2001 Dodge Dakota complaints

2001 DODGE DAKOTA DRIVER SEAT STEEL BRACKET BROKE. *KB THE POWER SEAT ADJUSTER CRACKED IN HALF. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE DAMAGED OCCURRED WHEN THE RIVET WAS FASTENED TO THE BRACKET. THE LEFT FRONT POWER WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP FOR REPAIR ON THE UPPER FRONT RIGHT BALL JOINTS. A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED PERTAINING TO THE BALL JOINTS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE UPPER FRONT LEFT BALL JOINTS UNDER THE RECALL AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO SEND THE MANUFACTURER COPIES OF THE PRIOR REPAIR WORK PERFORMED ON THE BALL JOINTS. AFTER SENDING THE MANUFACTURER A LETTER WITH INVOICE, A LETTER WAS RECEIVED FROM THE MANUFACTURER DENYING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COSTS OF THE PREVIOUS REPAIRS.

RIGHT TIE ROD END FELL OUT. THE BALL JOINT FELL APART. I HAD JUST DRIVEN FROM WASHINGTON STATE TO NEW YORK. HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED JUST BEFORE LEAVING. IT HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED TURNING A CORNER. NO CRASH NO INJURY. *NM

2001 DODGE DAKOTA EXTENDED CAB 4X4. RATTLING IN FRONT END WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS SUCH AS MAN HOLES AND WASHBOARD. SOUNDS SIMILAR TO A LOOSE HUB CAP. WAS TOLD THE LOWER FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE BAD AND DAIMLER/CHRYSLER HAS A BULLETIN PUBLISHED INTERNALLY ON HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND MAY CAUSE THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF. SOUNDS LIKE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT TO ME THAT THEY SHOULD REPLACE. *NM

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY FRONT END DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. THE FOLLOWING MORNING, I TOOK MY TRUCK TO MY MECHANIC TO CHECK IT OUT. HE GOT IN IT TO TAKE IT FOR A RIDE. WHEN HE TURNED THE WHEEL, THERE WAS A CLUNK. WE GOT OUT AND LOOKED, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS TURNED TO THE RIGHT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS STRAIGHT. HE SAID IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THE TIE ROD. IT TURNS OUT, THE THREADS HOLDING THE TIE ROD TOGETHER, STRIPPED AND IT CAME APART. HE SAID I WAS LUCKY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY THAT THE WHEEL PROBABLY WOULD HAVE CAME OFF AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. I STILL HAVE THE TIE ROD. I CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND ASKED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WON'T REIMBURSE ME BECAUSE I DIDN'T BRING IT TO A CHRYSLER DEALER. I WAS AT MY MECHANICS, WHAT WAS I GOING TO DO? I THINK THEY JUST WANT TO COVER IT UP. MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE STRIPPED TIE ROD ON THE DRIVER SIDE, AND REPLACED THE RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD END BECAUSE IT HAD PLAY IN IT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, THE TIE RODS SEPARATED. THE STEERING WAS ERRATIC AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE FRONT END WANDERED ALL OVER THE ROAD. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THE TIE ROD HAD SEPARATED AND THE THREADS WERE STRIPPED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE LEFT INNER TIE ROD, LEFT TIE ROD END OUTER AND RIGHT TIE ROD END OUTER. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN INFORMED. UPDATED 06/27/06. *JB

PROBLEM STARTED WITH HORN INTERMITTENTLY BEEPING WHILE DRIVING, THEN OVER A FEW WEEKS PROGRESSED TO HORN BEEPING ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY, DRIVING LIGHTS FLASHING, AND DOOR LOCKS ACTUATING. PROBLEM WAS THE BODY CONTROL MODULE OR SOMETIMES CALLED THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE. IT WAS REPLACED AND ALL ISSUES HAVE CEASED. *NM

FOR THE 2ND TIME THE FAN MOTOR FOR THE A/C,HEATER HAS STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. THE DEALER HAD THE TRUCK FOR OVER A WEEK THE FIRST AND IT REALLY NEVER SEEM TO WORK RIGHT. THE FRONT HEAD LIGHTS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. *JB

2001 DODGE DAKOTA PICK UP, LOSS OF STEERING, RESULTING IN A OFF THE ROAD CRASH AND ROLLOVER WITH INJURIES. (ONE MOMENT LATER COULD HAVE RESULTED IN DEATHS.) *JB

AT 32,000 MILES FRONT END VIBRATION WHEN BREAKING. PROBLEM-WARPED ROTORS. CORRECTED BY 'TURNING' ROTORS (RESURFACING). AT 58,000 MILES FRONT END VIBRATION WHEN BREAKING. PROBLEM-WARPED ROTORS. CORRECTED BY 'TURNING' ROTORS. AT 70,000 MILES FRONT END VIBRATION WHEN BREAKING. PROBLEM-WARPED ROTORS. CORRECTED BY REPLACING ROTORS. AT 90,000 MILES FRONT END VIBRATION WHEN BREAKING. PROBLEM-WARPED ROTORS. CORRECTED BY 'TURNING' ROTORS. AT 100,200 MILES FRONT END VIBRATION WHEN BREAKING. PROBLEM-WARPED ROTORS. DEALER SUGGESTS REPLACING ROTORS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM. THE SAME THING OCCURRED ON MY 1997 DAKOTA. THE DEALER TOLD ME THEN THAT THE ROTORS WARP WHEN THEY ARE HOT(FROM USE) AND THEN GET WET. (SO I GUESS I SHOULDN'T USE THE BRAKES IN WET/RAINY CONDITIONS) THE WARPED ROTORS ARE CAUSED BY A DESIGN FLAW, EITHER THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT 'SIZED' PROPERLY (IE INSUFFICIENT STOPPING POWER CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD-UP) OR THE ROTORS ARE INFERIOR(METAL GRADE). I BELIEVE MOST OWNERS DO NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE DODGE DEALERS CONVINCE THEM THAT THIS IS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE TRUCK IS GREAT OTHERWISE. *NM

RIGHT FRONT LOWER SHOCK BOLT SHEARED OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING SHOCK TO BREAK LOOSE FROM LOWER CONTROL ARM. *NM

OWN 2001 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. NOTICE THE SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED WITH FRONT STEERING BALL JOINT HAVING PROBLEMS. OUR TRUCK IS SUFFERING SAME PROBLEM WITH LOAD POPPING NOISE WHEN WE MAKE A HARD LEFT HAND TURN. HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES FOR PAST 9 MONTHS...BUT NOW GETTING MORE FREQUENT. *NM

MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 WAS PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 2004 WITH 54,000 MILES ON IT. RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS 2004 THE HEATER CORE WENT OUT. I WOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY $900 FOR THIS REPAIR BUT I TALKED THE DEALERSHIP INTO GIVING ME "SHOP RATE" OF $500. LESS THAN 10,000 MILES LATER THE HEATER CORE AGAIN NEEDED REPLACED. THE PART WAS UNDER CHRYSLER WARRANTY, BUT THE LABOR WAS NOT. AGAIN THE DEALERSHIP WORKED WITH ME AND THEY TOOK CARE OF THE COST OF LABOR. NOW AT 80,000 MILES THE HEATER CORE AGAIN IS NEEDING REPLACED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER WINDOWS ARE INOPERABLE. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED BUT NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. UPDATED 3/28/2006 - *NM

JUST BOUGHT A DAKOTA TRUCK 2 WKS AGO, SECOND DAY ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND CAR KEPT STALLING WHEN DRIVING, IT COMPLETELY TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING. IT ALSO DOES NOT CHANGE GEAR; IT TAKES A WHILE TO GET GOING. THIS HAPPENED 1/18/06. ON 2/10/06 I NOTICED AN IDLING SOUND RIGHT AFTER BREAKING AND IT DIDN'T WANT TO STOP. VERY UNSAFE DRIVING WITH CHILDREN. UNCERTAIN OF ITS BRAKES AND THE COMPLETE SHUT OFF OF TRUCK & OR STALLING WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO CHRYSLER AND WANTED TO CHARGE $170. FOR DIAGNOSTIC WORK 2 WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT IT. WHY HAVEN'T THEY RECALLED THESE TYPE OF UNSAFE VEHICLES? *NM

THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WERE THE FIRST ITEMS TO QUIT WORKING AND THEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT A RECALL FOR THE VERY SAME PROBLEMS WERE ISSUED FOR 2000 DODGE DAKOTAS AND 2001 DODGE RAMS. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN DECEMBER OF 2000 SO MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2000 EVEN THOUGH IT IS A 2001 MODEL. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT DODGE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM THAT EXISTED THAT CAUSED SAFETY RECALL #982 TO BE ISSUED. DUE TO THIS FAILURE, MY TRUCK NOW HAS SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG AND THE HORN NOT FUNCTIONING. THE CRUISE CONTROL IS MORE OF AN INCONVENIENCE ISSUE THAN SAFETY. MY TRUCK FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE THE HORN WILL NOT BLOW. I HAVE SCHEDULED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED ON 1/13/06, BUT I FEEL THAT DODGE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR AT LEAST PART OF THE REPAIR SINCE THEY HAVE A HISTORY OF CLOCKSPRING FAILURE IN THIS VEHICLE. *JB

ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2005, I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM FINDLAY, OH, I WAS ABOUT 37 MILES FROM HOME WHEN THE CHECK GAUGES LIGHT CAME ON AND THE OIL PRESSURE GAGE DROPPED TO 0. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO A PARKING LOT AT WHICH TIME THE TRUCK WOULDN'T START. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP CAUSED BY IMPROPER MAINTENANCE. I CHANGE MY OIL ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HAVE A DODGE NEON WITH OVER 120,000 MILES AND MY PREVIOUS CAR WAS A 1987 CHEVY NOVA WITH OVER 199,000 MILES. *NM

I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE SEVERAL REPAIR PLACES (BRAKE SPECIALISTS) INCLUDING 2 DEALERSHIPS (MULTIPLE TIMES). THEY TELL ME MY ROTORS ARE WARPED, OR THAT THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG!!! STARTING AT AROUND 20,000 MILES I STARTED GETTING HARD VIBRATIONS IN THE FRONT END, REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS, FIXED PROBLEM. THEN, 5,000 MILES LATER IT STARTED AGAIN, HAD ROTORS TURNED AND REPLACED PADS, FIXED PROBLEM. 5,000 MILES LATER IT HAPPENS AGAIN, I DECIDE TO DEAL WITH IT FOR A LITTLE WHILE. 2,000 MILES OF DRIVING WITH WARPED ROTORS, AND RIGHT FRONT CALIPER LOCKS UP, NEARLY CAUSING A FIRE!!. REPLACED BOTH CALIPERS, ROTORS AND PADS, PROBLEM FIXED AGAIN. PROBLEM RECURS ROUGHLY EVERY 5,000 MILES. I DRIVE VERY CAREFULLY TO ENSURE THAT I AM NOT CAUSING ANY UNDUE STRESS ON THE BRAKE COMPONENTS. THE EXPENSE OF REPAIRING THE BRAKES EVERY 5,000 MILES IS ROUGHLY $200 TO $400 DOLLARS DEPENDING ON WHAT I FIND UPON INSPECTION. I AM AN INDUSTRIAL MECHANIC SO I DO THIS WORK MYSELF. I PURCHASED COPIES OF DAIMLER CHRYSLER MASTER TECH VIDEOS TO MAKES SURE THAT I AM NOT MISSING SOMETHING. I HAVE PURCHASED SEVERAL MANUALS FOR MY VEHICLE , SOME FROM DODGE AND SOME AFTERMARKET IN MY SEARCH FOR A MORE PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS, TO ME AND TO OTHERS AROUND ME WHEN DRIVING. I AM CURRENTLY AT 90,000 MILES AND HAVE DECIDED THAT THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY SOMEONE... I HOPE YOU CAN HELP. *JB

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES ON MY VEHICLE WITH MOPAR PARTS. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 2 YEARS AND HAVE PUT 40,000 MILES ON IT. THE ROTORS ARE ONLY LASTING IN THE AREA OF 10 - 15000 MILES. I SPOKE WITH MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE HAS TOLD ME THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE DODGE DAKOTA AND I BETTER GET USE TO REPLACING THEM OR GET USE TO DRIVING WITH WARPED ROTORS. *NM

THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED THE HEATER CORE IN HIS 2001 DODGE DAKOTA FIVE TIMES. *NM WHEN THE CONSUMER RECEIVED HIS VEHICLE BACK, HE FOUND THE REPAIR TO BE INSUFFICIENT. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THE DEALER CREATED OTHER PROBLEMS ON THE VEHICLE. *JB

FAILURE OF CLOCKSPRING ON 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK AND AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS PART - RECALL NUMBER 982. PART WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. PICTURES OF REPLACED PART INDICATE DEFECT IN PART BUT DODGE WILL NOT PAY FOR REPLACEMENT OF PART. *JB *NM

DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 CONCERNING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED, AS WELL AS THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. WHEN CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO BE REIMBURSED, THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE HIM FOR THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT AS WELL. *AK

TRAFFIC WAS MOVING IN FRONT OF GRACE COVENANT CHURCH, THERE WAS AN OFFICER DIRECTING TRAFFIC. MY HUSBAND PUT ON THE BRAKES AT THE MOMENT HE REALIZED TRAFFIC WAS NOT MOVING ANY LONGER. THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TIRE MARKS ON THE ROAD, IT IS APPARENT THE RIGHT SIDE TIRE LOCKED FIRST (THE TIRE MARK IS MUCH LONGER) THEN THE LEFT SIDE TIRE LOCKED (TIRE MARK ON ROAD MUCH SHORTER). HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN THIS ACCIDENT. THE CONCERN IS THAT THIS TRUCK IS BELIEVED TO HAVE ABS WHICH MEANS IT WAS MALFUNCTIONING SINCE THE TIRES LOCKED UP. THE CONCERN IS THIS MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT IN THAT HE WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN TIME. IT WAS A HARD IMPACT WHICH IT APPEARS WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BE TOTALED. *JB

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING RECALL ON CLOCKSPRING. CONSUMER 2001 DODGE DAKOTA AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, HORN DID NOT WORK AND CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK. *TS THE CONSUMER LEARNED THERE WAS A RECALL, HOWEVER HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITH SAME DEFECTIVE PART AS THE OTHER YEAR MODELS. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HAD TO SWERVE TO MISS AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE LOWER BALL JOIN BROKE AT THIS TIME. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WENT INTO A CREEK. THE INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE WERE STILL BEING DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING INSPECTED. *AK

DT: CONSUMER OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 31,915 MILES. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AT 37,556 MILES. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. HE DID NOT NOTICE IF THERE WAS ANY PLAY IN THE STEERING UNTIL THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT IT HAS A TIGHTER STEERING CONTROL. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE UPPER BALL JOINTS, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. *AK *MR *JB

DT: ON JUNE 29, 2005 REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BELTS SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THEN, AROUND SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 THE DRIVER'S REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. A GOODYEAR REPRESENTATIVE INSPECTED THE TIRES AND SAID THEY MIGHT BE DEFECTIVE TIRES. GOODYEAR WAS ONLY OFFERING TO GIVE A DISCOUNT, AND GAVE A PERCENTAGE, BUT WERE NOT WILLING REPLACE THE OTHER THREE TIRES. ON THE FRONT TIRES THE RING AROUND THESE TIRES SPLIT. THE RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE WAS FORTY-FOUR POUNDS, THESE TIRES WERE REGULARLY SERVICED. THERE WAS NO FOR WARNING, NO VIBRATION, AND NO TYPE OF ABNORMAL BULGING. *AK

RECENTLY INVESTIGATED A FIRE IN A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA R/T PICKUP TRUCK EQUIPPED WITH A 5.9 LITER GASOLINE ENGINE. FIRE ORIGINATES AT AND CONFINED TO THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE AND THE C1, C2 & C3 WIRING HARNESS CONNECTORS ATTACHED TO THE MODULE. THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE IS LOCATED BEHIND THE KICKPANEL AT THE FRONT LOWER LEFT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BELOW THE FUSE PANEL AND THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR APPROX. 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE FIRE. IF ANY ONE ELSE HAS EXPERIENCED A FIRE IN THIS LOCATION OR WOULD LIKE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT STEVEN C. ROWE FIRE INVESTIGATION AT 610-285-6542 OR BY E-MAIL AT [email protected] . *NM

AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASHBOARD STARTED BLINKING ON AND OFF, BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DODGE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIRBAG LOCK SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THIS ITEM IS NOT COVERED BY ANY TYPE OF WARRANTY OR EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM DODGE. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT AIRBAG FAILING TO DEPLOY IN ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES INVOLVED WITH IT. THE AIRBAG IS A SAFETY FEATURE IN THE VEHICLE AND THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURING COMPANY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS AND ANY DAMAGES CAUSED BY FAULTY EQUIPMENT. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER AND DODGE CORP. THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT, IM A VERY UNSATISFIED CUSTOMER. *NM

HAD A SUDDEN STOP IN 100 DEGREE WEATHER, WHEN PULLED OFF, THE TRUCK FELT AS IF IT WERE PULLING A LOAD AND A STRONG BURNING RUBBER SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT END. ENDED UP HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FRONT CALIPERS HAD SEIZED UP. DEALERSHIP WAS NOT CERTAIN AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. TRUCK ONLY HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT. ENDED UP PUTTING ALL NEW BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE FRONT END. A YEAR AGO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, BROUGHT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A SENSOR THAT CONTROLLED THE ABS. CAN'T FIGURE THAT ONE OUT, ONLY HAVE ABS ON THE REAREND, NOT ON THE FRONT. IT IS A SCARY THING WHEN YOU ARE ON THE HIGHWAY AND YOU HAVE THAT BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE IS BELLOWING FROM THE FRONT WHEELS. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS NO FIRE WOULD'VE OCCURRED. TAINED. *JB

ON MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB, THE VEHICLE HAD A LONG STUTTER OR PAUSE ONCE THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED, FROM A STOP. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC BECAUSE I EXPECTED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE, WHICH IT DID NOT. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE WOULD JUMP FORWARD, MAKING ME FEEL LIKE SOMEONE REAR ENDED ME. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. I WAS TOLD MY WHOLE INTERNAL TRANSMISSION WAS BAD! I FIND THIS TO BE RIDICULOUS FOR A 2001 VEHICLE, AND DANGEROUS!*JB

STEERING WHEEL AND TRANSMISSION DO NOT LOCK WHEN KEY IS REMOVED. I FOUND THIS OUT WHEN A 2 YEAR OLD GIRL WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT OF THE PARKED VEHICLE AND PULLED THE TRANSMISSION LEVER INTO GEAR. THE KEY SWITCH WAS IN THE LOCKED POSITION AND THE KEYS WERE REMOVED. *JB

ABS & BRAKE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ON OUR 2001 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB WITH 43,000 MILES. TOOK TO NORWIN DODGE FOR SERVICE. THEY FOUND THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL (REAR END) WAS COMPLETELY RUINED. SINCE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRENTLY OUR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE WAS IN EXCESS OF $1,600.00. ALSO SAID THAT ENGINE LIGHT WAS DUE TO A MODERATE EVAPORATION LEAK AND REPLACED GAS CAP. THE TRANSMISSION OF THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER ONLY 4000 MILES!(FORTUNATELY THIS WAS COVERED UNDER WARRENTY), BUT A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AFTER ONLY 4000 MILES? ALSO HAD VEHICLE BACK TO BE CHECKED AFTER TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT BECAUSE IT WOULD HESITATE AND THEN SHIFT HARD. WE WERE TOLD THAT THAT IS NORMAL AND HOW DODGE TRNAMISSIONS SHIFT? WE TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY. WANT TO REGISTER FORMAL COMPLAINT AND MAKE OTHERS AWARE OF POOR QUALITY OF DODGE VEHICLES AND POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS USED?

MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA HAS HAD UPPER FRONT BALL JOINTS REPLACED DUE TO POPPING IN FRONT END, THE POPPING IS STILL THERE. FRONT ROTORS HAVE BEEN CHANGED BECAUSE OF BEING WARPED CAUSING VIBRATION IN STEERING AND ROUGH BRAKING. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB HAS WENT OUT CAUSING LOUD SQUEEKING NOISE WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD THERE IS A CONSTANT SQUEEKING NOISE NOW FROM FRONT END. THE BLOWER FAN HAS STOPPED WORKING DUE TO WIRING PROBLEMS. THE REAR END HAS A POPPING NOISE WHEN PUTTING IN PARK DODGE HOUSE SAYS THATS NORMAL (I HAVE NEVER HAD A TRUCK DO THAT BEFORE) AND U JOINTS ARE GOOD, AND I REPORTED IT TO THEM WHEN MY WARRANTY WAS GOOD AND NOW MY WARRANTY IS OUT AND I HAVE ALL THESE REPAIRS THAT I CANNOT AFFORD !!

1. CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF MY TRUCK. 2. UPPER BALL JOING WEAR AT A DANGEROUS LEVEL. 3. I HAD TO HAVE THE PARTS REPLACED, AND I STILL HAVE THE OLD PART. THIS PART WAS RECALLED UNDER THE 4X4 VEHICLES, AND MINE IS 2WD SO I HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. I BELIEVE MY SAFETY WAS AT RISK, AND IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FACT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT A 4WD.

APPROX. 2 MONTHS AGO I HAD UPPER BALLS JOINTS REPLACED UNDER RECALL, THE DEALSHIP NOTED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND TIERODS WERE WORN AS WELL, WAS QUTOED APPROX. $700.00 TO BE FIXED. TODAY MY DAIUGHTER WAS STARTING TO PULL OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WITH HER 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, THE TIEROD FELL OUT OF PLACE CAUSING THE TRUCK TO STOP. LUCKLY MY DAUGHTER WASN'T DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT ON A VERY BUSY STREET!!! I WANT TO KNOW WHY THERE IS A RECALL ON THE UPPER BALL JOINTS BUT NOT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND TIERODS, IT IS A FACT THAT THERE ARE SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THESE PARTS, ARE THEY WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BE KILLED BECAUSE OF THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS?? THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME I PURCHASE A CHRYSLER PRODUCT IF THESE MATTERS ARE NOT DEALT WITH WHEN PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS ARE PRESENTED!!

AT ANY SPEED DURING BRAKING, HARD OR SOFT, THERE SEEMS TO BE A WASH BOARD EFFECT. TRUCK SEEMS TO BUCK. FROM READING OTHER REPORTS, IT SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT IS BEING IGNORED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I PURCHASED THE TRUCK WITH 62000 MILES AND AT THE TIME, THERE WAS SMOOTH BRAKING. NOW AT 73000 I HAVE THE ABOVE DESCRIBED PROBLEM. I WILL NOT TAKE IT TO A DEALER, RATHER I WILL TAKE IT TO A REPUTABLE BRAKE SHOP TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED.

DT: THE DASHLIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL. ALSO, THE REMOTE WOULD NOT OPEN DOORS, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND HAVD TO REPLACE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE (CTM). DEALER UNHOOKED THE MODULE AND CONECTED IT BACK, AND ITWORKED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. *AK

FRONT BRAKES RUBBING ON ROTORS CAUSING BRAKE PADS TO SMOKE. THIS CAUSED THE WARPING OF THE BRAKE ROTORS. REPLACED BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 1 (ONE) MONTH. THIS TIME AFTER SMELLING THE BRAKES AND SEEING SMOKE, I TRIED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD BUT THE TRUCK WOULD BARELY MOVE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. I HAD FOUND THE FRONT LEFT CALIPER MOUNTING BOLT HAD BECOME LOOSE AND STRIPPED THE BOLT HOLE. I HELI-COILED THE HOLE AND LOCTITED THE BOLT IN PLACE.

DT: WHILE DRIVING HE NOTICED HE HAD A HARD DOWN SHIFT FROM 2ND GEAR TO 3RD GEAR. THE NEXT DAY IT WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD. GEAR. *AK

I BEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH A NUMBER OF FRONT SUSPENSION AND ESPECIALLY FRONT BRAKE PROBLEMS WHICH BEGAN ABOUT FOUR MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP ABSOLUTELY REFUSES TO INVESTIGATE MY PROBLEMS. I NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AT HIGH SPEED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. IF THERE HAD BEEN HEAVY TRAFFIC IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. I AM ABOUT O REPLACE MY THIRD SET OF FRONT BRAKE PADS AS THEY ARE UNEVENLY WEARING ON THE ROTORS. I HAVE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END CONSTANTLY, AND AT 30 MPH AND ABOVE HEAVY SOUND OF "CLUNKING."

CONSUMER STATES: THAT ABS LIGHT, ENGINE LIGHT, AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. THE CLUTCH PACKED IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS HALF INCH LONG , AND ITS JOB IS TO HOLD THE CLUTCHES AND LEMON SLIPPED DIFFERENTIAL, AND IT FAILED. IT CAME OUT AND SHREDDED SPEED SENSOR IN REAR DIFFERENTIAL. *AK

THE CONSUMER STATED THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS LOOSE AND THE WHEELS COULD ACTUALLY FALL OFF.

MY TRUCK HAS 31000 MILES AND HAS BEEN HAVING MYSTERIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN AUG 2001. ORIGINALLY IT WAS LIMITED TO THE DOOR LOCKS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING BY THEMSELVES AT ALL TIMES - WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING, AND WHEN IT IS NOT. ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TAIL LIGHTS WORKING ERRATICALLY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AT LEAST TWO TIMES, AND BOTH TIMES THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT "DUPLICATE" THE PROBLEM, AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS UNTIL THIS MONTH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT COMPLETELY HAYWIRE - THE LIGHTS , LOCKS, WIPERS, DASH LIGHTS ALL QUIT WORKING, AND THE 4WD SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WOULD NOT GO INTO 4WD (ALL OF THIS CONVENIENTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD EXPIRED 4 MONTHS AGO). I TOOK THE TRUCK IN AND THEY SAID THE "CONTROL MODULE" WAS BAD AND THAT IT WOULD COST $500 TO FIX. WHEN I EXPLAINED THAT THIS IS JUST ANOTHER IN A SERIES OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN OCCURRING THROUGHOUT THE WARRANTY PERIOD, AND THAT I THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO WAY TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. MY PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE VERY SIMILAR TO SOME OF THE PROBELMS IN DEFECT INVESTIGATION #S 10072859, 10018654, AND 10106547. *AK

MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK HAS EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE OF ITS POWER CONTROL MODULE (PCM) NOT ONCE BUT TWICE IN 2004. THE ORIGINAL UNIT FAILED 57,500 MILES AND THE SECOND UNIT FAILED AT JUST 7,000 MILES. PCM FAILURE MEANS THAT ELECTRIC POWER IS CUT UNEXPECTEDLY TO THE ENGINE LEADING TO ENGINE FAILURE. IN MY CASE THIS HAPPENED ONCE ON A NARROW HILLY ROADWAY AND THE SECOND TIME IN THE FAST LANE OF A FREEWAY. SUCH FAILURE DO NOT PROVIDE WARNINGS AND HAPPEN SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. IN BOTH CASES LOOSING POWER ALSO MEANT LOOSING BRAKING AND POWER STEERING. WHILE NEITHER INCIDENT RESULTING IN ACCIDENTS FOR ME, THEY COULD EASILY HAVE (PART LUCK & PART SKILL). YET I HAVE SEEN LITTLE REGARDING THIS MATTER. WHAT IS SO SINISTER ABOUT THIS IS THAT THE "BUG" IS DIFFICULT TO TRACE BECAUSE IT RE-APPEARS ONLY RANDOMLY (INITIALLY I THOUGHT THAT I NEEDED A TUNE-UP OR HAD RECEIVED BAD BATCH OF FUEL). THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE REQUIRED OF THIS UNIT AND IT HAS A WARRANTY OF 8/80,000. I HAVE WRITTEN TO DODGE REGARDING THIS MATTER REQUESTING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, AN EXPLANATION OF WHY THESE UNITS FAILED AND THE HAZARDS SUCH FAILURES PLACE THE DRIVER AND FELLOW MOTORISTS INTO. THE MANUFACTURER HAS RESPONDED BUT ONLY IN REGARD TO THE MATTER OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR CAR RENTAL RELATED TO THE SECOND INCIDENT ABOVE WHERE I WAS ON A TRIP. NOTHING HAS BEEN RESPONDED TO WITH REGARD TO THE "RELIABILTY" OF THE UNITS. THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS THE INITIAL SITUATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSFER CASE CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE. THE FRICTION AND SPARKS CAUSED IT TO CATCH ON FIRE. IT WAS LOOSE AND SEVERED FROM THE MAIN ATTACHMENTS WHICH DUMPED THE OIL ONTOTHE SKID PLATES. *AK *NM

WHEN I RECENTLY TOOK MY 1991 DODGE DAKOTA IN TO HAVE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED, I WAS TOLD THE LOWER ONES WERE SHOT, ALSO. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT. I ONLY DRIVE ON THE ROAD AND NEVER OVERLOAD MY TRUCK. WHY WOULD THE UPPER BALL JOINTS BE RECALLED AND NOT THE LOWER? THIS CONTINUES TO BE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.*AK

WHEN BRAKING ANY SPEED, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE LOCKED UP. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO REAR END A VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM THE FIRST INCIDENT THE CONSUMER PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND HIT OWN VEHICLE. *TC

ANNUAL VEHICLE INSPECTION OF MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT 2WD VERHICLE (54,000 MILES), PERFORMED ON 03/05/05, NECESSITATED THE REPLACEMENT OF DETATCHED BALL JOINT. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST CONSUMER $2,000 TO BE REPAIRED. *AK