2002 Dodge Dakota: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Jul 5, 2017 · Brakes · 160,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. While driving various speeds, the brake pedal was applied and began to grind and squeak. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front driver side brake caliper and brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Filed Sep 2, 2011 · Brakes, Suspension · 114,000 miles · AK · fire

Truck has been driving like something was grinding against my front right wheel for a week or so, I didn't think anything of it, it had just become an annoyance. Id look under the wheel and everything looked okay and in shape, no damage was being done. The other day I drove a short distance and heard a pop, like something had popped near the wheel, I pulled over and could see no damage. I continued to drive and noticed that the grinding had stopped and my wheel seemed to be functioning correctly. I arrived to my destination with no problem. When I left the destination to return home, I started feeling heavy pull to the right on my steering wheel, if I let go of the steering wheel I would have gone into a ditch or the woods or another car. I then started noticed smoke coming from my right wheel, I was a few blocks away from home and figured I could make it, I started noticing my brakes were not working too well, and anytime id push on the brakes more smoke would arise, I went the 3 stop signs to my house and pulled in, ran around and saw that behind my wheel had caught on fire, took about 5 minutes to put the fire out with water and some cat litter we had lying around. It was so hot that it wouldn't cool down for about 45 mins to an hour. We would throw water on it and it would sizzle. I quickly removed the tire to prevent any damage to it. I noticed it had started to melt the plastic boot cover on the suspension. When you looked at the wheel you could see it had snapped off on the bottom half, causing the whole wheel to tilt inward which then caused a full on grind of the wheel and the brakepads and whatever else is down there causing such friction that it caught on fire. I then did research online and found that their had been a recall for this exact issue... :(

Filed Jul 28, 2008 · Suspension · 125,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact would sporadically hear a loud squeaking noise. He took the vehicle to the dealer for a routine alignment and tire rotation. Upon inspection, a technician stated that the lower ball joints had severe wear and movement, and needed to be replaced. He also stated that the rubber grommets supporting the tie rods failed and created a metal to metal condition, which created a squeaking noise. The components have not been replaced. The failure mileage was 125,000 and current mileage was 128,000. Updated 09/10/08 *bf the upper ball joints were replaced as well. Updated 09/16/08.

Filed Jan 26, 2007 · Brakes · 61,000 miles · TX

Tl* - the contact owns a 2002 dodge durango. When the contact engaged the brakes and the ABS took over. The brakes squeaked and did not immediately stop the vehicle unless the contact took foot off the pedal and applied the brake again. The contact removed the ABS fuse and the brakes worked normally. However, the speedometer was also connected to that fuse so the speed was not registering correctly without the fuse. The contact was driving 45mp at the time of the failure.

Filed Apr 7, 2006 · Brakes · NY

2002 dodge dakota purchased new 10/2001. March 2004 noticed grinding noise when applying brakes. Brakes were metal against metal. Dealer replaced rotors and pads (and charged for service) at 20940 miles. March 2006, noticed pulsing when applying brakes. Different service center said rotors were rusted and replaced; also cleaned and adjusted rear brakes and performed front caliper "slider service." mileage 40239. I believe brakes should last more than two years and/or 20000 miles.

Filed Jan 6, 2006 · Brakes, Transmission · 90,767 miles · CT

Making a right hand turn when a sudden grinding noise occurred. Upon straightening the wheels, it stopped. Was approx 3 miles from my mechanic so I went there and had him look at it. He found the left side hub bearing assembly had completely failed (bearing exposed and badly damaged). He was unable to separate the brake rotor disk from the hub as it was so badly corroded that it had become one. Upon checking the right side hub assy, it was found to have failed as well with the brake rotor disk in the same condition. Both sides were replaced and a complete brake job done to make the vehicle safe to operate. The vehicle has less than 92000 miles and I am the original owner. I was told that I was lucky that I did not loose the left wheel because of the failure as I had just returned from work (50 miles one way) which is all highway driving.

Filed Aug 19, 2004 · Suspension · 18,000 miles · NY

I have had clunking and squeaking noises coming from the front end of my 2002 dodge dakota quad cab since about 18,000 miles. I have mentioned it to the dealer and they say they do not know what it is. After viewing the internet I have realized that there is many problems with the upper and lower ball joints. I will soon be returing to the dealer with the info to try to get it fixed.

Filed Jun 23, 2004 · Brakes, Suspension · MD

Problems with front suspension and brakes on 2002 dodge dakota. *mr the front suspension squeaked and was unable to be duplicated, the brakes were noisy upon application and was also unable to be duplicated, noise would come from the shock absorber when stopping and when going over bumps, noise was coming from the left front upper ball joints on left turns and when going over bumps, the left caliper made a sticking sound and the wheel bearing was replaced, the drive belt made sounds, and the brakes pulsated. *sc

Filed Jun 3, 2004 · Engine, Fuel system · 35,305 miles · TX

While driving, noticed that the check engine light was on and the oil pressure gauge was incorrect. Notified dealer of this issue and also an issue with grinding noise when turning left or right. The dealer has replaced the upper and lower ball joints on the front and even admitted that they have seen a high failure rate for this. Also they replaced the vacuum tube harness under the gas tank. The oil pressure gauge sensor was loose and was corrected.

Filed Mar 16, 2004 · Suspension · 13,000 miles · DE

Clunking and excessive squeaking coming from the front-end. Slow 90 degree or u - turns consistently reveal clunking. 18000 miles currently on dakota quad cab. Steering shimmy inadvertently appears when driving straight down the road. These symptoms have been happening for 3+ months. I am experienced with front-end work, and recognize these symptoms to be familiar with upper ball-joints failure. I refuse to have the same product installed. There is obviously a problem.

Filed Jan 12, 2004 · Suspension · 10,000 miles · CA

Control arms and ball joints made clunking and popping sounds. Bushings made loud squeaking sounds. All mentioned parts needed to be replaced. Sounds started as early as 10,000 miles logged on vehicle. After searching internet found ball joints could separate and finally took vehicle to dealer. Dealer is replacing parts under warranty but my concern is they are replacing them with the same defective parts.

Filed Dec 30, 2003 · Suspension · 23,190 miles · PA

2002 dodge dakota quad cab has had grinding/jumping/bumping condition when braking since 4/03 @under 24k miles. Private mechanic has checked brakes twice for this and has found no problems stemming from brakes. Condition persists, and am wary of problems with this make/model and ball joint wear. Is dodge covering this as a warranty repair now or not?