28 of the
250 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Dakota are about the
braking system — 11% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
173,500 miles.
AT IDLE/PARK MY 1996 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 V8 5.2L SLT WILL SPUTTER AND SOMETIMES KILL THE ENGINE. NOW I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S A SAFETY FEATURE SO THE ENGINE DOESN'T OVER FLOOD ITSELF, BUT I'VE REPLACED THE IAC VALVE, PCV VALVE, DISTRIBUTOR ROTOR/CAP, AND SPARK PLUGS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. I RECENT HAD A PROBLEM WHERE THE CONDITIONS OUT WE'RE SOMEWHAT ICY AND MID TURN INTO A PARKING LOT I TOOK A BLOW TO A FIRE HYDRANT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE KILLED ITSELF, MEANING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. I WAS FINE, BUT MY VEHICLES BODY TOOK THE DAMAGE. LUCKILY THE AIRBAG SYSTEM DIDN'T DEPLOY BUT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP A LOT WITH THE 1995-1996 DAKOTAS. AND HONESTLY I'M SCARED THAT THE VEHICLE MIGHT DO THIS WHILE ON THE FREE WAY. ALSO, OF 3 O2 SENSORS THAT'S JUST ABOVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ALL THREE HAVE LEFT THE VEHICLES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND HAVE TESTED FAULTY. I HAVE YET TO RETURN TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEMS SHOP TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIX IT DUE TO IT BEING UNDER WARRANTY, BUT MY MECHANIC SAID THAT IT MOSTLY BECAUSE THERE'S AN UNNEEDED AMOUNT OF EXTRA POWER GOING TO THE O2 SENSOR WHICH IS CAUSING IT TO FAULT. ANYHOW, I APPRECIATE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE LOOKED AT INTO THIS, BECAUSE I DO LIVE ON A HILLY SUBURB AND I RATHER NOT TAKE THE FAULT OF MY VEHICLE FAILING AND DAMAGING STATE, NEIGHBORS OR EVEN MY OWN PROPERTY, LET ALONE MYSELF GETTING HURT.
NHTSA complaint #10560574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wausau, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THE FUSE IN THE RELAY SWITCH WAS MISSING FROM ANTI LOCK BRAKES. HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE FUSE WAS MISSING.
NHTSA complaint #10144807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesPeshastin, WA
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL
DEAR DAVID, THANK YOU FOR YOUR RECENT EMAIL TO DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOTORS REGARDING YOUR 996 DODGE DAKOTA. I'M SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE RECURRING PROBLEM YOU'VE EXPERIENCED WITH YOUR PARKING BRAKE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ORIGINAL MOPAR PARTS ARE DESIGNED WITH THE HIGHEST STANDARDS IN MIND. WE HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE IN THE QUALITY OF OUR PARTS. THOUGH MOPAR PRODUCTS ARE BUILT TO LAST, WE DO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, AS WITH ALL MAN-MADE MATERIALS, THEY ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WEAR, AND MAY REQUIRE REPLACEMENT EARLIER THAN WHAT MAY BE PERCEIVED AS NORMAL. OUR SINCEREST APOLOGIES FOR THE PROBLEMS YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED. REFERENCE NUMBER: 12386546 REPLY LINK: HTTP://WWW.CHRYSLER.COM/WCCSAPP/WCCS/BRAND_FORMS/US/REPLY.JSP?TRK_ID=KMM1465401C0KM& SINCERELY, BRYAN DILLEY SENIOR STAFF REPRESENTATIVE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER ORIGINAL MESSAGE FOLLOWS: ------------------------ CATEGORY: RECALL INFORMATION BRIEF DESCRIPTION: ------------------ I BOUGHT A 1996 DAKOTA 4WD IN 1998 FROM A PRIVATE OWNER. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS BROKEN. THE LOCAL DEALER REPLACED IT. MY 100-POUND WIFE JUST BROKE IT AGAIN. SO, WHAT IS UP WITH THIS? COMMENTS: --------- THE FIRST TIME I HAD IT REPLACED THE DEALER TOSSED OUT THE BROKEN BRAKE ACTUATOR RATHER THAN RETURNING IT TO ME. AN INSPECTOR FROM CHRYSLER MOTORS STOPPED BY MY HOUSE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. IN THAT INCIDENT I WAS ALMOST RUN OVER BY THE TRUCK WHEN THE BRAKE FAILED. HE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO WITHOUT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR TO INSPECT. A PARKING BRAKE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD EVER FAIL IN THE LIFE OF A VEHICLE. WHY IS THIS ONE BREAKING SO OFTEN? FIRST NAME: DAVID LAST NAME: WAGNER.
NHTSA complaint #10078425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grass Valley, CA
PARKING BRAKE
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS PARKING BRAKE DISENGAGED BY ITSELF WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD A 1995 DAKOTA THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE 1995 DAKOTA WAS TOTALED AFTER WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND INTO THE CONSUMER'S BARN.
NHTSA complaint #10068611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gilbert, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS WILL LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT HARD FOR CONSUMER TO STOP. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8013749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dekalb, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY COME ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND UNWILLING TO ASSIST BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVER UNDER A RECALL, AND VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #888508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Claire Shores, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. *AK THE BRAKES FAIED COMPLETELY AT 16,000, 19,000 AND 20,000 MILES. ALSO, THE BATTERY FAILED AT 28,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #884966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ridgecrest, CA
PARKING BRAKE
PARKING BRAKE FELL APART. MJS
NHTSA complaint #550125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Havre DE Grace, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TILTED UP OR DOWN THE VARIOUS LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, SUCH AS, BRAKE LIGHT/POWER STEERING LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHT LIGHT UP. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS/TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT QUIT WORKNG. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEMS HAVE NOT BEEN CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #848855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfax, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY PULSATE, CAUSING EXCESSIVE BRAKE WEAR. THE DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #846619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peshastin, WACrash
PARKING BRAKE
TWO SERVICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES AT LOCAL DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THEY ALSO HAD EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER MOTORS PRODUCTS.
NHTSA complaint #706023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bennington, VT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE FRONT BRAKES LOCK UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SKID. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE BRAKES 6 TIMES PRIOR TO THE OWNER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC.
NHTSA complaint #820784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sandy, UTCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH AIR BAG SENSOR AND T ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP CAUSING VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH OTHE R VEHICLES IN AN INTERSECTION. IN ADDITION, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #832367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winchester, VACrash
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY SUDDENLY WHILE IN PARK POSITION WITH EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ON AND ENGINE TURNED OFF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RUN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. DELAER CANNOT DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #831467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverside, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKING SYSTEM THE VEHICLE MOVES TO LEFT, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. DEALER CLAIMES IT A ROTOR PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #830331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stevens Point, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
FRONT HUB BOLTED TO WHEEL- 7 BOLTS ATTACHING BRAKES, STRIPPED OUT. 2ND TIME IT HAPPENED HAD BRAKES & BOLTS REPLACED. BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP CALIPERS ON DISC BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #829398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mandan, ND
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THIS TRUCK WAS BOUGHT NEW. STEERING SECTOR WAS LOOSE, AND TIGHTENED. TRANSMISSION BURNED OUT. NOW FRONT BRAKES ARE SHOT. CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE (INTERMITTENTLY) WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS IN FULL DOWN TILT POSITION. SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER SINCE NEW WHEN USED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NOW IT HAS SEVERE GROOVING ON INSIDE OF BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. BRAKE INSPECTION AT 31,044 MILES, ALL OKAY. AT 44,388 PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED. BACK DRUM BRAKES ARE 25% USED. DOCUMENTED WITH SERVICE RECORDS.
NHTSA complaint #540684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Benton City, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. BRAKE LOSS OCCURS WHEN ON A DECLINE. DEALER REPLACED THE HUBS ON REAR WHEEL PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #823411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bowie, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE PEDAL CONTINUES TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE TAKES AWHILE TO STOP. DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, INTERMITTENT. HAS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK.
NHTSA complaint #823437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bowie, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM AND BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. HAD TO USE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #822984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Commerce T, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES LOCK UP AT ANY SPEED ON SNOW AND ICE.
NHTSA complaint #533094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Leland, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING THE ABS PANEL LIGHT STAYED ON, DEALER REPLACED 2 SENSORS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK DEALER REPLACED SPEED SENSOR, JUMPER WIRE, WIRING HARNESS, FUSE, AND DEALER CUT OFF PLUGS AND SOLDERED WIRES TOGETHER, ABS LIGHT STILL ILLUMINATES. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #819546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Homeland, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE BRAKES GRAB WHEN IN USE.
NHTSA complaint #517466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverside, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTILOCK BRAKES LOCK UP, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #603193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ontario, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SEMI WET ROAD SURFACE; W/REAR ABS BRAKES RESULTED IN VEHICLE NOT STOPPING AND DRIVER SKIDDED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #806285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gainesville, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT KEEPS COMING OFF & ON. IN SHOP (3) TIMES, STILL NOT FIXED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON.
NHTSA complaint #986475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Juliet, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING WELL.PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #977760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thornton, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
PURCHASE THE TRUCK NEW THERE IS NO ABS SENSOR LIGHT INSTALL . TT
NHTSA complaint #974560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.