Dodge Dakota Complaints

6,628 consumer complaints on file.

#10448580February 20, 2012
STEERING
ON FEB.15, 2012 WAS DRIVING AND WENT TO MAKE A TURN AND THE AFTER A QUARTER OF THE WAY INTO THE CURVE THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN, CAUSING ME TO ALMOST HIT THE CAR SETTING AT THE LIGHT. AND SINCE THAT TIME THE STEERING IS HARDEST TO TURN WHEN COLD AND EASIER WHEN WARM. THE STEERING WHEN IT IS COLD IS STIFF WHEN YOU ARE A QUARTER THE WAY INTO THE CURVE AND THEN RELEASES THEN HARD AGAIN ALL IN THE SAME TURN, MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT MAKES YOUR VEHICLE SWERVE AND BECOME RECKLESS. DODGE NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THE DEFECTIVE STEERING PARTS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT BECAUSE OF POOR DESIGN AND LACK OF LUBRICATION POINTS CAUSING THE FAILURE. PLEASE MANDATE THAT THEY ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10447764February 13, 2012
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH UP A HILL, HE ATTEMPTED TO DOWN SHIFT FROM FIFTH TO FOURTH GEAR, BUT THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT AND THE TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO LOCK OUT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM SHIFTING INTO REVERE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10447336February 9, 2012
STEERING
AROUND OCTOBER STARTED HAVING TROUBLE WITH STEERING WOULD BE TIGHT THEN LOOSEN UP IF IT WAS WARM. WHEN IT GOT COLDER IT GOT VERY HARD TO STEER. CHANGED THE RACK THEN EVERY TIME YOU WOULD TURN IT WOULD PULL TIGHT AND LET LOOSE AND MAKE TRUCK SWERVE. FIGURED MOST HAVE GOTTEN A DEFECTIVE PART CHANGED STEERING RACK AGAIN. SAME PROBLEM DECIDED TO CHANGE STEERING PUMP THIS TIME. SO MUCH FOR THAT IT DIDN'T HELP EITHER NOW I HAVE A WHINING NOISE ON TOP OF THE TIGHT STEERING. I HAVE ALREADY PUT ALOT OF MONEY INTO IT AND NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WORKING!!!!!!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10446952February 7, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY, WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE O2 SENSORS, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000. THE VIN INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10447028February 7, 2012
VISIBILITY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WIPERS AND TURN SIGNALS STOP WORKING AND THEN COME BACK ON WHEN THEY GET READY. MALFUNCTIONING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10447055February 7, 2012
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND TURN SIGNALS HAVE BEEN MALFUNCTIONING FOR A FEW WEEKS. WHEN I ATTEMPT TO SIGNAL LEFT, THE SIGNAL TURNS ON TO THE RIGHT AND VICE VERSA. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE NOT RELIABLE WHEN USING THE SWITCH. BOTH TURN SIGNALS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10446263February 2, 2012
SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD SQUEAKY NOISE WAS HEARD WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10445953January 30, 2012
STEERING
BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE HEAVY, DIFFICULT STEERING, ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD, AND METALLIC CLUNKING OR GRINDING NOISES WHEN TURNING TIGHTLY AT LOW SPEEDS ACCOMPANIED BY POWER STEERING PUMP WHINE ON A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA 4.7L V8 4X4 QUAD CAB. STEERING HAS ALSO BECOME ABNORMALLY HEAVY AT NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS WITH DIFFICULTY CENTERING STEERING WHEEL AND REDUCED POWER STEERING ASSIST. INSPECTION OF STEERING COMPONENTS REVEALED SEVERE RUST ON STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT UPPER U JOINT CAUSED BY ROAD SALT AND MOISTURE, WHICH RESULTED IN STEERING DIFFICULTY AND STRAIN ON POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THIS CONDITION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DUE TO THE EXTRA EFFORT REQUIRED TO STEER THE VEHICLE. LUBRICATING THE JOINT WITH GREASE TEMPORARILY ALLEVIATES THE ISSUE, BUT PROBLEM RETURNS AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME AND WILL REQUIRE EVENTUAL REPLACEMENT OF UPPER/LOWER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT(S) AT A PARTS COST OF APPROXIMATELY $226, PLUS LABOR. INTERNET RESEARCH REVEALS THIS IS A WIDELY OCCURRING ISSUE ON THIS GENERATION OF DAKOTA PICKUP CAUSED BY POOR DESIGN (LACK OF LUBRICATION, NO PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTS, AND INADEQUATE RUST PROOFING) OF A CRITICAL STEERING COMPONENT, WHERE FAILURE CAN RESULT IN A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD BY MAKING THE VEHICLE MORE DIFFICULT TO STEER, AND THUS CHRYSLER GROUP LLC SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR REPAIR COSTS OF THIS COMPONENT. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10445476January 26, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH HAD A INTERNAL FAULT THE DEALER REPLACED IT ON 12/30/09 THE SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED 2 WEEKS LATER BECAUSE THE SWITCH REPLACEMENT SWITCH WAS BAD. IN 2010 AFTER THE TRUCK OUT OF WARRANTY I HAD TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. NOW ON 01/25/2012 THE SWITCH FAILED AGAIN WHICH CAUSES THE TURN SIGNAL TO FUNCTION INCORRECT ( LEFT WILL TURN ON RIGHT, RIGHT WILL NOT WORK ALL OR RIGHT WILL TURN ON LEFT). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10445238January 25, 2012
SEATS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I STARTED VEHICLE AND TURNED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT SWITCH PRIOR TO CLEANING THE SNOW AND ICE OFF WINDOWS AND HOOD AFTERWHICH I LET MY COWORKER CLEAN HIS VEHICLE OFF. I WENT BACK TO MY VEHICLE TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING AND NOTICED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT SMOLDERING THROUGH THE CLOTH. I TURNED THE SWITCH BACK OFF AND WIPED THE AREA WITH SNOW THUS STOPPING THE IMPENDING FIRE. I WOULD ESTIMATE THE TIME RUNNING/WARMING UP; TO BE APPROXIMATELY 6 MINUTES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10445045January 24, 2012
STEERING, SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE RATTLING NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE SWAY BAR LINKS WERE LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED EVERY FEW MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE VARIOUS FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 02/15/12*LJ THE RACK AND PINION, SWAY BAR LINKS, LOWER BALL JOINTS, UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT AND SHOCKS WERE ALL BAD. ALSO, THE SHIFTER WAS COMING OUT OF PARK AND THE TIE RODS WERE WORN. UPDATED 05/02/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10444973January 23, 2012
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AS I TURN A CORNER AT LOW SPEEDS AND THEN IT EVENTUALLY GOES OFF AS I STRAIGHTEN OUT. IT HAS DONE THIS INTERMITTENTLY FOR A COUPLE YEARS BUT NOW IT'S GETTING MUCH WORSE AS IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY DAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10444728January 21, 2012
VISIBILITY
I NEVER KNOW WHETHER THE WIPERS WILL WORK WHEN IT IS RAINING OR NOT. USUALLY, IF THEY START WORKING WHEN TURNED ON, THEY WILL CONTINUE. ALTHOUGH, THEY MAY WIPE CONTINUOUSLY WHEN SET IN THE INTERMITTENT RANGE; ALTERNATIVELY, THEY MAY WORK ON INTERMITTENT EVEN WHEN SET TO CONTINUOUS. I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO SET THE WIPERS TO "HIGH", THE FASTEST THEY WILL GO IS CONTINUOUS, NORMAL SPEED. INFREQUENTLY, THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS WILL NOT SELF CANCEL, OR THEY WILL SPONTANEOUSLY BEING TO FLASH IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO THE SETTING. VERY STRANGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10444675January 20, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MARCH , 2011, AS I WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, SMOKE FILLED THE TRUCK . WE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND I GOT OUT. THE SEAT BACK WAS SMOKING AND BURNING AND A HOLE WAS BURNED IN MY COAT. I REPORTED THIS IMMEDIAELY TO CHRYSLER. IT WAS INVESTIGATED AND CHRYSLER REPLACED THE ELEMENT AND PUT A NEW SEAT COVER ON THE SEAT BACK. I DID NOT ASK FOR REIMBERSMENT FOR THE COAT. ON 12/27/11, THE SAME SEAT , NOW THE BOTTOM, CAUGHT ON FIRE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED CHRYSLER AGAIN, BOUGHT THE TRUCK FOR AN INSPECTION ALONG WITH MY NEW BURNT COAT. I RECEIVED A LETTER THIS TIME SAYING THAT THEY FOUND NO DEFECT. I ASKED FOR AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY IT WAS NOT DEFECTIVE THIS TIME AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DECISION WAS FINAL AND NO EXPLANATION WAS NECESSARY. I DO NOT WANT HEATED SEATS AND TOLD THEM I DIDN'T EVEN WANT THIS SEAT FIXED, JUST MY COAT REPLACED. WHY , IF THE SEAT BACK WAS DEFECTIVE, THEN THE SEAT BOTTOM CATCHES ON FIRE A YEAR LATER, I FEEL THAT I NEED MORE OF AN EXPLANATION THAN TOO BAD. HEATED SEATS ARE APPARENTLY VERY DANGEROUS. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10444695January 20, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AN BEEN REPLACED...NOW IM GOING WITHOUT A HEATER BECAUSE THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR STARTED SPARKING AN THE SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER AN MELTED PLASTIC FILLED THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE SO I QUICKLY PULLED OVER TO AVOID A ACCIDENT AN I REACHED UNDER TO THE TO WHARE THE RESISTOR IS LOCATED AN IT WAS SCORTCHING HOT TO THE TOUCH. IT LOOKS LIKE IT HAD STARTED TO CATCH FIRE. ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE DIES OR GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED FOR THERE TO BE A RECALL ON THIS...THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFTEY ISSUE WITH ATLEAST 298 PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THATS JUST ONE WEBSITE, I HAVE CONCRETE INFORMATION TO BACK THIS MESSAGE SO PLEASE DONT JUST IGNORE THIS. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10444028January 17, 2012
STEERING
FIRST FALURE OF POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH WAS REPLACED NOW LEAKING AT RACK AND PINION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10443932January 16, 2012
STEERING
NO POWER STEERING ASSIST IN COLD TEMPERATURES. WITH FIRST START UP THE TRUCK TURNS VERY HARD. EVEN AFTER DRIVIG FOR SEVERAL MILES TRUCK IS STILL HARD TO STEER AND YOU CONSTANTLY HAVE TO CORRECT IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10443530January 12, 2012
AIR BAGS
I HIT A POLE DOING 40 MPH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10443632January 12, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKES WERE EXHIBITING A LOUD NOISE AND SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING OUT OF THE WHEEL WELL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT SHE HAD TO REPLACED THE CALIPERS SEVERAL TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE CALIPERS WERE DEFECTIVE. AS A RESULT, THE CALIPERS, ROTORS, BRAKE PADS AND THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10443425January 11, 2012
STEERING
POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON INTERSTATE 295 IN JACKSONVILLE FL.CAUSING TO LOSE CONTROL OF TRUCK AND ALMOST CRASHING. HAD REPAIRED AND PICKED UP 6 JAN TO RETURN HOME IN SAVANNAH GA. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 30 MILES UP I 95 POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. HAD TUCK TOWED TO SAVANNAH AND TO DODGE DEALER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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