1998 Dodge Dakota complaints

HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING, PROBLEMS WITH SWAY BAR LINKS AND UPPER CONTROL ARMS NOTICED INSPECTION, IF PARTS FAIL COMPLETELY TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING WOULD OCCUR.

WHEN LEAVING STEERING WHEEL SET IN A CERTAIN POSITION AND VEHICLE TURNED OFF. CONSUMER RETURNED AFTER SIX HOURS AND STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP. CONSUMER FELT UNSAFE BECAUSE VEHICLE WILL TAKE OFF IN THAT POSITION. *AK *YH

AT 32,000 MILES CONSUMER HAD BOTH FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED. PRESENTLY, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. INFORMED THAT BOTH LOWER BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. DEALER WAS CONTACTED / NOT COVER UNDER A RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK

TIRE BLEWOUT,LOOKS TO BE TIRE SEPARATED WAS CAUSE.*AK (DOT NUMBER: W2HH AWB TIRESIZE: P225/75R15)

FRONT LOWER JOINT HAD WORN OUT. COULD NOT GET A WHEEL ALIGNMENT BECAUSE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD WORN OUT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER HAD TO REPLACE BALL JOINT. *AK *YD

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT ANY SPEED THERE IS VIBRATION IN STEERING COLUMN. THERE IS ALSO A NOISE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN DURING ACCELERATION. DEALERSHIP HAS MADE NO DETERMINATION AS TO A CAUSE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK

REAR BRAKE LINE RUBBER FLEX TUBE CASING RUBBED AGAINST TRANSMISSION. THIS CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT FROM HOLE THAT WAS CREATED. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC HAS INSPECTED THE PROBLEM, BUT HAD NO RESOLUTION. *AK

THIS MODEL WAS RECALLED DUE TO THE REAR BRAKES FAILING IN SUCH A WAY. I BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AGAIN BUT FOR THE FRONT BRAKES. THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE AXLE CAUSING IT TO EVENTUALLY BREAK. IN THE AREA I WAS TRAVELING I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IF TRUCK WAS AT A HIGHER SPEED. OF COURSE THE DEALER FEELS NO REMORSE AND DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF IT'S CUSTOMER'S. IT'S FUNNY HOW THEY ARE WANTING TO SPEAK WITH YOU WHILE YOU PURCHASE IT, BUT AFTERWARDS THEY NO NOTHING ABOUT THE TRUCK AND IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT. I'M STILL WAITING FOR THE PART AND IT IS 9-18-01. SEEMS THE PART IS HARD TO FIND.*AK

WHINE AT 45 MPH, COMPLAINED AT FIRST SERVICE, REPLACED RACK AND PINION GER KIT + SOME BEARINGS, ETC. NOISE STILL THERE. REPLACED AGAIN AT 35964// REPLACED AGAIN ON VACATION OUT OF TOWN @ 40K DUE TO BEING ADVISED IT WAS POSSIBLE TOO DANGEROUS TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT. WHINE STILL THERE... REPLACED AGAIN AT 52K + BEARING AXLE SHAFTS... WHINE IS STILL THERE... CONCERN THAT A DEEPER MORE INTERNAL PART (NEVER REPLACES) IS CAUSING ALL THIS WEAR & EVENTUALLY WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ON THE ROAD.

OWNER'S MANUAL STATED 87 OR HIGHER OCTANE SHOULD BE USED. WHEN PUTTING A MEDUIM GRADE GAS IN VEHICLE OVERDRIVE STOPPED WORKING/TORQUE CONVERTER WOULD NOT LOCK UP, AND CAUSED RPMS TO INCREASE. RMPS WENT UP TOO HIGH FOR TRUCK. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ,AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHEN DRIVING AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE NEEDED WIPERS STOPPED WORKING, CAUSING POOR DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER; MECHANIC NOTED A TEMPORARY SOLUTION TO PROBLEM BY TAPPING ON WIPER MOTOR.*AK

IN 1999 STEERING WAS TIGHT/ HARD TO TURN, AND DIFFICULT TO STEER. CONSUMER TOOKVEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED RACK AND PINION. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE NEEDS ANOTHER RACK AND PINION. *AK CONSUMER STATES HE THOUGHT HE SAW WHERE THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING STEERING ON HIS VEHICLE. BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACED, HOWEVER SHOP COULD NOT GET THE PIN OUT TO MAKE REPAIRS. FRONT END NEEDED ALIGNMENT, IT WAS OUT OF SPECS. *SLC

VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 01V153000982 BUT, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

I HAVE RECENTLY NOTICED MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER MAKING TICKING NOISE AGAIN, MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS JUST RECENTLY EXPIRED TOO. THIS PART HAD BEEN REPLACED AT 22000 MILES. NOW JUST LESS THAN 2 YEARS LATER I AM RUNNING INTO THE SAME DELEMA. I HAVE SPOKE TO SEVERAL AUTO MECHANICS AND THEY ALL SAY THAT THIS MUST BE A DEFECTED PART. WHEN I NOTIFIED MY DODGE DEALER, HE STATED BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, I WILL HAVE THE BURDEN OF PAYING ALL THE COST. YET AGAIN THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN A TRUCK THAT WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW LESS THAN 4 YEARS AGO. I FEEL THAT AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS AND TALKING TO SEVERAL OTHER DODGE OWNERSHAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, THAT THE PART IS A DEFECT. ABOVE ALL, DODGE DOESN'T SEEM TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THEY WERE RUDE AND WOULD NOT BUDGE TO SATISFY THEIR CUSTOMERS. IN FACT MY SERVICE ADVISOR EVEN WENT ON TO TELL ME THAT I PROBABLY HIT A BUMP THAT MADE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER GO OUT. COME ON NOW THIS IS A 4X4, YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT IF I HIT A SPEEDBUMP MY ENGINE WILL DROP? "DODGE TOUGH" ? YEAH RIGHT! THEY CERTAINLY LOST MY BUSINESS IN THE FUTURE. PLEASE CHECK ON THIS DEFECTED PART, THERE HAS GOT TO BE JUSTICE FOR THE CONSUMER. BAD WORD OF MOUTH IS THE WORST ADVERTISEMENT DODGE AND I GOT A BIG MOUTH GUYS!*AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH TRACK BAR BROKE OFF THE FRAME. CONSUMER COULD NOT CONTROL VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER GOT 3 ESTIMATES. *AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY A WELDER THAT MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROPERLY WELD BRACKET TO FRAME THE TRACK SUPPORT BAR SUPPORTS THE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY.*JB

AT 9500 MILES THE SPEED CONTROL SENSOR MALFUCNTIONED, CAUSING SPEEDOMETER TO OPERATE ERRATICALLY. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. THEN, WITH APPROXIMATELY 61,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, SPEED CONTROL SENSOR HAS MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS, THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT SILLUMINATE, THE ABS DOES NOT WORK, THE SPEEDOMETER WORKS ERRATICALLY ALONG WITH ALL OTHER INSTRUMENT GAUGES, VEHICLE ALSO STALLS OUT AS SOON AS THE CONSUMER LETS UP ON THE GAS OR HAVE IT IN NEUTRAL. *SLC

WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 75 MPH FRONT HOOD WILL COME UP. ALSO HAS HAPPENED AT LOWER SPEEDS. HAD NOT CONTACTED DEALER.*AK *JB

THE FIRST BALL JOINT ON THE RIGHT SIDE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT JUST OVER 36000 MILES. IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTEE. THE 2ND. BALL JOINT FAILED AT APR 62000 MILES. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER BUT THEY SAID IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT WITH JUST 62000 MI. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE 2 BALL JOINTS. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE 1998 DODGE DAKOTA HAS A PROBLEM AND THAT THEY ARE THE ONE'S THAT SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE NOT ME.. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THESE BALL JOINTS WOULD HAVE FAILED DOING 70 ON I-75. I GUESS CHRYSLER WANTS TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE GETS KILLED BEFORE THEY WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. THANKS FOR LISTENING.

AIR CONDITIONING HOSE LEADING TO ALUMINUM ASSEMBLY FAILED DUE TO CUT IN HOSE. MIDDLE PORTION OF HOSE RESTS DIRECTLY OVER ONE CORNER OF PLASTIC AIR FILTER COVER ASSEMBLY. AT THE CORNER OF AIR FILTER COVER THERE IS A SMALL VERTICAL SPLINE THAT IS PART OF THE MOLDED PASTIC LID COVER. THE THICKNESS OF THE SPLINE IS SIMILAR TO A COMMON PLASTIC PICNIC KNIFE BUT WITHOUT SERRATIONS. APPARENTLY OVER TIME DUE TO VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING, THE HOSE RUBBED AGAINST THIS PLASTIC SPLINE WEARING A 1/4 INCH SLIT/HOLE. WHEN THE HOSE FINALLY RUBBED THROUGH, THE REFRIGERANT DECOMPRESSED RAPIDLY. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD AS ALL AUTOMOBLE AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERANT CONTAINS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF OIL. WHEN THE REFRIGERANT DECOMPRESES EXPLOSIVELY OR EXTREMELY RAPIDLY, IT CREATES A MIST THAT IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE. TIRES. THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER TIRES (GOODYEAR P235/70 R16) HAVE PREMATURE WEAR AND THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKING. EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR HAS TAKEN PLACE TO VARYING DEGRESS ON ALL FOUR TIRES. TIRE WEAR WAS FIRST NOTICED AROUND 25,000 MILES, BUT DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF WEAR, I ESTIMATE IT STARTED AT 20,000 MILES. THESE TIRES ARE RATED FOR 40-45,000 MILES. I DO NOT THINK THE TIRES ARE AT FAULT. SINCE THE TRUCK VEERS TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKING, I SUSPECT THAT AN OUT-OF-ALIGNMENT CONDITION EXISTS. PREMATURE TIRE WEAR PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD IF THE TIRE FAILS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ALSO, AN OUT-OF-ALIGNMENT CONDITION SHOULD NOT EXIST BEFORE 20-25,000 MILES ON A NEW VECHICLE.*AK

THE MAINFOLD BOLTS BROKE FLUSH WITH THE MANIFOLDS. 1998 4 CYLINDER DAKOTAS ARE KNOWN FOR THIS DEFECT. CHRYSLER WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY PART OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY CLAIM IGNORANCE AND BASICALLY TOLD ME I WAS STUPID FOR NOT BUYING AN EXTENDED WARANTY. I TALKED TO AND SHOWED THE TRUCK TO OTHER MCHANICS AND THEY SAID, "THIS SHOUDL NOT HAVE HAPPEND TO THIS TRUCK." CHRYSLER ALSO TOLD ME WHEN I CALLED TO TAKE IT TO A CHRYSLER/DODGE DEALER TO GET THE WORK DONE FOR ANY CONSIDERATION OF HELPINGH TO COVER EXPENSES. I DID THAT AND GOT AN OUTRAGEOUS BILL FRO 1806.99. I CALLED THE DAMLER CORP. BACK AND JOSH TOLD NE TOO BAD. I ALSO HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AND IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN RECORDE IN 4 CYLINDER DAKOTAS YOU CNA SSUME THE AME PROBLEM EXISTS IN THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR TRUCKS. I AM OUTRAGED. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY 1998 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK. TO DATE THE CATALLETIC CONVERTER, DRIVE COLUMN, GEAR BOX, DOME LIGHT SWITCH AND BALL JPINT HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ALL WERE COVERED EXCEPT THE BALL JOINT. THEY TOLD ME IT JUST PASSED AT THE LOWER END OF THEIR STANDARD USING SOME SORT OF TOOL. THAT'S A CROCK. ALSO, I HAD TO TAKE IT TO 3 DEALER STO GET A WATER LEAK FIXED. I HAD OVER 3 INCHES OF WATER IN MY TRUCK AT ONE TIME. THEY FINALLY FOUND IT AND HAD TO RIP OUT THE ENTIRE INTERIOR AND CLEAN IT BECASUE4 IT STANK. HOW DO I KNOW THAT ISN'T GOING TO RUST IN THE FUTURE BECASUSE OF THE LEAKS. NOW, THE MANIFOLD STUDS HAVE BROKEN. I ALSO HAD TO GET A CAR RENTA

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH A CHEVROLET, CELEBRITY AT 40 MPH. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER. *AK

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON WHILE WE WERE ON A TRIP TO PALM COAST, FL ON THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2001. THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED FROM NORMAL TO 0. WE PULLED OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT. THE TRUCK WAS STILL RUNNING, HOWEVER WE CALLED CHRYSLER AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD TOW IT TO THE NEAREST DODGE DEALERSHIP. WE TOLD THEM TO TAKE IT TALLAHASSEE AS WE WERE IN MADISON. AFTER ONE WEEK BEING IN THE SHOP THEY TOLD US THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN DUE TO NON-MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGES). WE DID NOT UNDERSTAND THAT BECAUSE WE HAD THE OIL CHANGED. IT WAS NOT EVERY 3000 MILES BUT IT WAS SUFFICIENT. THEY TOLD US THAT THE OIL HAD NEVER BEEN CHANGED IN THIS TRUCK. THIS IS TOTALLY UNTRUE. WE GAVE THEM RECEIPTS WHERE IT WAS CHANGED AND THEY SAID THE INSPECTOR FROM CHRYSLER HAD TO CHECK IT OUT. WE HAD TO PAY RUSSELL DODGE OVER $200.00 TO BREAK IT DOWN JUST FOR AN INSPECTION. THE INSPECTOR FOR CHRYSLER CAME AFTER 3 DAYS AND SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SO MY HUSBAND WORKS FOR PRESTIGE INFINITI DEALERSHIP IN TALLAHASSEE AND WE HAD IT TOWED TO THEIR GARAGE TO LOOK AT. THEY TOLD US THE ENGINE WAS GONE AND THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. WE BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE 6 CYLINDER 1998 DODGE TRUCK ENGINES, BECAUSE WE CAN PROVE THAT THE OIL WAS CHANGED, THEREFORE SOMETHING IN THE ENGINE WAS NOT WORKING AND CAUSED A BACK UP OF OIL OR SOMETHING WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE FUNNY THING IS THAT WHEN WE CALLED TO GET A REPLACEMENT ENGINE, THE PERSON WE ORDERED I

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED A 10 YEAR OLD WAS ABLE TO CHANGE GEARS WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKES, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT A TREE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS*AK

A CRACKED FIFTH GEAR LEFT ME COASTING IN NEUTRAL AT 55 MPH ON A SIX LANE LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY, DESPERATELY TRYING TO REACH THE SAFETY OF THE SHOULDER IN LATE EVENING TRAFFIC. *AK

CONSUMER'S SHOULDER BELT ON DRIVER SIDE WASN'T RETRACTING ONCE IT HAS BEEN PULLED TO SECURE OCCUPANT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND THERE WAS ONLY A 36,000 MILE WARRANTY FOR SEAT BELTS. NO RECALL HAS BEEN INITIATED.*AK

CONSUMER WAS ON THIRD CLUTCH FAN. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 46,000 MILES. FIRST CLUTCH FAN WENT OUT AT 26,000, AND SECOND WENT OUT AT ANOTHER 19-20,000 MILES APART. DEALER COULDN'T EXPLAIN IF THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH THE PARTS. *AK

REAREND HAS FAILED TWICE , FIRST AT 20,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 25,000 LATER DUE TO BEARING AND RING/ PINION FAILURE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE FROM VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT WELDED TO VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING UP A HILL NOTICED VEHICLE NOT GAINING POWER. ALSO, WHILE ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE WILL NOT TRAVEL OVER 45 MPH. TECHNICIAN STATED CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS STRANDED AND WAS UNABLE TO GET TO WORK DUE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR FAILURE. *YH

DRIVESHAFT DISCONNECTED WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 75 MPH, CAUSING DAMAGES TO TRANSMISSON AND ENGINE BLOCK. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY, AND NOTHING WOULD BE DONE. CONSUMER COMPLAINED NOT ABOUT WARRANTY, BUT DAMAGE OF DRIVESHAFT AT LESS THEN 19,000 MILES OF WEAR. ASKING FOR NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

THE A-ARM/BUSHING FAILED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, THE FRONT END ALWAYS FELT UNSTABLE AND AFTER NUMEROUS REPAIRS THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO GET WORSE NOT BETTER. NLM

I HAVE HAD A MASTER CYLINDER GO BAD AND UPON REPLACEMENT I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT I AM NOT GETTING BRAKE FLUID TO THE REAR BRAKES. BOTH REAR SIDES ARE NOT RECIEVING FLUID. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE OCCURING AT THE FRONT NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE IS A METAL BLOCK THAT RECIEVES FLUID FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE DISTRIBUTES IT TO THE ABS SYSTEM THEN TO THE WHEELS. FLUID IS LEAVING THE MASTER CYLINDER AND GOING TO THIS BLOCK BUT IS NOT LEAVING IT TO GO TO THE REAR BRAKES.*AK

WE TRADED OUR 1999 KIA SPORTAGE FOR A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK 10-12-2000, AT THE CENTRAL KIA SUBARU DEALERSHIP IN PLANO TEXAS. WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK AND WE HAVE SPENT OVER $800.00 SINCE WE HAVE HAD THE TRUCK. WE CONTACTED THE KIA DEALERSHIP PH#972-422-5300, WHEN WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS THEY TOLD US THAT DODGE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS ETC. THE TRUCK IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WE HAD DRIVEN THE TRUCK FOR ONE MONTH WHEN THE PROBLEMS STARTED. THE TRUCK IS A LEMON AND WE ARE STUCK WITH TRUCK PAYMENTS AND WE ARE IN DEBT OVER THE REPAIRS WE HAD TO PAY FOR OUT OF OUR OWN POCKETS. THIS IS NOT RIGHT AND SURELY IS NOT FAIR TO US. WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO BLEDSOE DODGE, INC.PH#214-296-9800 @ [XXX]. LOVE FREEWAY DALLAS TEXAS MR. [XXX] SPOKE WITH US ABOUT THE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID ETC. AND HE TOLD US THAT DODGE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK FROM THE KIA DEALERSHIP. SO WE HAD TO PAY $200.00 TO MR. [XXX] AT THE DODGE DEALERSHIP FOR BRAKE REPAIRS. WE NEED SOME JUSTICE WITH THIS MATTER AND YOU ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT WE BELIEVE CAN HELP US WITH THIS MATTER. WE NEED OUR MONEY BACK THAT WE HAVE BEEN OUT OF BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS LEMON WE HAVE BEEN STUCK WITH. PLEASE HELP US? SINCERELY YOURS MR.& MRS [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JS *TR

WE TRADED OUR 1999 KIA SPORTAGE FOR A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK 10-12-2000, AT THE CENTRAL KIA SUBARU DEALERSHIP IN PLANO TEXAS. WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK AND WE HAVE SPENT OVER $800.00 SINCE WE HAVE HAD THE TRUCK. WE CONTACTED THE KIA DEALERSHIP PH#972-422-5300, WHEN WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS THEY TOLD US THAT DODGE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS ETC. THE TRUCK IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WE HAD DRIVEN THE TRUCK FOR ONE MONTH WHEN THE PROBLEMS STARTED. THE TRUCK IS A LEMON AND WE ARE STUCK WITH TRUCK PAYMENTS AND WE ARE IN DEBT OVER THE REPAIRS WE HAD TO PAY FOR OUT OF OUR OWN POCKETS. THIS IS NOT RIGHT AND SURELY IS NOT FAIR TO US. WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO BLEDSOE DODGE, INC.PH#214-296-9800 @ [XXX] LOVE FREEWAY DALLAS TEXAS MR [XXX] SPOKE WITH US ABOUT THE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID ETC. AND HE TOLD US THAT DODGE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK FROM THE KIA DEALERSHIP. SO WE HAD TO PAY $200.00 TO MR. JIM HURST AT THE DODGE DEALERSHIP FOR BRAKE REPAIRS. WE NEED SOME JUSTICE WITH THIS MATTER AND YOU ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT WE BELIEVE CAN HELP US WITH THIS MATTER. WE NEED OUR MONEY BACK THAT WE HAVE BEEN OUT OF BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS LEMON WE HAVE BEEN STUCK WITH. PLEASE HELP US? SINCERELY YOURS MR.& MRS [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

A FEW MONTHS AGO CONSUMER WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP, AND DEALER SERVICED BRAKES ON 23RD OF FEBRUARY, 2001. CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT, AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK AS GOOD AS THEY SHOULD HAVE WORKED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THERE WERE 3 FATALATIES AND 1 INJURY. *SLC

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

BATTERY EXPLODED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CASE AND UNDERHOOD NOISE INSULATION. *SLC

THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN OVERHAULED TWO TIMES, THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS EXCESSIVE AND THAT THE FIRST REPAIR SHOULD HAVE LASTED LONGER THAT 40,000 MILES. *MJS

WHILE DRIVING STEPPED ON BRAKES PEDAL BUT BRAKES WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. WOULD HAVE TO STEP HARDER TO MAKE BRAKES WORK. BUT, AT TIMES COULD NOT STOP, AND ONCE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT STOPPED. CURRENTLY, THERE WAS MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 891. *AK

THERE IS PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH CONTAINS THE RACK AND PINION STEERING, FIRST STARTING AT A HALF INCH, DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM, PLAY IS UP TO ONE INCH AND A QUARTER. *CJ

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

ROTORS (FRONT DISCS) WARP EXTEMELY QUICKLY BECAUSE OF CYLINDER SEAL. SEAL IS ALLOWING BRAKE PADS TO REMAIN IN CONTACT WITH ROTORS. BRAKING AT HIGH SPEED CAUSES THE FRONT END TO VIBRATE AND IS VERY DIFFICULT. ROTORS TURNED AND PADS REPLACED AT 36000, AND IS NEEDED AGAIN AT 59000. THIS VIBRATION IS ALSO CAUSING THE FRONT END TO GET OUT OF ALIGNMENT VERY QUICKLY. IN 59000 IT HAS REQUIRED 4 MAJOR ALIGNMENTS AND IS NOW IN NEED OF 5TH. *AK

HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING DUE TO WIRING HARNESS BURNING OUT. DEALER DID NOT ALLOW CONSUMER TO DRIVE VEHICLE HOME DURING THE DAY TO AVOID AN AUTOMOBILE FIRE. *AK

GOODYEAR INVECTA GL TIRE P215/75R15 DOT M6HFD8ER098 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, PRIOR TO BLOWOUT, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT. *SLC

ENGINE EXPERIENCES ROUGH AND LOW IDLE, AND STALLING, DEALER HAS REPLACED THROTTLE BODY, MANIFOLD GASKETS, AND VALVE BODY, HOWEVER STALLING STILL EXISTS, DEALER STATED THE COMBINATION OF STOPPING, SHIFTING, AND THE TURNING OF THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STALL, THERE WAS ALSO AN OIL PAN LEAK AND COOLANT LEAK, PURGE SOLENOID WAS ALSO NOISY. REVERSE LIGHTS HAD A DEFECTIVE SWITCH AND THE HEADLIGHTS HAD A DEFECTIVE SWITCH. EXHAUST WAS NOISY AND THE EXHAUST BOLTS WERE BROKEN. MOLDINGS WERE LEAKING, DEALER HAD TO ALSO REPLACE CARPET. BRAKES LOCKED UP, DEALER FOUND THEY WERE FULL OF BRAKE DUST, FRONT ROTORS GOUGED, DEALER REPLACED BRAKES AND ROTORS. STEERING GEAR BOX AND POWER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY BOTH LEAKED. TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED MANY PROBLEMS, A DEFECTIVE LEAKING PRESSURE LINE, VIBRATION IN DRIVELINE, VEHICLE WOULD SLAM IN REVERSE WHEN GOING FROM DRIVE, DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED DUE TO A HUMMING NOISE, AND THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE. NEW TIRES (NO SIZE OR BRAND) DUE TO VIBRATION IN FRONT END. *SLC

THIS IS THE 13TH SEPERATE DAKOTA THAT I KNOW OF THAT HAD EVAPORATOR FAILURE AT 38-41000 MILES FROM THE LOCAL CAAR AIRCONDITIONING REPAIR SHOP HE SEES HUNDREDS A YEAR FROM DODGE VEHICLES AT ABOUT THIS MILEAGE THIS HAS TO BE A INHERANT PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE FIXED AND RECALLED FOR PROPER FIXING. IVE OWNED MORE THAN TWO DOZEN CARS IN MY FAMILY INCLUDING 8 CHRYSLER CARS AND NEVER HAD SO MUCH AS ONE EVAPORATOR OR AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE UP TO OVER 100000 MILES JUST TOO MUCH OF A CO-INCIDENCE THAT THIS COULD BE HAPPING TO ALL OF US PLEASE INVESTIGATE THANKS. *AK

WHEN TIRES WERE BEING ROTATED AT 5,000 MILES, FOUR WHEEL STUDS BROKE OFF DURING NUT REMOVAL. *CJ

THIS TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE FREEWAY WITH NO WARNING AT FREEWAY SPEED,THE TIRE DESTROYED THE ALUMINIUM RIM, I SENT WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE TIRE TO PIRELLI, THEY CLAIM THAT THEIR EXAMINATION INDICATES NO MANUFACTURING DEFECTS, BUT THAT THE "TIRE SUFFERED AN IMPACT TO THE WHEEL AT THE 6:00 CLOCK POSITION THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE COMPLETE DEFLECTION OF THE TIRE DOWN TO THE WELL SMEARING THE INTERLINER RUBBER ON THE WELL OF THE WHEEL." I DID NOT HAVE AN IMPACT, THE TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE RETAINED THE TIRE AND RIM. I HAVE 2 OTHER TIRES ON MY VEHICLE AND I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE A DEFECT IN THE TIRE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: CKHFGBC356 TIRESIZE: 215/75R15)

WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN STEERING WHEEL PULLS EXTREMELY TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT, ALSO, AFTER VEHICLE IS IN PARK VEHICLE JERKS FORWARD,CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK