Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1997 record →
HYDRAULIC CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILURE CAUSED UNSAFE CONDITIONS. VEHICLE WAS IN GEAR AND RUNNING AT TIME OF FAILURE; LIFTING FOOT FROM BRAKE PEDAL WHILE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED RESULTED IN VEHICLE LURCHING FORWARD.
WHEN DRIVING AT 35 MPH FUEL FROM THE FUEL LINE IS SPRAYING ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SYSTEM, AND CONSUMER CAN SMELL THE FUEL BURNING. *AK
TIRES - EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR OVER 20,000 MILES, ESPECIALLY AT THE OUTER EDGES.ALSO, BRAKE ROTOR FAILURE (PITTING) AT 20.000 MILES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: GLP215/75R )
VEHICLE WOULD RUN OUT OF GAS WITH GAS GUAGE REGISTERING 1/4 TANK FULL; ALSO VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN INDICATOR LIGHT AND A SOUND DEVICE THAT LIGHTS UP AND SOUNDS OFF WHEN VEHICLE GETS DOWN TO LOW FUEL. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. CONSUMER SEEKING NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK
AT APPROXIMATELY 18000 MILES THE TRUCK WOULD SHUDDER/VIBRATE WHEN BRAKING.THE DEALER CONCLUDED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED, WHICH THEY CLAIM WAS CAUSED WHEN THE ROTORS GOT WET!!! THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE REPAIR CONSISTED OF MACHINING OR TURNING THE ROTORS, COST $90.00. I AUTHORIZED THE REPAIRS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED @36,000 MILES, THE SHUDDERING/VIBRATION STARTED TO OCCUR WHEN BRAKING. SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY I TOOK IT TO MEINEKE MUFFLERS & BRAKES. THEY ALSO CONCLUDED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED OR MACHINED.IAUTHORIZED THEM TO REPLACE THE ROTORS , COST $300.00. ALL OTHER BRAKE COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE BRAKE PADS WERE IN GOOD SHAPE AND DID NOT NEED REPLACEMENT. I BELEIVE THAT THE ROTORS OR THE BRAKE SYSTEM ARE DEFECTIVE. THE ROTORS SHOULD NOT WARP UNDER NORMAL USE WHICH INCLUDES GETTING WET AND HEATING UP WHEN BRAKING. *AK
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON AN ICY ROAD CONDITION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO IMPACT AT A POST AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, AND BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK
STEERING KNUCKLE SPINDLE ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING CALIPER TO COME LOOSE . HUB BEARINGS ON BOTH FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLYS WORE OUT. WAS TOLD THAT THIS COULD RESULT IN WHEEL COMING OFF OF VEHICLE.
CHILD SAFETY SEAT DOES NOT FIT IN REAR SECTION - NEED ON/OFF AIRBAG SWITCH
BRAKES MAKE METALLIC NOISE---HAD ROTORS TURNED AND NEW PADS INSTALLED, NO CHANGE--MECHANIC CAN FIND NO REASON FOR NOISE. HAPPENS ONLY AFTER VEHICLE DRIVEN FOR A FEW MILES. WHEN BRAKE IS DISENGAGED A SMALL JOLT IS FELT MOMENTS AFTER.
TIRES ARE WEARING FASTER ON THE FRONT. HAVE ROTATED THREE TIME ALREADY. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/70R15 )
ABS LIGHT STAYS ON DUE TO FAILURE OF THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. *YC
AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. MJS
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS REPLACED, REWIRED DUE TO SMELL OF ELECTRICAL BURNING. MJS
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. NLM
BRAKE PADS & ROTORS FAILED. *YC
ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED. LM
CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. *TT
TIRES REPLACED DUE TO EXESSIVE WEAR. *YC
CAR STALL DUE TO COMPUTER FAILURE. YH
TRUCK WAS IN PARK, WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED, AND REFUSED TO START. AFTER TWENTY MINUTES IT FINALLY STARTED. I STEPPED OUT TOO CLOSE THE HOOD, AND THE VEHICLE STARTED MOVING IN REVERSE. IT STRUCK A PART OF THE PARKING STUCTURE, BENDING THE HINGES AND MISSALIGNING THE DRIVERS DOOR. FROM THAT POINT ON THE TRUCK WILL NOT START IN PARK, AND YOU MUST "FIND THE NEUTRAL STARTING POINT, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND REVERSE. TODAY, 12-15-98 I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE APPARENTLY THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE, AND NOW THERE IS NO NEUTRAL TO START THE TRUCK IN !
DRUMS & ROTORS REPLACED TWICE
WHILE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IT WAS REARENDED. HAD CHILD IN EXTENDED CAB BENCH SEAT. THE SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS & CHILD'S HEAD HIT SIDE OF CAB. THE FRONT SEATS COLLAPSED BACKWARDS ONTO CHILD SEATED IN REAR. CHILD SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES FROM THE SEAT. BOTH SEATS FELL BACKWARDS UPON IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
I TOOK MY TRUCK TO 4 DIFFERENT BRAKE SHOPS AND ALL 4 TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE CALIPER HAD FAILED AND THAT MY ROTOR WAS RUINED. A COUPLE OF THE SHOPS ACTUALLY SAID THAT DODGE HAS A HISTORY OF HAVING BAD CALIPERS. I ASKED THE GM AT CHAPMAN DODGE WHAT HE KNEW ABOUT THE QUESTION OF "BAD" CALIPERS AND HE ADMITTED THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS 2 YEARS AGO. MY TRUCK IS 2 YEARS OLD.
DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM OF THE IGNITION CONTROL UNIT, THE VEHICLE SURGES/BUCKS/A NOISE IN THE DRIVELINE AND SHIFTS TOO HARD, WHICH MAY CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. THERE IS A TSB ON THE SURGING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK
FUEL PUMP FAILED.
THE VEHICLE STALLS EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS NOT MOVING, AND WHEN THE OWNER TAKES HER FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK
POWER STEERING FAILED. PUMP SHAFT SHEARED INTERNALLY. POWER STEERING PUMP, TENSIONER AND BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED. ONE WEEK LATER, THE REPLACEMENT TENSIONER FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.
THE PISTON INSIDE THE BRAKE CALIPER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE GOT STUCK, WHICH LOCKED THE CALIPER AND THE BRAKE PAD AGAINST THE ROTOR. THIS HAPPENED ALL OF SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30-35- MPH WHEN DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES.THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SLIDES ON THE CALIPER BECAME UNSEATED WHICK BECAME STUCK CAUSING THE BRAKE PAD TO LOCK AGAINST THE ROTOR CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE ROTOR AND WHEEL.
THE LATCH MECHANISM ON BOTH OF THE FRONT BUCKET SEATS, THAT ALLOW EITHER THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SEAT TO RECLINE FORWARD, DOES NOT LOCK WHEN RETURNED TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION, RESULTING IN THE SEATS MOVING FORWARD WHEN STOPPING IN A EMERGENCY SITUATION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE VAPOR LOCK MALFUNCTIONS AND THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT, THE MANUFACTURER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
WHILE DRIVING BRAKES SUDDENLY STOPPED, DID NOT WORK. NO ACCIDENTS AND NO INJURIES. CHRYSLER COULD NOT DUPLIVATE PROBLEM, BUT DODGE BOUGHT VEHICLE BACK FROM OWNER. *AK *ML
WHILE DRIVING AT 5MPH AND THE CONSUMER WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES, AND THE BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD. BY THE CONSUMER DRIVING AT A LOW DRIVE, THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP TWICE DUE TO THE ABS LIGHT COMING ON, THE ABS SENSOR SHORTING OUT, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL. *AK
THE SIZE OF THE SIDE MIRRORS ARE TOO BIG AND OBSTRUCT THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER IN THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE. *AK.ET.
FUEL QUANTITY/ SENDING UNIT FAILED.
FRONT AND THE REAR BRAKES ARE PREMATURELY WEARING OUT OR FEATHERING WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE RIGHT. ALSO, THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY NEEDS ALIGNMENT. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS, ADD ALL VEHICLE VIN#. 8AK
EXHAUST PIPE UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK
VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, LOUD CLUNKING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN WHILE TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS, DEALER REPLACED A STEERING LINKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN, THE TECHNICIAN NOTED LOOSE STEERING, AND ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE UNTIL COLUMN IS REPLACED.*ET
SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE.
TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO LEAK OIL FROM FRONT SEAL. *AK
VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 35-55 MPH. DEALER CLAIMED VIBRATION DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW WHICH CAUSES TORQUE CONVERTER TO LOCK UP.
AT 27,000 MILES THE LOWER JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
DEALER UNABLE TO CORRECT ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS.
THE FRONT BUMPER'S PAINT IS CHIPPING. WHEN DEALER WAS CONTACTED THEY BLAMED THE INCIDENT ON "ROAD SALT" THOUGH THERE WAS NO SALT ON THE ROADS AT THE TIME THE INCIDENT OCCURED. THE PAINT IS CURRENTLY BUBBLEING UP AND PEELING AS THIS COMPLAINT IS SUBMITTED.
THE BRAKE ROTORS/PADS AND SHOES FAILED AT 15,000 MILES. HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & HAD MECHANIC CHECK THE BRAKES. *AK
POWER STEERING PUMP SHAFT SHEARED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. REPLACED STEERING BELT TENSIONER WHICH HAS FAILED TWICE. *SLC
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING COLLISION RESULTING IN INJURY TO FACE AND BODY WHEN HITTING STEERING WHEEL.(ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER)
ENGINE FIRE.
CONSUMER COMPLAINING THAT DODGE MANUFACTURER IS PUTTING REGULAR VEHICLE TIRES ON THEIR TRUCKS. CONSUMER CONFRONTED DODGE MANUFACTURER, BUT MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO COMMENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
THE VEHICLE IS AT 40,000 MILES AND HAD 4 SETS OF BRAKE ROTORS AND CALIPERS REPLACED ON THE FRONT WHEELS, CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 1997 Dodge Dakota → · Every Dakota year → · How the figures are calculated →