Dodge Dakota Complaints

6,628 consumer complaints on file.

#10143549November 23, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKES MAKING NOISES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP SIX OR SEVEN TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE MADE NOISES WHEN BRAKING AT ANY SPEED. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE THIS VEHICLE. NO PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN FOUND WITH THE BRAKES. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143555November 23, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V460000 CONCERNING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THEIR LOCAL DEALERSHIP. HE SPOKE TO THEIR MANUFACTURER, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143429November 22, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
DT: THE CONTACT STATES EVERY YEAR WHEN HE TAKES VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED THEY INFORM HIM THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE REPLACEMENT TAKES PLACE APPROXIMATELY EVERY 20, 000-25,000 MILES. A LOCAL MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE DESIGN OF THE BALL JOINTS THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143435November 22, 2005
STEERING
DT: CONTACT STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES A NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT HAND TURN. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE CONNECTOR PART TWICE. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKE DID NOT HEAR THE NOISE. *AK UPDATED 12/7/2005. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER SHAFT PER THE STAR HOTLINE AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS MORE PREVALENT IN WARM/HOT WEATHER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143456November 22, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
PURCHASED MY NEW DODGE QUAD-CAB DAKOTA IN AUG 2005. IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THE TRUCK WOULD SHAKE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, ESPECIALLY AT ABOUT 50 MPH. SOME NEW VEHICLES CAN HAVE BRAKE ROTOR AND DRUM RUST AND I ASSUMED THAT THAT MAY HAVE BEEN THE PROBLEM. BUT AFTER 3000 MILES ON VEHICLE, I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER TO HAVE THEM DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I HAD WAITED TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP SO THE OIL COULD BE CHANGED AT THE SAME TIME. I ALSO WANTED TO ALLOW AMPLE TIME TO WEAR-IN THE NEW SHOES AND ROTORS ETC. DEALER ORDERED NEW FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ON NOV 8 2005 AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED ON NOV 22 2005 WITH TRUCK SHOWING ABOUT 3600 MILES ON ODOMETER. DEALER INFORMED ME WHEN I PICKED UP THE TRUCK THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT YET FIXED AND THAT REAR BRAKE PARTS WERE BEING ORDERED. THE SHIMMY AND SHAKE WHEN BRAKING AT AROUND 50 MPH IS SERIOUS AND WOULD CAUSE SAFETY CONCERNS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS SUCH AS SLICK OR ROUGH ROADS, AS APPLYING BRAKES CAUSES A BOUNCING SENSATION AS IF YOU WERE TRAVELING ON A WASHBOARD ROAD (SERIES OF SMALL HUMPS OR BUMPS). IT IS UPSETTING TO ME THAT THIS NEW VEHICLE IS SOLD WITH THE FACTORY BEING AWARE THAT THIS PROBLEMS EXISTS ON THESE VEHICLES. IT IS FRAUDULENT TO SELL A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE SUCH AS THIS AND KNOWING THE PROBLEM EXISTS. UNSAFE WHILE BRAKING AT MODERATE SPEEDS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143342November 21, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THERE HAS BEEN A FAILURE OF THE OIL PUMP IN MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA SLE WITH THE 3.8 LITER ENGINE.... 60K MILES, OUT OF WARRANTY...!! 60000 MILES !! THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT CLAIMS THAT IT WAS DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP OF THE PICK UP TUBE OF THE OIL PUMP. I CHANGED THE OIL OFTEN AND USE A GOOD QUALITY SYNTHETIC OIL... NO WAY "SLUDGE" COULD BE BUILT UP DUE TO THE OIL. I HAVE SEEN OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS ENGINE HAVING BEEN KNOWN TO MAKE SLUDGE ON THE INTERNET... GREAT...!! IN A RELATED MATTER, I HAD THE OIL FILLER TUBE REPLACED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AS IT WAS SLUDGE UP... THE SERVICE FELLOW REPLACED A BAFFLE AND CAP ON THE FILLER TUBE.. THERE WAS A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF SLUDGE BUILD UP ON THE INSIDE OF THE TUBE ASSEMBLY. ARE THE TWO RELATED..? I WOULD LIKE FOR DODGE TO PAY FOR THE OIL PUMP REPLACEMENT IF THEY KNEW BEFORE HAND THAT THIS ENGINE INDEED MAKES SLUDGE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143248November 19, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
I RECENTLY HAD MY EXTERIOR LIGHTING GO OUT ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA AND THE DODGE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM STATING THAT IT WAS THE CTM ( CENTRAL TIMING MODULE). I AM AWARE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 03 DAKOTA FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION FOR THE 02 DAKOTA. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143274November 19, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
WALKING BACK TO MY PARKED "98 DODGE DAKOTA, AFTER DINING OUT WITH FAMILY, I NOTICED THAT MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS COCK-EYED WHILE THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS POINTING STRAIGHT. I HAD THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER/SERVICE DEPARTMENT CHECK IT OUT AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT 3 OUT OF 4 BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I WAS APPALLED TO HEAR THAT SINCE I HAD NO INDICATION THAT I OR MY PASSENGERS WERE IN ANY DANGER: THE TRUCK NEVER PULLED TO ONE SIDE, AND IT DIDN'T STEER FUNNY, OR GIVE ME ANY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT SOMETHING WAS SO TERRIBLY WRONG. THE SERVICE MANAGER URGED ME TO REPLACE ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS, WHICH I DID AT A COST OF OVER $773.81. I THINK DODGE NEEDS TO RECALL THE '98 DAKOTAS' BALL JOINTS. THERE'S NO REASON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 73,000 MILES ON IT SHOULD HAVE 3 OUT OF FOUR BALL JOINTS GO BAD TO THE POINT THAT THE WHEELS ARE COMING OFF. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143107November 18, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 CONCERNING UPPER BALL JOINTS. THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE MODEL YEAR OF VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. *AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143009November 17, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT VIBRATED. THE BRAKES LOCKED, AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE AXLE, THE BRAKING SYSTEM, AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THIS ONLY MADE THE PROBLEM WORSE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SPECIFICALLY DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD AGAIN HAVE TO REPLACE THE AXLE, BRAKING SYSTEM, AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO BE REPAIRED AS SOON AS THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *AK UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142855November 16, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT
DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. IT MADE LOUD POPPING AND SNAPPING SOUNDS WHEN MAKING TURNS. UPON INSPECTION THE UPPER BALL JOINT GREASE SEAL COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD UP AND DOWN PLAY, WHICH CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRES. BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MODEL YEARS 2000-2002 TWO WHEEL DRIVE ONLY. HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT COVER THIS MODEL YEAR. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 04V596000 CONCERNING UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS RECALL WAS FOR MODEL YEARS 2000-2002 FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MODELS ONLY. THE CONTACT FELT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OR RECALL SHOULD APPLY TO THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - THE OUTER TIE ROADS AND UPPER/LOWER BUSHINGS WERE ALSO REPLACED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142905November 16, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
1999 DODGE DAKOTA, 87,000 MILES DODGE DEALERSHIP STATES UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS (FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT) NEED REPLACEMENT BEFORE FRONT END ALIGNMENT CAN BE DONE. ALSO RIGHT HUB BEARING RECENTLY REPLACED. NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING, NO ACCIDENTS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142756November 15, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
SUSPENSION, UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED AND SHOCKS REPLACED - 60K MILES. RECALL ON 2000 AND UP BUT PROBLEM WITH 97 AND UP. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142532November 13, 2005
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
ON MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA MY STEERING KNUCKLE SNAPPED PAST THE TIE ROD ON THE WHEEL PART OF THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE IF THE VEHICLE (FRONT) THIS PART IS APPROXIMATELY A 1 INCH BY ONE INCH OF SOLID STEEL. THIS RESULTED IN A CRASH WITH A PARKED MANATEE COUNTY PATROL CAR. I BELIEVE THIS PART SHOULD NOT HAVE SNAPPED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. THE INVESTIGATING POLICE OFFIER AGREED. I WAS NOT ISSUED ANY TRAFFIC VIOLATION AFTER THE OFFICER SAW WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED . I PLAN TO BE FOLLOWING UP ON THIS WITH A PHONE CALL TO YOUR AGENY. I WONDER HOW MANY TICKING TIME BOMBS ARE OUT THERE? I AM AWARE OF THE RECALL OF UPPER BALL JOINTS FALLING OFF AND I AM WONDERING IF MAYBE DEFECTIVE STEEL IS THE CAUSE. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142475November 11, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BALL JOINTS FAILED, PASSENGERS SIDE CAME LOOSE AND THE WHEEL FEEL OFF AND THE TRANSMISSON HAD TO BE REBUILT DUE TO CHEAP INTERNAL PARTS. BUT IF YOU OWN A 98 DODGE DAKOTA HAVE YOUR BALL JOINTS CHECKED THEY ARE A HAZARD AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED, IF THEY ALREADY HAVE NOT.... *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142231November 9, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TRAFFIC WAS MOVING IN FRONT OF GRACE COVENANT CHURCH, THERE WAS AN OFFICER DIRECTING TRAFFIC. MY HUSBAND PUT ON THE BRAKES AT THE MOMENT HE REALIZED TRAFFIC WAS NOT MOVING ANY LONGER. THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TIRE MARKS ON THE ROAD, IT IS APPARENT THE RIGHT SIDE TIRE LOCKED FIRST (THE TIRE MARK IS MUCH LONGER) THEN THE LEFT SIDE TIRE LOCKED (TIRE MARK ON ROAD MUCH SHORTER). HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN THIS ACCIDENT. THE CONCERN IS THAT THIS TRUCK IS BELIEVED TO HAVE ABS WHICH MEANS IT WAS MALFUNCTIONING SINCE THE TIRES LOCKED UP. THE CONCERN IS THIS MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT IN THAT HE WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN TIME. IT WAS A HARD IMPACT WHICH IT APPEARS WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BE TOTALED. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10142249November 9, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
DT: THE CONTACT STATED DEALER REPLACED BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS IN 2003. UPON INSPECTION THIS YEAR IT WAS DISCOVERED THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY ACCUMULATED 16,500 MILES SINCE THEY WERE LAST REPLACED. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS COMPLETED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT REPLACEMENT OF THE BALL JOINT WILL BE DONE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. HE FELT THEY WERE DEFECTIVE BASED ON THE LIMITED MILEAGE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142310November 9, 2005
SUSPENSION
PURCHASED 2005 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB WITH 3 MILES , NOTICED A VIBRATION,SHIMMY IN STEERING WHEEL AND FLOOR BOARD AT ALL SPEEDS AND ON ALL TYPES OF ROADS, IT INCREASES ON BUMPY OR CONSTRUCTION ROADS. HAVE BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 7 TIMES, THEY BALANCED THE TIRES THEY INSTALLED NEW TIRES THEN THEY INSTALLED REAR AXLES AND DRUMS BUT VIBRATION CONTINUES. THE LAST COUPLE OF TIMES THEY SAID NORMAL FOR THAT VEHICLE OR COULD NOT DUPLICATE BUT THE AIR PRESSURE IN TIRES IS ALWAYS CHANGED OR TIRES ROTATED,. I FILED A LEMON LAW COMPLAINT BUT OF COURSE THE VERDICT IS DRIVES NORMAL. I JUST WANT A VEHICLE THAT DOESN'T SHAKE WHEN I DRIVE, COULD BE HAZZARD.SAFTY CONCERN. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142318November 9, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
DODGE DAKOTA 99, 2WD. BUMPER PREMATURELY RUSTS. EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS PREMATURELY RUST CAUSING MANIFOLD TO SEPARATE FROM ENGINE BLOCK. POSSIBILITY OF CAUSING EXHAUST GASES TO ENTER DRIVERS CABIN. DODGE WILL NOT FIX FAILURE - WARRANTY EXPIRED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143207November 8, 2005
AIR BAGS
CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING RECALL ON CLOCKSPRING. CONSUMER 2001 DODGE DAKOTA AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, HORN DID NOT WORK AND CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK. *TS THE CONSUMER LEARNED THERE WAS A RECALL, HOWEVER HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITH SAME DEFECTIVE PART AS THE OTHER YEAR MODELS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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