2001 Dodge Dakota: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Dec 22, 2011 · Electrical · 104,300 miles · OR · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge dakota. The contact was driving approximately 3 MPH when all of the warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact then noticed smoke coming from the dashboard area which then ignited into a fire. The driver was not injured and was abel to exit the vehicle safely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised the contact that the sensor timer module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and the vehicle failure was pending an investigation. The failure and the current mileages were approximately 104,300.

Filed Aug 10, 2010 · Brakes · OR

Front brakes lock up or drag on 2001 dodge dakota. Extensive research in the internet reveals numerous identical problems 2000-2005 dodge dakota and durango. Problem baffles all. No reliable fix found. Brakes drag and overheat, smoke, burst into flames, may cause severe damage to vehicle.

Filed Jan 11, 2008 · Lights · 110,800 miles · AZ · fire

The fuse for my dimmer switch kept blowing. And I kept replacing. Because with out it in I can not see gauges. And my outside marker light fuse kept doing same. I replaced fuses again today they immediately blew. I rotated the dimmer switch to the lowest position. Again I replaced fuses. Then I turned on lights and slowly rotated dimmer switch up and I saw smoke coming from corner of instrument panel near where switch sets in dash.

Filed Sep 13, 2005 · Brakes · 52,000 miles · NC

Had a sudden stop in 100 degree weather, when pulled off, the truck felt as if it were pulling a load and a strong burning rubber smell was coming from the front end. Ended up having it towed to the dealership where it was found that the front calipers had seized up. Dealership was not certain as to what caused the problem. Truck only has 52,000 miles on it. Ended up putting all new braking system on the front end. A year ago had the same problem, brought into the dealership and they told me it was a sensor that controlled the ABS. Can't figure that one out, only have ABS on the rearend, not on the front. It is a scary thing when you are on the highway and you have that burning smell and smoke is bellowing from the front wheels. Dealership claims no fire would've occurred. Tained.

Filed Mar 24, 2005 · Transmission · 89,700 miles · OK · fire

While driving the transfer case cracked down the middle. The friction and sparks caused it to catch on fire. It was loose and severed from the main attachments which dumped the oil ontothe skid plates. *ak

Filed Jan 31, 2005 · Electrical · SC · crash · fire · 2 injuries

In august 2004. A 2001 dodge dakaota pickup ran a stop sign and I hit him. The truck rolled and continued to run and caught the vehical on fire and burned the driver critically, and he ultimately died. Why didn't the vehicle inertia switch cut the vehical off. I have a file claimed against the insurance company and an investigation may be launch on the truck.

Filed Apr 2, 2004 · Electrical · 42,500 miles · CA · fire

The vehicle is a 2001 dodge dakota quad cab equipped with a factory towing package. On march 12, I was driving the vehicle on I-215 pulling a trailer. I smelled something burning, then the cabin filled with smoke. The turn signals, brake light, and emergency flasher ceased operating. A combination flasher unit had failed and burned, with the plastic case partially melted. The heat had damaged the combination switch, which also failed, and the plug into the wiring harness was also partially melted. The dodge dealer changed the failed components, and they failed again, this time with no trailer attached. The dealer finally attributed the failures to a short circuit in the wiring installed by the factory which connected the factory installed trailer socket to the electrical system. I have advised dodge of the problem, and they maintain that their wiring was not defective because they believe that the short originated in the trailer wiring. They made this determination without examining the trailer. Even if the short did in fact start in the trailer, the factory designed and installed wiring harness should have prevented the short from destroying these vital safety components. The freeway I was on when the fire occurred was packed with rush hour traffic, and it was extremely difficult making my way to safety pulling a trailer without the use of the signal lights.

Filed Feb 3, 2004 · Brakes · 42,780 miles · MA

While driving, a strong odor of burning brakes was smelled. There was a large plume of smoke coming from the front left wheel well, and the vehicle was pulling to the right. The truck had to be stopped for fear of fire or injury. Dodge states that the front left caliper seized, causing damage to the relatively new front rotors and pads I purchased. Last july, approximately 7 months ago, the truck's right front brake caliper seized, causing a similar situation only on the opposite side of the vehicle. Dodge refuses to admit fault in supplying faulty parts to customers. Brake calipers should not fail under normal driving conditions after 36,000-42,000 miles. After numerous other mechanical problems with this vehicle I have lost complete confidence in it, and believe it to be a safety hazard for myself and others on the road.

Filed Apr 30, 2002 · Electrical · HI · fire

Consumer stated while driving, the vehicle caught on fire, consumer stated that the vehicle had a bodyguard system installed.(claim#51-0491-004)

Filed Sep 10, 2001 · Brakes · VA

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.

Filed Jun 25, 2001 · Electrical · HI · fire

Was parked inside of a shopping center and started vehicle, exiting out of parking lot and vehicle caught on fire.