Dodge Dakota pulling problems

Filed Apr 5, 2023 · Brakes · 25,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle vibrated, pulled to the right, with a burning odor coming into the cabin of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that the caliper had failed. The calipers had been replaced six times; however, the failure persisted and became more frequent. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.

Filed May 7, 2021 · Tires · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 dodge dakota equipped with cooper tires, tire line: evolution h/t, tire size: 245/70/r16, dot number: ut9h1j9. The contact stated that there were two bubbles in the driver's side front tire. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was pulling to the left. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the tire. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The tire failure mileage was 10,547.

Filed Jul 23, 2018 · 87,000 miles · IN

Shifter will move without key in ignition. Will role in any direction in any position but park. Can remove key from ignition while running. While it's still running with key out can shift and drive. Other times when I go to start engine the key won't turn. I have to hit the end of the key with the palm of one hand while the other turns it. Replaced the ball joints the first of this year and vehicle only had 87000 miles at the time. Changed brakes and had to have rotor turned. Driver side brake caliper plunger had multiple pieces break off getting stuck between break pad and remaining pieces of plunger casting the vehicle to pull left while driving. When applying the break it pull so hard it caused me to start going into another lane barely missing the side of another vehicle.

Filed Dec 12, 2011 · Steering, Suspension · 63,730 miles · KY

2007 dodge dakota with 63700 miles had tie rod end failure causing steering and control problems. Had this failure occurred at highway speed there could have easily been a serious and possibly deadly event. I had the problem repaired and contacted dodge about this. Dodge covered all expenses ($265.00) at 65500 miles I took the truck in for inspection because it was pulling to the right. The mechanic found a nail in the right front tire which caused the pulling problem but further inspection revealed that both the upper and lower ball joints on the right and left sides were noticeably worn. I then took the truck to my local dodge dealer where their inspection confirmed the previous findings. At both inspections I was told that the tie rod end failure and the ball joint problem had most likely occurred because these joints had no grease fittings for lubrication. I called dodge to see if they would repair the ball joint issue and they refused. I think that had these joints come with grease fittings these issues (tie rod ends and ball joints) would not be a problem at 60000+ miles under normal conditions. Quote for repairs at dosage dealer $1451.00.

Filed Sep 2, 2011 · Brakes, Suspension · 114,000 miles · AK · fire

Truck has been driving like something was grinding against my front right wheel for a week or so, I didn't think anything of it, it had just become an annoyance. Id look under the wheel and everything looked okay and in shape, no damage was being done. The other day I drove a short distance and heard a pop, like something had popped near the wheel, I pulled over and could see no damage. I continued to drive and noticed that the grinding had stopped and my wheel seemed to be functioning correctly. I arrived to my destination with no problem. When I left the destination to return home, I started feeling heavy pull to the right on my steering wheel, if I let go of the steering wheel I would have gone into a ditch or the woods or another car. I then started noticed smoke coming from my right wheel, I was a few blocks away from home and figured I could make it, I started noticing my brakes were not working too well, and anytime id push on the brakes more smoke would arise, I went the 3 stop signs to my house and pulled in, ran around and saw that behind my wheel had caught on fire, took about 5 minutes to put the fire out with water and some cat litter we had lying around. It was so hot that it wouldn't cool down for about 45 mins to an hour. We would throw water on it and it would sizzle. I quickly removed the tire to prevent any damage to it. I noticed it had started to melt the plastic boot cover on the suspension. When you looked at the wheel you could see it had snapped off on the bottom half, causing the whole wheel to tilt inward which then caused a full on grind of the wheel and the brakepads and whatever else is down there causing such friction that it caught on fire. I then did research online and found that their had been a recall for this exact issue... :(

Filed Mar 18, 2011 · Steering · 39,400 miles · NC

Just like other 2005 dodge dakota owners reported with the steering rack pinion failed. Fluid leak at steering rack pinion which caused vehicle to pulled to right. It failed to turned back to right after failed. Could have been worst if not for me went to an open field. No injury or damaged reported. It should have not failed on truck with only 39500 miles.

Filed May 7, 2010 · Brakes · 37,000 miles · NC

Driving at interstate speed, vehicle started abruptly pulling hard to the left. I stopped the vehicle, the brakes were hot, and I needed to accelerate greater than normal to get the car to move. Let the truck sit until brakes cooled off, and the problem didn't re-occur even after taking it to the dodge dealer. They could not replicate the problem. Said they could start replacing brake parts in hopes of fixing it. The first incident was at 37,000miles, and just out of warranty. (sept. Of 2005 was first time) the problem has happened about 8 times in the 54,000 miles I have on it now. No mechanic can tell me what's wrong, and it occurs intermittently out of the blue. I'm finding out that many, many other owners of the same make/model of vehicle have had similar incidents.

Filed Apr 17, 2009 · Brakes · 96,005 miles · GA

Left front brake overheated, vehicle pulls hard to the left and very poor braking. Nearly had a bad accident at an intersection. Looked on the internet and found several other people had same problem. Will do my own maintenance when I found out the true fix.

Filed Dec 16, 2008 · Brakes · FL

Bought truck new in 2002. Since then, the driver's side front caliper has seized up and locked that brake 4 times. The caliper squeezes the pad against the rotor causing the steering wheel to pull hard left, then the rotor overheats and smokes. I pull over before a fire starts. Have replaced calipers, pads, hoses, but symptoms still persist. I have to stop and wait until the brakes cool down (about an hour) before they function normally. Once I get to a repair shop, the brakes function normally and they tell me everything is fine. I looked online and found that I am not the only one this is happening to. On one site alone (http://www.carcomplaints.com/dodge/dakota/2002/brakes/brake_cylinder_lock-up.shtml) there are 15 others who are dealing with brake failure.

Filed Nov 12, 2008 · Suspension · 38,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. While driving approximately 45 MPH on normal road conditions, the front end of the vehicle pulled to the right and shook uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and they stated that the ball joints failed. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact was concerned of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 38,000 and current mileage was 40,000.