2004 Dodge Dakota complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN THE DIRECTION THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE THE WIRE CONNECTED TO THE HEATER BLOWER MELTED AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POTENTIAL OF A FIRE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FIALURE BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF ANOTHER REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEAT BLOWER FAN FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE RESISTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE WIRING WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DIAGNOSIS STATED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAILED. THE FAILED COMPONENT WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE PARTS NEEDED TO BE ORDERED FIRST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND FILED A CLAIM ON THE CONTACTS BEHALF. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT FUNCTION WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED UNDER RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH AND VARIOUS FUSES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V216000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,676 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,328.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME STIFF WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE STEERING MECHANISM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000. UPDATED 06/03/11 *BF UPDATED 06/13/11

POWER STEERING GOES LOOSE-STIFF-LOOSE-STIFF WHILE TURNING. *TR

2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB: HAS POWER WINDOWS. ON A TRIP FROM MONTROSE CO. TO DENVER CO. PUT DOWN THE 3 PASSENGER WINDOWS. WHEN TRIED TO PUT THEM BACK UP WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. HAD TO PHYSICALLY PULL WINDOWS UP AND DUCK TAPE THEM....AND HOPED THEY WOULD NOT COME DOWN ON TRIP BACK HOME...IT WAS RAINY, SNOWY COLORADO WEATHER. I FEEL THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE OF CHILDREN IN THE TRUCK AND CONSTANTLY WATCH FOR WINDOWS TO GO BACK DOWN. I CAN HEAR THE POWER MOTORS WORKING BUT THE WINDOWS WILL NOT MOVE. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM? THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *TR

MY 2004 DODGE DAKOTA BEGAN HAVING STEERING ISSUES LAST FALL WHICH BECAME INCREASINGLY WORSE OVER THE FOLLOWING WEEKS. THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO HAVE STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I MADE A TURN IT WAS STIFF, THEN LOOSE, THEN STIFF AGAIN AS YOU CRANKED THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS WOULD CAUSE ME TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO TURN THE TRUCK, THEN THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SUDDENLY LOOSEN UP, CAUSING YOU TO SWERVE. THIS CAUSED ME ENOUGH CONCERN ABOUT MY SAFETY THAT I HAD A MECHANIC TAKE A LOOK. HE FIRST THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE POWER STEERING FLUID SO HE FLUSHED OUT THE SYSTEM. PROBLEM PERSISTED. HE THEN REPLACED THE STEERING RACK. JERKY/STIFF STEERING CONTINUED TO OCCUR. AFTER READING ON A DODGE FORUM ABOUT THIS ISSUE HE TRIED THE "TEMPORARY FIX" OF LUBRICATING THE LOWER U-JOINT ON THE INTERMEDIATE ROD AND THIS SEEMS TO HAVE RETURNED THE STEERING TO A NORMAL STATE. HOWEVER, MY MECHANIC FEELS THIS IS A TEMPORARY FIX AND FEELS THE ROD SHOULD BE REPLACED. PREFERABLY WITH A ROD THAT HAS GREASE FITTINGS. APPARENTLY THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL WHICH DODGE IS AWARE OF, BUT HAS FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

MY DAKOTAS STEERING HAS RECENTLY BECOME VERY JERKY. WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL, IT GETS STIFF, LOOSE, STIFF, LOOSE, STIFF, LOOSE IN ONE FULL TURN OF THE WHEEL. THROUGH SEARCHING FORUMS ON THE INTERNET, I DECIDED TO TEST A THEORY THAT IT WAS THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT/ROD AND THE U JOINT ATTACHED TO IT WAS NOT LUBRICATED ENOUGH. AFTER GREASING UP THE JOINT, THE PROBLEM MOMENTARILY STOPPED, BUT THEN RETURNED. THIS JOINT DOES NOT HAVE ANY GREASE FITTINGS AND SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH ONES WITH FITTINGS. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AFTER WINTER COMING INTO THE WARMER WEATHER WHERE THERE WERE A LOT OF PUDDLES WHICH MOST LIKELY GOT ON THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND JOINTS CAUSING IT TO DRY OUT AND CREATE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

STEERING ON MY 2004 DODGE DAKOTA BECAME HARD TO STEER WON'T RETRACT HAVE TO DO IT BY HAND. ABOUT SIX MONTHS BEFORE THIS STARTED HAPPENING I HAD WENT TO GET A ALIGNMENT AND WAS TOLD MY UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACED. WE BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW AND IT HAS WORN OUT EVERY FRONT TIRE THAT HAS EVER BEEN ON IT. 4 SETS BY 100,000 MILES THIS BEGAN TO HAPPEN AT 25,000 MILES THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE FRONT END, NO VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BAD BALL JOINTS AT 85,000 MILES OR SOONER BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS WEARING TIRES OUT BECAUSE IT NEEDED A ALIGNMENT!!!! I HAVE NOT REPAIRED IT , WE ONLY DRIVE IT AROUND TOWN, I AM WAITING FOR CHRYSLER TO RECALL THIS. I SEE ON THIS SITE THAT SEVERAL OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD HOPE CHRYSLER DON'T WAIT UNTIL PEOPLE ARE KILLED OR INJURED LIKE TOYOTA DID!!!! *TR

THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WITHTHE UNIVERSAL JOINTS STARTED TIGHTENING UP TO THE POINT WHERE I ALMOST COULDN'T STEER IT THEN WHEN IT LET LOOSE THE STEERING WAS VERY ABRUPT IT STARTED AROUND 100 K MILES AND I UNDERSTAND THINGS WEAR OUT .BUT AREN'T THOSE SUPPOSED TO BE LIFE OF VEHICLE LUBRICATED?????? I LOVE MY TRUCK ITS BEEN WONDERFUL BUT IF SOMEONE THAT WAS NOT AS STRONG AS ME ....AND THIS HAPPENED I HAD THE REPAIR DONE AND IT WAS AONLY AROUND 300-400 BUCKS SO ITS NOT HORRIBLE BUT IT WAS SCARY NOT BEING ABLE TO STEER MY TRUCK.....THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS IS COMMON???? HE SEES IT ALOT ON THIS MODEL TRUCK..... I JUST THOUGH THAT I ALSO HAVE A 89 HOINDA CIVIC AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING..... *TR

HEATER/AC BLOWER MOTOR WIRING MELTS CAUSING FAILURE OF DEFROSTER, HEATER, A/C, PREMATURE FAILURE OF BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR, ETC. THIS MAY EVEN CAUSE A FIRE IF THE WIRES HAPPEN TO BE TOUCHING COMBUSTIBLES IN THE PASSENGER FOOTWELL WHEN THEY MELT. DODGE HAS RELEASED A KIT TO REPAIR THIS EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM. SEE MOPAR # 5017124AC. THIS SHOULD BE A MANDATORY RECALL, NOT A FIX OFFERED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE: 1. WINDSHIELD MAY FOG UP REDUCING VISIBILITY AND LEADING TO ACCIDENT. 2. WIRING GETS HOT ENOUGH TO MELT INSULATION AND CONNECTOR AND COULD EASILY CAUSE A FIRE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *TR

THE CLOCK SPRING ON MY 2004 DODGE DAKOTA IS BAD. THIS CONTROLS THE AIR BAG AND HORN. THE HORN IS REQUIRED FOR NYS INSPECTION. THIS PART IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE UNTIL NOVEMBER. IN THE MEAN TIME, I HAVE NO DRIVER AIR BAG AND A VEHICLE I CAN'T GET INSPECTED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY FOR AN ALIGNMENT WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE SEVERELY WORN TO THE POINT WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO PERFORM AN ALIGNMENT. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE CAUSING THE TIRES TO WEAR UNEVENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,700.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE ATTEMPTING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO UTILIZE EXTREME BODILY FORCE IN ORDER TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TEMPORARILY REPAIR THE VEHICLE BY LUBRICATING THE UNIVERSAL JOINT. HE STATED HE WOULD HAVE TO SPRAY THE UNIVERSAL JOINT EVERY 1,500 TO 2,000 MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

I HAVE A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB AND I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOW REGULATOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I HOWEVER HAVE CHANGED IT MYSELF TWICE IN THE PAST YEAR AND IT WAS ABOUT 95-100$ EACH TIME AND FINALLY DECIDED THAT THE LAST TIME THAT IT WENT OUT THAT I WASN'T GOING TO FIX IT UNTIL DODGE CAME UP WITH A BETTER DESIGN ON IT SO I NOW HAVE A PAIR OF C-CLAMP VICE GRIPS HOLDING MY WINDOW UP. IT IS BAD THAT I CANT ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN BUT ATLEAST I KNOW THAT I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT FALLING DOWN AND THE INSIDE GETTING WET OR VANDALIZED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD AREA. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE RESISTOR THAT CONTROLS THE HEATER AND BLOWER HAD OVERHEATED, BURNED AND FAILED. THE CONTACT INSTALLED A NEW RESISTOR HOWEVER, IT ALSO BURNED AND FAILED. HE PURCHASED A NEW RESISTOR AND CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE RESISTOR AND THAT IT WOULD CONTINUE TO FAIL AT A RAPID PACE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HAVING THE DEALER PERFORM DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AT HIS EXPENSE. THE CONTACT DECLINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED AND THE NEW RESISTOR WAS NOT INSTALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

I OWN 2 DODGE/CHRYSLER PRODUCTS, IN THE 6 YEARS I HAVE HAD THESE CARS I HAVE HAD TO REPAIR THE ELECTRIC WINDOW CABLES 9 TIMES AT A COST OF $250.00 EACH TIME. I HAVE ASKED THE LOCAL DEALERS WHY THEY KEEP BREAKING AND I AM TOLD THAT THEY USE PLASTIC PIECES THAT DON'T HOLD UP. THESE PRODUCTS ARE SUPPOSED TO CARRY A LIFETIME WARRANTY WHICH NONE OF THE DEALERS WILL HONOR. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I SPOKE TO THE MECHANIC IN MY HOME TOWN AND HE SAID THEY REPLACE AT LEAST 5 TO 6 OF THESE CABLES A DAY. WHY IS CHRYSLER ALLOWED TO USE THESE PRODUCTS WITH NO CONSEQUENCES? THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THE CABLES SNAP WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING AND THE WINDOWS FALL DOWN INTO THE TRACKS. IF YOU ARE IN BAD WEATHER YOU HAVE NO CHANCE OF FIXING THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. HOW CAN I GO ABOUT GETTING CHRYSLER TO RECALL THESE PRODUCTS AND MAKE THERE SUPPLIER ACCOUNTABLE? THINK ABOUT DRIVING ALONG AND YOUR WINDOW JUST FALLING DOWN TO THE TRACK AND THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT. NO LOCKING YOUR CAR FOR SAFETY, NO PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM THE ELEMENTS, NO WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT SHELL OUT MORE MONEY FOR A PRODUCT THAT WILL ALWAYS FAIL!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEN THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED WITH CAUTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING WHEELS INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN PREMATURE WEAR TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE PART WAS ORDERED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHICH THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE DRIVER STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING 40 MPH THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF HIM AND CRASHED INTO HIS VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CENTER AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE WERE DESTROYED. THE FRONT END AND THE FRAME WAS REPLACED. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER WERE INJURED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78,000.

MY 2004 DODGE DAKOTA HAS STEERING PROBLEMS. AFTER TAKING IT TO A DODGE DEALER AND LEAVING IT FOR TWO DAYS THEY ARE UNABLE TO TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO STEER. FLUID IS NOT LEAKING, I HAVE DAYS THAT THE STEERING IS BETTER THAN OTHER DAYS..BUT FOR THE MOST PART THE STEERING IS GETTING HARDER EVERYDAY. I FEEL THAT IT IS GETTING VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE,YET I CANNOT GET AN ANSWER TO WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET AND THIS FORUM, I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER 2004 DAKOTA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. INFACT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2000 TO 2003 DAKOTAS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. YET THE 2004 HAS THE SAME STEERING DESIGN. I THINK THE 2004 DAKOTA SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL. PLEASE HELP!! AS I CAN'T SEEM TO GET ANY ANSWERS TO WHAT IS CAUSING THIS STEERING PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 WITH THE MAGNUM ENGINE. IT HAS ROUGHLY 59,000 MILES ON IT. SOMETIME WITHIN THE PAST 3,000 MILES THE STEERING BEGAN TO GET STIFF. IT WAS A GRADUAL THING, SLOWLY GETTING WORSE UNTIL NOW I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IT FROM A SAFETY STANDPOINT. THE EXACT SYMPTOMS AT THIS POINT ARE THAT THE STEERING WILL GET STIFF THEN SMOOTH THEN STIFF THEN SMOOTH, DEPENDING ON THE POSITION OF THE WHEEL DURING A TURN. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL AND YEAR, IT IS APPARENTLY EITHER THE UPPER OR LOWER U-JOINT ON THE STEERING COLUMN. I HAVE NOT CONFIRMED THIS, BUT WANTED TO LEND MY WEIGHT TO THE OBVIOUSLY HUGE NUMBER OF DODGE DAKOTA/DURANGO OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR

ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AT APPROXIMATELY SIX PM ON MY WAY TO WORK I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. DUE TO THE SNOW ON THE ROAD I WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE, THUS LEADING TO THE ACCIDENT. THE FRONT AIRBAGS IN MY 2004 DODGE DAKOTA DID NOT DEPLOY. THE OTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT A HONDA CRV THEIR FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT CHRYSLER HAS HAD PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH AIRBAGS FAILING TO DEPLOY, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH A REPRESENTATIVE TO DISCUSS HOW THIS SITUATION CAN BE HANDLED. *TW

I HAVE READ SO MANY OF THESE SAME ISSUES THAT I AM HAVING WITH MY 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE STEERING IS LOCKING UP AND VERY HARD TO TURN. I'VE TAKEN IT INTO A DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES NOW, AND THEY HAVE REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP, CHECKED MY RACK AND PINION, AND ALL OTHER OPTIONS AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. VERY SCARY. JUST HAD A BABY AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT WHERE NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I HAVE READ UP SO MANY OF THESE SAME COMPLAINTS AND THEY ARE ALL THE SAME AS WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING. THERE HAS GOT TO BE A PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. VERY HARD TO TURN WHEEL AND GO STIFF LOOSE STIFF LOOSE. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU. *TR

I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP IN 2004. EVERY YEAR FOR INSPECTION, I HAVE NEEDED SEVERAL BALL JOINTS REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THIS PAST YEAR THAT I WAS REALLY CLOSE TO HAVING THE BALL JOINTS COMPLETELY BREAK OFF, WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME, ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY HAVE NEEDED REPLACED EVERY YEAR. *TR

MY SON WAS ON HIS WAY TO THE DOCTOR FOR AN INJECTION IN HIS 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MPH, HE TURNED ON THE PARKING LIGHTS AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON ALL BY THEMSELVES. HE HAD NOT TURNED ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH. HE STOPPED THE TRUCK AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. ASSUMING THAT IT WAS A TEMPORARY GLITCH IN THE SYSTEM HE STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN AND TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. AT THAT TIME THE ENTIRE LIGHTING SYSTEM WENT CRAZY. THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING ON AND OFF, THE EMERGENCY WARNING SYSTEM BEGAN TO WORK AND THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS BEGAN TO BLINK ON THEIR OWN. BETWEEN FLASHES OF THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS A DIRECTIONAL LIGHT WOULD ELIMINATE. AGAIN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TO OPERATE ON THEIR OWN AGAIN. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AFTER DARK. WE ARE WAITING TO GET A DEALER TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. AGAIN THIS COULD HAVE HAD A DISASTROUS ENDING IF HE HAD BEEN DRIVING AFTER DARK AND ON A BUSY HIGHWAY OR STREET. *TR

POWER STEERING HIGH PRESSURE SIDE HOSE P/N 52110348AE. HOSE IS LEAKING AND THE PART IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. DO NOT WANT TO BE STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE STEERING GOES OUT OR HAVE A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT DUE TO NO STEERING. *TR

I CAN HARDLY STEER MY TRUCK ANYMORE EVEN AFTER REPLACING A POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS THE PROBLEM. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE PUMP WAS FINE AND AFTER RESEARCHING THIS VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THE WEB I AM FINDING OUT THAT THE STEERING ISSUES ARE ACTUALLY DUE TO A FAULTY INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. WHAT DOES A GIRL HAVE TO DO TO GET DODGE TO CORRECT THIS NATIONWIDE PROBLEM? IT'S SEEMS ONLY FAIR THAT A RECALL BE INITIATED ASAP. I GUESS MY ONLY RESORT IS TO LUBE THE SHAFT FOR NOW UNTIL DODGE FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGES HOW MANY THEY HAVE '!@#$%. *TR

I OWN A 2004 DAKOTA QUAD 4X4 WITH 78K MILES ON IT. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW AND HAVE TAKEN CARE OF IT. MOST OF THE MILES ARE HIGHWAY AND IT HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN OFF ROAD. SINCE ITS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY I GOT ONLINE TO RESEARCH A DIY SOLUTION. I FOUND THAT MANY OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD AND ARE HAVING ARE NOT JUST BEING EXPERIENCED BY MYSELF BUT OTHER DAKOTA OWNERS. 1) STEERING ISSUES THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN AT TIMES BOTH GOING INTO AND COMING OUT OF A TURN. THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN FEB 2009 WITH 71K ON IT. IT IS MUCH MORE PREVALENT IN COLD WEATHER. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK UNTIL THE WEATHER WARMED UP. (I HAVE NOT HAD THIS FIXED YET.) 2) BRAKE ISSUES 27K I HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT ROTORS AND THE REAR DRUMS TURNED AND NEW PADS AND SHOES INSTALLED AND HAD THE BRAKE FLUID CHANGED. 46K I HAD TO HAVE NEW FRONT ROTORS AND PADS ALONG WITH THE BRAKE FLUID CHANGED 77K REAR BRAKES BEGAN MAKING NOISE. THE PARKING BRAKE PAD HAD FALLEN OFF. I NOW NEED NEW REAR DRUMS AND SHOES AND PARKING BRAKE SHOE. ( I HAVE NOT HAD THIS FIXED YET) 3)SUSPENSION 77K I NEED A FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT PROBABLY DUE TO EXCESS STRAIN FROM THE DEFECTIVE STEERING. ( I HAVE NOT HAD THIS FIXED YET). *TR

WHILE DRIVING, HEARD CLUNKING NOISE THAT SEEMED TO COME FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE APPEARED NORMAL, INCLUDING THE WHEELS. I CHECKED UNDER HOOD AND UNDER FRONT END AND FOUND NOTHING BROKEN, MISSING OR LEAKING AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL LATER FELL OFF WITH ALL STUDS SHEARED OFF. ALSO, ONE LUG NUT ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WAS MISSING AND SEVERAL OTHERS WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE, WITH SEVERAL STUDS CRACKED. BOTH WHEELS HAD BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED AND TIGHTEN SOME MONTHS EARLIER. TO CORRECT, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS REPLACED. ALL STUDS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS AND ALL LUG NUTS WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE FELL ONTO THE LEFT FRONT ROTOR.*TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING LOCKS WHILE DRIVING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE DIFFERENT TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. HE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT THAT GOES INTO THE YOKE WAS BENT WHEN IT SHOULD BE STRAIGHT. THE DEALER FINALLY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,017. UPDATED 8/27/09 *CN UPDATED 09/09/09 *JB

THE STEERING IN MY 2004 DODGE DAKOTA IS VERY TIGHT. IT TAKES ALL MY STRENGTH TO TURN A CORNER. THEN JUST WHEN I GET THE WHEEL TURNED IT GETS VERY LOOSE AND I AM OVER STEERING. BUT TO TURN THE WHEEL BACK IT IS TIGHT AGAIN. THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AS WELL AS DANGEROUS. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE DAKOTA'S. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO LIE WITH AN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IN THE STEERING. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED! IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE MY TRUCK! *TR

2004 DODGE DAKOTA INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. *TR

EXHAUST LEAK ON 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF WHEN MAKING VARIOUS TURNS. IT FELT AS IF THE POWER STEERING WAS FAILING. THE FAILURE LASTED FOR A WEEK BEFORE THE CONTACT FINALLY WENT TO A MECHANIC. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAILED. THE DEALER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE THE NECESSARY PART IS ON BACKORDER. THE REPAIR WILL BE MADE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,550.

2004 DODGE DAKOTA - POWER STEERING VERY STIFF. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

2004 DODGE DAKOTA LOSES POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY. IT CUTS IN AND OUT WHILE DRIVING. *TR

1. NORMAL DRIVING (4 YEARS 95,000 MILES) 2. THE STEERING IS UNPREDICTABLE AND VERY STIFF. I HAVE A VERY HARD TIME TURNING THE VEHICLE WITH TWO HANDS ON THE WHEEL. THE STIFFNESS IS SPORADIC AND CHOPPY. IT MAKES THE TRUCK MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. 3. GREASING THE TWO U-JOINTS ON THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. A GREASE TIP ON BOTH JOINTS WOULD PERMANENTLY SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY I NOTICED A KNOCK IN THE FRONT END WHILE I JUST WENT DOWN THE STREET, THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A BALL JOINT OR TIE ROD. THEN ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE STEERING BECAME CLOSE TO IMPOSSIBLE. VERY JERKY AND IT FELT GUMMY. I HAD THE RACK REPLACED AS SUGGESTED BY THE "5-STAR DEALER" AND THAT ONLY FIXED THE NOISE, NOT THE STEERING ISSUE. READ ONLINE ABOUT IT BEING THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AND U-JOINTS, SO I SPRAYED THEM WITH LUBRICANT AND AM GOING TO SEE HOW THE TRUCK RUNS LATER. SOME OF THOSE ENGINEERS REALLY NEED TO DESIGN GREASED FITTINGS INTO THE VEHICLE. *TR

BOUGHT USED 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB IN DEC 2008 ALMOST TWO MONTHS LATER I NOTICED THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS FLOORBOARD IS WET. TOOK IT BACK TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY TOOK THE INTERIOR OUT AND DRIED IT THEN TOOK THE TRUCK TO A BODY SHOP TO GET THE LEAK FIXED BUT COULD NOT TELL ME EXACTLY WHERE THE LEAK IS LOCATED. I WOULD LIKE DODGE TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AS I HAVE HEARD OF MANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH DODGE DAKOTAS. TOO MUCH MONEY FOR A TRUCK TO HAVE A PROBLEM. THE TRUCK SMELLS OF MOLD AND I HAVE WASTED MY MONEY AND HAVE NO WHERE TO TURN AT THIS POINT. *TR

STEERING VERY TIGHT FOUND THAT INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FREEZING UP POOR DESIGN CAUSE ACCIDENT DUE TO LACK OF STEERING RESPONSE WITH SPRAY OIL FREED UP DEALER SAID SHOULD REPLACE KNUCKLES ON SHAFT. *TR

STEERING VERY TIGHT - TAKES TWO HANDS TO TURN STEERING WHEEL - READ DODGE FORUM AND FOUND THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS FREEZING UP. I SOAKED WITH PENETRATING SPRAY OIL AND IT IMMEDIATELY FREED UP. NOW CONCERNED THAT THE KNUCKLES ARE WEAKENED AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. POOR DESIGN THAT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LACK OF STEERING RESPONSE. *TR

STEERING BEGAN TO FEEL LOOSE AND HEARD A CLUNK INFRONT END. BALL JOINTS WERE BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER WORK WAS COMPLETED STILL HAD STEERING ISSUES. DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL, LOCAL MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS FAILING. WHEN IT WAS REMOVED TO BE REPLACED THE LOWER U-JOINT CAME APART. IMAGINE THAT HAPPENING AT 55 MPH. *TR

I STARTED HAVING DIFFICULTY TO STEERING MY VEHICLE. AS EACH DAY PASSED IT BECAME MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT FELT AS IF IT HAD NO STEERING WHEEL FLUID. AND BY JANUARY I COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL. I COULD BARELY MAKE A TURN. THIS OCCURRED EVERY DAY AND I WAS AFRAID I WAS GOING TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I CHANGED THE STEERING FLUID AND THE TIRES THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER LAST WEEK WHO REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A STEERING SHAFT FAILURE BEFORE IN A VEHICLE. *TR

GROANING OCCURS WHENEVER THE VEHICLE MOVES IN REVERSE AND THE WHEEL IS TURNED ONE ROTATION LEFT. ALSO RECENTLY, A LOUD SQUEAL HAS OCCURRED ON FORWARD VEHICLE MOVEMENT. I AM CONCERNED WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OF BALL JOINT FAILURE AND VEHICLE SAFETY. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, STEERING WHEEL FELT A LITTLE LOOSE. LUCKILY ONLY WHILE BACKING INTO A PARKING SPOT - THE STEERING WHEEL FELL OFF INTO LAP. THE METAL BRACKET WAS CRACKED. CAR WAS BROUGHT TO A DEALERSHIP AND A NEW PART WAS ORDERED, CURRENTLY WAITING TO BE FIXED. DEALERSHIP DOES NOT SEEMED CONCERNED, NOR CAN THEY DETERMINE IF IT'S A MANUFACTURING DEFAULT. A CLAIM WAS STARTED WITH THE CHRYSLER CORPORATE OFFICE. WILL HAVE TO SEE IF RETRIBUTION WILL BE MADE. TRUCK HAS 125K MILES, HOWEVER REGULAR MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED. NO OTHER ISSUES OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY. A 9-MONTH PREGNANT WIFE AND HUSBAND COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY. DODGE SHOULD INVESTIGATE BEFORE A TRAGIC ACCIDENT OR DEATH OCCURS. *TR

DRIVING AT 35 MPH VALVE SPRING BROKE LOSING ALL COMPRESSION IN CYLINDER #1. *TR

I JUST READ ABOUT THE STEERING PROBLEMS BEING EXPERIENCED ON THE 2004 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CAB MODELS. I HAVE TWICE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM . ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND ONCE AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THE STEERING JUST FREEZES UP AND THE WHEEL CANNOT BE TURNED WITH OUT A LOT OF EFFORT. WHEN YOU ROUND A CORNER, IT DOES NOT RECOVER AND YOU MUST TURN THE WHEEL BACK YOURSELF TO HAVE THE VEHICLE CONTINUE ON A STRAIGHT COURSE AFTER THE TURN. BOTH TIMES I WAS REQUIRED TO HAVE THE "MIDDLE STEERING SHAFT" REPLACED. APPARENTLY THERE IS A TOP,MIDDLE AND LOWER STEERING SHAFT AND BOTH TIMES AT DIFFERENT REPAIR FACILITIES IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE MIDDLE SHAFT THAT HAD FAILED. IT COMPLETELY FREEZES UP ON YOU. *TR