Dt*: the contact stated the drive shaft fell off the vehicle while driving 25 MPH on a paved secondary road in clear dry conditions, damaging the transfer case. The vehicle was towed to an independent service shop. The service dealer and manufacturer were contacted. Updated 10/25/06.
2002 Dodge Dakota transmission complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 89, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
Dt: while applying the brakes at no particular speed there was abnormal operation of the windshield wipers, horn, and lighting system. All of them came on and off all by themselves. The consumer has not taken vehicle to a dealer but planned to do so. The consumer was referred to an independent mechanic, and he could not determine the cause of the problem. No corrections or repairs have been made. No explanation as to why this occurred. This only happened when brake pressure was applied. The federal safety agency recall 03v389000 was issued but it was for the manual transmission vehicles only-the consumer has an automatic transmission.
Driving <30min at 20-50mph,towing a light trailer, while turning into driveway, depressed clutch, pedal went to floor and stayed down, drove 100 yards further, parked, opened hood. Flames were visible from under firewall below brake and clutch hydraulics and visible behind left front tire. Flame heights were ~6 - 10 inches. Moved other vehicles from area and extinguished fire with dry chemical extinguisher. Chrysler found clutch asy hose melted, evap hose melted, and fuel line damaged from fire. Chrysler replaced the hyd clutch acy, replaced evap hoses and flex fuel line. Chrysler did an independent special investigation and concluded they had "no manufacturing responsibility". Chysler submitted bill for $526.54 to allstate. Allstate payed claim. Owner's opinion is that plastic clutch hydraulic line failed, spraying hydraulic fluid on nearby exhaust, igniting fluid and plastic parts and other flammable materials. Investigator photographed all critical areas but chrysler did not return old parts.
2002 dodge dakota right front wheel bearings and the hub needed to be replaced.*mr the consumer experienced intermittent problems with the air conditioner. Hot spot on the front rotors caused pulsation when braking. The vehicle's transmission made noise and intermittent delayed shifting. The right front hub and bearing were replaced. The right front outer tie rod end was replaced. The left front upper ball joint was replaced.
Dt: headlights not functioning. All interior lights not functioning, the wipers worked intermittently. The high, low selection for wipers does work. Keyless entry does not work. Contact has taken the vehicle to courtesy tire twice, then to bbc dodge three times for all of these problems. This started around 11/26/04. Was told they thought it was a loose ground wire, second time they thought it was timer module part no#ti-8035033 and this module was replaced three times, probably four times as consumer is taking care again tomorrow. When the module is first put in everything works well for awhile or until it rains. Consumer states he notices that after it rains everything listed above stops working again. Consumer has contacted his attorney general to report this situation. *nm the transmission made a harsh sound when it was placed into gear. *sc
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
2002 dodge dakota had work performed on the clutch.***no answer required***. *mr the consumer did not believe that a 3 year old vehicle with less than 30,000 should require a clutch replacement. The consumer is seeking full reimbursement.
My 2002 dodge dakota sxt club cab has been in for service on 2/14/05, 2/23/05, 3/12/05, 3/26/05 and 4/9/05 for misfiring. It has had 3 fuel injectors 2, 3, and 4 replaced because they were leaking, and all the spark plugs replaced every time it has gone into service. To date, 4/18/05, the vehicle was still misfiring. On each occasion, the engine light came on, and each time, the dealership stated it was the same problem. I have had the dealership at my expense to flush the fuel injector system, and have had service automatic transmission. I have also had the dealership , under warranty, to replace a failing master cylinder on 1/26/05. I anticipate I will be back at the dealership sometime this weekend, as I am sure the engine light will come on again.
Took dakota to dealer for front and rear differential service (fluid change). Dealer called and said rear differential (limited slpi) failed and had to be repaired. A pin slipped out of position and the rear differential was slowly destructing itself. I asked why this happened and was told it was paobably due to abuse. Since I don't tow, take it off road or overload it this explanation does not make any sense. Almost all of the milage is highway.
Upon putting the vehicle into park it automatically shifted by itself into reverse, which caused an accident. Consumer sustained injuries. *ak the consumer sustained injuries as he was exiting the vehicle. The door knocked him down and the vehicle continued to roll until it hit a snow bank. Consumer called manufacturer. They told consumer to see the dealer. They checked it out and put some new components in computer. *bf
The consumer believes that the scope of the ball joint recall should be expanded. The ball joints on the consumer's vehicle failed yet the vehicle was not covered under the consumers 100k miles limited warranty. The vehicle's transmission also failed. *bf *nm *sc the consumer stated that the vehicle transmission stalls and gets stuck in low gear when the engine is cold.
There are so many problems that it is hard to really point one out that I am most concerned with. First of all it started with the transmission problem. Then it lead into what the manufacturer says is an electrical problem. Then the replacement of the entire fuel delivery system. Now we are at a standstill since they say that it is working as designed. They also say that it is expected to see the erratic behavior from the motor. I am confused since they say that the computer adjusts and then it won't allow the car to run at optimal effectiveness. Does this mean that it is designed to run at less than optimal effectiveness? I have had a smell come out of the air as though the vehicle was completely flooded. The front suspension makes threatening sounds and the back wobbles like a serpent. The brakes jitter and I have had to pay for rentals at times when the manufacturer approved the reimbursement. The statement for denial of reimbursement was "the after market alarm caused it". They were the sponsors and initiators of this company since I bought it at the dealership included in my price. *ak
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.
Ball joints and u-joints are in need of replacement after only 26 months of ownership and 60,000 miles put on the truck.
02 dakota sxt/3.9l/auto purchased 10-2003 from dealer at 23k miles. Vibration from drive train started at 24040 miles between 45-50 steady MPH. 1st dealer balanced the tires stating they could not duplicate problem. 2nd dealer replaced driveshaft stating out of balance from factory - no change in symptoms. Back to 2nd dealer for trans flash program - no change. Was told it was normal. Back to 1st dealer - could not dup. Took to trans shop. Vibration goes away when out of overdrive - thrust bearing or torque converter bad in trans. No help from dealers or 800 customer service.
On 12, 27, 2001 I purchased from nemer chrysler/plymouth/dodge in queensbury, new york,12804 a 2002 dodge dakota, slt pick-up truck. Thus far the valve body of the transmission was replaced on 12,19, 2002.*ak on 5,25,2004 with 26thousand + ,miles, the front brake rotors had to be replaced becasue of suspected poor workmanship and materials in the metal. (the pads with 26 thousand miles were in like new condition)
When driving and/or while turning in either direction, the driver heard a popping noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice and was not able to determine the cause of the noise. After watching a tv report about the ball joints, the consumer suspected the problem may have been the ball joints. *ak the consumer stated when the vehicle was placed in reverse, it did not engage. The air condition was inoperative.
While driving on the highway at 40 MPH transmission shifted into a low gear, and vehicle's speed decelerated to 8 MPH. This occurred while consumer switched lanes to avoid hitting another motorist. Dealership performed a diagnostic test and the failure code read a catastrophic internal failure.
Consumer wanted transmission replaced. *ph nothing happened when the vehicle was placed in park and back into drive, the vehicle went from reverse to drive and the vehicle stalled, placed in park, then restarted.
Truck had problems of switicng into 2nd while driving at 70mph plus. Had it looked at three times. In april the transnission went. The reverse gear blew up and blew into the case and aslo runined the radiator. Thanks dodge !!
The truck has had sever problems with acceleration and stalling. It also makes a clunking noise when turning the vehicle. There have been numerous amounts of problems with at leat 15 days total in the shop.
At a full stop you feel like a "bump" in the transmission, or just like someone hit you from the back. It doesn't do it all the time. It normally happens when driving the vehicle for more than half hour in traffic or local roads with frequent stops. Dealer haven't been able to reproduce the problem, which started at 1500 miles. They service the differential but the problem still persists. They haven't been willing to drive it enough even when I left the vehicle for them to try for more than 24 hours. Vehicle now has 17,000 miles, has been serviced every 3000 miles in five start dealer.
When backing out of the parking lot the vehicle did not accelerate. The vehicle was driven to the dealership. *ak this was an intermittent problem and would mostly occur in traffic. *scc
Transmission slips out of gear from 1st to 2nd shift which is especially dangerous when crossing intersections or attempting to pass vehicles as problem is occurring often but inconsistently. Have taken truck back to dealer 5 times and only once could they find the problem and replaced transmission oil pump and valve body but problem still exists. Also when putting vehicle into drive it sometimes acts as reverse, and when in reverse lunges forward as in drive. Dealer replaced prdnl (gear shift) once but still having problems with gear position. Dealership states they must be able to reproduce problem in order to replace transmission. Was also told by service department that this was a common problem with this model vehicle with no solution in sight thus far. Am pursuing lemon law litigation as this is more than just a safety hazard.
When putting vehicle into reverse or drive transmission stalls.
Transmission not shifting properly. Shifts at 35 MPH and then winds out to 55 MPH or more and will not shift until you take foot off gas slightly. Vehicle has been brought back 6 times for same problem. Their "fix" was from adjustments to changing internal tranmission parts to installing a new transmission with the same problem persisting. Now am in lemon law litigation.
While driving automatic transmission doesn't shift properly from the third to the fourth gear ,won't shift. Dealer has inspected vehicle eight times, and could not duplicate or correct the problem.
Transmission not shifting properly for several blocks brakes are pulsating when makeing normal start, has 13500 miles.
2002 dodge dakota parking safety failure: my 5 year old son was able to take the vehicle out of park while it was parked in our drive-way; neither ignition key was in the vehicle nor the brake pedal was pressed. The vehicle rolled back down the drive-way; luckily there were no injury or damage to the property. The dealer, carl gregory dodge in atlanta ga, fixed the problem. However, the dealer told me that they never seen this problem before and it took the dealer 4 days to figure out the problem. The manufacturer finally informed the dealer that it was a bad casting in the steering wheel column parts. This is a major safety issue and yet the dealer has no knowledge and there were no re-call. My friend also told me a similar incident that happened recently on dodge durango. The same thing happened and a little boy was killed. Both vehicles use the same steering wheel column. Dodge needs to make a recall on this problem.
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