2000 Dodge Dakota complaints

WHEN BRAKING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES PREMATURE FAILURE OF UPPER CONTROL ARMS, BALL JOINTS, TIE RODS AND THEN TIRES AND ALLIGNMENT COSTING OVER $1200 ON 2000 DODGE DAKOTA 2WD . **AK

REAR DIFFERENTIAL ON VEHICLE LOCKED UP AND THE PINION SHAFT BEHIND THE FORWARD DIFFERENTIAL BEARING SHEARED AND THE ENTIRE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT OF THE TRUCK.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE VEHICLE WAS MADE WITH POOR QUALITY OR SUB-STANDARD PARTS. *JB

PURCHASED 2000 DODGE DAKOTA. QUAD CAB SUMMER 2002, APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES AT TIME OF PURCHASE. VEHICLE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AT THAT TIME. HAD PROBLEMS WITH STEERING. THE WHEEL WOULD JERK FROM SIDE TO SIDE AS IF THE POWER STEERING WOULD ENGAGE AND THEN DISENGAGE DURING A TURN. BROUGHT TO DEALER. THEY SAID THEY FIXED PROBLEM BY REPLACING STEERING COLUMN. PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. RETURNED TO DEALER. REPLACED BEARINGS IN COLUMN DURING SECOND REPAIR. DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. RETURNED AGAIN, DEALER(FORMERLY COURTESY DODGE, NORWICH, CT) STATED THAT THEY SOLD THERE WARRANTY TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT MAKE REPAIR. I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE TO OTHER DEALERSHIP. TAKEN TO OTHER DEALER SHIP BUT AT THIS TIME PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN FIXED AND VEHICLE WAS OVER 36,000 MILES. DEALER SAID I WOULD HAVE TO FILL OUT FORMS AND THAT IT WAS UNLIKELY THE REPAIR WOULD BE AUTHORIZED. HOW IS IT IF THE REPAIR WAS NEVER COMPLETED THAT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO WAIT UNTIL WARRANTY EXPIRES AND SAY TOO BAD. I WAS THEN RECALLED BY THE MILITARY AND HAD TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE TO NEW JERSEY SO THE REPAIR WAS NEVER COMPLETED. THANKS, NOW COURTESY KIA. I WISH I COULD CONDUCT MY BUSINESS LIKE THE DEALERS. JUST IGNORE THE PROBLEM AND IT WILL GO AWAY!!!!!!!. IM NOT FINISHED WITH THIS YET!!!! JPL. *LA

2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD 4X4, UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED AT 40,000 MILES. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, DID NOT RECEIVE A SATISFACTORY RESPONSE. *LA

THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED AND CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS WAS DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BALL JOINTS BECAUSE OF POOR LUBRICATION. THE PART WAS REPLACED, BUT CURRENTLY THEY WERE LOOSE.*AK

2000 DODGE DAKOTA 4.7L QUAD CAB BALL JOINTS STARTED MAKING SQUEAKING NOISES WHEN TURNING AT AROUND 40,000 MILES. NOISE IS NOW GETTING UNBEARABLE AND STEERING SOMEWHAT "LURCHES" WHEN TURNING TIGHTLY. NEEDS MAJOR WORK ON BALL JOINTS MUCH EARLIER THAN WOULD BE REASONABLE. *LA

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS.*AK

TIE RODS AND BALL JOINTS FAILED PREMATURELY, CAUSING THE LEFT FRONT TIRE TO BLOW OUT AT 10,000 MILES. ALSO, THE RIM WAS DESTROYED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP AND JUMPED OFF THE ROAD. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD END WAS WORN OUT AND MUST BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

I HAVE A POPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE (2000 DAKOTA) THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE ABOUT 5000 MILES , I HAVE 50,000 ON IT NOW. I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH MORE FREQUENCY, IT DEFINITELY SOUNDS LIKE THE BALL JOINT ISSUE. WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOME IS KILLED, WHAT IF IS WAS YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER RIDING IN THESE VEHICLES WHAT WOULD YOU WANT DONE. ALSO I HAVE HAD THE BRAKE ROTORS TURNED ONCE AND REPLACED AND NOW THEY ARE WARPED AGAIN.*AK

COMPLAINT REGARDING THE FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINTS ON MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA PICK UP.*AK

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER INDICATED THAT ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS FAILED PREMATURELY AND NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM

CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE DEALER ,WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE FALLING APART, AND REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS. *AK

I HAVE BEEN HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH MY DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 CLUB CAB TRUCK SINCE THE FIRST 6,000 MILES. WARPED ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST 5 TIMES AND I HAVE ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT POOR STOPPING POWER OF BACK BRAKES. DODGE DEALERSHIP "CHECKED" THEM AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. ALSO HAVING LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH NOISES FROM FRONT SUSPENSION AND AM SUSPECTING BALL JOINT PROBLEMS NOW BECAUSE OF ALL THE NEWS COMING OUT REGARDING THIS PROBLEM RECENTLY ON CBS NEWS. *AK

RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT WENT BAD. *LA

I AM RESPONDING TO THE NEWS OF THE FAULTY BALL JOINTS IN DODGE DAKOTAS. I TOO HAVE A 2000 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB WITH JUST OVER 56,000 MILES ON IT AND IT NEEDS TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED. *LA

UPPER LOWER BALLJOINT CORROSION: I TOOK MY DAKOTA R/T IN FOR A "POPPING SOUND" THAT WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT END. I WAS TOLD BY YOUR SERVICE REP AT THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY FRONT END. I TOOK MY DAKOTA TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, HE TOLD ME THAT BOTH MY UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE CLOSE TO FAILURE. I RETURNED TO HENDERSON DODGE WITH MY DAKOTA AND THE SERVICE DEPT STILL TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY FRONT END. I CANNOT DRIVE MY DAKOTA ANYMORE DUE TO THE FRONT END. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH DODGES PRODUCT. WHEN WILL YOU'LL STAND UP AND BACK YOUR PRODUCTS???? *AK

DENIAL OF PROBLEM AND REFUSAL TO RESOLVE FRONT SUSPENSION PROBLEM. *AK

PREMATURE FAILURE OF UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON RIGHT FRONT SIDE.*AK

2000 DAKOTA 4X2 CLUB CAB EXPERIENCING WORN BALL JOINTS AT 45000 MILES. *AK

MY DODGE DAKOTA 2000, IS SHAKING THE FRONT WHEELS AND I DISCOVERED THAT MY UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE CRACKED. THE DEALER "MAIN STREET DODGE" TOLD ME THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THIS PROBLEM FREE BECAUSE DODGE DO NOT RECALL THIS VEHICLES. I OFFERED TO BUY THE PARTS AND DO THE WORK MYSELF IF THEY TELL ME WHAT IS THE NAME OF THESE AND THEY SAID THEY WILL CHARGE ME FOR THIS SERVICE OF IDENTIFYING THE PARTS, TOO.*AK

BRAKES ON MY 2000 DODGE DOKOTA HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THEY CONTINUE TO PULSE WHEN APPLIED. THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED OR REPLACED THREE TIMES. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO ANSWER FROM THE DODGE PEOPLE. *AK

UPPER LEFT BALL JOINTS WERE DETACHED AND THE UPPER RIGHT BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE. CONSUMER HAD BOTH SIDES REPLACED. *AK *MR

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP TO GET A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE ALIGNMENT COULD NOT BE DONE BECAUSE THE BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT. *AK

2000 DODGE DAKOTA FRONT LEFT BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF.

HAVE REPLACED UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS ONCE THIS YEAR. THEY NOW NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN! AM NOW ALSO GETTING "WHIRRING NOISE" WHEN I AM DRIVING. WHEN REVERSING OUT OF PARKING SPACE OR TURNING CORNER, PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY, GET HUGE CLANKING NOISE CONSISTENTLY. DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE AT 30,150 MILES. BOUGHT TRUCK TO TRANSPORT KIDS IN SAFETY. NOW I TRANSPORT MY 3 KIDS IN TERROR. THANKS DODGE. NOT.*AK

FAILURE OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL. *AK

KEPT FEELING A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING AND AN OCCASIONAL CLUNG. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED IT TO BE A LOOSE UPPER BALL JOINT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER LEFT CONTROL ARM AND PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED, BUT AT MY EXPENSE. I HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT BALLJOINT PROBLEMS ON THESE VEHICLES SO I THOUGHT I WOULD FILE A COMPLAINT TO ADD MY PROBLEM TO THE LIST.*AK

SIDEWALL OF TIRE COMPLETELY BLEW OUT ON 12/11/03. APPROX VEHICLE SPEED 65MPH, OUTSIDE TEMP APPROX 30 DEGREES, VEHICLE - 2000 DODGE DAKOTA, TIRES WERE REPLACEMENT FOR O.E. - HERCULES LTD, 215/75 R15, TIRE PRESSURE APPROX 32LBS., MILEAGE APPROX 16,000.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL AFTER TURNING ON THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS. WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS WERE TURNED OFF, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD STOP WORKING UNTIL THE CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT. *AK THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD COME ON AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS OF USING THE DIMMER SWITCH. *SCC *JB

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER/REAR DOORS TO ENTER/EXIT THE VEHICLE. PASSENGERS WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB IN THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO ENTER/EXIT THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK

UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS PREMATURE WEAR OUT 45,000 MILES . *AK

GSA FLEET VEHICLE DEFECT REPORT.*MR THE DEFECT REPORT CONCERNS THE 2000 DODGE DAKOTA WHICH HAD A FIRE CAUSED BY A SHORT IN THE VEHICLE'S DASH. *CB *JB

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE WEAR OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS THAT CAUSED POPPING AND RATTLING IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. *NLM

2000 DODGE DAKOTA FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS ARE RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT.*MR THIS FAILURE CAUSED SEVERE SHUTTERING WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. DEALER STATED ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT DODGE WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT WOULD REPLACE THE ROTORS/PADS UP TO 12K MILES OR 1 YEAR. CONSUMER HAS POSSESSION OF THE DEFECTIVE ROTORS. *PH

WHILE ROTATING TIRES RIGHT FRONT TIRE FELL OFF WITH THE LUG NUTS STILL IN PLACE. THIS OCCURRED AFTER CONSUMER JACKED THE VEHICLE UP. BALL JOINTS SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, FRONT END WOULD BOUNCE UPON COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. *AK 2000 DODGE DAKOTA PASSENGER FRONT TIRE FELL OFF OF VEHICLE DURING WHEEL ROTATION. THE RESULT OF THIS OCCURENCE WAS DUE TO THE BALL JOINTS BEING SPILT DOWN THE MIDDLE. THE REGULAR METHOD OF CHECKING THE BALL JOINTS DID NOT REVEAL A DEFECT.*MR

CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GAS STATION, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK

THE BALL JOINTS ON MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA HAVE FAILED WITH 41,000 MILES ON IT. *LA

MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA R/T HAS JUST UNDER 50,000 MILES AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH FAULTY UPPER BALL JOINTS. ALONG WITH A SLEW OF FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS INCLUDING TIE RODS, SWAY BARS, AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS. *LA

2000 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT 42,000 MILES, BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACEMENT. *LA

MY WIFE'S 2000 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4... FAILED PENNSYLVANIA STATE SAFETY INSPECTION AT 37,000 BECAUSE OF WORN UPPER BALL JOINTS. ESTIMATED REPAIR COST $275. IT'S ABSURD THAT THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY ITEM WORE OUT BEFORE THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES AND DODGE IS DEMANDING FULL PRICE TO CORRECT AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING SAFETY DEFECT. *LA

CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE CHANGING HIGH BEAMS TO LOW BEAMS THAT HEADLIGHTS WOULD CUT OFF. *AK WHEN THE CONSUMER SWITCHED FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM THE HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE HEAD LIGHTS DIMMER, TURN SIGNAL AND WIPERS IS BAD. *NLM

CONSUMER STATED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO A GEAR HIGHER THAN TWO. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ACEUM PISTON, IN THE VALVE BODY BROKE. *AK

WHEN HAVING NEW TIRES PUT ON MY 2000 DODGE DAKOTA, THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE EFT FRONT TIE ROD WAS LOOSE. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND GOT AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THE TIE ROD WAS LOOSE AS WELL AS THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. THEY SAID THE BALL JOINTS WERE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH OTHER DODGE MODELS (DURANGO). THEY WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN THE PARTS CAME IN. THEY CALLED YESTERDAY (11-18-03). I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR NEXT TUESDAY, 11-25-03, TO HAVE IT FIXED. I HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MY TRUCK, AND I ONLY HAVE 47,000+ MILES ON IT. THE WARRANTY WILL PAY FOR ALL BUT THE $100 DEDUCTIBLE AND THE $49.95 FOR THE SUBSEQUENT ALIGNMENT THAT WILL BE NECESSARY. WITH ALL OF THE SIMILAR PROBLEMS YOU HAVE HAD WITH THE DAKOTAS, DURANGOS, JEEPS, ETC. I FEEL LIKE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE AND THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY OF IT. MY HUSBAND SAYS SUSPENSION PROBLEMS LIKE THIS SHOULDN'T OCCUR IN VEHICLES WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE. I DO NOT USE THIS VEHICLE HARD. IT DOES NOT PULL ANYTHING, AND IT DOES NOT CARRY HEAVY LOADS. I AM THE ONLY OWNER.*AK

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER COULD HEAR A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT WAS BAD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE BALL JOINT FAILURES AND REFUSED REIMBURSEMENT. *NLM

WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE INSPECTED, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. *AK

FREQUENT POPPING FEELING IN THE STEERING WHEEL COMING FROM FRONT SUSPENSION. ALWAYS RELATES TO FRONT SUSPENSION UP/DOWN MOVEMENT. SEVERAL GARAGES HAVE INSPECTED, BUT CANNOT LOCATE PROBLEM. SUSPECT PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH EARLY SIGN OF BALL JOINT FAILURE. DEALER ADMITS HISTORY FRONT SUSPENSION AND BALL JOINT PROBLEMS IN THIS MODEL. *LA

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH CONSUMER WAS FOLLOWING ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND UPON STEPPING ON THE BRAKES CONSUMER'S VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND COLLIDED WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS WEARING SEAT BELTS, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE BRAKES USUALLY LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE TO THE RIGHT THROUGH INTERSECTIONS. *AK