4x4 keeps activating by itself, even when off or in the highway
2006 Dodge Dakota transmission complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 36 of 36, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. While driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle went into low gear and the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000. ......updated 04/01/16 *bf
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. While parked, the vehicle switched from two wheel high gear into four wheel low gear. The service four wheel warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 130,000. ...updated 02/04/16 *bf the consumer stated the passenger side airbag light blinks on and off. The fuse for the 4 wheel switch was pulled. The consumer was unable to switch in low range and no longer had 4 wheel drive.
Truck has an awd 5 speed 545rfe automatic transmission. The "service 4wd" check light started randomly coming on and blinking while the vehicle was in motion and the transfer control case at times felt like it was attempting to and at times did shift into 4hi or 4lo. This happens without any touching of the control switch on the dash. Dealer disclaims any knowledge of the problem and there are no service bulletins or recalls. A search of the internet reveals that there are hundreds if not thousands of dodge dakota, durango and jeep owners over various model years having this problem, some of whom have spent thousands of dollars replacing the transfer case and control modules without fixing the problem. Those few who have reported fixing the problem have indicated that this dangerous condition where the transmission might shift into low range at highway speed and explode is caused by corroded wiring on the circuit including the transfer case, tcu and air conditioning. At this time the electrical connector at the transfer case is disconnected, effectively locking the transmission in awd status and making all low ranges unavailable. This problem is very dangerous.
1. 4wd transfer case changes mode by itself (uncommanded transfer case mode change). 2. At highway speeds, console / cluster will indicate one or more of the following intermittently and randomly: service 4wd, 4 lo, 4 hi. I haven't determined if there is correlation to these indicators illuminating and the actual transfer case mode. 3. Vehicle will shift into 4hi by itself when moving, making u-turns on dry pavement difficult and dangerous. There is no indicator on the dashboard of transfer case mode when this happens. 4. Vehicle's transfer case shift motor will activate with truck parked (engine off, key out of ignition, parking brake set, in park) and seems repeatable by opening or closing any of the doors. Transfer case motor sound is the same sequence (truck is normally in 2 hi) every time. 5. Manually activating transfer case using dash-mounted 4wd selector knob, while truck is running and moving (4 hi) or in neutral (4 lo) appears to function correctly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle began to vibrate intermittently. The vehicle was taken to both an authorized dealer and an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The drive shaft was replaced by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, he heard an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the pinion nut on the rear differential needed to be replaced with a newly manufacturer pinion nut. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. The contact stated that the front end alignment would shift from left to right and was unstable. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where a technician repaired a leak in the transmission line and also replaced a fog light, but did not repair the alignment. An independent mechanic inspected and diagnosed that there was a leak in the pinion seal and the front shocks needed to be replaced. The dealer refused to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67632.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle made a loud noise and the drive shaft fractured and dropped without warning. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a pole. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed but no injuries were reported. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 50,000. Updated 4/4/14
1)pulled out of a food lion parking lot and hit a pot hole and broke the main spline in the transmission. 2) the truck now shuts off as you're going 70 MPH and when you crank it back up. The engine light stays on but the rev limiter is kicking in at 2000 rpms until you stop again and shut the motor off, wait 10 seconds and crank it back up. Some times its fine, most of the time it's not. Now the paint is flaking off the top of the truck for no reasons. I've never abused this truck and the only "off roading" it's done was driving in my yard. Please help.
). I am writing to inform you of safety concerns I have with my 2006 dodge dakota laramie (4x4 quad cab). My issues are with the transfer case / transmission of my truck. 1.my truck has shifted into four low on its own at low speeds in both reverse and at low speeds moving forward. 2.when I am not in the vehicle my dodge dakota will try and shift into four wheel drive on its own (like I said, no one is in the vehicle). 3.when I hit my unlock button, my truck will try and go into four wheel drive. 4.while I am driving both at high and low speeds the 4 low will flash and periodically the svc four wheel drive light will illuminate for a few seconds and then go out. 5.when the vehicle switches into four wheel drive (intermittently) the tires feel to be skidding or locking up.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. The contact stated that there were rattling noises coming from the front end of the vehicle while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the rack and pinion failed. The contact was also informed that the sway bar links were loose. The vehicle was repaired. The failure had since recurred every few months. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer where various front suspension components were replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 30,000. Updated 02/15/12*lj the rack and pinion, sway bar links, lower ball joints, upper control arm ball joint and shocks were all bad. Also, the shifter was coming out of park and the tie rods were worn. Updated 05/02/12
2006 dakota automatic transmission shifts in to od at 40 MPH and below, which causes vehicle to vibrate loudly and suddenly slow down. When ignored, the engine sounds like it will stall. I've taken this truck to local dodge dealer (brigham - gill) in natick, ma for diagnosis and I was told this is "normal".
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota quadcab slt. The contact stated that the information system built into the overhead console would display improper miles to gallon readings and the electrical compass would also indicate incorrect directional readings. The front passenger side window would not function intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where it was repaired. The failure continued. The contact also noticed that there was water leaking into the rear tail lights, causing the lights to burn out. The vehicle was repaired by the dealer. On another occasion, the vehicle was parked when the horn began to sound. The contact had to turn the headlight switch off to stop the horn. The dealer could not diagnose the failure. The failure continued. The contact also stated that the vehicle jerked when he shifted gears. The transfer case was replaced at the local dealer. Upon receiving the vehicle from the dealer, the vehicle vibrated and intermittently hesitated when gears were shifted. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000 and the current mileage was approximately 55,000.
When brakes are applied at 40-60 MPH hard braking or soft it vibrates and shakes replaced shocks turned drums. Still there the dealer said it was the shocks it's not.
5/06/09, I went to a dodge dealership because "check engine" light kept coming on & off. This was an ongoing incident that took place on other occasions throughout my ownership of vehicle, but whenever taken to original dealership, the light was no longer on, & the dealership would state they could not find anything & suggested I bring the vehicle back whenever it came back on. On this latest incident, light remained on & dealership stated that they would "need to remove transmission and break down to find internal failure or replace transmission." the codes that showed up were "p1775, solenoid switch valve latched in ttc position" and "p0218, trans-high temp activated." they were siding on replacing transmission stating that I had 72,570 miles on vehicle. I inquired if under warranty, & they stated that I had exceeded the mileage & my vehicle had just passed the 3 year mark the day prior. I then filed a claim w/dodge headquarters on 5/7/2009 to inquire about any recalls or assistance w/a new transmission. I had inquired about recalls because I have always kept up w/my routine maintenance, the vehicle was bought new & had just made 3 years & the miles were mostly highway miles. After several followup calls on 5/8/2009, 5/14/2009 & 5/19/2009, dodge corporate office informed me that they spoke to the dealership, & though rebuilding or replacing the transmission was ideal, they would not assist me w/doing such because my warranty had expired. Additionally, original dealership I had purchased my vehicle from had went out of business, & dodge customer service stated they could not find any record of me bringing vehicle in for same problem. The only thing they offered was reimbursing the $213.98 I paid to have the truck diagnosed, but after submitting my receipt to them. Dealership could not reverse the transaction to reimburse. Since then, I've had other places look at vehicle who tell me they've seen similar problems w/other dodge trans of that year. Trans now slipping.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. While driving 65 MPH the rear axle broke off of the vehicle causing the vehicle to crash into a wall. The vehicle was destroyed and the air bags deployed. There were no injuries during the crash. The contact called the manufacturer and they stated that they are not responsible for the repairs. The contact stated that the manufacturer should be liable for repairing the axle. The failure mileage was 42,700. Jo
Vehicle vibrates severely when od (lock-up) comes in at 40 MPH , if brakes are applied after this the vehicle shakes and jumps all aver the road. 4 tires replaced twice, front rotors replaced, rear drums turned, drive shaft balanced, all with no results, problem still exists.
The clutch slave cylinder on my 2006 dakota x-cab 6 speed manual has been replaced 3 times since I have owned it in the past 6 months.. After looking at forums and blogs, I see this is common in standard transmissions for this truck. The part fails much without warning, and has been in city and interstate driving. I live in a rural area, close to the interstate, not a lot of start and stopping. The last time this happened, sept. Of this year, I was in ct, and in the middle of a city with start and stop traffic, had to shut off my engine at stop lights to stop, then to shift, start again when the light turned green until I could get the vehicle somewhere safe and not cause traffic interruptions or an accident.
2006 dodge dakota quad cab. Loud clunk or bang from rear end of vehicle while in reverse. It happened twice in the first 3 weeks of owning the truck. Took it in,was told nothing wrong. It has not recurred.
Regards to a 2006 dodge dakota clubcab pickup truck. Loud bang from rear end of truck @ a stop @ a toll booth on mass pike I-90 in westboro,ma. Towed to nearby westboro dodge dealer. Rear end from the drive shaft down failed. Could have cause injury or death. Still @ dealership. Truck is out of warranty by 3000 miles. Been in touch with chrysler dealer, they are calling it a defect but want me to pay first $500.00. This is a very serious defect that the dot should be aware of. If I was traveling and not stopped the drive shaft could have fell completely out and caused a crash or even worse. My truck is still not repaired. This happened on july 16 2008. I'm a single mom and took very good care of the truck. It was serviced ever 3,000 miles oil, fluids ect. I'm waiting now on faxes from westboro dodge in westboro ma. To see all of the defects involved. Please contact me thank you!
Just last week at 42,000 miles on the truck and I was told that the steering rack needed to be replaced. I replaced the steering rack and the power steering still doesn't seem to be working only occasionally. I am now being told to bring the truck back into the dealership. Honestly, if they would just take this truck back .I don't even want money back for it..just set me free of this truck and loan and I'd be happy.
As I was driving I started hearing a thumping coming from the front of the truck. I immediately took it to my mechanic at monro in tunkhannock. He advised that the sway bar has gone bad. Along with 80,000 other people that own dodge dakota trucks, he put me on a waiting list to get the part. It has been 6 months. No recall, and I am still driving my 2006 dodge dakota quad cab truck around with a broken sway bar. The part isn't even available on the aftermarket either. If I would like to trade my vehicle I will take a loss because this piece is broken. Now my rack is going bad because of the added pressure on it because of the sway bar being bad. I tried to call and talk to someone at chrysler and they said sorry...not sure when it's going to be available. Honestly I want it fixed...I am tired of waiting...and if chrysler can't keep up with their shabby parts...let me trade my truck for a different one and give me full trade in value on the truck. This is wrong! Highway robbery at it's best. Please I am begging you to please do something. This is my only vehicle and I bought it knew with intentions of keeping it forever because I thought it was safe. I have a 6 year old that rides with me often. This makes me very nervous to drive it with her...but I don't have a choice. Help!
When traveling on the highway/expressway the automatic transmission does not seem to shift to the next gear. The vehicle begins to shake and vibrate very roughly and will not accelerate to the desired speed.
Engine was replaced prior to purchase truck was sold as new engine replacement was not disclosed, continuing transmission problems, replaced transmission at 8800 miles, vehicle shut off while in motion on freeway, multiple exhaust leaks, hub fan replaced. When a problem repeats itself the dealership claims it to be "normal". Dealer principle unwilling to address issues. I continue to hear noises and have transmission issues. Dealership will not do any work on the vehicle unless I go when its convient for the "technician" to duplicate the issue. Dealership lied about engine being recalled as an explanation for the replacement of the engine when in fact there were no recalls relating to the engine. Dealership claims all repairs are normal when in the manuel it only states maintenance is required at high mileage not replacement before 10k.
Tl* - the contact said that he was driving about 45 MPH when he noticed smoke coming from his truck. Then contact pulled over at which time he noticed that transmission fluid was leaking which created the smoke. The contact called the fire department they found a small fire under the car. The contact said that he will retain a copy of the report once it is received. The contact called the manufacturer but know one has helped him. The dealer (auto west dodge) at roseville ca, told him the they can not repair the car until the manufacturer tells them.
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