1997 Dodge Dakota transmission problems

Filed Mar 30, 2012 · Transmission · 137,141 miles · TX

Car lost power and locked up while driving. Check engine light came on. Scanner showed code p0740; torque converter problem. Had to overhaul transmission and replace the torque converter.

Filed Mar 7, 2008 · Suspension, Transmission · 54,000 miles · IN

My ball joints and tie rods were going bad at 54,000 miles. Dodge would not do anything about the problem. Also, my transmission started to go bad at 74,000 miles. 2nd gear went out, then it went completely out at 91,000 miles. Obviously dodge wasn't going to do anything about it. I wont buy another dodge again.

Filed Jan 12, 2008 · Suspension, Transmission · 51,000 miles · VA

Transmission failure at 50,000 miles. Transmission began to bog down while driving about 40 MPH. After about 5 minutes it would only go about 5 MPH while reving about 3500 RPM. Paid for tow to dodge dealer in hampton va for analysis and repair. Tow operator remarked almost all dodge dakotas towed for tranny work ended up costing $2300-$2900 for a replacement. I was lucky and only had to replace all pressure regulating valves for about $670 (funny how they all went bad at the same time but I would not argue the point since the parts were cheap compared to doing it over in a few months). Dealer indicated this was a years old problem which was common to replace these transmissions and that my $600 repair was not guaranteed to prevent total failure. Dodge has not agreed to any recall to fix but should do this. Therefore, I will never own another dodge or chrysler of any sort. Upper and lower ball joints also failed at under 50,000 miles and no repair recall on this long standing problem as well. Subject on another complaint.

Filed Dec 10, 2004 · Suspension, Transmission · 94,255 miles · NY

Going down the road at 55 MPH and all of a sudden I hit a pothole and the passenger side tire came right off , it is the same problem as the 2000 - 2003's have. We have pictures of it to prove it . The upper and lower ball joints let loose the cv shaft pulled out and the shock got bent. The tire turned on its side while the truck was sliding down the road sideways and I was unable to control how the truck was going. The only thing holding the tire on the truck was the brake line. The tire rim had chunks taken out of it and the tire had wear from being on its side under the frame of the truck while it was sliding. We had to get it flatbedded to the repair shop . We had a certified repair shop do all the necessary repairs to the truck to which included new upper and lower ball joints,new cv shaft, new rim adn tire , new shock , axle assembly,brake hose , steering gear and linkage,inner and outer tie rods and a front end alignment.this truck had just been through a nys inspection in december 2003 and passed. This accident happened on october 25, 2004 which left us without this vehicle because it was not able to be repaired immediately we got the truck back on november 10 , 2004. We feel that chrysler should be responsible for the repair bill for this vehicle because they are admitting there is a problem the same as this to the newer models.

Filed Sep 14, 2004 · Transmission · IL · crash

My two year old successfully placed keys into ignition and turned to on. Then without the requirement of depressing the brake he was able to place transmission into neutral. My truck rolled backward approximately 150 yards and crashed into tree. Total damage of $3500, luckily no one seriously injured.

Filed Mar 11, 2004 · Steering, Suspension · 50,000 miles · MI

Premature failure of ball joints & lower steering column u-joints. Upper ball joints need to be replaced again.

Filed Dec 29, 2003 · Transmission · 97,000 miles · IL

Auto matic transmission lack of fluid caused by check valve and trans coolant line.

Filed Sep 11, 2003 · Transmission · LA

Consumer complained about having transmission fluid problem. Since owning the vehicle consumer had to change transmission fluid every year. Also, air conditioning problem. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop, and consumer was told that air conditioner compressor failed to work and vehicle did not have air conditioning. Manufacturer was not contacted at the time of this call.

Filed Sep 9, 2003 · Transmission · OH

While driving 70 MPH transfer case locked up and broke into three pieces. Vehicle could not be driven.

Filed Jul 16, 2003 · Transmission · 52,423 miles · CA

Without warning, just after exiting a freeway, the rear wheels of my 1997 dodge dakota truck, locked up. I was stuck in traffic and was not able to move. Tow truck arrived , and advised that the rear axle had locked-up. This truck has only 52,423 miles.