Dodge Dakota Complaints

6,628 consumer complaints on file.

#10061619May 20, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO EXAMINED THE FRONT END. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072859May 19, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:SWITCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB AT NIGHT, ALL OF THE LIGHTS (EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR) STARTED FLASHING INTERMITTENTLY. THIS COULD EASILY STARTLE THE DRIVER OR THE DRIVERS OF OTHER VEHICLES, AND COULD LEAVE THE VEHICLE WITH NO LIGHTS. DEALER DIAGNOSIS REVEALED A BAD CENTRAL TIMER MODULE (CTM) WHICH CONTROLS THE LIGHTING SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE. ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE GATHERED ON VARIOUS DODGE FORUMS REVEALED SEVERAL INSTANCES OF THIS SAME PROBLEM. DAIMLER CHRYSLER SHOULD BE QUERIED ON HOW MANY OF THESE MODULES THEY ARE REPLACING ON 1998-2004 DODGE DAKOTAS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073892May 19, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATED FROM THE FRONT END. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072874May 19, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
NORMAL, REGULAR DUTY USE OF A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB V8 REQUIRING REGULAR MAINTENANCE, NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AT 57,000 MILES. THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER (MIKE BROWN @ GRANBURY) PERFORMED THE ALIGNMENT, CONDUCTED TWO (2) TEST DRIVES WHILE I WAS THERE AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO ME WITH A COMMENT THAT IT WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK WITH THE 'PULLING TO THE RIGHT' PROBLEM AND THE DERVICE MANAGER SAID TO BRING IT BACK THE NEXT AM AND THEY WOULD MAKE IT RIGHT. THEY CALLED TO NOTIFY ME THAT THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING WAS DETERIORATED AND THAT THEY COULDN'T ALIGN IT TO SPECIFICATIONS. THEY HAD A REPLACEMENT LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BUSHING (COMES AS ONE PART) FOR $280.00 AND 4 HOURS LABOR ($65/HR) WOULD FIX IT. MY RESPONSE WAS 'PULL IT OUT FRONT AND PARK IT'. MY DISCUSSION WITH THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALER WAS ABOUT HOW IN 31 YEARS OF NEW AND USED VEHICLE OWNERSHIP I HAVE NEVER HAD A FRONT END GO BAD IN 57,000 MILES.HE BROUGHT OUT THAT THE V8 LEFT EXHAUST MANIFIOLD HEATS UP THE BUSHING AND DETERIORATED IT FASTER THAT ONE WOULD EXPECT. WE AGREED THAT IT WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM AND THEREFORE A MANUFACTURER ENGINEERING ISSUE. I WILL GO BACK TO COLLECT MY INITIAL ALIGNMENT FEE CHARGED ON A JOB THAT COULD NOT BE PERFORMED TO FACTOORY SPECS DUE TO FAILING FRONT END PARTS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072795May 18, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WORN BALL JOINTS AT LESS THAN 30000 MILES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072797May 18, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MORE HISTORY ON MY 1996 DODGE TRUCK WITH ENGINE STALLING PROBLEMS. THE ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE TRUCK IS NOW RUNNING ROUGH. THE LAST DODGE DEALERSHIP IN MIAMI, OKLAHOMA COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY NOW TELL ME THAT THEY WOULD PREFER I NOT BRING MY TRUCK BACK TO THEM. DODGE CORP'S CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS RUDE, TELLING ME THAT HE TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW (EVEN THOUGH IT WAS IN FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY CAN'T FIND/FIX THE PROBLEM); THE REP TELLS ME THAT IT'S OUR TOUGH LUCK NOW--VERY RUDE. WHEN I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH THE SUPERVISOR OR DISTRICT MANAGER FOR MY AREA, THE REP TOLD ME SHE HAD THE FINAL SAY, I DIDN'T HAVE A WARRANTY, AND SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO HELP ME LOCATE THE DISTRICT MANAGER FOR MY AREA. YOU HAVE MY EXTENSIVE HISTORY/COMPLAINTS ON FILE WITH THIS TRUCK (PEELING PAINT, FLAT BEARING IN OVERDRIVE, 4 BENT WHEELS, RECURRING ENGINE STALLS TO NAME ONLY A FEW OF THE MAJOR ISSUES). WHAT IS A CONSUMER TO DO NOW. DON'T TELL ME TO FIND AN ATTORNEY--TOO EXPENSIVE AND I WON'T END UP WITH ENOUGH MONEY TO FIX THE TRUCK THE WAY IT SHOULD BE FIXED. CAN'T SELL TO ANYONE FOR WHAT IT SHOULD BE WORTH DUE TO THESE ISSUES, AND WON'T SELL THIS WAY DUE TO MY CONSCIOUS. THIS TRUCK IS GOING TO KILL US ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073773May 17, 2004
SUSPENSION
2001 DODGE DAKOTA HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH BAD BALL JOINTS. *MR *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072734May 17, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
2000 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4. WHILE CRESTING A HILL ON A MAINTAINED GRAVEL ROAD TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH BRAKES WERE APPLIED. CONTROL OF VEHICLE WAS LOST. VEHICLE STRUCK BERM ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD AND RETURNED TO CENTER OF ROAD. VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER SLIDING ABOUT 50 YARDS TO THE BOTTOM OF A DOWNGRADE. UPON EXITING VEHICLE IT WAS FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT/ LEFT BALL JOINTS HAD FAILED, CAUSING TIRE/WHEEL ASSY. TO BUCKLE UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. DAMAGE TO STEARING COMPONENTS AND AXLE ALSO OCCURED. CHRYSLER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND A REP IS BEING SENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10067196May 17, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE SHOP TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED AND TO GET A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048212May 17, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE BRAKING, THE BRAKES WERE WARPED, AND VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THIS PROBLEM WAS CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALERSHIP MECHANIC TRIED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM 4 TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072702May 16, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
I HAVE A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4. AT 50,000 I INSTALLED NEW TIRES AND TOOK MY TRUCK TO A MECHANIC FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. I RECENTLY MOVED AND THE MECHANIC WAS NEW, BUT HAD GOOD REPORTS. HE TOLD ME THAT HE COULD NOT DO THE ALIGNMENT BECAUSE OF BAD BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD ENDS. I WAS OUTRAGED, THINKING THAT HE MIGHT BE TRYING TO RIP ME OFF. I TOLD HIM AT 50,000 MILES I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GET NEW STEERING PARTS, BUT THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE HAS REPLACED BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD PARTS ON SEVERAL DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS AT THAT MILEAGE. I TOLD HIM TO REPLACE THE PARTS AND DO THE ALIGNMENT. WHEN I PICKED UP MY DAKOTA, HE SHOWED ME THE PARTS, THEY WERE BAD. I HAVE WORKED FOR TWO LARGE AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY MANUFACTURERS AND HAVE SEEN THEM CUT COSTS BY INSTALLING CHEAP CHINESE PARTS. THE COST TO PRODUCE THE PRODUCT GOES DOWN AND THE CONSUMER PRICE OF THE PRODUCT GOES UP INCREASING THE MARGINS AND LINING THE POCKETS OF MR. CEO AND OTHER HIGHER UPS WITHOUT A CONCERN TO THE CONSUMER. IT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE. THIS ON THE OTHER HAND IS SERIOUS INVOLVING CHEAP PARTS ON THE STEERING COMPONENTS ON A HIGHWAY VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND I PRAY THAT DODGE DOES NOT HAVE BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS IF SOMEONE GETS IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THEIR NEGLEGENCE. I HAVE ALSO HAD BRAKE ISSUES WITH MY DAKOTA. THE DAKOTA WITH THE 5.2 GOES LIKE A BAT OUT OF HELL, BUT THE HANDLING COMPONENTS SUCH AS STEERING AND BRAKES ARE LESS THAN TO BE DESIRED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073646May 14, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO DEFECTIVE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINTS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073649May 14, 2004
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE, TIRES
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE TOWING BEHIND A RECREATIONAL MOTOR HOME. THIS CAUSED THE FRONT TIRES TO DRAG SIDEWAYS WHILE BEING DRIVEN AROUND A CURVE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072625May 14, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
I HAVE A DODGE DAKOTA,1999, ALL THE BALL JOINTS ARE BAD AND DANGEROUSLY WORN. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THEY ARE THE SAME AS THE DURANGO!!!!! AND I CAN'T GET THEM. THEY ARE OUT OF STOCK ALL OVER AT A COST OF $2000.00APPROXIMATELY.!!!*AK I UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY FOR THE DURANGO BUT DID YOU REALIZE THE DAKOTA IS THE SAME PART.............. NOT ONLY CANT I AFFORD THIS REPAIR IT IS A 53,000 MILE VEHICLE THAT IS WELL CARED FOR AND THIS IS ABOSORBENT AND GOUGING THE PUBLIC. PLEASE CONSIDER INCLUDING THE DAKKOTA WITH THE DURANG INVESTIGATION. THANK YOU FRANK YUNITS SR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072567May 13, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
BOTH ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY. THEY DON'T UNLOCK PROPERLY BUT, INSTEAD, STICK IN A HALFWAY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072505May 12, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM, STEERING:LINKAGES
BALL JOINTS ON 1999 DODGE DAKOTA EXCESSIVE TIRE REPLACEMENT(3)SETS OF TIRES ON FRONT VEHICLE HAS ONLY 65000 MILES ALSO HAD TO REPLACE ROTORS AND BRAKES I DON'T BELIEE THIS IS TYPICAL FOR THIS AMOUNT OF MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073466May 11, 2004
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE SITTING, INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO FALL BACKWARDS. NO INJURIES REPORTED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FRAME TO SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A WORN OUT PART. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073483May 11, 2004
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE SITTING INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO FALL BACKWARDS. DRIVER DROVE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE SEAT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072428May 11, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHEN REPLACING TIRES ON MY 2000 DAKOTA, I WAS ADVISED THAT MY BALL JOINTS WERE WORN TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE. MY VEHICLE WAS LESS THAN 30 DAYS BEYOND THE EXPIRATION OF THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY, AND HAD APPROXIMATELY 19,000 MILES ON IT. I BELIEVE BOTH THE BALL JOINTS AND THE TIRES SHOULD WEAR MORE MILEAGE THAN THAT. I ALSO BELIEVE THE DETERIORATION OF THE BALL JOINTS ACCELERATED THE WEAR OF THE TIRES. BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. DID NOT WANT TO WAIT FOR A RECALL AT THE EXPENSE OF MY FAMILY'S SAFETY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10066729May 11, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS GETTING THE TIRES ROTATED, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TIE RODS WERE LOOSE. MIDSTATE DODGE REPLACED THE TIE RODS WITH NEW ONES. *AK MIDSTATE DODGE WOULD NOT REPLACED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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