2003 Dodge Dakota

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EQUIPMENT

  I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 DODGE DAKOTA 4.7L V-8 QUAD CUB. AT APPROXIMATELY 6,000 MILES, I NOTICED A SHUDDER IN THE TRUCK WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IT BECAME WORSE WITH MILEAGE, AND AT 15,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE FELT UNSAFE WHEN STOPPING DUE TO HORRIBLE SHAKING AND SHUDDERING. IT ALSO FELT I HAD LESS STOPPING POWER AND DISTANCE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY ADVISED I HAD WARPED BRAKE ROTORS. THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS AT MY EXPENSE. APPROXIMATELY 3,000 MILES LATER, THE VEHICLE SHOWED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK, SAME DIAGNOSIS. I ASKED THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WHY THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN. SHE TOLD ME "DODGE IS USING JUNK PARTS". I ASKED WHY THEY DIDN'T PUT BETTER PARTS ON IF THEY KNEW THIS AND SHE SAID THAT WAS UP TO CHRYSLER, NOT THE SERVICE DEALER. APPROXIMATELY 3,000 MILES LATER I HAD TO TAKE MY TRUCK BACK AGAIN, FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. AGAIN, WHEN I ASKED WHY THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN, I WAS ADVISED "JUNK PARTS". I CONTACTED DODGE VIA THEIR WEBSITE EXPLAINING MY PROBLEM AND THEY ADVISED ME TO USE A DIFFERENT SERVICE DEALERSHIP. EVEN WITH THE NEW ROTORS, MY TRUCK FEELS IT HAS INADEQUATE STOPPING POWER. AFTER REVIEWING DODGE DAKOTA OWNERS WEBSITE, I SAW THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP DODGE OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. DODGE IS CLEARLY USING INADEQUATE BRAKES FOR THEIR TRUCKS, SACRIFICING ON STOPPING ABILITY AND QUALITY. DODGE DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE ABOUT THE OWNERS SAFETY. PLEASE HELP DODGE TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THEIR INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE ANY OTHER INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTATION TO ASSIST WITH RESOLVING THIS ISSUE.*AK

• 12/30/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  4X4 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB STALLS PERIODICALLY. HAS STALLED 12 TIMES BETWEEN THE PERIOD 10/30/03 AND 12/19/03. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS IT CANNOT RECREATE. USUALLY OCCURS WITHIN A FEW MINUTES OF STARTING. TYPICALLY HAS BEEN AT SLOW SPEEDS (20 MPH OR LOWER), BUT HAS OCCURRED AS HIGH AS 40 MPH. TYPICALLY RESTARTS AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW MINUTES. WOULD NOT RESTART, HOWEVER, AFTER STALL ON 12/14/03. CURRENTLY ON 5TH SERVICE VISIT. DEALERSHIP TELLS ME NO ERROR CODES SHOW UP ON THE COMPUTER. I SUGGESTED INSTALLATION OF A CO-PILOT. AFTER LENGTHY WAIT FOR A CO-PILOT (NATIONAL BACKORDER PER CHRYSLER), EVENT WAS RECORDED ON CO-PILOT AND HAS BEEN SENT TO CHRYSLER. AS OF YET, NO WORD ON RESULTS OF CO-PILOT DATA. I HAVE BEGUN ARBITRATION PROCESS UNDER MN LEMON LAW TO HAVE VEHICLE REPLACED/REPURCHASED.

• 12/28/2014· SUSPENSION

  I'VE HAD MY 2003 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 FOR 2.5 YEARS AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS ALWAYS HAD A CLUNCKING NOISE IN IT. I SEEN THE RECALL FROM DAIMLER/CHRYSLER IN REFERENCE TO SUSPENSION(FRONT CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT) NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V596000. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA03023. I THOUGHT FOR SURE THAT MY TRUCK WOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL,HOWEVER, IT APPEARS TO ME THAT IT ISN'T. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND I AM WORRIED THAT THE BALL JOINTS MAY SEPARATE AND CAUSE ME OR MY WIFE TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK BECAUSE OF EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT DUE TO MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. *TR

• 12/22/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  I'VE HAD PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS WITH MY BRAKES. I DON'T THINK THAT THEY WORK AS WELL AS THEY SHOULD. AND THEN ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO I ASSUMED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY ROTORS BECAUSE WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THERE WAS A SHIMMING IN THE FRONT END. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DODGE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS OKAY BECAUSE IT WAS A NEW TRUCK. I TOOK IT BACK AGAIN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS AND THIS TIME THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT HE KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT BEFORE THEY EVEN CHECKED THE ROTORS. THIS TIME THEY TURNED THE ROTORS AND THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT NOW IT IS DOING THE SAME SHIMMING AGAIN. THE TRUCK NOW HAS A LITTLE OVER 15,000 MILES ON IT AND I FEEL THAT THERE SOULD NOT BE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM THIS SOON. *JB

• 12/22/2003· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP TWICE BUT THE SAME PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. LOUD NOISE CAME FROM INSIDE FUEL TANK. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INDICATED THAT FUEL PUMP COULD CATCH ON FIRE AND MELT THE WIRES. *AK

• 12/22/2003· SUSPENSION

  DODGE DAKOTA 2003 SPORT: FIRST FEW MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, I WENT TO HAVE TIRES ROTATED (20,000MI) AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE OUT OF SPEC. BY THE MECHANIC AND THAT I SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. AFTER INSPECTION, THE DEALER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG.I KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SINCE THAT TIME, EVERYTIME I TURN LEFT WHILE APPLYING BRAKES IN A DOWNHILL SITUATION, A TERRIBLE GRINDING SOUND IS HEARD. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 54000MI AND I HEAR ABOUT WHEELS BREAKING OFF. I AM SCARED FOR MY FAMILIES AND PERSONAL SAFETY.*AK

• 12/22/2003· SUSPENSION

  CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE. DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS, BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED. *AK

• 12/19/2011· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR EMISSION WARNING. DEALER REPLACED $400 OF EMISSION CONTROL COMPONENTS. 2 WEEKS LATER SAME EMU WARNING. READ THIS BLOG SITE REGARDING GASOLINE FUEL CAPS. DEALER QUOTED $30 FOR REPLACEMENT. BOUGHT PLASTIC FUEL CAP @ CAN TIRE FOR $8. INSTALLED ON VEHICLE, EMU WARNING DISAPPEARED AND HAS NOT RETURNED. *TR

• 12/19/2003· SUSPENSION

  I RECENTLY SAW A CBS NEWS STORY CONCERNING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS OF DODGE DAKOTAS WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. MY DAKOTA IS A 2002. I HAVE TAKEN IN INTO MY LOCAL DODGE DEALORSHIP REPEATEDLY BECAUSE I HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN MAKING A TURN, ESPECIALLY ON AN INCLINE. EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN IT IN, THEY ARE NEVER ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE EVEN TAKEN THE MECHANIC FOR A RIDE WITH ME AFTER THEY HAD IT ALL MORNING AND THE NOISE, SURE ENOUGH, CAN'T BE DUPLICATED WHILE HE IS IN THE TRUCK. BUT SURE ENOUGH, 3 OR 4 DAYS LATER THE NOISE COMES BACK. AND THE PORCESS REPEATS AGAIN. I TAKE IT, THEY CAN'T FIND IT, I TAKE THE MECHANIC AND THE NOISE IS GONE, 3 OR 4 DAYS LETTER - HELLO - ITS BACK! CAN YOU HELP ME? FYI: FOR THE INCIDENT DATE, I JUST PUT TODAY'S DATE. I TOOK THE TRUCK IN WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT ON 5/24/2002; 12/6/2002; & 9/3/2003 . *AK

• 12/17/2004· SUSPENSION

  THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS INSPECTED BECAUSE OF THE TV BROADCAST. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. ONLY THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. *JB

• 12/15/2004· SUSPENSION

  WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN AND WITHOUT WARNING PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND LOST STEERING CONTROL. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO N INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ENTIRE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

• 12/15/2003· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTSCrash

  AIRBAG FAILURE ON 2003 DODGE DAKOTA SXT. FORCE WAS SUCH THAT FRAME OF TRUCK IS BENT AND WILL BE REPLACED BUT NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS ON SEAT BELT ALSO FAILED. A VISIT TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS.COM QUICKLY MADE ME AWARE THAT DAIMLER HAS THIS PROBLEM ON MANY OF ITS VEHICLES BUT SENDS THE SAME "FORM" LETTER TO EACH CONSUMER REPORTING THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 12/15/2003· POWER TRAIN

  ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TRANMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT FROM THIRD GEAR. DEALER CONFIRMED PROBLEM, ORDERED REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION MODULE. REPLACEMENT DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. FURTHER INVESTIGATION FROM DEALER FOUND BROKEN WIRE IN WIRING HARNESS LEADING TO TRANSMISSION.*AK

• 12/14/2004· SUSPENSION

  UNEVEN TIRE WEAR LED ME TO HAVE TRUCK SERVICED AT MIDAS TIRE CO. THEY REPORTED EXCESSIVE LOOSE PLAY IN BOTH TOP AND BOTTOM FRONTEND BALL JOINTS. VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY W/DAIMLERCHRYSLER SO TOOK TO SALES/SERVICE DEALER "SOUTARS" IN BARSTOW, CA TWO DIFFERENT TIMES W/SAME CONCERN. THEY REPORTED NOTHING WRONG W/BALL JOINTS BOTH TIMES. SAN BERNARDINO SUN TELEGRAM 12/11/04 NEWS REPORTS SERIOUS PROBLEMS W/BALL JOINTS IN DODGE DAKOTA 2003 MODELS CAUSING WHEELS TO FALL OFF.*AK

• 12/14/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  REPEATEDLY AND FREQUENTLY WARPING BRAKE ROTORS, WHICH CAUSE POOR STOPPING.*AK

• 12/13/2005· SUSPENSION

  DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE I NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID 04V596000 CONCERNING THE UPPER BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE.*AK

• 12/12/2018· TIRES

  TO WHOM IT CONCERNS: I AM REQUESTING THAT THE DOT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THE POSSIBILITY OF A TIRE SIDEWALL SEPARATION OR SIDEWALL DELAMINATION OF COOPER TIRES (COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY) MODEL DISCOVERER RTX, SIZE P245/70R16, DOT UT9H 2BM 1818. I PURCHASED A SET OF 4 TIRES (DISCOVERER RTX, 245/70R16) ON NOVEMBER 14, 2018 FOR MY 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. ON DECEMBER 9, 2018, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE PURCHASING THE COOPER TIRES. I SUDDENLY HEARD A NOISE SIMILAR TO DRIVING ON GROOVED PAYMENT OR RUMBLE-STRIPS. HOWEVER, THE ROADWAY WAS SMOOTH AND CLEAR. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND CHECKED THE TIRES. THE RIGHT-REAR TIRE WAS TORN (SHREDDED) ALL-AROUND BETWEEN THE TIRE SHOULDER AND TREAD, RESULTING IN TWO SEPARATE PIECES. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I FOUND A PORTION OF THE SIDE WALL WHERE THE OUTER AND INNER SECTIONS WERE NOT ADHERED (OR NOT GLUED) TOGETHER LIKE THE REST OF THE TIRE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE OTHER 3 TIRES MAY ALSO BE AFFECTED. CAN YOU LOOK INTO THIS TO SEE IF THIS TIRE SHOULD BE RECALLED? I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THESE TIRES. THANK YOU

• 12/12/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY

  25JAN06 TELL DODGE DEALER THAT PASS WINDOW INOP FROM PASS SIDE SWITCH WORKS FROM DRIVERS SIDE SWITCH. DODGE REPLACE SWITCH. 20APR06 TELL DODGE DEALER PASS WINDOW INOP FROM PASS SIDE BUT WORKS FROM DRIVERS SIDE. DODGE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. PERSISTS UP TO 7DEC07, HOPEFULLY MY MECHANIC FOUND THE TROUBLE. 1DEC07 "SERVICE 4WD" LIGHT CAME ON 3DEC07 CALLED TO GET APPTMT FOR TRUCK 4DEC07 REMOTE DOOR ENTRY WOULDN'T WORK OR DOOR LOCK FOR ALL DOORS ON DRIVER ARM REST, WINDSHIELD WASHER AND WIPER PULSE WOULDN'T WORK 5DEC07 HEADLIGHTS DID NOT COME ON DURING EVENING TRAFFIC COMMUTE, TURN SIGNALS WORKED 7DEC07 TAKE TRUCK TO SHOP FINDS SHORT TO GROUND IN CIRCUIT TO INTO LIGHTS (FUSE#1) PNK WIRE NEAR PARKING BRAKE PETAL, REPLACE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE (P/N 56049072AL). *TR

• 12/12/2007· SUSPENSION

  I OWN A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA (PICKUP) PURCHASED NEW (I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER). THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT 23,000 MILES (UNDER WARRANTY). THEY ARE NOW BAD AGAIN AT 78,000 MILES (NO WARRANTY NOW, THIS BILL WAS ON ME)! THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE ALSO REPLACED TWICE (THOSE ARE UNDER AN OFFICIAL NHTSA RECALL). MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. THESE PARTS SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT THIS OFTEN, AND I FEEL THIS IS A BAD DESIGN! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE (IN MY OPINION) AND ALSO A BIG EXPENSE FOR THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. I FEEL THE LOWER BALL JOINTS SHOULD ALSO BE AN OFFICIAL NHTSA RECALL!!! *TR

• 12/10/2004· SUSPENSION,TIRES

  I PURCHASED MY 2003 DAKOTA QUAD CAB 2WD IN EARLY JANUARY OF 2004. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 21K. SIGNS OF THE STEERING MAKING A CREAKING SOUND WHEN BEING TURNED WERE FIRST NOTICED AT APPROXIMATELY 8000. IT IS MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN ENTERING AN ELEVATED STREET OR A DRIVEWAY, WHILE MAKING THE TURN. I BELIEVE THE SAME DEFECTIVE STEERING COMPONENTS UTILIZED IN THE 4X4 DAKOTA ALSO APPLY TO THE 2WD VERSIONS. I WOULD LIKE THE INITIATIVE BE TAKEN TO INCLUDE THE 2WD DODGE DAKOTAS IN THE RECALL AS WELL. MY TRUCK HAS NOT YET BEEN SERVICED, BUT IF STUDY INFORMATION IS REQUIRED, SUCH AS AN ANALYSIS OF THE JOINT, I AM WILLING TO VOLUNTEER MY VEHICLE FOR SUCH A STUDY IF IT WOULD HELP IN MOVING FORWARD WITH THE RECALL.*AK

• 12/10/2004· STEERING

  I PURCHASED A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA ON 02/01/2003. SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE I HEAR A METALIC POPPING NOISE WHEN I TURN SHARPLY. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE NOISE IS PROBABLY MY SPARE TIRE LOCK BUT EVEN IF I SECURE THE LOCK THE NOISE CONTINUES. BECAUSE OF THE RECENT NEWS STORIES ABOUT A POSSIBLE RECALL I'M CONCERNED THAT THE NOISE I AM HEARING MAY BE FROM THE BALL-JOINT DEFECT THAT IS BEING SCRUTINIZED.*AK

• 12/10/2004· SUSPENSION

  CONSUMER HEARS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE LIGHTLY ESPECIALLY WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS AND MAKING TURNS. CONSUMER WILL WAIT TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS.*AK

• 12/10/2004· SUSPENSION

  I AM POSTING THIS COMPLAINT DUE TO RECENT PROBLEMS I AM HAVING WITH MY 2003 DODGE DAKOTA SLT PLUS 4X4 PICKUP. MY VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 13,000 MILES AND IS ALREADY DISPLAYING CONSIDERABLE WEAR DUE TO DEFECTIVE FRONT END BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE IS MAKING A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNS ARE MADE INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND PARKING DECK AT WORK. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED INDEPENDENTLY AND CONFIRMED THAT THIS IS THE ISSUE. I URGE THE NHTSA TO CONTINUE IN THEIR EFFORTS TO FIGHT FOR A RECALL OF THESE DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER, DAIMLERCHRYSLER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

• 12/10/2004· VISIBILITY

  WINDSHIELD NO TOP RUBBER, WINDSHEILD BECOMING LOOSE. *AK

• 12/10/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PERFORM THE WIRING HARNESS RECALL 03 V 389 000 BECAUSE THE CONSUMER DIDN'T PURCHASE THE VEHICLE FROM THEM. *AK *SCC *JB

• 12/09/2017· ENGINE

  OVER A PERIOD OF TIME I GRADUALLY NOTICED EXHAUST GAS COMING INTO THE CAB. I HAD NO IDEA WHY I WAS GETTING A HEADACHE AND BECOMING EXHAUSTED. I TOOK THE TRUCK INTO A DEALER AND HE FOUND EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKEN ALLOWING EXHAUST GAS TO ESCAPE THROUGH THE GASKETS.

• 12/09/2003· STRUCTURE

  WATER LEAKING ON PASSENGER SIDE. DEALER ATTEMPTED REPAIR 4 TIMES. DEALER SAID FIRST TIME AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSATION LEAKED. FILLED UP WITH WATER AFTER RAIN, RUINED CARPET AND MUSTY SMELL.*AK

• 12/06/2004· SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  MY 2003 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB HAS HAD THE BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES WITH NO SEVERE USE. AND ALSO THE BALL JOINTS ARE WORN OUT AT 35,000 MILES. THESE PARTS SHOULD LAST A LOT LONGER ON A LIGH USE VEHICLE.*AK

• 12/05/2020· AIR BAGS

  AIRBAG RED LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME IGNITION SWITCH IS ON. AIRBAG RED WARNING LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME, SITTING STILL OR DRIVING

• 12/05/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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. *TR

• 12/05/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD SWITCH ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,660.

• 12/05/2006· SUSPENSION

  POPPING NOISE IN FRONT END ENTERING DRIVEWAY OR OVER SPEED BUMPS HAD DEALER INSPECT AND PERFORM TSB. ON UPPER BALL JOINTS PER LETTER FROM CHRYSLER CORP. THEY DID REPAIR AND TOLD ME THE HUB BEARINGS WERE ALSO BAD NOT COVERED, 552.00 I REPLACED THEM MYSELF I CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM THE HUBS . THE NOISE IS STILL THERE ! *JB

• 12/04/2002· WHEELS

  CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WIT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL. ALSO STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING GEARS THE WHEEL WILL SPIN BY IT SELF. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT IF THE CONSUMER DOES NOT GIVE A GOOD REFERENCE ON THE DEALER SURVEY THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. TS

• 12/03/2003· SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN

  AT 6,000 MILES THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. WHEN RIDING OVER ANY SIZE BUMP IN THE ROAD THE FRONT END COLLAPSED. *AK THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN BRAKING, THE FLAPPER DOOR FOR THE FUEL FILLER NECK WAS MISSING AND OR FELL INSIDE THE TANK, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS WERE GROOVED, WORN UNEVEN AND PITTED. *SCC *JB

• 12/02/2011· INTERIOR LIGHTINGFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOME LIGHT SOCKET BURNED WHERE THE BULB WAS PLUGGED IN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SOCKET WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THEY OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,940.

• 12/02/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT THE CLUTCH POPPED OUT. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE 02 SENSOR BLEW A HOLE INSIDE OF THE CLUTCH AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK......*AK

• 12/02/2004· SUSPENSION

  RECENT INSPECTION BY AUTHORIZED MECHANIC REVEALS HEAVILY WORN BALL JOINTS ON 2003 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 24,000 MILES

• 12/02/2003· SUSPENSIONCrash

  WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE TO HIT A TREE AND ROLLED OVER. THE DEALER BELIEVED THAT THE CAUSE WAS DUE TO FRONT END SUSPENSION FAILURE, HOWEVER THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. *AK *SCC

• 12/01/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL OIL PRESSURE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE OIL PUMP FAILED, AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

• 11/29/2010· SUSPENSION

  UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE BOTH LOOSE AND DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT. VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN PREVIOUS RECALL BY CHRYSLER. *TR

• 11/25/2003· SUSPENSION

  RH SIDE - UPPER BALL JOINT NEEDS REPLACEMENT AT 15,700 MILES. DEALER FOUND BALL JOINT TO BE "OUT OF SPEC" AFTER AN INSPECTION WAS REQUESTED DURING ROUTINE SERVICE. *LA

• 11/23/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  DT: CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKES MAKING NOISES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP SIX OR SEVEN TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE MADE NOISES WHEN BRAKING AT ANY SPEED. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE THIS VEHICLE. NO PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN FOUND WITH THE BRAKES. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY.*AK

• 11/23/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  NO EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE JUST REGULAR DRIVING.UNUSUAL ROTOR WARPPING ON MY 2003 DODGE DAKOTA SO FAR HAS COST ME OVER $800 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS MY COMPLAINT IS ON THE POOR ENGINEERING OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM.WORST VEHICLE I EVER OWNED SHOULD OF STAYED WITH TOYOTA!*AK

• 11/19/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  WHILE DRIVING A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE WIRE HARNESS. DEALERSHIP/ECHANIC TRIED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE 3 TIMES BEFORE, BUT HAD NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM.*AK

• 11/17/2022· SUSPENSION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

  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

• 11/17/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WIRING HARNESS CONNECTED TO A/C AND HATER BLOWER MOTOR MELTS AND CAUSES THE BLOWER MOTOR TO FAIL. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN 2 YEARS. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER PUT IN A NEW HARNESS AT MY EXPENSE, AROUND 400 DOLLARS. BOTH TIMES THE BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CITY DRIVING CONDITIONS. THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THIS NTSB WEBSITE, AND THEY DESCRIBE THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS AND CONDITIONS BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER HARNESS FAILURE. MY FEAR IS THE HARNESS MELTING AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE UNDER THE DASH LEADING TO A CRASH OR VEHICLE FIRE.

• 11/15/2011· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V596000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

• 11/14/2003· STEERING,SUSPENSIONCrash

  DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD HEARD A BANG LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND HIT A PARKED CAR. CAR WAS TOWED AWAY AND FIXED BODY SHOP AND FRONT END SHOP SAID TIE ROD AND BALL JOINT SNAPPED OFF CLEAN THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 5000 MILES ON IT, ALSO I HAVE ALL THE DAMAGED PARTS IF ANY BODY WANTS TO TEST THEM. *LA

• 11/14/2003· SUSPENSION

  MY BALL JOINTS HAVE WORN OUT AT ABOUT 55,000 MILES. IT IS NOT COVERED IN MY 7 YEAR 70,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. *LA

• 11/13/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  PURCHASED A 2003 DAKOTA QUAD CAB IN JULY 2003. WHEN I TEST DROVE THE TRUCK I NOTICED A HOWL IN THE REAR BRAKES WHEN BACKING UP. THE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THAT IT WAS AN ISSUE BUT THAT DODGE WAS WORKING ON A SOLUTION AND THAT THEY WOULD ADD ME TO THEIR LIST. MY TRUCK WAS WORKED ON PER TSB 0050603. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER THE NOISE RETURNED. I TOOK MY TRUCK INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS INFORMED THAT DODGE HAS TOLD THEM TO NOT WORK ON THE TRUCKS THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON A SOLUTION BUT DO NOT KNOW WHY THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *LA