Front brakes have severe vibration after only 8000 mile, probably defective rotor. Saw numerous complaint of the same listed. Recall should be done.
2001 Dodge Dakota brakes complaints
Page 5 of 5: complaints 101 to 130 of 130, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The rotors were replaced because of heavy rust and deterioration.*ak
Front brake grinding when hot and continual rear brake drum warpage. Dealer has turned the drums once and I have had it done independantly twice. Warpage continues within 5-7000 miles.
Front brakes began to shudder at approximately 18k miles. Brought vehicle to westminster dodge in boston, ma. And was quoted $400 for replacement of front rotors and pads. After doing research I realized brake rotors should not warp at only 18k miles. I driver 50/50 highway/city and do not brake unless in emergency situations. At approximately 20,000 miles the right front brake pad began to rattle in the caliper. I contacted dodge and they refuse to cover any of these repairs under warranty. Dodge needs to realize they have an engineering problem with their brake rotors and replace them. Scc ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****770861
The consumer experienced problems with (possibly)the ball joints. While he is driving there is a clunking sound that gets worse when turning on curves. The dealer has been contacted and stated that this is a common problem with this model and is unable to help. Ts other problems are as followed: the vehicle will slide/skate over any bump/uneven surface and corner, noise in front end/passenger side front wheel/passenger side window, the engine light was on-found evap leak, bad gas cap, rear brake drums are hopping, ABS light on, internal mail relay and valve plug shorted, and front inner brake pad spring clips bent out of shape. The consumer requests the following: refund of the purchase of the vehicle, lessen the bank payments for the time of use, and apply a refund towards the purchase of a new dodge ram. Scc
Complained to woods dodge in brevard nc about noise in front and slight bump in brakes at 12000 miles. Dealer said it was normal due to the type of brakes pads used and said to drive it. We drove it unitl it had 24000 miles at which time the bumping became a shake during braking. I suspected warped rotors and the dealer confirmed same. The dealer tried to charge me for the repair and also stated that the pads were bad due to the bad roror. I disagreed with the dealer and the mechanic said that it was a design flaw and dodge used substandard rotors that heated easily. If water was splashed on the rotors they would warp. This would be especially present in vechicles driven in the mountains. I continued to argue with the service manager but he still charged me for the repair but did reduce the charge some. Now at 37000 miles I am experiencing the same problem. The mechanic did recommend that I buy an aftermarkey roter since the dodge rotor was no good! Wow what a comment from a dodge dealership. Anyway this is a dangerious situation since the warped rotors could heat up and crack causing a wheel lock up. The warpage can also cause reduced stopping ability. I think if you look into this further that you will find other info where the rotors have to be turned frequently but dealers who are lining their pockets due to a manufacture defect and substandard parts. If these rotors are so thin or of material that warp this easily then their should be a recall and better rotors installed onto these vehicles.
Front rotors are warped, I brought the vehicle in and dodge said everything was okay then they charged me for their time. The vehicle shakes when applying the brakes and the problem has gotten worse.
When consumer applied brakes with some force, the front of the truck suddenly veered sharply to the right. When consumer attempted to correct, the truck then veered dangerously in the other direction. The driving conditions were dry pavement and consumer was able to bring the truck under control. The rotors had to be replaced due to rust and deterioration.
While driving, consumer applied brakes and without warning was involved in a head on collision.*ak when consumer applied the brakes, pedal went to the floor and truck crashed into the consumers house.
Vehicle will start to move to the right when the consumer applies the brakes while driving. Problem gets worse when driving at higher speeds. Vehicle has been to the dealer three times, but the repairs do not work . Contacted dealer. *ak consumer states the caiplers have been replaced on several occasions, also the vehicle was realigned, also there was an oil and transmissin leak.
I have been to my dealer on two occasions and they have told that the brake pedal location and travel changed with the 2000 year models and that mine is "normal". The problem and my concern is that one can press the brake pedal andinitial position and travel makes it possible to then hit the accelerator pedal at the end of the stroke. This happened to me on several occasions and luckily no accidents or injuries have occurred with me or my vehicle. At my dealer I was told that there were a couple other dodge models where the same complaint has been made. I know that this is a problem and that there will be accidents because of it. I also fear that because this is a 15-passenger van, it is often used by schools and daycare to transport lots of small children. I don't even want to think about the catastrophic possibilities of one of these vehicles pulling up to large groups of small children. *ak please investigate this issue. I would be more than happy to demonstrate the problem for anyone.
Front rotors have been replaced twice due to vibration in steering wheel and shaking of ehicle. Rotors were warped, at this time rotors need replacement again.
Around 16,000 miles, I noticed the pulling and pulsating of the brakes when I applied pressure to them even at low speeds. Took the truck into the dealer and they found the front rotors were warped and the rear brake drums were cracked. They charged us for machining the front rotors but replaced the rear drums under warranty. After receiving the vehicle back, noticed that they still acted warped. Returned the vehicle to the dealer within a week and they replaced the drums again because they found they were also warped. Returned the vehicle to the dealer again because of same symptoms within a week and they turned the drums again because the 2nd replacement ones were also warped. At that time the front brakes were also squeaking, so they attempted to clean and lube calipers. Did not fix the noise in the front rotors and the rear drums are still feeling warped. Will attempt to return to the dealer again for further repairs but fear will be charged as we were the first time for a problem that is obviously defective braking systems in the dodge dakota's.
Front rotors started warping under normal driving conditions but was not apparent until after the warranty expired. From other complaints on the www it is apparent that dodge will not admit the default in heat dissipation and I will purchase after market rotors and brake pads. The braking with such a rapid degradation in the rotors is a hazard and should be looked into before someone does get hurt.
Front brake rotors are not designed properly to meet the normal demands of everyday driving. Rotors require turning every 5,000 miles. No factory improvement available. Only choice is to replace with after-market parts. Dealers only offer excuses, blame driving style. (I am very easy on brakes. Many others with same problem).
When applying brakes vehicle will jerk/pulsate and surge. Dealership is aware of problem.
Please visit web site: www.dodgedakotas.com and go to "forums" and search under "brake problems" for supporting cases of rotor failure. I noticed my front brakes pulsating at approximately 16,000 miles. I drive 90% hiway with very little city traffic. I drive very conservatively. (no hard braking) recently while exiting the hiway I applied my brakes at 45mph and had tremendous pulsating instantly which caused my vehicle to lose it's braking ability. I was able to keep control of the vehicle but it prompted me to get the problem resolved. I brought it to the dealer expecting them to find a reason as to why the rotors are warped after very little use. They told me that "they don't make brakes the way they used to". After viewing the web site noted above; it's obvious that there is a underdesigned rotor used on dodge dakotas as they are not able to disipate the heat generated during normal driving. This has almost caused me an accident. I do not want to be driving a vehicle that has inferior brake design or materials. The dealer told me that I can get better rotors and pads from after market manufacturer's. Why doesn't dodge use those? As a volunteer fireman I go to many accident scenes. I just don't want to be on the other side because of a choice by the manufacturer, dodge, to use less expensive braking components. By the way the dodge durango is almost identicle to the dakota yet hardly has any brake issues. Sounds like that vehicle is equiped with the proper components. I have my warped rotors and break pads taken off my dakota if you'd like to use in your investigation. I am sure that the rotor is not properly designed for the normal stopping requirements of the doage dakota. Thank you for your attention to this matter. James buckley.
Between 30 and 50 MPH when applying normal brake pressure the vehicle shudders violently sometimes almost uncontrolably. It started at about 12k miles. Took to dealer and they said found no problem with the brakes. There is a problem!.
When applying the brakes on wet pavement ABS brakes system failed to activate which caused extended stopping distance. Please give any further details.
This truck was showing symptoms of brake rotor warpage. This was confirmed by independent garage.
At 10,500 miles, trucks began jittering and shaking really bad. Upon inspecting front rotors, major scarring had occurred. Brought to dealership, replaced under warranty at 11,106 miles. Warranty likely will not cover replacements when these fail, as all research has shown they will. Dodge needs to replace these faulty rotors, as they are a hazard to not only myself, but also whoever may be near me while I'm driving. Dealer stated that they knew of no other dakota's with this problem.*ak (tiresize: 16)
The left front disc brake was either locked or the caliper was compressed enough that it was holding the pad on the disc. The vehicle pulled to the left slightly. I started to notice an odd odor. After several miles, I saw smoke coming from the left front wheel well. I pulled off and noticed the left front wheel was smoking a lot. The wheel was very hot. I had the vehicle towed to fair oaks dodge. They inspected the vehicle and test drove it but, they did not find anything wrong. They also stated that they did not see any signs of over heating on the brake (no discoloration of the rotor or cracking on the pad). I am relatively certain that the brake caliper was locked up and not retracting from the disc properly.
Pulsating brakes,hops enough to feel vibration in driver seat. Felt like vechicle was not going to stop when brakes applied.
I feel that the problem with the front brakes has to do with the new all wheel drive system. The transmission problem is very scary because sometimes it takes a few seconds to down shift and that may lead me into haveing an accident. The seat is a big comfort issue seeing that is where you sit to drive. The engine idle makes me feel like the truck is going to stall out and I will have to restart it not good if you are sitting in a line of moveing cars
While driving 35-40 MPH applied brakes and pedal faded to floor, no braking action, and vehicle rearended another vehicle. Mileage at that time was 8000. Damage to vehicle about $ 1000.00 consumer injured leg and nerve system. Vehicle taken to dealer 3 times, cannot duplicate, cannot remedy. Dodge district manager said this was not dangerous enough to do anything about.
Dealer has had an independent company check the problem and did work to the brakes changing the original situation to appear that they were in better working condition without the knowledge of the independent company. The brakes are still unsafe.
Vehicle experiencing severe front rotors warping every 2,500 miles or less. Dealer was notified, and had rotors turned on two occasions and replaced rotors on one occasion, along with replacing pads and hardwear. Still unable to locate the problem. Feel free to provide us with any further details concerning this matter.
Consumer was taking vehicle out of park and emergency brake release handle broke in consumer's hand. Consumer was stepping out vehicle and saw a small metal piece on ground. With one foot out, vehicle started to roll back, knocking consumer to ground and dragging him across a main highway. Consumer suffered 2 broken ribs. Part was repaired by the dealer, adding a plastic tie, and it broke again. There will never be a fix if plastic tie was going to be used.*ak
While driving, front end of vehicle pulls severely to the right, dealer can not identify cause of problem. *ak control arm was replaced. Calipers were replaced. Dealer found air leak with the gas tank and replaced the fuel pump, this was causing the engine light to illuminate.
When applying brakes and coming to a stop vehicle completely shutsdown, cause unknown. Please give any further details.
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