The 2005 dakota began showing a service light on the dashboard instrument panel, indicating to service the 4-wheel drive system. Service light was intermittent but frequent, and continues today!. Four wheel drive gears would engage and disengage on there own, and the 4-wheel drive selector switch proved useless to disengage the 4-wheel drive upon choosing the various settings. Upon turning off the vehicle and exiting with the vehicle in park, the transfer case can be heard attempting to engage the 4-wheel drive gears, even with the key in the off position and after a number of seconds have passed. This would prove very hazardous if the vehicle self-engaged into 4-wheel drive at highway speeds, especially if it occurred and engaged the "lo-4-wheel drive" function, which would likely cause loss of control/steering and possibly damage to the rear chunk/differential resulting in highway debris. I see and read many instances from consumers on the internet about this problem in dodge 4-wheel drive products from 2001 thru 2009, and it is supposedly caused by an electrical mechanism called the tccm or ipm (dependent upon your model) and which purportedly controls the transfer case motor that engages the 4-wheel drive.
2005 Dodge Dakota transmission complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 81, newest first, as owners wrote them.
"4lo" intermittently flashes when traveling at speed. "svc 4wd" may come on and go out for a few seconds, following by "4lock" flashing for a second or two. 4wd will engage/disengage on it's own with no indication. Transfer case motor will engage/disengage on it's own while vehicle is parked, turned off, and key out of the ignition. Today, the 4wd engaged and bound up the wheels. Transfer case was overheating. Pulled in parking lot and can manually "4lock", then "2hi", then pulled fcm fuse to disable 4wd. Manufacturer and dealer have not been contacted at this time.
Warning indicator flashed "4lo" multiple times, "4lock", then "svc 4wd". 4lock autonomously engaged with no visual indication.
Driving down the road at 55 miles an hour the 4lo light started flashing like it was trying to shift into 4lo. It also shifted into tow neutral without even being started. You can hear the servo motor trying to engage the 4wd with the truck parked. I'm worried about what would happen if the 4lo engaged on the interstate at 70 MPH.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. The contact stated that while parked on an incline, the vehicle shifted out of gear independently and rolled backward crashing into a house. The fender, tire rod, bumper and tail lights were damaged. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and later explained that they were not able to provide any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 120,618. Updated 8/29/14*cn updated 11/18/2014
Rear wheels locked up after pulling onto roadway from a grade and turning left. Accelerated to approx. 25 MPH to enter roadway, heard loud bang and felt vehicle shudder. Drive shaft separated from rear differential, rear wheels would not move; vehicle stopped in middle of 35 MPH roadway. Metal shaft appears sheared off. Used 4x4 mode to power front wheels to pull onto shoulder. Had I been merging onto highway my truck could have stopped without warning, potentially causing a serious accident. Vehicle removed by flatbed tow - again rear wheels would not roll. Vehicle serviced regularly including rear differential pinion seal replaced on 11/5/10 and again on11/29/13 by dodge dealer. 2005 dodge dakota laramie 4x4 quad cab with tow package; very little towing performed over vehicle life.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. The contact stated that while sitting at a stop sign, he heard a loud bang. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the rear end had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,000. Updated 5/27/14*cn
Upon slowing to enter a garage the truck slowed further as if it was about to stall (svc 4wd dash light came on) but regained power. After parking, the truck was turned off but I began to hear mechanical noises from the undercarriage. When departing later in the day, the same slowing motion started as I emerged from the garage but the truck regained full power and operated normally. After arriving home, I parked and locked the truck from my key fob but again the undercarriage noises started again and sounded like the power locks were running amok. A couple days later, the same occurrence. Took the truck to my trusted garage (not a dodge dealer) who called dodge (no clue) and another mechanic hotline service to check for any technical service bulletins/recalls, but no good results. Next, the chief mechanic road tested the truck and could not replicate the undercarriage noise but did see the svc 4wd dash light. The truck was returned with an admonishment to return if it crops up again. Two days later it did and I return where upon driving up, the chief mechanic heard the noises and declared it was trying to shift into 4wd. By this time I was seeing the 4 hi dash light in addition to the other warning light.the team at the garage went back to work and contacted another mechanic helpline that wasted no time in identifying the issue. As a matter of fact, after explaining the situation the helpline guy asked if the truck had rolled on it's own - because if it has not it would eventually. This is supposed to be a documented problem in these truck that dodge has not seen fit to fix/recall for safety. Fix was test and replace the transfer case shift motor assembly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. The contact stated that while traveling 55 MPH, the rear wheels seized. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the differential along with several other components needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle shifted out of drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis but was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH he heard a loud grinding noise as the vehicle engaged into neutral independently. The failure recurred numerous even when the vehicle was parked and the vehicle shifted into four wheel drive with no driver or passenger inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis but the failure could not be duplicated. The failure continued to recur. The vehicle was returned to the dealer but again the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 70,000.
2005 dakota club cab. Consumer writes in regards to problems with vehicle gears and rear axles. *smd the consumer stated when he applied the accelerator, from a stopped position, the vehicle lurched slightly forward and a high pitched whining sound emitted from the vehicle. The consumer then realized, he didn't have any gears. He was able to drift the truck off the road, since he was on a slight upgrade. The truck was towed to a repair shop. An inspection revealed, the pinion gear had metal fatigue and fractured on the shaft behind the spline and ahead of the gear.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering felt loose. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the trans cooler line failed and was leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were approximately 85,000.
The pinion gear shaft to my differential sheared off just aft of the tapered roller bearing in the front of the housing. The portion of the shaft still attached to the drive shaft through the universal joint and the roller bearing pulled out of the housing and fell to the ground. This appears to be a fatigue failure of the gear shaft. This occurred while driving on a maintained dirt road. No modifications of any kind have been made to the vehicle and aside from occasional use on maintained dirt roads, no off-roading or other severe driving conditions have been encountered. Considering the mileage and light usage of this vehicle, this is a very unexpected failure. A gear shaft of this type should not fail, certainly not before the u-joint itself. This would then seem to most likely be a result of a manufacturing defect. This is clearly a serious safety concern as this failure is followed immediately by the drive shaft dragging on the ground and a complete loss of power. A failure of this type at high speed would have been extremely dangerous.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the transmission failed. The vehicle made a loud booming sound when the failure occurred. One week prior to the failure, the transmission had been serviced. The rear differential was also replaced for the third time the week before the transmission failed. The vehicle was at the dealer at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 75,000.
There's an existing tsb (chrysler/dodge 05-002-06 supersedes 05-004-05) that covers the repair of the rear axle shafts and braking system. There was a defect in the design of the parts that can cause the rear wheels not to brake and can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle at highway speeds. Dodge issued the two aforementioned tsbs to correct the issue, but it wasn't widely performed. Lots of 05 and 06 dakotas with the defect are still on the road.
Problem is with the rear axle on the 2005 dodge dakota. I have had the dealership rebuild the axle at 15,000 and 50,000 miles. It's being rebuilt for a 3rd time by a independent auto shop. I tried to take it to a dodge dealership in santa maria ca to see if they would repair it since it was a ongoing issue but informed me that it's not and would cost $2200. Of course the independent shop is doing it for roughly half that. I went to dodge.com and filled out a complaint with them. I faxed the repair documentation with them and left messages but my rep (david) never calls back. I did receive a email from dodge for a customer survey but it's funny how their links don't work and their website security certificates are out of date. I guess if they can't maintain a website it's probably asking too much to fix a truck.
On my 2005 dodge dakota it randomly shifts in and out of 4 wheel drive. This occurs even after the vehicle has been shut off and the key removed. I disconnected the selector switch in the cabin and the problem still occurred. My mechanic pinpointed the problem to the crank case position sensor. After contacting the dealer for a replacement part he was told they are on national backorder and they dealer has no idea when they will be released. Now I have a vehicle that I can't drive because of a safety defect.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. While driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle shut off without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The estimated cost for repair was $3,000. Report number 18727338 was filed by the manufacturer. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact feels that the manufacturer should be responsible for the repair. The failure and current mileages were 71,254.
Engine light and transmission temp light came on after driving up and down a large incline. Stopped vehicle to allow temp to cool. Both lights reappear after 30-40 minutes driving and goes off after stopping and cooling for several minutes. Took vehicle to dodge service and they recommended transmission fluid and filter change. Next day both lights reappeared after 30+min of driving. Next dodge service recommended changing solenoid which was under warranty, except for $100.00 deductible. Next day both lights appeared after 30+ min of driving. Next dodge service recommended full transmission replacement which corrected problem. Mileage was 69834 and so transmission service was under warranty and payment for replacing transmission lines; they said old ones were leaking although no signs were observed previously. Parts replaced: solenoid, transmission lines, converter, pump kits, seal pkg, o-rings, discs, plates, retnr pkg.
Dodge dakota slt 2005 misfire in cylinder 5 was the code given. Replaced spark plugs and coil. Did not help, check engine light still on. Took to dealership...they ran diagnostic said it was not the computer there is a misfire. Dealership suggested combustion cleaning (about $200) and if that didn't work then they would replace half of the intake valve locks and if that didn't work they would replace the other half of the intake valve locks (about $1650). They would warranty the work for 12 months or 12,000 miles. The problem is the truck has only 25,000 miles on it now! The truck is almost new in terms of mileage but yet has this issue. I have also come to realize that the "idle low until it almost dies" is another common complaint among these trucks. Obviously, dodge made a hunk of junk and I bought one. After looking at some of the blogs, I see that I am not the only person stuck with an expensive lawn decoration.
I have a 2005 dodge dakota slt. I purchased it in 10/2005. I have had problems with this truck since I first bought it. Recently I had to replaced the tire rods, sway bar and linkage, brakes, calipers, and rotors. Two days after I had all of these things fixed I noticed that the truck was still shaking and making a lot of noise. When I brought the truck to dodge I was informed that the rear axle in the truck needed to be replaced. I was told that when the truck was manufactured the wrong size axle was put in the truck. This caused all kinds of problems. I was told that other parts are damaged and need to be replaced and repaired.(rear brake shoes, front disc rotors) I was told that the axle part is covered under warranty but I have to pay the $100 deductible. I was told that everything else that is damaged (due to the axle) and requires repair and replacement is not covered because it is considered "normal wear and tear". I was given a quote of somewhere around $400. (depending on labor) my complaint is simple, I am being forced to pay for damaged parts on my truck that are directly caused by the manufactures error. A problem that can be proved to be the manufacturers fault. I was sold a vehicle that had the wrong axle installed. Which then caused additional problems. When I bought this truck I was under the impression that the manufactures made the vehicle properly. They did not. They sold me a truck with the wrong part installed. Not only is this wrong but there should be some kind of an investigation into this. If the wrong size axle is in my truck, there are other trucks that also have the wrong size axle installed. It is dangerous and suspicious. I think it is even safe to say that it is fraud too! Selling trucks that have the wrong parts installed and then making profit from the repairs and replacements. Sounds like fraud to me.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. While the vehicle was parked and the key was not in the ignition, it began rolling backwards on its own. The vehicle knocked down the contact, traveled across the street, and crashed into a tree. The front passenger side door was damaged and the contact was injured. She was informed that her VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 05v460000 (power train: automatic transmission). The speed and failure mileage were unknown. Updated 10/07/08. *lj updated 10/08/08.
Consistent driveline vibration, unable to diagnose or repair. I took my 2005 dodge laramie quad cab in for a front end alignment on march 5, 2007 to try and repair the previously mentioned problem. Since this time I have had the truck back to the dealership a minimum of ten times and it has been in their possession at least 60 days. The dealer has virtually replaced all of the front end parts, brakes, rotors, calipers, rotated tires, replaced and tried eleven (11) michelin tires, balanced, high speed balanced, my rims have over fifty notches where they have placed weights to balance the tires without result. Similar complaints lead me to believe this is a safety issue and needs investigated since by their own admission they can not diagnose the problem.
During stops the rpms on my 2005 dakota will go erratic. The rpms will go from a few hundred to over 3000. The vehicle will stall and has to be put into park and restarted. No service engine light will ever come on. I have had it at the dealership were I purchased the vehicle 3 time for this problem and they can find nothing wrong with the it. The last time I took it in to have this problem it stalled in traffic that same day I was told they could not find any problem with my truck. This is just one of several issues I have had with this truck that the dealership could not find a problem.
I have taken the 2005 dodge dakota 4x4 back to the dealer for repair on july 24, 2006. Service technician stated that the problem could not be duplicated. No repairs were made to the vehicle. 1) buzzing noise when shifting into drive also in reverse. 2) transmission slips in drive and reverse when going up a steep incline. The transmission is not downshifting to a lower gear when driving up a hill, have to put transmission in 2nd gear to drive up a steep hill. 3) truck has to come almost to a complete stop before transmission downshifts into 1st gear. 4) after the truck has been driven for a while, there is a metallic "clanking" noise coming from the transmission shifting gears. 5) the front axles (driveshafts) are making a grinding noise when executing a sharp turn with the steering wheel. 6) when in park with the truck turned off there is a lot of play in the steering wheel, it will not lock into place when the key is removed.
I purchased a 2005 dodge dakota and 6 months after my purchase the vehicles idler was jumping from 1 to 3 and then vehicle dies. It continues to this. I have bringing my truck in to be serviced sense 11-2005 and 2 months ago I was told that there was no fix for the issue. I have been battling with chrysler for the lemon law, and they state my vehicle has been repaired. To this date no repair, vehicle died in the middle of intersection and was re-ended.
Dt*: the contact stated a recall letter was received, the federal safety agency recall, # 05v460000, regarding the power train: automatic transmission. The vehicle is currently in hawaii and the contact is unable to have the vehicle sent to a dodge dealership for the necessary repairs. The manufacturer was alerted and explained they would not ship the part to a mechanic in hawaii nor would they pay for the repair by the independent mechanic.
Dt*: the contact stated when engaging the 4-wheel drive as long as the vehicle was going straight it worked. The more the contact turned the steering wheel to the left or right the wheels tended to stick and not want to roll. The front wheels tended to lock if turning it all the way to right or left. If vehicle was off road and going down grassy surface and had to turn the wheel, the back wheels will push the vehicle or contact was unable to steer vehicle where he wanted to go. If vehicle was on a pavement it just lock or froze up. The vehicle was seen by the dealer, who determined it was the normal function of the 4-wheel drive.
I have been trying to get chrysler to fix the vibration/or wobbling sensation in my 05 dodge dakota since october. They did replace the axles but the truck still vibrates. They will not work on my truck- they say everything is normal and I disagree. I believe there are safety issues here. My 3.7 v6 engine has a lower engine knock at slow idles. They refuse to acknowledge the sound or say it is normal. I have been to the dealership several times and had to finally hire a lawyer for advice. I have also had problems with my heater not working and transmission/rear end making unexplained noises. I'm very frustrated and disappointed with the truck and how chrysler is handling the situation.
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