Dodge Dakota Complaints

6,628 consumer complaints on file.

#10061431April 1, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A ROUGH SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE RIGHT SIDE. *AK *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10061483April 1, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THERE IS A LOUD NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER A SMALL BUMP. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10059882April 1, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT STEERING COLUMN/HEADLIGHTS. WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS IN THE TILT UPRIGHT POSITION, THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS OPERATED. WHEN THE TILT STEERING WHEEL WAS IN THE STRAIGHT POSITION THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS WENT OUT AUTOMATICALLY.*AK THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT THE LOW BEAM WIRE AT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH HAD BROKEN AT THE CONNECTION AND SHORTED OUT.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10061197April 1, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT, STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION), SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A STEERING BOX PROBLEM. ALSO, DEALER REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS AND IDLER ARM. *AK CONSUMER IS KEEPING AN EYE ON THE FUEL FILLER TUBE BECAUSE IT SEEMED TO BE RUSTED. ALSO, BRAKE LINE IS ALSO RUSTED. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058054April 1, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEELS WHEN TURNING CORNERS. ALSO, CONSUMER NEEDED TO COMPENSATE FOR VEHICLE PULLING FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER SIDE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO LIFTED THE VEHICLE AND ONE OF THE FRONT WHEELS FELL OFF. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT. *AK MECHANIC REPLACED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, INNER TIE ROD ENDS AND PERFORMED FRONT END. *LA ALIGNMENT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10059192April 1, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AND INNER TIE RODS AT 42,000 MILES. *AK THE BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD ENDS HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10059534April 1, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, THE SUSPENSION COLLAPSED COMPLETELY, SEVERING THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE TOWING MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT. *AK *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064234March 31, 2004
EQUIPMENT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY 97 DODGE DAKOTA BRAKES FAILED AND I HAD TO SPEND OVER 1,000 TO REPAIR THEM. CAUSE I WAS TOLD WAS THE PISTONS SIEZED BECAUSE OF BAD PISTONS THAT CHRYSLER KNEW ABOUT.ALSO CLEAR COAT ON PAINT IS PEELING OFF LIKE A FL. ORANGE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10065320March 31, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED AND WHEN BRAKING VEHICLE VIBRATED FROM THE FRONT END. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONT ROTORS FAILED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE ALREADY REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064246March 31, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
I HAVE A BRAND NEW 2004 DAKOTA THAT HAS A BALL JOINT SQUEAK STARTING ALREADY AT JUST OVER 4000 MILES. THE LOCAL GARAGE I TOOK IT TO TELLS ME THAT IT IS THE START OF THE BALL JOINT PROBLEMS THAT DAKOTA'S ARE NOTORIOUS FOR. MY SHORT INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET TURNED UP ALL KINDS OF DISCUSSION AND EXPENSIVE HORROR STORIES. MY SON HAS A 2002 DAKOTA WHICH HAS HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED 3 TIMES ALSO. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW AND A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. ACCORDING TO THE ARTICLE ON CBS, IF THESE AREN'T TAKEN CARE OF, THEY WILL SEPARATE AND THE WHEEL COMES OFF. REPLACEMENT OF THESE PARTS BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER IS NOT ENOUGH. DAIMLERCHRYSLER NEEDS TO REDESIGN THESE AND THE NHTSA NEEDS TO INSIST THAT THEY RECALL THE EFFECTED VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS WITH THE REDESIGNED PARTS. AND SOON, AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED THIS PROBLEM IS VERY MUCH THE SAME AS THE FORD TIRE PROBLEM. LET'S NOT WAIT UNTIL ALL THE LOSS OF LIFE THAT WAS EXPERIENCED WITH THAT PROBLEMS BEGINS WITH THE DODGE DAKOTA'S AND DURANGO'S. I DON'T THINK THE NHTSA WANTS THAT ON THEIR CONSCIENCE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOUR INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND AND WHAT RECOMMENDATION THE NHTSA WILL BE MAKING AND IN WHAT TIME FRAME. I WOULD LIKE TO GET MY BALL JOINTS FIXED WITH NON-DEFECTIVE, CORRECTLY DESIGNED PARTS. THANK YOU. GORDON LANKER RE: EA03 - 023. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10065342March 31, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
THE BALL JOINTS HAS ALREADY STARTED TO SQUEAK ON THE CONSUMERS NEW TRUCK. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE THEM REPLACED WITH NON-DEFECTIVE PARTS. *PH *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064168March 30, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT
SINCE I BOUGHT THE DAKOTA I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH FRONT END ALIGNMENT, WERARING OF TIRES AND BREAKS AND OTHER ITEMS ASSOCIATED WITH SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. AS I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE HAS A WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END,CAUSING ABNORMAL WEAR ON THE TIRES STRESS ON THE BREAKS AND HIDEOUS NOISE. PRESENTLY THE WHEEL SOUNDS AS IF IT IS GOING TO FALL OFF MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AS I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD. I HAVE RECENTLY REPLACED THE FULL BREAK ASSEMBLY(ROTORS, SHOES,CALIPERS,BEARINGS ETC). THE NOISE IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. TH E NOIS MIGHT EVEN BE CONSIDERED A PUBLIC NUISANCE. THE NOISE IS SO BAD THAT INNOCENT PEDESTRAINS LOOK AT MY VEHICLE IN SHOCK AND AWE OF THE TERRIBLE RACKET AS I DRIVE PAST. THE DEALER CAIMS THAT I NEED CONTROL ARMS. THIS WILL COST QUITE A BIT IN ADDITION TO WHAT I HAVE ALREADY INVESTED IN THE DAKOTA (22K + REPAIRS TO SUSPENSION AND INTEREST). I COULD HAVE MADE A DECENT DOWN PAYMENT ON A NEW DODGE WITH WHAT I HAVE SPENT ON THE DAKOTAS FRONT END. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE ABOVE ISSUES AND BELIEVE THAT DODGE SHOULD DO THE RIGHT AND SAFE THING BY ISSUING A RECALL.. THE RECALL CANNOT COME SOON ENOUGH. AM I SAFE DRIVING THE DAKOTA? *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064177March 30, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 AND HAD THE PASSENGER SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT FAIL (LUCKLY I WAS HAVING MY MECHANIC CHANGE THE OIL) WHEN HE SAID THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINT SIMPLY FELL OUT. I THINK THAT DODGE SHOULD HAVE MADE OWNERS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM RATHER THAN CAUSE INJURIES TO CONSUMERS. ALSO WHY IS IT THAT YOU CANNOT PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT BALL JOINT FROM DODGE (YOU MUST PURCHASE THE WHOLE UPPER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY?)*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064059March 29, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAIL REPEATEDLY AND OFTEN. THEY PRESENT A REAL DANGER IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR FIRE, WHEN THE DOOR MAY NOT BE EASILY OPENED. ON A MORE MUNDANE LEVEL I WOULD THINK THEY COULD BUILD AN ELECTRIC LOCK SYSTEM THAT DOESN'T NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 12-24 MONTHS. I AM TOTALLY DISGUSTED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10065158March 29, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10065126March 29, 2004
SUSPENSION
THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINT AND FRONT WHEEL BEARING. THE CONSUMER QUESTIONED WHETHER OR NOR DAIMLER CHRYSLER WOULD BE TAKING THE FAULT. *PH THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064041March 28, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
HEADLIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONING - HEADLIGHTS ACT ERRATIC, SWITCH GETS HOT & SMELLS AS IF IT'S BURNING UP. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064049March 28, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
DURING ROUTINE BRAKE MAINTENANCE, DEALERSHIP WARNED THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE LOOSE AND UPPER CONTROL BUSHINGS ARE CRACKED AND BOTH ARE IN URGENT NEED OF REPLACING. VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS AT 55,746. BALL JOINTS ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST TO 100,000 MILES. VEHICLE IS SECONDARY FAMILY VEHICLE AND ONLY DRIVEN FREEWAY WITH NO TOWING, HEAVY LOADS, OR HAULING. IF VEHICLE WAS NOT MAINTAINED REGULARLY THIS DEFECT WOULD HAVE BEEN MISSED AND SERIOUS HARM OR DEATH TO PREGNANT WIFE, 7 YEAR OLD, AND MYSELF WOULD HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO THE NATURE AND SEVERITY OF DEFECT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10063939March 26, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 AT 20,000 MILES BEGAN EXPERIENCING A PULSATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD ME THAT MY ROTORS WERE WARPED AND PITTED AND THAT MY CALIPERS WERE GROOVED. DODGE TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NOT A WARRANTY ITEM AND THAT THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR. I SPOKE TO TWO SHOPS SPECIALIZING IN BRAKES AND THEY STATED THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10063954March 26, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WARPED ROTORS. THIRD SET OF ROTERS IN 46,000 MILES. THEY ARE TOO SMALL FOR THIS TRUCK. CAUSES PULSATING . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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