This is my second posting. My 2002 dodge dakota quad cab is still dangerous to drive because the four wheel ABS system will not stop the vehicle in a panic situation. When the brakes are applied hard, the ABS kicks in and releases the wheels but if I let off when that happens and reapply the brakes, there is almost no braking. The pedal seems to hit a block and the truck continues to roll almost freely. The problem is really exacerbated over rough surfaces or on wet pavement. I've learned to give myself about five times the normal safe following distance but that just results in people pulling in front of me to take advantage of the gap and thereby taking away the safety margin I need with this vehicle. There are many posts and complaints about this exact problem. Is anyone there listening? The dealers can duplicate the problem but are told by chrysler that the system is functioning normally. Please do something. Does someone have to die in a accident before you investigate and provide some answers?
2002 Dodge Dakota brakes complaints
Page 5 of 8: complaints 101 to 130 of 213, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Daimlerchrysler motor corporation p.o. Box 21-8004 auburn hills, mi 48321-8004 attention: quality assurance my dodge presently has 49,200 miles. It has been serviced at recommended and required intervals at manahawkin dodge approximately every 3,000 miles. Early into my ownership I had intermittent trouble with the air conditioner and they tried to assess the problem. They did a recharge of the system and corrected the problem. I was told at 28998 miles that the "pulsing" when my brakes were applied was due to "hot spots" on my front rotors. When I inquired as to how this could happen to a relatively new truck that is used as a personal transportation vehicle I was told they really "did not know but have had to replace others." it is noted that I never had to replace rotors on my previous nissans. That ended up costing me $393. I began hearing a noise in the transmission and intermittent delayed shifting into gear resulting in the transmission being serviced which included changing filters, lubricant, etc. I was also told that my upper ball joint was worn and replaced one side only. This I subsequently learned has been a problem for some dodge vehicles and I have since received a letter from daimlerchrysler regarding an extended warranty on the part. Today I was told that I had play in the right front ball bearing and the hub needed a total replacement. Along with that a strut had to be replaced and an alignment once it was completed. When I asked how axle bearing could go bad with this low a mileage I was told that the hub is sealed and no way to lubricate and that it should not have gone bad. In addition, I have a noisy left leaf spring that needs a part. The cost for the front hub is over $600. I rarely get over 16 miles per gallon even I the best driving conditions. Sincerely, charles w. Stauffer cc: the federal safety agency nj division consumer affairs file
Abs system does not work properly. Rear wheels lock up at low speeds when road is wet then release brakes causing the vehicle to accelerate. Does same if rear wheel hit a bump or pot hole during braking. Brakes release during mild stops. This condition has caused several close accidents. Took to dealer and they replaced the ignition switch. This did not resolve the problem.
2002 dodge dakota front brake calipers failed and the brake discs were warped. *mr the left brake caliper failed as well. In both cases the brakes grabbed and smoke was produced. The consumer requested reimbursement. *sc
With around 15,000 miles on 02 dodge dakota was told front rotors had to be replaced and subsequently were at 20,000 miles. Less then year later with 30,000 miles rotors must be replaced again at cost of $390. New truck twice in a year, with known problem dealer sticks head in sand and ignores.
Abs brakes continue not work properly under wet road conditions and at 40 MPH, during emergency stop, wheels initially lock up and then release all together. Reoccurrance of similar event documented in odi #10049545. Avoided rear end collision by driving off road into ditch. These brakes have a serious problem and need to be investigated. Dealer continues to state that they are working as designed for a two wheel ABS system.
2002 dodge dakota 2wd 6 cylinder. Occasionally the brakes see to release at low speeds when approaching a stop, causing close calls, near accidents.
I too have just had to replace the front rotors on my 02 dakota. I have never owned any vehicle where the rotors had to be replaced, with far more mileage than this truck(44k). The dealer says "they rotors are overheating" well if the truck is used mostly for freeway use, isnt hauling loads or towing, and its only weight is on the brakes, it would seem to the most ignorant that there is definately defective materials in the brake system.
While braking at any speed vehicle shimmied. Dealership informed the consumer of the front brake rotor wear. The problem was not resolved.
Consumer purchased the vehicle at 11,000. 2,000 miles later consumer noticed a pulsation in the brake pedal. The rotors were worn out. Consumer stated the rotors had to be replaced at about every 8,000 miles.
Rusting and pitted brake rotors on 2002 dodge dakota. Vehicle has less than 40k miles and is garaged in winter months. Inspection showed brake pads were not worn out but rotors were pitted and had to be replaced. Manufacture defect. I paid $406 to have brake pads and rotors replaced. Could have had a brake failure. Chysler took my complaint and said it was past the warrenty mileage.
The rotors and brakes needed to be replaced when the vehicle was taken for checkup. This defect made it difficult for the vehicle to stop.
Front brake rotors are warping extremely early.
Upon applying the brakes, the front of the vehicle dips with the rear of the vehicle lifting. As a result, the rear wheels lock up very easily, causing the ABS system to kick in. When the ABS system kicks in, the vehicle feels like the accelerator was pressed. I have driven many other types of trucks and never encountered a truck with such poor braking. The truck should be designed to limit the rear from lifting while braking.
Regarding the daimler chrysler recall of my 2002 dodge dakota 4 wheel drive truck. One of the reasons they may be having problems with the upper ball joints has to do with the lousy metal used on the front brake rotors. I have had the truck for 3 years and under normal braking there is shuttering, and much worse during heavy braking. This has been a problem developed in the first few months and has only worsened. The local dealer inspected the brakes and said the pads are fine but the rotors are warped.
Front disc brakes would not release while driving. Dealer could not find a problem. Occurred again on dec 10, with front rotors turning bright red and smoking. Dealer found ABS system was not releasing hydraulic fluid, replaced ABS component, front rotors and brake pads. Occurred again on dec 30 while driving, will return to dealer for resolution.
When applying the anti- brakes from a low speed brakes locked. As a result, vehicle rear ended another vehicle.
Brake rotors warped at 20,000 miles. Pads ok. Terible pulsing when stopping. Local dealer wanted to charge a fee just to look at it. I believe the anti lock brakes are affected by this. Brakes horrible in wet condition.
Two months ago consumer started to notice brake failure. When applying the brakes the car jerked sporadically. The problem steadily got worse. Three weeks later this vehicle started to work properly when applying the brakes. Two days ago, the same problem recurred.
1. After driving vehicle several miles, audible "groan" comes from front suspension of vehicle during turns. No problem with steering, no excessive play, but makes that moaning sound. Suspect ball joints. This is an ongoing problem.*ak 2. At 46,000 (approx) had to replace 1 rotor, 1 drum on brakes for excessive vibration during stops. Problem cleared for about 18,000 miles, now doing same thing again. Suspect dodge's supplier of rotor and drums is not very good.
December 6, 2004 I own a 2002 dodge dakota quad cabu and noticed a shaking feeling when applying my brakes when going down hill on 11/25/04. This problem has continued to happen. I have also noticed that when going over bumps that there is a loud creaking noise. I brought my vehicle in for any oil change and asked to have a road test done to see what might be causing the problems. I was informed by the mechanic that my front brake rotors were completly rusted, rotted out, and had grooves all over them. I was also informed that my ball joints were "shot" and needed to be replaced. I have 22,000 miles on my dakota and do not believe that this is exceptable to have my front brakes completely replaced! I spoke to the service manager at the dealership I purchased the dakota from and was told that dodge's warranty only covers brakes for 12 months or 12,000 miles! After reading the federal safety agency's complaints for a similiar problem, I see that this problem seems to happen when the vehicle's mileage is approximately between 20,000-25,000 miles. Not very happy with dodge about this problem! Dealership did not seem to be very understanding.
Driving my 2002 dodge dakota (slt 4x4) in a 55 MPH speed limit. Was traveling at 49 MPH. Applied brakes with abnormally slow response, jerking and vibration, resulting in rear-ending the car ahead. Resulted in $5050 damage to my truck and $4781 in damage to the other vehicle. Have had brakes checked twice by the dealership since accident with explaination that the front brakes are disc and the back are drum and that front disc brakes will apply before the rear, and this is the normal operation of these brakes. This truck continues to have a long stopping distance compared to other trucks I have owned. I am now seeing multiple other braking complaints related to this truck. I am in the process of looking for a different vehicle because this one does not feel safe while stopping.
The front brakes on my truck was diagnosed with defective rotors. I do mostly highway driving so I expected 40,000 to 50,000 miles on the front brakes. I had 15,000 miles on the truck for its 1st brake inspection and was told at that time that I still had approximately 80% of pads left. I brought the truck in at 31,000 and requested to have the brakes inspected again. I was taken by surprise when they told me that the rotors were shot and asked to see them before I would authorize a repair. The mechanic told me that there was over 50% of the brake pads left but somehow the brake rotors were scored so badly that they could not be cut down to repair them, they must be replaced, and I could also see that the rotors were that bad. Considering that there was a lot of brake pad left I opted not to spend the $565.00 at this time and get more life out of the brakes. They still stop the vehicle with no problems. I feel that this should be looked into.. Defective metal in the rotors, ( not hard enough ) , defective pads, ( hard steel embedded in them ) etc.
Front brake disc were cast in layers, and they came apart. Manufacturer recommended that consumer call this office.
While driving home after having transmission rebuilt my brakes started to sound as if there was dirt on the pads. As the vehicle only had 19000 miles at the time that's what I believed. The noise over the next week got louder and the truck harder to stop saftly. Contacted dealer brought in and discovered that the rotors were scared and the pads were gone on the passenger side. The rotor was pitted on the driver side. Dealer refuses to fix except as a maintence issue. They did however replace upper ball joints . I believe the loose front end caused the vibration in wheels which LED to brake failure. I have read many compaints of brakes on the web. Dodge needs to recal this veicle -- someone is going to get hurt.
Intermittently the brakes failed to release fully after being depressed. The brake pedal came back up when released, but the brakes dragged. When this occurred, the front rotors overheated. The dealership turned the front rotors, but the failure recurred a month later. This time the rear brake drums overheated. *ak *sc
Front brake rotors warped.
Consumer complained that ABS locked up when applying the brakes on wet road surface. Vehicle was inspected by an repair shop, and they could not locate the problem.
Felt pulsing in front brakes due to rotor overheating and warping. Brake failure, no accident or injuries.
Shaking in front end when brakes are applied, also rattle in front end. Dodge dealer found front brake rotors to be severely rusted and pitted and that brake pad clips were completely rusted off front pads causing rattle. Rotors and pads were replaced and old parts are available. Dodge refused to pay for repairs.
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