2002 Dodge Dakota complaints

NO SINGLE INCIDENT. MANY ABS BRAKING PROBLEMS EVERY DAY. REPLACED ROTORS, CALIPERS, DRUMS, BRAKE SHOES AND REAR SENSOR. PROBLEM PERSISTS. *NM

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ALARMING FAILURES WITH MY DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. IT IS A 2002 V6 AUTO TRANSMISSION PW PL. I HAVE HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE RECALL, MY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED (TWICE), MY FRONT HUBS & SPINDLES COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED AND COULD HAVE KILLED MY FAMILY, MY WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE DRIVER SIDE TAILLIGHT SEEMS TO FAIL OFTEN, THE VACUUM HOSES HAVE ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE CHEAP RUBBER USED BY THE MANUFACTURER FAIL BY CRACKING AND CAUSING ALL SORTS OF LEAKS CAUSING ENGINE LIGHTS, LOUD NOISES UNDER THE HOOD, AND HORRIBLE GAS MILEAGE. I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO BE PROACTIVE IN MY MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THE MAJOR REPAIRS DONE PROFESSIONALLY. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A 2002 VEHICLE CAN HAVE SO MANY POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEMS AND BE IGNORED. I HAVE SEARCHED HIGH AND LOW FOR QUALITY BULLETINS BUT CANNOT FIND ANYTHING. MY GAS MILEAGE IS NOW DOWN TO 14 MPG AND THE TRUCK IS FALLING APART. *JB

NO KNOWN EVENT OR INDICATION OF FAILURE OCCURRED PRIOR TO INCIDENT. HEADLIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS, DOOR LOCKS, KEYLESS ENTRY, INTERMITTENT WIPERS ALL CEASED TO FUNCTION. THIS OCCURRED AT DAWN ON A RAINY DAY. HAD THIS OCCURRED DURING THE EVENING HOURS AN ACCIDENT MAY LIKELY HAVE OCCURRED. REPAIR PENDING. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 1 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A GARAGE, A NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE SHOE LINING WAS DESTROYED. ALSO, ON THE REAR LEFT SIDE THE BONDED LINING WAS SEPARATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE PARKING BRAKE HAD NEVER BEEN USED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. PROBLEM: THE KEY, ONCE INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION IT WILL NOT ROTATE AND THUS NOT START THE TRUCK. IT IS AS IF THE IGNITION IS LOCKED UP. AFTER REMOVING, REINSERTING, AND TRYING TO START THE TRUCK NUMEROUS TIMES, IT FINALLY WILL START. IT DOES NOT DO THIS EVERYTIME, BUT IN THE PAST MONTH IT HAS HAPPENED CLOSE TO A DOZEN TIMES. HAS THIS BEEN REPORTED BEFORE, AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX THIS FRUSTRATING PROBLEM? *NM

TIMING CONTROL MODULE, TCM IS PULSING INTERIOR/EXTERIOR LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, ETC. TO AN OFF STATE AT ONCE PER SECOND CONTINUOUSLY. WHEN TRUCK IS PARKED, HEADLAMP RELAY CAN BE HEARD PULSING. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT DUE TO VISUAL CONFUSION AND SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH OTHER TRAFFIC. NO APPARENT CAUSE OF FAILURE. TRUCK HAS 18K MILES AND IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. OTHER COMPLAINTS INDICATE THAT TCM WAS REPLACED TO FIX PROBLEM. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE MAY NOT BE INTERNAL TO TCM AND REPLACING IT WILL BE AN ONGOING EVENT. HAS DODGE DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THIS MODULE FAILURE? IS THIS NOT A DESIGN FLAW SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM? *NM

WITHIN 29,500. TOTAL MILES COVERED IN 4.5 YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN 5 EPISODES WHEN EITHER THE FRONT LEFT OR FRONT RIGHT BRAKE PARTIALLY SEIZED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO ONE SIDE UPON APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES, AND EMITTED SMOKE. TWO DEALERS HAVE OFFERED NO PLAUSIBLE CAUSE OR REMEDY. ORIGINAL BRAKE PADS, BOTH FRONT AND REAR, AND THE FRONT DISCS AND READ DRUMS WERE FOUND TO BE BADLY WORN AT A MERE 20,000. MILES OF LIGHT SERVICE RESULTING IN ALL PADS BEING REPLACED AND THE ROTORS AND DRUMS BEING TURNED. NOW AT 29, 500. MILES THE FRONT ROTORS ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF WARPAGE. OK, I'M NOT AN EXPERT, BUT I'VE DRIVEN ABOUT 15 VEHICLES OVER A TOTAL OF A MILLION MILES AND MY FEELING IS THAT THESE BRAKES ARE UNDERSIZED AND CONSTANTLY RUN TOO HOT. THE SHORT BRAKE LIFE IS NOTHING SHORT OF ASTOUNDING. AS THE DEALERS SEEMS STUMPED, MY NEXT MOVE IS TO INSTALL RACING BRAKES ON THE FRONT COMPLETE WITH MULTIPLE PISTON CALIPERS AND DRILLED AND SLOTTED ROTORS. I'M BETTING THAT THE SMOKING EPISODES WILL STOP. ONE LOOK AT THIS VEHICLES COMPLAINTS IS ALL THE NHTSA SHOULD HAVE TO SEE THAT THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, HERE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ON A PAVED SECONDARY ROAD IN CLEAR DRY CONDITIONS, DAMAGING THE TRANSFER CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE SHOP. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. UPDATED 10/25/06. *JB

THE LIGHTS ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA STARTED FLASHING AND A FEW DAYS LATER MY LIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS AND POWER DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE HAD 3 DIFFERENT AUTO MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. MY TRUCK HAS 40,900 MILES ON IT AND NO WRECKS OF ANY KIND. MY TRUCK IS AN AUTOMATIC. *JB

2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB BOTH UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS FAILED ON BOTH SIDES. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HEARD A NOISE EVERY TIME SHE WENT OVER BUMP. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL GARAGE, THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. FINALLY, AFTER NOT BEING ABLE TO TAKE THE NOISE ANY LONGER, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER ESTABLISHMENT WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED, THE HAZARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP.

DODGE DAKOTA AND DURANGO YEARS 2000 TO 2003 THAT I KNOW OF FROM ME AND MY FRIENDS. I HAVE A 2002 DAKOTA AND WHEN THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD DO TO ENGINE IDLE SPEED MOST LIKELY FROM BOOSTER VACUUM DUMP OFF. I AM A ASE CERTIFIED MECH AND I UNDERSTAND HOW THE ABS BRAKES ARE SUPPOSE TO REACT WHEN APPLIED. MY FRIEND HAS AN EARLIER MODEL DURANGO AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH WITH 46,500 KILOMETERS A STRONG FUEL ODOR HAD BEEN NOTICED GAS GAUGE DROP FROM JUST UNDER THREE QUARTERS TO BELOW HALF .COMPLAINT ABOUT FUEL SYSTEM AND REALLY BAD GAS MILEAGE. AND CARBON RESIDUE ON EXHAUST SEEM TO HAVE BEEN IGNORED BY DEALER. *NM

2002 DODGE DAKOTA PU TRUCK HEADED EAST ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WENT OUT OF CONTROL, LEFT THE ROAD, FLIPPED ONCE & LANDED UPSIDE DOWN IN THE MEDIAN. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE APPEARED CHEWED UP. THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL CAME COMPLETELY OFF FROM ITS MOUNTING & THE HUBCAP WAS STILL ON THE RIM. THE WHEEL WAS PLACED IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK WHEN IT WAS TOWED AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NM UPDATED 06/27/06 *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE ROAD WAS DRY AND THE BRAKING CONDITION WAS NORMAL. THE CONTACT FURTHER STATED THE BRAKES FELT SLUGGISH, AS IF RIDING ON A FLAT TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MASTER CYLINDER, ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.

2002 DODGE DAKOTA PURCHASED NEW 10/2001. MARCH 2004 NOTICED GRINDING NOISE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. BRAKES WERE METAL AGAINST METAL. DEALER REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS (AND CHARGED FOR SERVICE) AT 20940 MILES. MARCH 2006, NOTICED PULSING WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. DIFFERENT SERVICE CENTER SAID ROTORS WERE RUSTED AND REPLACED; ALSO CLEANED AND ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES AND PERFORMED FRONT CALIPER "SLIDER SERVICE." MILEAGE 40239. I BELIEVE BRAKES SHOULD LAST MORE THAN TWO YEARS AND/OR 20000 MILES. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA (WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES, WHICH I BOUGHT BRAND NEW) AND I WAS HAVING WATER POOL ON MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR AFTER IT RAINS, SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SEAL ON MY REAR WINDOW WAS FAULTY. I REPLACED MY BACK WINDOW AND NOW THE WATER IS GONE. I HAVE ASKED SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN DAKOTA'S AND THEY HAVE ALL SAID THAT THEY HAVE HAD WATER EITHER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OR DRIVERS SIDE AT SOME POINT. I HAVE EVEN BEEN TO ONLINE FORUMS TO SEE IF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE US HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEM TO BE VERY COMMON. CHECK OUT WWW.DODGEDAKOTAS.COM. *NM

AS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA OWNER, I HAVE HAD THE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACE ONCE OUT OF MY OWN POCKET AND ONCE AT THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE RECEIVED MY REFUND. MY CHIEF COMPLAINT IS THE FACT THAT WHEN THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED MY UPPER BALL JOINTS THEY FAILED TO INFORM ME THAT MY LOWER BALL JOINTS ALSO HAD EXCESSIVE/UNACCEPTABLE MOVEMENT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY ROTORS AND BRAKES FOR THE THIRD TIME AND I ONLY HAVE 72,000 MILES. I DON'T DO ANY OFF-ROADING EITHER. I BELIEVE THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS CAUSED MY LOWER BALL JOINTS TO GO BAD AS WELL IN ADDITION TO CAUSING THE REPLACEMENT OF MY ROTORS AND BRAKES. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE IS A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE AND THE OIL PAN ON THE VEHICLE SITS BELOW THE TRUCK FRAME. THE OIL PAN IS TO CLOSE TO THE GROUND AND DOES NOT HAVE A SKID PLATE THEREFORE, DEBRIS PUNCTURES THE PAN. THE MANUFACTURE HAS BEEN ALERTED BUT STATED THERE ARE KNOW RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

2002 DODGE DAKOTA, 4 WHEEL DRIVE,81,180 MILES, FRONT BRAKES SEIZED. HAD ALL BRAKES REPLACED ON AUG 31, 2005. ON NOVEMBER 10, 2005 LEFT FRONT ROTOR AND PADS SEIZED, ALERT DRIVING PREVENTED POSSIBLE VEHICLE. MARCH 10, 2006, RIGHT FRONT ROTOR SEIZED AND ONCE AGAIN MY ALERTNESS PREVENTED ANOTHER POSSIBLE VEHICLE FIRE. THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH TIME THE ROTORS AND/OR PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. *NM

ABS SYSTEM CAUSING STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION; BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED, NO CHANGE. REAR ABS PULSATING CAUSING REAR AXLE TO VIBRATE ENOUGH TO MOMENTARILY LIFT REAR TIRES OFF PAVEMENT. NEITHER PROBLEM EXTANT DURING RAIN CONDITIONS. PROBLEM INTERMITTENT: APPROX 30% OF THE TIME FOR FRONT ONLY; APPROX 60% FOR REAR ONLY; BOTH CONDITIONS SIMULTANEOUSLY, MIXED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING UP AT 10 MPH THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL DETACHED. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE, HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.

I OWE A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA AND HAD A RECALL FOR UPPER BALL JOINT THAT WAS REPAIRED BY MERRICK DODGE IN MERRICK NY. THE DEALER ADVISED ME THAT THE WAY THEY DO THE RECALL AN ALIGNMENTWAS NOT NECESSARY. I WAS INFORMED BY CHRYSLER THAT A TOE ALIGNMENT WAS REQUIRED. THIS RECAL WAS DONE IN JANUARY 2005. THE NEW TIRES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN NOVEMBER OF 2004 HAVE EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE INNER EDGES OF BOTH FRONT TIRES EVENLY. THE ALIGNMENT WAS NEVER DONE OR DONE IMPROPERLY AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO CORRECT OR EVEN ADDRESS SAID ISSUE. ALL I ASK IS A FRONT END ALIGNMENT SO THAT THE TIRES WILL WEAR IN A SAFE AND CORRECT MANNER.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS UP TO 55 MPH THE TRUCK BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT AND DECELERATION WAS MUCH GREATER THAN NORMAL. AT THIS TIME I DECIDED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO INVESTIGATE. NOTICED LOTS OF HEAT COMING FROM DRIVERS SIDE DISK BREAK. WHEN RESTARTING AND MOVING FORWARD THE TRUCK STOPPED VERY QUICKLY. THE FAILURE WAS, THE CALIPER DID NOT RETRACT, CAUSING THE DISC BRAKE TO OVERHEAT AND IT SEIZED UP. THIS FAILURE COULD CAUSE THE TRUCK TO PULL LEFT INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. A TRAGEDY COULD COME OF THIS IF THIS FAILURE IS NOT CORRECTED. THE TRUCK DEALER HAD NO EXPLANATION BUT NOTICED OTHER WORN PARTS THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED UNRELATED TO THE BRAKE FAILURE.*AK

2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 - HEADLAMPS AND CONSOLE LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF. THIS CAUSES OTHER VEHICLES TO THINK YOU ARE FLASHING YOUR LIGHTS AT THEM AND ALSO YOU END UP DRIVING IN COMPLETE DARKNESS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *JB

2002 DODGE DAKOTA STARTING MAKING CLUNKING SOUND WHEN TURNING. HAD RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FOR UPPER BALL JOINTS. UPON BRINGING TO DEALER, WAS TOLD BOTH LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS COMMON BASED ON WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE. WE HAVE ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND GOODYEAR TIRES SPLIT. ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS ARE POSTED ON THIS WEBSITE. 99.9% WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE. WE NOW HAVE 2. PREVIOUS SERVICE DEPARTMENT INTERACTIONS STOPPED ME FROM BUYING A DODGE IN JUNE OF 2005 SO I PURCHASED A NISSAN. *JB

MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN WHEN A SUDDEN GRINDING NOISE OCCURRED. UPON STRAIGHTENING THE WHEELS, IT STOPPED. WAS APPROX 3 MILES FROM MY MECHANIC SO I WENT THERE AND HAD HIM LOOK AT IT. HE FOUND THE LEFT SIDE HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY HAD COMPLETELY FAILED (BEARING EXPOSED AND BADLY DAMAGED). HE WAS UNABLE TO SEPARATE THE BRAKE ROTOR DISK FROM THE HUB AS IT WAS SO BADLY CORRODED THAT IT HAD BECOME ONE. UPON CHECKING THE RIGHT SIDE HUB ASSY, IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED AS WELL WITH THE BRAKE ROTOR DISK IN THE SAME CONDITION. BOTH SIDES WERE REPLACED AND A COMPLETE BRAKE JOB DONE TO MAKE THE VEHICLE SAFE TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 92000 MILES AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS LUCKY THAT I DID NOT LOOSE THE LEFT WHEEL BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE AS I HAD JUST RETURNED FROM WORK (50 MILES ONE WAY) WHICH IS ALL HIGHWAY DRIVING. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEATER FAN MECHANISM STOPPED WORKING, RESULTING IN NO HEAT OR DEFROST. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE REPAIRS MADE, BUT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE. REPAIRS WILL BE MADE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE.*AK

I HAVE HAD A WARPED ROTOR ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE 3 TIMES NOW. IT WAS TURNED TWICE, REPLACED ONCE, AND NOW IT'S WARPED AGAIN. I'M FACING REPLACING THE CALIPERS AND ROTORS UPFRONT. I HAVE HEARD SEVERAL OTHER DODGE DAKOTA OWNERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS, SO OBVIOUSLY, THEY HAVE A SUPPLIER THAT IS NOT UP TO PAR. THIS SHAKING IS DANGEROUS - WITH ABS, A WET ROAD, AND SOME CLOWN PULLING IN FRONT OF YOU, THE WARPAGE DOES VERY STRANGE THINGS WITH THE ABS - AND YOU REALLY HAVE TO STOMP ON THE BRAKES TO OVERRIDE THE ABS FEATURE. I'VE OWNED MOPAR PRODUCTS EXCLUSIVELY SINCE 1981; I DOUBT SERIOUSLY THAT I'LL EVER BUY ANOTHER ONE. *NM

I RECENTLY HAD MY EXTERIOR LIGHTING GO OUT ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA AND THE DODGE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM STATING THAT IT WAS THE CTM ( CENTRAL TIMING MODULE). I AM AWARE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 03 DAKOTA FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION FOR THE 02 DAKOTA. *JB

I WAS DRIVING TO PA FROM FL IN MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB WITH A V-8 4.7L ENGINE (MSRP $27,000)WHEN I HEARD A TICKING NOISE WHILE IN SC. ALL FLUID LEVELS WERE FINE, SO I CONTINUED ON MY JOURNEY ON TUES. OCT. 11, 2005 I FOUND OUT THE DIAGNOSIS WHICH WAS THAT 3 RODS INSIDE THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED AND A NEW ENGINE WAS REQUIRED TO FIX IT. I WAS SHOCKED AND ASSUMED THAT CHRYSLER WOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY SINCE I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH CHRYSLER. THE CHRYSLER ADJUSTOR FINALLY ARRIVED TO CHECK OUT MY TRUCK ON FRI. OCT. 14 AND THAT IS WHEN I HEARD THE HORRENDOUS NEWS THAT CHRYSLER WAS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR END OF THE CONTRACT AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A LACK OF MAINTENANCE ON MY TRUCK. AFTER I FOUND THAT OUT I IMMEDIATELY HAD ALL OF MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS FAXED TO ME FROM FL WHICH PROVED THAT I FAITHFULLY CHANGED MY OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES OR LESS. I ASSUMED THAT THIS WOULD BE SUFFICIENT FOR THEM TO FIX MY ENGINE. I DECIDED TO LEAVE SC DUE TO COSTLY HOTEL EXPENSES AND HAD MY SISTER COME FROM VA TO PICK MY DAUGHTER AND I UP WHERE WE AT LEAST HAD A FREE PLACE TO STAY TEMPORARILY TILL MY TRUCK WAS FIXED. I FOUND OUT THE TERRIBLE NEWS ON MON. OCT. 24TH THAT MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS MEANT NOTHING TO THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION. I RECEIVED THE RESPONSE "LACK OF MAINTENANCE" AS BEING THE REASON WHY THEY WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I WAS SHOCKED THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PAID ALMOST 1800.00 FOR TO COVER THIS TYPE OF SITUATION WOULD NOT COVER THIS REPAIR. MY TRUCK H

DT: THE CONTACT NOTICED THE BLINKERS AND TAIL LIGHTS WHERE OPERATING POORLY. HE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT OTHER VEHICLES HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM WAS THE MODULE OR THE FLASHER MODULE. IF THE SHORT IN THE TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT FIXED IT WILL BLOW OUT THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH .HE HAS AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS FIXED AT A DEALERSHIP.*AK

DT: THE CONTACT HAS A PICKUP TRUCK THAT HAS ORIGINAL FACTORY GOODYEAR WRANGLER ST TIRES, P215/75R15. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED SLITS UP TO THREE INCHES LONG ON THE SIDEWALL ABOVE THE BEAD RUNNING WITH THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE TIRE DOWN TO THE INNER FABRIC ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THERE HAVE BEEN NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES. BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE NO LONGER COVERED BY WARRANTY HE REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH A DIFFERENT BRANDS. HE EXPERIENCED NO FURTHER PROBLEMS AFTER THE TIRE REPLACEMENT. *AK THERE WERE CRACKS ON 3 OF THE 4 TIRES. UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT HEARD A ROD KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE. THE KNOCKING J STARTED WHERE IT COULD BE HEARD. THERE WAS A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED BY THE DEALER ,AND IT CONFIRMED IT WAS A ROD. THE TRUCK IS IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS AT THIS TIME.*AK

DT: THE CONTACT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE OIL PRESSURE STAYING ON HIGH MOST OF THE TIME SINCE AUGUST 12, 2002. IN SEPTEMBER 2002 THE OBD LIGHT CAME ON. SHE KEPT TAKING VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. EVERY TIME SHE TOOK IT IN TO A DEALERSHIP THEY WOULD SAY THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING IN AUGUST 2005 THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DIE. THE CONTACT HEARD A SOUND, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ,AND THEN THREE SECONDS LATER IT DIED. AFTERWARDS, SHE TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE. THE CONTACT HAS COPIES OF MOST OF THE OIL CHANGES. THE CONTACT HAS THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES. SHE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ONLINE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. AND THAT THE WHOLE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. . THE CONTACT CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE OF DODGE ,AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE AREA REPRESENTATIVE TOLD DODGE THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE AND THAT THERE WAS LACK OF MAINTENANCE, AND THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK

THE BRAKE ROTOR ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA CONTINUOUSLY WARP. I HAD THEM TURNED AT 30,000 BY THE DEALER AND NOW I GOING TO REPLACE THEM AT 42,000. I DO NOT TOW ANYTHING WITH MY TRUCK OR USE HARD BRAKING. I'VE READ MULTIPLE MESSAGE BOARD WITH HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. DODGE SAYS IT'S NOT AN EQUIPMENT PROBLEM, BUT OBVIOUSLY IT IS. I WOULD HOPE THE NHTSA WOULD INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE DODGE CORRECT IT. DODGE HAS PUT THE WRONG MATERIAL ON THESE TRUCK AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED, BUT DODGE DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY.*JB

DT: WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED THERE WAS ABNORMAL OPERATION OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HORN, AND LIGHTING SYSTEM. ALL OF THEM CAME ON AND OFF ALL BY THEMSELVES. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO A DEALER BUT PLANNED TO DO SO. THE CONSUMER WAS REFERRED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, AND HE COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. NO CORRECTIONS OR REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS OCCURRED. THIS ONLY HAPPENED WHEN BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. NHTSA RECALL 03V389000 WAS ISSUED BUT IT WAS FOR THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES ONLY-THE CONSUMER HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.*AK

2002 DODGE DAKOTA BRAKE CALIPERS LOCK UP, THE DATE BELOW IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON APRIL 20TH 2005, THE LEFT CALIPER LOCKED UP. I HAD THAT CALIPER REPLACED. THE SECOND TIME THE RIGHT CALIPER LOCKED UP ON THE RIGHT SIDE ON JUNE 3RD 2005. NOW THE THIRD TIME AROUND AND I HAVE INFORMATION THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. ON AUGUST 12TH I PAID FOR A TOW CHARGE AND CAME CLOSE TO A FIRE. ONE OF THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT INFORMED ME OF THE SAME PROBLEM HAD THERE CALIPER CATCH FIRE. I HOPE THIS INFORMATION HELPS. I HAD NO LUCK WITH THE MANUFACTURER. I WILL TRY AND HAVE THEM HOLD THIS CALIPER FOR YOU TO LOOK AT. THANKS. *NM

DRIVING <30MIN AT 20-50MPH,TOWING A LIGHT TRAILER, WHILE TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY, DEPRESSED CLUTCH, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND STAYED DOWN, DROVE 100 YARDS FURTHER, PARKED, OPENED HOOD. FLAMES WERE VISIBLE FROM UNDER FIREWALL BELOW BRAKE AND CLUTCH HYDRAULICS AND VISIBLE BEHIND LEFT FRONT TIRE. FLAME HEIGHTS WERE ~6 - 10 INCHES. MOVED OTHER VEHICLES FROM AREA AND EXTINGUISHED FIRE WITH DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHER. CHRYSLER FOUND CLUTCH ASY HOSE MELTED, EVAP HOSE MELTED, AND FUEL LINE DAMAGED FROM FIRE. CHRYSLER REPLACED THE HYD CLUTCH ACY, REPLACED EVAP HOSES AND FLEX FUEL LINE. CHRYSLER DID AN INDEPENDENT SPECIAL INVESTIGATION AND CONCLUDED THEY HAD "NO MANUFACTURING RESPONSIBILITY". CHYSLER SUBMITTED BILL FOR $526.54 TO ALLSTATE. ALLSTATE PAYED CLAIM. OWNER'S OPINION IS THAT PLASTIC CLUTCH HYDRAULIC LINE FAILED, SPRAYING HYDRAULIC FLUID ON NEARBY EXHAUST, IGNITING FLUID AND PLASTIC PARTS AND OTHER FLAMMABLE MATERIALS. INVESTIGATOR PHOTOGRAPHED ALL CRITICAL AREAS BUT CHRYSLER DID NOT RETURN OLD PARTS. *NM

EVER SINCE THIS TRUCK WAS NEW IT FEELS AS THOUGH SOME COMPONENT IN THE FRONT END SUSPENSION IS LOOSE, I CAN FEEL IT THROUGH THE STEERING COLUMN. FIVE TRIPS TO THE DEALER TO FIND AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM HAVE RESULTED IN: NOTHING OUT OF SPECS ON THE FIRST VISIT; REPLACED THE FRONT SHOCKS ON THE SECOND VISIT; REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY ON THE THIRD VISIT; REPLACED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON THE FOURTH VISIT; AND ALIGNED THE STEERING COLUMN ON THE FIFTH VISIT. LOOKING THOUGH THE CONSUMER COMPLAINT SECTION I FOUND MANY OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME EXACT COMPLAINT WITH THEIR DAKOTA TRUCKS. *JB

DT: 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THE CONSUMER FOUND A RECALL FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. DODGE TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THERE WERE NO DIM LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE. HE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND THE DIMMER SWITCH; THERE WERENO FUSES FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL WAS FOR A CENTRAL TIMER MODULE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE LOOKED AT. THIS OCCURRED ON JULY 29, 2005.*AK

DT: THE CONSUMER WAS UPSET THAT AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE THE DEALER RECOMMENDED A FULL ALIGNMENT, BUT CHRYSLER WILL ONLY PAY FOR ONE THIRD. SPECIALLY, CHRYSLER WILL ONLY PAY FOR THE TOW IN ADJUSTMENT, AFTER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT. THE RECALL WAS 04V596000. THE TOW IN ADJUSTMENT WAS NOT AFFECTED AS MUCH AS THE OTHER CAMBER AND CASTER. THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE ON THE TRUCK. THE OWNER WAS LOOKING AT A CHARGE OF ABOUT $60.00 THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE CONTROL ISSUES WITHOUT THE ALIGNMENT, WHICH WOULD BE THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

2002 DODGE DAKOTA RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE HUB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER. HOT SPOT ON THE FRONT ROTORS CAUSED PULSATION WHEN BRAKING. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION MADE NOISE AND INTERMITTENT DELAYED SHIFTING. THE RIGHT FRONT HUB AND BEARING WERE REPLACED. THE RIGHT FRONT OUTER TIE ROD END WAS REPLACED. THE LEFT FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED. *NM

THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE CALIPER ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA SIEZED UP CAUSING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO OVERHEAT TO THE POINT OF SMOKING.THE BRAKE FLUID WAS RUINED, THE PADS DESTROYED,THE ROTOR DAMAGED, AND THE WHEEL BEARING GREASE BROKEN DOWN. FAIR OAKS DODGE OF FAIRFAX VA HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THIS INCIDENT. THEY REPAIRED THE DAMAGE AT MY EXPENSE WITH ONLY THE CALIPERS COVERED UNDER WARRENTY. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY INSTANCE OF DAIMLER CHRYSLER BRAKES FAILING IN THIS MANNER. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

DT: WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SAW SMOKE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE LEFT AND WAS SHAKING. THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR THE CONSUMER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC BUT HE COULDN'T GET THE VEHICLE'S WHEELS TO MOVE. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE CALIPERS FROZE AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE SO HOT THEY APPEARED TO BE READY TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE CONSUMR HAD THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. THE DEALER CLAIMED TO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE FAILURE AND TOLD THE CONSUMER TO CALL NHTSA. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK *NM

THOUGHT I WOULD "BUY AMERICAN" AND GET THE DODGE DAKOTA 4 DR CREW. LOVE ITS STYLE, COMFORTS, MORE POWER THAN I NEED (4.7L V8) 2WD HAS NO TRACTION IN SNOW OR ICE. VERY EASY TO DRIVE AND COMFORTABLE 6FT.2 220LBS.(2 TRIPS NJ TO CALIF.) GAS MILEAGE STINKS...13-18MPG, NO LOADS. BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED 28K, LEFT TOP BALL JOINT WORN (NO RECALL YET)A/C NEEDED CHARGING, RIGHT FRONT HUB AND BEARINGS REPLACED 49K, REAR LEAF SPRING NOISY, TRANSMISSION HESITATION OCCASIONALLY. GREAT TRUCK TO DRIVE AND HAUL BUT RELIABILITY REALLY IN QUESTION WITH ONLY 49K. PROBABLY BACK TO NISSAN OR TOYOTA.

MULTIPLE SUSPENSION COMPONENT FAILURES PLEASE REOPEN INVESTIGATIONS INTO DODGE DAKOTA/DURANGO PRODUCTS. STABILIZER BUSHINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED AND WERE REPLACED, STEERING INPUT SHAFT FAILED AND REPLACED ONCE.

1. YEAR OLD TRUCK NO WRECKS 2. SOMETHING LEAKING, WET CARPET ON PASSENGER SIDE FROM DAY ONE. 3. THEY REPLACE BACK WINDOW SEAL BUT LEAK STILL OCCURS.

I LOVE THIS VEHICLE, HOWEVER WILL JOIN THE MASSES REPORTING A FAILED UPPER BALL JOINT AT 55,000 MILES, 3 SETS OF WARPED FRONT BRAKE DISCS AND LACK OF PROPER BRAKING FOR THE ABS SYSTEM.

CONSUMER HIT AN IRON POLE WHILE CROSSING RAIL ROAD TRACKS AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, AND NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE IS AT THE BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM