2003 Dodge Dakota: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Mar 6, 2007 · Brakes, Steering · FL

To whom it may concern, I own a 2003 dodge dakota quad cab slt. And I have run into a lot of problems with this truck that people I know say they had very similar problems with the same make of vehicle. To start with my truck only has about 62,184 miles on it, for a 2003 model truck, that is considered low mileage. The problems I have run into is as follows: both front wheel hub bearing sets have prematurely failed, in particular, the right front hub tried to lock up on me and almost caused me to loose control of the truck, I have since replaced that hub but still need to replace the left front before it locks up:second is that the steering and suspension system has no provisions for preventative maintenance, I.e. No grease zircs for the ball joints, tie rods,upper and lower control arm bushings, wheel bearings, etc...causing rapid wear and failure:third big issue, I have already replaced all four brake rotors due to warpage. The brake calipers were built with some type of composite plastic pistons that distort due to excessive heat build up in the brakes. Which in turn causes uneven pad contact, that then causes excessive heat, accelerated pad wear, brake fade, rotor warpage, and an awful "squeal" when the brakes are applied. I have noticed that my brand new brake pads are actually cracked now because of a combination of the calipers and the hubs going bad: fourth issue is that the transmission causes the engine to over "rev" in the highway passing gear especially with the over drive and cruise control on. When you're driving down the highway and you give it a little more gas to get around somebody, the engine RPM's shouldn't go up to sometimes around 7000, that in turn could cause premature engine or transmission failure. I have been in contact with daimler-chrysler about these concerns but they just keep giving me the run around and not answering my questions. I still have the old parts also.

Filed Jan 25, 2005 · Airbags · 55,000 miles · KS · crash · 1 injury

While driving 70 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the vehicle started to pull to the right and slid into a guard rail. The consumer lost control of the vehicle and was forced over two lanes. The consumer struck a concrete divider. The consumer was wearing his seat belt, but none of the air bags deployed. The consumer received minor injuries and did not needed to be transported to the local hospital. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified.

Filed Aug 10, 2004 · Acceleration, Engine · 11 miles · NY

I have a light knocking in my engine. The first time I took it to the dealer, they stated there was something wrong with the engine, but unable to indentify the problem. I took it back again. They had it for 3 days, and said there was nothing wrong with it. They say all dodge engines make that noise. Unknown to them, I have 2 and my other does not make the same noise. It has occasionally stalled both backing up and going forward. There is a pulling to the right even after having it aligned and balanced. It does not shift properly and won't stay in cruise control while climbing a hill. Also my oil hose was loose causing a rattling under the hood. The light showing you the gear your in did not work properly. Over all the worse vehicle I have ever owned with a hefty tag.

Filed Jun 3, 2004 · Acceleration, Engine · WI

Various problems with 2003 dodge dakota. *mr there were backfires at times, the pedal would barely move at stop signs, when backing out, the vehicle would stay in second gear for a long period of time and the consumer would have to let off of the gas pedal then shift into high gear, sometimes the vehicle wouldn't shift into overdrive, then as soon as it started to misfire, the vehicle would drop to overdrive, the cruise control was inoperative, there was a whine and or howl in the rear differential around 50 MPH, the engine light would never come on, sometimes the shift lever would be placed in park and the vehicle would start, at times when shifting to reverse or drive, the vehicle would not move and the would have to be jerked around on the shift lever, the heater controls were inoperative, and there were noises when the lights on the radio were turned on. The valve on the transmission was change and helped the vehicle, but sometimes when the vehicle was shifted up or down in gear it would be a problem. *sc

Filed Apr 14, 2004 · Acceleration · WI

I have been working with dodge chrysler daimler to resolve a problem with our cruise control. The safety issue is that you are never sure how the cruise control will respond. Sometimes you notice cars and truck whizzing by and you're holding up the traffic. Based the dealers repeated attempts to diagnose and fix the problem and the manufacturer's bulletin on how to try to remedy the problem by "re training the computer", I believe the real fix goes back to the computer program and sensors used in the system. Can you please check into this issue for me and let me know what your advise is? Copy of part of the correspondence to dealer follows: dodge country of appleton 4400 west college avenue as you can confirm we have had our 2003 dodge dakota in three or more times now to try and fix the cruise control. [xxx] there are basically two main symptoms: 1) unexpected shift into high gear when the vehicle is on cruise control - these events do not seem to coincide with any specific road condition. 2) non - responsive cruise control - the vehicle speed drifts down 10 MPH or more off of set point on a very gradual incline with no response at all by the cruise control. Once you reach level road the speed will very slowly creep up over what seems like several miles. This does not happen consistently or repeat under any specific road condition. Sometimes at 60 - 70 MPH on both gentle and steep inclines the cruise works fine. Speed may only drop of one or two MPH and the engine doesn't even shift into a higher gear. Yet under identical conditions, sometimes at the same speeds of 60 - 70 MPH the cruise will respond by kicking into the next higher gear and other times the cruise will not respond at all let the speed drop down 10mph. Too slow a speed is just as dangerous as too fast a speed. Another person I asked with an identical vehicle indicated similar problems. Updated 07/26/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Jan 12, 2004 · Transmission · 200 miles · PA

Truck will not shift properly when going up grade. Engine will rev at 4500-5000 RPM but will not shift until I slightly release the gas pedal. Truck will also perform multiple hard up shifts when in cruise control going up grade... Had the truck in for service 3 times. First time in may, 1 month after purchase, the dealer reprogrammed the computer with a "flash update" and adjusted throttle linkage. That was no help. Several months later I took it in for the same problem, and dealer found nothing wrong. The third time, january 2004, I took a technician for a test drive, and he agreed that the truck was not shifting properly. They replaced the "valve body" in the transmission and the problem has now gotten worse. They informed me that the truck is now having problem shifting out of park. They claim they need to replace the same part they just installed, they say it must have been a defective "valve". Furthermore, the technician is now saying the original shifting problem is normal because dodge reprogrammed the transmission to avoid multiple up & down shifting when going up a grade. This was down to put "less stress" on the transmission. Doesn't make sense, dodge is saving the transmission by making it work less and destroying the engine by letting it rev at 5000 RPM..... P.s. This shifting problem has been occurring since the day I drove the truck off the lot.

Filed Jan 4, 2004 · Acceleration · 8,976 miles · NM

Cruise control loses speed up long inclines.

Filed Oct 24, 2003 · Engine · 1,000 miles · WV

While driving the vehicle hesitated then lost total power. *ak there was poor idling, hesitation and sudden stops at intersection's, loss of power and the cruise control would shut off. *scc

Filed Sep 25, 2003 · Acceleration, Brakes · 20 miles · PA

The day I brought my 2003 dodge dakota quad cab home, I noticed a howling noise coming from the rear brakes when in reverse. Took it back to dealer to find out what was the cause and for it to be repaired. Service manager said that the breaks needed to be broken in and then the noise would stop. Took truck back for oil change after 3000 miles and informed service manager that the truck was still making howling noise. Told me there was a service bulletin on this problem and that as soon as the parts came in he would call . I'm still waiting. Also I am having transmission problems. When I am climbing a grade the transmission seems to get stuck in second gear. I have to let off the gas for it to shift. Sometimes the shift is very harsh and at other times it misses a gear altogether. Truck has a hard time maintaining set speed when cruise control is set. Seems to wait too long to shift to bring the truck up to speed

Filed Sep 25, 2003 · Acceleration, Brakes · 778 miles · MA

Vehicle (1)shifts harshly, (2)does not upshift smoothly/upshifts at excessive RPM, (3)stalls when making low-speed left-hand turns, (4)idles roughly, (5)fails to maintain speed in cruise control, (6)downshifts harshly after losing speed in cruise control, (7)transmission gear indicator did not indicate actual gear vehicle was in, (8)vehicle failed to shift from reverse to park, and from park to reverse, and (9)vehicle emergency brake failed to release, then failed to hold.

Filed Aug 7, 2003 · Acceleration · 935 miles · MI

Consumer states while driving with cruise control on vehicle began to accelerate. Consumer tapped the gas pedal ,and there was no response. Consumer reset cruise control, and 2 miles later vehicle accelerated again while in cruise control. *ak

Filed Aug 1, 2003 · Acceleration · 935 miles · MI

While driving with the cruise control engaged the vehicle suddenly began to accelerate. The consumer had to tap the brake pedal to get the vehicle to decelerate. About two miles later the vehicle began to accelerate again. *ak *cb