Dodge Dakota Complaints

6,628 consumer complaints on file.

#10083189August 2, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
2002 DODGE DAKOTA 52000 MILES FIRST THE SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING, THEN ALL THE GUAGES ON THE DASH GO DEAD FOR ABOUT THREE SECONDS. ODOMETER ALSO WILL NOT RECORD ANY MILEAGE ALSO. THEN THE GAUGES RESET NORMAL. THIS HAPPENS ONLY WHEN THE INSIDE GETS HOT FROM THE SUN. TURNING THE AIR ON AND COOLING THE INSIDE HELPS TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN THE PULSING OF THE GUAGES FROM DEAD TO NORMAL. REPLACED CENTRAL TIMING UNIT COMPUTER . DID NOTHING, OLD UNIT PUT BACK IN .NEXT STEP IS TO REPLACE DASH CLUSTER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083079August 1, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS DETERIORATING 5-24-2004, 27,675 MILES STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT 6-22-2004. BALL JOINTS, LOWER CONTROL ARM, AND RIGHT WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED BY DEALER.*AK STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT FREEHOLD DODGE NJ VERY LOOSE FRONT END, HARD TO CONTROL, BOUNCE. TYPICAL SYMPTOMS OF A FRONT END FALLING APART. DATES ABOVE ARE REPLACEMENT DATES. THIRD MAJOR PROBLEM IS ALL OF THE BOLTS ATTACHING THE CAB ARE DETERIORATED. TAKING TO MY NM DODGE DEALER. CAN NOT EVEN TAKE OFF THE BOTS THEY ARE SO BAD ON THE CAB OF MY TRUCK [XXX] I HAVE BEEN THE OWNER FROM DAY ONE. IN MY PARENTS NAME IN NEW JERSEY FOR INSURANCE RATE REDUCTION. UPDATED 07/24/2012* 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
#10083041July 31, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
MY ROTORS WERE TRASHED AT 20,000 MILES ON THE 2002 DODGE DAKATO. I DO BASIC DRIVING AND FOUND OUT FROM A FORUM WEBSITE ON DAKATOS THAT THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. A MECHANIC FROM THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT HE FIXES DOUBLE THE ROTORS ON DAKATOS THAT HE DOES ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082952July 29, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 50 MPH RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE APART, CAUSING THE RIM TO PIVOT INTO WHAT WAS REMAINING. IT DESTROYED THE RIM AND BROKE THE BRAKE LINE. LUCKILY, NO OTHER TRAFFIC WAS CLOSE SO NO ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE OCCURED. THE TRUCK WAS HAULED (WRECKER) TO THE DEALER AND A NEW BALL JOINT, RIM, AND BRAKE LINE WERE INSTALLED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083698July 28, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082886July 28, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
A WELD THAT SECURED THE LOWER RIGHT SUSPENSION FAILED ON MY 1997 DODGE DAKOTA DUE TO "HARD" BRAKING. THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY DAMAGE. I BELIEVE THAT SUCH A FAILURE SHOULD NEVER OCCUR DUE TO NORMAL USE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS WELD SHOULD BE INSPECTED ON ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS PARTICULAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. MY PHONE CALL TO CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE DID NOT INDICATE ANY INTEREST IN FOLLOW UP ON THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082738July 27, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, STEERING:RACK AND PINION
I HAD LOSS OF CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE THIS MORNING WHICH I BELIEVE IS A DIRECT RESULT OF MY STEERING/BALL JOINT / RACK AND PINION FAILURE. IT'S AT THE DEALER NOW BEING LOOKED OVER THOROUGHLY. THE DEALER JUST REPLACED THE INTERMITTENT STEERING SHAFT LAST WEEK.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082778July 27, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
I OWN A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 SLE THAT WE PURCHASED NEW. IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, AND WITH ONLY 49000 MILES ON THE TRUCK CURRENTLY, THE FOLLOWING FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED: (1) (FROM FEBRUARY 2004 TO PRESENT) THE FACTORY-INSTALLED EXTERNAL WIRING HARNESS (FOR TOWING A TRAILER) MELTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT, SHORTING OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. (2) BRAKES WOULD PULSATE ANYTIME BRAKES WERE APPLIED. DEALER ATTRIBUTED THIS TO WARPING OF ROTORS AND REPLACED PADS AND TURNED THE ROTORS. DEALER NOTED A SPRING ON DRIVER-SIDE CALIPER WAS MISSING AND REPLACED IT AS WELL. (3) THE HEATER/AC CONTROLS FAILED. (4) WENT FOR STATE INSPECTION AND INSPECTOR FAILED TRUCK DUE TO FAILURE OF UPPER BALL JOINTS AND BRAKES. THE SAME BRAKES I JUST HAD FIXED IN FEBRUARY. PREMATURE FAILURE OF BALL JOINTS ATTRIBUTED TO "TYPICAL PROBLEM FOR DAKOTAS/DURANGOS". WELL IF IT'S TYPICAL, WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL?? THE DEALER HAD NO ANSWERS. FAILURE WAS A RESULT OF CALIPERS NOT RELEASING PROPERLY CAUSING THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS TO "GLAZE". DEALER OPTED TO PICK UP THE TAB FOR THE NEW ROTORS AND THE NEW PADS, ONLY AT MY REQUEST. THE NEW CALIPERS AND BRAKE LINES STILL COST ME $800. AGAIN I'M WONDERING WHY I'M PAYING FOR SO MUCH ON A TRUCK THAT IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD WITH ONLY 49000 MILES. (5) UNKNOWN PROBLEM AT STARTUP WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SPUTTER. PROBLEM EXISTS UNTIL ENGINE IS WARM THEN GOES AWAY. TWO DODGE DEALERSHIPS AND NEITHER CAN FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AS THERE IS NO COMPUTER ERROR CODE COMING UP. ALL ITEMS MENTIONED WERE PAID FOR BY ME UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. HAD ANY OF THESE ISSUES BEEN A RESULT OF NEGLIGENCE, OR LOTS OF MILEAGE, OR HAD THE DODGE DEALERSHIP(S) OPTED TO PAY FOR ITEMS THAT WERE THE OBVIOUS RESULT OF POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP, I WOULDN'T COMPLAIN. BUT, THE FAILURES RELATING TO THE BRAKES COULD QUITE POSSIBLY HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH RISKS MY LIFE AND THAT OF MY WIFE, AND DODGE DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083593July 26, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH BALL JOINTS ON DRIVER'S SIDE EXPLODED UNDERNEATH THE PICKUP, BREAKING INTO BITS AND PIECES. THE TIRE COMPLETELY DISENGAGED. THE AXLE WAS BENT, AND THE INNER TIE ROD HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK *TS *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082717July 26, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TOOK DELIVERY OF 2004 DODGE DAKOTA SLT ON MARCH 5, 2004 WITHIN ONE MONTH, NEEDLE PEGGED AT HOT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON UPON FIRST START UP OF DAY. COMPUTER RESET ITSELF WHEN TRUCK WAS SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED. NO FURTHER PROBLEMS REMAINDER OF DAY. HOWEVER, PROBLEM PERSISTED. TOOK TRUCK INTO FRESNO DODGE FOR SERVICE-1ST TIME, MARCH 23: SENSOR WAS RESET; 2ND TIME IN SHOP, APRIL 10: SENSOR REPLACED; 3RD TIME IN SHOP, MAY 19: COMPUTER REPLACED-VEHICLE IN SHOP FOR 17 DAYS. 4TH TIME, JUNE 6: FRESNO DODGE PLACED DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER COPILOT IN DASH; WE PUSHED BUTTON ON DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER WHEN PROBLEM PRESENTED AGAIN ON JUNE 27. HAVE NOT HEARD ONE WORD FROM FRESNO DODGE. PROBLEM PRESENTED AGAIN ON JULY 26.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082621July 25, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A BLOWER FAN PROBLEM, AND TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER OF A SQUEAK GOING AROUND CORNERS. FOUND THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE WORN AND REQUIRE REPLACING. ONLY 32,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083736July 23, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. *MR EACH TIME THE ENGINE WAS ON, THE WIPERS WOULD COME ON AND THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON BUT NOT GO OFF. THE CONSUMER HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT CHRYSLER CORPORATION SHOULD PROVIDE A FIX FOR THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *SC THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT HIS PROBLEM WAS NOT APART OF THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER TOLD THE DEALER HE PURCHASED A WARRANTY, BUT THE DEALER TOLD HIM THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ONLY POWER TRAIN ISSUES.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083775July 23, 2004
STEERING
2002 DODGE DAKOTA FRONT END FAILURE.*MR WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS MANEUVERING A CURVE THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE HIT A GUARD RAIL. THE TRUCK SUSTAINED SOME FRONT BUMPER DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT. THE CONSUMER STILL HEARS A POPPING NOISE WHEN MAKING SHARP TURNS. THE CONSUMER PLANS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT SINCE DODGE IS HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SUSPENSION THAT THE DEALER NEEDS TO LOOK AT THE BALL JOINT, TIE RODS, RACK AND PINION. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082499July 23, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
BRAKE CALIPER GOT STUCK OPEN WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. NO ONE WAS INJURED. ALSO THERE WAS NO WARNING AND WE HAVE DONE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AS SUGGESTED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082503July 23, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THE BRAKE DISC STEEL IS FAULTY, AND PITS. THIS CAUSES VERY JERKY, DIFFICULT, AND UNRELIABLE BRAKING. AS IF ONE WAS BRAKING ON TOP OF LOGS. TWO YEARS AGO WE HAD THE DISC(S) MACHINED, AND THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. BUT IT RETURNED. TODAY WE ARE HAVING THE DISCS REPLACED. I THINK DODGE SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND RECALL IT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082508July 23, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
MY 1997 DODGE DAKOTA-WITH 48OOO MILES FAILED SAFETY INSPECTION, DUE TO BAD BALL JOINTS AND UNSAFE STEERNIG. DURING REPAIR PROCESS I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND EVEN EXPECTED EVENT WITH THESE VEHICLES (WITH LOW MILEAGE) AND ALSO DURANGOS. IT IS SO COMMONPLACE THAT DODGE REPAIR PEOPLE EXPECT IT. OBVIOUOSLY TIS IS A SFATEY DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REMEDIED AT NO COST TO CONSUMER. IT WILL ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL THE PARTS FAIL; AND A CATASTROPHE HAPPENS TO SOME UN SUSPECTIG DRIVER,UNLESS THERE IS A RECALL AND PERMANENT QUALITY REPLACMENT OF THE PARTS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082527July 23, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO PASS STATE (MO) SAFETY INSPECTION. VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS ONLY 35311 AND THE INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT WAS PERFORMED BY A DODGE DEALERSHIP.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082341July 21, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
I PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND HEARD A LOUD THUMP COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TRUCK. I GOT OUT AND PULLED ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE WHEEL BECAUSE IT SOUNDED LIKE THE WHEELS WANTED TO COME OFF. WHEN I PULLED THE TIRE MOVED AN INCH. FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND THE BALL JOINT BOOT SPLIT IN HALF AND NO SIGHT OF THE BACK SIDE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082362July 21, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WARPED DISC ROTORS ON 2002 DAKOTA WITH 16000 MILES. DODGE REFUSES TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY. IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE EXCESSIVE EARLY ROTOR FAILURES ON DAKOTA'S AS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND MAY BE RELATED TO DEFECTIVE CALIPERS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083324July 20, 2004
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ( ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, TIRE SIZE P265/70R16, DOT# 25.4 0FFSET) *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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