1999 Dodge Dakota: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Jul 31, 2008 · Brakes · 53,000 miles · CT

This is in regards to a 1999 dodge dakota sport with a club cab. It only gets driven a few months out of the year and only has 53,000 mile on it. I drove my truck to the city transfer station on sunday. While backing up to the dumpster my brakes let go. The ABS and brake light came on and I was barley able to stop before the truck rolled into the dumpster. Upon inspection of the brake system one of the brake lines had rotted and gave way. That following monday I took it to the repair shop. My tech showed me that every brake line under the truck was rotten and had to be replaced costing $900 plus.

Filed May 26, 2008 · Suspension · 94,000 miles · NJ

I currently own a 1999 dodge dakota 5.2l 4wd ext. Cab. I have had upper ball joints replaced at about 65,000 mile range by the dealer and paid for the repairs. Now I am at 94,000 and now the lower ball joints are bad. Also my inner tie rod. I am seeing alot of complaints about the balls joints on this year causing major issues. I have seen there was a recall of 2000-2003 but what about 1999 year? Isn't it the same front end as the other years? Also had to replace the rear differential ABS speed sensor. Now I have read many places regarding the front suspension issue along with the ABS and brake light showing on dashboard and is because of a bad sensor in rear differential. What is the possibility of dodge reimbursing me money towards upper ball joints and fixing my lower ball joints and tie rod for free?

Filed Nov 6, 2007 · Brakes · 70,591 miles · IL

Aug. 24, 2007 ABS @ brake warning lamps light, brake pedal went to the floor. Made appointment at a dealership. Aug. 25, 2007 1) I found master cycl. Was empty (no brake fluid.) 2) found hole in rusted brake line under drivers side door.3) found all brake lines were rusted underneath side of truck. Aug. 28, 2007 had truck towed to dealership. Aug. 30, 2007 called customer assistance center to check on recall for rusted brake lines. No recalls. Given case # 16686272. 1st estimate for repairs $350.00 to 400.00. 2nd estimate for repairs $500.00 to 600.00. 3rd estimate for repairs $700.00 to 800.00. Sept. 11, 2007 repairs completed. All brake lines underneath truck were replaced with original parts. Total 8 lines. Total bill was $865.24 minus a 10% coupon I had total now $781.92. Service manager comments: he has a similar truck, after seeing my rusted brake lines, he is going to have all his brake lines replaced on his truck. Sept. 14, 2007 called customer assistance center for the 2nd time. Gave them updated repair information & told them this is a very serious safety issue & are lucky that I was driving not my wife or one of my children when the brakes went out. Asked for refund for repairs, turned down.

Filed Feb 21, 2006 · Brakes, Electrical · 55,000 miles · CA

The ABS light and brake light in my 1999 dodge dakota started staying on after startup intermittently. The lights stayed on more often as time went by. Shop couldn't find a problem. Eventually both lights were on all the time. Vehicle started stalling at stop signs and when going around corners. Speedometer wouldn't work at low speeds--came on about the time doors automatically locked (20-25 MPH). Shop replaced speed sensor. Vehicle ran fine for 30 days or less. Same symptoms are back.

Filed Jul 25, 2005 · Suspension · 65,000 miles · PA

Upper ball joints replaced at approximately 65000. Abs fault lights on-not yet resolved.

Filed Mar 21, 2005 · Brakes · 72,340 miles · PA

My brake rotors constantly pulse very heavily when the brakes are applied. Steering is effected and the truck is hard to control when stopping. The ABS light is constantly light up. I took the vehicle to a garage to check the ABS brakes and they said the brakes were fine but they can not remove the light ABS light. This will be my second time replacing my rotors since I bought the truck new. It has 85,103 miles today. I have had numerous problems with the brakes but not the rotors.

Filed Dec 8, 2004 · Brakes, Suspension · 38,000 miles · LA

Continuous ABS problems. Some times the ABS brakes will apply without touching the brake pedal, most of the time the ABS won't work at all, ABS sensors are continuously needing replacement,all 4 front end ball joints worn out, noisy rear end, only 50,000 miles.

Filed Aug 21, 2004 · Brakes · 58,800 miles · NJ

Prior to the part replacement, I experienced the following with my 1999 dodge dakota pickup (manual transmission). The engine stalled, the speedometer acted erratically and dropped to zero, and the check engine and ABS warning lights came on. This occurred while I was still in gear and moving at speeds of 50 MPH, 35 MPH, 25 MPH, and when just starting out after backing out of a parking space. Those times when I had sufficient speed, the engine would restart within 10 seconds - if I left the vehicle in gear. At other speeds, the truck stopped dead in the roadway - with traffic behind me having to slam on their brakes. The internet is littered with stories of the failure of the ABS/rear wheel speed sensor in dodge vehicles. (for examples, see www.dodgedakotas.com). There are, however, no indications of related accidents. I suspect it is only a matter of time. I researched the problem via the internet and took my vehicle to my local dealer and had them replace the part (at a cost of $85 +$36.10). The vehicle has not exhibited any of the above symptoms since replacing the sensor. I retained the failed part. The issue here is that this sensor should not cause the engine to stall. There are no diagnostic codes associated with this failure. My belief is that the firmware for the onboard computer must be flashed for all models (and the issue corrected for any future models) so that the engine is not told to shut down. I would add that, since this sensor is associated with emissions, the replacement and labor should be covered under the warranty. Thank you for letting me vent!

Filed Apr 10, 2004 · Transmission · 104,000 miles · WI

My 99 dakota began howling and whinning in the rear end. I had the rear end and gear lube inspected. Gear lube was full, and gears and bearings showed no sign of wear. About 1 week later while driving on the highway, my ABS and e-brake light came on. Brake fluid was nearly empty. Mechanic found front and rear brake liners worn, and repaired as necassary. This did not fix any light or noise problems. As soon as the ABS light came on, my speedometer would not function under 40 MPH, and engine would stall at stops. Mechanic removed differential, and pinion gear. Pinion bearing was shredded badly, causing the howling. All bearings in rear end were replaced, and rear end noise was cured. The bearing shavings may have damaged the rear ABS speed sensor. I have heard of the same symptoms for the rear end noise from other dakota owners both on line and in person. This was a costly and stressful diagnosis proceedure, and may warrant some sort of possible recall investigation. Is the manufacturer using an inferior lubricant? This truck's front bumper was almost completely rusted by 40,000mi. Not the first I've heard of that issue either.

Filed Aug 4, 2003 · Brakes, Transmission · 53,036 miles · MA

There was a noise from the rear end of the vehicle. It was determined that the rear end bolts and other components came apart. The dealer replaced the gears and differential. The ABS system also failed. *ak

Filed May 29, 2003 · Brakes · 10,000 miles · PA

On wet or slippery roads, when brakes are applied {rear ABS] the fromt brakes lock up and the vehicle becomes uncontrollable,with the rear brakes providing no assistance. Vehicle taken to dealer twice and told brakes were working to spec.

Filed Mar 11, 2003 · Brakes, Electrical · 36,000 miles · CA

Water pump failure, after replacement of catalytic converter exhaust leak detected, slow speed from 2nd to 3rd gear, gear sticks from 3rd to 4th gear, rough idling, odometer reading failure, ABS light stays on, check engine light remains lit, gas tank sensor failure (reads empty when tank is full), when driving approx. 10 - 20 MPH engine stalls / shuts off, coming to stop engine shuts off, vehicle vibration when brakes applied to come to a stop or slowing down (rear brakes), engine pings / knocks in normal operation at speeds from 30 to 70+ MPH, after the engine warms up, anti-lock / ABS sensor out, fuel gauge - sending unit malfunction, intake manifold gasket leaking, gasket cracked / leaking, thermostat gasket leaking, drive belt cracking / deteriorating, fuel induction system failing. Problems with this vehicle since date of purchase. Purchased from honda north dealer.