2001 Dodge Dakota: pulls to one side

Filed Jun 14, 2006 · Steering · 88,000 miles · MA

Dt*: the contact stated while driving on the highway at 65 MPH, the tie rods separated. The steering was erratic and when the vehicle went over a bump in the road, the front end wandered all over the road. An independent mechanic determined the tie rod had separated and the threads were stripped. The mechanic replaced the left inner tie rod, left tie rod end outer and right tie rod end outer. The dealership has not been informed. Updated 06/27/06.

Filed Feb 8, 2005 · Suspension, Tires · 61,829 miles · MI

Upper ball joints were replaced. Recently, the upper ball joints for this vehicle were recalled ,and the owner contacted the dealership. Again had the ball joints replaced, but they did not do an alignment. Currently, the tire is pulling to the left, and the dealership will not make any adjustments.

Filed Jan 26, 2005 · Steering, Suspension · 60,000 miles · MA

Consumer was informed that upper ball joint/tie rods werer worn out. This caused the vehicle to pull to the right. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Filed Dec 13, 2004 · Steering · MO

I would like to know why the 4x2 dakota's are not covered by the recall. My 2001 rt has always made a poping sound when making sharp turns and is starting to "wander" and pull to the left. This truck has been very hard on tires. Last time in, dealer said everything was fine. Of course that was just before the warranty expired. All dakotas should be covered by this recall, not just the 4x4 models.

Filed Sep 20, 2004 · Suspension · CO

Driver side front of p/u started 'knocking' when traversing bumps or making right hand turns at 12000. Passenger side front tire began to feather at 30000. At 37775 with new shocks and tires, allignment was needed to correct pulling to the right. Was discovered that lower passenger and upper driver side ball joints were "horribly shot.

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 Nov 10, 2003 · Suspension · WA

Approx 30,000 miles rotors warped, during stopping stearing wheel vibrated so bad it was hard to hang on to it, the dealer turned them. At 60,000 rotors warped again, had them replaced. At 70,000 miles the front end started making a creaking noise whenever going over a small bump and pulled to one side. Had it inspected and was told it needed to be fixed immediately that it was extremely warn and could fail at any time. Upper and lower ball joints replaced, 4 sway bar bushings replaced. The dakota and durango front end components need to be investigated for early failure before there is an accident and/or death.

Filed Jul 10, 2002 · Acceleration, Electrical · TX

Consumer states that vehicle pulls to the left when driving, on numerous occasions the vehicle has jerked to the left in such a manner as to take control away from the driver, it was found that the tires had never been balanced, a front end mechanic informed consumer that there was a problem with the front end of the vehicle, consumer states that now the front tires jump or cup during sharp turns to the left, the rear end was also replaced.

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 Nov 13, 2000 · Suspension · ME

Vehicle handles poorly,wanders,no feel to steering.has been back to dealer several times. Dealer has stated that manufacturer is aware of problem but hasen't come up with a solution.vehicle is very difficult to drive,very hard to keep going in a straight line,and to stay in the right lane. I don't feel that dodge is doing all that it can to remedy this situation.I am planning a trip to alaska pulling a fifth wheel trailer next summer and do not feel that it would be safe to do so with this vehicle.