Dodge Dakota Complaints (2005)

470 consumer complaints on file.

#10392130March 18, 2011
STEERING
JUST LIKE OTHER 2005 DODGE DAKOTA OWNERS REPORTED WITH THE STEERING RACK PINION FAILED. FLUID LEAK AT STEERING RACK PINION WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO PULLED TO RIGHT. IT FAILED TO TURNED BACK TO RIGHT AFTER FAILED. COULD HAVE BEEN WORST IF NOT FOR ME WENT TO AN OPEN FIELD. NO INJURY OR DAMAGED REPORTED. IT SHOULD HAVE NOT FAILED ON TRUCK WITH ONLY 39500 MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10389933March 12, 2011
SEATS
IN JANUARY 2009 I REPLACED THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION IN MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA SLT 4X4 TRUCK. VIN NUMBER [XXX]. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION COST ME $3200.00, NOT TO MENTION THE HASSLE OF BREAKING DOWN WHEN I WAS VISITING OUT OF STATE. IN 2010, I HAD TO REPLACE THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE COMPONENT THAT ENGAGES AND DISENGAGES THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. COSTING ME ANOTHER $300.00 RECENTLY WHILE USING MY HEATED SEAT OPTION, IT BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT AND THE SEAT COVER. I AM TIRED OF FIXING THIS TRUCK,AND IF I COULD GIVE IT BACK I WOULD, BUT SINCE THE HEATED SEATS ISN'T A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM, I WANT CHRYSLER TO ABSORB THE COST OF GETTING THIS CHECKED AT A DODGE DEALERSHIP. NOT ONLY DO I WANT YOU TO COVER THE COST OF FIXING THE ISSUE, BUT I ALSO WANT THE HOLE IN MY SEAT FIXED AS WELL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10391088March 11, 2011
POWER TRAIN
THE PINION GEAR SHAFT TO MY DIFFERENTIAL SHEARED OFF JUST AFT OF THE TAPERED ROLLER BEARING IN THE FRONT OF THE HOUSING. THE PORTION OF THE SHAFT STILL ATTACHED TO THE DRIVE SHAFT THROUGH THE UNIVERSAL JOINT AND THE ROLLER BEARING PULLED OUT OF THE HOUSING AND FELL TO THE GROUND. THIS APPEARS TO BE A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE GEAR SHAFT. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A MAINTAINED DIRT ROAD. NO MODIFICATIONS OF ANY KIND HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE AND ASIDE FROM OCCASIONAL USE ON MAINTAINED DIRT ROADS, NO OFF-ROADING OR OTHER SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED. CONSIDERING THE MILEAGE AND LIGHT USAGE OF THIS VEHICLE, THIS IS A VERY UNEXPECTED FAILURE. A GEAR SHAFT OF THIS TYPE SHOULD NOT FAIL, CERTAINLY NOT BEFORE THE U-JOINT ITSELF. THIS WOULD THEN SEEM TO MOST LIKELY BE A RESULT OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS IS CLEARLY A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AS THIS FAILURE IS FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY THE DRIVE SHAFT DRAGGING ON THE GROUND AND A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. A FAILURE OF THIS TYPE AT HIGH SPEED WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10389008March 8, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DRIVING VEHICLE, TURNED ON SEAT WARMERS, BACK STARTED GETTING VERY WARM AND A TERRIBLE SMELL. PULLED OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD, GOT OUT, SMOKE COMING FROM SEAT AND TWO BURN HOLES IN FABRIC.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373325December 29, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2005 AND EARLY 2006 DODGE DAKOTA'S EQUIPPED WITH THE 8.25 INCH REAR AXLE HAVE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE DESIGN. THEY UTILIZE A SINGLE SPRING BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE SHOES WHICH CREATES VARYING DEGREES OF BRAKE SHUDDERING UPON APPLICATION. IN ADDITION MANY OF THESE TRUCKS ARE EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE AXLES WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHUDDERING PROBLEM. IN LATE 2005, DODGE ISSUED A TSB TO THEIR DEALERS ON HOW TO CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS. THIS WAS SOON SUPERSEDED BY TSB 05-002-006. I PURCHASED A TRUCK WITH BOTH THE DEFECTIVE BRAKES AND DEFECTIVE AXLES IN AUGUST OF 2005. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF EITHER TSB BY CHRYSLER CORPORATION. I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT SINCE MY VEHICLE IS OVER ONE YEAR OLD THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR MUCH OF THE COST OF REPAIRING THESE FACTORY DEFECTS TO AN IMPORTANT SAFETY SYSTEM. DODGE ISSUED TWO TSB'S AND BEGAN INSTALLING A PROPERLY DESIGNED REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY ON ALL NEW DAKOTAS BUILT AFTER JANUARY 2006. I BELIEVE THAT DODGE SHOULD ISSUE AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY RECALL FOR ALL AFFECTED 2005 AND EARLY 2006 DAKOTA TRUCKS AND REPAIR THEM FOR LITTLE OR NO COST TO THE OWNER. THIS PROBLEM HAS UNDOUBTEDLY INCREASED THE RISK FOR SERIOUS ACCIDENTS DUE TO DIMINISHED BRAKING POWER AND DRIVER REACTION TO THE PULSATING PEDAL ON HARD BRAKING. IN ADDITION, NUMEROUS OWNERS HAVE PROBABLY PAID FOR UNNECESSARY AND INEFFECTIVE REPAIRS SINCE THE SYMPTOMS OF THIS DESIGN DEFECT MIMIC THOSE OF OUT-OF-ROUND BRAKE DRUMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370835December 15, 2010
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE ENTERING HIGHWAY (40MPH) MY VEHICLE WENT INTO AN UNCONTROLLABLE SPIN THAT RESULTED IN MINOR IMPACT DAMAGE WITH BRUSH AND DITCH. WHEN I REMOVED THE FLAT TIRE (LEFT FRONT), I FOUND THAT THE SWAY BAR LINK HAD SNAPPED. THIS 2005 DODGE DAKOTA ONLY HAS 58,00 MILES AND HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN HOUSE HOLD CHORES AND LOCAL DRIVING. I FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS THROUGH ON-LINE FORUMS ABOUT THESE SWAY BAR LINKS, BUT DODGE HAS NO RECALL POSTED. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MUCH WORSE ACCIDENT HAD THERE BEEN OTHER VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS ON OR BESIDE THE ROAD WHEN MY VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. I CANNOT PROVE, BUT BELIEVE THAT THE SWAY BAR FAILURE CAUSED MY SPIN-OUT AND THAT DODGE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR RESULTANT DAMAGES. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370311December 12, 2010
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLLY IN A 40 MPH CRASH IN MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA PU. CRASH INVOLVED THE FRONT RIGHT CORNER OF THE VEHICLE INTO CONCRET BARRIER ON INTERSTATE. IN THE PAST, I HAVE REPORTED AN ISSUE WITH THE "CHECK AIR BAG LIGHT" COMING ON AND STAYING ON FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME FROM THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS NEW AND UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY INVESTIGATED WITHOUT FINDING ANY ISSUES. TODAYS INCIDENT CAUSES ME GREAT CONCERN OF POTENTIAL FAILURES IN OTHER FRONTAL CRASHES WITH MORE SERIOUS INJURIES. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368549December 1, 2010
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED MOVING FORWARD. THERE WAS SNOW ON THE GROUND WHICH ALSO PLAYED A PART IN THE VEHICLE SLIDING INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE LEFT TIRE ROD CAME APART, BUT THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE THAT WOULD INDICATE THAT. THE DEALER SAID THE RIGHT SIDE TIE ROD WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60000. UPDATED 01/11/2011*LJ
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10365718November 15, 2010
STEERING, SUSPENSION:FRONT, SUSPENSION:REAR
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I WAS REFERRED TO YOU BY WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM.THEY FELT THAT WHAT I HAD TO SAY MAY BE SAFETY RELATED. I HAVE A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW. STARTING IN MAY OF 2010 I STARTED TO HEAR A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT, OR MAYBE REAR END, ONLY WHEN I TURN LEFT OR RIGHT.I HAVE BEEN TO 3 GARAGES AND THE LAST ONE BEING A DEALERSHIP. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS, BOTH FRONT STAB LINKS, BOTH TIE RODS,BOTH REAR STAB LINKS, AND AS RECENT AS THIS SEPT.,BOTH LEAF SPRINGS. THE TRUCK STILL HAS THE SAME NOISE AND I'M OUT 2000.00. THE DEALER DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT'S WRONG. NOW, ALL THIS HAPPENED BEFORE THE TRUCK TURNED 50,000. MILES. I KNOW IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. I ALSO,KNOW NOW, THE MANUFACTURER'S HAVE STUDIES ON HOW LONG A VEHICLE IS TO LAST IN ORDER FOR THE CONSUMER TO GIVE IT A PASSING GRADE AS TO BY IT AGAIN. I HAVE HAD MANY TRUCKS IN MY DAY AND I MAINTAINED ALL JUST AS WELL AS THIS ONE. I HAD AN S10 4X4 WITH 120,000 MILES ON IT AND THE FRONT AND REAR END WAS AS TIGHT AS THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. AN ACCIDENT ENDED THAT VEHICLE. I THINK DODGE SHOULD FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG AND FIX IT AT THEIR EXPENSE. NOT MINE OR THE DEALERSHIP BUT, THEIRS!!!!!! I KNOW MY PURCHASE WILL NOT MAKE OR BREAK DODGE. HOWEVER, I AM ONE AND DONE WITH DODGE PRODUCTS AND I WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT MY TROUBLES WITH MY DAKOTA. I'M ASKING YOU TOO, TO GO ON LINE AND GOOGLE DODGE DAKOTA 2005 FRONT END OR SUSPENSION TROUBLES. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362861October 28, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SUSPENSION:FRONT
2005 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CAB 4X2 S 105,636 MILES HAVE JUST REPLACED FRONT SWAY BARS, FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, RIGHT-FRONT BRAKE CALIPER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10361288October 19, 2010
TIRES
IN JUNE 2009 I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES FROM POWER DODGE OF VALENCIA, CA. AT THE TIME I NEEDED TIRES AND I WAS TOLD THE TIRES THEY WERE SELLING WERE NEW. ON OCTOBER 18, 2010, I HAD A BLOW OUT OF ONE OF THE TIRES ON THE FREEWAY. THE TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY 8,000 MILES ON IT. I WENT TO GET IT REPLACED AT A TIRE SHOP AND WAS ADVISED THE TIRE WAS OVER 3 YEARS OLD, I QUESTIONED THE FACT I JUST PURCHASED THE TIRE ON 6-09 HOWEVER, I WAS SHOWN THE TIRE WAS MANUFACTURED 6-07. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT FOR SAY THE TIRE WAS NEW WHEN I PURCHASED IT AND THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD BY CHRYSLER THAT TIRES HAVE A SHELF LIFE OF 5 YEARS? NEEDLESS TO SAY THEY DID NOT OFFER A REMEDY OTHER THAN BUY ANOTHER. IS THERE NOT A LAW, RULE OR SOMETHING THAT SAYS A MANUFACTURE CANNOT SELL A TIRE THAT HAS BEEN ON THE SHELF FOR OVER A YEAR? THE TIRES BEING SOLD THAT HAVE BEEN ON THE SHELF FOR 2,3,4, AND EVEN 5 YEARS ARE UNSAFE. IT IS EVIDENT THAT THESE DEALERS DO NOT HAVE ETHICS OR CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359459October 6, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD BOOMING SOUND WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN SERVICED. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS ALSO REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME THE WEEK BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357783September 27, 2010
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA EXTENDED CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT AND UNUSUAL SQUEAKING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FACILITY FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS AND STABILIZER BAR COULD COLLAPSE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. NO OTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,908.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10353736September 3, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2005 DODGE DAKOTA SHAKES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED ABOVE 50MPH. DEALER TURNED ROTORS AT 9000 MILES, STOPPED PROBLEM FOR A COUPLE THOUSAND MILES. STARTED AGAIN AT ABOUT 12,000MILES, HAD ROTORS TURNED AGAIN. STILL HAD ISSUE AT 21,000 MILES, FRONT ROTORS REPLACED. THE NEW ROTORS WERE FINE FOR A FEW THOUSAND MILES, BUT STARTED SHAKING AGAIN AT ABOUT 26,000 MILES. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE, TRUCK NOW HAS 60,000 MILES (AND 3RD SET OF ROTORS) AND STILL SHAKES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10353471September 2, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AT ANY SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILED COMPONENT WAS THE INTERMEDIARY SHAFT. WHEN HE LUBRICATED IT WITH WD40 THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STEER NORMALLY FOR A SHORT TIME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 57,000. UPDATED 02/02/11 *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10348490August 10, 2010
STEERING, SUSPENSION:FRONT
2005 DODGE DAKOTA. DEFECTIVE STEERING COMPONENTS. 68,000 MILES. VEHICLE SHAKES DURING BRAKING AND AT HIGHWAY SPEED. ONE DIAGNOSIS STATED 4 DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS AND UPPER CONTROL ARMS REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. ANOTHER DIAGNOSIS BY A DODGE DEALER STATES ONE DEFECTIVE BALL JOINT, DEFECTIVE RACK AND PINION AND BRAKE CALIPERS STICKING. DODGE STATES THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THE MENTIONED PARTS FOR MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10345251July 26, 2010
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL
PEPBOYS/DEFINITY DAKOTA H/TP255/65R16, I PURCHASED 4 OF THESE TIRES THROUGH A MEINEKE CAR CARE CENTERON 7/10/10 LOCATED AT 49TH & SPRUCE STREETS IN PHILADELPHIA, PA. WITHIN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS THE TIRES WERE ON MY DODGE DAKOTA, THE TIRES WERE SPIN BALANCED 4 TIMES AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS DUE TO EXCESSIVE VEHICLE SHAKING IN THE SEAT AND IN THE STEERING WHEEL. ON 7/26/10, I NOTICED THAT ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE 3 SIDE BELTS APPEARED BROKEN AS THERE WERE INDENTATIONS ON THE SIDE WALLS THAT I HAD NOT OBSERVED PREVIOUSLY. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT TWO OUT OF THE FOUR NEW TIRES HAD BROKEN BELTS. I CALL PEPBOYS CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER LISTED ON THEIR WEBSITE AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A PEPBOYS FOR INSPECTION. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO PEPBOYS LOCATED AT 41ST & MARKET IN PHILADELPHIA AND WHEN THE SERVICE ATTENDANT INSPECTED THE TIRES, HE REPORTED THAT THREE OF THE FOUR TIRES HAD BROKEN BELTS. SUCH SIGNIFICANT TIRE FAILURE, LACK OF VEHICLE CONTROL IS BELIEVED BY ME TO BE A HAZARD. THIS TRUCK HAS SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME EVER SINCE THE TIRES WERE PUT ON THE TRUCK. THE LACK OF VEHICLE CONTROL HAS BEEN TO THE POINT THAT THE TRUCK HAS ACTED LIKE IT IS GOING OFF THE ROAD WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS. THESE TIRES ARE DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10336803June 17, 2010
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LUG NUTS WERE FAULTY. THE MECHANIC STATED THE LUG NUTS WERE DESIGNED WITH A METAL COVERING THAT MADE THE NUTS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE ABILITY OF CHANGING THE TIRE IN AN EVENT OF A FLAT OR BLOWOUT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,010. UPDATED 08/12/10 *BF UPDATED 08/17/10
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10335993June 12, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE, POWER TRAIN
THERE'S AN EXISTING TSB (CHRYSLER/DODGE 05-002-06 SUPERSEDES 05-004-05) THAT COVERS THE REPAIR OF THE REAR AXLE SHAFTS AND BRAKING SYSTEM. THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE PARTS THAT CAN CAUSE THE REAR WHEELS NOT TO BRAKE AND CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DODGE ISSUED THE TWO AFOREMENTIONED TSBS TO CORRECT THE ISSUE, BUT IT WASN'T WIDELY PERFORMED. LOTS OF 05 AND 06 DAKOTAS WITH THE DEFECT ARE STILL ON THE ROAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10332423May 26, 2010
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT END SHAKES/VIBRATES STARTING AT AROUND 60MPH. MAKES CAR DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. REPLACED TIRES, STEERING RACK, TIE RODS AND NO CHANGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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