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.
Dodge Dakota whining noise problems
23 of the 6,482 owner complaints about the Dodge Dakota describe whining or grinding noise, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 23
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical mileage
- 47,980
Is there a fix? There are 8 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20051
- 20042
- 20039
- 20021
- 20012
- 20002
- 19992
- 19982
- 19971
- 19941
Often reported together
Grinding brakes 3Won't shift 2Stalling 2Jerking 2Harsh shifting 2Adaptive cruise 2Steering noise 1Slipping 1
What owners say
Around october started having trouble with steering would be tight then loosen up if it was warm. When it got colder it got very hard to steer. Changed the rack then every time you would turn it would pull tight and let loose and make truck swerve. Figured most have gotten a defective part changed steering rack again. Same problem decided to change steering pump this time. So much for that it didn't help either now I have a whining noise on top of the tight steering. I have already put alot of money into it and nothing seems to be working!!!!!!!!!
Began to experience heavy, difficult steering, especially when cold, and metallic clunking or grinding noises when turning tightly at low speeds accompanied by power steering pump whine on a 2004 dodge dakota 4.7l v8 4x4 quad cab. Steering has also become abnormally heavy at normal driving speeds with difficulty centering steering wheel and reduced power steering assist. Inspection of steering components revealed severe rust on steering intermediate shaft upper u joint caused by road salt and moisture, which resulted in steering difficulty and strain on power steering system. This condition is extremely dangerous due to the extra effort required to steer the vehicle. Lubricating the joint with grease temporarily alleviates the issue, but problem returns after a period of time and will require eventual replacement of upper/lower intermediate shaft(s) at a parts cost of approximately $226, plus labor. Internet research reveals this is a widely occurring issue on this generation of dakota pickup caused by poor design (lack of lubrication, no protection from the elements, and inadequate rust proofing) of a critical steering component, where failure can result in a serious safety hazard by making the vehicle more difficult to steer, and thus chrysler group llc should be held liable for repair costs of this component.
Rack and pinion failure 48,000 miles. Seals leaking and pump whining. *ak.
Rear brakes howl in reverse. Dealer stated needs break in. At 41.000 miles, still howls. Recall on upper ball joints received in february. As of 03-29-05, dealer states there is a 2 month backorder on parts for repair.
The vehicle would make a whining noise while driving 30 MPH or more. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop. The mechanic informed the consumer that the differential unit needed to be replaced. The consumer stated this would be the forth replacement within a year. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified. *jb dealer however. There is vibration at 40 MPH. Tires and suspension inspected, no problem found. Engine hard to start following overheating. Dealer found no condition that merits a repair.
2001 dodge dakota had many problems with the drive train and brakes.*mr the consumer heard a clunking noise when shifting from park to drive, reverse, etc. The rear tire on the right side stuck out from the vehicle. The driveshaft seemed to have alot o slack in it. There was a popping noise in the front end when making sharp slow turns. There was a whining noise in the steering and rear end when turning. The vehicle was taken tot he dealer but they were unable to duplicate the problems. The brake, rotors, calipers had to be replaced between 55-8000 miles.
Various problems with 2003 dodge dakota. *mr there were backfires at times, the pedal would barely move at stop signs, when backing out, the vehicle would stay in second gear for a long period of time and the consumer would have to let off of the gas pedal then shift into high gear, sometimes the vehicle wouldn't shift into overdrive, then as soon as it started to misfire, the vehicle would drop to overdrive, the cruise control was inoperative, there was a whine and or howl in the rear differential around 50 MPH, the engine light would never come on, sometimes the shift lever would be placed in park and the vehicle would start, at times when shifting to reverse or drive, the vehicle would not move and the would have to be jerked around on the shift lever, the heater controls were inoperative, and there were noises when the lights on the radio were turned on. The valve on the transmission was change and helped the vehicle, but sometimes when the vehicle was shifted up or down in gear it would be a problem. *sc
Front wheel bearings failed at 50,000 miles.*ak there was a whining noise while driving at low speeds. The vehicle was taken on a test drive and the noise could be heard from the left front bearing. The technician determined that there was play in the left front wheel bearing. The hub and bearing were replaced. Four months later there was a humming noise when turning left. The technician found play in the right front wheel bearing. The technician replaced the right front wheel bearing.
My 99 dakota began howling and whinning in the rear end. I had the rear end and gear lube inspected. Gear lube was full, and gears and bearings showed no sign of wear. About 1 week later while driving on the highway, my ABS and e-brake light came on. Brake fluid was nearly empty. Mechanic found front and rear brake liners worn, and repaired as necassary. This did not fix any light or noise problems. As soon as the ABS light came on, my speedometer would not function under 40 MPH, and engine would stall at stops. Mechanic removed differential, and pinion gear. Pinion bearing was shredded badly, causing the howling. All bearings in rear end were replaced, and rear end noise was cured. The bearing shavings may have damaged the rear ABS speed sensor. I have heard of the same symptoms for the rear end noise from other dakota owners both on line and in person. This was a costly and stressful diagnosis proceedure, and may warrant some sort of possible recall investigation. Is the manufacturer using an inferior lubricant? This truck's front bumper was almost completely rusted by 40,000mi. Not the first I've heard of that issue either.
Related recalls
Power train: driveline: differential unit
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
- Risk
- If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
- Remedy
- On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with the federal safety agency, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.
Recall number 13V038000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: differential unit
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2010, Ram 1500 and Dodge Dakota trucks, manufactured from July 1, 2009, through November 30, 2009, because the rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to a lack of adhesive.
- Risk
- If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753.
Recall number 12V474000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- What is wrong
- On certain van and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the ignition/park shift interlock system may become inoperative. This can allow the shifter to be moved out of the "park" position with the ignition key removed (or in the "lock" position). This can also allow the ignition key to be removed when the shifter has not been placed in the "park" position.
- Risk
- Either of these conditions could allow the vehicle to roll away causing a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the gearshift blocker and bracket assembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during january 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 07V555000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the software programmed into the powertrain control module can cause a momentary lock up of the drive wheels if the vehicle is traveling over 40 MPH and the operator shifts from drive to neutral and back to drive.
- Risk
- If the drive wheels locked up, loss of vehicle control could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module free of charge. The recall began on october 2, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 06V341000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42rle automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft may be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle may not be able to achieve 'park' position.
- Risk
- If this occurs and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away and cause a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the transmissions and install a bracket to ensure the park pawl anchor shaft is retained in the proper position. The recall began on november 28, 2005. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 05V460000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive. The electric shift transfer case may not fully engage into gear when the operator moves the transfer case selector switch.
- Risk
- This could cause the transfer case to end up in the neutral position unexpectedly and allow the vehicle to roll away if the parking brake is not applied.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the transfer case control module. Owner notification began april 9, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 01V077000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with 4.7l engine and automatic transmissions. The automatic transmission may expel fluid from the fill tube during normal temperature operation.
- Risk
- The transmission fluid could come into contact with the hot exhaust system and ignition of the transmission fluid could result.
- Remedy
- Dealers will shorten the vent hose and assure adequate clearance.
Recall number 00V197000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with a500 automatic transmission. Inadvertent placement of the shift lever in reverse can occur when the driver believes that the transmission has been placed in park.
- Risk
- This can cause the vehicle to roll away with the engine on after the driver has left the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the steel manual valve in the transmission with an aluminum version.
Recall number 00V106000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge Dakota whining noise
Which Dodge Dakota years have whining or grinding noise problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (9 complaints), 1998 (2 complaints) and 1999 (2 complaints).
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