Dodge Dakota Complaints (1999)

641 consumer complaints on file.

#10071213January 15, 2004
SUSPENSION
IN SEPTEMBER OF 2003 THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION BEGAN MAKING CREAKING SOUNDS ANYTIME THE TRUCK WENT OVER A BUMP. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED FULLY TO THE LEFT, THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION MAKE A LOUD CLUNCH SOUND JUST PRIOR TO HITTING THE WHEEL TURN STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS LOOKED AT BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE RIGHT FRONT WERE FAILING. HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT ALSO HAD SOME MOVEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN LOOKED AT BY THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY DETERMINED THAT ONLY THE RIGHT SIDE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS NEEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. TWO WEEKS LATER I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SHOWED THEM THE MOVEMENT ON THE LEFT SIDE. THAT SIDE WAS THEN REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10071222January 15, 2004
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STEERING, AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EVERY TIME I USED THE LIGHTER THE FUSE WOULD BLOW, MY RADIO WOULD FAIL AND I WOULD HAVE TROUBLES WITH MY WIPERS. I CHECKED ALL FUSES AND DIDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT AND ONCE IN A WHILE IF I CLICK MY HIGH BEAMS ON AND OFF THE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS WILL EVENTUALLY COME BACK ON. I WAS IN NORTHERN MAINE AND I LOST MY POWER STEERING. I HAD TO WALK THROUGH THE WOODS TO A CABIN I COULD SEE HAD ITS HOUSE LIGHT ON AND KNOCK ON THE DOOR FOR HELP. ONCE MY TRUCK WAS FREED FROM BEING STUCK I HAD TO DRIVE 3 MILES BACK TO THE MOUNTAIN W/NO POWER STEERING. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER THEY SHOWED ME THAT THERE WAS SOME LONG SILVER ROD LIKE THING, WHICH HAD JUST BROKEN IN HALF!! I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT BECAUSE IT WAS STILL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. A WHILE LATER, MY BRAKE SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $800. I SAID I JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY AT THAT TIME. LEE DODGE OF WESTBROOK MAINE CALLED AND SAID THEY COULD FIX THE PROBLEM FOR $150! I HAD AN ACCIDENT ABOUT JANUARY 2001 AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT GO OFF. I WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD IN A SNOWSTORM AND HIT A TREE. THIS PAST JUNE MY TRUCK WENT IN TO BE INSPECTED AND I WAS TOLD MY UPPER CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED!! EVEN I KNEW THAT AT 44K OR SO MILES IT WAS FAR TOO SOON FOR ME TO NEED THOSE PARTS REPLACED. I LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME BECAUSE I AM DISABLED. WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP MY TRUCK MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NO LONGER CLOSE CORRECTLY, MY HOOD WOULD NO LONGER OPEN AND THE HEADLIGHT PROBLEM BECAME MUCH WORSE. BEFORE I HAD THE CHANCE TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT, I HAD AN ACCIDENT. I HAD PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVE AND MY BOYFRIEND PULLED OUT AFTER ME IN MY BROTHER?S CAR. WHEN HE PULLED OUT OF A DRIVE, I WENT TO PULL UP ALONG SIDE HIM, MY TIRES WERE SPINNING ON PILES OF WET LEAVES, MY WHEEL WOULD NOT RESPOND, MY GAS AND MY BRAKE WOULD NOT RESPOND. I HAD BOTH FEET ON THE FLOOR NOT EITHER GAS OR BRAKE... THE TRUCK THEN THRUST FORWARD AND HIT MY BROTHER?S CAR!
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10069546January 15, 2004
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PAINT ON TOP OF CAB IS PEALING. DODGE TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD PAY 50% OF $400.00 I FEEL THAT THIS IS WRONG. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THIS IS A RARE PROBLEM. ALMOST ALL DAKOTA HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A BOLD LIE. I WOULD LIKE TO FIGHT THIS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10068837January 15, 2004
SUSPENSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
COMPUTER CONTROLS, LOUD SPARK KNOCK UNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION, UPDATED OSFTWARE ON PCM EXHAUST/EMISSION, LOUD POPPING SOUNDS (BAD CONVERTER) SUSPENSION, LOUD POPPING FROM RIGHT FRONT SIDE UPON SHIFTING, BRAKING, EXITING AND ENTERING VEHICLE, REPL RIGHT UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS, ALIGNMENT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054218January 15, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
BRAKE PEDAL BROKE WHEN THE SUV APPLIED HIS BRAKE HARD TO STOP FOR THE PICKUP IN FRONT OF HIM. I WAS BEHIND HIM ABOUT 4 TO 5 CAR LENGTHS GOING BETWEEN 40 TO 45 MPH, I HIT THE BRAKES THEY WORKED FOR A SPLIT SECOND AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I REAR ENDED THE SUV. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED ABOUT $3500 DAMAGE TO THE SUV, $2500. TO THE PICKUP IN FRONT OF IT AND $6500 TO $7000. DAMAGE TO MY 19999 DODGE DAKOTA. THE POINT THAT THE BRAKE LINKAGE CONNECTS TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BROKE OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. *CB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10053117January 13, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
I RECENTLY HAD MY TRUCK IN FOR PRE-WINTER MAINTENANCE CHECK, MY MECHANIC SAID THREE OUT OF THE FOUR BALL JOINTS ARE BAD AND NEED REPLACING. ALSO, WHEN I DO HAVE THEM REPLACED I MAY AS WELL DO ALL FOUR BECAUSE HE HAS SEEN "A LOT" OF DAKOTAS WITH BALL JOINTS GOING BAD. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST $490 TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. WITH JUST OVER 58K MILES, RARELY DRIVEN OFF OF BLACKTOP, AND GIVEN THE RECENTLY PUBLICITY BY THE NEWS MEDIA, IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM HERE. I FIND THIS TO BE JUSTIFICATION FOR A RECALL OR AT THE VERY LEAST A MANUFACTURERS RE-IMBERSEMENT FOR THE COST OF THE PARTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052657January 8, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON MY 1999 DODGE DAKOTA FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF VEHICLE TO SLAM VIOLENTLY TO THE GROUND. THE RACK AND PINION WAS DAMAGED AS A RESULT. STEERING ALIGNMENT WAS GREATLY AFFECTED AS WELL. FRONT BUMPER WAS ALSO DAMAGED. I UNDERSTAND THAT THESE BALL JOINTS ARE A GROWING CONCERN WITH DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME ACTION TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER. *LA
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048772January 7, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING A NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE LOWER RIGHT BALL JOINTS AND STABILIZER BUSHINGS WERE WORN OUT AND NEEDED TO REPLACED. *AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10053386January 5, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM REAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052453January 5, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
I HAVE A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 29,985 MILES. I BOUGHT IT NEW. THE BALL JOINTS ARE IN BAD SHAPE. THE DEALER (RUSSELL DODGE - NOW UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP) SAYS THEY EXPECT A RECALL TO OCCUR ON THIS AS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. BUT THEY KEEP TELLING ME TO WAIT. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY. I HAVE EMAILED CHRYSLER TWICE, BUT ALL THEY SAY IS THAT THERE IS NO CURRENT RECALL. ARE THEY WAITING FOR INJURIES OR DEATHS? I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB ABOUT THESE BALL JOINTS BREAKING. IS NHTSA DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS? IS CHRYSLER DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT? ALSO, I JUST BOUGHT 4 NEW MICHELIN TIRES TO REPLACE THE DANGEROUS GOODYEAR TIRES THAT CAME WITH THIS VEHICLE. NOT REPLACING ALL THE BALL JOINTS COULD RUIN THESE EXPENSIVE TIRES AND VOID THEIR WARRANTEE. IN THE "INCIDENT DATE" BOX BELOW, I HAVE ENTERED TODAYS DATE, BUT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM OVER MANY MONTHS. PLEASE HELP.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051423December 31, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
THREE OF THE FOUR UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON MY '99 DAKOTA R/T HAVE PREMATURELY FAILED CAUSING TWO CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AND THE FRONT TWO TIRES TO WEAR TO THE POINT OF REPLACEMENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051331December 30, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
FOLLOWING A NEWS REPORT DOCUMENTING UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE IN DODGE PRODUCTS, WE HAD OUR 1999 DODGE DAKOTA INSPECTED. IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE COMPLETELY ERODED AND NEEDED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051377December 30, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
I HAVE A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA WITH BAD BALL JOINTS. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH ONLY 52,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. IT IS DRIVEN ON PAVED ROADS 98% OF THE TIME AND NEVER OFF ROAD. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THE TRUCK WAS BUILT WITHOUT A WAY TO GREASE THE JOINTS.. A MAJOR ERROR. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051189December 28, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
MY 1999 DODGE DAKOTA NEEDED BALL JOINTS AND NUMEROUS OTHER FRONT END AND STEERING COMPONENTS AT ONLY 30000 MILES. IN MY OPINION, THIS WAS DUE TO A LACK OF LUBRICATION BECAUSE THERE ARE NO GREASE FITTINGS ON MY TRUCK'S BALL JOINTS. IF I HAD NOT CAUGHT THIS IN TIME, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED WHEN MY WHEELS FELL OFF. I AM CONCERNED THAT AS MY TRUCK AGES, THIS PROBLEM WILL REOCCUR BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS USED WERE IDENTICAL TO THE ORIGINAL PART THAT FAILED. I HAVE MET NUMEROUS OTHER DODGE DAKOTA OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. PLEASE HELP US.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051183December 27, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
THE EARLY WEAR OUT OF THE BALL JOINTS ON MY 1999 DODGE DAKOTA. IT WAS NOTICED THREE YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT THE 4X4 TRUCK WHEN I HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON IT. THE SEARS MECHANIC SAID HE COULD NOT ALIGN THE TIRES BECAUSE THE BALL JOINTS WERE SO BAD THEY NEEDED RELPLACED. I TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALER TO HAVE THE SEAT BELT RECALL FIXED AND HE TOLD ME THE SAME THING AND IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AT THAT TIME. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE STEERING LOCKED UP IN A PARKING LOT DOING A FULL RIGHT TURN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. SO I THOUGHT I'D FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE THIS IS LONG OVER DUE. THANK YOU ..... DAN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051124December 26, 2003
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
THE BALL JOINTS IN MY 1999 DODGE DAKOTA, UPPER AND LOWER BOTH SIDES, ARE WORN OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRUCK HAS 70,000 MILES AND SHOULD NOT NEED THIS APPROXIMATELY $1,000.00 REPAIR. THE REASON THEY WEAR OUT SO FAST IS THAT THERE ARE NOT GREASE FITTINGS, AND THE PART CAN'T BE PROPERLY LUBRICATED. THE DAIMLER CHRYSLER CORPORATION REPRESENTATIVE I SPOKE TO SAID I CAN'T GET ANY RELIEF UNLESS THERE IS A RECALL. PLEASE RECALL THESE PARTS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051081December 25, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM
THE UPPER SUSPENSION ARM ON MY 1999 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT (5.2L MANUAL TRANSMISSION) RAPT A HOLE IN THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE HOSE, CAUSING TOTAL BRAKING FAILURE. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT ON THE GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY CAMPUS. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051053December 24, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
I NOTICED A SLIGHT SQUEAK COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL ON OR AROUND THE FIRST OF DECEMBER. AS THE SQUEAK BEGAN TO GET MORE PRONOUNCED I FIGURED I SHOULD CHECK FOR WORN OR DAMAGED SUSPENTION PARTS. NOT LONG AFTER THIS THOUGHT I SAW THE REPORT ON CBS REGUARDING THE INVESTIGATION OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON THE DODGE DURANGOS AND DAKOTAS. GUESS WHAT...I DRIVE A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA WITH VERY WORN OUT UPPER BALL JOINTS AT JUST OVER 37,000 MILES. I WILL REPLACE THEM AND KEEP THEM FOR THE IMPENDING RECALL THAT YOU WILL ORDER. AFTER ALL WITH OUT YOU THE MANUFACTURES WOULD CONTINUE TO CUT COSTS AND COST LIVES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050989December 23, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT PREMATURE WEAR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051001December 23, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
I RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDE OF TRUCK REPLACED. ONE OF THE BALL JOINTS WAS COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED. THE OTHER WAS WELL ON ITS WAY TO THE SAME. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW AND HAVE A DOCUMENTED RECORD OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE THAT I HAVE HAD PERFORMED. I AM REPORTING THIS TO YOU BECAUSE I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT SEVERAL OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I LOVE MY TRUCK, BUT, IF THERE ARE ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE RESOLVED I FEEL DODGE SHOULD TAKE THE INITIATIVE BEFORE PEOPLE ARE HURT OR KILLED. PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING AND GET THESE VEHICLES REPAIRED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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