At 79,729 miles and all the regularly scheduled oil changes at the dealership (last one at 70,000) throughout the life of the vehicle, the "check gauges" light suddenly came on. I immediately stopped and checked fluid levels (oil, transmission, and radiator) which were fine. Oil pressure would drop to 0 and jump back to 40 when engine was restarted. Thinking (incorrectly) that it might only be an oil pressure sensor failure, I tried to drive home to get it serviced the next day, but it began knocking and smoking after a few miles and had to be towed. It is being evaluated now, but it will probably involve a complete engine replacement to repair. I noticed several similar complaints and think that dodge should own up to this defect.
1999 Dodge Dakota engine complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 73, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Dodge dakota 99, 2wd. Bumper prematurely rusts. Exhaust manifold bolts prematurely rust causing manifold to separate from engine block. Possibility of causing exhaust gases to enter drivers cabin. Dodge will not fix failure - warranty expired.
In 2003, when my vehicle, a dodge dakota pick-up was due a smog check. Mileage was only approximately 39,900 miles. It failed. It failed 3 times. After paying about $800.00 it pass the smog test. This year, my pick-up was due a smog test. The mileage was 49,900 miles, again it failed the smog test (twice now). To this date, it has not passed the smog test and cost has already gone to approximated $300.00.
Vehicle experienced problems with the upper ball joints. Owner took the vehicle to an independent mechanic shop to have the tires replaced. It was discovered that the ball joints wore out completely. When turning the vehicle in either direction the wheels squeaked and clanked when turning and going over bumps. *ak dealer found right upper control arm bushing noisy. Cooling system leak. Thermostat and gasket replaced.
Dodge dakota 1999 consumer states vehicle front end wobble, brake vibration and upper/lower ball joint problem. *bf the shock absorbers and transfer case was defective. The power steering pump leaked and there was extra play in the steering. A piece of the exhaust fell off the vehicle.
Dodge dakota 1999 numerous problems with vehicle ball joint and steering mechanisms. *bf there were also problems with the rear end, transmission, engine malfunction lights, poor engine performance which consisted of hesitation and loss of power especially when under a load-going up and hill and seemed to get worse as the gas level in the tank lowered, hard abrupt shifting when in reverse and park to reverse, loud rubbing which was intermittent when making left turns and when stopping, the front would shake, the four wheel drive light was not visible on the dash when activated and would only show when the all wheel drive was activated, and there was a wobble, flexing and or vibration that would be present when braking along with a loose feeling or wobble when turning the front wheels. *sc
Numerous front end/engine, exhaust, brake and electrical mafunctions/mechanical problems including increasing severity front end wobbling/vibration/flexing when turning wheels, going down a hill and when applying brakes. No accident has occurred yet but owner is very concerned with safety of vehicle and operation. I have contacted,compained, called.e-mailed and faxed the dealer where I purchased this 1999 dodge dakota with suppossedly only 44951 miles -mitchell pre-owned certified on queen street in southington, ct and also the mitchell conglomerate owner steve mitchell as well as mitchell dodge in simsbury, ct who provided this suppossedly inspected, certified safe vehicle to mitchell in southington, ct for sale to the public.
To date, I have replaced the following: 1) upper ball joints - both sides 2) lower ball joints - both sides 3) calipers - both sides (front) 4) water pump 5) wheel hubs - both sides (front) 6) catalytic converter 7) headlamp switch. *jb now, I have the following problems: 1) headlamp switch (again) 2) transmission will not shift between gears 3) upper control arm bushings.
Catalytic converter failure, excessive rattling and noise during operation.
When making sharp turn a popping noise was coming from the steering wheel. Took vehicle to mechanic who determined that ball joints needed to be replaced.*ak the reports were made when the vehicle had relatively low miles. Visual inspection of the ball joints indicated they needed to be replaced. The consumer received a quote to replace the upper ball joint but they have not been repaired yet. The lower ball joint also needs to be replaced. The consumer also heard a rattling noise under the vehicle. The technician determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced due to excessive wear. While driving 40 MPH or higher the consumer complained of wind noise. The technician replaced the right front door weather strip.
While driving engine check light came on and vehicle stalled 2 seconds later. This occurred because of oil pump failure. The oil pressure wasn't being evenly distributed, and it destroyed the engine.
When driving at an undetermined speed oil light appeared on the dashboard. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership for inspection, and mechanic determined that the intake manifold failed.
Oil pressure light goes to 0 and back to 40 then stays at 0. Numerous other people having same problems with oil pump and oil sending unit, screens and etc. Obviously a defect from the manufacturer. Should be recalled and fixed for free.
Faulty intake manifold gasket in my 99 dodge dakota with 38,900 miles on it. Chrysler daimler covered only parts. It cost me 370 dollars to get it repaired. I contested when they said they would only cover parts. Chrysler stated that it was out of warranty and that this is all they would do. I found numerous complaints on the internet of other people with the same problem with a leaking intake manifold gasket at very low miles on this chrysler product. I believe that this is unacceptable. Chrysler won't talk to me anymore. They stated that the only way I could still fight it was to pay the full price for the repair and then contest it. I needed my truck back. The dealer told me that it was unsafe to drive it far do to the oil consumption. I was stuck. I paid it cause I needed a vehicle. Age shouldn't matter in a case like this. 38,900 is way to low of miles for a major repair like this. I am worried that it will happen again and that chrysler will just say "tough". I have read complaints on the web where people have had it replaced 3 times within 100,000 miles.
Excessive engine knock.pper ball joint failure.nadequate headlight projection on low beam.
Computer controls, loud spark knock under moderate acceleration, updated osftware on PCM exhaust/emission, loud popping sounds (bad converter) suspension, loud popping from right front side upon shifting, braking, exiting and entering vehicle, repl right upper and lower control arms, alignment
Consumer took vehicle to an independent repair shop for regular maintenance, and the technician indicated the need to be replace the catalytic converter and the lower ball joint.
The water pump stopped operating, for the third time, while driving. The thermostat had broke and caused the seal to the pump to break. Taking vehicle to dealer. Mechanic will check on cause of broken water pump. Please provide further details.
I had my catalytic converter go out. Took out the muffler and burned out the clutch platewell after that the trucks went to hell then the oil pump went out now about 8 months later my truck lost all oil pressure now they say if I dont prove enough oil changes over the last 4 years they arent going to warrenty it even though im pretty sure that the cataylac converter stopped up and the oil pump going out has ruint that motor there fault but they want to say sludge my ass there selling lemons and lies ive looked up on internet and there is alot of people thousands with the same problem somebody needs to correct them its there mistake not mine and honor there warranty.
Exhaust manifold bolts and studs broken off. From what I read on the internet, this is a common occurrence.
Oil pressure gauge drops to zero, when coming to a stop, after running at highway speed. This problem has been addressed by the dealer(4) times : replaced oil sending unit 4-9-01/24,305 mi. ; replaced oil pump 8-24-01/28,730 mi. ; checked oil pressure gauge 2-7-03/ 45,478 mi. ; replaced oil pump and connecting rod bearings 8-29-03/ 50,903 mi. This problem continues to occur.
Multiple failures of vehicle's catalytic converter.*mr *ph *jb the engine light had come on, the oil pressure gauge had become inoperative and the vehicle had trouble climbing steep hills.
The consumer stated the engine started to knock on acceleration, then he noticed the oil consumption started to go up. It was confirmed the plenum seal leaked. *ak
I took my truck in because the oil pressure was intermittently dropping to 0 then back up to 40. The dealer performed multiple electrical tests before going to the problem. I dont feel I should have to pay for the tests done when the oil pump has a known problem posted all over the consumer affairs and the federal safety agency websites. They should have checked that first.
The consumer's vehicle didn't pass an emission test. The dealer inspected the vehicle but could not duplicate or correct the problem. *ak *cb
Intake manifold is leaking fluid.
Catalytic converter has been replace twice. Now waiting for third which is on back order.
While highway driving , the "check engine" light came on and my acceleration dropped 20 MPH while still pressing on the pedal. Hesitation also while climbing hills.
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.
I had to replace the heater core , $650.00, in my 1999 dodge dakota sport 4x4. This is absurd since the vehicle mileage is only 54834 miles. I contacted daimler chrysler they stated the failure was unfortunate and that they will log-in my complaint.
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