1998 Dodge Dakota complaints

SQUEALING NOISE WHILE DRIVING- COMING FROM TRANSFER CASE AREA. *AK

THE SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOES NOT LOCK. THE BELT WOULD NOT RESTRAINT THE OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED, BUT BELT SEEMS TO BE DOING THE SAME THING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

TRUCK BUCKED VIOLENTLY AND STALLED IMMEDIATELY AFTER GETTING DISCOUNT GAS, STALLED THEREAFTER SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND WHILE WAITING AT STOP SIGNS/RED LIGHTS . DEALER SAID IT NEEDED TUNE-UP, PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. DIFFERENT DEALER FIXED GASKET ON INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT WAS DRAWING OIL INTO ENGINE. SOON AFTER TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE BEFORE SHIFTING, THEN REV HIGH (FROM 2,000 RPM TO 4,000) SUDDENLY, THEN SHIFT TO NEXT GEAR. FIRST DEALER CLAIMED PINION BEARINGS WERE WORN, PROBLEM WAS NOT WITH TRANSMISSION. PROBLEM CONTINUED DAY AFTER PINION BEARINGS REPLACED, DEALER PRESSED TO LOOK AT TRANSMISSION. DIAGNOSED CLUTCH FAILURE. DAY AFTER REPAIR RATTLING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM EXHAUST, RETURNED TO DEALER. BOLT HAD SHEARED OFF INTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD FROM HEAT SHIELD, DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS FROM SNOW PACKING ON SHIELD. COPY OF LETTER TO DAIMLER-CHRYSLER BEING SENT TO NHTSA. *AK

CLUNK IN FRONT SUSPENSION, FELT IN DRIVER FLOORBOARD WHEN TURNING ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT. BEEN TO DEALER 3+ TIMES, CAN'T FIX. MANUFACTURER'S REPRESENTATIVE SAYS NORMAL, BUT I THINK IT FEELS LOOSE. *AK

CLUNK FELT IN STEERING COLUMN, FELT IN WHEEL AND PEDALS WHEN TURNING. COUPLER REPLACED PER TSB19-012-97, ONLY MARGINALLY BETTER. NOW AT 24,000 MILES IT'S BACK AS BAD AS EVER. *AK

ENGINE HAS INTERMITTENT STUMBLE/DETONATION PROBLEMS. COMPUTER FLASHED PER TSB. OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED PER ENGINE DATA READOUT. DISTRIBUTOR REINDEXED PER TECHNICIAN'S SEAT OF THE PANTS. STILL OCCURS, BUT SO INFREQUENTLY DEALERSHIP CAN'T DUPLICATE.

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THIS THE SECOND CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THE FIRST @ 11000 MILES AND NOW @ 17000 MILES. *AK

TRUCK HAS ONLY 46000 MILES ON IT. HIGHWAY USE, VERY LITTLE 4-WD USAGE. I FIND IT SUSPICIOUS THAT THE BALL JOINTS WORE OUT SO QUICKLY, AND THE PARTS ARE NATIONALLY BACKORDERED FOR 1 MONTH. *AK

TRANMISSION ONGOING, POPPING IN REAR ONGOING, TIRES BALD IN 5,000 MILES. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC AND HAVING THE TRANSMISSION NOT WORK PROPERLY( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P215 75R15 )

VEHICLE IS PINGING NUMERIOUS TIMES BROKEN THE MANIFOLD BOLTS. YH

THIS TRUCK HAS RUINED TWO SETS OF ROTORS IN UNDER 22K MILES!

TRANS. SHIFTS VERY HARD/POPPING NOISE FROM STEERING..DEALER CAN'T FIX..??!!

CENTER CONSOLE KEEPS BREAKING AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF USE WHILE RAISING AND LOWERING IT. *AK

ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE DRIVING 70MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE JUST PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. CONSUMER SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND FRONT END SHOOK VIOLENTLY. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL OSCILATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH HAD A SEVERE PULSE. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK

OVERHAULED 10000 MILES REPLACED ASSY. 13000 MILES SAME PROBLEM DANA ASSY. 355 STYLE

PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHEN DRIVING FREEWAY SPEEDS OVER BUMPS OR HOLES IN THE ROAD. THE TRUCK COMES DOWN AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT THEN COMPENSATES BY PULLING TO THE LEFT. I FEEL THIS IS A HAZARD DUE TO SOMETIMES IT IS SO SEVERE I FEEL LIKE MY TRUCK WILL END UP IN ANOTHER LANE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO DODGE IN OAKLAND, CA. THREE TIMES AND THEY HAVE LOOKED AT THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION, STABILIZING BAR, SHOCKS, AND TELL ME THIS IS THE BEST MY TRUCK IS GOING TO GET. I HAVE MADE A COMPLAINT TO THE CORP OFFICE AND I AM SUPOSED TO HEAR FROM THE REGIONAL MANAGER FOR A TEST DRIVE WITH HIM. I AM AFRAID THAT I WON'T BE ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM SINCE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ON ALL BUMPS OR HOLES IN THE ROAD. I ALSO FEEL THIS IS A HAZARD SINCE I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL REACT TO A ROAD SURFACE. I HAVE MANY PEOPLE WHO TELL ME THIS IS NOT NORMAL BEHAVIOR OF A NEW TRUCK ON A HIGHWAY.

THE DRIVER SEATBELT WOULD NOT RETRACT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURED. DEALER REPLACED DRIVER SEATBELT ON TWO OCCASIONS. *YC

NO SUMMARY

FUEL PUMP FAILED W/O WARNING ON FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC, ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT TAILGATE OPENED WHILE GOING DOWN HIGHWAY PULLING TRAILER, CRUSHED WHEN TAKING TURN, HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES BEFORE

WHEN MAKING SHARP RIGHT TURNS ON AN INCLINE THERE WOULD BE LOUD POPPING NOISES. A CONSTANT PROBLEM. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WOULD HAVE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *AK

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 18 TIMES IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS WITH THE BRAKES. THE DEALER TELLS ME THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO OPERATE THAT WAY. THESE BRAKES ARE SO BAD I NO LONGER CALL THEM ANTI-LOCK BRAKES I CALL THEM ANTI-STOP BRAKES. DO I HAVE TO KILL SOMEONE IN AN ACCIDENT FOR THEM TO BE FIXED? ALL I KNOW IS I HAVE ORDERED A NEW TRUCK AND IT IS NOT A DODGE! I HESITATE TO EVEN RIDE IN ANY CHRYSLER PRODUCT!!!

SINCE THE 8TH OF JUNE 99, I HAVE HAD A CONTINUIOUS SOUND OF ENGINE KNOCK, I UNDERSTAND THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS YOU'LL HAVE A FAINT ENGINE KNOCK NOISE. WHAT I HAVE CONTINUES AT ALL SPEEDS AND IS WORST AT HIGHER SPEEDS. EXAMPLE IS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE RADIO AND A/C ON YOU CAN HERE THE ENGINE KNOCK. VEHICLE HAS LESS THEN 11,000 MILES ON IT. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE GOES IN FOR A CHECK THE SERVICE MANAGER, TECHNICIANS AND UPPER MANAGEMENT SAYS YES THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT COMES TIME FOR THE WORK THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM, THEN THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. AS I LEAVE THE DEALERSHIP THE PROBLEM STILL EXSIST, EXCESIVE ENGINE KNOCK AND EXSHAUST SOUNDS. I DON'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE THAT MUCH DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE ENGINE NOISE. THE ENGINE NOISE TELLS ME THAT OF A PROBLEM DOES EXSISTS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE.

PASSENGER SEATBELT WILL NOT LOCK PASSENGER IN PLACE IN THE EVENT OF ACCIDENT. DEALERSHIP HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM, REPLACED THE BELT ONE TIME. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A SECOND REPLACEMENT. REAR BRAKES ONLY WORE OUT AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. 5,000 MILES PRIOR THEY HAD BEEN CHECKED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND REPORTED TO BE "LINE NEW". FRONT BRAKES ARE STILL FINE AT 48,000 MILES.

WHEN RUNNING THE A/C AND STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT, THEN ATTEMPTING TO RESTART, AND CAR JUST QUITS. *AK

NO SUMMARY.

ELECTRIC WINDOWS FAILED. I TRIED TO REPLACE THE CIRCUIT BREAKER, BUT IT WAS SO HOT IT BURNED MY FINGERS. THE CIRCUIT BREAKER STAYED HOT AS LONG AS THE IGNITION WAS ON. I HAD TO REMOVE THE CIRCUIT BREAKER AND DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS PARTIALLY OPEN FOR 2 DAYS. AFTER 2 DAYS, THE WINDOWS BEGAN TO WORK AS NORMAL. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING BROKEN.

1. NOISE WHEN RELEASING THE CLUTCH BEGAN DURING A VACATION TRIP IN JUNE 1999, WITH APPROXIMATELY 15,500 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. OVER THE PAST 3 MONTHS THE NOISE HAS BECOME WORSE. THE PROBLEM IS BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE TRUCK. THEY SAID IT WAS A BEARING IN THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY FOR THE CLUTCH IS ONLY 1 YEAR THE DEALERSHIP IS FIXING IT FOR ME AT NO CHARGE. 2. THE ORIGINAL CAB ISOLATORS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE TRUCK MAKING A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHENEVER I TURNED A CORNER OR ENTERED/EXITED A DRIVEWAY. AFTER THE FIRST REPLACEMENT THE CLUNKING STILL OCCURRED SO THE TRUCK WENT BACK IN THE SHOP WHERE THE DEALER "SHAVED" THE ISOLATORS. THAT DIDN'T HELP SO THE TRUCK WENT BACK A THIRD TIME AND ANOTHER SET OF CAB ISOLATORS WERE INSTALLED AND THE CLUNKING SOUND DID NOT OCCUR AGAIN. TO GET THIS REPAIR RIGHT REQUIRED 3 TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND A TOTAL OF 14 DAYS IN THE SHOP. 3. A LEAK OF TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS DETECTED DURING AN OIL AND FILTER CHANGE ON A VACATION TR

SURE WISH THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF SUCH VEHICLES WHEN THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT SO WE CAN MAKE THE DECISION AS TO IF IT APPLIES TO OUR VEHICLE OR NOT...THE AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS DO IT THAT WAY...I KNOW..I WORK FOR THE BOEING AIRCRAFT COMPANY

WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE CUTS OFF. ALSO WHILE IDLING, GIVING VEHICLE GAS OR STOPPING AT INTERSECTIONS, VEHICLE ALSO CUTS OFF. *AK

INTRUMENT CLUSTER--SPEEDOMETER, GAS TANK GAUGE.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

TIRES. BRIDGESTONE.

ENGINE--CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON.

RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED, AND VEHICLE IS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. DEALER SAID THAT THEY NEEDED FLUID. THEY PUT FLUID IN AND IT LEAKED OUT INTO THE DRIVEWAY. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR/ NO INJURIES AND NO COLLISION, THE TRUCK HAD TO BE TOWED. *AK

SEAT HINGE TORE FLESH OFF MY COUSINS LEFT INDEX FINGER TO THE BONE. HE NEEDED TO GET 7 STITCHES

DODGE INCORRECTLY OR FALSELY ADVERTISED AND INFORMED PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE DAKOTA R/T THAT THE TOWING CAPACITY WAS 6400#. OVER ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASE, THEY SENT A SIMPLE FORM LETTER STATING THAT THE SAFE CAPACITY WAS ACTUALLY 2000#. IN SPITE OF THIS, THEIR WEBSITE AND PRODUCT INFORMATION STILL INDICATES THE CAPACITY TO BE EITHER 6400# OR OVER 8000# DEPENDING ON THE SOURCE. WHILE CONTINUING TO DECEIVE NEW CUSTOMERS, THEY ALSO ARE STONEWALLING CURRENT OWNERS WHO ARE ATTEMPTING TO INDIVIDUALLY DEAL WITH DODGE REGARDING CORRECTIVE ACTION, BUYBACKS, ETC. I AM AWARE OF AT LEAST ONE REPORTED ACCIDENT IN NEW MEXICO ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE INCORRECT CRITICAL INFORMATION NOT BEING DISCLOSED TO OWNERS AND DEALT WITH BY DAIMLER CHRYSLER CORP.

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

TOW RATING ADVERTISED AT 6400LBS, REVISED TO 2000LBS, WILL NOT TOW MY BOAT

TOWING ISSUE

MANUFACTURER HAS REDUCED RATED TOWING CAPACITY FROM 6400# TO 2000# WITHOUT STATING A REASON OR OFFERING AN EXPLANATION. I NEED TO KNOW WHY THE REDUCTION HAS BEEN MADE. WILL TOWING 4000# NOW CAUSE A FAILURE/ACCIDENT?

DAKOTA R/T TOWING ISSUE---CHRYSLER CORP. HAS LOWERED THE TOW RATING ON THE DAKOTA R/T MODELS FROM 6400 LBS. TO 2000 LBS.. AT FIRST THEY TOLD ME IS WAS THE SPEED RATING OF THE TIRES. WHEN I ASKED WHY THEY DO NOT JUST CHANGE THE TIRES THEY TOLD ME IT WAS IN THE LOWERED SUSPENSION THAT COULD CAUSE FRAME FAILURE. I BELIEVE IT IS TIME FOR CHRYSLER TO OFFICALLY SAY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I ALSO HAVE A 1997 DAKOTA WORK TRUCK AND I BOUGHT THE 1998 DAKOTA R/T TO USE AS A TOW VEHICLE FOR MY CLASSIC CAR. CHRYSLER HAS OFFERED TO BUY BACK THE TRUCK BUT I WOULD LOSE ABOUT $3500 IN COSTS AND INTEREST. I AM NOT INTERESTED IN LOSING ANY MONEY ON THIS TRUCK BECAUSE CHRYSLER MADE A MISTAKE. LIKE I SAID EARLIER IT IS TIME FOR CHRYSLER TO OFFICALLY SAY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE APPRECIATED. CHARLIE HINES

TRUCK IS BEING SOLD WITHOUT STATING TOWING HAS CHANGED. DODGE IS ONLY OFFERING A BUY BACK OF THE TRUCK, HOWEVER THE TRUCK HAS BEEN DEVALUED AND COULD BE DAMAGED IF OWNER TRIES TO TOW MORE THEN 2000 POUNDS. ADVERTISED IT WOULD PULL 6400 POUNDS.

THIS IS MY COMPLAINT. DODGE HAS ISSUED AN ADDENDUM FOR THE R/T TOWING COMPACITY WEIGHT. SINCE THEY SOLD THE VEHICLE TO ME STATING THAT IT COULD TOW UP TO 6400 PDS; I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT COMPONENT(S) ARE FAILING TO MAKE THEM ISSUE THESE ADDENDUMS. ARE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T RECEIVED THIS ADDENDUM IN DANGER ON THE HIGHWAY IF THERE TOWING A TRAILING. I CAN'T GET ANY ANSWERS FROM CHRYSLER. MAYBE YOU PEOPLE CAN.

CONTINUED SPARK KNOCK. HAS BEEN IN SHOP 4 DIFFERENT TIMES. DEALER NOT SURE HOW TO FIX IT.

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, BOTH THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. TOOK THE TRUCK STRAIGHT TO A DEALER AND THEY FOUND "NO CODES" IN THE COMPUTER. HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. BOTH DEALERS CLAIMED TO HAVE THROUGHLY CHECKED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND IT WAS NOT DANGEROUS. I CALLED CHYRSLER CUSTOMER CARE AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME "IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, TAKE IT TO THE DEALER". IT IS A DAILY OCCURANCE. IF I WERE TO TAKE THE TRUCK TO A DEALER EVERY TIME THE LIGHTS CAME ON, I WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO GET TO WORK. I CHECKED THE BRAKES THE OTHER DAY WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE ON, AND THE ABS SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK!! THE TIRES LOCKED UP WITHOUT MUCH EFFORT. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE SECOND DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER, "EVEN IF THE ABS PUMP IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, YOU STILL HAVE OLD FASHIONED NON-ABS BRAKES". I AM SORRY, BUT THAT IS THE WRONG ANSWER.

MICHAEL BOGNER WAS GOING AT ABOUT A SPEED OF 35 TO 45 MPH WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF HIS TRUCK AND HIT A PARKED CAR. HIS AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND BECAUSE OF IT HE SUFFERED NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES. WE CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORP. TO LET THEM KNOW. THEY SENT OUT AN AGENT, AND HE CLAIMS THAT THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY BECAUSE HE HIT AN OBJECT. HE WENT FURTHER TO SAY THAT THE AIRBAG "MAY" HAVE GONE OFF IF HE HIT A BRICK WALL. RIGHT NOW MY MICHAEL AND I ARE WAITING ON THE REPORT. WE WERE PROMISED IT THREE WEEKS AGO AND WE STILL NOT HAVE RECIEVED IT. WE BOTH FEEL LIKE SOMETHING IS BEING KEPT FROM US AND WOULD APPRECIATE IT GREATLY IF YOU WERE TO LOOK INTO IT.

TRUCK WAS IDLING IN PARK ON LEVEL GROUND WHEN IT SHIFTED ITSEL INTO REVERSE AND HIT A TREE. I WAS LOADING ITEMS IN THE TRUCK AT THE TIME OF THE MISHAP, BUT COULD NOT RUN FAST ENOUGH TO OPEN THE DOOR AND STOP IT.

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ABS FAILURE AND ABS LIGHT COMING ON AT THE SAME TIME; WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS WILL BE A SAFETY PROBLEM, CAUSING A DANGER TO DRIVER OR PASSENGER WHENEVER THIS OCCURS. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER SHOP, AND NOTHING COULD BE FOUND; CAN NHTSA PROVIDE ADDTIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER. *AK

OVERSIZED OUTSIDE MIRRORS ARE MOUNTED SO HIGH THAT THEY CREATE A SERIOUS BLIND SPOT FOR SHORTER DRIVERS. THIS CAUSES PROBLEMS ROUNDING CORNERS, AT INTERSECTIONS, AND AT NIGHT WHEN THE EYELEVEL MIRROR REFLECTS FOLLOWING HEADLIGHTS. POSSIBLE SOUUTIONS: LOWER THE MOUNTING POSITION OF THE MIRRORS; RAISE THE SEATING POSITION.