2003 Dodge Dakota: pulls to one side

Filed Sep 7, 2005 · Suspension · NC

My husband took his 2003 dodge dakota to a dodge dealership for recall work to be done. A front ball joint had to be replaced (to keep the front end of the truck from falling apart while driving and killing everyone.) when he took it in it drove fine. After the work was done, it pulls to the right. I called another dodge service department to ask them about procedure, they said that an alignment is standard procedure when completing that type of work, but that the car owner is screwed when it comes to recall work. I then called the manufacturer who told me basically the same thing. That's not right!! I should not have to fork over money to have fixed what they screwed up! Please fix this.

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 Jan 13, 2005 · Fuel system, Suspension · 25,835 miles · MA

I own a 2003 dodge dakota 4x4 has problem with ball joints. Front end alignment pulling to the right. Consumer wants to be reimbursed for time and labor. *bf the engine light illuminate. The dealer found that there was an evaporator leak which was caused by an aftermarket fuel cap.

Filed Dec 15, 2004 · Suspension · 50,600 miles · MD

While driving at 30 MPH vehicle all of a sudden and without warning pulled to the right and lost steering control. It was towed to the dealer, who n informed the consumer that the entire upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.

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 14, 2004 · Brakes, Electrical · 100 miles · WI

Vehicle will either go into neutral when put in reverse or while reversing pop out of reverse into neutral. This mostly occurred when the vehicle was in 4-wheel drive. The dealership serviced the vehicle several times for this issue, but since they were unable to duplicate or resolve the problem. *ak the consumer had two transmission problems. The transmission module shorted out on four separate occasions. This problem caused the consumer to be nearly rear ended three times. The transmission shift indicator showed that the vehicle was in reverse but acted as if it were in neutral. The vehicle pulled to the left, the brakes would squeak and the vehicle had poor gas mileage. *sc the battery was replaced because the vehicle did not start at times.

Filed Dec 3, 2003 · Brakes, Fuel system · 6,000 miles · NY

At 6,000 miles the upper ball joints failed. When riding over any size bump in the road the front end collapsed. *ak the vehicle pulled to the right when driving and when braking, the flapper door for the fuel filler neck was missing and or fell inside the tank, the transmission did not shift properly, the front and rear rotors were grooved, worn uneven and pitted. *scc