2000 Dodge Dakota: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Nov 26, 2008 · Engine · 52,000 miles · NY · fire

The truck was being driven at approx 25 mi per hour. There was a loud thump. Smoke began to pour out of the hood. I pulled over. Flames were visible underneath. The hood blew open and flames poured out. In less than 4 minutes the truck was totaled.

Filed Apr 16, 2005 · Brakes · 63,716 miles · AR

Vibrations during braking at high and low speeds. Pulsing while depressing brake pedal. Today the right front brake overheated while driving at highway speed on level road. The disc brakes were locked up on the rotor and would not release. Appears to be a failure within the caliper??? I have heard several other reports of similar incidents of this type. Is this a design flaw or problem that can result in an accident? The truck may have caught fire due to the overheating of the brakes, however it did not during this incident.

Filed Oct 8, 2003 · Brakes · 52,551 miles · WA · fire

Consumer complains about brake problems. The rotors warped at 10309 and 15,000 miles the consumer eventually replaced the brake system with an aftermarket system. On one occasion the front brakes started smoking. It was later determined that the caliper had stuck and overheated. Brakes lock up/ smoke, and have even caught on fire. No one seems able to repair them. While driving and wanting to stop, cannot stop. This is a serious problem. Consumer has not been able to drive vehicle for a while. *ak

Filed Aug 4, 2003 · Brakes · WA

My 2000 dodge dakota has has front rotor problems continually. Dealer temporarly cured the problem by changing front pads, turning down front rotors and rear drums. Warranty ran out and I had same problem. Warped front rotors. I had heavy duty rotors installed and ceramic pads installed at different times. Nothing has helped the problem. When I step on the breaks the front end shimmys until I take it to a repair facility to have more work done. Okay for about 5,000 or less miles. What are my options besides setting the thing on fire and getting a new one?

Filed Jul 17, 2003 · Brakes · MN · fire

While driving home from work I needed to slow down to make a turn. I pressed the brake and it went completely to the floor. Luckily I do not have an automatic because I had to power shift down and I barely made the turn not to mention almost hitting a telephone pole. I was just about home so I proceeded driving slowly because I knew I had no brakes ,and I then I saw smoke coming out of the hood. I quickly then got to the house and sprayed it down with the hose. I am in the process of figuring out what happened and the last that I heard was the main switch went out, which should have never happened. I am just thankful that nobody got hurt. (luckily it did not happen where there were people).

Filed Jun 13, 2003 · Locks · 50,000 miles · MD

Electrical locking system has failed. If you use the electrical lock system, the doors do not electronically open, you must manually push the locks up to open and exit the vehicle. You cannot manually push the locks up to exit the vehicle unless you hit the electric door button up and then and only then can you push the button up and then open the door. If you do not hit the electronic button, which does not electronically unlock the doors because it has failed, then you cannot even exit the vehicle. You are locked in, cannot escape. Manually as well as electronic door locking system has failed. If an accident causes the driver to be pinned in the vehicle, or unconscious or the vehicle mangled in such a manner that you could not push the electric button up, my children (8 year old daughter and 11 year old son) will not be able to get out of the vehicle. What if the vehicle was on fire and they couldn't get out, if we were unable to push that button or they were unable to push that electric button up, the button must be pushed by the driver's side in order for it to allow you to unlock the vehicle, it would result in possible death. We told dealer, they will not fix, they want to charge us $100.00 per door, I barely make ends meet, I don't know what to do. I have to drive to get to work, the dealer could care less.....we spoke with chrysler, they could care less and they say they have not had a fatality so until they do, they will not cover this safety issue. Someone has to be injured or die in order for them to fix very serious safety problem. You cannot get out of the vehicle, by manually trying to unlock the doors, if the electronic opener is not pushed first, then you cannot manually unlock the doors, the drivers electric door button must be pushed up, even though it does not make the doors electronically unlock, if it is not at least pushed, you are locked in and cannot unlock the doors because the lock will not go up....you are trapped.

Filed Aug 3, 2002 · Engine · AZ · fire

Engine partially stalled once and then again - engine trouble light came on. Upon stopping vehicle, noted that auxillary fan continued to run even though engine was cool. Noted a smell of burning plastic and discoverd fan relay in fuse box was smoking and extremely hot. Upon removal of fan relay, the fan stopped, and smell of burned plastic stopped. Returned vehicle to dealer for repairs on 8/3/02.

Filed May 20, 2002 · Electrical · WA · fire

While traveling on highway noticed radio pop. Then, white smoke started coming from vent. Vehicle was on fire. Fire started from engine.

Filed Aug 13, 2001 · Brakes, Engine · WA

4 way flashes failed repeatedly (crushed wiring harness was discovered while looking for source of different problem). Front brake rotors warped again & again. Rotors turned 2-3 times, replaced once, then turned again. Smoke coming from center A/C vents in dash. Rear leaf springs were replaced. 2 days after smoking dash repair radiator fan would not shut off, requiring operator to open hood and pull approiate fuse.

Filed Mar 19, 2001 · Electrical · CT · fire

As I was driving along, the vehicle shut off, and smoke came out of the hood. I opened the hood, and all the wiring in the engine bay was on fire. The truck was a complete loss due to fire damage.

Filed Mar 13, 2001 · Electrical · TX · fire

Was driving vehicle and came upon a stop light. Started to smell burning wires. Then, vehicle caught on fire. Insurance totaled vehicle.*ak