Page 5 of 14 · complaints 201–250 of 678

2001 Dodge Dakota complaints

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 2001 record →

Suspension
Filed Mar 7, 2005WI

DODGE DAKOTA 2001, CONSUMER REPLACED BALL JOINTS. *BF THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR A 2 WHEEL ALIGNMENT AFTER THE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER FEELS THE ALIGNMENT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE REPLACEMENT. *NM

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Feb 28, 200583,000 milesAL

REPAIRS TO THE UPPER BALL JOINT WAS COMPLETED BY THE CONSUMER PRIOR TO RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE. CONSUMER WISHED TO HAVE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS REPAIRED SINCE THEY WERE DEFECTIVE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY MANUFACTURER AND DEALER THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Feb 23, 200554,000 milesSC

NO PARTS FOR RECALL#04596000 BALL JOINTS. EDDIE DODGE 803-359-2501. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Feb 18, 2005SC

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION,BUT CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK

Suspension
Filed Feb 16, 2005HI

'RECALL CAMPAIGN' CONCERNING UPPER BALL JOINT WEAR. DRIVING ON TIRES THAT ARE WORN OUT UNEVENLY. *BF THE CONSUMER COULD NOT GET THE TIRE ALIGNED AND HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE TIRES THAT ARE WORN OUT UNEVENLY. THE ALIGNMENT READING WAS TOTALLY OFF DUE TO THE FAILING BALL JOINTS AND THE SHOP WOULD NOT ROTATE THE TIRES. *SC

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Feb 10, 2005OR

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS WAITING FOR AWHILE AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Feb 9, 2005IN

SINCE THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY DEALER HAD NO PARTS FOR DEFECT. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 CONCERNING UPPER BALL JOINTS.*AK

Tires
Filed Feb 8, 200561,829 milesMI

UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. RECENTLY, THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE WERE RECALLED ,AND THE OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. AGAIN HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED, BUT THEY DID NOT DO AN ALIGNMENT. CURRENTLY, THE TIRE IS PULLING TO THE LEFT, AND THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Feb 4, 2005127,000 milesSC

RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 WAS ISSUED. CONSUMER STATED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Feb 3, 200515,000 milesWA

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA WITH A BAD BRAKE SYSTEM. I FEEL THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS INADEQUATE FOR THE WEIGHT OF A DAKOTA. I'M THE SECOND OWNER PURCHASED AT 29,000 MILES. THE FIRST OWNER HAD THE FRONT ROTORS REPLACED UNDER WARRENTY. I NOW HAVE 70,000 MILES AND HAD 4 FRONT BRAKE JOBS. 1ST TIME TURNED ROTORS REPLACED PADS,THAT LASTED ABOUT 10,000 MILES. 2ND TIME REPLACED ROTORS WITH FACTORY ONES,AGAIN LASTED ABOUT 10,000 MILES,3RD TIME REPLACED ROTORS WITH AFTERMARKET VENTED ,TO HELP COOLING, AGAIN LASTED AROUND 10,000 MILES,4TH TIME WAS TODAY I TURNED THE ROTORS. I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALER AN THEY GIVE ME THE RUN A ROUND SAYING DRIVER HABBIT. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jan 31, 200516,000 milesWA

MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA IS NOW EXPERIENCING ITS THIRD OCCURANCE OF WARPED ROTORS. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 37,000 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM REAPPEARS ABOUT EVERY 12,000 MILES. HE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO DEFECT WITH THE ROTORS. I DON'T BELIEVE THEM.*AK AFTER LOOKING AT THE DAKOTA WEB SITE, I FIND THERE ARE MANY OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM ON ALMOST THE SAME RECURRING TIME SCHEDULE. THE PULSATING CAUSED BY THE WARPED ROTOR COULD AFFECT THE ABS SYSTEM DURING HARD BRAKING. IT IS TIME FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM.

Electrical System › WiringCrashFire2 injured1 killed
Filed Jan 31, 2005SC

IN AUGUST 2004. A 2001 DODGE DAKAOTA PICKUP RAN A STOP SIGN AND I HIT HIM. THE TRUCK ROLLED AND CONTINUED TO RUN AND CAUGHT THE VEHICAL ON FIRE AND BURNED THE DRIVER CRITICALLY, AND HE ULTIMATELY DIED. WHY DIDN'T THE VEHICLE INERTIA SWITCH CUT THE VEHICAL OFF. I HAVE A FILE CLAIMED AGAINST THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND AN INVESTIGATION MAY BE LAUNCH ON THE TRUCK. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Jan 26, 200560,000 milesMA

CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT UPPER BALL JOINT/TIE RODS WERER WORN OUT. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 26, 200562,910 milesVA

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Jan 25, 200542,000 milesPA

THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR A SAFETY INSPECTION. HE WAS THEN INFORMED THE BALL JOINTS WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Jan 24, 200557,000 milesNM

THE UPPER BALL JOINT IS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND CAUSING THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL TO WOBBLE, ESPECIALLY DOWN HILL AT LOWER SPEEDS. CONSUMER WILL INFORM THE DEALER. *AK *NM

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Jan 24, 2005NE

THE CONSUMER WAS ASKED TO CALL BACK WITHIN A WEEK BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE STILL UNAVAILABLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED BACK, THE DEALER TOLD HIM THAT THEY AGAIN DID NOT HAVE PARTS AND THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM WHEN THEY DID. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Jan 21, 2005TX

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FRONT RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Jan 18, 2005CA

REFERENCE 2001 DODGE DAKOTA 4WD: THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A SAFETY RECALL ON THE 4WD MODULE. IT NEEDED REPROGRAMMING TO ASSURE THAT IT WOULDN'T SLIP OUT OF GEAR CAUSING THE TRUCK TO ROLL. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON MY TRUCK. HOWEVER, THE MODULE, AFTER ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES HAS GONE OUT AGAIN. THE "SERVICE 4WD" LIGHT COMES ON, BUT DODGE TELLS ME THAT THEY CANNOT EVEN RETRIEVE DIAGNOSTIC CODES FROM THE MODULE... AND THAT IT NEEDS REPLACING. THIS FAILURE OF THE 4WD MODULE AND THE DEALERS INABILITY TO EVEN DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, AFTER HAVING RECALL WORK DONE ON IT, MAKES ME WONDER IF THE ORIGINAL SAFETY RECALL SERVICE WAS EVEN EFFECTIVE. *NM

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Jan 14, 200571,323 milesAZ

LEFT WHEEL STARTED TO MAKE NOISE WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALER AND WAS CHARGED $747.00 TO REPLACE "FAILED BALL JOINTS" MY VIN NUMBER IS INCLUDED IN THE RANGE COVERED ABY THE RECENT DODGE RECALL - BUT THEY SAY IT ONLY APPLIES TO 4 WHEEL DRIVE,,,,REGARDLESS THESE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AS FAILURES. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Jan 13, 2005DC

2001 DODGE DAKOTA FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO FRONT END OF VEHICLE. *BF THE CONSUMER WONDERED IF THE WHEEL FALLING OFF COULD HAVE BEEN THE RESULT OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS BEING DEFECTIVE. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Jan 12, 2005DC

DODGE DAKOTA FAILURE OF FRONT BALL JOINTS, REPLACED BALL JOINT. *BF *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Jan 12, 2005DC

RE: DODGE RECALL: I OWN A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA, IT FEELS LIKE THE WHEELS WOBBLE. *BF

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Jan 11, 2005VA

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT TWICE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Jan 10, 2005VA

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT WHEN TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR, RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL.*AK ALSO, INNER TIE ROD WORE OUT, FAILED STATE INSPECTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. SIDETO SIDE PLAY IN TIRE WHEN JOCKE DUP. DEALERSHIP STATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Jan 10, 2005MD

2001 DODGE DAKOTA WAS RECALLED TO REPLACE UPPER BALL JOINTS. DURING REPAIR LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE ALSO FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THEM TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS COULD ALSO LEAD TO THE FAILURE OF THE LOWER, AND THIS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Jan 5, 200530,000 milesCA

THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL. IT WAS ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD 40,000 MILES ON IT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Jan 5, 2005OH

DEALERSHIP WAS NOT PERFORMING THE UPPER BALL JOINT WEAR RECALL 04V596000 REPAIRS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME. THE NEXT AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT DATE IS APRIL 5TH 2005.*AK......THE SAFETY RECALL STATES THAT CONSUMER CAN LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND CRASH. HE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, ESPECIALLY ON LONG TRIPS. DODG EHAS NOT HELPED CONSUMER. *AK

Air Bags
Filed Jan 5, 2005CA

THE AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR CHECK UP, AND TEST RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Jan 5, 2005MI

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 - RECALLED WITH CAMPAIGN ID #4V596000. WHILE THE GARAGE HAD MY PICKUP APART THEY CALLED AND SAID MY LOWER BALL JOINT HAD "EXCESSIVE WEAR" -QUOTED $440 TO REPAIR. AT 38000 MILES AND TO HAVE EXCESSIVE WEAR ON LOWER BALL JOINTS IS A PRODUCT DEFECT. I DECLIINED TO HAVE THEN REPAIR DUE TO EXTREME COST WHILE THE TRUCK WAS APART TO REPAIR THE UPPER BALL JOINTS.*AK

Air Bags
Filed Jan 4, 200560,000 milesCO

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE DOKATA TRUCK THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE CLOCK SPRING HAS GONE BAD IN THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON. IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO HAPPEN THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IS THIS A COMMON PROBLEM.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper
Filed Jan 4, 2005MA

DODGE DAKOTA, QUAD-CAB, 2001 ? AFTER HEAVY USAGE (I.E. COMMUTER TRAFFIC) FRONT BRAKES SEIZE AND LOCK UP; LEAVING BRAKES ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING. SUSPECT ROTOR WARP FROM THE HEAT OF THE BRAKE PADS THUS RENDERING THE FRONT BRAKES FULLY ENGAGED UNTIL THE ROTOR COOLS. DEALER INSPECTED BRAKES / ROTOR AFTER EACH INCIDENT (3) TO FIND NO OBVIOUS DIRECT CAUSE AND ONLY MADE THE SUGGESTION TO BRING IN FOR SERVICE WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jan 4, 2005VA

BRAKE ROTORS VERY RUSTED AND DISINTEGRATING WITH METAL FLAKING OFF AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES. I DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY WARPING OF THE ROTORS OR SHAKING OF VEHICLE WHEN BRAKING AS OTHERS HAVE. THE BADLY DETERIORATED ROTORS WERE DISCOVERED WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE FOR A CROSS COUNTRY TRIP. AFTER READING OTHER SIMILAR REPORTS REGARDING THE BRAKE ROTORS ON 2001 DODGE DAKOTAS, IT APPEARS THAT DAIMLER-CHRYSLER HAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE BRAKE PARTS AND HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Dec 30, 2004NJ

RECALL 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR: CONSUMER RECEIVED THIS RECALL NOTICE, AND CONTACTED HIS LOCAL DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT NO PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH 2005.*AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Dec 29, 2004TX

THE CONTROL ARM AND UPPER BALL JOINTS, WHEN IS THE RECALL GOING TO HAPPEN?? MY TRUCK IS REALLY REALLY BAD. THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT I GOT IS NO GOOD AND MY NEW TIRES ARE BEING EATEN UP BY THIS. I NEED MY TRUCK FOR WORK AND THIS IS SO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. *NM

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Dec 29, 2004PA

THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO PERFORM THE UPPER BALL JOINT WEAR RECALL 04V596000 BECAUSE THE CONSUMER DIDN'T PURCHASE THE VEHICLE FROM THEM. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Dec 28, 200443,000 milesVA

THE CONSUMER STATES THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Dec 28, 200444,000 milesMN

HEATER CORE FAILURE. TRUCK HAS 44,000 MILES ON IT AND THE HEATER CORE FAILED. COOLANT WAS SPRAYED THROUGHOUT ENTIRE VEHICLE. VISIBILITY WAS REDUCED TO ZERO. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Dec 27, 2004WI

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY DODGE 2001 QUAD CAB HITS ON THE HOOD AS THE WIPERS GO BACK AND FORTH MOTION. THIS IS LEAVING A WEAR MARK IN THE METAL ON THE HOOD FROM WHERE IT CONTINOUSLY HITS. I INFORMED MY DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE VECHICLE AND THEY LAUGHED AT ME. THE PROBLEM IS STILL TAKING PLACE SINCE I BOUGHT THE VECHILE IN 2001. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Arm
Filed Dec 27, 2004MD

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER. AFTER A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED FOR STALLING. HOWEVER, MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball JointCrash
Filed Dec 21, 200460,000 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH FRONT BALL JOINT PUNCTURED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THIS FORCED THE VEHICLE INTO A DITCH. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF THE BALL JOINT FAILURE AND REPAIRED IT. *AK

Steering › Linkages
Filed Dec 21, 2004CT

I HAVE HAD A CRUNCHING TYPE NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF MY TRUCK FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS, 18 MONTHS AGO MY TRUCK WENT IN FOR A NEW HEATING CORE TO THE DODGE DEALER AND I MENTIONED IT AND THEY SAID THEY TOOK A QUICK LOOK AND IT WAS PROBABLY MY SHOCKS MAKING THE NOISE. IT HAS MADE THE SAME NOISE SINCE THEN AND I HAVE NOT REPLACED MY SHOCKS. I RECENTLY TOOK MY TRUCK INTO REPLACE THE SHOCKS AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE BALL JOINTS ARE THE PROBLEM NOT THE SHOCKS. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM ON DODGE DAKOTAS AND IT IS WELL KNOWN. HE SAID IT IS BOUND TO FAIL AND COULD CAUSE DEATH. 2 TIMES IV HAD THE FRONT END DRIFT SEVERLY TO THE RIGHT AND HE SAID THIS IS THE PROBLEM>*AK

Suspension › Front
Filed Dec 20, 2004IN

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE, DAKOTA, QUAD CAB, 4X4. SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRENTY EXPIRED(36000MI.), I DEVELOPED A POPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING OVER BUMPS. SENSE THEN IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. I HAD IT INSPECTED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS OK, JUST TYPICAL TRUCK NOISE DUE TO BUMPS. AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE BALLJOINTS, I HAD IT RE-INSPECTED (MANY MILES LATER) ONLY TO FIND THAT I AM LUCKY THAT A WHEEL HAS NOT CAME OFF (BAD JOINTS). ALSO, IF THE TRUCK SETS OVERNIGHT (OR 1 OR MORE DAYS)WHEN YOU FIRST CRANK THE TRUCK AND PUT IN GEAR(REVERSE) THE TRANSMITION WILL SLIP. TOOK TO THE DEALER WHILE STILL UNDER WARRENTY THEY SAID IT WAS TYPICAL THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WOULD DRAIN DOWN AND THAT YOU HAD TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL FOR A FEW SECONDS TO LET THE CONVERTER FILL BEFORE PUTTING IN GEAR. I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM!*AK

Suspension › Front › Hub
Filed Dec 20, 200446,719 milesFL

WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE LOST CONTROL WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK.....*AK

Suspension › Front
Filed Dec 20, 2004TX

I HAVE A 2001 DAKOTA 2 WHEEL DRIVE WITH A BAD FRONT SUSPENSION. IT ONLY 54000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD THE BUSHING REPLACED THREE TIMES AND NOW THEY TELL ME I NEED UPPER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS, AND A R/F HUB BEARING. UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE VERY LOOSE. I WAS WONDERING WHY I AM ALWAYS FIXING THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO TO GET THIS PROBLEM SOLVED. I HEARD THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE DAKOTA'S, BUT NOT THE TWO WHEEL DRIVE. COULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO/ THANKS, STEPHEN. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper
Filed Dec 19, 200429,000 milesWY

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED BUT IT HAD NEW BRAKES. I HAD IT FOR A MONTH AND DROVE APPROX. 1000 MILES AND THE BRAKE ROTORS BECAME WARPED. I HAD THEM TURNED AND THEY WERE FINE. I DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR APPROX. 5 MORE MONTHS AND 6000 MILES AND THE ROTORS BECAME WARPED AGAIN. THE VIBRATIONS OCCUR VERY BADLY WHEN BRAKING FROM 50 MPH-40 MPH. WHEN BRAKING FROM A HIGHER OR LOWER SPEED THAN 40-50 THERE ARE ONLY MINOR VIBRATIONS. I ALSO HAVE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SUSPENSION WHEN TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS AND GOING OVER A BUMP/CURB(SUCH AS TO ENTER/LEAVE A DRIVEWAY). *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Dec 17, 200450,000 milesCA

MY HUSBAND AND I OWN A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB, FOR ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END. NOW A RECALL ON THE BALL JOINTS HAS COME IN AND DODGE WILL NOT EVEN LOOK AT OUR VEHICLE UNTIL THE RECALLS GO IN THE MAIL. I HAVE BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE CALLED WITH THIS COMPLAINT, I AM SCARED SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME AND MY FAMILY BUT DODGE JUST TELLS ME TO STOP DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HOW CAN I DO THAT WHEN IT IS MY ONLY ONE AND I CANT GET TO WORK OR MY KIDS TO SCHOOL.. PLEASE HELP IN THIS. MY HUSBAND CAN GIVE MORE INFO IF NEEDED PLEASE CALL HIM AT 707-689-2333 IF YOU NEED MORE INFO. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Dec 15, 200466,000 milesNC

FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. *AK THE FAULTY BALL JOINTS CAUSED ABNORMAL WEAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *NM

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly
Filed Dec 15, 2004MD

WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED IN REVERSE UNEXPECTEDLY CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER OR MOVE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STEPPED OUT TO LOOK AT FRONT WHEELS AND NOTICED THAT EACH WHEEL WAS FACING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIE ROD BROKE OFF.*AK THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR INSPECTION TWICE, WAS TOLD BY DEALER THERE WA SNO WAY TO TELL IF TIE RODS WERE DEFECTIVE DUE TO RUST. *AK

Service Brakes, Air › Antilock
Filed Dec 14, 200445,000 milesNY

WHEN NEEDING TO BRAKE QUICKLY, THE BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION. I ASSUME IT IS AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MALFUNCTION, AND HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES, MOSTLY DURING THE NEED TO BRAKE QUICKLY. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A WAY TO MANEUVER AROUND THE OBSTACLE (CAR, PEDESTRIAN, ETC..), BUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN THE DAY COMES THAT I DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO AND A PERSON GETS HIT, BECAUSE OF DEIMLER-CHRYSLER'S LACK OF MORALS TO MAKE RIGHT WHAT THEY DID WRONG, AND NOT RECALL THIS POOR DESIGN. IT DOES NOT FEEL GOOD KNOWING THAT YOU PUT ON YOUR BRAKES, AND YOU CAN'T STOP...VERY HELPLESS, AND NERVOUS. WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS NOW, TO SAVE A LIFE. HOPEFULLY THIS COMPLAINT ALONG WITH THE NUMEROUS OTHERS WILL RAISE A RED FLAG, AND SOMETHING WILL BE DONE.*AK

Reading these

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.

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