2005 Dodge Dakota: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Jul 6, 2014 · Transmission · 82,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Dec 29, 2010 · Brakes · 300 miles · AZ

2005 and early 2006 dodge dakota's equipped with the 8.25 inch rear axle have a defective brake design. They utilize a single spring between the rear brake shoes which creates varying degrees of brake shuddering upon application. In addition many of these trucks are equipped with defective axles which contribute to the shuddering problem. In late 2005, dodge issued a tsb to their dealers on how to correct these problems. This was soon superseded by tsb 05-002-006. I purchased a truck with both the defective brakes and defective axles in august of 2005. I was never notified of either tsb by chrysler corporation. I now understand that since my vehicle is over one year old that I am responsible for much of the cost of repairing these factory defects to an important safety system. Dodge issued two tsb's and began installing a properly designed rear brake assembly on all new dakotas built after january 2006. I believe that dodge should issue an immediate safety recall for all affected 2005 and early 2006 dakota trucks and repair them for little or no cost to the owner. This problem has undoubtedly increased the risk for serious accidents due to diminished braking power and driver reaction to the pulsating pedal on hard braking. In addition, numerous owners have probably paid for unnecessary and ineffective repairs since the symptoms of this design defect mimic those of out-of-round brake drums.

Filed Feb 18, 2010 · Suspension · 40,000 miles · TX

Have a 2005 dodge dakota, 40400 mile on it, the whole front end has to be replace, due in my opinion to defective manufacturing. When coming to a stop the whole front end shudders. Have replaced ball joints once and now having to replace whole suspension, at my expense. These vehicles should be recalled and dodge should have to fix the problem. When researching this issue, I discovered that it is a major issue with dodge vehicles. What I would like to know is why this is not being investigated more extensively and why these vehicles are not being recalled. Just because there has not been a loss of lives, it doesn't mean that dodge owners should have to pay for these repairs out of their pockets. Dodge created this problem and dodge should fix the problem.

Filed Oct 21, 2009 · Brakes · 29,300 miles · CA

2005 dodge dakota with brake shuddering at highway speeds. This is a problem reported by numerous owners, as is evidenced by searching the internet. The dealerships do not take ownership of the problem even though dodge first issued a technical bulletin on this problem in november of 2005 (bulletin 05-004-05) and updated it in may 2006 (bulletin 05-002-06). In some instances, the issued bulletin requires the vehicle rear axles to to be replaced.

Filed Mar 6, 2009 · Brakes · 36,000 miles · NM

Rear brake juddering (shaking) causes the truck to "bounce" in the rear which, if happening suddenly, can cause the operator to lose control of the vehicle. The rear drums on the '05 dodge dakota are too small and heat up and "warp", which causes the rear brakes to be much less effective at helping to slow the vehicle. Chrysler motors released a tsb related to the rear braking system, but only owners within the first 12,000 miles of their vehicle's life are eligible for the free repair.

Filed Jan 31, 2007 · Brakes · 1,000 miles · FL

Purchased 2005 dakota quad cab on 9/30/05. Immediately noticed pulsating or shuddering of the brakes when applied at higher rates of speed & when braking on an incline. Visited dealership on 10/13/05 & rear drums were turned. Visited dealership again on 10/21/05 with the same problem. They found no problem. Brakes progressively worsened & returned again to dealership on 11/15/05. Dealership ordered parts & we returned to dealership on 12/14/05 & rear brake shoes were replaced. Several months passed & brake shuddering returned again. Visited dealership again with same complaint on 9/19/06 & the dealer replaced rear brake shoes, brake drums, & rotors. Not two months later, the same braking problem returned. After taking the truck in to the dealership on 5 separate occassions without a resolve, we filed for our rights under the florida lemon law. Daimler chrysler set up an appt with dealership to have technician look at our truck. They found nothing wrong with our truck other than a bad tire. The technician did not drive the truck under the conditions that I described to them. We took the truck to sears to have the tires looked at & there indeed was a flat spot on the right front tire. I questioned why there would be a flat spot on a tire that had only 24k on it without any explanation. We had the tire replaced & also had the front end aligned. In the meantime the brake pulsation only continues to get worse. I have called daimler chrysler again to request another review of our case & we now have to take the truck back to the dealership & this time stay with the tech and drive with them to identify the pulsating brakes. We are trying to be patient with the process but it is getting very trying. There is definitely something defective with the engineering of this make and model of truck & it is time that chrysler take responsiblity for it. I only hope that they correct the situation before someone gets killed because of it.

Filed Apr 5, 2006 · Transmission · FL

'05 dakota was repaired under the tsb which stated the rear axle was improperly welded, causing a shuddering while braking. Since then, the shudder has reappeared and continues to worsen. The vehicle has over 18,000 miles on it and the shuddering has been a problem since vehicle was purchased in 02/2005.

Filed Feb 9, 2006 · Brakes, Steering · TX · crash

2005 dodge dakota tilt steering does not work, brakes shuddered. *ts ***no answer required*** it was determined that the problem was not the brake but that the rear axle had been milled incorrectly causing the brakes to shudder and vibrate. The consumer was involved in an accident in which the brakes shuddered and locked up. As a result he rear ended another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the brakes were checked. Neither the technician nor the computer found any problems with the brakes. The consumer traded the vehicle in for another 2005 dodge dakota.

Filed Aug 12, 2005 · Brakes · 3,000 miles · CA

I have an 05 dodge dakota with a brake pulsation problem that the dealer can't fix. At highway speeds the truck shudders when brakes are applied. Replaced pads, rotors and calipers and problem is still present. Attempted three different times to get repairs and no solution.

Filed Jul 21, 2005 · Body · 500 miles · NY

2005 dodge dakota, has severe shudder when braking at highway speeds above 50 MPH. Just had it returned from the shop saying there is no problem with it. Will be taking it back next week for another checkup. Brakes pulsate anytime you appy them at those speeds. Dealer check all the brakes and found no problems