2001 Dodge Dakota: rotors or pads wearing out early

Filed Aug 8, 2008 · Brakes · 60,000 miles · KS

I purchased the vehicle used with 39k miles I had it for a month and noticed vibrations when braking from 50 - 40 MPH. I figured the brake rotors were warped. After about a year of this I took the rotors off and into a parts store to have them checked, they were warped and too thin to turn (lathe). I bought new rotors and pads, cleaned and greased the caliper slide pins and reassembled the brakes. After this the braking vibration went away. Recently I was driving in heavy traffic and once I got to my exit I noticed smoke from the left front of the vehicle, also the brake pedal felt hard. I pulled over to find that the front brakes were smoking. I jacked up the front of the vehicle (wheels off the ground) and found that neither wheel/tire could be turned by hand. After the vehicle sat for approximately 5 hours to cool down the wheels could then be turned. Took vehicle to repair shop that confirmed the brake pad wear indicated that for the most part the pistons and slides seemed to be operating properly. I am an a.s.e. Certified master mechanic and have never seen brakes overheat like this and cause caliper lock up. Happen. I believe there is something inherently wrong with these vehicles.

Filed Dec 15, 2007 · Brakes, Suspension · 64,000 miles · VA

I have a 2001 dakota quad cab 4x4 purchased new and the inside of the front rotors wear out extremely fast. They become damaged on the inside of the rotor appearing extremely rusted and as if maybe they overheated on the inside. 64,000 and this has happened 2 times. Dealers deny this is common , my brother has a 2002 (purchased new) and has had the same problem. Ball joints failed on both trucks , steering rack and rear differential leaks on both .

Filed Mar 23, 2006 · Brakes · SC

At 32,000 miles front end vibration when breaking. Problem-warped rotors. Corrected by 'turning' rotors (resurfacing). At 58,000 miles front end vibration when breaking. Problem-warped rotors. Corrected by 'turning' rotors. At 70,000 miles front end vibration when breaking. Problem-warped rotors. Corrected by replacing rotors. At 90,000 miles front end vibration when breaking. Problem-warped rotors. Corrected by 'turning' rotors. At 100,200 miles front end vibration when breaking. Problem-warped rotors. Dealer suggests replacing rotors. This seems to be a recurring problem. The same thing occurred on my 1997 dakota. The dealer told me then that the rotors warp when they are hot(from use) and then get wet. (so I guess I shouldn't use the brakes in wet/rainy conditions) the warped rotors are caused by a design flaw, either the brake system is not 'sized' properly (ie insufficient stopping power causing excessive heat build-up) or the rotors are inferior(metal grade). I believe most owners do not complain about this problem because the dodge dealers convince them that this is routine maintenance. The truck is great otherwise.

Filed Dec 23, 2005 · Brakes · 20,000 miles · NC

I have taken my vehicle several repair places (brake specialists) including 2 dealerships (multiple times). They tell me my rotors are warped, or that they can find nothing wrong!!! Starting at around 20,000 miles I started getting hard vibrations in the front end, replaced rotors and pads, fixed problem. Then, 5,000 miles later it started again, had rotors turned and replaced pads, fixed problem. 5,000 miles later it happens again, I decide to deal with it for a little while. 2,000 miles of driving with warped rotors, and right front caliper locks up, nearly causing a fire!!. Replaced both calipers, rotors and pads, problem fixed again. Problem recurs roughly every 5,000 miles. I drive very carefully to ensure that I am not causing any undue stress on the brake components. The expense of repairing the brakes every 5,000 miles is roughly $200 to $400 dollars depending on what I find upon inspection. I am an industrial mechanic so I do this work myself. I purchased copies of daimler chrysler master tech videos to makes sure that I am not missing something. I have purchased several manuals for my vehicle , some from dodge and some aftermarket in my search for a more permanent solution to this problem. This problem is very dangerous, to me and to others around me when driving. I am currently at 90,000 miles and have decided that this problem needs to be addressed by someone... I hope you can help.

Filed Dec 7, 2005 · Brakes · ME

Front brake rotors have been replaced 3 times on my vehicle with mopar parts. I have owned the vehicle for 2 years and have put 40,000 miles on it. The rotors are only lasting in the area of 10 - 15000 miles. I spoke with my local mechanic and he has told me this is a known issue with the dodge dakota and I better get use to replacing them or get use to driving with warped rotors.

Filed Jan 31, 2005 · Brakes · 16,000 miles · WA

My 2001 dodge dakota is now experiencing its third occurance of warped rotors. The truck only has 37,000 miles on it. The problem reappears about every 12,000 miles. He dealer says there is no defect with the rotors. I don't believe them.*ak after looking at the dakota web site, I find there are many other owners that have experienced the same problem on almost the same recurring time schedule. The pulsating caused by the warped rotor could affect the ABS system during hard braking. It is time for the manufacturer to deal with the problem.

Filed Jan 4, 2005 · Brakes · MA

Dodge dakota, quad-cab, 2001 ? After heavy usage (I.e. Commuter traffic) front brakes seize and lock up; leaving brakes engaged while driving. Suspect rotor warp from the heat of the brake pads thus rendering the front brakes fully engaged until the rotor cools. Dealer inspected brakes / rotor after each incident (3) to find no obvious direct cause and only made the suggestion to bring in for service when incident occurred again.

Filed Dec 12, 2004 · Brakes · 20,000 miles · PA

Rotors are warping and being severely scored. My caplipers were badly rusted with in a year which did not let it slide properly and cause uneven pressure on the pads. This cause a pad to disintegrate while braking. I have since replaced my brake pads with performance ferro carbon pads and cross drilled vented rotors. The rotors no long warp but they are still being badly scored. And I have to keep a constant eye on pad wear.

Filed Oct 11, 2004 · Brakes · 12,000 miles · NY

Factory rotors are defective. Rotors warp at low mileage causing partial brake failure. Daimler chrysler is aware of defect and chooses not to address.

Filed Oct 5, 2004 · Brakes · 14,000 miles · NY

Vehicle vibrated when brake were being applied at any speed. Consumer believed the problem was causes by warped rotors.

Filed Aug 22, 2004 · Brakes · MA

I'm a little disturbed at this page...."number of deaths"? Does somebody have to die before consumers are protected? My complaint is for the brakes on my 2001 dodge dakota quad cab. I no longer expect my brakes to stop me when I need them which means to avoid an accident, I had better always be looking for a way to steer around an obstacle! On two occasions I can remember, I had to steer around a stopped vehicle because my truck would just not stop in time. I've done some research on my own and there is enough evidence on the internet that proves there is a real defect in the braking system used on dodge dakota trucks from 1999 to 2002 from what I've read. When you read of one person complaining about warped rotor's and having no brakes when you need them, that's one thing. But when you read countless complaints of these same things..what has to be done? How many people have to die? Obviously it's about money...you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure that out. Chrysler would rather ignore problems and take a hit on a couple law suits every year after someone dies. It must be cheaper for them to operate this way because otherwise they wouldn't be doing it. Now it's your job to promote safety...is it not? If it is, then you should make our highway's safer by removing dangers from them..such as dangerous vehicles with brakes that fail.

Filed Aug 15, 2004 · Brakes, Steering · 11,000 miles · CT

I own a dodge dakota quad cab 2001 5.9 v8 the brakes have always sucked. The front rotors warped over and over again I'm forced in buying a bigger kit that will cost me $3,000. The rear end leaks and the dealer says its natural. These two problems have been with me for 6 months after purchase. I will not buy another dodge again. I think the transmission is going now and the steering pump is going too. The truck has 66,000 miles now. It looks nice but hp , brakes and over all performance sucks. If I was in the creative end working for dodge I could improve their vehicles greatly.