2002 Dodge Dakota complaints

WARPED ROTORS. A KNOWN ISSUE AMONG MANY, MANY DODGE TRUCK OWNERS. FRONT ROTORS SEEM TO WARP EVERY 20,000 MILES OR SO. I'VE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON WEBSITES FOR DODGE TRUCK OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. IT SEEMS THE ONLY FIX IS TO PURCHASE HIGH PERFORMANCE "DRILLED OR VENTED" ROTORS AT A VERY HIGH COST. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE AS THE PROBLEM HAS CARRIED OVER THE YEARS ANYWHERE FROM 1995 THROUGH 2002. I'VE READ WHERE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE DODGE DEALERSHIPS REPLACE WITH DODGE ROTORS ONLY TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A BIG ISSUE!! I AM NOW GOING THROUGH THIS FOR THE SECOND TIME AROUND AND AM LOOKING AT HAVING TO SPEND ANYWHERE FROM $500 TO $1,000 TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. DODGE NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS AND BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS PROBLEM.

THERE IS A HESITATION (DEAD SPOT) WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELORATOR PEDAL,WHEN TRYING TO START ROLLING FROM A STOP. THE RPMS ACTUALLY FALL BEFORE THEY RISE. THIS ,WHILE LETTING OUT THE CLUTCH IS UNSAFE ,CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHEN THE POWER IS NEEDED THE MOST. HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE 9 TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY SAY ; 1)IT WILL GET BETTER WITH TIME 2)THIS IS AN INHERANT PROBLEM WITH THE 6 CYLINDER & MANUAL 3)CANT DUPLICATE (IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I TRY TO MOVE) YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE GAS PEDAL IN ORDER TO GET PAST THE HESITATION AREA

2002 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CAB P/U HAS SERIOUS WATER LEAK TO PASS SIDE FLOOR. DEALER HAS HAD INTERIOR OUT OF TRUCK 4 TIMES W/O FIXING PROBLEM. I AM PERSONALLY AWARE OF MANY OTHER DAKOTA OWNERS WITH SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MODEL WIDE DEFECT AND DODGE HAS NO INTEREST IN DEALING WITH DAMAGED OWNERS. COULD CAUSE ELEECTRIC SHORT/PROBLEMS AS WIRING/WIRING CONNECTIONS RUN UNDER CARPET ON THIS SIDE OF TRUCK. DEALER MUST HAVE KNOWN OF LEAK AND FAILED TO DISCLOSE TO INTERNET BUYER AND DID BEST TO MINIMIZE APPEARANCE OF DAMPNESS BY "SHAMPOOING" CARPETS FOR DELIVERY - VERY DISHONEST!!!!!!!!!*AK

CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS MADE CLUNKING AND POPPING SOUNDS. BUSHINGS MADE LOUD SQUEAKING SOUNDS. ALL MENTIONED PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SOUNDS STARTED AS EARLY AS 10,000 MILES LOGGED ON VEHICLE. AFTER SEARCHING INTERNET FOUND BALL JOINTS COULD SEPARATE AND FINALLY TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER IS REPLACING PARTS UNDER WARRANTY BUT MY CONCERN IS THEY ARE REPLACING THEM WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PARTS. *LA

IN OCT.2002 MY TRUCK SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IN THE PAST THE TRUCK HAD SHUT OFF IN REVERSE OR WHEN I WAS AT A DEAD STOP AND THEN PRESS THE GAS, BUT THIS TIME I HAD TO DRIVE WITH MY FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME AND THEN PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AT A STOP TO KEEP THE GAS GOING. I HAD ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY BLINKERS. YOU TURN THE LEFT ONE ON AND OCCASIONALLY THE RIGHT ONE WILL BLINK TO-LIKE "HAZARD LIGHTS". MY DASH BOARD WOULD ALSO LIGHT UP WHILE DRIVING OR EVEN WHEN I COME TO A STOP AT A LIGHT. I PUT IT OFF UNTIL THE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A COMPUTER PROBLEM AND THE TRUCK HAD BEEN DOING IT SINCE DAY 1, THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM TO THE BLINKERS. ALSO THE A/C CONDESATION LINE HAD A CRACK IN IT AND WAS LEAKING INTO MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR-THAT WAS A SECOND TRIP. NOW MY TRUCK IS HAVEING THE SAME SHUT-OFF PROBLEM STARTING JUST LIKE IT DID LAST TIME-SO NOW I AM LOOKING INTO THE "LEMON LAW", IT SEEMS TO APPLY SO FAR.*AK

I TOOK MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA TO GET STATE INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THE LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT WAS WORN OUT. ONLY HAS 35000 MILES ON IT. I WENT TO DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED ON DEC 29 2003 AND WAS TOLD THE BALL JOINTS ARE ON BACK ORDER UNTIL JAN 14 2004 AND WAS TOLD I MAY NOT BE ONE OF THE LUCK ONES TO GET IT EVEN THEN. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN SITTING SINCE DEC 31 2003 BECAUSE OF THE INSPECTION HAS EXP. *LA

VEHICLE = 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB - V6 (CURRENTLY @ 49,000 MILES) TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ANNUAL INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN EXCESSIVELY AND WOULD TOTALLY FAIL IN APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON NUMEROUS WEBSITES I HAVE FOUND THIS PROBLEM TO BE QUITE COMMON AND IS WHAT WAS CAUSING THE FEELING OF LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN HITTING BUMPS IN THE ROAD AT SPEED, STRANGE NOISES WHEN TURNING SLOWLY, AND IT ALSO SEEMS THIS IS WHAT COULD HAVE LED TO MY PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURES (WHICH I HAD TO HAVE MY ROTORS GROUND AT APPROX 25K MILES). I WILL BE SPEAKING TO MY DEALER TOMORROW DIRECTLY - MY GIRLFRIEND HAD CALLED THEM FOR ME BECAUSE I WAS OUT OF TOWN FOR WORK AND IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH THEY ARE CLAIMING THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM. THIS APPEARS TO BE QUITE A COMMON PROBLEM AND HAD MY MECHANIC NOT CAUGHT THE PROBLEM DOING THE ANNUAL INSPECTION IT WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY CAUSED AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. HOPEFULLY SOMETHING IS BEING DONE TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. THANKS. *AK

WHILE HAVING VEHICLE SERVICED FOR A BRAKE ISSUE DEALERSHIP NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY, AND THE TIE RODS WERE DEFECTIVE. DEALERSHIP COULD ONLY REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE THE LOWER ONCE DUE TO PART BEING ON BACK ORDER. *AK

WHEN TURNING LEFT THE PASSENGERS SIDE TIRE PRODUCED A THUMPING NOISE. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE TIRE WILL SEPARATE FROM THE RIM. *AK

THE BRAKES ON MY TRUCK STARTED PULSATING AT AROUND 13000 MILES. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO ASK ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THE BRAKES NEED A CHECKUP BUT ARE OUT OF WARRANTY SO THEY'LL HAVE TO CHARGE ME FOR EVERYTHING. THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING ON A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. THE TRUCK STARTS TO VIBRATE AND SHAKE ALMOST VIOLENTLY WHEN LIGHT BRAKING PRESSURE IS APPLIED. I'M IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING MY BRAKES/ROTOR REPLACED.*AK

PREMATURE FAILURE OF UPPER LOWER BALL JOINTS. THIS STARTED AT 20K AT WHICH TIME I BROUGHT IT INTO A DEALERSHIP, BUT THE "FRONT END" GUY WAS SICK THAT DAY (HOW CONVIENT), SO NO ONE WOULD LOOK AT THE TRUCK. VERY LOUD POPPING NOISE FROM FRONT END ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEED ON ICY CONDITIONS. WHEN TURNING SHARP THE WHEEL FEELS AS IF ITS ABOUT TO COLAPES UNDER ITSELF. VERY DANGEROUS. NOW THAT IM OVER THE 36K WARRENTY DODGE TELLS ME I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A DODGE AGAIN. THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING CONDITION SHOULD IT FAIL. I HAVE CHILDREN AND NO LONGER FEEL SAFE TRANSPORTING THEM IN THIS VEHICLE. I CANNOT EVEN TRADE IT IN UNTILL I FIX IT AS ALL THE OTHER CAR DEALERS ARE QUITE AWARE OF THIS DEFECT....HELP PLEASE!!!*AK

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR TIRES TO BE SERVICED. MECHANIC NOTICED THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. ALSO, CONSUMER REMEMBERED HEARING A NOISE WHEN TURNING CORNERS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW SECONDS LATER THE VEHICLE WENT TO ONE SIDE AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THE CONSUMER WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS IN THE COLLISION. THE CAUSE OF THE COLLISION WAS THE SPINDLE AND THE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB *MR

2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB HAS HAD GRINDING/JUMPING/BUMPING CONDITION WHEN BRAKING SINCE 4/03 @UNDER 24K MILES. PRIVATE MECHANIC HAS CHECKED BRAKES TWICE FOR THIS AND HAS FOUND NO PROBLEMS STEMMING FROM BRAKES. CONDITION PERSISTS, AND AM WARY OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL AND BALL JOINT WEAR. IS DODGE COVERING THIS AS A WARRANTY REPAIR NOW OR NOT?

2002 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CAB IS MAKING CLANKING, CREAKING NOISES WHILE TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS IS AT 46K MILES. HAS BEEN MAKING THIS NOISE SINCE 40K MILES. FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS OF UPPER BALL JOINT PROBLEMS WITH OTHER DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS. VERY CONCERNED AND SUSPICOUS.

2002 DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK WITH 29,600 MILES LOOSING FRONT STEERING STABILITY AND FRONT END RATTLING. CHECK WITH LOCAL MECHANIC REVEALS BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT UPPER BALLJOINTS FAILING AND NEED TO REPLACED ASAP TO PREVENT WHEEL FAILURE. ALSO TIRES WEARING OUT. DODGE CONTACTED, NO RECALL YET???

I OWN A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. AT 27,000 MILES, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS. THEY ALSO WORKED ON THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. AT 34,000 MILES THEY REPLACED THREE BALL JOINTS AND WORKED ON THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. AT 42,000 MILES THEY REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND WORKED ON THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. AT 49,000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. FORTUNATELY, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS. I HAVE HEARD NOISES AND TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP OR MY MECHANIC. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING IT. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT ANYMORE. I THINK THEY HAVE SOME SERIOUS FRONT END PROBLEMS THAT THEY SHOULD BE ADDRESSING. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE FOOTING THE BILL FOR IT. I AM ALSO VERY UPSET THAT THE DEALERSHIP AND DODGE HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEMS AND CHOSE TO BLAME THEM ON OTHER CONDITIONS CAUSED BY THE OWNER.*AK

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DOKOTA SXT 2WD THAT HAS A CLUNKING SOUND SIMILAR TO THAT WHICH I HAVE HEARD DESCRIBED IN REGARD TO A FRONT BALL JOINT PROBLEM. I HAVE SPOKING WITH OTHER PERSONS WHO ALSO HAVE 2WD DAKOTAS AND HAVE HED TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS WELL BEFORE THEY SHOULD BE. I CURRENTLY HAVE 43,00 MILES ON THE VEHICLE BUT THE CLUNK HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES AND I WAS HOPING THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL BEFORE I HAVE IT FIXED. I HAVE NO RIDE OR HANDLEING PROBLEMS BUT JUST THE CLUNK WHEN I GO OVER AN OBJECT OR ONTO A SIDEWALK TO PARK. *AK

I HAVE HAD TO TURN MY FRONT ROTORS ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA 4.7L, 4WD QUAD CAB 4 TIMES IN 40,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP BLAMES IT ON RAIN COOLING THE ROTORS TOO FAST. I DO STRICTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING, AND THE VIBRATION THAT OCCURS IS NERVE RACKING. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON CONSUMER SITES REGARDING THIS. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS FOR A RECALL. *LA

AT 35,500 I WAS TOLD THAT MY FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE ROTORS WERE PITTED AND BRAKES WERE WORN. I COULD UNDERSTAND BRAKES PADS NEED REPLACING (ALTHOUGH I DO MOST DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY THEREFORE NOT USING BRAKES MUCH) BUT ROTORS NEED REPLACING BECAUSE OF PITTING; SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE. IN ADDITION, EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THIS TRUCK (REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES) I NOTICE THAT WHEN THE ANTI-LOCK KICKS IN IT SEEMS AS THOUGH I'VE LOST ALOT OF BRAKING POWER. I'VE FOUND MYSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AT TIMES BECAUSE THE TRUCK WOULDN'T STOP AND I WAS NOT GOING THAT FAST. I HAD A TRUCK CUT IN FRONT OF ME ONE DAY ON THE HIGHWAY (SOMEONE IN FRONT OF HIM HAD STOPPED) AND THE ONLY WAY I ADVOIDED HITTING HIM WAS TO DRIVE OFF ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD; THE BRAKES QUIT WORKING. I HAVE A '92 DAKOTA WITH REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND IT STOPS WITH OUT PROBLEMS. *AK

AT A FULL STOP YOU FEEL LIKE A "BUMP" IN THE TRANSMISSION, OR JUST LIKE SOMEONE HIT YOU FROM THE BACK. IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME. IT NORMALLY HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN HALF HOUR IN TRAFFIC OR LOCAL ROADS WITH FREQUENT STOPS. DEALER HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, WHICH STARTED AT 1500 MILES. THEY SERVICE THE DIFFERENTIAL BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN WILLING TO DRIVE IT ENOUGH EVEN WHEN I LEFT THE VEHICLE FOR THEM TO TRY FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS. VEHICLE NOW HAS 17,000 MILES, HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 3000 MILES IN FIVE START DEALER.*AK

BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BEING WORN OUT ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4. DEALER NEVER MENTIONED THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION OR PROBLEMS WITH BALL JOINTS. SUBSEQUENTLY VIEWED THE CBS REPORT ON DAKOTA BALL JOINTS AND ONGOING INVESTIGATION THE NIGHT WE GOT TRUCK BACK FROM DEALER WITH NEW BALL JOINTS.*AK

AT BARELY 39000 MILES ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA SXT, WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT IS NEARLY SHOT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE NOISE AND PROBLEMS BEGAN WAY BEFORE THE 36000 MILE MARK BUT WE NEVER CONSIDERED THAT IT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT NEEDED MAJOR REPAIR. NOW WE ARE BEYOND THE 36000 MILE WARRANTY AND WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OURSELVES. AFTER RESEARCH WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS QUICKLY BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. SO WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE OUR ISSUE KNOWN IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN HOPES THAT MAYBE DODGE WILL TAKE SOME CORRECTIVE ACTION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 30 MPH OR MORE THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

VEHICLE DOES NOT BRAKE ADEQUATELY DURING "PANIC" STOPPING. REAR WHEEL ABS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WORKING PROPERLY. HAVE HAD THREE OCCURRENCES WHEN I NEEDED TO "PANIC" STOP AND IN ALL CASES HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID COLLISION BECAUSE BRAKES WERE NOT STOPPING VEHICLE. REAR WHEEL ABS ENGAGES BUT ALLOWS TOO MUCH "FREE-WHEELING" WHICH ALLOWS VEHICLE TOO MUCH TRAVEL. REGULAR BRAKING (EVEN "HARD" BRAKING WITHOUT ABS INVOLVEMENT) SEEMS TO WORK CORRECTLY. HAVE HAD VEHICLE TO DEALER TWICE AND FIRST TIME REAR DRUMS WERE TURNED AND SECOND TIME ABS MODULE WAS REPLACED, BUT HAS NOT FIXED PROBLEM. SERVICE ADVISOR AND MECHANIC SAY THAT THE ABS SYSTEM IS WORKING AS DESIGNED FOR A REAR WHEEL ONLY ABS. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY RESOLUTION TO PROBLEM BUT NOW DEALER WON'T LOOK AT IT BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THEY CAN. *LA

DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT WORE OUT PREMATURELY. AS A RESULT THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED.*AK

DENIAL OF INSPECTION IN NH FOR BAD UPPER BALL JOINTS. TOLD TO TAKE IT TO DEALER. DEALER SAYS IT'S OK AND CHARGED ME $15.00! IINSPECTOR SHOWED ME HOW MUCH MOVEMENT WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK AGAIN TO COMPLAIN THEY WERE WRONG. I AGREE WITH THE INSPECTOR, THIS IS UNSAFE. ANY MOVEMENT IS A PROBLEM, THEY SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO SAY .60 IS OK. *AK

2002 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 QUAD CAB PICKUP - BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE FAILURE. SIGNS OF FAILURE BEGAN AROUND 30,000 MILES, BUT MISDIAGNOSED BY LOCAL MECHANIC AS "NO PROBLEM FOUND." I LATER TOOK THE TRUCK TO DODGE WHEN KNOCKING NOISE KEPT GETTING WORSE (AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRATION). BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT PERFORMED FOR APPROXIMATELY $500. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, I BELIEVE A RECALL SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED. *AK

UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE EXHIBITING PREMATURE SIGNS OF FAILURE AT 10,000 MILES LOAD POPPING SOUNDS WHEN TURNING AND BRAKING. VEHICLE NOW HAS 23,000 MILES AND IS SHOWING SIGNS OF STEERING VIBRATIONS. WHY HAVEN'T THE DAKOTA MODELS BEEN INCLUDED WITH THE DURANGO SUSPENSION ENGINEERING INVESTIGATION. THERE ARE ALMOST 100 COMPLAINTS ON THE WEBSITE? *JB

WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND WOULD MOSTLY OCCUR IN TRAFFIC. *SCC *JB

I OWN A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 40,385 MILES. AFTER SEEING A PIECE ON CBS ABOUT THE UPPER BALL JOINT PROBLEMS, I HAD MY TRUCK CHECKED AT THE DEALER. BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $384.55. UPON GOING TO THIS SITE I SAW AN OPEN INVESTIGATION SO, DECIDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT HOPING TO EVENTUALLY HAVE A RECALL ON THIS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE PART. *NLM

PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR FILLS WITH WATER UNTIL IT WICKS THROUGH THE CARPET COMPLETELY SATURATING THE AREA. *AK

I AM OWNER OF A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB PICK-UP WITH DEFECTIVE FRONT BALL JOINTS. I HAVE NOTICED NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO DEALER. EVEN TOOK THE SHOP FORMAN ON ROAD TEST AND HE ALSO HEARD THE NOISE I WAS EXPERIENCING. THEN THE DEALER BLAMED IT ON THE SIDE BARS THAT I HAD PREVIOSLY INSTALLED. (THE NOISE WAS THERE BEFORE THE THE BARS WERE INSTALLED). NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND. I AM A EXPERIENCED MECHANIC BY TRADE AND I KNOW ABOUT THESE THINGS. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT I AM DRIVING A POTENTIAL TIME BOMB JUST LIKE THE DURANGO'S WHICH SHARE THE SAME FRONT SUSPENSION THAT ARE HAVING CRITICAL BALLJOINT FAILURES WHICH THERE IS NOW A CLASS ACTION LAW SIUTE IN PROCESS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL INITIATED BECAUSE LIVES ARE IN DANGER!*AK

WHEN DRIVING BRAKES LOCKED UP, AND VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THEN, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS. HAD A SEVERE PULSATION WHEN BRAKING AT APPROXIMATELY. 26,000 MILES. DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT COVERED ON THE 3YEAR/36,000 BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY, BRAKES WERE ONLY COVERED FOR 1YEAR/12,000. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MEINEKE SHOP AT 26,120 MILES AND THEY TOLD ME THE ROTORS WERE TOO DEEPLY PITTED TO BE RESURFACED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PADS STILL HAD PLENTY OF LIFE, ALMOST LIKE NEW. I HAD THEM REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTORS WHICH COST ME $275.35. I BELIEVE THESE ROTORS FAILED PREMATURELY AND CAUSED EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES AND SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *LA

PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CAB PICK-UP WITH 26,465 MILES. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER TO DIAGNOSE A CLANKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING THEY DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM ON THE FIRST VISIT, I RETURNED FOR A SECOND VISIT AND I IDENTIFIED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS AS THE PROBLEM, THEY CHECKED THEM AND AGREED. THEY WERE REPLACED UNDER THE WARRANTY. AFTER READING A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON DIFFERENT WEB SITES THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS. HOW ABOUT A RECALL! (PREMATURE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTOR FAILURES IS ANOTHER COMMON PROBLEM ON BOTH OF THESE VEHICLES. MINE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 26,120 MILES AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY.) *LA

WE OWN A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB TRUCK. IT'S GETTING READY TO BE TAKEN BACK INTO THE SHOP FOR A BALL-JOINT PROBLEM WE SUPPOSEDLY ALREADY HAD FIXED. WE PURCHASED THIS DODGE TRUCK AS OUR MAIN FAMILY VEHICLE. HOW CAN I FEEL SAFE TRANSPORTING MY FAMILY IN A VEHICLE THAT COULD HAVE A TIRE COLLAPSE AT ANY TIME? I'VE RESEARCHED INFORMATION ABOUT THIS VERY PROBLEM AND AM DISTURBED TO FIND OUT THAT IT'S HAPPENING TO A LOT OF VEHICLE OWNERS. FOR MOST OF US, A VEHICLE IS ONE OF THE MOST COSTLY PURCHASES WE MAKE IN OUR LIFETIMES... HOW LONG ARE WE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT FOR DAIMLER/CHRYSLER/DODGE TO STOP SWEEPING THIS PROBLEM UNDER THE RUG AND TAKE THE SAFETY OF ALL PASSENGERS SERIOUSLY? *LA

PREMATURE FAILURE (40000 MILES) OF BALL JOINTS IN A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. *LA

2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB V8 CURRENTLY WITH 45, 000 MILES. FIRST NOTICED STEERING PROBLEMS AT 18,000 MILES. THE TRUCK MAKES NOISE OVER BUMPS AND WHEN TURNING. BROUGHT TRUCK IN FOR SEAT REPAIR AND TO CHECK STEERING AT 35,000 MILES. MECHANIC PERFORMED FRONT END ALIGNMENT. PROBLEMS STILL PERSISTED. ALSO, THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED AT 18,000 MILES AND CAUSED A PULSATING FEEL IN THE PEDAL. THE TRUCK NOW FEELS AS IF IT WILL FALL APART OVER BUMPS AND FEELS AS IF I WILL LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WARRANTY IS NOW EXPIRED BUT I NEED THIS PROBLEM FIXED. I HAVE READ OF MANY COMPLAINTS IN DODGE TRUCKS AS WELL AS THEIR CARS OF PREMATURE STEERING FAILURE. *LA

2002 DODGE DAKOTA R/T. ISSUE IN WIRING HARNESS/ELECTRICAL CAUSES THE 5AMP FUSE REGILATING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING TO BLOW REGULARLY, CAUSING A LOSE OF ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING. *AK

2002 DODGE DAKOTA DEALER IDENTIFIED LT BALL JOINT/CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT @ 42,000 MI. PROBLEM EXISTED SOME 6000 - 7000 PRIOR BASED ON DRIVABILITY/NOISE. VEH HAS HAD REPEATED EVAP LEAK SINCE 14,000 MI.*AK

UPPER BALL JOINT ON 02 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB NEEDS TO BE REPLACE W/ ONLY 27,200 MILES ON TRUCK.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH DRIVER NOTICED SPARKS WERE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION IN MY DODGE DAKOTA. THE FRONT END VIBRATES AT SPEEDS OVER 60MPH . I FEEL THIS IS NOT RIGHT, CORRECT, OR SAFE. I GOT ANOTHER OPINION FROM DAIGLE STEER-O-MASTER.THEY FOUND THAT THE RIGHT BALLJOINT IS THE PROBLEM.THE DEALER CLAIMS THE BALLJOINT ON ALL THE WHEELS ARE WITHIN SPECS . AFTER ANOTHER OPINION THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL STILL HAS EXCESS PLAY,WHICH I FEEL IS NOT SAFE AT ANY SPEED. IT ALSO WOULD NOT PASS THE STATE INSPECTION. MY DODGE DAKOTA ONLY HAS 17,152 MILES. I THINK THAT THE DEALER WILL NOT CORRECT THIS PROBLEM UNTIL THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED OR THERE IS A RECALL.*AK

POPPING SOUND IN FRONT END WHEN TURNING AT SLOW SPEED, DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP AT SLOW SPEED, STOPPING OR PULLING OUT FROM STOP. *LA

FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS NEED REPLACED AT 16,000 MILES. THIS TRUCK IS NOT DRIVEN HARD OR A LOT. DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY, CLAIMS NO KNOWLEDGE OF REPORTED PROBLEMS. *LA

NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS AND OVER LIGHT BUMPS IN FRONT SUSPENSION OF A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA CREW CAB PICKUP. *LA

2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. WHILE BRAKING THERE SEEMS TO BE A VIBRATION UNDER THE FRONT END OR SOMETIMES WHILE TURNING EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT IN MOTION IT WILL MAKE A POPPING SOUND. I DID TAKE IT TO THE DEALER 2 MONTH AGO FOR THAT PROBLEM, BUT ALL THEY FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKE DISKS NEEDED TO BE TURNED. BUT THE SAME PROBLEM STILL HAPPENS. NEED TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE UPPER OR LOWER BALL JOINTS, BUSHINGS THAT ARE NOT PROPERLY SEATED ON THE FRONT END PARTS, OR WHAT? *LA

AT 20,000 MILES THE LENSES ON THE FOG LIGHTS ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL FELT LIKE A WET SPONGE. THE VEHICLE NEVER SLOWED DOWN. CONSUMER APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT A COLLISION OCCURRED. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE CONSUMER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE INFORMED OF THE CRASH. *AK