Dodge Dakota Complaints

6,628 consumer complaints on file.

#10168137September 13, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WITHIN 29,500. TOTAL MILES COVERED IN 4.5 YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN 5 EPISODES WHEN EITHER THE FRONT LEFT OR FRONT RIGHT BRAKE PARTIALLY SEIZED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO ONE SIDE UPON APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES, AND EMITTED SMOKE. TWO DEALERS HAVE OFFERED NO PLAUSIBLE CAUSE OR REMEDY. ORIGINAL BRAKE PADS, BOTH FRONT AND REAR, AND THE FRONT DISCS AND READ DRUMS WERE FOUND TO BE BADLY WORN AT A MERE 20,000. MILES OF LIGHT SERVICE RESULTING IN ALL PADS BEING REPLACED AND THE ROTORS AND DRUMS BEING TURNED. NOW AT 29, 500. MILES THE FRONT ROTORS ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF WARPAGE. OK, I'M NOT AN EXPERT, BUT I'VE DRIVEN ABOUT 15 VEHICLES OVER A TOTAL OF A MILLION MILES AND MY FEELING IS THAT THESE BRAKES ARE UNDERSIZED AND CONSTANTLY RUN TOO HOT. THE SHORT BRAKE LIFE IS NOTHING SHORT OF ASTOUNDING. AS THE DEALERS SEEMS STUMPED, MY NEXT MOVE IS TO INSTALL RACING BRAKES ON THE FRONT COMPLETE WITH MULTIPLE PISTON CALIPERS AND DRILLED AND SLOTTED ROTORS. I'M BETTING THAT THE SMOKING EPISODES WILL STOP. ONE LOOK AT THIS VEHICLES COMPLAINTS IS ALL THE NHTSA SHOULD HAVE TO SEE THAT THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, HERE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168148September 13, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ON A PAVED SECONDARY ROAD IN CLEAR DRY CONDITIONS, DAMAGING THE TRANSFER CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE SHOP. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. UPDATED 10/25/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167876September 11, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAVE A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB AND WHEN I WOULD GO TO STOP FROM HIGH SPEEDS IT WOULD SHUTTER REALLY BAD UNTIL I WOULD TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE BREAK. HOWEVER IN MAY 06 I WAS HIT IN THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE AND HAD MY ENTIRE REAR AXLE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE SINCE THE OLD ONE WAS DAMAGED IN THE ACCIDENT AND NO LONGER HAVE THE SHUTTERING WHEN I STOP. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167878September 11, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
DEALER NOTIFIED ME THAT BOTH BALL JOINTS AND CONTROL ARMS ARE DANGEROUSLY LOOSE AND NEED REPLACED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 04V596000 SPECIFIES MANUFACTURE DATE FROM 01/07/1999 - 12/31/2002. MY TRUCK WAS BUILD IN MARCH OF 1999. THEY ARE CLAIMING THAT I GOT LUCKY AND MY TRUCK DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL, YET I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. 1999 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT 4X4 VIN #[XXX]. *NM UPDATED 07/12/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167682September 8, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL GAUGE DROPPED TO 0 WHILE DRIVING. STOPPED TO CHECK THE OIL AND IT WAS FINE. DROVE ABOUT 3 MILES AND THE TRUCK DIED. EVERY THING LOCKED UP AND UNABLE TO START AGAIN. TOWED IT TO THE MECHANICS AND HE SAID THAT WE HAD SLUDGE. WE CHANGED THE OIL AS RECOMMENDED. THE WARRANTY SAID THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER BUYING A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE IT WAS OUR FAULT. I HAVE THE RECEIPTS TO PROVE THAT WE DID THE OIL CHANGES. THEY HAD POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. WHAT'S THE SENSE OF GETTING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IF IT WON'T HELP. OUR TRUCK HAS 50,000 MILES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167548September 7, 2006
TIRES:SIDEWALL
THE SIDEWALLS ON THE FRONT TIRES SPLIT ON THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE . I FOUND THE DEFECT MYSELF. REPLACED THE TIRES. I STILL HAVE THE OLD ONES. THE TRUCK HAD ONLY A LITTLE OVER 12K MILES ON IT. THE DEALER BLEW ME OFF. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167575September 7, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE LIGHTS ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA STARTED FLASHING AND A FEW DAYS LATER MY LIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS AND POWER DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE HAD 3 DIFFERENT AUTO MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. MY TRUCK HAS 40,900 MILES ON IT AND NO WRECKS OF ANY KIND. MY TRUCK IS AN AUTOMATIC. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167499September 6, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, A WHISTLING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDER THE HOOD. UPON CHECKING, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE HOSE CONNECTED TO THE INTAKE PLENUM WAS BROKE AND HAD SPLIT AT THE END ALONG THE MOLD MARK AND WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. THERE WAS ENOUGH SLACK TO CUT BACK TO A GOOD SECTION OF THE HOSE AND IT WAS REATTACHED. A WEEK LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THAT A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT HOSE WAS ALSO SPLIT AT THE END. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP CUT THE HOSE BACK TO A GOOD SECTION AND REATTACHED THE HOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED BUT THE CLAIM WAS DENIED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL. UPDATED 10/25/2006 - AS OF 9/15/06 THE HOSE THAT ATTACHES TO THE INTAKE PLENUM HAS STARTED TO CRACK AGAIN. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168011September 1, 2006
SUSPENSION
2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB BOTH UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS FAILED ON BOTH SIDES. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HEARD A NOISE EVERY TIME SHE WENT OVER BUMP. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL GARAGE, THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. FINALLY, AFTER NOT BEING ABLE TO TAKE THE NOISE ANY LONGER, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER ESTABLISHMENT WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166631August 27, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I OWN A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA BOUGHT IN B.C CANADA. WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN ON A HILL MY TRUCK STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY EVERY TIME I APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND IT HAD VERY LITTLE BRAKING POWER. I FELT THAT IF I KEPT APPLYING THE BRAKES IT WOULD FLY OFF THE ROAD. BEFORE I WENT ON THIS TRIP DODGE INSPECTED MY VEHICLE AND CLEANED MY BRAKES. THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS GREAT AND I WAS ON MY WAY. I TALKED TO DODGE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND OFFERED NO HELP EVEN THOUGH I FELT MY LIFE WAS IN DANGER. MY GIRLFRIEND WILL NOT RIDE IN MY TRUCK ANYMORE AND I DON'T BLAME HER. PLEASE MAKE DODGE RECALL THIS TRUCK FOR IT HAS MANY PROBLEMS AND BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT . THANKS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166250August 22, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
I OWN A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA 2WD. THERE ARE DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT END. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 4WD DAKOTAS, HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL FOR THE BALL JOINTS ON THE 2WD MODELS. THERE WAS AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY" THAT WAS SILENTLY (AS IN I NEVER KNEW THERE WAS AN ISSUE) ON THE BALL JOINTS ON THE 2WD MODELS. I HAVE HAD 6 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS TROUBLE WITH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE (I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW 07/2000). AS IN I HAVE REPLACED THE ROTORS ON THE FRONT END AT LEAST EVERY 3 MONTHS FOR THE FIRST 18 MONTHS OF OWNING IT. I HAVE HAD IT ALIGNED (FRONT AND REAR ALIGNMENTS) OVER A HALF DOZEN TIMES. ALL WORK DONE IN THE FIRST 18 MONTHS WAS DONE AT THE DEALER, WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN, AND PROBABLY WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. AFTER 18 MONTHS OF PAYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM (OUT OF MY OWN POCKET BECAUSE DODGE'S WARRANTY ISN'T WORTH THE PAPER IT'S WRITTEN ON) I CONCEDED DEFEAT (AND TOOK THE WORD OF THE DEALER) THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG, AND THERE WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT BUT MAINTAINING THE ROTORS AND PURCHASING NEW TIRES EVER 12-16 MONTHS. WHEN MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, DODGE IS UNWILLING TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. IF NO ONE HAS DIED, THERE IS NO PROBLEM. LET ALL BUYERS BEWARE, SAFETY IS NOT ALWAYS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166112August 21, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, BUT RESTARTED EACH TIME. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FLASH, BUT THERE WAS NO REPAIR AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/04/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166147August 21, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED, THE HAZARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166161August 21, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AT RANDOM, MY VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF OR DIE CAUSING ME TO LOOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER. IT CAN STALL WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT, OR TURNING LEFT. MOST RECENTLY IT STALLED WHILE I WAS TURNING LEFT AND I ALMOST HIT A PARKED CAR SINCE I HAD NO STEERING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 12 TIMES. ONE TIME IT HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN ONE DAY. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. ITS SEEMS TO STALL AFTER I WAS STOPPED AND WAITING OR WHEN I DECELERATE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10165914August 18, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD,RESTARTED, AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE UPGRADED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10165845August 14, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
2001 DODGE DAKOTA DRIVER SEAT STEEL BRACKET BROKE. *KB THE POWER SEAT ADJUSTER CRACKED IN HALF. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE DAMAGED OCCURRED WHEN THE RIVET WAS FASTENED TO THE BRACKET. THE LEFT FRONT POWER WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164929August 8, 2006
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
WENT TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THERE WAS NO HOLDING OF THE BRAKE. TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR AND IT WAS FOUND THAT ON BOTH WHEELS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LININGS HAD FALLEN OFF THE BACKING PLATES. REPLACED THE BRAKE LININGS IN BOTH WHEELS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164875August 7, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL PRESSURE DROPPED WITHIN SECONDS, WITHIN 8 MINUTES ENGINE DIED, COULDN'T START UP AGAIN. OIL LEVEL WAS FINE, DID THE OIL CHANGES PRIOR TO THIS WHEN IT WAS RECOMMENDED. CHRYSLER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THIS. OIL SLUDGE. OTHERS HAVE GONE THROUGH THE SAME THING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164492August 4, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP FOR REPAIR ON THE UPPER FRONT RIGHT BALL JOINTS. A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED PERTAINING TO THE BALL JOINTS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE UPPER FRONT LEFT BALL JOINTS UNDER THE RECALL AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO SEND THE MANUFACTURER COPIES OF THE PRIOR REPAIR WORK PERFORMED ON THE BALL JOINTS. AFTER SENDING THE MANUFACTURER A LETTER WITH INVOICE, A LETTER WAS RECEIVED FROM THE MANUFACTURER DENYING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COSTS OF THE PREVIOUS REPAIRS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164283August 3, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. AT ABOUT 70 MPH IMPACT, YOU THINK THERE WOULD BE SOME KIND OF PROTECTION. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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