFIED FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED BURNS TO THE ARMS AND LEGS. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10263060March 25, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DODGE TOLD ME THIS WASN'T A SAFETY ISSUE. IT ISN'T A DRIVING ISSUE BUT I DO FEEL IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE MAINLY FOR FEMALES. MY HUSBAND OWN A 2003 DODGE CAR WITH TWO KEY HOLES. HIS REMOTES TO HIS CAR WORKS WITH NO PROBLEM. I OWN A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA WITH ONE KEY HOLE AND BOTH REMOTE KEYS DO NOT WORK. FIRST I THINK IT IS ODD HOW A 2005 REMOTE DOESN'T WORK AND A OLDER MAKE REMOTE WORKS WITH TWO KEY HOLES. I JUST WONDER IF THEY DID THAT TO MAKE MORE MONEY. MY CONCERN IS THIS THEY DON'T HAVE A KEY HOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT IS SAD TO SAY IT ISN'T A SAFE WORLD TODAY. I DID ASK DODGE WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I PARK MY TRUCK IN A PARKING LOT AND WHEN I GOT OUT OF A STORE THERE WAS A VAN PARK BESIDE MY TRUCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WITH A GUY IN THE VAN. HOW WOULD I GET INTO MY TRUCK? MY REMOTE DOESN'T WORK I DON'T HAVE A KEY HOLE ON THE OTHER SIDE. HE JUST TOLD ME IT WASN'T A SAFETY ISSUE. SO I JUST ASKED HIM DO YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO GET HURT FIRST? I DID HAD THE REMOTE SENSOR CHECK AND WAS TOLD THAT WAS FINE. I HAD ASK THEM THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ESPECIALLY CAUSE THE TRUCK HAS ONE KEY HOLE. I WANTED THEM TO COVER IT UNDER THE WARRANTY OR GIVE ME ANOTHER KEY HOLE. I FEEL ALL VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE THE TWO KEY HOLES. ALSO ONE TIME I HAD A CAR PARK SO CLOSE TO MY DRIVER DOOR THAT I HAD TO MANY SHOPPING BAGS THAT I COULDN'T GET IN MY TRUCK. WENT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE TO GET IN AND I FORGOT I COULDN'T I HAD TO PUT ALL MY BAGS DOWN TO GO AROUND TO UNLOCK MY DOOR. THEN WENT AROUND TO GET IN. ALSO WHAT HAPPENS IF THE KEY HOLE FREEZES? YOU CAN'T TRY THE OTHER SIDE. I DON 'T KNOW IF IT IS A LAW OR NOT BUT I NOTICE IN LARGE VEHICLES WHEN A SUV OR VANS BACK UP THEY HAVE THAT BEEPING NOISE. WHICH I THINK THAT IS A GREAT IDEA. (IT SHOULD BE A LAW IF IT ISN'T). WHAT I'M GETTING AT WITH THIS THEY ADD A FEATURE SO I JUST FEEL THE VEHICLES THEY MAKE NOW AND IN THE PAST SHOULD HAVE TWO KEY HOLES AND IT SHOULD BE MADE A LAW. *TR THANK YOU
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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