1999 Dodge Dakota steering problems

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DRIVING TO THE GROCERY STORE ABOUT 30 MPH NEEDING TO BRAKE AND THE FRONT BRAKES WERE GONE. RIGHT FRONT CALIPER BOLT BROKE THREAD AND THE CALIPER CAME OFF THE SPINDLE, STEERING CAUSED MORE GRINDING AND THEN I THOUGHT OF THE EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE. I HAVE REPLACED THE SAME SPINDLE BEFORE, BUT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE NOW OR BEFORE. I CAN';T FIND A USED/NEW SPINDLE TO REPAIR IT AND IT JUST PASSED INSPECTION.

NHTSA complaint #11046501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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BRAKES CAME APART WHEN APPLIED, NO BRAKE. RATTLE ON ROTORS, PAD DAMAGE. BOLTS THAT GO THROUGH CALIPER STRIPPED THREADS FROM SPINDLE FREEING CALIPER TO BOUNCE ON ROTOR I HAVE REPLACED WITH USED PART ONCE HOPING FOR RECALL, BAD NEWS DUDE!!!

NHTSA complaint #11034383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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FOUND U-JOINTS ON STEERING SHAFT FAILING. ABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL 1/8TH TURN WITH NO RESPONSE FROM VEHICLE. PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1998 V6 DAKOTA AND A 1998 V8 DAKOTA WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEM. REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT ON ALL THREE VEHICLES. I UNDERSTAND FORD CROWN VICTORIAS/ MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS/ LINCOLN TOWNCARS HAVE A RECALL FOR A SIMILAR CONDITION ON THEIR STEERING SHAFTS.

NHTSA complaint #10626871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I GOT THE '99 DAKOTA ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO AND LIKED IT DROVE PRETTY GOOD EVEN THROUGH THE WEEK WHEN IT WAS ALL SINGLE DIGITS NO PROBLEM. THEN ONCE IT STARTED TO WARM UP INTO THE MID TO HIGH TEENS AND UP TO THEN 60S AND 70 IT WOULD SHAKE AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK. IT ALWAYS SEEMED TO START AT ABOUT 45 THEN ONCE THE ENGINE WARMED UP IT WOULD STOP. THAT STOPPED NOW THAT ITS IN THE 80S AND 90S. NOW I BARELY HAVE POWER STEERING AND LOOKING AT IT, IT SEEMS TO BE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT WHICH LOOKING AT ALL THE COMPLAINTS I'M SURPRISED YOU HAVEN'T LOOKED INTO IT FOR IT TO BE RECALLED BY NOW ALONG WITH THE TIE RODS, BALL JOINTS, ETC. THESE THINGS SEEM TO BE FALLING APART AT THE FRONT. I JUST HOPE NOBODY DIES BEFORE THIS IS FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10608982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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1999 DODGE DAKOTA INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM OF THE JOINTS GOING BAD CAUSING EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING, DODGE EVEN CAME OUT WITH A NEW VERSION OF THE PART KNOWING THIS WAS DEFECTIVE BUT WONT MAKE IT A RECALL. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON ALL YEARS EVEN WITH UNDER 10K MILES! I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR THE OWNERS AND OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD WITH THESE VEHICLES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS! THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10392968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I OWN A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA V-8 MAGNUM 5.2L, IT ONLY HAS 138,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I BOUGHT IT IT ONLY HAD 76,600 MILES. IN THAT LITTLE TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS TWICE, AND THE RACK AND PINION, AND THE WATER PUMP, THE THERMOSTAT, THE POWER STEERING PUMP, THE TIE RODS, AND THERE IS SO MUCH MORE WRONG. WHY AM HAVING TO REPLACE THESE THINGS TWICE IN SUCH LITTLE MILEAGE? AFTER READING UP ON IT THROUGH THE INTERNET I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THESE PROBLEMS, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS, WHY IS THERE A RECALL ON THE 2000, & 1998 BUT NOT 1999? I AM OUT SO MUCH MONEY AND HAVE ALMOST WRECKED MY TRUCK TWICE BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS, ONCE WITH 6 KIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME AND AGAIN WITH MY 3 KIDS. THIS NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION BEFORE SEVERAL PEOPLE GET HURT OR WORSE, DIE!!!

NHTSA complaint #10287467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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1999 DODGE DAKOTA HAD BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD ENDS REPLACED. NOW THE CONSUMER HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LINE AND WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT ANY RECALL INFORMATION FOR THIS VEHICLE. *NJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE BRAKE LINE LOOKED A LITTLE WORN. WITHIN A WEEK AFTER THE BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS WERE REPLACED THE BRAKES WENT OUT. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO HIS MECHANIC AND HAD THE BRAKE LINE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10285410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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CALIPER BOLTS SEPARATING FROM SPINDLE CAUSING CALIPER TO FALL ON TO BRAKE ROTOR. LOSS OF BRAKING TO WHEEL, DIFFICULTY STEERING VEHICLE. SPINDLE (STEERING KNUCKLE) HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT AND RE TAPPED AND THREADED. HELI COILS (9M) INSTALLED TO HOLD CALIPER BOLTS. NEW CALIPERS AND ROTORS INSTALLED. FURTHER INSPECTION DETERMINED THAT UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED. ALL BALL JOINTS WILL BE REPLACED SINCE THE UPPER ONES ARE NOT SERVICEABLE AND I DO NOT TRUST THE LOWER ONES. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALLS FOR MODEL YEAR 1999 DAKOTA HOWEVER THERE ARE SEVERAL TSB'S #050399, 0200600 AND SEVERAL THOUSAND COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. WHY HASN'T THIS SAFETY ISSUE BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE NHTSA?

NHTSA complaint #10243232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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MY SON ESCAPED DANGER WHEN THE TRANSMISSION/TORQUE CONVERTER OF HIS 1999 DODGE DAKOTA WENT OUT ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. AFTER REPLACING THAT AND HEADING BACK HOME, HIS U JOINTS AND WHEEL BEARINGS WENT OUT ALMOST CAUSING ANOTHER WRECK. THESE WERE ALL REPAIRED. SO FAR $3000 IN REPAIRS IN A MONTH. THEN THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED TO ZERO AS HE WAS DRIVING. NOW THE OIL PUMP NEEDS REPLACED. ALONG WITH THE TIE END RODS, THE TIMING CHAIN, AND THE SERPENTINE. HE'D ALREADY HAD THE TOTAL BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACED THIS SUMMER. HAVING ALL THE RECEIPTS SHOWING REGULAR OIL CHANGES, THE WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE OIL PUMP BECAUSE OF SOME SLUDGE IN THE PUMP. NOW I FIND FROM RESEARCHING ON THE COMPUTER THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN DURANGOS AND DAKOTAS. WE'VE PUT $5000 IN THIS TRUCK IN LESS THAN ONE MONTH. THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO ADMIT THE FLAWS IN THIS VEHICLE. THEY HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITY HERE. WE ARE JUST GLAD HE WAS NOT INJURED OR KILLED. BUT WE'VE PUT OVER $5000 IN A '99 VEHICLE - WHICH IS UNFAIR WHEN THE PROBLEMS ARE RELATED TO THE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10147155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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99 DODGE DAKOTA STEERING FELT LOOSE AND WANDERED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I TOOK IT IN FOR A ALIGNMENT, TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AND 1 TIE ROD WERE WORN PAST SPEC, HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 34000 MILES ON IT!, IS IN MINT SHAPE, AND NEVER DRIVEN OFFROAD. I UNDERSTAND CHRYSLER RECALLED 2000+ UP DAKOTA/DURANGO FOR BALL JOINT PROBLEMS, WHAT ABOUT 97-99 MODELS? SAME VEHICLE/ SAME PROBLEM. CAN YOU SAY RIP-OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10141333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ALONG WITH THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY WORE OUT SO BADLY THAT IT ALMOST CAUSED AN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE BALL JOINTS BECAUSE HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE NHTSA RECALL 04V596000 WAS ISSUED HE HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED, AND WAS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT, BUT BECAUSE OF HIS VIN NOT BEING INCLUDED THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE. *AK UPDATED 12/27/2005 -

NHTSA complaint #10140620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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1999 DODGE DAKOTA BALL JOINT AND TIE RODS. BALL JOINTS ARE SEPARATING AND TIE RODS ARE BAD JUST LIKE THE RECALL FOR THE 2000-2004 MODELS WHY WASN'T THIS EXTENDED TO THE 1999 MODEL. I HAVE 78000 MILES ON THIS TRUCK THAT I BOUGHT IN AUG 05.

NHTSA complaint #10138392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE (MULTIPLE TIMES) ALONG WITH CONTROL ARM AND TIE ROD.

NHTSA complaint #10136414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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SQUEEK DEVELOPED AT RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AREA OF 1999 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP WITH ONLY 43,596 MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALER I PURCHASED IT FROM AND THEY DISCOVERED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE DRY ROTTED AND ALL LUBRICATE WAS GONE. UPON FUTHER INVESTIGATION, THE LEFT SIDE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE ALSO DETRIORATED AND CRACKED TO A LESSOR DEGREE. I FEEL THESE PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE UPON INITIAL INSTALLATION. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN OFF THE HIGHWAY, NEVER IN ANY ACCIDENT, NOR ABUSED IN ANY WAY TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. I REALIZE THE TRUCK IS ALMOST SEVEN YEARS OLD BUT STILL FEEL I SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN EXPECTED TO SPEND $738.40 ON THIS .

NHTSA complaint #10128486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

1999 DODGE DAKOTA BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE.*MR THE RACK AND PINION WAS ALSO LOOSE. *BF

NHTSA complaint #10120441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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FOUND EXCESSIVE WEAR - UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS & INNER TIE RODS. REPLACED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS & THE INNER TIE RODS.

NHTSA complaint #10118297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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1999 DODGE DAKOTA HAS PROBLEMS WITH BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS.*MR THE FRONT END OF THE VEHCILE WAS LOOSE AND WOBBLING AS A RESULT.

NHTSA complaint #10117780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

BALL JOINT FAILURE AT 53,000 MILES. ALSO, LEAK IN STEERING RACK.

NHTSA complaint #10116786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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DODGE DAKOTA 1999 NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE BALL JOINT AND STEERING MECHANISMS. *BF THERE WERE ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR END, TRANSMISSION, ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHTS, POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE WHICH CONSISTED OF HESITATION AND LOSS OF POWER ESPECIALLY WHEN UNDER A LOAD-GOING UP AND HILL AND SEEMED TO GET WORSE AS THE GAS LEVEL IN THE TANK LOWERED, HARD ABRUPT SHIFTING WHEN IN REVERSE AND PARK TO REVERSE, LOUD RUBBING WHICH WAS INTERMITTENT WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS AND WHEN STOPPING, THE FRONT WOULD SHAKE, THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT WAS NOT VISIBLE ON THE DASH WHEN ACTIVATED AND WOULD ONLY SHOW WHEN THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE WAS ACTIVATED, AND THERE WAS A WOBBLE, FLEXING AND OR VIBRATION THAT WOULD BE PRESENT WHEN BRAKING ALONG WITH A LOOSE FEELING OR WOBBLE WHEN TURNING THE FRONT WHEELS. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10113622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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1999 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 (83,000): VEHICLE "WANDERS". NOISEY FRONT SUSPENSION. LOCAL SHOP DIAGNOSED AS WORN BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD ENDS.

NHTSA complaint #10114220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

DODGE DAKOTA 1999 CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE FRONT END WOBBLE, BRAKE VIBRATION AND UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINT PROBLEM. *BF THE SHOCK ABSORBERS AND TRANSFER CASE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKED AND THERE WAS EXTRA PLAY IN THE STEERING. A PIECE OF THE EXHAUST FELL OFF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10113407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I HAVE A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS IN THE BALL JOINTS AS 2000 AND UP VEHILCLES THAT WERE RECALLED. I DO FALL OUT OF THE GUIDE LINES OG THE RECALL MANUFACTOR DATES, THIS TRUCK HAS MANUFACTOR DATE OF 8-98 LAST 8 OF VIN#XS128563. I FEEL THAT I AM CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE DATES OF RECALL AND THE BALL JOINTS USED ON MY TRUCK ARE THE SAME DEFECTIVE ONE USED ON THE RECALLED TRUCKS , AND SHOULKD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE MY UNSAFE TRUCK FIXED .

NHTSA complaint #10112720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE 1999 DODGE DAKOTA FRONT END HAS FAILED. THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, TIE ROD AND BOTH FRONT TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW WHY NOT INCLUDE ALL DODGE TRUCKS IN THE RECALL. *BF *NM NAR - SEE RESPONSE TO ODI NO. 10109594 *JLS

NHTSA complaint #10107472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AND NOW WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. EVERY YEAR WHEN THE EMISSON TESTING AND SAFETY INSPECTION IS DONE IT SEEMS THERE IS A NOTHER PROBLEM. HOW LONG BEFORE DODGE WILL HAVE TO OWN UP AND RECALL AND REPAIR THESE ITEMS AT THEIR EXPENSE NOT OURS. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 72200 MILES AND HAS HAD BOTH SIDE DONE AND NOW HAS TO BE DONE TO THE LEFT SID AGAIN. THIS IS A DISGRACE. THANKS FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. HOW MANY PROBLEMS DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE A RECALL INITIATED.

NHTSA complaint #10112068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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1999 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 64K MILES EXPERIENCED FAULTY INNER AND OUTER TIE-RODS WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AFTER MOVING FROM A PUBLIC PARKING SPACE AS THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A REAL SAFETY CONCERN IF IT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A CATASTROPHIC OUTCOME ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10110257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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AT 46,000 MILES THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. THERE WAS GRINDING IN THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HAD TO HAVE THE TIE RODS AND WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10108975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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2 LOWER BALL JOINTS, 2 UPPER BALL JOINTS AND 2 INNER TIE RODS ALL REPLACED AT 48,600 MILES IN 2/02. NEW RECALL ONLY COVERS 2000-2004 DAKOTAS WHEN IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE 1999 MODEL SHOULD ALSO BE COVERED. REIMBURSEMENT FROM CHRYSLER FOR PARTS/LABOR/ALIGNMENT AT $806 FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS SHOULD BE EXPECTED.

NHTSA complaint #10107880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I HAVE A 99 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 59,000 MILES. I AM CURRENTLY HAVING MY SECOND 4WD TRANSFER CASE REPLACED. FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS AT 41,000 MILES. I USE MY 4WD APPROX 20 TIMES A YEAR AND FOR SHORT DISTANCES. I HAVE REPLACED THE U JOINTS TWICE, THE A/C COMPRESSOR ONCE DUE TO IT BEING LOCATED IN A TERRIBLE PLACE. OH, LETS DISCUSS THE BALL JOINTS AS WELL.

NHTSA complaint #10107773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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NUMEROUS FRONT END/ENGINE, EXHAUST, BRAKE AND ELECTRICAL MAFUNCTIONS/MECHANICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING INCREASING SEVERITY FRONT END WOBBLING/VIBRATION/FLEXING WHEN TURNING WHEELS, GOING DOWN A HILL AND WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED YET BUT OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED WITH SAFETY OF VEHICLE AND OPERATION. I HAVE CONTACTED,COMPAINED, CALLED.E-MAILED AND FAXED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THIS 1999 DODGE DAKOTA WITH SUPPOSSEDLY ONLY 44951 MILES -MITCHELL PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED ON QUEEN STREET IN SOUTHINGTON, CT AND ALSO THE MITCHELL CONGLOMERATE OWNER STEVE MITCHELL AS WELL AS MITCHELL DODGE IN SIMSBURY, CT WHO PROVIDED THIS SUPPOSSEDLY INSPECTED, CERTIFIED SAFE VEHICLE TO MITCHELL IN SOUTHINGTON, CT FOR SALE TO THE PUBLIC.

NHTSA complaint #10105906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

NUMEROUS FRONT END/ENGINE, EXHAUST, BRAKE AND ELECTRICAL MAFUNCTIONS/MECHANICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING INCREASING SEVERITY FRONT END WOBBLING/VIBRATION/FLEXING WHEN TURNING WHEELS, GOING DOWN A HILL AND WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED YET BUT OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED WITH SAFETY OF VEHICLE AND OPERATION. I HAVE CONTACTED,COMPAINED, CALLED.E-MAILED AND FAXED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THIS 1999 DODGE DAKOTA WITH SUPPOSSEDLY ONLY 44951 MILES -MITCHELL PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED ON QUEEN STREET IN SOUTHINGTON, CT AND ALSO THE MITCHELL CONGLOMERATE OWNER STEVE MITCHELL AS WELL AS MITCHELL DODGE IN SIMSBURY, CT WHO PROVIDED THIS SUPPOSSEDLY INSPECTED, CERTIFIED SAFE VEHICLE TO MITCHELL IN SOUTHINGTON, CT FOR SALE TO THE PUBLIC.

NHTSA complaint #10105906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.