2005 Dodge Dakota Complaint Log

"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. *TR

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FORWARD DRIVE ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AND UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE CONNECTION MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V817000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V817000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHTS KEEP GOING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AND THE AIRBAG INDICATOR NEXT TO THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO GOES ON AND OFF AT THE SAME TIME. *TR

WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED "4LO" MULTIPLE TIMES, "4LOCK", THEN "SVC 4WD". 4LOCK AUTONOMOUSLY ENGAGED WITH NO VISUAL INDICATION. *TR

VEHICLE WHILE ON HIGHWAY WOULD FLASH 4LO ON DASH OR ILLUMINATE SVC 4WD. VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WOULD ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE 4LO AS WELL. WHILE ENGAGING, VEHICLE WOULD LOSE ACCELERATION AND RPMS WOULD IMMEDIATELY INCREASE. THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WITH VEHICLE OFF AND KEY REMOVED, TRANSFER CASE MOTOR WOULD TRY TO CHANGE TRANSFER CASE POSITION. NONE OF THESE SYMPTOMS OCCURRED WHILE 4WD WAS ENGAGED USING SELECTOR SWITCH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. CODES RECORDED IN COMPUTER WERE FOR TRANSFER CASE POSITION SENSOR BEING OUT OF RANGE. (BOTH HIGH AND LOW VALUES WERE RECORDED SIMULTANEOUSLY) DEALER ORIGINALLY FOUND LEADS ON FCM CONNECTOR BETWEEN WIRING HARNESS AND PCB HAD CORRODED DUE TO FAULTY SEALANT AND WERE POSSIBLY SHORTING OUT. MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAULT. MANUFACTURER REPLACED FCM AT NO COST. AFTER FCM WAS REPLACED VEHICLE WOULD STILL EXHIBIT SYMPTOMS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO SAME DEALER. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF TESTING, TECH WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE TO EXHIBIT SYMPTOMS IN SHOP. TECH FOUND THAT THE RANGE POSITION SENSOR WAS FAILING. IT WAS FOUND THAT VIBRATION WOULD CAUSE THE SENSOR TO SHORT OUT OR GO OPEN. MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE BUT WOULD NOT COVER REPAIR. TRANSFER CASE MOTOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED AT COST TO CUSTOMER. VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN DRIVEN OVER 2000 MILES WITHOUT FURTHER ISSUES. *JS

THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK WILL NOT STAY IN POSITION AND WILL GO IN A TOTAL RECLINE POSITION AT ANY TIME.THE LOCKING SYSTEM WILL NOT HOLD. THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM IF IT SUDDENLY LETS GO WHILE DRIVING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. MA 10/26/2015

STARTED MY TRUCK AND WAS TRYING TO PULL OUT OF DRIVEWAY WHEN BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR. I TURNED OFF THE TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. I WAS EXTREMELY FORTUNATELY THAT I HAD NOT ENTERED MY STREET WITH THE TRUCK RUNNING SINCE THERE WERE MANY KIDS PLAYING AT THAT TIME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CUL DE SAC. MY MECHANIC SAID THE FRONT BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED AND WERE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. FOR OTHER REASONS I SOLD THE TRUCK LESS THAN 100 MILES LATER AND WAS CALLED BY THE BUYER IN PANIC STATING THAT HE WAS DRIVING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. HE GOT THE TRUCK TO HIS MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR BREAK LINES HAD RUSTED AND WERE THE CAUSE OF HIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I TRULY HOPE THE GOV'T DOES SOMETHING ABOUT IT BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. HOW CAN BRAKE LINES RUST WITH SO LITTLE MILEAGE? THIS IS NUTS! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V354000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE GEAR THEN SHIFTED TO REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE ENGINE UNTIL THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION AND BRACKETS WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED FOR A MANUFACTURER'S TRANSMISSION RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ

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. *TR

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. *JS

THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH REMAINS ON AFTER STARTUP. I HAVE HAD THIS CHECKED OUT 3 TIMES BY DIFFERENT MECHANICS ALL HAVE SAID ITS A SENSOR. I HAVE HAD THE SENSOR CHANGED WHICH HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT WHILE, WHEN I SAY A SHORT WHILE I MEAN FOR AT LEAST 2 MILES OF DRIVING AFTER FIXING. IT THEN COMES ON AND REMAINS ON. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE AMBER SERVICE 4WD LIGHT COMES ON FOLLOWED BY A TONE. THE DASH SWITCH(2WD, 4LOCK, 4LO) IS RENDERED INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WILL PUT ITSELF INTO 4LO WHEN YOU SLOW AND TRY TO TURN. IN MANY SITUATIONS, THIS CAN BE VERY HAZARDOUS TO THE DRIVER AND DANGEROUS TO THE DRIVETRAIN. SOMETIMES THE 4LOCK OR 4LO LIGHTS WILL BLINK RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING, THEN LEAD TO THE SERVICE 4WD LIGHT COMING ON. CHECKING ONLINE, MANY OWNERS OF DAKOTAS ARE HAVING SIMILAR PRO- BLEMS, WONDERING WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN SERVICE BULLETINS, WARNINGS ON THIS DE- FECT, SAFETY RECALLS, OR ACKNOWLEDGE BY THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS SITUATION.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT END NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FRONT END ALUMINUM CLAMPS THAT HELD THE STABILIZER BAR FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLAMPS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

I AM A TALL DRIVER STANDING 6'9" EVEN WITH THE SEAT ALL THE WAY DOWN AND ALL THE WAY BACK. AFTER INHERITING THE 2005 DODGE DAKOTA SXT QUAD CAB PICKUP TRUCK FROM MY STEP FATHER THAT PASTED AWAY IN OCTOBER OF 2013. I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND MY RIGHT KNEE HIT THE KEY WHILE IN THE ON POSITION KNOCKING INTO THE AUXILIARY POSITION TURNING THE TRUCK ALMOST COMPLETELY OFF. ALL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON THE AC SHUT OFF TURNED OVER TO HEAT AND STARTED GETTING VERY HOT INSIDE THE TRUCK. WE WHEN TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER THEY HOOKED UP OF A MACHINE THAT GAVE THEM A CODE THAT SAID OUR COMPUTER WAS OUT OF FACTORY SPEC'S. THE GUY SAID IF WE WANTED IT TO BE LOOKED AT TO BE DIAGNOST.WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $198.00 TO HAVE THEM SEP UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR US TO BRING IT IN AND PUT IT ON THE "BIG COMPUTER" AND IF THE COMPUTER IN THE TRUCK CAN BE RESTORED TO FACTORY SPEC'S THAT WOULD BE DONE WITH T THE $198.00. THE SAME GUY SAID IF THEY CAN'T GET IT BACK TO FACTORY SPEC'S AND WE NEED A NEW BRAIN COMPUTER FOR OUR TRUCK WHICH MY STEP FATHER PURCHASED NEW IN 2005 FROM A DIFFERENT DEALER. THE GUY SAID THE NEW COMPUTER WOULD COST US $2000.00 SINCE THIS FIRST INCIDENT IT HAS HAPPENED FOUR OTHER TIMES WITH THE SAME THING HAPPENING EACH TIME. I AM DISABLED AND CAN'T AFFORD THIS HEADACHE OFF THESE ISSUES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT INTO DIFFERENT GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. SHAKING TURN SIGNAL EVENTUALLY CAUSED WIPERS TO START WORKING AGAIN. *TR

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 *JS

SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS), THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF FRONT TO REAR BRAKE BALANCE, AND THE REAR BRAKES COULD LOCK UP PREMATURELY DURING CERTAIN BRAKING CONDITIONS. READ MORE: HTTP://WWW.MOTORTREND.COM/CARS/2006/DODGE/DAKOTA/RECALLS/#IXZZ2WRBPVCZS CONSEQUENCES: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. READ MORE: HTTP://WWW.MOTORTREND.COM/CARS/2006/DODGE/DAKOTA/RECALLS/#IXZZ2WRBUOZ4H THIS IS HAPPENING TO MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 AND THEY JUST KEEP TELLING ME THERE IS NO RECALL NUMBER FOR YOUR 2005 EVEN THO THE EXACT SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO THEIR 2006. *TR

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 *TR

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND RUNNING, HEATED SEATS WERE ON, DRIVERS SIDE SEAT STARTED SMOKING, BURNING A BROWN MARK IN SEAT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE KEY FOB CONNECTION FAILED AND A NEW KEY FOB WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

STEERING IS TIGHT WHEN TRYING TO TURN. LOOSES IT'S POWER ASSIST. PER TRINDLE AUTO REPAIR SERVICE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AND JOINTS RUSTED. THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD, I COULD HAVE LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO TRINDLE THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE OTHER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS BECAUSE OF SEVERE RUST. THE COST OF THE REPAIR $378.95. *TR

I TURNED ON MY HEATED SEAT, AS I HAVE DONE SEVERAL TIMES THIS WINTER. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I REACHED AROUND THE BACK OF ME AS I WAS DRIVING BECAUSE A SPOT ON MY BACK WAS VERY HEATED. I ACTUALLY STUCK MY FINGER THROUGH A HOLE IN THE SEAT THAT HAD BURNED THROUGH BOTH THE SEAT AND MY COAT. (ALSO MY FINGER, AT THIS POINT.) I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE HEAT OFF AND WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO CONTACT CHRYSLER'S CUSTOMER CLAIMS RESOLUTION CENTER, WHO IN TURN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND MY COAT ON MARCH 3, 2014. THE NEXT CONTACT I HAD WAS A LETTER DATED MARCH 10 THAT STATED, "THE INSPECTOR FOUND NO INDICATION OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED TO THE INCIDENT..." I SUBSEQUENTLY CALLED THEIR GENERAL OFFICE COUNSEL AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT BE DOING ANYTHING FURTHER AND I SHOULD MAKE A CLAIM TO MY INSURANCE AGENT. THEY REFUSED TO ANSWER MY QUESTIONS REGARDING HOW MANY VEHICLES HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND THAT THERE WERE NO "HIGHER UPS" THAT I COULD CONTACT. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I'M NOT HAPPY WITH THE OUTCOME AND WOULD WELCOME ANY SUGGESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE FOR ME. THANK YOU. *TR

I BOUGHT THIS 2005 DAKOTA NEW. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS AND THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT. I'VE ALSO NEVER SEEN ANYTHING RUST LIKE THIS TRUCK. THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE I AM FIGHTING NOW. AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 55 - 75 INTERMITTENTLY THE TRUCK WILL BEGIN TO VIBRATE. IF YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS IT GETS WORSE. IF YOU THEN APPLY THE BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL BEGINS TO SHAKE ALMOST VIOLENTLY, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSES. IF I SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 30 MPH IT STOPS AND MAY HAPPEN AGAIN QUICKLY OR MAY NOT HAPPEN AGAIN FOR A WHILE. I HAVE REPLACED THE ROTORS AND CALIPERS AND TIE ROD ENDS AND GOTTEN AN ALIGNMENT. STILL THE ISSUE EXISTS. I HAVE NEW MICHELIN TIRES. I HAVE ALSO ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. I HAVE REPLACED THE ROTORS AND CALIPERS 3 TIMES ALREADY ON THIS TRUCK. IT HAS LESS THAN 65K MILES ON IT. NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I WILL NEVER, EVER BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER / DODGE PRODUCT. THIS WAS MY FIRST AND WILL BE MY LAST. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE URETHANE HAD LOOSENED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 2/26/14*CN THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE WINDSHIELD WAS LOOSE ALL THE ACROSS THE TOP, DOWN BOTH SIDES. THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD WAS LOOSE ABOUT 8 INCHES ON EACH SIDE. UPDATED 03/13/14

DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER SHORTED/OVERHEATED TO CAUSE BURNING AND CHARRING OF THE SEATS MATERIALS, INCLUDING A COAT I WAS WEARING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FOUR WHEEL SYSTEM DISENGAGED ON ITS OWNS WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS. THE DOORS MALFUNCTIONED AND LOCKED AND UNLOCKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, RAN OUT OF FUEL. FUEL GAUGE AND WARNING LIGHT FAILED. REQUIRED CONSIDERABLE EFFORT TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD. FUEL GAUGE REGISTERS TANK HAS FUEL WHEN TANK IS EMPTY. REQUIRED STATE POLICE ASSISTANCE BECAUSE OF HIGH DANGER ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN IN VEHICLE. *TR

TURNED ON PASSENGER SEAT WARMER TO KEEP A MEAL WARM IN A WHITE FOAM FOOD CONTAINER. 5 MINUTES LATER WHEN I ARRIVED AT HOME THE BOTTOM OF THE CONTAINER HAD A MELTED HOLE IN IT. THE SEAT WAS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH IN ONE SPOT ON THE SEAT. THE REST OF THE SEAT BOTTOM AND BACK WERE NOT WARM AT ALL. SEVERAL DAYS LATER MY WIFE TURNED THE SEAT WARMER ON TO LOW AND WITHIN A COUPLE OF MINUTES SHE EXCLAIMED THAT THE SEAT WAS BURNING HER BOTTOM. WE SHUT THE SEAT WARMER OFF AND THE SEAT BEGAN TO COOL DOWN. THE SEAT WARMER HAD WORKED JUST FINE BEFORE THESE INCIDENTS. IT COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY BURNED MY WIFE IF COULD GET HOT ENOUGH TO MELT A FOAM FOOD CONTAINER. BOTH TIMES THE TRUCK WAS PARKED AND TRAVELING. TOP SPEED WAS 30ISH.

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.

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. *TR

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.

BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE AT WORK. THIS OCCURRED AFTER A 75 MILE COMMUTE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (65 MPH). TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS "RUSTED BRAKE LINES" WHICH LET GO UNDER BRAKING PRESSURE. TWO (2) DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED AS PART OF THE REPAIRS. *TR

LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHILE TURNING, STOPPING OR EVEN GETTING INTO TRUCK DIAGNOSIS FOUND LOWER RIGHT BALL JOINTS LOOSE - RECOMMENDED REPLACING. I HAVE NOT DONE THIS YET - IF YOU LOOK AT MY HISTORY, I HAVE HAD MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER MAKE THE REPAIRS TO THE FRONT BALL JOINTS PREVIOUSLY AT 45,120 MILES AND 59,072 MILES. CHRYSLER RECALLED 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTAS STATING THAT "EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY CAUSE THE FRONT WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL" IN THE SAME RECALL THEY ALSO STATED' " WATER MAY ENTER INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS AND CAUSE CORROSION AND PREMATURE WEAR." *TR

THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID LINES ARE RUSTED BELOW THE MASTER CYLINDER ALLOWING THE BRAKE FLUID TO RUN OUT ON THE GROUND, AND CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE INDEPENDENTLY. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TIE ROD ENDS,SWAY BAR LINK RODS,AND NOW LOWER CONTROL ARMS TO KEEP THE TRUCK SAFELY ON THE ROAD. THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE THESE ITEMS ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 100000 MILES. *TR

VEHICLE WAS PARKED UNDER THE CARPORT, WAS NOT RUNNING, KEYS WERE NOT IN THE IGNITION. IT HAD BEEN PARKED APPROXIMATELY 2 1/2 HOURS WHEN SON IN LAW HAPPENED TO COME OVER AND SAW THE INSIDE OF THE TRUCK FULL OF SMOKE. HE OPENED THE DOOR AND DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS THE SOURCE OF THE SMOKE AND THE INSIDE OF THE SEAT WAS BURNING. THE SEAT WAS FULLY DESTROYED, BUT THE FIRE WAS ABLE TO BE PUT OUT BEFORE ANY FURTHER DAMAGE OCCURED. HAD THIS NOT BEEN DISCOVERED WHEN IT WAS, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN DESTROYED, ALONG WITH THE CARPORT AND POSSIBLY THE ENTIRE HOME. *TR

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. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE HEATER SEAT BURNT HOLE IN MY SEAT, MY BLUE JEANS AND MY WALLET, WARPED CREDIT CARD. THREE MONTHS AGO, A FRIEND BACKED MY TRUCK OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I LEFT HIS HOUSE, I NOTICED A HOLE IN THE BACK SEAT COVER. I BLAMED HIM FOR BURNING A HOLE IN MY SEAT SINCE HE IS A SMOKER. I HAVE NOTICED THAT LATELY MY SEAT HAD BEEN GETTING AWFUL "HOT" BUT NEVER THOUGH IT MIGHT BE BURNING. THEN, TUES JAN 22, I GOT OUT OF MY TRUCK AND NOTICED THE HOLE BURNT IN THE BOTTOM CUSHION. I HAVE SPENT THE PAST WEEK TALKING WITH THE DEALER AND CHRYSLER ABOUT IT SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. CHRYSLER IS WILLING TO HELP ME OUT 50% COST. WHAT I AM FINDING OUT IS THAT THE DEALER ARTIFICIALLY INFLATES THE COSTS SO THAT IN REALITY, IT REALLY WON'T COST CHRYSLER A DIME. OBVIOUSLY, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME. THE PROBLEM WITH THE NHTSA IS THAT THESE ISSUES ARE MINOR TO THEM IN THE BIG PICTURE OF THINGS PERCENTAGE WISE - SO THEY IGNORE IT. BUT TO THE CONSUMER, IT IS MAJOR. IF THE NHTSA WAS SMART OR REALLY ON TOP OF THINGS - THEY WOULD LOOK AT THE OVERALL NUMBERS OF THE CAR COMPANY AND THEY WOULD FIND THAT THE CHRYSLER CORP. HAS HAD TROUBLE WITH THEIR HEATED SEATS FOR OVER A DECADE. ALL THEIR BRANDS. RECALL ON JEEP GR CHEROKEE 2001-2004 ; SEBRING; TOWN & COUNTRY; DODGE/RAM TRUCKS. WHY DOES NHTSA NOT CARE ABOUT THE INDIVIDUALS IN THESE CASES. THERE WAS A PARALYZED MAN THAT HAD HIS SEAT ACCIDENTALLY TURNED ON - HE ENDED UP WITH THIRD DEGREE BURNS ON HIS THIGH ABOUT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER. I WOULD SAY THAT THE NHTSA NEEDS TO DO SOME HOMEWORK ON CHRYSLER AND EXERCISE A RECALL ON ALL OF THESE HEATED SEAT ELEMENTS. HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED TO SUFFER? WHY IS EVERYTHING BASED ON NUMBERS?? DOES ANYONE IN THIS WORLD CARE ABOUT THE INDIVIDUALS BEING HARMED??IN MY OPINION, YOU ARE FAILING TERRIBLY BY NOT GOING AFTER THE CHRYSLER CORP. FOR THEIR NEGLECT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR