TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RESURFACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO MORE OCCASIONS AND THEY REPLACED THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR, RACK AND PINION, LOWER BALL JOINTS, AND TIE RODS. ALL OF THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENT IN REMEDYING THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
2006 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 2006 record →
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AND THE TIE ROD FELL OFF MY TRUCK AND BOTH FRONT WHEELS BUCKLED. THIS IS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK WITH GREASELESS BALL JOINTS IN THE FRONT END. THE TRUCK WAS JUST IN THE MANUFACTURES SHOP 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS FOR SERVICE AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE THIS WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. I'M NOT BLAMING THEM I'M JUST MAKING A POINT THAT THERE WAS NO SIGN THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. AND I KNOW THAT THEY LOOKED AT THE FRONT END BECAUSE THEY LET ME KNOW THAT MY BRAKES WERE GETTING CLOSE TO NEEDING REPLACED. AND THE TIE ROD IS BOLTED ON RIGHT WHERE THEY LOOK TO CHECK THE BRAKES. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AND OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE DRIVING THESE TRUCKS. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING 50 TO 60 MPH I PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE HERE TYPING THIS RIGHT NOW. THIS IS A TWO WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK THAT HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR OFF ROAD DRIVING. I DID KEEP THE TIE ROD AND HAVE PICTURES OF IT IF NEEDED SHOWING HOW DRIED OUT AND RUSTY IT IS ON THE INSIDE. SO I HOPE YOU DO GIVE THIS SERIOUS THOUGHTS ABOUT LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER. THANK YOU JOHN!!! *TR
2006 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. LOUD CLUNK OR BANG FROM REAR END OF VEHICLE WHILE IN REVERSE. IT HAPPENED TWICE IN THE FIRST 3 WEEKS OF OWNING THE TRUCK. TOOK IT IN,WAS TOLD NOTHING WRONG. IT HAS NOT RECURRED. *TR
REGARDS TO A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA CLUBCAB PICKUP TRUCK. LOUD BANG FROM REAR END OF TRUCK @ A STOP @ A TOLL BOOTH ON MASS PIKE I-90 IN WESTBORO,MA. TOWED TO NEARBY WESTBORO DODGE DEALER. REAR END FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT DOWN FAILED. COULD HAVE CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. STILL @ DEALERSHIP. TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 3000 MILES. BEEN IN TOUCH WITH CHRYSLER DEALER, THEY ARE CALLING IT A DEFECT BUT WANT ME TO PAY FIRST $500.00. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT THAT THE DOT SHOULD BE AWARE OF. IF I WAS TRAVELING AND NOT STOPPED THE DRIVE SHAFT COULD HAVE FELL COMPLETELY OUT AND CAUSED A CRASH OR EVEN WORSE. MY TRUCK IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 16 2008. I'M A SINGLE MOM AND TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF THE TRUCK. IT WAS SERVICED EVER 3,000 MILES OIL, FLUIDS ECT. I'M WAITING NOW ON FAXES FROM WESTBORO DODGE IN WESTBORO MA. TO SEE ALL OF THE DEFECTS INVOLVED. PLEASE CONTACT ME THANK YOU! *TR
THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED 12-14-06 AND SHORTLY AFTER I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE THE BOUNCING AND ROLLING ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION AS WELL AS NUMEROUS TYPES OF RATTLING NOISES. SHOCKS WERE REPLACED ON 3-14-07 AND FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS ON 4-24-07. SINCE THEN, FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS WERE REPLACED AGAIN AS WELL AS ONE TIE ROD END. ONE SWAY BAR LINK WAS REPLACED IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND THE OTHER IS CURRENTLY NEEDS REPLACED. THE CONDITION HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND NOW INCLUDES A FRONT END SHAKING ON ALMOST SMOOTH ROADS AS WELL AS THE STEERING WHEEL MOVING LEFT AND RIGHT IN MY HANDS WHEN GOING AROUND TURNS. THIS VEHICLE IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I HAVE TO VIRTUALLY HOLD A DEATH GRIP ON THE WHEEL TO KEEP FROM LOOSING CONTROL WHEN I HIT A BUMP, DIP, STRIP BUMP, PAVEMENT WAVES, ETC. *TR
JUST LAST WEEK AT 42,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I REPLACED THE STEERING RACK AND THE POWER STEERING STILL DOESN'T SEEM TO BE WORKING ONLY OCCASIONALLY. I AM NOW BEING TOLD TO BRING THE TRUCK BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP. HONESTLY, IF THEY WOULD JUST TAKE THIS TRUCK BACK .I DON'T EVEN WANT MONEY BACK FOR IT..JUST SET ME FREE OF THIS TRUCK AND LOAN AND I'D BE HAPPY. *TR
MY 06 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 61K HIGHWAY MILES ON IT , NEEDS BEARING , TIERODS, AND THE SUSPENSION IS WORN OUT, I DOT'S TOW OR HAUL ANYTHING HEAVY WITH THIS TRUCK. AND FROM WHAT IM HEARING FROM OTHERS IS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
AS I WAS DRIVING I STARTED HEARING A THUMPING COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AT MONRO IN TUNKHANNOCK. HE ADVISED THAT THE SWAY BAR HAS GONE BAD. ALONG WITH 80,000 OTHER PEOPLE THAT OWN DODGE DAKOTA TRUCKS, HE PUT ME ON A WAITING LIST TO GET THE PART. IT HAS BEEN 6 MONTHS. NO RECALL, AND I AM STILL DRIVING MY 2006 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB TRUCK AROUND WITH A BROKEN SWAY BAR. THE PART ISN'T EVEN AVAILABLE ON THE AFTERMARKET EITHER. IF I WOULD LIKE TO TRADE MY VEHICLE I WILL TAKE A LOSS BECAUSE THIS PIECE IS BROKEN. NOW MY RACK IS GOING BAD BECAUSE OF THE ADDED PRESSURE ON IT BECAUSE OF THE SWAY BAR BEING BAD. I TRIED TO CALL AND TALK TO SOMEONE AT CHRYSLER AND THEY SAID SORRY...NOT SURE WHEN IT'S GOING TO BE AVAILABLE. HONESTLY I WANT IT FIXED...I AM TIRED OF WAITING...AND IF CHRYSLER CAN'T KEEP UP WITH THEIR SHABBY PARTS...LET ME TRADE MY TRUCK FOR A DIFFERENT ONE AND GIVE ME FULL TRADE IN VALUE ON THE TRUCK. THIS IS WRONG! HIGHWAY ROBBERY AT IT'S BEST. PLEASE I AM BEGGING YOU TO PLEASE DO SOMETHING. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I BOUGHT IT KNEW WITH INTENTIONS OF KEEPING IT FOREVER BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE. I HAVE A 6 YEAR OLD THAT RIDES WITH ME OFTEN. THIS MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS TO DRIVE IT WITH HER...BUT I DON'T HAVE A CHOICE. HELP! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESTRAIN PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. SHE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY HAVE NOT PROVIDED A REFERENCE NUMBER. THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
2006 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 SXT PICK UP TRUCK WITH 27,000 MILES POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK WHEN COLD. PROBLEM SEEMS TO GO AWAY AFTER ENGINE HAS WARMED UP. *TR
WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY/EXPRESSWAY THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SEEM TO SHIFT TO THE NEXT GEAR. THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE VERY ROUGHLY AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE TO THE DESIRED SPEED. *TR
ENGINE WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO PURCHASE TRUCK WAS SOLD AS NEW ENGINE REPLACEMENT WAS NOT DISCLOSED, CONTINUING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, REPLACED TRANSMISSION AT 8800 MILES, VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION ON FREEWAY, MULTIPLE EXHAUST LEAKS, HUB FAN REPLACED. WHEN A PROBLEM REPEATS ITSELF THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS IT TO BE "NORMAL". DEALER PRINCIPLE UNWILLING TO ADDRESS ISSUES. I CONTINUE TO HEAR NOISES AND HAVE TRANSMISSION ISSUES. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT DO ANY WORK ON THE VEHICLE UNLESS I GO WHEN ITS CONVIENT FOR THE "TECHNICIAN" TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. DEALERSHIP LIED ABOUT ENGINE BEING RECALLED AS AN EXPLANATION FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE WHEN IN FACT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATING TO THE ENGINE. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS ALL REPAIRS ARE NORMAL WHEN IN THE MANUEL IT ONLY STATES MAINTENANCE IS REQUIRED AT HIGH MILEAGE NOT REPLACEMENT BEFORE 10K.*CN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JUMP SIDEWAYS WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR POTHOLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. AS OF DECEMBER 13, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,600.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE OIL FILTER. SHE WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE INTERNAL ENGINE AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CHRYSLER ADVISED HER TO FAX ALL THE OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS. THE CONTACT CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.
I HAD A COLLISION CAUSING $5,000 OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY IN MAINE, SHAKING OF REAR WHEEL WAS NOTICED AND 2006 DODGE DAKOTA WAS PULLED OVER. TWO WHEEL STUDS WERE BROKEN, NUTS MISSING. ALL REMAINING WHEEL NUTS ON ALL WHEELS WERE CHECKED AND WERE ALL LOOSE. UPON TIGHTENING A THIRD NUT ON THE SAME REAR TIRE, IT BROKE OFF. WHEN THE REAR DRUM WAS LATER REMOVED FOR REPAIR, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WERE THREE CRACKS ON THE BRAKE DRUM LINING. ALLOY WHEEL RIM WAS DAMAGED. REPAIRS NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED WITHOUT DEALER ASSISTANCE DUE TO REMOTE LOCATION. ORIGINAL DEALER WAS NOTIFIED , BUT HAS YET TO CHECK VEHICLE. ANOTHER DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND WILL PERFORM A SAFETY CHECK. WEB SEARCHES INDICATE THAT DEATHS HAVE RESULTED FROM THIS TYPE OF FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
POST WHEEL STUD FAILURES PREVIOUSLY REPORTED AND WHILE REPAIRING THE VEHICLE FOR THAT ISSUE, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINING ON DRUM FROM THE WHEEL WITH THE BROKEN STUDS SHOWED THREE CRACKS VISIBLE. TWO CRACKS WERE ABOUT THE WIDTH OF THE LINING AND ONE WAS A SMALLER FRACTURE ON THE EDGE. ORIGINAL DEALER WAS INFORMED ON 10/22/07, BUT HAS NOT RESPONDED WITH R A CONFIRMATION FOR A SAFETY CHECK APPOINTMENT. OR MEETING TO DISCUSS THE FAILURES. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND GREATER, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VIBRATION IS MORE FREQUENT AT LOWER SPEEDS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE FAILING INTERMITTENTLY AS WELL. THE FAILURE BEGAN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V038000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRESENT AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 550 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,192. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO ADJUST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNCORRECTABLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. UPDATED 09/11/07 *TR
WE PURCHASED A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB 4X4 TRUCK INTENDED FOR OUR BUSINESS USE AND PERSONAL USE, IN SEPTEMBER 2006 WITH 15 MILES ON IT FROM NEBRASKA, WE LIVE IN IOWA. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE AND REPAIRED JANUARY 2007, (EXACT DATES UNAVAILABLE AT THIS WRITING DUE TO THE FACT THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP). THE BRAKES WOULD GRAB INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DESCENDING A HILL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHIMMER AND SHAKE VICIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN AND REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE FREE. TOTAL DAYS LOST 2. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON MAY 30, 2007. WE WERE ON VACATION IN WI AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'TSTART. WE WERE MADE TO WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK THAT HAD TO DRIVE AN HOUR AWAY TO BE ABLE TO TOW US LESS THAN 15 MILES. WE HAD TO RENT A VEHICLE (CAR) THAT I WAS UNABLE TO USE FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES, TO RETURN HOME FOR MY SPOUSE TO BE ABLE TO GET TO WORK. THIS MEANT WE HAD TO DRIVE BACK WITH THE RENTAL TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. IT WAS 4 DAYS WITH THE RENTAL. THE DIAGNOSIS COULD NOT BE MADE WITH THE TOOL UNTIL THE MASTER COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. AFTER THIS WAS DONE, NOTHING WRONG. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS USED AFTER OUR RETURN HOME, I DROVE LESS THAN 15 MILES AND IT DID THE SAME THING, WOULDN'T START. THE ENGINE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT TURN OVER. AGAIN, NO WARNING LIGHTS. I CALLED THE TOWING SERVICE PROVIDED BY DAIMLER, I WAITED AN HOUR AND 45 MINUTES. I DECIDED TO TRY IT AGAIN JUST SECONDS BEFORE THE TOW GUY ARRIVED AND IT STARTED. I DECIDED TO NOT HAVE IT TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR, THE
BOUGHT THE VECHILE USED WITH 5500 MILES ON IT AND HAVE HAD IT BACK TO SERVICE 5 TIMES NOW FOR REAR BRAKE DRUM WARPAGE. IT BEGINS TO HAVE A VERY NOTICABLE SHUTTER STOPPING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS(55-60 MPH). 1ST TIME THRU RESURFACED DRUMS.2,3 AND 4TH TIMES THRU BAD SET OF DRUMS ..REPLACED SHOES AND DRUMS, 5TH TIME DODGE REFUSES TO REPLACE ANYTHING DEALER PICKED UP THE TAB TO RESURFACE DRUMS ONLY... THE CLAIM THEY CHECK FOR AXEL RUNOUT AND CHECKED ALL THEY COULD..DODGE WARRENTY FOLKS WON'T EVEN TALK TO BE ABOUT IT OTHER THEN TO SAY "SO SORRY" VERY VERY VERY UPSET MY FIRST DODGE AND MY LAST...
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FORTHE 2006 DODGE DAKOTA TO HAVE THE CAB COMPARTMENT NODE REPAIRED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR 4 HOURS, AND ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE HAND HELD COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP A SECOND TIME, AND AFTER WAITING FOUR HOURS THE CONTACT REQUESTED THE VEHICLE, AND STATED HE WOULD RESCHEDULE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 29,000 MILES. *AK
TL* - THE CONTACT SAID THAT HE WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM HIS TRUCK. THEN CONTACT PULLED OVER AT WHICH TIME HE NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING WHICH CREATED THE SMOKE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THEY FOUND A SMALL FIRE UNDER THE CAR. THE CONTACT SAID THAT HE WILL RETAIN A COPY OF THE REPORT ONCE IT IS RECEIVED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT KNOW ONE HAS HELPED HIM. THE DEALER (AUTO WEST DODGE) AT ROSEVILLE CA, TOLD HIM THE THEY CAN NOT REPAIR THE CAR UNTIL THE MANUFACTURER TELLS THEM.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL IMPACT CRASH. THE APPROXIMATE SPEED AT TIME OF IMPACT WAS 45 MPH. THERE WAS PRE-IMPACT BRAKING. THE OCCUPANT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED THREE BROKEN RIBS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STERNUM AND A FRACTURED LEFT SCAPULA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. UPDATED 01/31/07. *JB
2006 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 QUAD CAB, 4508 MILES, FAILED MASTER SWITCH FOR POWER WINDOWS (SWITCH FOR RIGHT REAR WINDOW DOES NOT WORK). THIS MASTER SWITCH FAILED A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING NEW IN 04 AUGUST 2006. ON MY SECOND VISIT 16-NOV-2006 TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY FOUND THE SWITCH TO BE DEFECTIVE AGAIN. NOW I HAVE TO TAKE THE TRUCK IN AGAIN TO GET THE SWITCH REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. DODGE CLAIMS THERE IS NO RECALL BUT THE MASTER SWITCH IS ON BACK ORDER. MAKES YOU WONDER IF DODGE IS NOT REVEALING SOMETHING. I HAVE DRIVEN ALMOST 50 TO 60 MILES ROUND TRIP TO GET THIS RESOLVED. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ONLY ONE GALLON OF GAS WOULD FLOW INTO THE GAS TANK AT A TIME. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO FILL THE TANK, GASOLINE BACKED UP OUT OF THE FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT 10 TO 12 INCHES OF THE VENT HOSE WAS MELTED. THE PARTS WERE ORDERED. UPDATED 11/30/06.*JB
WE PURCHASED A NEW 2006 DODGE DAKOTA IN AUGUST. AFTER TEST DRIVING SEVERAL MODELS WE ORDERED ONE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. WE WERE NOT TOLD THAT WE WERE TEST DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH TILT WHEEL. SO THE VEHICLE WE RECEIVED HAD NO TILT WHEEL, WHICH WOULD BE FINE IF YOU COULD SEE THE SPEEDOMETER WHEN THE SPEED IS 50 TO 70 MPH. THE DRIVERS ARE 5'6" AND 6' TALL. THE 6' TALL PERSON HAS THE SEAT BACK AS FAR AS THE LEGS WILL ALLOW AND HAS THE SEAT TILTED BACK. THE 5'6' PERSON IS UNABLE TO SIT UP STRAIGHT IN THE SEAT AND SEE THE SPEEDOMETER. UPON CALLING THE DEALERSHIP WE WERE TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN IS A DESIGN FLAW AND WE ARE STUCK WITH THE PROBLEM. WE FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED. TILT WHEELS SHOULD NOT BE AN OPTION IT SHOULD BE STANDARD. CHRYSLER'S SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES TOLD US THAT ITS WAS OUR PROBLEM, THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW US TO TALK TO THEIR MANAGERS AND EVENTUALLY HUNG UP ON US. WE WERE UN ABLE TO CONTACT THE CHRYSLER REGIONAL REPRSENTATIVE FOR OUR AREA, BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO GIVE OUT THAT INFORMATION. EVERYONE HAS BEEN QUITE UNCOOPERATIVE IN THIS SITUATION.
MY RELATIVELY NEW (4000K) 2006 QUAD CAB DODGE DAKOTA KEEPS STALLING WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. DURING ONE OF THESE EVENTS, I WAS ON A HILL AND APPROACHED A STOP SIGN WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. IT WAS THEN IT STARTED TO ROLL BACK AND ALMOST IMPACT THE CAR BEHIND ME. THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL MORE TIMES IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND WHERE SEVERAL CARS BEHIND ME STARTED TO MOVE IN ANTICIPATION OF MY VEHICLE MOVING AND ALMOST HIT MY CAR. NOT RISKING A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT, I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP. THE SHOP STATED IT WAS THE GAS QUALITY AND NO CODES WERE PRESENT IN THE COMPUTER. IT WAS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT I SHOULD TRY A DIFFERENT GAS! I THEN DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE (BECAUSE I KNEW IT WAS NOT THE GAS) AND IT WAS REVEALED TOO ME THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM IN DODGE TRUCKS. THE RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP IS ALSO COMMON, WITH THIS PROBLEM (AND IT HAPPENED TO ME) THAT NO CODES CAME UP IN THE COMPUTER, THEREFORE CANNOT BE FIXED. THIS IS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN. *JB
ON 07/17/06 AT APPROX. 3:45 PM. WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 - 40 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN PHOENIX AZ.. OUTSIDE TEMP. AROUND 108 - 110 *F ON A NEWISH RUBBERIZED SURFACE. THE CARS AHEAD OF ME STOPPED QUITE QUICKLY. I APPLIED THE BRAKES FIRMLY THE TRUCK FELT AS IF I WERE ON ICE. NOT SEEMING TO SLOW THE TRUCK DOWN AT ALL. RESULTING IN A CRASH. THERE WERE 2 SKID MARKS FROM THE REAR TIRES. NOTHING FROM THE FRONT. IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTN. THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL OF MANY DAKOTA 2006 TRUCKS RE: ABS BRAKES NOT STOPPING CORRECTLY CAUSING ACCIDENTS. THIS DESCRIBES WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME. IS THIS TRUCK DEFECTIVE. THERE HAS BEEN RECALL ON THIS TRUCK TYPE . IS THIS ONE OF THEM. VIN # [XXX] 2006 DAKOTA, PLEASE RESPOND TO [XXX] OR [XXX], [XXX], THANK YOU ! *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE STALLING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES WHO INDICATED THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT A REMEDY TO THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED. BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THERE ARE OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME STALLING PROBLEM. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED IT GOES TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED IT WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD REST DOES NOT ADJUST FORWARD OR BACKWARD. THE OCCUPANTS MUST SLOUCH TO REST THEIR HEAD. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS IS HOW THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED. *JB UPDATED 09/13/06. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPROACHING A PARKING SPACE AT 5MPH, BOTH THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL WERE DEPRESSED SIMULTANEOUSLY, BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN ALERTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION.
MECHANICS REFUSED TO FIX OR REPLACE 2006 DAKOTA. *TS *JB
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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