151 of the
945 complaints about the 2001 Dodge Dakota are about the
braking system — 16% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
29,000 miles.
I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH, WHEN I TAPPED BRAKES SUDDENLY,. THE BRAKE PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD TO USE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP. AFTER PUMPING BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. I LOOKED FOR SIGNS OF BROKEN BRAKE LINES AND/OR FLUID AND ALL LOOKED WELL. I HAVE HEARD OTHER REPORTS IDENTICAL TO MINE AND OTHERS PERTAINING TO 2WD MODELS WHERE THE BRAKES LOCK UP AT HIGHER SPEEDS INSTEAD OF NOT WORKING. FORTUNATELY, I WAS DRIVING SLOW AND WAS ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD WITH LITTLE ACTIVITY. IF I HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY FOR A CAR, KID OR PET. I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM.
NHTSA complaint #11299180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,500 milesPuyallup, WA
SERVICE BRAKES
COMPUTER CONTROL OF HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR AND DASH LIGHTING, AND POSSIBLY THE ABS SYSTEM AND THE INTERMITTENT WIPER CONTROL ARE AFFECTED. WITHOUT WARNING THESE SYSTEMS EITHER FAILED OR BECAME ERRATIC. VEHICLE EXHIBITS THESE MALFUNCTIONS BOTH STATIONARY AND IN MOTION, AND AT ALL SPEEDS. IT IS APPARENTLY NOT AN UNCOMMON ISSUE, AS PER INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET. THE (TEMPORARY?) FIX IS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY FOR 15+ MINUTES, POSSIBLE CAUSE: THE COMPUTER CONNECTORS.
NHTSA complaint #11066177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 132,000 milesWhat Cheer, IA
SERVICE BRAKES
LINE TO REAR BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSE OF REAR BRAKES. MECHANIC BELIEVES FAILURE DUE TO ROAD SALT CORROSION. MECHANIC REPORTED HE HAD SEEN SAME PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER 2001 DODGE TRUCK. VEHICLE PRESENTLY AT SIGOURNEY, IOWA DODGE DEALER BEING REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10734908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesCanton, NC
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES SEIZED AND STARTED TO EMIT SMOKE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE LOW FOUR WHEEL DRIVE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED.THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERS WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS BRAKE MODULAR, THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND WIRING HARNESS AS BEING DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140.000.
NHTSA complaint #10606115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, NC
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE MODULE WAS DEFECTIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
NHTSA complaint #10597400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE MODULE WAS DEFECTIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
NHTSA complaint #10597400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesCole Township, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT STATED THAT AFTER APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, THE LEVER FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 99,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10502650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 131,500 milesWindham, ME
SERVICE BRAKES
REAR BRAKE LINE BELOW DRIVERS SIDE BLEW OUT. LOST BRAKES HAD TO DOWN SHIFT TO SLOW DOWN AND HAD TO GET TOWED HOME.
NHTSA complaint #10474519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesHope Valey, RI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
APPLIED SERVICE BRAKE TO AVOID ANIMAL ON HIGHWAY AND REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED. AFTER AN INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT ALL OF THE HYDRAULIC LINE IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM SHOULD BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. VEHICLE HAS HAD THE BRAKE FLUID REPLACED EVERY 2 YEARS FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS. THE CORROSION IS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BRAKE LINES AND IS EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE FOR THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND THE CURRENT STATE OF THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM IS THAT OF A 20 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. THE CERTIFICATE OF COMPLACENCY FOR THE MATERIAL USED TO FABRICATE THE LINES SHOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE NHTSA.
NHTSA complaint #10442132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,216 milesRoseburg, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DRIVING WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF FORT COLLINS COLORADO AND STOPPING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE FRONT BRAKES ON MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT RELEASE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS ALLOWED TO SIT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY, WHERE I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING, BOTH ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT AND WEAR. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES WHEN THE BRAKES AGAIN LOCKED UP AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND BEGAN TO SMOKE FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP ON THE LEFT FRONT ROTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE REPAIR FACILITY WHERE LEFT FRONT CALIPER WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN, AT WHICH TIME THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LOCKED UP IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE LEFT FRONT HAD. THE REPAIR FACILITY RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM FURTHER AND DISCOVERED VIA IDENTAFIX.COM THAT THE HYDRAULIC LINES AND CALIPERS ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS NOT THE ONLY OCCURRENCE OF THIS PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS TO BE HAPPENING AT AROUND 70 TO 80,000 MILES. HAD THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE I WAS TOWING MY TRAVEL TRAILER, WHICH I HAD JUST DONE, AND WHEN GOING DOWN A LONG OR STEEP GRADE AT THE VERY MINIMUM IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS OCCURRENCE. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT THAT CHRYSLER CORP. NEEDS TO ADDRESS UNDER RECALL FOR THE AFFECTED MODELS.
NHTSA complaint #10425273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesPortland, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2001 DODGE DAKOTA HAS HAD FRONT BRAKES DRAG/LOCK UP. HAS HAPPENED TWICE, BOTH TIMES THE CALIPERS/ROTORS GOT EXTREMELY HOT AND SMOKED. AFTER FIRST TIME, TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG BUT COULD SEE THAT ROTORS HAD GOTTEN EXTREMELY HOT. AFTER ALLOWING CAR TO SIT FOR SEVERAL HOURS, THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO GO AWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10422632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesMT. Sterling, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO TRAVEL INTO A DIFFERENT LANE WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT CALIPERS AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE FRONT ROTORS WERE RESURFACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE AND THE SAME REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE THIRD TIME FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRENCE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE TECHNICIAN REGARDING THE EXTENT OF THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
NHTSA complaint #10357229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Bend, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FRONT BRAKES LOCK UP OR DRAG ON 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. EXTENSIVE RESEARCH IN THE INTERNET REVEALS NUMEROUS IDENTICAL PROBLEMS 2000-2005 DODGE DAKOTA AND DURANGO. PROBLEM BAFFLES ALL. NO RELIABLE FIX FOUND. BRAKES DRAG AND OVERHEAT, SMOKE, BURST INTO FLAMES, MAY CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10348458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesGlen Ferris, WV
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL RATTLING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE WITHIN ONE YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CALIBER BRACKETS WERE STRIPPED. THE MECHANIC RE-DRILLED THE CALIBER AND BRACKET AND INSTALLED A LARGE BOLT WITH A LOCK NUT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
NHTSA complaint #10343017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,615 milesBaltimore, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, HE COULD FEEL THE BRAKE DRAGGING FROM THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE NEW AND THAT THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY MALFUNCTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS RELEASED TO THE OWNER, HOWEVER THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,615 AND THE CURRENT WAS 62,000.
NHTSA complaint #10318862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,776 milesOcean Shores, WAFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THERE WAS A PULLING SENSATION AND AN ODOR WAS PRESENT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND OBSERVED THAT THE WHEELS WERE EXCESSIVELY HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CALIPERS LOCKING UP, WHICH DAMAGED THE ROTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,776 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,876.
NHTSA complaint #10241610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesOlathe, KS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED WITH 39K MILES I HAD IT FOR A MONTH AND NOTICED VIBRATIONS WHEN BRAKING FROM 50 - 40 MPH. I FIGURED THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR OF THIS I TOOK THE ROTORS OFF AND INTO A PARTS STORE TO HAVE THEM CHECKED, THEY WERE WARPED AND TOO THIN TO TURN (LATHE). I BOUGHT NEW ROTORS AND PADS, CLEANED AND GREASED THE CALIPER SLIDE PINS AND REASSEMBLED THE BRAKES. AFTER THIS THE BRAKING VIBRATION WENT AWAY. RECENTLY I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND ONCE I GOT TO MY EXIT I NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, ALSO THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT HARD. I PULLED OVER TO FIND THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE SMOKING. I JACKED UP THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE (WHEELS OFF THE GROUND) AND FOUND THAT NEITHER WHEEL/TIRE COULD BE TURNED BY HAND. AFTER THE VEHICLE SAT FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 HOURS TO COOL DOWN THE WHEELS COULD THEN BE TURNED. TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP THAT CONFIRMED THE BRAKE PAD WEAR INDICATED THAT FOR THE MOST PART THE PISTONS AND SLIDES SEEMED TO BE OPERATING PROPERLY. I AM AN A.S.E. CERTIFIED MASTER MECHANIC AND HAVE NEVER SEEN BRAKES OVERHEAT LIKE THIS AND CAUSE CALIPER LOCK UP. HAPPEN. I BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING INHERENTLY WRONG WITH THESE VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10237491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesHighland Heights, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
KNOWING THE DAKOTA'S HAVE BRAKE ISSUES, I REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS WITH AFTERMARKET SLOTTED ROTORS IN HOPES THAT THE ROTOR WOULD STAY COOL & NOT WARP. HOWEVER EVEN AFTER ADDING NEW ROTORS I HAVE HAD ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS ONE OR THE OTHER FRONT ROTORS HAVE LOCKED UP. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT I COMPLETELY DRAINED & REPLACED ALL THE BRAKE FLUID W/SYNTHETIC BRAKE FLUID. I HAD NO PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS BEFORE THEY LOCKED UP AGAIN. THIS TIME I REPLACED BOTH CALIPERS, IT'S ONLY BEEN A MONTH EVERYTHING IS WORKING FOR NOW. DODGE SHOULD RECALL! EITHER THERE BRAKE BOOSTER OR CALIPERS ARE FLAWED BECAUSE THE BRAKE CALIPER TEND TO STICK CAUSING OVERHEATING, WRONG TO THE POINT WHERE THE PADS ARE SO HOT YOUR ENGULFING OTHER VEHICLES IN SMOKE!
NHTSA complaint #10232621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Guntersville, AL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
CLOCK SPRING - NO HORN - NO DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG HAVE REPLACED 2 SETS OF FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS AND LINES ON THIS TRUCK DUE TO FRONT BRAKES LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING. NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10223473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesRhododendron, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WITH HIS FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AND HESITATE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE TO ALLOW THE FRONT DISC BRAKES TO COOL OFF SINCE THEY WERE DRAGGING. THE BRAKE LINES AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 64000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30000. THE CONTACT WILL ADD THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE AND PURCHASE DATE.
NHTSA complaint #10212979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesRhododendron, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WITH HIS FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AND HESITATE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE TO ALLOW THE FRONT DISC BRAKES TO COOL OFF SINCE THEY WERE DRAGGING. THE BRAKE LINES AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 64000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30000. THE CONTACT WILL ADD THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE AND PURCHASE DATE.
NHTSA complaint #10212979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesWaynesboro, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
I HAVE A 2001 DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 PURCHASED NEW AND THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT ROTORS WEAR OUT EXTREMELY FAST. THEY BECOME DAMAGED ON THE INSIDE OF THE ROTOR APPEARING EXTREMELY RUSTED AND AS IF MAYBE THEY OVERHEATED ON THE INSIDE. 64,000 AND THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES. DEALERS DENY THIS IS COMMON , MY BROTHER HAS A 2002 (PURCHASED NEW) AND HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. BALL JOINTS FAILED ON BOTH TRUCKS , STEERING RACK AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL LEAKS ON BOTH .
NHTSA complaint #10211997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beach Park, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2001 DODGE DAKOTA APPLIED BRAKE AND VEHICLE PULLED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT**CW** THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, PRESSURE WAS BEING PLACED ON THE LUGS/SLIDE BARS. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS ALSO QUITE POSSIBLE THE BRAKES COULD BE DELAYED FROM ENGAGING BECAUSE THE BACKING PLATES ARE NOT ABLE TO RIDE UP AND OVER THE WEAR SPOT.*JB THE CONSUMER STATED WOULD LIKE A FULL INVESTIGATION PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 07/23/07
NHTSA complaint #10195900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,400 milesGratis, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, THE DEALER NOTICED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE SWITCH AND CLEANED IT WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. UPDATED 11/30/2006 - THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS A VACUUM LEAK. THE WHEEL CYLINDER LOCKED UP.
NHTSA complaint #10172527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,400 milesGratis, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, THE DEALER NOTICED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE SWITCH AND CLEANED IT WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. UPDATED 11/30/2006 - THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS A VACUUM LEAK. THE WHEEL CYLINDER LOCKED UP.
NHTSA complaint #10172527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,400 milesGratis, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, THE DEALER NOTICED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE SWITCH AND CLEANED IT WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. UPDATED 11/30/2006 - THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS A VACUUM LEAK. THE WHEEL CYLINDER LOCKED UP.
NHTSA complaint #10172527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,000 milesMontrose, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT ROTORS BECOME HOT AND WARPED. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND ROTORS WERE ROTATED AND PUT BACK ON. RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK AND IT STILL FELT LIKE ROTORS WERE STILL WARPED... A LOT OF SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #10170231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
AT 32,000 MILES FRONT END VIBRATION WHEN BREAKING. PROBLEM-WARPED ROTORS. CORRECTED BY 'TURNING' ROTORS (RESURFACING). AT 58,000 MILES FRONT END VIBRATION WHEN BREAKING. PROBLEM-WARPED ROTORS. CORRECTED BY 'TURNING' ROTORS. AT 70,000 MILES FRONT END VIBRATION WHEN BREAKING. PROBLEM-WARPED ROTORS. CORRECTED BY REPLACING ROTORS. AT 90,000 MILES FRONT END VIBRATION WHEN BREAKING. PROBLEM-WARPED ROTORS. CORRECTED BY 'TURNING' ROTORS. AT 100,200 MILES FRONT END VIBRATION WHEN BREAKING. PROBLEM-WARPED ROTORS. DEALER SUGGESTS REPLACING ROTORS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM. THE SAME THING OCCURRED ON MY 1997 DAKOTA. THE DEALER TOLD ME THEN THAT THE ROTORS WARP WHEN THEY ARE HOT(FROM USE) AND THEN GET WET. (SO I GUESS I SHOULDN'T USE THE BRAKES IN WET/RAINY CONDITIONS) THE WARPED ROTORS ARE CAUSED BY A DESIGN FLAW, EITHER THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT 'SIZED' PROPERLY (IE INSUFFICIENT STOPPING POWER CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD-UP) OR THE ROTORS ARE INFERIOR(METAL GRADE). I BELIEVE MOST OWNERS DO NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE DODGE DEALERS CONVINCE THEM THAT THIS IS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE TRUCK IS GREAT OTHERWISE.
NHTSA complaint #10153505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesFletcher, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE SEVERAL REPAIR PLACES (BRAKE SPECIALISTS) INCLUDING 2 DEALERSHIPS (MULTIPLE TIMES). THEY TELL ME MY ROTORS ARE WARPED, OR THAT THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG!!! STARTING AT AROUND 20,000 MILES I STARTED GETTING HARD VIBRATIONS IN THE FRONT END, REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS, FIXED PROBLEM. THEN, 5,000 MILES LATER IT STARTED AGAIN, HAD ROTORS TURNED AND REPLACED PADS, FIXED PROBLEM. 5,000 MILES LATER IT HAPPENS AGAIN, I DECIDE TO DEAL WITH IT FOR A LITTLE WHILE. 2,000 MILES OF DRIVING WITH WARPED ROTORS, AND RIGHT FRONT CALIPER LOCKS UP, NEARLY CAUSING A FIRE!!. REPLACED BOTH CALIPERS, ROTORS AND PADS, PROBLEM FIXED AGAIN. PROBLEM RECURS ROUGHLY EVERY 5,000 MILES. I DRIVE VERY CAREFULLY TO ENSURE THAT I AM NOT CAUSING ANY UNDUE STRESS ON THE BRAKE COMPONENTS. THE EXPENSE OF REPAIRING THE BRAKES EVERY 5,000 MILES IS ROUGHLY $200 TO $400 DOLLARS DEPENDING ON WHAT I FIND UPON INSPECTION. I AM AN INDUSTRIAL MECHANIC SO I DO THIS WORK MYSELF. I PURCHASED COPIES OF DAIMLER CHRYSLER MASTER TECH VIDEOS TO MAKES SURE THAT I AM NOT MISSING SOMETHING. I HAVE PURCHASED SEVERAL MANUALS FOR MY VEHICLE , SOME FROM DODGE AND SOME AFTERMARKET IN MY SEARCH FOR A MORE PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS, TO ME AND TO OTHERS AROUND ME WHEN DRIVING. I AM CURRENTLY AT 90,000 MILES AND HAVE DECIDED THAT THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY SOMEONE... I HOPE YOU CAN HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10145957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gray, ME
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES ON MY VEHICLE WITH MOPAR PARTS. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 2 YEARS AND HAVE PUT 40,000 MILES ON IT. THE ROTORS ARE ONLY LASTING IN THE AREA OF 10 - 15000 MILES. I SPOKE WITH MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE HAS TOLD ME THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE DODGE DAKOTA AND I BETTER GET USE TO REPLACING THEM OR GET USE TO DRIVING WITH WARPED ROTORS.
NHTSA complaint #10144667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.