2004 Dodge Dakota

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

• 12/31/2010· SUSPENSION

  STEERING ON MY 2004 DODGE DAKOTA BECAME HARD TO STEER WON'T RETRACT HAVE TO DO IT BY HAND. ABOUT SIX MONTHS BEFORE THIS STARTED HAPPENING I HAD WENT TO GET A ALIGNMENT AND WAS TOLD MY UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACED. WE BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW AND IT HAS WORN OUT EVERY FRONT TIRE THAT HAS EVER BEEN ON IT. 4 SETS BY 100,000 MILES THIS BEGAN TO HAPPEN AT 25,000 MILES THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE FRONT END, NO VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BAD BALL JOINTS AT 85,000 MILES OR SOONER BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS WEARING TIRES OUT BECAUSE IT NEEDED A ALIGNMENT!!!! I HAVE NOT REPAIRED IT , WE ONLY DRIVE IT AROUND TOWN, I AM WAITING FOR CHRYSLER TO RECALL THIS. I SEE ON THIS SITE THAT SEVERAL OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD HOPE CHRYSLER DON'T WAIT UNTIL PEOPLE ARE KILLED OR INJURED LIKE TOYOTA DID!!!! *TR

• 12/30/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  FRONT END EXPERIENCED SEVERE SHAKING WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR CHECK UP, AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE ROTORS WERE MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY. VEHICLE'S WEIGHT WAS MORE THAN WHAT THE FRONT ROTORS COULD SUPPORT.*AK

• 12/27/2004· SUSPENSION

  A KNOCKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

• 12/26/2004· SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  BOUGHT DAKOTA NEW JAN,04 AT 10000,15000,AND 18000ROTORS WERE REPLACED FOR SHAKE IN TK WHEN BRAKING STILL HAS PROBLEM FRONT HUBS AND BEARINGS REPLACED HAS POPPING NOISE IN FRONT END WHEN TURNING SOMETIMES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES TRUCK PULLS TO LEFT FRONT DRIVESHAFT AND DRIVER WINDOW REGULATER HAS BEEN REPLACED ALSO 2 SENSORS IN TRANS REPLACED.TEMPERATURE GUAGE WENT ALL THE WAY TO HOT 1 TIME WHEN TRUCK WAS STARTED. WISH DODGE WOULD JUST BUY IT BACK.MY FIRST AND LAST DODGE EVER. *AK

• 12/25/2004· SUSPENSION

  I BOUGHT A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA 3/20/04 AND EVER SINCE IT WAS NEW IT HAS MADE A "POPPING" OR A "SCRAPING" NOISE WHEN I TURN. I MADE COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALER AT THE 3,000 MI AND 7,000 MI OIL CHANGES BUT THE DEALER TELLS ME THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. NOW I SEE THAT 2003 AND PREVIOUS DAKOTA'S HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR BALL JOINT SERVICE I AM WONDERING. I HAVE NOT DROVE MY DAKOTA SINCE OCTOBER CAUSE I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. *AK

• 12/23/2004· SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  I OWN A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA [XXX]. I NOW HAVE 40,000 MILES ON IT. MY FRONT BRAKES (DISC) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES DUE TO PULSATING. THIS PULSATING IS ATTRIBUTED TO ROTORS WARPING. THE ROTOR WARPING IS CAUSED BY TOO MUCH HEAT FRICTION IN THE FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE ROTORS WARP CAUSING A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS IN BRAKING POWER. THE BALL JOINTS AND CONTROL ARMS WERE ALSO REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY WERE 'LOOSE' AND THEY MADE A CLUNKING SOUND OFTEN. SINCE THE PARTS WERE REPLACED, THE SAME SOUND STILL OCCURS LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE OEM PARTS ARE FAULTY. I DO NOT USE THIS VEHICLE FOR MEDIUM OR HEAVY LOADS AT ANY TIME; I DO, HOWEVER, USE THIS VEHICLE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS IN THE CAPACITY OF A PASSENGER VEHICLE.*AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• 12/22/2009· STEERING

  I HAVE READ SO MANY OF THESE SAME ISSUES THAT I AM HAVING WITH MY 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE STEERING IS LOCKING UP AND VERY HARD TO TURN. I'VE TAKEN IT INTO A DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES NOW, AND THEY HAVE REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP, CHECKED MY RACK AND PINION, AND ALL OTHER OPTIONS AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. VERY SCARY. JUST HAD A BABY AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT WHERE NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I HAVE READ UP SO MANY OF THESE SAME COMPLAINTS AND THEY ARE ALL THE SAME AS WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING. THERE HAS GOT TO BE A PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. VERY HARD TO TURN WHEEL AND GO STIFF LOOSE STIFF LOOSE. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU. *TR

• 12/22/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCrash

  VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. SOMETIMES IT TOOK 10 MINUTES, SOMETIMES 2 HOURS BEFORE VEHICLE WILL RESTART. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES. DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS DONE, BUT NO ENGINE FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. NO PARTS WERE REPLACED. THEY ONLY REFLASHED THE ENGINE, BUT THIS FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK THE VEHICLE STALLED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *NM

• 12/18/2017· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. WHEN THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, THERE WAS NO AIR FLOW DISTRIBUTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,448.

• 12/16/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DRIVING AT 35 MPH VALVE SPRING BROKE LOSING ALL COMPRESSION IN CYLINDER #1. *TR

• 12/15/2014· SEATS

  DRIVER SEAT RECLINE WHEN DRIVING. *TR

• 12/15/2004· SUSPENSION

  I AM CONCERNED THE 2004 DODGE DURANGO AND DAKOTA ARE NOT BEING INVESTIGATED. THEY HAVE THE SAME BALL-JOINTS!!. ALSO DODGE KNOW ABOUT THE BALL JOINT PROBLEM IN 2003 BUT CONTINUE INSTALLING THE BALL-JOINTS DURING THE 2004 PRODUCTION RUN.*AK

• 12/15/2004· POWER TRAIN

  WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD TRANSMISSION IS NOT DISCONNECTING FROM THE ENGINE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WARMS IT RUNS OKAY. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE LEFT OVERNIGHT AT THE DEALERS TO SEE IF THEY CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

• 12/14/2004· SUSPENSION

  STEERING SHOOK SEVERELY WHILE DRIVING AT 62 MPH, AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN GOING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

• 12/13/2004· STEERING,SUSPENSION

  CONSUMER WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINION,AND BOTH FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

• 12/12/2012· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK FAILED AND BEGAN TO LEAK GASOLINE FUEL. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

• 12/12/2006· SUSPENSION

  SQUEALING SOUND COMING FROM LEFT FRONT WHEEL. JACKED UP VEHICLE TO INSPECT AND WHEEL WAS WOBBLING BACK AND FORTH. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND LEARNED THAT THE BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS. VEHICLE HAS 38,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN ALMOST ENTIRELY ON PAVED ROADS. *JB

• 12/12/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CLICKING OR TAPPING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. TRUCK RETURNED TO DEALER WITH NO SATISFACTION TO DATE. MECHANICS STATE IT MAY BE THE TIMING CHAIN AND SERVICE ADVISOR STATES THEY HAVE TO WAIT ON A REPRESENTATIVE TO COME CHECK THE VEHICLE BEFORE THEY CAN STATE WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THIS SYSTEM HOWEVER THEY STATE THE REPRESENTATIVE CANNOT ARRIVE BEFORE AFTER THE NEW YEAR. A MONTH IN A TRUCK THAT I CANNOT TAKE ON CHRISTMAS VACATION. DEALER HAS INFORMED ME TO KEEP OPERATING THE VEHICLE REGARDLESS OF THE CLICKING NOISE.*AK

• 12/11/2009· SUSPENSION

  I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP IN 2004. EVERY YEAR FOR INSPECTION, I HAVE NEEDED SEVERAL BALL JOINTS REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THIS PAST YEAR THAT I WAS REALLY CLOSE TO HAVING THE BALL JOINTS COMPLETELY BREAK OFF, WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME, ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY HAVE NEEDED REPLACED EVERY YEAR. *TR

• 12/10/2016· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON TOOK IT TO DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS CLOCK SPRING WENT BAD ,I HAD IT REPLACED WITH NEW ONE . I HAD TO BRAKE FAST TO AVOID HITTING AND AIR BAG CAME ON AGAIN. THESE THINGS COST 100.00 WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?

• 12/08/2006· SUSPENSIONCrash

  MY TRUCK HAD BEEN MAKING THE NOTORIOUS SQUEAKING SOUNDS FROM THE FONT END THAT THE DODGE DAKOTA HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. I KNEW NOTHING OF THE BALL JOINT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE UNTIL MY FIANCE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THE TRUCK. THE ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED WAS FAULTED TO MY FIANCE'S FAULT. WHEN SPEAKING WITH HER, SHE STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE TRUCK AND THEREFORE STRUCK THE OTHER CAR 'WHILE GOING AROUND THE CORNER'. WHEN SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AFTER THE ACCIDENT, SHE FOUND THE TRUCK LOWERED TO THE GROUND ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DUE TO THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY POPPING OFF THE TRUCK. BY 'POPPING OFF' I MEAN THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT POPPED OUT OF ITS LOCATION AND THE RIVETS HOLDING THE TOP OF THE SPINDLE POPPED OUT OF THERE POSITION. YES I SAID POPPED. THERE WERE NO RIPPING OF PARTS ETC, THE ASSEMBLY JUST POPPED OFF THE TRUCK. THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT A LOW SPEED GOING THROUGH A TURN. THIS IS THE EXACT ENACTMENT THAT CHRYSLER HAS STATED THAT THE WHEEL WOULD FALL OFF IF THE PART FULL MALFUNCTIONED. CHRYSLER HAS BEEN USING THE SAME PARTS IN THE 04 DAKOTA TRUCK AS THAT USED IN THE 00-03. WHY IS THE PART NOT BEING CORRECTED? WHY IS CHRYSLER NOT TAKING CONTROL OF THIS ISSUE AND RESOLVING THE ISSUE WITH A RECALL? CHRYSLER IS PUTTING LIVES AT RISK EVERYDAY THAT THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THIS PART AND CORRECTING THE ISSUE. IS IT GOING TO TAKE THE DEATH OF AN INDIVIDUAL CAUSED BY THIS FAILING PART FOR THEM TO STEP UP AND ADMIT THEY HAVE MESSED UP? WE CANT WAIT FOR THIS. START SAVING THE LIVES AT RISK NOW BY GETTING THIS RECALL STARTED AND GETTING ALL OF THE DAKOTA FIXED. IF IT IS NOT DONE NOW, EACH INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS THE POWER TO GET IT DONE, IS PUTTING MANY LIVES AT RISK. WHAT SHOULD WE AS DODGE DAKOTA OWNERS DO TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED AND PROTECT OUR FAMILIES? *NM

• 12/08/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING THE RMPS ACCELERATED THE SPEED. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK

• 12/07/2005· STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE,SEATS,EQUIPMENT

  I AM LOOKING FOR ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO SPEAK TO MY ATTORNEY ABOUT PROBLEMS THEY ARE HAVING WITH THEIR 04 DAKOTA'S. I HAVE HAD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END, WHIRLING NOISE AT IDLING GETS LOUDER WHEN BLINKER ON, WINDOWS MAKE CLUNKING NOISE WHILE ROLLING UP OR DOWN, SEVER E SHAKING WHILE BRAKING ( WARPED ROTORS), TRANSMISSION LEAKING, AND THE LIST GOES ON. I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF LEMON LAW AND IT TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO BE ABLE TO FIND AN ATTORNEY. THIS ONE IS EXCELLENT.*JB

• 12/04/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHEN THE CONSUMER TRIES TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE REVSUP BUT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THE CONSUMER WOULD TRY TO PASS A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE, ONLY TO HAVE THE RPM'S TO INCREASE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN THE PAST. THE DEALER TRIED TO FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT WAS UNABLE TO. THE MANUFACTURERS IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *PH

• 11/28/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TEMP GAUGE WILL PEG FOLLOWED BY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. P# IS 0118--EXCESS VOLTAGE FROM SENSOR. 4 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. CALLS CHRYSLER AND THEY WERE NO HELP AT ALL. *TR

• 11/28/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  I HAVE A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA 4 DOOR CAB 2 WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK. THE BRAKES FAILED AT LESS THAN 12,000 MILES. THEY WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AND FAILED AGAIN LESS THAN 8,000 MILES LATER. I HAD TO PAY FOR THAT FAILURE. THE SYMPTOMS WERE SHIMMY/SHAKE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. I HAD NOT MADE ANY PANIC STOPS AND MOST OF THE DRIVING HAD BEEN ON INTERSTATE OR STATE HIGHWAYS. *NM

• 11/27/2004· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION SLIPS, RATTLING IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK THIS TRUCK BACK TO OUTTEN COUNTY CHRYSLER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY WOULD NOT FIX ANY OF THE PROBLEMS.*AK

• 11/24/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE PARKED MY BLOWER MOTOR WIRING TO THE RESISTOR JUST WENT. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME IT HAS DONE THIS. NOW I AM WITH OUT A TRUCK AND ITS SNOWING AND COLD SO IT US INOPERABLE! I HAVE SEEN PLENTY OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING! THANK GOD I WAS NOT DRIVING WITH MY KIDS IN THE TRUCK WHEN IT WENT. THE WIRING MELTED SO THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO TO REPLACE THE RESISTOR SO I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE WIRE HARNESS. THIS IN NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THESE TRUCKS! SOMETHING NEEDS DONE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OVER THIS. *TR

• 11/22/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND COULD NOT GET MY HEADLIGHTS TO TURN ON. ALL CONNECTIONS AND BULBS WERE CHECKED BY A MECHANIC AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN TRACED TO THE CTM (CENTRAL TIMING MODULE). THESE UNITS ARE ON NATIONWIDE BACK ORDER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS REPLACEMENT ISSUE IF PEOPLE ARE LOSING THEIR HEADLIGHTS AND THE PART IS ON AN UNKNOWN BACK ORDER SITUATION.

• 11/22/2005· STEERING

  DT: CONTACT STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES A NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT HAND TURN. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE CONNECTOR PART TWICE. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKE DID NOT HEAR THE NOISE. *AK UPDATED 12/7/2005. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER SHAFT PER THE STAR HOTLINE AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS MORE PREVALENT IN WARM/HOT WEATHER. *NM

• 11/16/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND ENGINE RUNNING, I NOTICE SMOKE AND BURNING SMELL OF PLASTIC COMING FROM BLOWER FAN MOTOR UNIT. PLEASE TELL ME IS THERE ANY TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM FROM OTHERS. ENGINE SIZE 3.7L V6.

• 11/16/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY

  MY SON WAS ON HIS WAY TO THE DOCTOR FOR AN INJECTION IN HIS 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MPH, HE TURNED ON THE PARKING LIGHTS AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON ALL BY THEMSELVES. HE HAD NOT TURNED ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH. HE STOPPED THE TRUCK AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. ASSUMING THAT IT WAS A TEMPORARY GLITCH IN THE SYSTEM HE STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN AND TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. AT THAT TIME THE ENTIRE LIGHTING SYSTEM WENT CRAZY. THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING ON AND OFF, THE EMERGENCY WARNING SYSTEM BEGAN TO WORK AND THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS BEGAN TO BLINK ON THEIR OWN. BETWEEN FLASHES OF THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS A DIRECTIONAL LIGHT WOULD ELIMINATE. AGAIN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TO OPERATE ON THEIR OWN AGAIN. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AFTER DARK. WE ARE WAITING TO GET A DEALER TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. AGAIN THIS COULD HAVE HAD A DISASTROUS ENDING IF HE HAD BEEN DRIVING AFTER DARK AND ON A BUSY HIGHWAY OR STREET. *TR

• 11/16/2004· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  GOT DODGE DAKOTA 4X2 BRAND NEW. BRAKES SQUEALED AFTER 6,000 MILES, FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. AT 12,000 MILES THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHILE TURNING, TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, SAID IT WAS FIXED. IT WAS NOT FIXED. AT 14,000 MILES, BOTH TIE RODS SNAPPED WHILE MAKING A TURN FROM A COMPLETE STOP. FIXED UNDER WARENTY. NOW AT 15,000 MILES, THE CLUNKING NOISE IS BACK WHILE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND MAKING TURN. THESE CARS ARE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *AK

• 11/15/2021· POWER TRAIN

  Unknown the four wheel drive was out when I purchased it I didn't realize until later that day when I drove it and tried to engage it. It no longer works and it is a safety hazard to even try and turn on it doesn't engage and makes a noise and catches in some sort of way I believe it may have affected the transmission as well. My safety and the safety of others could be at risk if I try and use the four wheel drive and it's needed for hazardous road conditions in my area like snow and ice

• 11/15/2004· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION HESITATES TO SHIFT GEARS.*AK

• 11/12/2014· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

• 11/12/2007· SEATS

  I OWN A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. THE PROBLEM IS THERE IS NOT ENOUGH HEIGHT FOR MY OLDEST SON'S CAR SEAT TO FIT CORRECTLY AND ALSO THE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT TIGHTEN UP ENOUGH TO MAKE THE SEAT SIT TIGHTLY. MY YOUNGEST SON'S CAR SEAT IS WEDGED BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SPACE FOR IT TO SIT AND THE SEAT BELTS WON'T TIGHTEN UP ON IT EITHER. *TR

• 11/11/2008· STEERING

  I JUST READ ABOUT THE STEERING PROBLEMS BEING EXPERIENCED ON THE 2004 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CAB MODELS. I HAVE TWICE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM . ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND ONCE AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THE STEERING JUST FREEZES UP AND THE WHEEL CANNOT BE TURNED WITH OUT A LOT OF EFFORT. WHEN YOU ROUND A CORNER, IT DOES NOT RECOVER AND YOU MUST TURN THE WHEEL BACK YOURSELF TO HAVE THE VEHICLE CONTINUE ON A STRAIGHT COURSE AFTER THE TURN. BOTH TIMES I WAS REQUIRED TO HAVE THE "MIDDLE STEERING SHAFT" REPLACED. APPARENTLY THERE IS A TOP,MIDDLE AND LOWER STEERING SHAFT AND BOTH TIMES AT DIFFERENT REPAIR FACILITIES IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE MIDDLE SHAFT THAT HAD FAILED. IT COMPLETELY FREEZES UP ON YOU. *TR

• 11/07/2005· STEERING,SUSPENSION,TIRES

  DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHIMMY/VIBRATION IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE SEPARATE TIMES FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. THE RACK AND PINION, FRONT SHOCKS AND ALL FOUR TIRES HAD BEEN CHANGED. THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THE CONSUMER HAD BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. *AK (12/05/05) THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS WITH NO RESULTS. *SC

• 11/05/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  HERE'S WHAT I SUBMITTED TO THE DODGE WEBSITE: LAST NIGHT I RETURNED FROM MY DODGE DEALERSHIP AFTER HAVING NEW BRAKE PADS AND NEW ROTORS INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVING FINE AND THE BRAKES ARE OPERATING PERFECTLY. THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER, WES, WAS HELPFUL AND PROFESSIONAL. HOWEVER, I DON'T THINK SPENDING $900 ON NEW ROTORS SHOULD BE REQUIRED AFTER TWO YEARS OF OPERATION AND LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. I AM METICULOUS ABOUT MAINTENANCE AND TIRE ROTATION. I DO NOT RIDE THE TRUCK HARD AND ALL OF MY DRIVING IS COUNTRY, NOT CITY, MILEAGE. EVEN YOUR DODGE PERSONNEL COULD NOT GIVE ME ANY REASON WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN SO SOON. I AM NOT A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, BUT I BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH EITHER THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKES OR THE MATERIALS OR COMPONENTS USED IN THE BRAKE DESIGN. I BOUGHT A NEW '91 DODGE DAYTONA AND SAID I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE DUE TO PROBLEMS AND MAINTENANCE COSTS. IN 2003, I THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE DODGE ANOTHER SHOT AND BOUGHT A NEW LOADED, DAKOTA TRUCK. REST ASSURED, THIS WILL BE THE LAST DODGE VEHICLE I EVER OWN. SINCERELY, WILLIAM WILSON. *JB

• 11/04/2020· POWER TRAIN

  MY VEHICLES DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF WHILE MAKING A STOP AT A RED LIGHT, THE PINON NUT HAD COME LOOSE. IT WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC'S SHOP, MY DAD CAME AND REATTACHED IT. IT STILL MADE A WHIRRING SOUND, AT FIRST I WAS ON THE WAY TO THE MECHANIC FOR WHAT I THOUGH WAS A PINON SEAL LEAK.

• 11/04/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM KEEPS MALFUNCTIONING. THE FUEL GAUGE DOESN'T WORK RIGHT AND THE TEMPERATURE HAND SOMETIMES IS ON HOT AS SOON AS YOU CRANK THE TRUCK. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON TOO. IT HAS BEEN WORKED ON 3 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT A YEAR AGO. *NM

• 11/03/2008· STEERING

  2004 DODGE DAKOTA POWER STEERING GOES STIFF, LOOSE, STIFF, LOOSE, ETC. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG AND JUDGING BY THE COMPLAINTS I'VE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. IT IS PUTTING PEOPLE'S LIVE IN DANGER AND A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUES ASAP. *TR

• 11/03/2004· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHEN VEHICLE HAS 3/4 TANK OF GAS. WHEN SLOWING DOWN THERE IS A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM REAR UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. *BF WHEN BRAKING AND COMING TO A STOP A DELAY THEN A THUMP SOUND COMES FROM THE BACK WALL OF THE TRUCK. 1ST GAS TANK STARTED THIS OVER HALF OF A TANK. TANK WAS REPLACED AND NOW YOU HEAR THE THUMP WHEN THE TANK IS AT 3/4 FULL. *TC

• 10/31/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  AT 20K MY 2004 DAKOTA TRUCK NEEDS NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY ARE BLUE FROM GETTING TOO HOT. MY 1999 DAKOTA JUST HAD NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS AND STILL HAD PLENTY OF PAD ON THEM AT 84K. *TR

• 10/29/2008· STEERING

  1) NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, JUST REGULAR DRIVING 2) ITS VERY HARD TO STEER SOMETIMES, ITS LIKE STIFF-LOOSE-STIFF-LOOSE WHEN I TURN EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND GUYS ON DODGEFORUM.COM HAVE PINPOINTED THE PROBLEM BUT DEALERS WONT CHANGE THE PART, THEY WANT TO CHANGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHEN THE PROBLEM IS IN THE INTERMEDIATE ARM, ITS EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND WHY SHOULD WE PAY FOR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT? THE CONSEQUENCES UNFORTUNATELY CAN BE DEADLY. SOMETIMES ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER OR MAKE A QUICK TURN, IF SOMEONE CUTS YOU OFF AND YOU CANT TURN, WELL BAD THINGS CAN HAPPEN. 3)I CANNOT GET THE PART (INTERMEDIATE ARM) BECAUSE THEY ARE ON BACKORDER, COINCIDENCE?? *TR

• 10/24/2011· STEERING

  POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND TOOK IT IN TO FLUSH THE FLUID. DIDN'T DO ANYTHING BUT WAS TO GIVE IT A FEW HUNDRED MILES. I WAITED TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND AFTER 1 MONTH AND NOTHING CHANGING I REPLACED THE FLUID AGAIN WITH SOME CORRECTION FLUID. DIDN'T WORK, THEN ANOTHER MONTH LATER THE STEERING RELEASED BACK TO NORMAL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN. TWO WEEKS LATER THE POWER STEERING BECAME INTERMITTENT AND SOMETIMES IN THE SAME TURN. AT THIS POINT I SEARCHED DEEPER ON THE INTRANET AND FOUND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT DODGE DAKOTA STEERING AND MANY THAT WERE SPECIFIC TO A 2004 DAKOTA AND MORE THAN A HANDFUL THAT HAD ABOUT 70K MILES LIKE MINE. AFTER SPRAYING PENETRATING OIL ON THE U-JOINT WITH A SHORT TERM CORRECTION, I'M CONVINCED THAT I NOW HAVE ONE OF THESE FAULTY STEERING SHAFTS. *TR

• 10/24/2011· STEERING

  TRUCK HAS BECOME VERY HARD TO STEER. LIKE THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED. WHEN GOING INTO A TURN IS VERY HARD TO TURN AND WHEN COMING BACK IT STICKS AND HAVE TO TURN HARD ON THE WHEEL. THIS COMES AND GOES, SEEMS TO WORK FINE WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT OUT AND SEEMS TO FAIL WHEN THE WEATHER IS COOL OR COLD. *TR

• 10/24/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TOOK DELIVERY OF TRUCK ON 6/24/04 WITH 341 MILES AT DELIVERY. NOT EVEN SIX MONTHS LATER, 12/16/04 IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING. THEY REPLACED BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS, MILEAGE 12,031. A LITTLE OVER SIX MONTHS LATER, 6/27/05 IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN, FOR THE SAME VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING. AGAIN THEY REPLACED BOTH FRONT ROTORS, MILEAGE 25,033. WE WERE TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT CHRYSLER WILL NOT WARRANTY THEM AGAIN, THIS WAS THE LAST TIME THEY WOULD WARRANTY THE BRAKES. ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO, AT APPROXIMATELY 33,000 MILES NOTICED THE VIBRATION AGAIN. CALLED THE DEALER AND WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD HAVE TO CALL THE (800) NUMBER AND SEE WHAT THEY SAID. FIRST SPOKE WITH MATT, THEN WAS TRANSFERRED TO DON IN OUT OF WARRANTY DEPARTMENT (WHEN CALLING THE 800 NUMBER) I WAS TOLD THAT IF IT WAS CAUSED BY THE CALIPERS THEY WOULD PAY TO REPAIR THE CALIPERS AND ROTORS, HOWEVER IF IT WAS DUE TO THE ROTORS ONLY, WE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE REPAIR. ASKED ABOUT THE LEMON LAWS, AS THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN FOR THE SAME REPAIR SINCE OWNING THE TRUCK. I'VE NEVER HEARD OF SOMEONE HAVING THIS MUCH TROUBLE WITH BRAKES. THIS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, BRAKES SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 12, 0000 MILES. WAS FURTHER TOLD BY DON, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT MY STATE ATTORNEYS OFFICE TO DEAL WITH THE LEMON LAW ISSUE. IN LOOKING AT THE LEMON LAW BOOK THAT I WAS PROVIDED UPON DELIVER OF MY TRUCK IT STATES I SHOULD CONTACT CHRYSLER/DODGE IN WRITING BY MAIL OR CONTACT THROUGH WEBSITE. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST DODGE TRUCK, BUT AFTER THIS ORDEAL I AM STARTING TO THINK IT WILL BE MY LAST, WITH THE PROBLEM I'VE BEEN HAVING WITH THIS BRAKE ISSUE. *JB

• 10/21/2004· STEERING,SUSPENSION

  2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4, PURCHASED 8/16/04. CURRENTLY 2,200 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP, THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED RATTLING OR CLUNKING NOISES IN THE FRONT END WHEN TRAVELING OVER BUMPS. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT, AND PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING. TIRE WEAR (ALTHOUGH VERY SLIGHT @ 2,200 MILES IN NOT SYMMETRICAL BETWEEN LH FRONT TO RH FRONT TIRE). I WILL BE TAKING THE TRUCK INTO THE DEALERSHIP @ 3,000 MILES TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE FRONT END, AS WELL AS THE ALIGNMENT.