1994 Dodge Dakota brake problems

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

FRONT LEFT DOOR SNAPPED OFF. I CAN'T OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO, BOTH SEAT BELTS SNAPPED, THE AIR AND HEAT DOESN'T WORK, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, WHICH AFFECTED THE STEERING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLED. THERE WAS A ROUGH IDLE AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE TIRES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. ALSO, I HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE IDLER ARM IS IN THE PROCESS OF BREAKING, THE IGNITION BROKE AFTER THE KEYS BECAME STUCK, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE BEARING AND BUSHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10512159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

SUDDEN NEAR-COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO DEFECTIVE BOLT HOLDING MASTER CYLINDER IN PLACE TO HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR. ON 05-14-2005, MY 18 YEAR OLD SON COMPLETED HIS SHIFT AT WORK. HE WENT OUT TO OUR 1994 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP AND STARTED THE ENGINE. AS HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL HE HEARD A METALLIC NOISE AS IF SOMETHING HAD BROKEN. HE DROVE TO OUR NEARBY RESIDENCE AT VERY LOW SPEED. THERE WAS NO COLLISION, BUT HE REPORTED SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED BRAKE PERFORMANCE. AT OUR RESIDENCE, MY MECHANIC AND I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. I AM A 21-YEAR EXPERIENCED POLICE COLLISION INVESTIGATOR. WE FOUND THAT THE LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) BOLT HOLDING THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER TO THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR (AKA: HYDROBOOST) HAD BROKEN OFF. THE BOLT APPEARS TO BE A LOW GRADE STUD THAT IS PRESSED INTO THE FORWARD COVER OF THE HYDROBOOST UNIT. THE BOLT / STUD IS OF SMALL DIAMETER FOR SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT. IT APPEARED TO BE OVER-TIGHTENED AT THE FACTORY (MOST LIKELY), OR WORE OUT DUE TO METAL FATIGUE (LESS LIKELY AS THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000 MILES ON IT). THERE IS A SECOND BOLT HOLDING THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE HYDROBOOST. THE SECOND BOLT HELD IN PLACE, ALLOWING REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS FALLING DOWN AND TO THE RIGHT AT ABOUT A 35 DEGREE ANGLE. HAD THIS DEFECT OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, OR WHEN PULLING A LOAD, A CATASTROPHIC COLLISION WOULD HAVE LIKELY OCCURRED. THE TWO BOLTS APPEAR TO BE TOO SMALL IN DIAMETER FOR ANY VEHICLE, PARTICULARLY A LIGHT PICKUP TRUCK. ALTHOUGH THIS VEHICLE IS A 1994 MODEL YEAR, IT IS STILL IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I LIVE IN A SEMI-ARID AREA, SO THERE IS NO RUST. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO NEVER BEEN IN A COLLISION AND IS PARKED IN A GARAGE WHEN NOT IN USE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OTHERWISE EXTREMELY RELIABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10120936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BOTH FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS ARE PITTED, APPEARS TO BE CORROSION, SUCH AS FROM ROAD SALTS, ETC. PREVIOUSLY OWNED FORD TAURUS WHICH WAS RECALLED. ALSO LEARNED THE CHRYSLER RECALLED OTHER MODELS (NHTSA RECALL NO 98V005/CHRYSLER RECALL #747. NOT CERTAIN OF EXACT DATE WHEN CORROSION WOULD HAVE FIRST BEEN EVIDENT. HAVE OBSERVED A PULSING BRAKING SENSATION (NOT ABS PROBLEM).

NHTSA complaint #732833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPERS DON'T RELEASE PROPERLY CAUSING BRAKE OVERHEATING, REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, VIOLENT SHAKING UPON BRAKE APPLICATION AND A NEAR FIRE. BRAKE SERVICE HAS BEEN NEEDED EVERY 20,000 TO 25,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #714126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE

PROPORTIONAL VALVE IS DEFECTIVE. UNABLE TO GET PARTS ON A TIMELY BASIS, DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #829284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TRUCK PULLED TO RIGHT WHEN BRAKING AND GRADUALLY BECAME A GRINDING NOISE. ALSO, FRONT CALIPER LOCKED UP, CAUSING PADS/ROTORS TO WEAR OUT.

NHTSA complaint #535038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

TRUCK PULLED TO RIGHT WHEN BRAKING AND GRADUALLY BECAME A GRINDING NOISE. ALSO, FRONT CALIPER LOCKED UP, CAUSING PADS/ROTORS TO WEAR OUT.

NHTSA complaint #535038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS/ROTORS.

NHTSA complaint #534709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #524713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP

ABS BRAKE/BRAKE WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON WHEN IGNITION IS ON.

NHTSA complaint #504358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

OUT OF ROUND ROTORS, CAUSING PULSATION.

NHTSA complaint #500903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

FAILURE ON THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. TT

NHTSA complaint #977163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

208-772-1261: ABS: FRONT BRAKES SEEM TO BE STOPPING VEHICLE; BACK BRAKES NOT BEING USED; PULSATES; TIRES WORN ON FRONT;FRONT WHEEL LOCK UP;BRAKES WORN HEAVILY.

NHTSA complaint #976962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

208-772-1261: ABS: FRONT BRAKES SEEM TO BE STOPPING VEHICLE; BACK BRAKES NOT BEING USED; PULSATES; TIRES WORN ON FRONT;FRONT WHEEL LOCK UP;BRAKES WORN HEAVILY.

NHTSA complaint #976962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

208-772-1261: ABS: FRONT BRAKES SEEM TO BE STOPPING VEHICLE; BACK BRAKES NOT BEING USED; PULSATES; TIRES WORN ON FRONT;FRONT WHEEL LOCK UP;BRAKES WORN HEAVILY.

NHTSA complaint #976962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

W/ABS BRAKES, REAR BRAKES DON'T APPEAR TO ACTIVATE RESULTING IN SKIDDING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA complaint #976640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS BRAKES; WHEN APPLYING, SYSTEM FAILS TO STOP. BRAKES REPLACED TWICE. TT CONSUMER STATES BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS FELT SPONGY, IN JUNE THE SHOES AND PADS WERE REPLACED, ONE MONTH LATER A ROTOR WAS FOUND CRAKCED AND WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE PADS, IN SEPTEMBER THE SHOES AND MASTER CYLINDER WERE REPLACED, IN OCTOBER BRAKES DID NOT WORK AT ALL WHEN TRYING TO STOP, THE VERY NEXT THE SAME THING OCCURRED. IDLER ARM FELL OFF, BOTH TIE ARMS WERE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR, THE FRONT END FELL OUT AGAIN WHILE DRIVING CAUSING VEHICLE TO A DITCH, EVEN AFTER REPAIRS THERE IS A POPPING NOISE. VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO IN FORWARD WHEN PUT IN DRIVE, A SINGLE WIRE IN THE WIRING ASSEMBLY HAD BEEN BURNT BY RUBBING AGAINST THE ENGINE, DEALER REPLACED THE WHOLE WIRING HARNESS. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #972488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

ABS BRAKES; WHEN APPLYING, SYSTEM FAILS TO STOP. BRAKES REPLACED TWICE. TT CONSUMER STATES BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS FELT SPONGY, IN JUNE THE SHOES AND PADS WERE REPLACED, ONE MONTH LATER A ROTOR WAS FOUND CRAKCED AND WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE PADS, IN SEPTEMBER THE SHOES AND MASTER CYLINDER WERE REPLACED, IN OCTOBER BRAKES DID NOT WORK AT ALL WHEN TRYING TO STOP, THE VERY NEXT THE SAME THING OCCURRED. IDLER ARM FELL OFF, BOTH TIE ARMS WERE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR, THE FRONT END FELL OUT AGAIN WHILE DRIVING CAUSING VEHICLE TO A DITCH, EVEN AFTER REPAIRS THERE IS A POPPING NOISE. VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO IN FORWARD WHEN PUT IN DRIVE, A SINGLE WIRE IN THE WIRING ASSEMBLY HAD BEEN BURNT BY RUBBING AGAINST THE ENGINE, DEALER REPLACED THE WHOLE WIRING HARNESS. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #972488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

VEHICLES FRONT DISC BRAKES GET HOT TOO QUICKLY AND WHEN BRAKING THE CAR DRIVES TO THE RIGHT.ROTORS WARPED AND CHANGED 2 TIMES. TT

NHTSA complaint #970777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS, BRAKE FAILURE, ABS LIGHT STAYS ON AND CONTINUES BRAKE FAILURE LOSS OF EFFECTIVENESS. TT

NHTSA complaint #970580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

FRONT BRAKES FAILURE, EXCESSIVE WEAR OF ROTORS AND PADS IN THE FRONT. TT

NHTSA complaint #966127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

FRONT BRAKES FAILURE, EXCESSIVE WEAR OF ROTORS AND PADS IN THE FRONT. TT

NHTSA complaint #966127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.