1998 Dodge Dakota engine problems

ENGINE

1 Safety recall found,Reprogram Pcm and inspect Catalytic Converter.I never got a recall notice in the mail just happen to go on line and find it.My engine light,Anti -brake light and emergency light stays on.My speedometer and odometer quit working.I took my truck to the Dodge dealership and they said the parts are discontinued and they cannot get them but they did do a inspection and said everything was ok.I still have the same problems and I am concerned about my safety and the safety of others involved while I am driving my truck.

NHTSA complaint #11486564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was restarted and operated as designed. During the failure, there were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Additionally, while depressing the brake pedal a clicking noise was present and the vehicle would not immediately stop. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 210,000.

NHTSA complaint #11465684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ENGINE MYSTERIOUSLY DIES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT MAY HAPPEN AT IDLE ALL THE WAY TO AND INCLUDING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DRY WEATHER OR WET WEATHER. COLD WEATHER OR HOT WEATHER. COLD ENGINE OR WARM ENGINE. NO PATTERN DETECTED. IT DOESN'T SPLUTTER -- IT JUST DIES AS IF THE IGNITION KEY HAS BEEN TURNED OFF, AND IT THROWS NO CODE.

NHTSA complaint #11182413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

MY TRUCK HAS A BAD PCM I HAVE IT REBUILT 3 TIMES AND THE SAME PROBLEM WILL START ONCE THEN WILL NOT START PUT A PCM IN FROM A 8CYL RUNS ALL DAY NOT WELL BECAUSE ITS FROM 8CYL EVERYTHING HAS BEEN REPLACED AND STILL WILL NOT START I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THIS SAME THING ON LINE THIS IS MY FIRST DODGE ND IT WILL BE MY LAST AND ALL OF THIS IS FROM THE DODGE DEALER

NHTSA complaint #11120464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THE EMINE WILL DIE AMYTIME! GOING AROUND CORMERS LOR ON EXPRESSWAY SITTING IN DRIVEWAY IDLING. MY FAMILY HAS HAD THIS VEHICLE SINE 1999. THIS JUST STARTED 6 MONTHS AGO. UP UNTIL THEN IT NEVER HAPPENED. REPLACED SEVERAL SENSORS (TPS,IAC,MAP,COOLANT TEMP AND ALSO COMPUTER)SO FAR NOTHING FIXES IT. I KNOW DODGE KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND SO DO YOU!!! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE THERE ARE TOO MANY DAKOTA/DURANGOS ON THE ROAD I AM SURPRISED NO ONE HAS DIED OR AT VERY LEAST BEEN HURT BADLY. I KNOW IT GOES ON IN EARLIER DAKOTAS AND LATER OF BOTH NOT SURE IF IT EVER WAS FIXED SINCE OLD BODYSTYLE ENDED IN 2004. HAPPWNED FIRST TIME ABOUT FEB.1,2018. AFRAID TO DRIVE IT FOR FEAR OF DYING OR BADLY HURT BECAUSE IT DIES ANYWHERE ANYTIME INCLUDING RUSH HOUR TRFFIC IN TULSA OK

NHTSA complaint #11114557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO SUGGESTED THAT THE AIR IDLE CONTROL SOLENOID BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE IDLE CONTROL SOLENOID BUT THAT DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AT 50 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE DEALER NEEDED TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED ONLINE THAT THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE DEALER DID NOT PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

NHTSA complaint #10396816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WARM WEATHER CAUSES 98 DODGE DAKOTA 3.9 ENGINE TO STALL AT ANY SPEED, ANYTIME. ENGINE COMPLETELY DIES AND TAKES 20 TO 30 MIN FOR ENGINE TO COOL WHILE OFF. THEN ABLE TO RESTART, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS WITHIN 5 TO 15 MINUTES AFTER COOLING. CONSEQUENCES ARE I HAVE PAID TO HAVE PCM REPLACED, AS WELL AS FUEL PUMP. COULD CAUSE DEATH ON FREEWAY WHEN EVERYTHING DIES AT 70 MPH. ALMOST CAUSED WRECK TODAY. NO KNOWN FIX, HAVE SPOKE WITH CHRYSLER AND DEALERSHIP ON MANY OCCASIONS WITH NO ANSWER.

NHTSA complaint #10278472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. WHEN THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE HEATER, HE SMELLED ANTIFREEZE. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT FIND ANY LEAKS. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, THE OVERFLOW FOR THE ANTIFREEZE WAS EMPTY; HOWEVER, ANTIFREEZE WAS STILL PRESENT IN THE RADIATOR. THE CONTACT PERFORMS HIS OWN REPAIR WORK AND STATED THAT THE HEATER CORES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 2/23/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEATER CORE WAS LEAKING INTO THE HEATER BOX, WHEN THE HEATER WAS ON. UPDATED 02/26/09.

NHTSA complaint #10256348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

MY 98 DODGE DAKOTA HAS HAD THE EXHAUST CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED 2 TIMES ALREADY UNDER WARRANTY, THE LAST ONE ABOUT 10 MONTH AGO, NOW IT RATTLES LIKE ROCKS IN A TIN CAN AGAIN, NOW MY MILEAGE IS OVER THE WARRANTY BY ABOUT 9000 MILES AND THEY SAY THEY WILL NOT REPLACE UNLESS I PAY! OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM NATION WIDE WITH THIS EMISSION COMPONET.

NHTSA complaint #10139168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

I HAVE A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. I BOUGHT IT WITH 11,000 MILES ON IT. DURING MY WARRANTY AT ABOUT 20,000, THE TRUCK WOULD BACKFIRE WHEN SHIFTING UP A GEAR.TOWSON DODGE HAD MY TRUCK FOR A DAY AND SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND IT COST ME $75 ANYWAY. AROUND 45,000 MILES MY TRUCK WAS RUNNING REAL POOR WITH NO POWER. THE CATYLITIC CONVERTER CLOGGED UP SO BAD THE TRUCK STOPPED RUNNING. THE GOODYEAR PLACE WHERE I TOOK IT, CARNEY TIRE, DIDN'T TELL ME OF THE FEDERAL WARRENTY ON CONVERTERS AND REPLACED IT AND THE MUFFLER FOR A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS. AFTER MY LEARNING OF THE WARRENTY, CARNEY TIRE REFUSED TO REFUND 50% AS SUGGESTED BY THE CHRYSLER REP. ON THE PHONE. NOW AT 80,000 MILES THE MUFFLER RUSTED ENOUGHT TO LOOSE THE TAILPIPE, WHICH NOW RESIDES IN MY DRIVEWAY. THIS IS TOTALLY UNEXCEPTABLE FOR THIS TRUCK. I HAD AN '87 DAKOTA WITH 145,000 MILES ON IT AND NEVER HAD AN EXHAUST PROBLEM . I WAS GOING TO TRADE IT IN FOR A 2500 RAM BUT THIS AND OTHER COMPLAINTS WILL KEEP ME FROM EVER BUYING ANOTHER CHRYSLER. I WILL BAD MOUTH DODGE,ESPECIALLY TOWSON DODGE (SCHAEFER & STROMENGER), TO ANYONE WHO ASKES ME.THE SERVICE MANAGERS OVER THERE DIDN'T HELP A BIT. I WAS GIVEN A SERVICE BULLITEN BY THE MECHANICS ABOUT A BROKEN BOLT ON THE MANIFOLD AFTER MY THIRD VISIT,WHEN THE 2 MANAGERS WEREN'T AROUND. I'LL NEVER BUY ANOUTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCT AND I'LL BADMOUTH DODGE TO EVERYONE I CAN. I'M GOING TO BUY A GMC PRODUCT WHERE I KNOW THEY TAKE CARE OF ANY COMPLAINTS A CUSTOMER MIGHT HAVE, BEINGS THEY KNOW THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10118004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

FAILURE OF EQUIPMENT......MANUFACTURER DEFECT...REPLACED 3 CATALYATIC CONVERTERS ON MY 1998 DAKOTA RT.....VIN# [XXX]........COST EACH SERVICE $600..........NOW REAR END NOISES (PINIONS AND BEARINGS OUT)...DUE TO OWNERS MANUAL STATES TOWING CAPACITY 3 TIMES HIGHER THAN WHAT TRUCK CAN TOW....WAS A CHANGE AFTER MARKET. *AK *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #10110795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

MY HUSBAND AND I OWN A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA, VIN [XXX]. WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, BEGINNING IN THE SECOND YEAR OF OUR LEASE. DURING THE PAST FOUR YEARS, WE HAVE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $9,000 ON VEHICLE REPAIRS INCLUDING A NEW TRANSMISSION, NEW ENGINE, NEW STARTER, NEW WHEEL BARING, NEW BRAKE CALIPER, NEW HEATER CORE AND NEW WATER PUMP. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ALTERNATOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND TWO O2 SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOUR TIMES. WHILE THESE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COSTLY AND INCONVENIENT, NONE OF THEM HAS POSED A SAFETY CONCERN PER SE. I AM WRITING NOW TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR MOST RECENT VEHICLE FAILURE WHICH MOST CERTAINLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE. ON NOVEMBER 18, 2004, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN HIS FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BROKE OFF FROM THE AXLE. THE TIRE FELL ON ITS SIDE AND THE TRUCK LANDED ON THE TIRE. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND THE TRUCK SKIDDED TO A STOP IN THE LEFT TURN LANE. MY HUSBAND HAD NO CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. WHEN WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO OUR MECHANIC, HE FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS NEAR THE BREAKING POINT AS WELL AND REPLACED THAT AXLE AS WELL. WE ARE STILL DRIVING ON THE TWO FRONT TIRES, BUT WE WERE INFORMED THAT WE SHOULD GET AN ALIGNMENT AND PROBABLY HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED AS WELL. WE UNDERSTAND THAT DODGE HAS RECALLED THE 2000-2003 DAKOTAS FOR THIS SAME DEFECT. WE BELIEVE THAT OUR VEHICLE SHOULD ALSO BE COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. *NM UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #10104743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VEHICLE HAS A CRACKED MIRROR, CRACK IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND A BROKEN MANIFOLD BOLT. (NAR) *MR THE EVENING THAT THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME HE NOTICED A RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE AREA WHICH HE DID NOT NOTICE DURING THE TEST DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT A DIFFERENT DEALER FOR AN UNBIASED OPINION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A BROKEN MANIFOLD BOLT, A CRACK NEAR/ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND A BROKEN MIRROR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INITIALLY DECIDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. LATER THE DEALER REFUSED REPAIR STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS IS. *NM

NHTSA complaint #10073402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

I AM ON MY THIRD CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA, I JUST HIT 70,000 MILES AND THERE SEEMS TO BE AN AWEFUL LOT OF BAD CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ON THIS VEHICLE. NOW THE DEALER TELLS ME THE BIGGEST SAFETY PROBLEM WITH MY TRUCK IS THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS (IT'LL COST ALMOST $1000), THESE ARE THE SAME AS USED ON THE DURANGO AND THEY HAVE HAD ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS ALSO.

NHTSA complaint #10066225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

PURCHASED USED 1998 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK IN APRIL 2002 FROM TOYOTA DEALER WITH MILEAGE OF 42,000. I HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE IN MOTOR ON 11-11-2003 TOOK TO MY MECHANIC AND HE HAD TO REPLACE BOLTS IN THE MANIFOLD. AGAIN ON 3-2-2004 HEARD CLICKING NOISE IN WHEEL MY MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT. I WROTE A LETTER TO DAIMLER CHRYSLER OF THE PROBLEMS AND THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO ASSIST ME WITH THE PROBLEMS BECAUSE I WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. SO I FEEL, THAT OTHER PURCHASERS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THE PROTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10063733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES IN 4 YEARS. NOW AT THE 5TH YEAR IT NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND THE DEALER REFUSES BECAUSE THEY DID IT 14 MONTHS AGO AND IT'S NO LONGER UNDER THEIR 12 MONTH WARRANTY AND IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE FEDERAL 8 YR, 80,000 MILE WARRANTY BECAUSE I'M AT 109,000 MILES, THEREFORE IT WILL COST ME OVER 600$ TO REPLACE A DEFECT IN THEIR EQUIPMENT. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PUT 600$ INTO MY CAR EVERY 14 MONTHS FOR SUCH A MAJOR COMPONENT PLUS ALL THE OTHER MINOR UPKEEP A VEHICLE TAKES.

NHTSA complaint #10051013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE WAS MAKING A LOUD PINGING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER SAID ENGINE WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL.

NHTSA complaint #10044540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON MY TRUCK TWICE SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT IN 1998 BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT THE NOISE MY TRUCK WAS MAKING WAS DUE TO THE SUSPENSION AND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. THE TRUCK WAS NOT EVEN EVALUATED, I WAS JUST TOLD THAT I WAS WRONG, AND IT WAS NOT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND WAS SENT ON MY WAY. WHEN I WENT BACK AFTER THIS INCIDENT 2 DAYS LATER I REQUESTED TO SPEAK WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND PROCEEDED TO TELL HIM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THEY THEN PUT MY TRUCK ON THE LIFT AND FOUND IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND FIXED IT. IT THEN HAPPENED AGAIN AND IT'S NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I KNOW THAT THE FEDERAL EMISSIONS LAW STATES THAT THEY HAVE TO COVER IT UP TO 80,000 MILES FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, BUT MY TRUCK CURRENTLY HAS 76,000 MILES ON IT, THUS I AM GETTING CLOSE. I HAVE HEARD MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS WITH THE DODGE DAKOTAS AND I FEAR THAT THIS WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN AND WILL END UP TO COST A LOT OF MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET FOR A MISTAKE ON THE PART OF DODGE WHICH THEY WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR TO TRY AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF IT BEING ONGOING.

NHTSA complaint #10041262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER BRAKES AND STEERING WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA complaint #10024768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE INOPERATIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10017209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT IDLING FOR SEVERAL HOURS, THE FLOOR BOARD OVER HEATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAD BECOME EXTREMELY HOT. SEVERAL ITEMS THAT WERE LEFT ON THE FLOOR MELTED, WHICH INCLUDED SOME PORTIONS OF THE SEAT BELT.

NHTSA complaint #10015395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

I HAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACE LAST SUMMER BECAUSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE . I HAVE AN EXHASUST LEAK KNOW AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID I HAVE 3 BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS. THEY SAID IT WOULD COST 65 TO 75 DOLLARS APIECE TO FIX. I WORK FOR DAIMLER CHRYSLER AT TWINSBURG STAMPING AS A MACHINE REPAIRMAN. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF EXHAUST BOLTS JUST BREAKING.I BELEIVE THERE IS A PROBLEM HERE THEY OUGHT TO FIX. THERE MORE PEOPLE AT WORK THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #10005007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON MY DAKOTA KEEPS FALLING APART. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT 4 OR 5 TIMES NOW (THE FIRST TIME WAS NOT LONG AFTER I HAD BOUGHT THE VEHICLE). EACH TIME THEY PUT A NEW CONVERTER ON, IT FALLS APART WITHIN A YEARS TIME. I ASKED THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY BLAME IT ON FAULTY MANUFACTURING OF THE CONVERTER. I KNOW OTHER DAKOTA OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND ARE GIVEN THE SAME STORY (JUST FAULTY MANUFACTURING). I E-MAILED DODGE, BUT THEY DIRECTED ME TO THE DEALER. IS ANYONE BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS? MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, I AM A SINGLE PARENT AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR A NEW CONVERTER WHEN THIS NEW ONE FALLS APART. I SEE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS IS ANYTHING BEING DONE??? MY BRAKES ALSO MAKE A TERRIBLE NOISE WHEN IT IS COLD AND/OR RAINS OR IF IT IS FOGGY. THE DEALER SAID "OH, ITS JUST MOISTURE" BUT THERE IS REALLY NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR BRAKES. WHEN IT IS RAINING, IT SEEMS THAT THE BRAKES DON'T WORK AS THEY SHOULD AND THE ANTI-LOCK DOES NOT SEEM TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. ONE OTHER PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE RACES AFTER THE TRUCK HAS SAT OVERNIGHT OR WHILE I AM AT WORK, AND IT TAKES AWHILE BEFORE IT IDLES AT THE NORMAL RPM. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT, IT IS JUST THE COLD AIR SOLENOID. WHAT HAS NHTSA CONCLUDED IN REGARD TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER? OR ARE YOU THE WRONG CONTACT? DT

NHTSA complaint #768926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON MY 1998 DAKOTA 3 TIMES SINCE I BUY THE TRUCK. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY WERE GOING TO LOOK INTO THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. AND EACH TIME THEY WOULD SAY "WE DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO LOOK AT WHAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM BUT, IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN WE WILL". WELL, IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON 3/09/02. NOW THEY REFUSE TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CONVERTER. THEY SAY THIS IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE EMISSIONS WARRENTY HAS RUN OUT. I FIND THIS RIDICULOUS, DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO LEARN THAT CONTRARY TO WHAT THE DEALERSHIP AND CHRYSLER CLAIM, I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS THIS ONGOING PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #759257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

THE MAINFOLD BOLTS BROKE FLUSH WITH THE MANIFOLDS. 1998 4 CYLINDER DAKOTAS ARE KNOWN FOR THIS DEFECT. CHRYSLER WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY PART OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY CLAIM IGNORANCE AND BASICALLY TOLD ME I WAS STUPID FOR NOT BUYING AN EXTENDED WARANTY. I TALKED TO AND SHOWED THE TRUCK TO OTHER MCHANICS AND THEY SAID, "THIS SHOUDL NOT HAVE HAPPEND TO THIS TRUCK." CHRYSLER ALSO TOLD ME WHEN I CALLED TO TAKE IT TO A CHRYSLER/DODGE DEALER TO GET THE WORK DONE FOR ANY CONSIDERATION OF HELPINGH TO COVER EXPENSES. I DID THAT AND GOT AN OUTRAGEOUS BILL FRO 1806.99. I CALLED THE DAMLER CORP. BACK AND JOSH TOLD NE TOO BAD. I ALSO HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AND IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN RECORDE IN 4 CYLINDER DAKOTAS YOU CNA SSUME THE AME PROBLEM EXISTS IN THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR TRUCKS. I AM OUTRAGED. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY 1998 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK. TO DATE THE CATALLETIC CONVERTER, DRIVE COLUMN, GEAR BOX, DOME LIGHT SWITCH AND BALL JPINT HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ALL WERE COVERED EXCEPT THE BALL JOINT. THEY TOLD ME IT JUST PASSED AT THE LOWER END OF THEIR STANDARD USING SOME SORT OF TOOL. THAT'S A CROCK. ALSO, I HAD TO TAKE IT TO 3 DEALER STO GET A WATER LEAK FIXED. I HAD OVER 3 INCHES OF WATER IN MY TRUCK AT ONE TIME. THEY FINALLY FOUND IT AND HAD TO RIP OUT THE ENTIRE INTERIOR AND CLEAN IT BECASUE4 IT STANK. HOW DO I KNOW THAT ISN'T GOING TO RUST IN THE FUTURE BECASUSE OF THE LEAKS. NOW, THE MANIFOLD STUDS HAVE BROKEN. I ALSO HAD TO GET A CAR RENTAL AT THE COST OF 600 PLUS DOLLARS. WHAT CAN I DO AND HOW DO I GET DAIMLER TO OWN UP TO THEIR POOR QUALITY/DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS?

NHTSA complaint #746700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON WHILE WE WERE ON A TRIP TO PALM COAST, FL ON THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2001. THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED FROM NORMAL TO 0. WE PULLED OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT. THE TRUCK WAS STILL RUNNING, HOWEVER WE CALLED CHRYSLER AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD TOW IT TO THE NEAREST DODGE DEALERSHIP. WE TOLD THEM TO TAKE IT TALLAHASSEE AS WE WERE IN MADISON. AFTER ONE WEEK BEING IN THE SHOP THEY TOLD US THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN DUE TO NON-MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGES). WE DID NOT UNDERSTAND THAT BECAUSE WE HAD THE OIL CHANGED. IT WAS NOT EVERY 3000 MILES BUT IT WAS SUFFICIENT. THEY TOLD US THAT THE OIL HAD NEVER BEEN CHANGED IN THIS TRUCK. THIS IS TOTALLY UNTRUE. WE GAVE THEM RECEIPTS WHERE IT WAS CHANGED AND THEY SAID THE INSPECTOR FROM CHRYSLER HAD TO CHECK IT OUT. WE HAD TO PAY RUSSELL DODGE OVER $200.00 TO BREAK IT DOWN JUST FOR AN INSPECTION. THE INSPECTOR FOR CHRYSLER CAME AFTER 3 DAYS AND SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SO MY HUSBAND WORKS FOR PRESTIGE INFINITI DEALERSHIP IN TALLAHASSEE AND WE HAD IT TOWED TO THEIR GARAGE TO LOOK AT. THEY TOLD US THE ENGINE WAS GONE AND THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. WE BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE 6 CYLINDER 1998 DODGE TRUCK ENGINES, BECAUSE WE CAN PROVE THAT THE OIL WAS CHANGED, THEREFORE SOMETHING IN THE ENGINE WAS NOT WORKING AND CAUSED A BACK UP OF OIL OR SOMETHING WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE FUNNY THING IS THAT WHEN WE CALLED TO GET A REPLACEMENT ENGINE, THE PERSON WE ORDERED IT FROM SAID THEY HAD SOLD 17 ENGINES FOR 1998 DODGE 6 CYCLINDERS IN THE LAST MONTH. NOW COME ON 17 IN A MONTH, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE???? A 1998 IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND OUR ENGINE HAD 42,000 MILES ON IT. SHOULD NOT AN ENGINE LAST MORE THAN 42,000 MILES WITHOUT BEING TOTALLED???? I THINK THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG HERE. ALSO THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION WILL NOT SEND US A COPY OF THEIR INSPECTION REPORT DO THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO HIDE.

NHTSA complaint #745702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

WHILE TRAVELING UP A HILL NOTICED VEHICLE NOT GAINING POWER. ALSO, WHILE ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE WILL NOT TRAVEL OVER 45 MPH. TECHNICIAN STATED CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS STRANDED AND WAS UNABLE TO GET TO WORK DUE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #884789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #739114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.