111 of the
9,236 complaints filed about the Dodge Dakota
are about the equipment —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
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.
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. WHEN NEW, I INSTALLED A CURT MANUFACTURING TOW HITCH. I TAKE GREAT CARE OF MY VEHICLES. I TOW ONLY ON RARE OCCASIONS, PROBABLY 6-10 DAYS A YEAR. RECENTLY, I NOTICED EXTREME CORROSION ON THE SIDE SUPPORTS AND MAIN TUBE OF THE TOW HITCH. I HAVE NO OTHER CORROSION OF THIS SORT ON MY VEHICLE. THE SIDES SEEM TO BE CORRODING IN SHEETS (STEEL) AS IF IT WAS A PLYWOOD. IT IS TOTALLY UNSAFE TO TOW ANYTHING WHILE IT IS IN THIS CONDITION. IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CURT HAS A LIFETIME WARRANTEE. I CONTACTED THEM AND SENT PICTURES. I BELIEVE IT MAY BE INFERIOR STEEL OR COATING FROM FACTORY. ANYWAYS, THEY DENIED MY CLAIM. I WANTED A REPLACEMENT. I HAVE ORIGINAL RECEIPT AND INSTRUCTIONS. I AM CONCERNED THAT OTHERS MY HAVE THIS, AND IF NOT ADDRESSED COULD LEAD TO A CATASTROPHIC TOWING ACCIDENT AS EVERYTHING TOWED CONNECTS ONLY TO THIS ACCESSORY.
NHTSA complaint #10364040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED WATER ON THE SEATS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE DOOR GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAD NOT RECURRED. HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE RADIO INTERMITTENTLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
NHTSA complaint #10357149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY WINDSHIELD IS BEING SCRATCHED BECAUSE OF DRY WIPER BLADES CONTACTING THE INITIAL DRY GLASS BEFORE THE WASHER PUMP ENGAGES, THEN THE BLADES WILL OSCILLATE ABOUT 6 TIMES BEFORE EVEN A DRIBBLE OF WATER WILL SHOW UP. THE LINES WERE PRESSURIZED AND JETTED BOTH WITH AIR AND WATER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE PUMP. THE VISIBILITY IS GOOD WHEN IT RAINS. NEW ARMS AND BLADE ASSEMBLIES WERE INSTALLED. VISION IS NOT SAFE AT 25MPH. AT 55MPH WHEN THE PUMP IS ENGAGED IT SEEMS THAT WATER IS BEING SIPHENED AND A BETTER COVERAGE OF THE GLASS OCCURS.
NHTSA complaint #10317461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE DAMAGES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THERE WERE NO RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS NOT WORKING DUE TO THE HORN FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
NHTSA complaint #10253122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. WHENEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE BRAKES WOULD PULSATE, OVERHEAT, AND LOCK UP. THE STOPPING DISTANCE WOULD ALSO INCREASE. THE DEALER STATED THAT WET CONDITIONS AND HIGH SPEED BRAKING CAUSED THE ROTORS TO WARP. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE IDLES HIGH AND ROUGHLY WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE ROUGHLY. THERE WAS NO THROTTLE RESPONSE FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 20 SECONDS, BUT THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES FOR THESE ISSUES, BUT THE FAILURES STILL PERSIST. ALL THE SENSORS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE IS BECOMING WORSE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS THREE TIMES AND THE CONTACT REPLACED THEM FOUR TIMES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,655 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. UPDATED 11/06/08. *LJ THE ROTORS AND BRAKES WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY MASTER CYLINDER THAT WAS NOT LETTING THE REAR BRAKES EVER WORK. THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS BUILT TO DRAIN INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR. THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCEPT UPDATES. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE WIPER MOTOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 11/06/08.
NHTSA complaint #10242935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT HEARS STATIC IN EVERY RADIO STATION IN HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE RADIO SYSTEM IN ALL OF THE MANUFACTURER'S VEHICLES. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN PRESENT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7. UPDATED 09/29/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/29/08.
NHTSA complaint #10240801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS
NOTIFIED DEALER OF TIRE STRUTS & SHOCKS ON JULY 19, 2008 BY PHONE. LARRY SAID TO COME IN AND PICK UP WARRANTY AND FACTORY WARRANTY AND TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DODGE SERVICE DEALER LITHIA DODGE FOR WARRANTY AND TO PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. APPOINTMENT MADE TO GET VEHICLE FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #10234955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 06 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 61K HIGHWAY MILES ON IT , NEEDS BEARING , TIERODS, AND THE SUSPENSION IS WORN OUT, I DOT'S TOW OR HAUL ANYTHING HEAVY WITH THIS TRUCK. AND FROM WHAT IM HEARING FROM OTHERS IS THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10230372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN. AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE NEW, WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR AND SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A CLUNKING NOISE WHICH GOT LOUDER AND FASTER AS I ACCELERATED THE DEALER COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS. AFTER PICKING IT UP THE UMTEENTH TIME, THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE, I DROVE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP DEMANDING THEY FIGURE IT OUT. THEY PUT THERE QA TECH ON IT AND DISCOVERED IT WAS THE DRIVE SHAFT. THAT WAS REPLACED AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, THE TIRES PREMATURELY WEARING, BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THEY WERE REPLACED IN DECEMBER 07 THE LAST TIME, LESS THAN A YEAR BEFORE THE LAST TIME, ALONG WITH NEW TIRES. IT IS NOW APRIL 11, 2008 AND I WAS JUST TOLD AFTER SERVICING THE VEHICLE THEY NEED REPLACED AGAIN AND THE TIRES ARE WEARING. THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILED SEVERAL TIMES, THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WEAR BI-ANNUALLY AND DON'T STOP PROPERLY, AFTER ABOUT 60,000 MILES, THE COMPUTER WENT ON THIS VEHICLE, LEAVING ME STRANDED MANY, MANY TIMES. IT WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS AND THEY COULDN'T DETECT THE PROBLEM, EVEN AFTER MY PERSONAL MECHANIC TOLD THEM WHAT IT WAS. I HAD TO HAVE THIS FIXED ON MY OWN BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP COULDN'T. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT STICKS AND IS DIFFICULT TO UNFASTENED, THE PAINT ON THIS VEHICLE IS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE FROM EVERYWHERE BUT THE SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE ARE RIDICULOUS AND REALLY NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. HOW MANY DEATHS ARE YOU WAITING FOR TO OCCUR BEFORE YOU MAKE THE MANUFACTURER ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR DEFECTS??? IS IT GOING TO TAKE A DEATH TO OCCUR AND CHRYSLER TO BE SUED FOR THEIR NEGLECT AND FAULTY EQUIPMENT?????
NHTSA complaint #10224180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BALL JOINT FAILURE.........HAD TO REPLACE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS IN MARCH 2005, AND NOW IN DECEMBER 2007, I AM HAVING TO REPLACE UPPER BALL JOINTS AGAIN. BALL JOINTS IN 1997 DODGE DAKOTA ARE A DEFECTIVE DESIGN, AND WEAR OUT TOO QUICKLY.
NHTSA complaint #10210776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. ONE HEADLIGHT BULB FAILED. THE VEHICLE MANUAL INSTRUCTS ONE TO REMOVE TWO BOLTS TO ACCESS THE BULB. THIS BULB IS SUBJECT TO THE WEATHER AND HAS RUSTED. I NEED TO REPLACE THE BOLTS. DODGE INDICATES THAT THE BOLT IS NOT SOLD SEPARATELY AND IS PART OF THE HEADLIGHT UNIT. THIS UNIT IS $250.00. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN ABSURD AMOUNT TO PAY FOR A BOLT WHICH IS REQUIRED TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITH FUNCTIONAL HEADLIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10206866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DURING 200, SQUEAK IN FRONT END BECAME LOUDER AND LOUDER. HAD TO HAVE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT. TRUCK HAD 95,000 MILES. 2 YEARS LATE SAME PROBLEM WITH SQUEAK IN FRONT END BECAME LOUDER AND LOUDER. NEEDED TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED AGAIN. ONLY ABOUT 10,000 MILES ON TRUCK THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10196740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOMETHING IS RUBBING ON THE RIM AND CHEWING AWAY THE METAL WHEN HE MAKES A HARD RIGHT OR LEFT TURN. THE FAILURE BEGAN IN JANUARY OF 2007 WHEN HE HAD A LOWERING KIT INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. ON ONE OCCASION, THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE CONTACT HAD TO JACK UP THE VEHICLE TO UNLOCK THE WHEEL. HE BELIEVES THE FAILURE IS AN AFTER MARKET PROBLEM. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 2,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
NHTSA complaint #10194155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA 4WD A MONTH AGO. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, TIMING CHAIN, WATER PUMP AND NOW THE TRANSFER CASE HAS GONE BAD. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 55000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE ONLY MADE ONE PAYMENT ON THE TRUCK AND HAVE PAID THE REPAIR SHOP OVER $1500 IN REPAIR COSTS. THEY ONLY TIME THAT I HAVE GOT TO DRIVE THE TRUCK IS TO THE REPAIR SHOP EXCEPT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, A TRUCK WITH LOW MILES LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT THIS TIME PUT THEY COULDN'T MAKE ANY PROMISES. WE PAID FOR EVERYTHING ELSE TO GET FIXED AND I REFUSE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING ELSE. I PAID $10,000 FOR A TRUCK THAT I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE, I'M ACTUALLY SCARED TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE WHO KNOWS WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. APPARENTLY DODGES ARE PIECES OF CRAP TO PUT IT POLITELY.
NHTSA complaint #10184715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON JUNE 5, 2006 THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN OUR 2003 DODGE DAKOTA (APPROX. 25,500 MILES). WE TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED A HOSE FOR THE FUEL LINE AT A COST OF APPROX. $250. ON JUNE 7, 2006 THE ENGINE LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON AND DODGE SAID AN O2 SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (AT A COST TO US OF APPROX. $300). WITH IN THE NEXT 3 WEEKS OUR DODGE WAS IN THE SHOP 2 MORE TIMES (FOR A TOTAL OF 4 ITEMS IN A MONTH) DUE TO THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. THE LAST TIME THEY TOLD US THE O2 SENSOR THAT WAS REPLACED WAS FAULTY AND WAS THE PROBLEM. THIS CONCERNS ME AS THE CAR WAS 5 WEEKS OVER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY SO NOTHING WAS COVERED AND THE SERVICE WE RECEIVED AT DODGE WAS THE WORST I HAVE EVER RECEIVED.
NHTSA complaint #10163316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FOR THE 2ND TIME THE FAN MOTOR FOR THE A/C,HEATER HAS STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. THE DEALER HAD THE TRUCK FOR OVER A WEEK THE FIRST AND IT REALLY NEVER SEEM TO WORK RIGHT. THE FRONT HEAD LIGHTS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO.
NHTSA complaint #10157499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUNDAY 1-22-06 THE CD PLAYER QUIT WORKING IN 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THIS TRUCK HAS 6, 540 MILES ON IT. TODAY 1-24-06 THE BATTERY WAS DEAD WHEN I WOKE UP DUE TO THE CD PLAYER TRYING TO EJECT THE CDS ALL NIGHT LONG. I DROVE THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE TO ORDER A NEW RADIO. I DROVE OVER 30 MILES TO GET TO THE DEALER AND 30 MILES BACK. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10148476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.