Page 9 of 10 · complaints 401–450 of 470

2005 Dodge Dakota complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2005 record →

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 21, 200629,044 milesAZ

AT RANDOM, MY VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF OR DIE CAUSING ME TO LOOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER. IT CAN STALL WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT, OR TURNING LEFT. MOST RECENTLY IT STALLED WHILE I WAS TURNING LEFT AND I ALMOST HIT A PARKED CAR SINCE I HAD NO STEERING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 12 TIMES. ONE TIME IT HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN ONE DAY. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. ITS SEEMS TO STALL AFTER I WAS STOPPED AND WAITING OR WHEN I DECELERATE. *NM

Electrical System
Filed Aug 18, 200624,158 milesNC

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD,RESTARTED, AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE UPGRADED.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 24, 200690 milesAR

I HAVE TAKEN THE 2005 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR ON JULY 24, 2006. SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. 1) BUZZING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE ALSO IN REVERSE. 2) TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN DRIVE AND REVERSE WHEN GOING UP A STEEP INCLINE. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT DOWNSHIFTING TO A LOWER GEAR WHEN DRIVING UP A HILL, HAVE TO PUT TRANSMISSION IN 2ND GEAR TO DRIVE UP A STEEP HILL. 3) TRUCK HAS TO COME ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS INTO 1ST GEAR. 4) AFTER THE TRUCK HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE, THERE IS A METALLIC "CLANKING" NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING GEARS. 5) THE FRONT AXLES (DRIVESHAFTS) ARE MAKING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN EXECUTING A SHARP TURN WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. 6) WHEN IN PARK WITH THE TRUCK TURNED OFF THERE IS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL, IT WILL NOT LOCK INTO PLACE WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED. *NM

Steering › Linkages › Arm › Idler and AttachmentCrash2 injured
Filed Jul 21, 200618,223 milesNV

I PURCHASED A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA AND 6 MONTHS AFTER MY PURCHASE THE VEHICLES IDLER WAS JUMPING FROM 1 TO 3 AND THEN VEHICLE DIES. IT CONTINUES TO THIS. I HAVE BRINGING MY TRUCK IN TO BE SERVICED SENSE 11-2005 AND 2 MONTHS AGO I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN BATTLING WITH CHRYSLER FOR THE LEMON LAW, AND THEY STATE MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. TO THIS DATE NO REPAIR, VEHICLE DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION AND WAS RE-ENDED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jul 13, 20067,500 milesID

2005 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK WITH 8,000 MILES ON IT. BRAKES HAVE STARTED TO VIOLENTLY PULSATE WHEN APPLIED. WENT TO ONE DODGE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD SEE NO PROBLEM. ANOTHER DEALER SAID THE TIRE SHOP PROBABLY DID IT WHEN THEY ROTATED MY TIRES. HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED DODGE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT ROTORS WARPING AND PADS AND IS ELECTING TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 26, 200625,000 milesGA

ON GOING INCIDENT. UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS WITH ANY LOAD IN TRUCK BED IT TAKES OVER 200 FEET TO STOP FROM 60 MPH. IF YOU ADD A LOAD OR TRAILER OR BOTH THE STOPPING DISTANCES INCREASE TO WELL OVER 300 FEET & THERE WAS BRAKE VIBRATION COMING FROM THE REAR. TO ADDRESS THE VIBRATION PROBLEM DODGE CAME OUT WITH A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB), #05-004-05 REV. A, TO ADDRESS THE VIBRATION PROBLEM. BULLETIN COMPLIED WITH WHICH AMOUNT TO REFACING THE FRONT DISCS & REAR DRUMS,& REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR LININGS. AT TIME OF PICK UP THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE PUMPED 2 OR MORE TIMES TO OBTAIN BRAKING ACTION. UPON RE-INSPECTION BY THE DEALER THEY FOUND THAT ONE OF THE AUTOMATIC ADJUSTER LOCK DOWN SPRING HAD BECOME LOOSE. RE-ATTACHED, IT SOLVED THE PUMPING OF THE BRAKE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR. HOWEVER, THE ONCE FIRM BRAKE PEDAL IS NOW TOO SOFT AND NO AMOUNT OF PUMPING WILL PROVIDE A FIRM FEEL. THE DEALER TRIED TO CALL DODGE TECHNICAL SERVICES. THEY ADVISED THAT COULD NOT FIND AN ANSWER OR REASON FOR THE PROBLEM. AT THE PRESENT TIME I'M HAVING TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM AS THE WORK WAS DONE WHILE I WAS ON A TRIP TO ILLINOIS AND I LIVE IN GEORGIA. MY LOCAL DEALER HERE IN GEORGIA IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE. THE DEALER IN ILLINOIS IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM & WE WILL GOING THERE IN LATE JULY & THEY WILL BE CHECKING OUT THE PROBLEM. I CONTACTED DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICES & WAS ADVISED "WE DO NOT HAVE ANY TECHNICAL INFORMATION HERE" & ARE QUITE UNCONCERNED ABOUT THE WHOLE PROBLEM & CANNOT HELP YOU. BRIE

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 25, 200617,500 milesTN

2005 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB V8 2WD. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO ORIGINAL DEALER 3-4 TIMES. ONCE TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES UNDER A RECALL. AT LEAST 2-3 TIMES TO "FIX" A ROUGH IDLE AND A MISS AT LIGHT THROTTLE CRUISING SPEED. ORIGINAL DEALER CALLED IT A "FISH BITE." IS THAT A TECHNICAL TERM I MISSED? ANOTHER CALLED IT "BEAMING." I GUESS THESE ARE TECHNICAL TERMS LEARNED AT BIG CITY DEALER SCHOOL. DRIVING AT SPEEDS FROM 25-85 MPH TRUCK SEEMS TO RUN ROUGH. AND ALSO SEEMS TO HAVE LOST SOME POWER. MPG HAS GONE FROM 18.5 TO 15. HAVE BEEN TOLD EVERYTIME "WE RESET THE COMPUTER, NOTHING IS WRONG, ERGO IT IS "FIXED." NOT FINDING A PROBLEM IS NOT FIXING IT. TRUCK STILL RUNS ROUGH AT HIGHWAY SPEED. HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THIS IS "NORMAL." "THEY ALL DO THAT." FUNNY HOW THIS HAS JUST COME ABOUT IN THE PAST 3-4 WEEKS. BUT AT LEAST THE BRAKE PROBLEM HAS NOT COME BACK. AT LEAST ONE OTHER DEALER IS WILLING TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN AND TRY TO HELP. ORIGINAL DEALER HAS OFFERED NOTHING. I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY HATE THIS TRUCK. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › RotorCrash2 injured
Filed Jun 17, 20062,000 milesOH

I BOUGHT A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA ON FEB OF 2005. FROM THE VERY START I HAD A BAD VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE UNDER HEAVY BRAKING. WE FIRST TOOK THE VEHICLE AFTER 2000 MILES TO HAVE IT LOOK AT. DODGE COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM SO I TOOK IT BACK ANOTHER 7 TIMES BEFORE I ASKED FOR REPLACEMENT UNDER THE OHIO LEMON LAWS. DODGE CONTACTED ME IN EARLY OCTOBER WANTING TO LOOK AT THE TRUCK AGAIN BUT BEFORE I COULD BRING IT BACK IN, I GOT IN A ACCIDENT THAT WAS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE NON WORKING BRAKES. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, WHICH PUT A WOMEN IN THE HOSPITAL, MY WIFE TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO GET FIXED AND THE DEALER THREW HER OUT. WE LATER LEARNED THAT DODGE, DURING SOME RECALL WORK, NOTIFIED IT'S DEALER NETWORK NOT TO DO ANY MORE WORK ON THIS VEHICLES BRAKES. THIS FORCED US TO GO HIRE A LAWYER TO SUE FOR COMPENSATION. ALL ALONG I WAS STILL DRIVING THIS DANGEROUS VEHICLE. I GOT A CALL FROM THE LAWYERS ON MAY 30 TELLING ME THAT I SHOULD CONTACT THE DEALER AND SELL THE VEHICLE BACK. I DID JUST THAT, THE DEALER LIED TO ME, TOLD ME HE DID NOT HAVE THE PAPERWORK YET, WHICH HE DID, AND NOT TO CALL HIM. HE SAID THAT HE WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN HE RECIEVED THE PAPERWORK. IN THE MEANTIME MY WIFE GOT IN A ACCIDENT JUNE 14, AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY BRAKES AND PUT ANOTHER PERSON IN THE HOSPITAL. NOW THE LAWYERS WANT ME TO FIX THE TRUCK AGAIN AND HURRY UP AND SELL IT BACK TO DODGE, SO THEY CAN GET THEIR MONEY. THEY SAID THAT I SHOULD NOT PURSUE ANYTHING ELSE. DODGE SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TRAMPLE

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 5, 200650 milesCA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED, NHTSA RECALL, # 05V460000, REGARDING THE POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN HAWAII AND THE CONTACT IS UNABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SENT TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP FOR THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND EXPLAINED THEY WOULD NOT SHIP THE PART TO A MECHANIC IN HAWAII NOR WOULD THEY PAY FOR THE REPAIR BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed May 26, 200625,481 milesMO

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, BRAKING MUST BEGIN 150 FEET PRIOR TO THE STOPPING POINT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, ROTORS AND DRUMS, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed May 18, 20066,700 milesIN

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 55-65 MPH, THERE IS A VIBRATION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM, MULTIPLE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED; INCLUDING THE REAR SHAFT AXLE, ACTUATORS, DRUMS, 6 NUT WHEELS, CALIPER, ROTORS, THE MASTER CYLINDER COVER, AND AXLE SEALANT AND SEALS. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM PERSISTS.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed May 17, 20068,561 milesOH

THERE IS A PULSATION IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM WHEN STOPPING. FIRST HAD FRONT ROTORS TURNED, REAR AXLES & DRUMS REPLACED AT 3,081 MILES (4 MONTHS OLD). HAD FRONT ROTORS REPLACED AT 8,561 MILES (11 MONTHS OLD). STILL FEEL PULSATION WHEN SLOWING FROM 45-50 MPH. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 14, 2006100 milesOH

WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE OF OUR 2005 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB, WE STARTED TO EXPERIENCE THE VIBRATION IN THE TRUCK. WE HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK IN OVER 7 TIMES. AXLES, ROTORS, WHEEL BEARINGS, ETC., HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL. A ZONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM DCC SAID "IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE." BULL!! IF THIS IS A CHARACTERISTIC, WHY WERE WE NOT TOLD ABOUT IT WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WE TOO ARE WAITING FOR A RECALL THAT WILL PROBABLY NEVER BE ISSUED! WE WANT RESULTS. FIX OUR TRUCK AND MAKE IT RIGHT...*NM

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed May 1, 200611,000 milesNC

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ENGAGING THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE WAS GOING STRAIGHT IT WORKED. THE MORE THE CONTACT TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT THE WHEELS TENDED TO STICK AND NOT WANT TO ROLL. THE FRONT WHEELS TENDED TO LOCK IF TURNING IT ALL THE WAY TO RIGHT OR LEFT. IF VEHICLE WAS OFF ROAD AND GOING DOWN GRASSY SURFACE AND HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL, THE BACK WHEELS WILL PUSH THE VEHICLE OR CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE WHERE HE WANTED TO GO. IF VEHICLE WAS ON A PAVEMENT IT JUST LOCK OR FROZE UP. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED IT WAS THE NORMAL FUNCTION OF THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 1, 20068,900 milesFL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT 55 MPH THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

Suspension
Filed Apr 21, 20061 milesNY

MY TRUCKS STEERING WHEEL PULSATES WHEN DRIVING AT SPEED ABOVE 40 MPH AND UNBEARABLY AT SPEEDS OF 60 TO 65. WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK IT WILL SHIMMY AND SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN GOING OVER ANY ROAD SERVICE THAT IS NOT PERFECTLY FLAT. I WILL NO LONGER OPERATE THIS VEHICLE WITH MY WIFE OR CHILDREN IN THE CAR. NO ONE SHOULD ATTEMPT TO TOW WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE PULSATION THROUGHOUT OUT THE TRUCK WILL GET YOU SICK. YOU WILL FEEL AS THOUGH YOU ARE ABOUT TO LOSE CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE AT ANY MOMENT DUE TO ITS INSTABILITY. AFTER A HALF HOURS USE IN TRAFFIC MY BRAKES HEAT UP AND FEEL LIKE A CAR WITH THE ABS BEING ACTIVATED EVERYTIME YOU TOUCH THE BRAKE. MY DEALER HAS MADE FIVE ATTEMPTS TO FIX THIS TRUCK, THEY TRIED TO BLAME GOOD YEAR FOR THE COMPOSITION OF THE TIRE. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO A GOOD YEAR DEALER AND THEY CONCLUDED THE TIRES ARE FINE AND THERE IS NO UNUSUAL WEAR PATTERN, I HAD THE SAME TIRES ON MY DURANGO. I HAVE ONLY 8,000 MILES ON MY TRUCK AND FEEL I HAVE SPENT TO MUCH TIME TRYING TO BE A TEST FOR DODGE TO CORRECT ITS ENGINEERING MISTAKES. I AM GOING TO BEGIN THE LEMON LAW PAPERWORK. PLEASE MAKE DODGE TRY TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOME IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum
Filed Apr 20, 200619,000 milesVA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT HIGH SPEEDS, THERE WAS A PRONOUNCED VIBRATION THROUGH THE FRONT END AND THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE BRAKE DRUMS, DISC, AND SHOES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum
Filed Apr 18, 200635,000 milesMD

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A PRONOUNCED VIBRATION WITHIN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRUMS, ROTORS, AND CALIPERS WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Apr 7, 20063,000 milesMI

I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET CHRYSLER TO FIX THE VIBRATION/OR WOBBLING SENSATION IN MY 05 DODGE DAKOTA SINCE OCTOBER. THEY DID REPLACE THE AXLES BUT THE TRUCK STILL VIBRATES. THEY WILL NOT WORK ON MY TRUCK- THEY SAY EVERYTHING IS NORMAL AND I DISAGREE. I BELIEVE THERE ARE SAFETY ISSUES HERE. MY 3.7 V6 ENGINE HAS A LOWER ENGINE KNOCK AT SLOW IDLES. THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SOUND OR SAY IT IS NORMAL. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND HAD TO FINALLY HIRE A LAWYER FOR ADVICE. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY HEATER NOT WORKING AND TRANSMISSION/REAR END MAKING UNEXPLAINED NOISES. I'M VERY FRUSTRATED AND DISAPPOINTED WITH THE TRUCK AND HOW CHRYSLER IS HANDLING THE SITUATION. *JB

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Apr 5, 2006FL

'05 DAKOTA WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE TSB WHICH STATED THE REAR AXLE WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED, CAUSING A SHUDDERING WHILE BRAKING. SINCE THEN, THE SHUDDER HAS REAPPEARED AND CONTINUES TO WORSEN. THE VEHICLE HAS OVER 18,000 MILES ON IT AND THE SHUDDERING HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 02/2005. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Apr 3, 2006200 milesNJ

2005 DODGE DAKOTA'S HAVE A SERIOUS BRAKING SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. DODGE SEEMS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE BUT SERIOUS ACCIDENTS ARE ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. *JB

Suspension
Filed Mar 21, 20063,000 milesCA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR REPAIRS. THE FIRST TIME, THEY ALIGNED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE SECOND TIME, THEY REPLACED THE FRONT AXLE, LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 18, 200610,963 milesNY

REAR BRAKE PULSATION. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 25, 20069,400 milesPA

MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA 4 DOOR PICKUP STARTED TO SHIMMY VERY BAD AND I HAD A HARD TIME CONTROLLING THE TRUCK WHILE BRAKING ON STEEP DOWNHILL HIGHWAYS IN VIRGINIA AND WEST VIRGINIA. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP WHEN THEY RESURFACED THE ROTORS THAT THEY WOULD NOT LAST THROUGH VIRGINIA AND WEST VIRGINIA. MY TRUCK ONLY HAD 9,400 MILES ON IT. THIS IS THE SECOND PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON MY TRUCK. IF I HAVE NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM IN THE PAST I COULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON THESE STEEP GRADES. RESURFACING THE ROTORS OR DRUMS IS NOT THE SOLUTION, BUT IS GOING TO MAKE THE PROBLEM MORE SERIOUS DUE TO THE FACT THAT WHEN THESE PARTS ARE RESURFACED THEY TAKE AWAY METAL FROM THE ROTORS OR DRUMS WHICH MAKES THESE PARTS HEAT UP EVEN FASTER IN THIS SITUATION. THESE PARTS NEED TO BE REPLACES. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON A NEW TRUCK WOULD BE TAKEN MORE SERIOUS THAN JUST RESURFACING THE ROTORS. BUT I GUESS DODGE IS TRYING TO REPAIR THE BRAKES THE CHEAP WAY, UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED DUE TO THE BRAKES. THEN DODGE WILL MAYBE TAKE A LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Feb 16, 2006PA

2005 DAKOTA QUAD CAB HAS SEVER BRAKE PULSATION. CONSUMER HAD ROTORS REPLACED UNDER RECALL, BRAKES CONTINUED TO PULSATE. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABRUPT STOP. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ACCIDENT WAS BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE FAILED STATE INSPECTION DUE TO THE BRAKE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE DEALER CLAIMED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Shoes/Linings
Filed Feb 13, 20065,344 milesNY

LEASED NEW DAKOTA 5/05. ON 10/05 WITH 5344 MILES REAR BRAKES ,DRUMS AND WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE REPLACED DEALER AND DODGE SAID NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND WOULD NOT WARRANTY THEM SAID I USE THE BRAKES TO MUCH. ON 2/06 TRUCK WAS RETURNED TO DEALER NEEDED NEW REAR BRAKES ,DRUMS WERE TURNED,FRONT PADS WERE METAL ON METAL AND REPLACED , ROTORS AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED ALSO. MILES ON TRUCK WAS 9,700 DEALER AND DODGE SAID NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AGAIN AND WOULD NOT COVER THIS TOTAL COST SO FAR 1,400.00. I THINK IT COULD BE A DESIGN FLAW BECAUSE THEY PUT THE ADJUSTER AT THE TOP BY THE WHEEL CYLINDER. I KEPT ALL THE PARTS AND TOOK PIXS. SO I'M NOW ON THE 3RD SET OF REAR BRAKES. *NM

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle BarCrash
Filed Feb 9, 2006TX

2005 DODGE DAKOTA TILT STEERING DOES NOT WORK, BRAKES SHUDDERED. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THE BRAKE BUT THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD BEEN MILLED INCORRECTLY CAUSING THE BRAKES TO SHUDDER AND VIBRATE. THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE BRAKES SHUDDERED AND LOCKED UP. AS A RESULT HE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE BRAKES WERE CHECKED. NEITHER THE TECHNICIAN NOR THE COMPUTER FOUND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER TRADED THE VEHICLE IN FOR ANOTHER 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. *NM

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Jan 24, 20066,525 milesPA

SUNDAY 1-22-06 THE CD PLAYER QUIT WORKING IN 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THIS TRUCK HAS 6, 540 MILES ON IT. TODAY 1-24-06 THE BATTERY WAS DEAD WHEN I WOKE UP DUE TO THE CD PLAYER TRYING TO EJECT THE CDS ALL NIGHT LONG. I DROVE THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE TO ORDER A NEW RADIO. I DROVE OVER 30 MILES TO GET TO THE DEALER AND 30 MILES BACK. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Jan 23, 20066,475 milesPA

WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES THE TRUCK STARTED TO SHIMMY BADLY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY HAD TO RESURFACE THE ROTORS. THIS TRUCK HAS 6,524 MILES ON IT. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE ROTORS AND DRUMS BECAUSE MY 2001 DODGE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AT 14,000 MILES, THE DEALERSHIP SAID, "THESE ARE NEW AND IMPROVED ROTORS AND DRUMS". THEY ONLY LASTED 6,500 MILES. THIS IS NOT A GOOD THING AND SHOULD BE LOOKED AT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 23, 200519,000 milesUT

DT: THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH WHEN A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. HE PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND JUMPED. THE BRAKES LOCKED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO OVER A HILL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE FRAME REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.*AK UPDATED 01/23/06. *JB

Air Bags
Filed Dec 16, 2005IL

SINCE PURCHASING MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB IN FEB. OF '05, I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL TIMES THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS UP INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER CHECKED THE "CODES" AND FOUND NOTHING THAT INDICATED A CIRCUIT PROBLEM, SO THEY DONE NOTHING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. TWO DAYS AFTER THE SERVICE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON. THE DEALER EVEN SAID THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WOULD NOT OPERATE WHENEVER THE LIGHT IS ON. WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON, IT SOMETIMES STAYS ON 15 MINUTES, AND TYPICALLY ANYWHERE FROM 2 TO 15 MINUTES. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE SYSTEM WOULD FAIL IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, ENDANGERING MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. THIS IS THE PRIMARY FAMILY VEHICLE. *JB

Steering
Filed Dec 14, 20052,990 milesIA

MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA HAS HAS A STEERING PROBLEM STARTING JULY 2005. THE VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE/SQUEALING SOUND WHEN STEERING IS TURNED EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT. THIS NOISE IS MADE WITH LITTLE MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND CONTINUES TO THE STOP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED THREE TIMES REPLACING THE BELT AND TENSIONER TWICE, POWER STEERING PUMP, AND POWER STEERING RACK. VEHICLE STILL MAKES NOISE AND DEALERSHIP HAS NO IDEA WHAT PROBLEM IS. I CONTACTED CORPORATE AND ADVISED THEM OF THE PROBLEM AND HAVE BEEN GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM THEM ALSO. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, YET THEY TELL ME IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE! AS OF TODAY THEY CONTINUE TO TELL ME THAT ENGINEERING IS LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM. *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 23, 20051,500 milesCA

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V460000 CONCERNING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THEIR LOCAL DEALERSHIP. HE SPOKE TO THEIR MANUFACTURER, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Nov 22, 2005125 milesFL

PURCHASED MY NEW DODGE QUAD-CAB DAKOTA IN AUG 2005. IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THE TRUCK WOULD SHAKE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, ESPECIALLY AT ABOUT 50 MPH. SOME NEW VEHICLES CAN HAVE BRAKE ROTOR AND DRUM RUST AND I ASSUMED THAT THAT MAY HAVE BEEN THE PROBLEM. BUT AFTER 3000 MILES ON VEHICLE, I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER TO HAVE THEM DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I HAD WAITED TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP SO THE OIL COULD BE CHANGED AT THE SAME TIME. I ALSO WANTED TO ALLOW AMPLE TIME TO WEAR-IN THE NEW SHOES AND ROTORS ETC. DEALER ORDERED NEW FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ON NOV 8 2005 AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED ON NOV 22 2005 WITH TRUCK SHOWING ABOUT 3600 MILES ON ODOMETER. DEALER INFORMED ME WHEN I PICKED UP THE TRUCK THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT YET FIXED AND THAT REAR BRAKE PARTS WERE BEING ORDERED. THE SHIMMY AND SHAKE WHEN BRAKING AT AROUND 50 MPH IS SERIOUS AND WOULD CAUSE SAFETY CONCERNS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS SUCH AS SLICK OR ROUGH ROADS, AS APPLYING BRAKES CAUSES A BOUNCING SENSATION AS IF YOU WERE TRAVELING ON A WASHBOARD ROAD (SERIES OF SMALL HUMPS OR BUMPS). IT IS UPSETTING TO ME THAT THIS NEW VEHICLE IS SOLD WITH THE FACTORY BEING AWARE THAT THIS PROBLEMS EXISTS ON THESE VEHICLES. IT IS FRAUDULENT TO SELL A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE SUCH AS THIS AND KNOWING THE PROBLEM EXISTS. UNSAFE WHILE BRAKING AT MODERATE SPEEDS. *NM

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Nov 17, 2005860 milesIN

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT VIBRATED. THE BRAKES LOCKED, AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE AXLE, THE BRAKING SYSTEM, AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THIS ONLY MADE THE PROBLEM WORSE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SPECIFICALLY DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD AGAIN HAVE TO REPLACE THE AXLE, BRAKING SYSTEM, AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO BE REPAIRED AS SOON AS THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *AK UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB

Suspension
Filed Nov 9, 20053 milesFL

PURCHASED 2005 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB WITH 3 MILES , NOTICED A VIBRATION,SHIMMY IN STEERING WHEEL AND FLOOR BOARD AT ALL SPEEDS AND ON ALL TYPES OF ROADS, IT INCREASES ON BUMPY OR CONSTRUCTION ROADS. HAVE BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 7 TIMES, THEY BALANCED THE TIRES THEY INSTALLED NEW TIRES THEN THEY INSTALLED REAR AXLES AND DRUMS BUT VIBRATION CONTINUES. THE LAST COUPLE OF TIMES THEY SAID NORMAL FOR THAT VEHICLE OR COULD NOT DUPLICATE BUT THE AIR PRESSURE IN TIRES IS ALWAYS CHANGED OR TIRES ROTATED,. I FILED A LEMON LAW COMPLAINT BUT OF COURSE THE VERDICT IS DRIVES NORMAL. I JUST WANT A VEHICLE THAT DOESN'T SHAKE WHEN I DRIVE, COULD BE HAZZARD.SAFTY CONCERN. *NM

Electronic Stability Control › Automatic (asc)
Filed Nov 7, 20051,000 milesIA

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING A T HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON BUMPY ROADS THE VEHICLE HAD POOR STABILITY. HE FELT AS THOUGH HE COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. HE NOTED DAIMLER/CHRYSLER WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT AT THIS TIME THERE WAS NO SOLUTION. THE DEALER RESURFACED A ROTOR ON THE FRONT BRAKES WHICH DID RELIEVE SOME VIBRATION IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. NO FURTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK

Air Bags
Filed Nov 1, 2005AL

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WORKS SOME TIME IT DOESN'T. YOU CAN TURN THE SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON THE LIGHT MY GO OUT OR IT MAY NOT YOU NEVER KNOW WHETHER IT IS WORKING OR NOT. *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 17, 20053,554 miles00

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 5 TIMES. THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED GEARS, AND THERE WA SA CLANKING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED THE PUMP AND THE CONVERTER. IT WILL STICK IN GEAR, AND IT SEEMED TO HAVE NO POWER WHEN GOING UP A HILL IN REVERSE. DEALER SAID TO KEEP BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER SAID TO THE CONTACT CALL CONSUMER OFFICE AND FILE A COMPLAINT. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Oct 14, 2005100 milesMD

I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS TRUCK FOR 2 AND HALF MONTHS, ONLY 3800 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED IT WAS SHAKING REAL BAD WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND THEY HAD IT FOR 4 DAYS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD A TSB THAT THE REAR AXLES AND DRUMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SO THEY DID THAT AND GAVE IT BACK TO ME AND I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK THE SAME DAY, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT FIX IT. SO.. THEN THEY HAD IT FOR 9 DAYS AND I HAD TOLD THEM THAT I WAS GETTING REAL UPSET ABOUT THIS AND THE MANAGER LOOK ME IN MY FACE AND ASKED ME WHAT WAS I GOING TO DO ABOUT IT. YOU HAVE REAL GOOD PEOPLE SELLING YOUR TRUCKS. BUT ANY WAY. WHEN I WAS FINALLY CALLED 9 DAYS LATER, THEY TOLD ME THAT DODGE HAD TO RE DESIGN THE REAR PLATE. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF THINGS DONE TO THESE TRUCKS AND NOTHING IS FIXING THEM. LOOK AT HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING TROUBLE. I ALSO CALL CHRSYLER AND THEY NEVER RETURNED MY CALL...I CALLED TWICE. THEY REFUSED A LOANER OR A RENTAL. TOLD ME I HAD TO DRIVE IT THE WAY IT IS...MAYBE UNTIL SOMETIME IN NOVEMBER...WHO KNOWS...I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS TRUCK...I WILL NOT PUT MY KIDS IN THIS TRUCK. I WILL NEVER DEAL WITH WALDORF DODGE AGAIN AND I WILL NEVER BUY A DODGE AGAIN. SO MUCH FOR THE CONSUMER THERE..WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THERE MISTAKES....SOMEONE HELP.........OH YEAH I ASKED FOR THEM TO BUY THE TRUCK BACK AND THEY TOLD ME THAT FIRST THEY HAVE TO MAY SURE IT CAN BE FIXED SO THAT WOULD BEABLE TO RESELL IT...NOW WHAT KIND OF SERVICE IS THAT....HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP 2 TIMES N

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 14, 2005MD

I BOUGHT A NEW 2005 DODGE DAKOTA FROM HERITAGE DODGE (REISTERTOWN MD)PARTIALLY BECAUSE OF THE GAS MILAGE ADVERTISED AT 16MPG CITY/20MPG HIGHWAY. I HAVE BEEN MONITORING THE MPG AND FOUND OUT THAT I AM GETTING 9 MILES PER GALLON NO MATTER WHERE I DRIVE(CITY OR HIGHWAY). THIS IS A MID-SIZE TRUCK AND SHOULD BE GETTING BETTER MPG. I HAVE CONTACTED MY SALESPERSON(TIM) AND HE REFERRED ME TO CALL ROB SCHMIDT(SERVICE DEPT.???) WHO HAS NOT RETURNED ANY OF MY NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS TO CHECK ON THIS PROBLEM. MY SALESPERSON(TIM) TOLD MY WIFE ON THE PHONE THAT THE TRUCK SHOULD BE GETTING BETTER MILAGE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW DODGE CAN ADVERTISE ON THE STICKER THESE FALSE MILES PER GALLON WHEN THEY KNOW THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY FALSE. TOM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Oct 11, 200550 milesMD

DT: 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN BRAKING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE REAR AXLES AND DRUMS AND RESURFACED THE ROTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN, AND IT WAS GIVEN BACK TO THE CONTACT. THE SECOND TIMETHE BRAKES HAVE TO BE REDESIGNED, AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE FIXED THEM UNTIL NOVEMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING AS SOON AS THE CONTACT GOT ITON AUGUST 15, 2005. HE THOUGHT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE BROKEN IN AT THIS TIME.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Oct 9, 20052,000 milesAZ

I OWN A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA WHICH I PURCHASED IN AUGUST. WITHIN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, I'VE EXPERIENCED SEVERE BRAKE SHUTTER. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM FOR SERVICE ON THE BRAKES. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE SERVICE ADVISOR THE SAME DAY STATING THAT THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE BRAKE PROBLEM. HE ALSO STATED THAT DODGE IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND IS WORKING ON A KIT TO REMEDY IT. THIS STATEMENT LEADED ME TO RESEARCH WHO ELSE MAY BE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. TO MY SURPRISE I FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN, BY DODGE, FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS. THEY HAVE A TSB #05-004-05 FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS BY OTHER DAKOTA OWNERS ABOUT THEIR FRUSTRATION WITH RESOLVING THE BRAKE PROBLEM. THEY'VE HAD THEIR TRUCKS IN THE SHOP MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NO RESOLUTION. I UNDERSTAND THEIR FRUSTRATION. WHEN YOU EXPERIENCE THE SHUTTER WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, IT IS FRIGHTENING. VEHICLES SHOULD NOT MAKE YOU FEEL UNSAFE, ESPECIALLY A NEW ONE. WHY CAN'T DODGE REMEDY THIS PROBLEM AND WHY IF THEY HAVE KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM, WHY DID THEY NOT INFORM ME OF THIS WHEN I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK TWO MONTHS AGO? I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND ALL THE DEALER CAN DO IS LET ME KNOW WHEN DODGE HAS ISSUED A KIT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SO MUCH FOR CUSTOMER CARE! *NM

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 8, 2005NY

I WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT WITH MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK. IN WHICH I HIT A POLE. I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT WHICH WAS 35 MPH. WHEN I HIT THE POLE MY AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT THERE ARE SENSORS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUMPER. WHEN I TOOK PICTURES OF THE BUMPER THEY SHOW THAT I HIT IT WITHIN INCHES OF THE CENTER OF THE BUMPER. WHEN I TOOK THOSE PICTURES TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT THE SENSORS ARE ON THE SUPPORT BEAMS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THEY DIDN'T GO OFF AND IF THERE WAS OR IS ANY RECALLS ON THIS. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Drum
Filed Sep 23, 2005470 milesAL

AT 470 MILES, MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CAB DEVELOPED A BAD SHIMMY/VIBRATION WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS WERE DEFECTIVE. THEY REPLACED THEM UNDER WARRANTY AND SEVERAL DAYS LATER THE PROBLEM RETURNED. THEY MACHINED THE REAR DRUMS AND PUT THEM BACK ON THE VEHICLE. AT 1472 MILES I HAD TO RETURN TO THE DEALER AGAIN. THE SAME VIBRATION UPON APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES HAD RETURNED, ONLY WORSE. THEY CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM AND MACHINED THE DRUMS ONE LAST TIME. THIS FIX ONLY WORKED FOR A FEW MORE DAYS. THE SHIMMY/VIBRATION WAS GONE, ONLY TO BE REPLACED BY A LOUD THUMPING NOISE FROM THE REAR END WHENEVER BRAKES WERE APPLIED. AT THIS TIME, THE VEHICLE HAD JUST OVER 1700 MILES ON IT. I RETURNED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON 13 SEPTEMBER 2005 AND THE SERVICE TEAM MADE 6 MORE ATTEMPTS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, INCLUDING BRAND NEW DRUMS, MACHINING OF SAME AND TRYING DRUMS FROM ANOTHER 2005 DAKOTA IN THEIR INVENTORY. NOTHING WORKED. THE PROBLEM IS WORSE THAN EVER. THEY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 10 DAYS AND COULD NOT FIX IT! IT WAS RETURNED TO ME STILL DEFECTIVE ON 22 SEPTEMBER 2005. I SENT A CERTIFIED LETTER TO DAIMLER CHRYSLER CUSTOMER CENTER ON 23 SEPTEMBER 2005 NOTIFYING THEM OF MY INTENT TO INVOKE MY RIGHTS UNDER ALABAMA LEMON LAW SECTION 8-20A. I WANT A FULL REFUND. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! *JB

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Sep 20, 20051,000 milesFL

BRAND NEW 2005 DODGE DAKOTA HAS THE WRONG AXLE ON IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IT ONLY HAD 9 MILES ON IT. I PUT IT IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOR THE AXLE AND NOW IT HAS 1,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS FRAUDULENT. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 8, 2005FL

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA LARAMIE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN IT RAINS WATER IS SUCKED UP THROUGH THE AIR INTAKE AND FORCED TO THE BACK OF THE ENGINE, CAUSING IT TO GO INTO THE PISTONS. THERE WAS NO PLACE FOR THE WATER TO GO SO IT BROKE THE NUMBER FIVE PISTON. THE CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO COVER THE EXPENSE OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE REPAIR WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP WILL HAVE TO PULL THE HEAD AND REPLACE THE NUMBER FIVE PISTON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE VEHICLE STARTED MISSING.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Cooling Unit and Lines
Filed Sep 2, 2005VA

ALL 2005 DODGE DAKOTAS WERE BUILT MISSING SOME OF ITS TRAILER TOW PACKAGE OPTIONS, FIRST IS THE AUX. TRANS COOLER, SECOND IS THE HEAVYDUTY COOLING SYSTEM, I COMPARED MINE TO EVERYONE ON THE LOT AND THEY WERE ALL BUILT THE SAME WAY. I FELL AS IF CHRYSLER IS MISS LEADING THE CONSUMER. I CONTACTED CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE SEVERAL TIMES ONLY TO GET THE RUN AROUND AND I WAS ALWAYS REFERRED BACK TO THE DEALER WHO IN MY OPINION WAS NOT ONLY RUDE, REFUSED TO RETURN MY PHONE CALLS, ALTHOUGH I AM VERY UNSATISFIED WITH THE DEALERS RESPONCE IN THE MATTER, I IM VERY UPSET WITH CHRYSLER DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE THE COMPANY WHO MADE AND ADVERTISED THE VEH. AND LISTED IT'S OPTIONS. THE LOVE THE TRUCK BUT I JUST WISH IT HAD THE OPTIONS I PAID FOR.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 25, 20055,995 milesNY

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED IMMEDIATELY HE BEGAN EXPERIENCING THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATING. THE SERVICE DEALER DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED HE KEPT EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM, AND IT DID GET WORSE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, BUT THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS DID ALMOST FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT AFTER A WEEK OF DRIVING, THE PULSATION APPEARED AGAIN. THE SERVICE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND STATED THEY DID NOT FEEL THE PULSATION. THEY WERE DOING THE BEST THEY COULD FOR THE CONSUMER.*AK *NM UPDATED 07/25/06. *JB

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Aug 23, 20053,000 milesFL

I PURCHASED MY 05 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB IN MAY 2005. APPROX. 1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASE I STARTED EXPERIENCING SEVERE VIBRATION WHEN TRYING TO COME TO A STOP OR SLOW DOWN ESPECIALLY OVER 40 MPH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN WHICH I PURCHASED (SERVICE DEPT) AND THEY TOLD ME THE REAR AXLE IS OUT OF FACTORY SPECS. THEY REPLACED MY REAR AXLE & DRUMS. THIS TOOK 5 DAYS. WHEN I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE IN MID JULY, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPT. (IT IS STILL THERE AND IT HAS BEEN 12 DAYS) THEY TELL ME THEY HAVE REPLACED THE AXLE 5 TIMES AND THE VIBRATION IS STILL THERE. I CONTACTED DIAMLERCHYSLER AND THEY ARE SENDING A REP. FROM THEIR OFFICE TO TRY AND REPAIR. I HAVE ALREADY FILED FOR THE LEMON LAW (DEFECTIVE VEHICLE FORM) AS I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN 15 DAYS. STILL HAVE NOT HEARD A THING FROM THE DEALERSHIP OR FROM DAIMLERCHRYSLER.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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