2005 Dodge Dakota complaints

IN JANUARY, 2009, NOTICED A GROWLING IN THE FRONT END OF THE 2005 DODGE DAKOTA (~43,000) WITH DIFFICULTY TURNING CORNERS. TOOK IT TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS WHO INDICATED THAT THE FRONT END NEEDED WORK, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, BALL JOINTS, TIE-RODS, TIRES AT A COST OVER $1000.00. TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT ONLY NEEDED GREASE AND GREASED. IN THE PAST WEEK, MARCH, 2009, SHIMMING AND NOISE IN FRONT END WHEN TURNING. TOOK TO DODGE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE TIE-RODS, SWAY BARS AND TIRES (SPLIT) NEEDED REPAIR COST >$1000. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP AND RECEIVED SAME NEWS PLUS BALL JOINTS WERE WORN. HAVING WORK DONE AND WANTED TO REPORT SINCE I NOTICED THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A NUMBER OF INCIDENTS RELATED TO SAME ISSUE ON YOUR WEBSITE. NO INJURIES BUT THERE WAS THE POSSIBILITY IF THE FRONT END HAD FAILURE ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING ON ICY/SNOWY/WET ROADS. *TR

REAR BRAKE JUDDERING (SHAKING) CAUSES THE TRUCK TO "BOUNCE" IN THE REAR WHICH, IF HAPPENING SUDDENLY, CAN CAUSE THE OPERATOR TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR DRUMS ON THE '05 DODGE DAKOTA ARE TOO SMALL AND HEAT UP AND "WARP", WHICH CAUSES THE REAR BRAKES TO BE MUCH LESS EFFECTIVE AT HELPING TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. CHRYSLER MOTORS RELEASED A TSB RELATED TO THE REAR BRAKING SYSTEM, BUT ONLY OWNERS WITHIN THE FIRST 12,000 MILES OF THEIR VEHICLE'S LIFE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE FREE REPAIR. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA NEW. AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES GOING TO WORK AT NIGHT AND IN A SNOWSTORM MY HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED A COUPLE OF TIMES THEN STARTED TO INTERMITTANTLY GO OFF THEN BACK ON. ONLY MY FOG LIGHTS BELOW MY BUMPER WERE ON. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENTS. LATER I LOOKED AT ALL THE WIRING AND CONNECTORS AND FOUND NOTHING. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS THEN CAME BACK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND AT CERTAIN INSTANCES COULD BE DANGEROUS: FOG, WINDING ROADS, ETC. I SPOKE TO A DODGE MECHANIC AND HE INFORMS ME THAT THERE'S A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE INTERIOR INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHT INTENSITY SWITCH (ITS PART OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSY). THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR THANKS BOB PAULDING

I HAVE A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA SLT. I PURCHASED IT IN 10/2005. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK SINCE I FIRST BOUGHT IT. RECENTLY I HAD TO REPLACED THE TIRE RODS, SWAY BAR AND LINKAGE, BRAKES, CALIPERS, AND ROTORS. TWO DAYS AFTER I HAD ALL OF THESE THINGS FIXED I NOTICED THAT THE TRUCK WAS STILL SHAKING AND MAKING A LOT OF NOISE. WHEN I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO DODGE I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE IN THE TRUCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THE TRUCK WAS MANUFACTURED THE WRONG SIZE AXLE WAS PUT IN THE TRUCK. THIS CAUSED ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD THAT OTHER PARTS ARE DAMAGED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AND REPAIRED.(REAR BRAKE SHOES, FRONT DISC ROTORS) I WAS TOLD THAT THE AXLE PART IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT I HAVE TO PAY THE $100 DEDUCTIBLE. I WAS TOLD THAT EVERYTHING ELSE THAT IS DAMAGED (DUE TO THE AXLE) AND REQUIRES REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT IS CONSIDERED "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". I WAS GIVEN A QUOTE OF SOMEWHERE AROUND $400. (DEPENDING ON LABOR) MY COMPLAINT IS SIMPLE, I AM BEING FORCED TO PAY FOR DAMAGED PARTS ON MY TRUCK THAT ARE DIRECTLY CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURES ERROR. A PROBLEM THAT CAN BE PROVED TO BE THE MANUFACTURERS FAULT. I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE THAT HAD THE WRONG AXLE INSTALLED. WHICH THEN CAUSED ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS. WHEN I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE MANUFACTURES MADE THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. THEY DID NOT. THEY SOLD ME A TRUCK WITH THE WRONG PART INSTALLED. NOT ONLY IS THIS WRONG BUT THERE SHOULD BE S

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING FOR APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES WITH THE HEATED SEATS ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMANATING FROM HER VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEATED SEAT MECHANISM WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE COMPONENT WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. IN ADDITION, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED INCIDENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,000. UPDATED 03/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/17/09. *JB

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT(POWER) HEATER BURNT PADDING AND SCORCHED SEAT FABRIC. VEHICLE WAS LEFT IDLING TO WARM UP. I RETURNED TO FIND SMOKE COMING FROM SEAT. I FOUND WIRING CONNECTOR AND UNPLUGGED HEATER. *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THEY HAD A TRUCK LIKE MINE COME IN FOR THE SAME REASON, THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THE SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR. THEY SAID THAT THE SENSOR KEEPS THE BAGS FROM DEPLOYING WHEN IN A WRECK. *TR

BOUGHT A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 61,000 MILES ON IT...WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH AFTER PICKING UP MY CHILD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE PULLED ME RIGHT OFF THE ROAD ALMOST INTO A DITCH WHERE I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO COME TO A STOP AND GET OUT. TO HEAR THAT MY TIRE IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. THE TIE-ROD HAD BROKE AWAY AND I LOST CONTROL, IF I HAD BEEN GOING ANY FASTER I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE ROLLED THE VEHICLE AND MAY HAVE INJURED MY FAMILY OR OTHER PEOPLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE HE HAD TOLD ME THESE MODELS DO NOT HAVE A NIPPLE TO LUBE THE TIE-RODS SO THEY BREAK OFTEN. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AS COULD HAVE MY MOTHER AND 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OR EVEN SOMEONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. A VEHICLE WITH 61000 MILES SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE ISSUES. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET HURT OR EVEN WORSE KILLED! *TR

LEFT FRONT STEERING ROD END BROKE INTO TWO PIECES CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION, IT BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE KNOCKED DOWN THE CONTACT, TRAVELED ACROSS THE STREET, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS DAMAGED AND THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V460000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE SPEED AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/07/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/08/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT LEASED A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT AUTHORIZE THE DEALER TO REPLACE ANY PARTS SINCE THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST DID NOT PROVIDE AN ERROR CODE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANG AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE STRUCK TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE DRIVESHAFT WAS PULLED OUT AT THE SCENE AND THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE GROUND. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE LEAF SPRING SNAPPED OFF. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY SERVICE AND WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS IN A CRASH, THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY INSTRUCTED HIM NOT TO GO TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 12,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/11/08

BRAKE FAILURE ON A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA . *TR

I USED MY DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB TO PULL MY 5,000 LB TRAVEL TRAILER ON VACATION AT THE TIME. THE TRUCK WAS VERY UNSTABLE AND UNSAFE WHILE PULLING THE TRAILER TO AND FROM PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE. THE ENGINE IS A 4.7 V8 RATED AT 230 HP AND 290 LB FT. TORQUE. I PURCHASED THE TOWING OPTION PACKAGE WITH THE TRUCK. IT IS SUPPOSE TO BE RATED FOR 7,000 LBS. DAIMLER CHRYSLER FALSIFIED THE TOWING ABILITY OF THIS ENGINE / TRANSMISSION SET UP BY OVERSTATING ITS TOWING CAPABILITY. I BASE MY ACCUSATION ON THE FACT THAT CHRYSLER RETOOLED THIS 4.7 V8 ENGINE FOR 2008. IT IS NOW RATED AT 302 HP AND 329 LB FT. TORQUE YET STILL ITS MAXIMUM TOWING CAPABILITY IS STILL RATED AT 7,000. COMMON SENSE WOULD DICTATE THAT IMPROVED ENGINE SHOULD MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO TOW MORE WEIGHT SINCE IT NOW HAS MORE HORSEPOWER AND MORE TORQUE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THESE TRUCKS ON THE HIGHWAY THAT MAY BE TOWING AN UNSAFE AMOUNT OF WEIGHT SINCE CHRSYLER OVERSTATED THE TOWING ABILITY OF THE 2005 TRUCKS WITH THE 4.7 V8. I HAVE HAD MY TRUCK IN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES FOR REPAIRS AND THEIR ONLY SOLUTION IS TO TOW LESS WEIGHT. I BELIEVE THEIR OVERSTATEMENT OF THE TOWING ABILITY OF THE VEHICLE WARRANTS A GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION FOR SAFETY REASONS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR KILLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE TRUCK HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY YARD FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. *TR

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES GOING DOWN HILL OR WHEN CARRYING A LIGHT LOAD BRAKES VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. *TR

ORIGINAL OWNER OF VEHICLE WITH 21,00 MILES. APPROX 1 WEEK AGO BEGAN HEARING SCRAPING SOUND WHEN TURNING. NOISE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. MECHANIC SAYS VEHICLE NEEDS NEW TIE ROD. ADVISED US AGAINST DRIVING IT BECAUSE HE CONSIDERS IT TO BE VERY UNSAFE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURS CONSTANTLY. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINS LIT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL CAP WAS NOT SECURED TIGHTLY ENOUGH. THE FUEL CAP HAS BEEN CHANGED THREE TO FOUR TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. IN ADDITION, IT TAKES THE CONTACT 20 MINUTES TO PLACE FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. IF HE PUMPS TOO QUICKLY, THE GAS NOZZLE WILL SHUT OFF AND GASOLINE WILL SPLASH OUT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE IS A FILTER ON THE TANK THAT IS CLOGGED, WHICH MUST BE CHANGED OR CLEANED AFTER EVERY OIL CHANGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. UPDATED 06/17/08. *LJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SAFELY PULL OFF THE ROAD. DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE, SHE CRASHED BACKWARDS INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER SENT OUT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BUT THE RESULTS WERE INCONCLUSIVE. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE DAMAGED VEHICLE AND A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 22,000.

I BOUGHT A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA V6 4 X 4 LESS THAT THREE MONTHS AGO. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT. I BOUGHT A NEW PUMP AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR $172.00 & PUT IT IN. THE TRUCK IS STILL NOT WORKING. I BELIEVE THE NEW PUMP IS ALSO SHOT NOW. THE HOSES HAVE BEEN CLEANED OUT & THE RACK IS NOT LEAKING. THERE WAS ALWAYS FLUID IN THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. NONE OF THE FLUID IS CIRCULATING. *TR

I HAVE AN 2005 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 26,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERS FIVE OR SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, WHILE BREAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY IT ALSO PULSATES THE DEALER SAID THAT'S NORMAL AND HE CAN NOT FIX IT I HAVE FELT UNSAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, BUT PARTICULARLY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50-70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES OUT OF THE CONTACT'S HAND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKES. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SHUTS ITSELF OFF WHEN A BAG OR SOME LIGHT WEIGHT ITEM THAT WEIGHS LESS THAN AN ADULT (NO SPECIFIC WEIGHT GIVEN) IS PLACED ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE AIRBAG BACK ON IS TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. THEY CHARGE $100 EVERY TIME. THE DEALER AND CHRYSLER CORP. ARE SAYING THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE MENTIONED THAT I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE, IN THAT IF TWO PERSONS ARE TRAVELING AND THE AIRBAG GETS SHUT OFF, SOMEONE EITHER MUST WAIT SOMEWHERE FOR MAYBE 2-3 DAYS UNTIL REPAIRS CAN BE MADE, OR RIDE IN THE TRUCK WITHOUT AN AIRBAG. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3 TIMES NOW. *TR

PREMATURE FAILURE OF LOWER BALL JOINTS ON 2005 DODGE DAKOTA 4WD PU. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH DOWNHILL WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. SHE PUMPED THE BRAKES TO RELIEVE SOME OF THE SHAKING. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE THE FOLLOWING DAY PER THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. THE REPAIR CONSISTED OF RESURFACING THE BRAKES AND DRUMS, AND THE BRAKE AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. AFTER A FEW MONTHS, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO A RECALL; HOWEVER, IT WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER BECAME TOO HOT AND BURNED HOLES IN THE SEAT AND MELTED BY COAT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE GOODYEAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS THE TIRE DEALER'S RESPONSIBILITY. THE PURCHASE DATE, TIRE SIZE, TIRE LINE, AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR NOISES PRESENT AT THE TIME. THE DEALER CHANGED THE BRAKE PADS ON THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED A WEEK LATER. HE RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE MORE AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STILL FEELS A VIBRATION WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. WHILE WASHING HIS VEHICLE WITH ALL OF THE DOORS AND WINDOWS CLOSED, WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND DAMPENED THE FLOOR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE, HOWEVER, THEY RESET THE CONTROLLER. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE AND IT REPEATEDLY CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,404 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,670. UPDATED 10/25/07 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WOULD ESCAPE FROM THE FILLER PIPE WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REFUEL THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE INLET CHECK VALVE FAILED. AS OF SEPTEMBER 27, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2005 DODGE DURANGO FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM FILLER PIPE AND CAP (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V034000). THE CONTACT FELT THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,900 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,211. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB

THE BRAKES SHAKE HORRIBLY AND HAVE SINCE ABOUT A 11,000 MILES, THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT, REPLACED A FAULTY CALIPER I ORDERED IN JANUARY IN JULY. I BELIEVE THE REASON I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP FAST ENOUGH IN THE ACCIDENT IN OCTOBER WAS BECAUSE THE BRAKES FAILED TO GRAB COMPLETELY. I WOULD NOT BE SUCH A BIG DEAL MY THIS DODGE DEALER TREATS ME AS AN IGNORAMUS, THEY DID OFFER TO UPGRADE MY BRAKES FOR ONLY 250 A SIDE, WHICH SEEMS SILLY SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME. IT STILL HAS THE $100 DED WARRANTY FOR 100000 MILES. *JB

2005 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 V-6 PURCHASED NEW. RECURRENT BRAKE ISSUES STARTING IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE, FIVE VISITS TO THE DEALER, EACH MORE INVOLVED THEN THE LAST, CULMINATING IN HAVING ALL BRAKES REPLACED (SUPPOSEDLY) WITH REAR AXLES INCLUDED (BENT FROM FACTORY WE WERE INFORMED). THE VIOLENT PULSATING IS BACK AGAIN EXACTLY THE SAME AS BEFORE AND GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THIS CANNOT BE AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AS WE WERE INFORMED BY A "TECH" THAT THE REAR BRAKE REPLACEMENTS WERE SHIPPED IN A VACUUM SEALED CLAMSHELL WITH CARBOARD BACKING! THIS TRUCK IS LITERALLY GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE I WILL NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE IT FOR FEAR THAT SHE WILL BE HURT IN A PANIC STOP SITUATION. IT IS SCHEDULED FOR ANOTHER VISIT BUT IS NOW PAST WARRANTY... MY INTEREST IS IN WHETHER THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS SUCH AS THIS AND IF THERE IS A RECALL PENDING... *JB

BRAKE PROBLEMS ON 2005 DODGE DAKOTA SINCE BOUGHT IN 2005

VEHICLE STARTS TO SHAKE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT A SPEED ABOVE 55MPH, PROBLEM IN THE REAR BRAKES THAT IS CAUSING THIS ,I AM ASE CERTIFIED BRAKE AND THIS IS NOT A SAFE CONDITION. *TR

I HAD BEEN NOTICING SOME MAJOR PULSATING (TO THE POINT I THOUGHT I WAS LOOSING A TIRE) IN THE FRONT END OF MY 05 DODGE DAKOTA WHEN I STEPPED ON THE FRONT BRAKE SO I HAD THE BRAKES LOOKED AT BY MEINEKE MUFFLER. THEY SHOWED ME HOW THE DUST BOOT ON THE CALIPERS WERE DETERIORATING AND THAT THE ROTORS WERE TURNING BLUE FROM OVER-HEATING. THEY SUGGESTED I CONTACT DODGE TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS OR IF IT WAS COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY TRUCK HAS 24K MILES ON IT. I CONTACTED DODGE REGARDING THE WARRANTY AND THEY SAID THAT ONLY THE CALIPERS WOULD BE COVERED EVEN THOUGH THE DEFECTIVE CALIPERS CAUSED THE PREMATURE WEARING OF THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. THE BRAKE PADS STILL HAD AT LEAST 50% WEAR ON THEM. MY TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT STEVENS DODGE IN MILFORD CT. TOMORROW WILL BE 2 WEEKS SINCE I BROUGHT IT THERE AND SUPPOSEDLY THEY ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE PARTS TO COME IN. ACCORDING TO THEIR SERVICE DEPT THE PARTS ARE NOT ON BACK ORDER BUT THEY STILL AREN'T IN. THIS TRUCK IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO TOW UP TO 7,000 POUNDS BUT WITH THE BRAKES FAILING AFTER ONLY 24K OF NORMAL DRIVING (MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES) I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED IF I TOWED THINGS WITH IT REGULARLY. *TR

CONSISTENT DRIVELINE VIBRATION, UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR. I TOOK MY 2005 DODGE LARAMIE QUAD CAB IN FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT ON MARCH 5, 2007 TO TRY AND REPAIR THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED PROBLEM. SINCE THIS TIME I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP A MINIMUM OF TEN TIMES AND IT HAS BEEN IN THEIR POSSESSION AT LEAST 60 DAYS. THE DEALER HAS VIRTUALLY REPLACED ALL OF THE FRONT END PARTS, BRAKES, ROTORS, CALIPERS, ROTATED TIRES, REPLACED AND TRIED ELEVEN (11) MICHELIN TIRES, BALANCED, HIGH SPEED BALANCED, MY RIMS HAVE OVER FIFTY NOTCHES WHERE THEY HAVE PLACED WEIGHTS TO BALANCE THE TIRES WITHOUT RESULT. SIMILAR COMPLAINTS LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS INVESTIGATED SINCE BY THEIR OWN ADMISSION THEY CAN NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *TR

PURCHASED A PRE OWNED 2005 DODGE DAKOTA 2/2007.THE DEALERSHIP GUARANTEED ME THE VIBRATION IN THE VEHICHLE WOULD BE RESOLVED. THE FIRST 2MONTHS THEY HAD THE VEHICLE MORE THAN I. 5 TIMES THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TO THIS DEALERSHIP. REPLACED THE ROTORS, BREAK PADS, NEW SWAY BAR(THAT WAS DISCONNECTED). THE VEHICLE STILL VIBRATES.AT SPEED OF 50-60 MPH WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE CONSIDERABLY. AT NORMAL SPEED IT STILL VIBRATES BUT NOT AS MUCH. THE WARRENTY ON THE VEHICLE IS UP IN ABOUT 30 MILES. I BELIEVE THE DEALERSHIP HAS JUST WORN US DOWN. THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP SAID HE WOULD MAKE THINGS RIGHT, BUT AS OF TODAY, NOTHING.NO RESOLUTION. SOMETHING IS DEFINETLY WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE AND I WON'T DRIVE IT FAR FOR FEAR OF FAILURE. MY WIFE OWNED A JEEPLIBERTY W/RECALLS ON BALL JOINTS...NEEDLESS TO SAY THE 2ND SET OF BALL JOINTS FAILED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND $4000 LATER WAS TRADED OFF. WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER DODGE CHRYSLERJEEP PRODUCT AGAIN IN MY LIFE. GURESS WE GO BACK TO CHEVY.

MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA SHAKES WHEN DRIVING ON SMOOTH ROAD AND BRAKING, RPMS REV REALLY HIGH, HAS NO PICK UP, AND GETS 9 MPG OF GAS, DEFECT IN DRIVERS SEATBELT NONE OF WHICH ARE COVERED BY DODGE OR A WARRENTY

DEFECTIVE BRAKE MASTER CYLYNDER CAUSING BRAKES TO STAY ENGAGED. *TR

WHEN BRAKING A HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE BRAKING SYSTEM HAS A SEVERE SHUTTER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES. THEY DID, HOWEVER, TURN THE FRONT ROTORS. THE PROBLEM IS IN THE REAR BRAKES. I CAN TELL WHEN THE FRONT HAS A PROBLEM. IT IS A DIFFERENT FEEL. MY 2001 DAKOTA HAD EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE AND THEY COULD NEVER FIND A PROBLEM WITH IT EITHER. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS NORMAL. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES IN THE REAR ARE WHAT CAUSES THE PROBLEM. THEY KNOW OF NO WAY TO FIX IT. I PUT IN THE "NUMBER OF FAILURES" THAT THERE HAVE BEEN 481 FAILURES, SINCE THAT IS HOW LONG I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE AND IT OCCURS DAILY. IT WAS EXTREMELY RARE FOR IT TO HAPPEN UNTIL IT HAD ABOUT 15,000 MI. ON IT AND I CAN WORK THE BRAKES AND GET IT TO STOP IF I DON'T HAVE TO STOP FAST. I HAD THE WORST ISSUE THIS MORNING COMING TO WORK. I HAD A VEHICLE RUN A STOP SIGN AND I HAD TO DO A PANIC STOP FROM 65 MPH AND THE TRUCK SHOOK SO BAD I DID NOT THINK IT WAS GOING TO STOP. I HAVE JUST GOTTEN FRUSTRATED AND LIVED WITH THIS PROBLEM, SINCE I GET TOLD IT IS JUST NORMAL ANTI-LOCK BRAKES............NOT LIKELY!!!!! ALSO, I NOTICED THERE IS A DAIMLER/CHRYSLER SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM. IT IS #0500405 DATED 05/10/2006. SINCE MY LAST EXPERIENCE WITH THE DEALERSHIP, I HAVE JUST STAYED AWAY, SO I HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD ABOUT THIS SERVICE BULLETIN. *TR

PURCHASED 2005 DAKOTA QUAD CAB ON 9/30/05. IMMEDIATELY NOTICED PULSATING OR SHUDDERING OF THE BRAKES WHEN APPLIED AT HIGHER RATES OF SPEED & WHEN BRAKING ON AN INCLINE. VISITED DEALERSHIP ON 10/13/05 & REAR DRUMS WERE TURNED. VISITED DEALERSHIP AGAIN ON 10/21/05 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM. BRAKES PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED & RETURNED AGAIN TO DEALERSHIP ON 11/15/05. DEALERSHIP ORDERED PARTS & WE RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP ON 12/14/05 & REAR BRAKE SHOES WERE REPLACED. SEVERAL MONTHS PASSED & BRAKE SHUDDERING RETURNED AGAIN. VISITED DEALERSHIP AGAIN WITH SAME COMPLAINT ON 9/19/06 & THE DEALER REPLACED REAR BRAKE SHOES, BRAKE DRUMS, & ROTORS. NOT TWO MONTHS LATER, THE SAME BRAKING PROBLEM RETURNED. AFTER TAKING THE TRUCK IN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 5 SEPARATE OCCASSIONS WITHOUT A RESOLVE, WE FILED FOR OUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FLORIDA LEMON LAW. DAIMLER CHRYSLER SET UP AN APPT WITH DEALERSHIP TO HAVE TECHNICIAN LOOK AT OUR TRUCK. THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH OUR TRUCK OTHER THAN A BAD TIRE. THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT DRIVE THE TRUCK UNDER THE CONDITIONS THAT I DESCRIBED TO THEM. WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO SEARS TO HAVE THE TIRES LOOKED AT & THERE INDEED WAS A FLAT SPOT ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. I QUESTIONED WHY THERE WOULD BE A FLAT SPOT ON A TIRE THAT HAD ONLY 24K ON IT WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION. WE HAD THE TIRE REPLACED & ALSO HAD THE FRONT END ALIGNED. IN THE MEANTIME THE BRAKE PULSATION ONLY CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. I HAVE CALLED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AGAIN TO REQUEST ANOTHER REVIEW OF OUR C

DURING STOPS THE RPMS ON MY 2005 DAKOTA WILL GO ERRATIC. THE RPMS WILL GO FROM A FEW HUNDRED TO OVER 3000. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND HAS TO BE PUT INTO PARK AND RESTARTED. NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WILL EVER COME ON. I HAVE HAD IT AT THE DEALERSHIP WERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 3 TIME FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE IT. THE LAST TIME I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM IT STALLED IN TRAFFIC THAT SAME DAY I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH MY TRUCK. THIS IS JUST ONE OF SEVERAL ISSUES I HAVE HAD WITH THIS TRUCK THAT THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. *NM

SIDEWALL FAILURE OF GOODYEAR WRANGLER 265/70R17 RT/S TIRE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SIDEWALL OF TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE HAD ONLY 41000 MILES OF MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING. TREAD WEAR WAS VERY EVEN WITH NO UNEVEN WEAR OF ANY KIND. I HAD STOPPED FOR GAS ONLY 7 MILES BEFORE THE FAILURE, AND INFLATION OF TIRE APPEARED NORMAL. *NM

I HAVE A RECURRING BRAKE VIBRATION ON MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA THAT STARTED AT APPROXIMATELY 12000 MILES. THE DEALER WHO IS DOING EVERYTHING HE CAN HAS REPLACED REAR AXLES, DRUMS, BRAKE PADS, FRONT ROTORS, TURNED DRUMS, CHANGED WHEELS SEVERAL TIMES. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AT LEASE 7 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I WROTE LETTERS AND PHONED CHRYSLER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE INTERESTED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE WILL PROBABLY BE A CRASH. *JB

AT 1 K I NOTICED A VIBRATION WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS MY FRONT ROTORS. TOOK IT TO DEALER. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND THEY REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE SHOES. IT WAS GOOD UNTIL ABOUT 4500 MILES. THE VIBRATIONS STARTED AGAIN. DURING INTERSTATE DRIVING IF I HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES SUDDENLY THE VIBRATION WAS VERY VIOLENT. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER. TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER NEW BRAKE DRUMS. AT 5700 MILES THE NEW DRUMS WERE INSTALLED. THE VIBRATION WAS STILL THERE WITH AN ADDITIONAL POPPING SOUND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. TOOK IT BACK THE NEXT DAY. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT THE NEW DRUMS WERE WARPED? THE DEALER PUT THE ORIGINAL DRUMS BACK ON. THEY CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY WANT TO BALANCE THE TIRES. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE, THE VEHICLE SHIMMIED. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE ROTORS AND DRUMS WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE REAR DRUMS, REAR AXLE SHAFT, REAR BRAKE SHOES AND REAR BRAKE DRUMS WERE REPLACED ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE FRONT ROTORS WERE ALSO RESURFACED. THEN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE PEDAL HAD TO BE PUMPED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. UPDATED 11/2/2006 - *NM

AIR-BAG WARNING LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY SOMETIMES REMAIN ON FOR MILES. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. QUESTION IS, WILL THEY WORK WHEN NEEDED? *JB

AIRBAG LIGHTS CONTINUE TO COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. PREVIOUS TRUCK WAS TRADED IN AS THE DEALER COULD NOT FIX THE ISSUE. NOW, THE NEW TRUCK IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE KEPT TRACK OF IN CASE OF A WIDESPREAD ISSUE CONCERNING AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS IN SIMILAR VEHICLES (2005 DODGE DAKOTA). *JB

I HAVE A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB AND WHEN I WOULD GO TO STOP FROM HIGH SPEEDS IT WOULD SHUTTER REALLY BAD UNTIL I WOULD TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE BREAK. HOWEVER IN MAY 06 I WAS HIT IN THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE AND HAD MY ENTIRE REAR AXLE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE SINCE THE OLD ONE WAS DAMAGED IN THE ACCIDENT AND NO LONGER HAVE THE SHUTTERING WHEN I STOP. *NM

I OWN A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA BOUGHT IN B.C CANADA. WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN ON A HILL MY TRUCK STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY EVERY TIME I APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND IT HAD VERY LITTLE BRAKING POWER. I FELT THAT IF I KEPT APPLYING THE BRAKES IT WOULD FLY OFF THE ROAD. BEFORE I WENT ON THIS TRIP DODGE INSPECTED MY VEHICLE AND CLEANED MY BRAKES. THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS GREAT AND I WAS ON MY WAY. I TALKED TO DODGE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND OFFERED NO HELP EVEN THOUGH I FELT MY LIFE WAS IN DANGER. MY GIRLFRIEND WILL NOT RIDE IN MY TRUCK ANYMORE AND I DON'T BLAME HER. PLEASE MAKE DODGE RECALL THIS TRUCK FOR IT HAS MANY PROBLEMS AND BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT . THANKS. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, BUT RESTARTED EACH TIME. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FLASH, BUT THERE WAS NO REPAIR AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/04/06. *JB