2,348 of the 9,236 complaints filed about the Dodge Dakota are about the suspension — 25% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1999.
2,348
Complaints
25%
Share of all complaints
50
Crashes
5
Fires
SUSPENSION
The front end got a hard vibrate i replace the shocks two times and its not fix the problem seem like something going too brake off like a wheel or something dont feel safe driving it
NHTSA complaint #11493890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
*Incomplete Recall Status* ***Defect in transfer case*** Complaint of Manufacturer Defect in 2005 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 3.7l v6. While driving at a speed of 30mph on a smooth paved highway and selector switch turned to 2 wheel drive mode; out of nowhere, the transfer case tried to engage 4 High which resulted in SVC 4X4 warning lamp illumination and a loud grinding/stuttering sound from under carriage as well as halting me to 10 mph without any help from me. after pulling over on the roadside and putting truck in park and turning the engine off, i waited a couple of minutes and SVC 4X4 indicator and 4High dash light had gone. I restarted the truck only to find that the SVC 4X4 Warning lamp immediately returned and now the 4lo illuminated dash light is constantly showing and truck is still showing in 2 wheel drive with selector switch but 4x4 will not engage at all now. Took to a mechanic shop 1/2 mile down the road and had it read for any DTCs and inspected. Code came back as C1404. Transfer case still tries to engage as soon as truck door is opened and dome light comes on. SVC 4X4 warning indicator stays on the dash lit up and 4lo warning light flashes non stop. Manufacturers communication letter has been sent to dealerships for the proper installation steps of the transfer case on the model of my truck due to improper positioning. I have noticed no Recall but have found a Campaign ID listed for this issue. I've owned this truck for only DAYS now with the intention of presenting it to daughter for her 16th birthday next month and now there's a BIG concern here for safety and the fact that a recall hasn't been issued is crazy! ....it's completely absurd and should be escalated immediately until a consumer resolution is made. This truck is NOT safe at all with this defect by manufacturer transfer case! I am demanding that this faulty part be investigated and taken considerable responsibility for just for the amount of time allowed to pass!!
NHTSA complaint #11456536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was a wobble coming from the front passenger’s side tire. The contact was able to pull over and had the vehicle towed to a local mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ball joints needed to be replaced however, the vehicle was not repaired. There was no warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000.
NHTSA complaint #11445473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 169,000.
NHTSA complaint #11406104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2000 DODGE DAKOTA EQUIPPED WITH COOPER TIRES, TIRE LINE: FUTURA, TIRE SIZE: 275/75/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE VERY LOUD WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED HE TOOK THE TIRES TO PEPBOYS (7725 W NEWBERRY RD, GAINESVILLE, FL 32606, (352)332-6003) TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 235,100.
NHTSA complaint #11404428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
AXEL SNAPPED IN HALF FRONT LEFT DAMAGED , I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AT A VERY LOW SPEED
NHTSA complaint #11258896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
DODGE DOKATA 2010. HEATER RESISTOR OVERHEATS REPEATEDLY. ELECTRICAL SMOKE AND BURNING SMELL REPEATEDLY. VERY HOT TO TOUCH. SO OVERHEATED WIRES AND RESISTOR MELTS. RESISTOR AND WIRES REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. SAME RESULTS. FRONT BALL JOINTS KEEP GOING BAD CAUSING DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. MANY RESISTOR AND BALL JOINT COMPLANTA ALL OVER THE INTERNET. I FEAR SOMEONE WILL DIE IF THE 2 ISSUES ARE NOT RESOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #11218785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE AND HUB ASSEMBLY COMPLETELY BROKE FREE FROM THE VEHICLE THIS IS A FOLLOW UP FROM MY FIRST INTIAL REPORT TO CHRYSLER AND ALSO NHTSA PHONE CONVERSATION IN WHICH I DID A REPORT TO BOTH AND PAID 2500.00 WHICH I STILL HAVE RECEIPT OF PAYING TO HAVE FIXED...FATHER HAD A 2000 DODGE DURANGO WHICH HAD THE SAME RECALL THAT MY DIDN'T HAVE AS CHRYSLER STATED...
NHTSA complaint #11164650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I TOOK MY 2005 DAKOTA TO REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE OF CLUNKING NOISE ON FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN DRIVING OR ROCKING THE TRUCK WHEN IT WAS PARKED. REPAIR SHOP SAID LOWER BALL JOINT COMPLETELY FAILED AND WAS RIDING ON LOWER CONTROL ARM INSTEAD OF SUPPORTED BY BALL JOINT. UPPER BALL JOINT WAS ALSO BAD. PASSENGER SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT WORN OUT AND LOWER BALL JOINT BOOT WAS CRACKED. ALL TIE ROD ENDS ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #11163897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
HELLO, I RECENTLY PURCHASED A ONE OWNER 2005 DODGE DAKOTA, WHICH HAS LESS THAN 35,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED. THE CAR FAX CAME BACK CLEAN FOR ACCIDENTS ETC, BUT I HAVE FOUND, THAT BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR SECTIONS OF THE CHASSIS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES AND MOST OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAD TO BE REPLACED TOO. DUE TO EXCESSIVE DEEP RUST. TO THE POINT OF THE NUT HOLDING THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD END DISINTEGRATED. THE STRAIGHT SIDE RAILS OF THE CHASSIS ARE EXCESSIVELY DEEP RUSTED. AS WELL AS THE OIL PAN AND REAR AXLE HOUSING (WHICH ARE ORIGINAL). THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO CUT OFF THE FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AND REPLACE ALL BUSHINGS AND MOST OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST AND WEAR. MY TRUCK HAS BARELY BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR ITS YEAR AND HAS HAD MINIMAL EXPOSURE TO ROAD CHEMICALS SUCH AS SALT ETC. THESE COMPONENTS ROTTING AWAY TO THIS EXTENT WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE REGARDLESS OF AGE INDICATES THE USE OF POOR QUALITY MATERIALS BEING USED DURING ASSEMBLY AND POSING A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE TO CONSUMERS. I OPENED A CASE# 57271603 WITH CHRYSLER AND THE AGENT TOLD, THAT EVEN IF THE CASE WAS MOVED UP FOR REVIEW . IT WOULD BE SENT BACK DUE TO THE AGE OF THE TRUCK . WHICH I DISAGREE WITH, AS THE FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE ROTTED AND DISINTEGRATED SO BADLY AND THE CHASSIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO HAVE EXTENSIVE REPAIRS IN LESS THAN 35,000 MILES. I WOULD THINK, THAT THIS POSES A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE FOR ANYONE BUYING TRUCKS USING THE SAME CHASSIS AND COMPONENTS FROM THE SAME VENDOR, IF THEY ARE NOT MANUFACTURED AT A DODGE PLANT. ULTIMATELY IT SHOULD BE THE CAR MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSIBILITY, THAT THE PARTS THEY ARE USING ARE QUALITY AND WILL NOT POSE POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK TO CONSUMERS . PLEASE LET ME KNOW, IF FURTHER INFORMATION ETC. IS NEEDED. THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #11143394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
BAD RUST ISSUE TO AREAS INCLUDING FRONT AND REAR BUMBER, THE ENTIRE BED INCLUDING MOUNTING POINTS, FENDERS, CAB CORNERS AND FRAME. LOST FENDER FLARE TWICE DUE TO RUST AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THE ENTIRE BED SLID BACK AND ALMOST FELL OFF AND FENDERS AND BUMBERS ARE BASICALLY RUST AND NEED REPLACED, WHEEL WELLS ON BED ARE FALLING APART CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE IF I HAUL ANYTHING
NHTSA complaint #11129717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
THIS CAR HAS BEEN A SAFETY NIGHTMARE. FROM STEEL BRAKE LINES RUSTING THROUGH (AND THE VEHICLE LOSING IT BRAKES), TO UPPER BALL JOINTS ALMOST SEPARATING TO STEERING WHEEL DRIVE SHAFTS WHERE THE U-JOINTS ALMOST SEPARATED. THESE ARE NOT ITEMS THAT SHOULD FAIL LIKE THIS. I SPENT PART OF MY CAREER LOOKING AFTER GLOBAL PRODUCT LIABILITY FOR CUMMINS ENGINE AND I AM STUNNED AT THE POOR QUALITY CHRYSLER HAS USED IN CRITICAL COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #11053577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
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.
SUSPENSION
AROUND 50,000 MILES UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS MAKING POPPING SOUNDS. TOOK TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP . REPLACED ALL 4 , THEN POPPING STOPPED. WAY TO EARLY FOR BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT. OCCURED WHILE MOVING 5 MPH AND TURNING EITHER DIRECTION.
NHTSA complaint #11021384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
THIS TRUCK IS A BAD PROBLEM SINCE I HAVE BEEN DONE ALONG WITH THE THE YEARS I'M TIRED OF DRIVETRAIN WHEEL HUBS AND FRONT SUSPENSION REPLACES EVERY MONTH.
NHTSA complaint #10993696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
NUMEROUS FRONT END REPAIRS TO NO AVAIL. STILL HAVING STEERING ISSUES AND LOUD BANGING WHEN TURNING. WIPERS COMING ON AT RANDOM, BATTERY LIGHT ON IN SPITE OF NEW BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $4000 IN REPAIRS ON FROM END AND 2 WIPER MOTORS. THE WIPERS STILL WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #10968467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AGGRESSIVELY SWAYED TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE FACE, CHEST, STOMACH, LEG, AND FEET AREAS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.
NHTSA complaint #10968150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
NOUSE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK EVERY TIME YOU HIT A BUMP. MECHANIC SAID ALL THE BALL JOINTS WERE BAD.HE SAID THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED ,THERE WAS NO PLACE TO GREASE THEM CAUSING THEM TO RUST AND WEAR OUT .BAD CHEAP WAY DODGE MAKES THERE VEHICLES. WHAT HAPPEN TO THE DAYS WHEN DODGE MADE GOOD SAFE CARS AND TRUCKS.
NHTSA complaint #10960236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COMPLETED CORRECTLY. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TRANSMISSION DAMAGE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT ISSUES, SUCH AS A DAMAGED FRONT CROSS MEMBER, A FRACTURED FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STABILIZER LINK, A WORN PASSENGER SIDE UPPER CONTROL BUSHING, AND OTHER ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. UPDATED 03/02/17*LJ***UPDATED 05/09/17*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10940229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR STEP BUMPER WAS CORRODED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE PORTION BAR FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,279.
NHTSA complaint #10938567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.