Dodge Dakota Complaints (2002)

678 consumer complaints on file.

#10050764December 19, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AT A FULL STOP YOU FEEL LIKE A "BUMP" IN THE TRANSMISSION, OR JUST LIKE SOMEONE HIT YOU FROM THE BACK. IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME. IT NORMALLY HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN HALF HOUR IN TRAFFIC OR LOCAL ROADS WITH FREQUENT STOPS. DEALER HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, WHICH STARTED AT 1500 MILES. THEY SERVICE THE DIFFERENTIAL BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN WILLING TO DRIVE IT ENOUGH EVEN WHEN I LEFT THE VEHICLE FOR THEM TO TRY FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS. VEHICLE NOW HAS 17,000 MILES, HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 3000 MILES IN FIVE START DEALER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050781December 19, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BEING WORN OUT ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4. DEALER NEVER MENTIONED THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION OR PROBLEMS WITH BALL JOINTS. SUBSEQUENTLY VIEWED THE CBS REPORT ON DAKOTA BALL JOINTS AND ONGOING INVESTIGATION THE NIGHT WE GOT TRUCK BACK FROM DEALER WITH NEW BALL JOINTS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050796December 19, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
AT BARELY 39000 MILES ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA SXT, WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT IS NEARLY SHOT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE NOISE AND PROBLEMS BEGAN WAY BEFORE THE 36000 MILE MARK BUT WE NEVER CONSIDERED THAT IT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT NEEDED MAJOR REPAIR. NOW WE ARE BEYOND THE 36000 MILE WARRANTY AND WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OURSELVES. AFTER RESEARCH WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS QUICKLY BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. SO WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE OUR ISSUE KNOWN IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN HOPES THAT MAYBE DODGE WILL TAKE SOME CORRECTIVE ACTION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051586December 16, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 30 MPH OR MORE THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049545December 10, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE DOES NOT BRAKE ADEQUATELY DURING "PANIC" STOPPING. REAR WHEEL ABS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WORKING PROPERLY. HAVE HAD THREE OCCURRENCES WHEN I NEEDED TO "PANIC" STOP AND IN ALL CASES HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID COLLISION BECAUSE BRAKES WERE NOT STOPPING VEHICLE. REAR WHEEL ABS ENGAGES BUT ALLOWS TOO MUCH "FREE-WHEELING" WHICH ALLOWS VEHICLE TOO MUCH TRAVEL. REGULAR BRAKING (EVEN "HARD" BRAKING WITHOUT ABS INVOLVEMENT) SEEMS TO WORK CORRECTLY. HAVE HAD VEHICLE TO DEALER TWICE AND FIRST TIME REAR DRUMS WERE TURNED AND SECOND TIME ABS MODULE WAS REPLACED, BUT HAS NOT FIXED PROBLEM. SERVICE ADVISOR AND MECHANIC SAY THAT THE ABS SYSTEM IS WORKING AS DESIGNED FOR A REAR WHEEL ONLY ABS. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY RESOLUTION TO PROBLEM BUT NOW DEALER WON'T LOOK AT IT BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THEY CAN. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050278December 9, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT WORE OUT PREMATURELY. AS A RESULT THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049473December 9, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
DENIAL OF INSPECTION IN NH FOR BAD UPPER BALL JOINTS. TOLD TO TAKE IT TO DEALER. DEALER SAYS IT'S OK AND CHARGED ME $15.00! IINSPECTOR SHOWED ME HOW MUCH MOVEMENT WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK AGAIN TO COMPLAIN THEY WERE WRONG. I AGREE WITH THE INSPECTOR, THIS IS UNSAFE. ANY MOVEMENT IS A PROBLEM, THEY SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO SAY .60 IS OK. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049491December 9, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT
2002 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 QUAD CAB PICKUP - BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE FAILURE. SIGNS OF FAILURE BEGAN AROUND 30,000 MILES, BUT MISDIAGNOSED BY LOCAL MECHANIC AS "NO PROBLEM FOUND." I LATER TOOK THE TRUCK TO DODGE WHEN KNOCKING NOISE KEPT GETTING WORSE (AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRATION). BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT PERFORMED FOR APPROXIMATELY $500. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, I BELIEVE A RECALL SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049268December 5, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, EQUIPMENT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE EXHIBITING PREMATURE SIGNS OF FAILURE AT 10,000 MILES LOAD POPPING SOUNDS WHEN TURNING AND BRAKING. VEHICLE NOW HAS 23,000 MILES AND IS SHOWING SIGNS OF STEERING VIBRATIONS. WHY HAVEN'T THE DAKOTA MODELS BEEN INCLUDED WITH THE DURANGO SUSPENSION ENGINEERING INVESTIGATION. THERE ARE ALMOST 100 COMPLAINTS ON THE WEBSITE? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049088December 3, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
I OWN A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 40,385 MILES. AFTER SEEING A PIECE ON CBS ABOUT THE UPPER BALL JOINT PROBLEMS, I HAD MY TRUCK CHECKED AT THE DEALER. BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $384.55. UPON GOING TO THIS SITE I SAW AN OPEN INVESTIGATION SO, DECIDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT HOPING TO EVENTUALLY HAVE A RECALL ON THIS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE PART. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10046708December 3, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND WOULD MOSTLY OCCUR IN TRAFFIC. *SCC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048859November 30, 2003
STRUCTURE:BODY
PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR FILLS WITH WATER UNTIL IT WICKS THROUGH THE CARPET COMPLETELY SATURATING THE AREA. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048878November 30, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
I AM OWNER OF A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB PICK-UP WITH DEFECTIVE FRONT BALL JOINTS. I HAVE NOTICED NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO DEALER. EVEN TOOK THE SHOP FORMAN ON ROAD TEST AND HE ALSO HEARD THE NOISE I WAS EXPERIENCING. THEN THE DEALER BLAMED IT ON THE SIDE BARS THAT I HAD PREVIOSLY INSTALLED. (THE NOISE WAS THERE BEFORE THE THE BARS WERE INSTALLED). NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND. I AM A EXPERIENCED MECHANIC BY TRADE AND I KNOW ABOUT THESE THINGS. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT I AM DRIVING A POTENTIAL TIME BOMB JUST LIKE THE DURANGO'S WHICH SHARE THE SAME FRONT SUSPENSION THAT ARE HAVING CRITICAL BALLJOINT FAILURES WHICH THERE IS NOW A CLASS ACTION LAW SIUTE IN PROCESS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL INITIATED BECAUSE LIVES ARE IN DANGER!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048031November 17, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN DRIVING BRAKES LOCKED UP, AND VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THEN, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10046919November 14, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS. HAD A SEVERE PULSATION WHEN BRAKING AT APPROXIMATELY. 26,000 MILES. DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT COVERED ON THE 3YEAR/36,000 BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY, BRAKES WERE ONLY COVERED FOR 1YEAR/12,000. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MEINEKE SHOP AT 26,120 MILES AND THEY TOLD ME THE ROTORS WERE TOO DEEPLY PITTED TO BE RESURFACED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PADS STILL HAD PLENTY OF LIFE, ALMOST LIKE NEW. I HAD THEM REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTORS WHICH COST ME $275.35. I BELIEVE THESE ROTORS FAILED PREMATURELY AND CAUSED EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES AND SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10046925November 14, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CAB PICK-UP WITH 26,465 MILES. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER TO DIAGNOSE A CLANKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING THEY DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM ON THE FIRST VISIT, I RETURNED FOR A SECOND VISIT AND I IDENTIFIED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS AS THE PROBLEM, THEY CHECKED THEM AND AGREED. THEY WERE REPLACED UNDER THE WARRANTY. AFTER READING A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON DIFFERENT WEB SITES THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS. HOW ABOUT A RECALL! (PREMATURE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTOR FAILURES IS ANOTHER COMMON PROBLEM ON BOTH OF THESE VEHICLES. MINE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 26,120 MILES AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY.) *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10046831November 13, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WE OWN A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB TRUCK. IT'S GETTING READY TO BE TAKEN BACK INTO THE SHOP FOR A BALL-JOINT PROBLEM WE SUPPOSEDLY ALREADY HAD FIXED. WE PURCHASED THIS DODGE TRUCK AS OUR MAIN FAMILY VEHICLE. HOW CAN I FEEL SAFE TRANSPORTING MY FAMILY IN A VEHICLE THAT COULD HAVE A TIRE COLLAPSE AT ANY TIME? I'VE RESEARCHED INFORMATION ABOUT THIS VERY PROBLEM AND AM DISTURBED TO FIND OUT THAT IT'S HAPPENING TO A LOT OF VEHICLE OWNERS. FOR MOST OF US, A VEHICLE IS ONE OF THE MOST COSTLY PURCHASES WE MAKE IN OUR LIFETIMES... HOW LONG ARE WE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT FOR DAIMLER/CHRYSLER/DODGE TO STOP SWEEPING THIS PROBLEM UNDER THE RUG AND TAKE THE SAFETY OF ALL PASSENGERS SERIOUSLY? *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10046039November 12, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
PREMATURE FAILURE (40000 MILES) OF BALL JOINTS IN A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10046810November 12, 2003
STEERING
2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB V8 CURRENTLY WITH 45, 000 MILES. FIRST NOTICED STEERING PROBLEMS AT 18,000 MILES. THE TRUCK MAKES NOISE OVER BUMPS AND WHEN TURNING. BROUGHT TRUCK IN FOR SEAT REPAIR AND TO CHECK STEERING AT 35,000 MILES. MECHANIC PERFORMED FRONT END ALIGNMENT. PROBLEMS STILL PERSISTED. ALSO, THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED AT 18,000 MILES AND CAUSED A PULSATING FEEL IN THE PEDAL. THE TRUCK NOW FEELS AS IF IT WILL FALL APART OVER BUMPS AND FEELS AS IF I WILL LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WARRANTY IS NOW EXPIRED BUT I NEED THIS PROBLEM FIXED. I HAVE READ OF MANY COMPLAINTS IN DODGE TRUCKS AS WELL AS THEIR CARS OF PREMATURE STEERING FAILURE. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10045963November 11, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
2002 DODGE DAKOTA R/T. ISSUE IN WIRING HARNESS/ELECTRICAL CAUSES THE 5AMP FUSE REGILATING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING TO BLOW REGULARLY, CAUSING A LOSE OF ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Dodge Dakota