2005 Dodge Dakota complaints

UPON SLOWING TO ENTER A GARAGE THE TRUCK SLOWED FURTHER AS IF IT WAS ABOUT TO STALL (SVC 4WD DASH LIGHT CAME ON) BUT REGAINED POWER. AFTER PARKING, THE TRUCK WAS TURNED OFF BUT I BEGAN TO HEAR MECHANICAL NOISES FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE. WHEN DEPARTING LATER IN THE DAY, THE SAME SLOWING MOTION STARTED AS I EMERGED FROM THE GARAGE BUT THE TRUCK REGAINED FULL POWER AND OPERATED NORMALLY. AFTER ARRIVING HOME, I PARKED AND LOCKED THE TRUCK FROM MY KEY FOB BUT AGAIN THE UNDERCARRIAGE NOISES STARTED AGAIN AND SOUNDED LIKE THE POWER LOCKS WERE RUNNING AMOK. A COUPLE DAYS LATER, THE SAME OCCURRENCE. TOOK THE TRUCK TO MY TRUSTED GARAGE (NOT A DODGE DEALER) WHO CALLED DODGE (NO CLUE) AND ANOTHER MECHANIC HOTLINE SERVICE TO CHECK FOR ANY TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS/RECALLS, BUT NO GOOD RESULTS. NEXT, THE CHIEF MECHANIC ROAD TESTED THE TRUCK AND COULD NOT REPLICATE THE UNDERCARRIAGE NOISE BUT DID SEE THE SVC 4WD DASH LIGHT. THE TRUCK WAS RETURNED WITH AN ADMONISHMENT TO RETURN IF IT CROPS UP AGAIN. TWO DAYS LATER IT DID AND I RETURN WHERE UPON DRIVING UP, THE CHIEF MECHANIC HEARD THE NOISES AND DECLARED IT WAS TRYING TO SHIFT INTO 4WD. BY THIS TIME I WAS SEEING THE 4 HI DASH LIGHT IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER WARNING LIGHT.THE TEAM AT THE GARAGE WENT BACK TO WORK AND CONTACTED ANOTHER MECHANIC HELPLINE THAT WASTED NO TIME IN IDENTIFYING THE ISSUE. AS A MATTER OF FACT, AFTER EXPLAINING THE SITUATION THE HELPLINE GUY ASKED IF THE TRUCK HAD ROLLED ON IT'S OWN - BECAUSE IF IT HAS NOT IT WOULD EVENT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE REAR WHEELS SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER COMPONENTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH HE HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AS THE VEHICLE ENGAGED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WITH NO DRIVER OR PASSENGER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER BUT AGAIN THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

LOUD NOISE WHENEVER TURNING - TECH FOUND UPPER BALL JOINT VERY DRY, ALSO FOUND SWAY BAR LINKS WORN - REPLACED LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT AND BOTH SWAY BAR LINKS. *TR

LOW NOISE IN FRONT WHILE TURNING - DEALERSHIP VERIFIED COMPLAINT AND FOUND BOTH OUTER TIRE ROD ENDS TO BE LOOSE AND LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT TO BE NOISY - REPLACED BOTH OUTER TIRE ROD ENDS AND SET TOE ALSO REPLACED THE LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT. *TR

LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHILE TURNING, STOPPING OR EVEN GETTING INTO TRUCK DIAGNOSIS FOUND LOWER RIGHT BALL JOINTS LOOSE - RECOMMENDED REPLACING. I HAVE NOT DONE THIS YET - IF YOU LOOK AT MY HISTORY, I HAVE HAD MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER MAKE THE REPAIRS TO THE FRONT BALL JOINTS PREVIOUSLY AT 45,120 MILES AND 59,072 MILES. CHRYSLER RECALLED 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTAS STATING THAT "EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY CAUSE THE FRONT WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL" IN THE SAME RECALL THEY ALSO STATED' " WATER MAY ENTER INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS AND CAUSE CORROSION AND PREMATURE WEAR." *TR

THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID LINES ARE RUSTED BELOW THE MASTER CYLINDER ALLOWING THE BRAKE FLUID TO RUN OUT ON THE GROUND, AND CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

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

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A COLD MORNING AND TURNED ON THE HEATED SEAT. TILL I GOT HOME THE BACK OF THE SEAT HAD A HOLE IN IT FROM THE HEATING ELEMENT AND IT ALSO BURNED A HOLE IN MY BIG WINTER COAT...I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MADE THEM AWARE OF THIS....NO HELP THERE....THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE...WHAT IF MY GRANDCHILD WAS SITTING IN THAT SEAT? I ONLY LIVE 8 MILES FROM MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT..IT GOT THAT HOT THAT DARN FAST!!!!!!!! *TR

HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TIE ROD ENDS,SWAY BAR LINK RODS,AND NOW LOWER CONTROL ARMS TO KEEP THE TRUCK SAFELY ON THE ROAD. THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE THESE ITEMS ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 100000 MILES. *TR

2005 DAKOTA CLUB CAB. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE GEARS AND REAR AXLES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR, FROM A STOPPED POSITION, THE VEHICLE LURCHED SLIGHTLY FORWARD AND A HIGH PITCHED WHINING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER THEN REALIZED, HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY GEARS. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIFT THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD, SINCE HE WAS ON A SLIGHT UPGRADE. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. AN INSPECTION REVEALED, THE PINION GEAR HAD METAL FATIGUE AND FRACTURED ON THE SHAFT BEHIND THE SPLINE AND AHEAD OF THE GEAR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING FELT LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TRANS COOLER LINE FAILED AND WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 85,000. *TR

VEHICLE WAS PARKED UNDER THE CARPORT, WAS NOT RUNNING, KEYS WERE NOT IN THE IGNITION. IT HAD BEEN PARKED APPROXIMATELY 2 1/2 HOURS WHEN SON IN LAW HAPPENED TO COME OVER AND SAW THE INSIDE OF THE TRUCK FULL OF SMOKE. HE OPENED THE DOOR AND DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS THE SOURCE OF THE SMOKE AND THE INSIDE OF THE SEAT WAS BURNING. THE SEAT WAS FULLY DESTROYED, BUT THE FIRE WAS ABLE TO BE PUT OUT BEFORE ANY FURTHER DAMAGE OCCURED. HAD THIS NOT BEEN DISCOVERED WHEN IT WAS, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN DESTROYED, ALONG WITH THE CARPORT AND POSSIBLY THE ENTIRE HOME. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE HEATER SEAT BURNT HOLE IN MY SEAT, MY BLUE JEANS AND MY WALLET, WARPED CREDIT CARD. THREE MONTHS AGO, A FRIEND BACKED MY TRUCK OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I LEFT HIS HOUSE, I NOTICED A HOLE IN THE BACK SEAT COVER. I BLAMED HIM FOR BURNING A HOLE IN MY SEAT SINCE HE IS A SMOKER. I HAVE NOTICED THAT LATELY MY SEAT HAD BEEN GETTING AWFUL "HOT" BUT NEVER THOUGH IT MIGHT BE BURNING. THEN, TUES JAN 22, I GOT OUT OF MY TRUCK AND NOTICED THE HOLE BURNT IN THE BOTTOM CUSHION. I HAVE SPENT THE PAST WEEK TALKING WITH THE DEALER AND CHRYSLER ABOUT IT SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. CHRYSLER IS WILLING TO HELP ME OUT 50% COST. WHAT I AM FINDING OUT IS THAT THE DEALER ARTIFICIALLY INFLATES THE COSTS SO THAT IN REALITY, IT REALLY WON'T COST CHRYSLER A DIME. OBVIOUSLY, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME. THE PROBLEM WITH THE NHTSA IS THAT THESE ISSUES ARE MINOR TO THEM IN THE BIG PICTURE OF THINGS PERCENTAGE WISE - SO THEY IGNORE IT. BUT TO THE CONSUMER, IT IS MAJOR. IF THE NHTSA WAS SMART OR REALLY ON TOP OF THINGS - THEY WOULD LOOK AT THE OVERALL NUMBERS OF THE CAR COMPANY AND THEY WOULD FIND THAT THE CHRYSLER CORP. HAS HAD TROUBLE WITH THEIR HEATED SEATS FOR OVER A DECADE. ALL THEIR BRANDS. RECALL ON JEEP GR CHEROKEE 2001-2004 ; SEBRING; TOWN & COUNTRY; DODGE/RAM TRUCKS. WHY DOES NHTSA NOT CARE ABOUT THE INDIVIDUALS IN THESE CASES. THERE WAS A PARALYZED MAN THAT HAD HIS SEAT ACCIDENTALLY TURNED ON - HE ENDED UP WITH THIRD DEGREE BURNS ON HIS THIGH ABOUT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT WARMER OVERHEATED AND BURNED HIS LEG THROUGH HIS PANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLACE THE SEAT AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND RECOMMENDED THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,300.

I WAS USING THE HEATED SEATS AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT OVERHEATED AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT. THIS OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST 7-8 MINUTES OF USING IT. *TR

TURNED ON DRIVERS HEATED SEAT TO (LOW),IN JUST A FEW MINUTES I GOT A BURNING FEELING IN MY RIGHT BUTT CHEEK ,AT THE TOP OF MY RIGHT LEG. IT GOT SO HOT THAT I HAD TO TURN THE SEAT OFF RIGHT AWAY !!!!! I DROVE TO WORK AND BY THE TIME I GOT THERE I FORGOT ABOUT THE SEAT ,ALTHOUGH I STILL HAD A BURNING SENSATION IN MY BUTTOCKS. WHEN I CAME OUT OF WORK TODAY ,I NOTICED A BURN HOLE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT AND THE TRUCK HAD THE SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING! I GUESS I SHOULD BE HAPPY THE TRUCK DIDN'T BURN TO THE GROUND BUT I'M AT A LOSS ON WHAT TO DO, EVEN MORE SO ,NOW THAT I'VE SEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET !!!!!! MY BUTT WILL BE FINE ,I'M JUST WONDERING WHAT MY NEXT MOVE SHOULD BE ????? *TR

I WAS TRAVELING 55-60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN A STRAIGHT LINE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED WHEN I HIT A DIP IN THE ROAD AND THE TRUCK LITERALLY JUMPED OFF THE HIGHWAY. IT COMPLETELY LEFT MY LANE AND DROVE ITSELF OUT OF CONTROL ACROSS TRAFFIC AND TO THE RIGHT INTO A DITCH. IT CAUSED FRONT END BODY DAMAGE (MODERATE) AND SCARED ME TO DEATH. I HAVE SINCE DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL FROM MY TRUCK. NOW OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS THE TRUCKS FRONT END SHAKES AND RATTLES AND IS DIFFICULT TO CORNER, ACTS IF IT WILL JUMP OFF THE ROAD. THIS FRONT END OF THE DAKOTA SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE IT KILLS MANY PEOPLE. *TR

IN OCTOBER OF 2010, I WAS DRIVING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY ONTO A MAIN STREET MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN I HEARD A METAL SNAPPING SOUND. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE, I FELT SOME SLACK IN THE STEERING WHEN I MADE A TURN AFTERWARDS. I INSPECTED THE SUSPENION SYSTEM SEVERAL TIMES IN THE NEXT WEEK BUT DIDN'T SEE THE CAUSE. LATER I FOUND THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINK BROKE APART WHERE IT ATTACHED TO THE SWAY BAR. I DIDN'T SEE THIS ON EARLIER INSPECTIONS BECAUSE THE 2 PARTS CAME TOGETHER WHEN STATIC TO CONCEAL THE BREAK. I PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT KIT AND REPLACED BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE SWAY BAR LINKS MYSELF. (DAMAGED PARTS STILL AVAILABLE) IN THE EARLY PART OF 2011, I BEGAN TO HEAR CREAKING NOISE FROM THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM AS I DROVE AND ON TURNS. I INSPECTED THE SYSTEM SEVERAL TIMES AND CONCLUDED THAT 1 OR MORE OF THE BALL JOINTS WERE DRY AND NEEDED GREASE. THE BALL JOINTS HAD NO FITTINGS TO APPLY GREASE SO A NEEDLE VALVE WAS USED TO INJECT GREASE INTO THE BOOTS. THIS HELPED FOR A SHORT PERIOD BUT THE CREAKING CAME BACK A FEW MONTHS LATER. I SENT THIS VEHICLE INTO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE DRY AND HAD EXCESS SIDE PLAY. THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT FOR SAFETY AND ALIGNMENT CONCERNS AT LESS THAN 40000 MILES. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THESE SUSPENSION PARTS ARE FAILING FAR TOO SOON. THE CONSUMER HAS NO WAY TO ADD GREASE TO THESE PARTS AND MUST RELY ON THE ORIGINAL PARTS BEING PROPERLY LUBRICATED TO HAVE REASONABLE DURABLITY. FAILURES AT THIS EARLY STAGE INDICATES DEFECTI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN FOLLOWED BY A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A CLOSED INVESTIGATION PERTAINING TO THE DEFECT UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA06004 (STEERING:COLUMN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

APPLIED LEFT TURN SIGNAL AND NOTICED THE RIGHT SIGNAL WAS BLINKING. I CANCELED SIGNAL AND THEN REAPPLIED AND LEFT SIGNAL FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. SINCE INITIAL OCCURRENCE THE TURN SIGNALS HAVE GOTTEN PROGRESSIVE WORSE. APPLICATION OF THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL TURNS ON LEFT ONE, APPLICATION OF THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL TURNS ON RIGHT ONE. SOMETIME NEITHER SIGNAL OPERATES. MY TRUCK HAS A TILT STEERING WHEEL AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL UP OR DOWN - WHILE DRIVING - INITIALLY CLEARED THE PROBLEM AND ALLOWED THE CORRECT SIGNAL TO OPERATE. BUT NOW THE SIGNALS EITHER DO NOT WORK OR MALFUNCTION MOST OF THE TIME NO MATTER WHICH POSITION THE STEERING WHEEL IS IN. ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL HAS LITTLE TO NO AFFECT ON IF THE SIGNALS WILL OPERATE PROPERLY. AS YOU MAY REALIZE THINKING YOUR LEFT / RIGHT TURN SIGNAL IS ON AND FINDING OUT THE OPPOSITE ONE IS ACTUALLY BLINKING HAS CAUSED SOME "INTERESTING" TRAFFIC SITUATIONS AS WELL AS A FEW NEAR CRASHES UNTIL I REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING. *TR

I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND INSTANTLY NOTICED A STRONG RAW GAS SMELL IN THE CAB. THINKING IT JUST OVERLOADED BY NOT STARTING IT FOR A MONTH, I WAITED FOR THE SMELL TO GO AWAY, BUT IT DIDN'T. LOOKING THROUGH THE REAR WHEEL WELL, I DISCOVERED THE FUEL HOSE FROM THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK HAD SPLIT AND WAS SPEWING GASOLINE ALL AROUND AND UNDER THE BED OF THE TRUCK. JUST TURNING ON THE KEY, WHICH STARTS THE FUEL PUMP AND PRESSURIZES THE FUEL LINE, CAUSES GAS TO BE DISCHARGED AT A HIGH RATE. THE TRUCK IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, WELL MAINTAINED, AND HAS JUST 54,000 MILES ON IT. I AM GLAD I DIDN'T DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH IT; THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING STILL AT AN INTERSECTION COULD CASE HARM TO NOT ONLY MYSELF, BUT OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A SQUEAKING NOISE UPON ENTERING AND EXITING. THE NOISE WAS ALSO PRESENT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE HEAD WAS REBUILT AND THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS WORKING WITH THE CONTACT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHEN HE MADE A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE THEN BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,100.

DASH BOARD AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I REPOSTIONED FRONT PASSANGER SEAT. .I CAME HOME AND CHECKED DODGE FORUM TO SEE WHAT AND WHERE THE PROBLEM MAY BE.... WHILE READING SEVERAL POSTS ABOUT CHECKING FOR A LOOSE CONNECTOR I DECIDED TO GO TO THE TRUCK AND REMOVED THE BOLTS HOLDING THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR I LAYED THE SEAT ON ITS BACK, RELEASED THE RED RETAINING CLIP AND DEPRESSED IT... WHILING HOLDING DOWN THE RELEASE I PULLED ON THE PLUG AND TO MY SURPRISE THE CONTROL UNIT CAME APART IN MY HANDS.... *TR

I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING STARTED GETTING SLOPPY AND STARTED POPPING. NOW IF YOU HIT A BAD PATCH OF ROAD IT WANTS TO JUMP OUT OF ROAD GETTING SCARY. I AM DISABLED AND DEPEND ON MY TRUCK TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO 4 DIFFERENT DOCTORS. I LIVE ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND CANT AFFORD REPAIR BILLS ON PARTS THAT SHOULD NOT BE WORE OUT. PLEASE HELP! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD SQUEAKY NOISE WAS HEARD WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

I STARTED VEHICLE AND TURNED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT SWITCH PRIOR TO CLEANING THE SNOW AND ICE OFF WINDOWS AND HOOD AFTERWHICH I LET MY COWORKER CLEAN HIS VEHICLE OFF. I WENT BACK TO MY VEHICLE TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING AND NOTICED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT SMOLDERING THROUGH THE CLOTH. I TURNED THE SWITCH BACK OFF AND WIPED THE AREA WITH SNOW THUS STOPPING THE IMPENDING FIRE. I WOULD ESTIMATE THE TIME RUNNING/WARMING UP; TO BE APPROXIMATELY 6 MINUTES. *TR

MARCH , 2011, AS I WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, SMOKE FILLED THE TRUCK . WE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND I GOT OUT. THE SEAT BACK WAS SMOKING AND BURNING AND A HOLE WAS BURNED IN MY COAT. I REPORTED THIS IMMEDIAELY TO CHRYSLER. IT WAS INVESTIGATED AND CHRYSLER REPLACED THE ELEMENT AND PUT A NEW SEAT COVER ON THE SEAT BACK. I DID NOT ASK FOR REIMBERSMENT FOR THE COAT. ON 12/27/11, THE SAME SEAT , NOW THE BOTTOM, CAUGHT ON FIRE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED CHRYSLER AGAIN, BOUGHT THE TRUCK FOR AN INSPECTION ALONG WITH MY NEW BURNT COAT. I RECEIVED A LETTER THIS TIME SAYING THAT THEY FOUND NO DEFECT. I ASKED FOR AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY IT WAS NOT DEFECTIVE THIS TIME AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DECISION WAS FINAL AND NO EXPLANATION WAS NECESSARY. I DO NOT WANT HEATED SEATS AND TOLD THEM I DIDN'T EVEN WANT THIS SEAT FIXED, JUST MY COAT REPLACED. WHY , IF THE SEAT BACK WAS DEFECTIVE, THEN THE SEAT BOTTOM CATCHES ON FIRE A YEAR LATER, I FEEL THAT I NEED MORE OF AN EXPLANATION THAN TOO BAD. HEATED SEATS ARE APPARENTLY VERY DANGEROUS. *TT

FIRST FALURE OF POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH WAS REPLACED NOW LEAKING AT RACK AND PINION. *TR

I HIT A POLE DOING 40 MPH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

DRIVERS SEAT SHORTED OUT AND OVERHEATED, CAUSING A 1 INCH SQUARE BURN ON THE SEAT, AND ALSO BURNED A HOLE IN MY JEANS. HEATED SEAT FUSE DID NOT BLOW. CONCERNED THAT A FIRE COULD HAVE STARTED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OCCUPIED. *TR

MY BRAKES LOCKED UP COMPLETELY AND MY TRUCK SLID LIKE IT WAS ON ICE FOR 200FT BEFORE COLLIDING WITH THE CAR STOPPED AT THE INTERSECTION AHEAD. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND NOW IT HAS CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHICH THE CALIFORNIA LAW CONSIDERS ME AT FAULT BECAUSE I REAR ENDED THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. I THINK CHRYSLER IS AT FAULT BECAUSE THEIR ANTI LOCK BREAKS DID NOT STOP THE BRAKES FROM LOCKING AT ALL NOW MY TRUCK IS TOTALED AND ANOTHER PERSONS CAR IS DAMAGED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT WARMER OVER HEATED. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT WARMER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND THE DRIVER'S JEANS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE SEAT WARMER MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000... UPDATED 02/06/12*BF THE CONSUMER STATED CHRYSLER AGREED TO REPAIR BOTH SEATS AND THE CONSUMER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR $400. THE ONLY THING THAT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED IS THE SEAT BOTTOM, WHICH IS ON ORDER. UPDATED 03/21/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN USING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WOULD FLASH AND WHEN USING THE RIGHT SIGNAL, NEITHER TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WOULD FLASH. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE HAZARDS WERE UTILIZED, THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WOULD FLASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

ON 21ST BRAKES STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. ON MONDAY BEFORE GETTING IT TO THE SHOP I HAD NO BRAKES. BRAKE CALIPERS LOCKED UP AND OVER EXTENDED L REAR HARDWARE FALLEN INTO DRUM AND DAMAGED SHOES & CONTAMINATED BRAKE FLUID. JUST HAD THE ROTORS AND PADS DONE LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO. *TT

AFTER ONLY 62,000 MILES MY BALL JOINTS ARE SHOT. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS IN THE PAST AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE BALL JOINTS. THIS IS NOT ALOT OF MILES TO WEAR DOWN BALL JOINTS ON A TRUCK, IT IS OBVIOUS THERE IS A DEFECT. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 CLUB CAB, I RECENTLY STARTED HAVING IRRATIC STEERING PROBLEMS WITH MY TRUCK WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES ON, THIS DODGE HAS HAD ALOT OF FRONT END PROBLEMS WITH LOW MILEAGE, FROM UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, TYE ROD ENDS AND HUBS WAREING OUT. I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED WITH ANY ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM IS TURNING THE VEHICLE WANTS TO OVER TURN, WHEN TURNING CORNERS OR ON CURVES ON HIGHWAY. WHICH I AM SURE CAN BE DANGEROUS TO ALL. *TT

I WAS HAVING A PULSING SENSATION WITH MY BRAKES. WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE GARAGE AND THEY TEST DROVE THE TRUCK THE REAR TIRES COMPLETELY SEIZED.

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA AT 25 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE IN RIGHT TIRE AND I LOST CONTROL OF TRUCK COULD NOT STEER IT THE TIE ROD BROKE COMPLETELY OFF THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT COULD NOT MOVE IT AND THE INNER TIE ROD WAS BENT WE HAD IT TOWED HOME I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT BOTH FRONT TIE RODS HAD FAILED HAD TO REPLACE THEM HE STRAIGHTENED OUT INNER TIE ROD FOR NOW VERY SCARY SITUATION THANK GOD I WASN'T DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NO ONE WAS HURT .THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE TRUCKS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED TRUCK ONLY HAD 53,000 MILES. *TR

AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 55 - 75 INTERMITANTLY THE TRUCK WILL BEGIN TO VIBRATE. IF YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS IT GETS WORSE. IF YOU THEN APPLY THE BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL BEGINS TO SHAKE ALMOST VIOLENTLY, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSES. IF I SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 30 MPH IT STOPS AND MAY HAPPEN AGAIN QUICKLY OR MAY NOT HAPPEN AGAIN FOR A WHILE. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 OR 4 TIMES AND THEY STATE THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT BALL JOINTS, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS 3 TIMES AND RECENTLY PUT ON THE 3 SET OF BRAKES AND ROTORS ALL ON ADVISE FROM DODGE DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. VERY UNSAFE. HARD TO CONTROL THE TRUCK. I NO LONGER DRIVE THE TRUCK ON THE HIGHWAY. HAVE CALLED DODGE CHRYSLAR AND THEY STATE TO TAKE THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP. I GET THE RUN AROUND AND SENT ON MY WAY. AS FOR AT DATE OF INCIDENT, THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. I JUST PICKED A DATE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR A FAILURE DIAGNOSTIC, WHERE THE CONTACTED WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING LINKAGES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACTED ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT STABILIZING BARS WERE MISSING BOLTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MISSING BOLTS WERE INSTALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,355. UPDATED 8/30/11 *CN UPDATED 09/21/11

STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIARY SHAFT FAILURE. SHAFT JOINT FROZE REDUCING STEERING CAPACITY WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. ATTEMPTED 1 REPAIR TO LUBRICATE JOINT, REPLACE BELT, AND ADJUST TENSIONER AT COST OF 300.00. PROBLEM SUBSIDED THEN RETURNING WITH EVEN GREATER FAILURE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF SHAFT AT 500.00. DODGE CHAULKS IT UP AS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. TOTAL REPAIRS ON VEHICLE BOUGHT IN 2005 AND HAS RECORDED 84K MILES(ABOUT 14K) NOW EXCEEDING 4K WITH 800.00 RECOUPED BY DODGE. HAVE PART IN POSSESSION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA SQUAD CAB. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE ENGINE DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE AND THE USE OF THE INCORRECT ENGINE OIL. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,275.

SEVERE SHAKING OF TRUCK WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR AT TIMES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE OF AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, I WAS INFORMED I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THEY KNEW OF AN ONGOING CONCERN REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND NEVER NOTIFIED OWNERS ABOUT IT. I CONSIDER IT A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE SHAKES SO BADLY YOU HAVE TO STOP BRAKING IN ORDER TO GET IT TO QUIT. THERE ARE TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY YOU HAVE TO USE THE BRAKE. I THOUGHT THE TRUCK WAS GOING TO ROLL OVER ONE TIME. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR I ALMOST REARENDED SOMEBODY INFRONT OF ME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNSTABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE SOUND WAS ALSO HEARD WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED THE MANUFACTURER BE CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WERE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL POPPING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SWAY BAR AND THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.