166 of the
9,236 complaints filed about the Dodge Dakota
are about the lighting —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2001.
Many Dodge vehicle models experience failure of illumination for instrument clusters. This creates an unsafe condition for the driver since information presented at the instrument cluster, cannot be determined during night time driving conditions. Dodge makes no provision to customers for replacement or repair parts and does not provide any documentation through Dodge dealers on how to address this issue. It was determined that Dodge does not offer replacement instrument clusters to address this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11621880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The backlighting on the instrument cluster is defective. Only a portion of the gauges are illuminated. Should this occur for the speedometer then driver will not have a way to determine vehicle speed during the nighttime hours.
NHTSA complaint #11487852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING, THE CLUTCH WAS APPLIED AND THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING BECAME INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED FERRARIO CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP (2463 CORNING RD, ELMIRA, NY 14903, (607) 733-9108) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V322000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. *BF
NHTSA complaint #11269383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FRONT CV AXLE(HUB AND BEARING) FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE INTERMEDIATE AXLE ALSO NEEDS REPLACING DUE TO SEVERE RUST FROM CV AXLE. THE UPPER UPPER BALL JOINT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUETE VISABILITY AT NIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #11210011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA AIR BAG. I PURCHASED A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA IN AUGUST 2018. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN OCTOBER WHEN I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL. DEALERSHIP REPLACED DRIVERS SIDE BUT NOT PASSENGER SIDE.I WAS TOLD AND SHOWN PHOTOS OF AN EMPTY SPACE.THERE WAS NO AIRBAG OR WIRING.I STILL HAVE NO PSA. ALSO WHEN I TEST DROVE THIS VEHICLE IT HAD NO HEADLIGHTS.WHEN I PURCHASED IT I WAS TOLD THEY WERE FIXED.I DO NOT HAVE HIGH BEAMS STILL. THERE ARE ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE EMISSIONS ON THIS TRUCK.I REPLACED THE EVAP PUMP BUT STILL IS NOT CORRECT. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THESE SAFETY ISSUES? THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #11150765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOST EXTERIOR LIGHTS (PARKING LIGHTS, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, TAIL LIGHTS, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS) WHILE DRIVING. HEADLIGHTS, TURN LIGHTS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS FUNCTIONING. CTM WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE, HOWEVER SAFETY CONCERNS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE UNUSED IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS UNTIL PROBLEM DIAGNOSED. REPETITIVE POSTINGS ABOUT THIS MODELS CTM FAILURES ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND ADJOINING SAFETY CONSIDERATION WITH ONLY A LIMITED RECALL, WHICH DID NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. NO AFTER MARKET PARTS WERE FOUND AND REPLACED WITH A ITEM FOR A LOCAL JUNK YARD WHICH MAY SIMPLY FAIL AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #11142715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #11102291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING IN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 214,674.
NHTSA complaint #11074988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DOME AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CENTRAL CONTROL TIMER MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND ALL THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #11014000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DOME AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CENTRAL CONTROL TIMER MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND ALL THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #11014000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE DRIVER HEADLIGHT QUIT WORKING. I WENT TO THE STORE TO REPLACE IT THINKING IT HAD BURNT OUT. WHEN I REPLACED THE LIGHT IT DID NOT WORK STILL AND THE OLD HEADLIGHT STILL HAD BOTH FILAMENTS PROVING IT WAS STILL GOOD. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER BOTH HEADLIGHTS QUIT WORKING ON ME WHEN I WAS OUT AT NIGHT DRIVING LESS THAN A 10TH OF A MILE FROM HOME. I MANAGED TO NOT GET IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE CTM AND HEAD LIGHT SWITCH WERE BAD HOWEVER THE CTM WAS A "OBSOLETE" PART AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET ME ONE. AFTER THEY RELEASED MY TRUCK BACK TO ME TO DRIVE AS I PLEASE, I WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE AN OLDER CTM FROM A 2003 4X4 AUTOMATIC DAKOTA 4.7L. NOW MY LIGHTS WORK AND I HAVE A "GUARANTEE" FROM THE EBAY SELLER THAT IT WILL WORK FOR 6 MONTHS. I HAVE A SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS VEHICLE AND I CAN NOT TRUST MY HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT GO OUT AT ANY TIME SO I CAN NOT DRIVE IT AT NIGHT IN GOOD CONFIDENCE OR MORAL CONSCIENCE. THE DEALERSHIP LILITHIA DODGE OF ROSEBURG OREGON HAS RECORD OF MY TRUCK BEING IN THEIR POSSESSION FOR MULTIPLE DAYS BEFORE RELEASING IT BACK INTO MY POSSESSION WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING BUT A DIAGNOSTICS TEST.
NHTSA complaint #10994034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEAD LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY START BLINKING AND EVENTUALLY GO OUT ALL TOGETHER ALONG WITH DASH AND DOME LIGHTS. ONLINE FORUMS SAY IT'S THE CTM. THE NEXT DAY IT'S FINE THEN OUT OF THE BLUE IT STARTS ACTING UP AGAIN. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRAVELING AT NIGHT. ANY RECALLS FOR THIS? SEEMS TO BE QUITE COMMON FOR THIS YEAR DAKOTA
NHTSA complaint #10991874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING ON A RAINY NIGHT AND HEADLIGHTS AND WIPERS QUIT WORKING ALL AT ONCE. CENTRAL TIMER MODULE FAILED AND SHUT THE LIGHTS AND WIPERS OFF AS WELL AS INTERIOR LIGHTS AND DOOR LOCKS. ALMOST DIDN'T GET VEHICLE STOPPED WITHOUT WRECKING. LEFT VEHICLE AND CAME BACK DURING DAYLIGHT AND DROVE TO REPAIR SHOP. WHERE LOCATED THE ISSUE WAS A FAILED CENTRAL TIMER MODULE. CONTACTED DODGE AND SAID ITS OUT OF WARRANTY? ITS NOT ABOUT WARRANTY OR NOT IT COULD HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR A FATALITY. STILL HAVE THE OLD CTM IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN LOOKING INTO THE MATTER. WHY WOULD HEADLIGHTS BE RAN THROUGH A MODULE LIKE THIS JUST ASKING FOR TROUBLE.
NHTSA complaint #10968286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE TRUCK HAS A ELECTRICAL ISSUE THE LIGHTS GO OFF AND ON OUT OF NO WHERE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN VERY DARK TWO LANE ROAD AND LIGHTS GO OFF. THANK GOD NOBODY TRIED PASSING IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC PR WE WOULD BE DEAD I REPLACED LIGHT SWITCH A FEW MONTHS AGO AND IT WAS FINE UNTIL RECENTLY STARTED DOING SAME THING.
NHTSA complaint #10948781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WORKS WHEN IT WANTS AND WHEN I TURN IT ON THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL COMES ON. THE WIPERS AND THE HEADLIGHTS ARE CURRENTLY GOING OUT OR COMING ON BY THEMSELVES. I HAVE AN ERROR ON THE AIRBAGS (WHICH HAVE HAD THE DRIVERS REPLACED AND CURRENTLY AWAITING THE PASSENGERS, PLUS THE NEW RECALL ON THE HOSE TO THE AIR BAGS). THIS ISSUE STARTED AT AROUND 120K MILES. THE FUSES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND PASSED. THE BULBS-REPLACED. THE SITUATION IS GETTING WORSE AS THE DASH AND INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. THE NIGHT LIGHTS WENT OUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING ONE NIGHT AND DO NOT DRIVE AFTER DUSK ANYMORE. ALL OF THIS HAPPENS DRIVING. THE TURNS DO IT WHETHER I AM MAKING A TURN OR PULLING OUT OR EVEN TESTING THEM PARKED.
NHTSA complaint #10939113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE TRUCK WAS GREAT EXCEPT THAT AT NIGHT WHEN I WOULD TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS ALL OF THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD FLASH OFF THEN BACK ON APPROXIMATELY EVERY TWO SECONDS TO 30 SECONDS. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR WITH THIS HAPPENING I BECAME VERY FRUSTRATED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I NARROWED DOWN MY PROBLEM TO THE DAKOTA CENTRAL TIMING MODULE. IT APPEARS AS IF MANY DODGE CUSTOMERS HAVE THIS EXACT ISSUE WITH THESE DODGE MODEL TRUCKS. IT IS VERY UNSAFE TO OPERATE A VEHICLE UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. THIS ISSUE DID NOT DEPEND ON WHETHER I WAS DRIVING IN ROUGH TERRAIN AT NIGHT OR DURING THE DAY. NO MATTER WHERE I DRIVE THE TRUCK, IF THE LIGHTS ARE ON IT WILL BEGIN TO START BLINKING OFF AND THEN ON INTERMITTENTLY. PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM! I HAVE SINCE HAD TO PURCHASE A USED CENTRAL TIMING MODULE OFF OF THE INTERNET BECAUSE WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO GET THE PART AND IF THEY WERE IT WOULD COST OVER $500 JUST FOR THE PART.
NHTSA complaint #10929982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TURN SIGNAL ACTIVATES THE WRONG INDICATOR. WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS SET TO A LEFT TURN, THE RIGHT TURN INDICATORS FLASH, BOTH ON THE DASHBOARD AND ON THE EXTERIOR SIGNAL LAMPS. FROM A WEB SEARCH, THIS IS A RELATIVELY COMMON PROBLEM STEMMING FROM A FAULTY SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS SITUATION IS FAR MORE DANGEROUS THAN A SITUATION WHERE THE EXTERIOR LAMPS ARE NOT WORKING. BECAUSE THE WRONG INDICATOR FLASHES, OTHER DRIVER CAN MAKE ERRONEOUS DECISIONS ABOUT THE DRIVER'S INTENT, LEADING TO A SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER PROBABILITY OF A CRASH. THE SYMPTOMS ARE INTERMITTENT, BUT NOT LINKED TO STEERING WHEEL POSITION OR THE MOTION OF THE VEHICLE. THERE MIGHT BE A CORRELATION BETWEEN RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND THE ERROR - IT HAS NOT OCCURRED IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS OF DROUGHT AFTER IT BEGAN ON 8/31 UNTIL WE HAD EXPERIENCED A WEEK OF RAIN. BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION OF THE SWITCH, THE DEFECT IS QUITE COSTLY TO REPAIR, REQUIRING THE STEERING COLUMN TO BE BREACHED. I AM ASKING THAT THIS BE A VERY HIGH PRIORITY DUE TO THE DANGER POSED BY SIGNALLING THE ENTIRELY OPPOSITE INTENTION FROM THAT OF THE DRIVER. THIS IS NOT COSMETIC, IT IS A FAILURE OF A SAFETY SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE THAT IS USED MORE FREQUENTLY THAN AN AIRBAG OR CRUMPLE ZONE. IT ALSO PUTS INNOCENT DRIVERS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AT SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER RISK THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.
NHTSA complaint #10929970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.