Dodge Dakota Complaints
6,628 consumer complaints on file.
- #10402695May 25, 2011VISIBILITY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT FUNCTION WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED UNDER RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH AND VARIOUS FUSES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V216000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,676 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,328.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10402601May 24, 2011SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AROUND THE BASE OF THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELTS, THERE WAS A SHARP METAL SHARD TEARING AWAY AT THE SEAT BELT STRAPS. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELTS WAS ALSO TORN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO CONSULT WITH THE MANUFACTURER BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRING THE SEAT BELTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,263.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10400620May 12, 2011SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE UPPER BALL JOINTS ARM SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10400649May 12, 2011STEERING
ERRATIC POWER STEERING. WORSE WHEN COLD. NEVER KNEW WHEN THE POWER STEERING WOULD WORK. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RECOVER FROM LEFT TURN REQUIRING PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO KEEP UNDER CONTROL. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10399831May 10, 2011FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD DRAGGING NOISE. HE THEN DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE STRAPS THAT HELD THE FUEL TANK WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE ONE FUEL STRAP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. UPDATED 06/07/11*LJ
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10399531May 9, 2011SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE CONTACT BEGAN TO HEAR A SQUEAKING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE THE STEERING WHEEL FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE DEFECTIVE UPPER BALL JOINTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V596000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10399547May 9, 2011STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME STIFF WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE STEERING MECHANISM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000. UPDATED 06/03/11 *BF UPDATED 06/13/11
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10399695May 9, 2011SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1998 DAKOTA BRAKE LINE (STEEL) RUSTED THROUGH AND RUPTURED RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE (RIGHT FRONT). THE DEALER BLAMES THE FAILURE ON ROAD CONDITIONS IN WESTERN VIRGINIA (SALT). THE TRUCK HAS ONLY 80000 MILES. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10398998April 30, 2011STEERING
POWER STEERING COMES AND GOES. WHEN TURNING, AT ANY SPEED, STEERING IS STIFF-LOOSE-STIFF-LOOSE. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO OVERSTEER AND NEARLY JUMP THE CURB A FEW TIMES. AS I SAY IT COMES AND GOES. IT CAN BE HOUR TO HOUR OR DAY TO DAY. NO LEAKS IN THE POWER STEERING, FLUID IS FULL AND CLEAN. I HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM IN MANY ONLINE FORUMS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10397459April 26, 2011STEERING
POWER STEERING GOES LOOSE-STIFF-LOOSE-STIFF WHILE TURNING. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10397280April 25, 2011SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FRONT BRAKES SEIZED UP CAUSING THE PADS TO SMOLDER AND SMOKE. THIS IS THE LATEST INSTANCE. THE FIRST TIME, THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10397808April 24, 2011SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED (LEAKED) DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE RUSTED PART OF LINE RUNS BETWEEN FUEL TANK AND INSIDE FRAME. LUCKILY THE LINE FAILED IN MY DRIVEWAY. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE IN THE VEHICLE EARLIER AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS! I HAVE BEEN READING ONLINE OF CASE AFTER CASE OF SIMILAR EXPERIENCES BY OTHER DODGE OWNERS. THE LINE SHOULD BE STAINLESS STEEL OR CHANGE THE ROUTING SO THAT IT CAN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO CORRODE AS QUICKLY. THERE SHOULD ALSO BE SWITCH/STOP VALVE IN-LINE TO AVOID TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING (CONTROL). SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL ITEM.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10396898April 20, 2011STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNSTABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE SOUND WAS ALSO HEARD WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED THE MANUFACTURER BE CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WERE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10396816April 19, 2011ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO SUGGESTED THAT THE AIR IDLE CONTROL SOLENOID BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE IDLE CONTROL SOLENOID BUT THAT DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AT 50 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE DEALER NEEDED TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED ONLINE THAT THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE DEALER DID NOT PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10395501April 11, 2011EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB: HAS POWER WINDOWS. ON A TRIP FROM MONTROSE CO. TO DENVER CO. PUT DOWN THE 3 PASSENGER WINDOWS. WHEN TRIED TO PUT THEM BACK UP WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. HAD TO PHYSICALLY PULL WINDOWS UP AND DUCK TAPE THEM....AND HOPED THEY WOULD NOT COME DOWN ON TRIP BACK HOME...IT WAS RAINY, SNOWY COLORADO WEATHER. I FEEL THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE OF CHILDREN IN THE TRUCK AND CONSTANTLY WATCH FOR WINDOWS TO GO BACK DOWN. I CAN HEAR THE POWER MOTORS WORKING BUT THE WINDOWS WILL NOT MOVE. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM? THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10394398April 6, 2011SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL POPPING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SWAY BAR AND THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10393926April 1, 2011ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AFTER PERFORMING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE STALLING OF THE VEHICLE OCCURRED AT LEAST SIX TIMES EVEN THOUGH ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10392968March 26, 2011STEERING
1999 DODGE DAKOTA INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM OF THE JOINTS GOING BAD CAUSING EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING, DODGE EVEN CAME OUT WITH A NEW VERSION OF THE PART KNOWING THIS WAS DEFECTIVE BUT WONT MAKE IT A RECALL. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON ALL YEARS EVEN WITH UNDER 10K MILES! I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR THE OWNERS AND OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD WITH THESE VEHICLES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS! THANK YOU. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10393275March 24, 2011VISIBILITY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AN EXISTING NHTSA RECALL, 06V039000, EXISTS FOR 2006 DODGE DAKOTAS. "STATIC CAN DISABLE HEADLAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, & WINDSHIELD WIPERS". I HAVE A 2001 DAKOTA WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT HAPPEN 2-5 TIMES PER YEAR. EVERYTHING WORKS AGAIN IF I CYCLE THE IGNITION, BUT THAT 'S SMALL COMFORT IF THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT @ 75 MPH. DODGE HAS REFUSED TO FIX IT FOR FREE, SAYING THAT IT ONLY APPLIES TO 2006. IF IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR A 2006, THEN IT IS A SAFETY RISK FOR 2001 TOO. THE KNOWN FIX IS TO "RE-FLASH" THE DASH, WHICH I ASSUME MEANS TO REPROGRAM THE DASH CONTROL PROCESSOR.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10392597March 23, 2011SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 40-50 MPH, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO LOCK WITHOUT WARNING WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE FOR A FEW MINUTES AND WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING IN SPITE OF THE BRAKE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TWICE. THE FRONT BRAKES, BRAKE PADS AND BRAKE HOSE WERE REPLACED AT DIFFERENT TIMES. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE RECENT VEHICLE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,200.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0