2005 Dodge Dakota Complaint Log

I WAS USING THE HEATED SEATS AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT OVERHEATED AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT. THIS OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST 7-8 MINUTES OF USING IT. *TR

Seat belt light turn on and off since I own the truck.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT WARMER OVERHEATED AND BURNED HIS LEG THROUGH HIS PANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLACE THE SEAT AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND RECOMMENDED THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,300.

TURNED ON DRIVERS HEATED SEAT TO (LOW),IN JUST A FEW MINUTES I GOT A BURNING FEELING IN MY RIGHT BUTT CHEEK ,AT THE TOP OF MY RIGHT LEG. IT GOT SO HOT THAT I HAD TO TURN THE SEAT OFF RIGHT AWAY !!!!! I DROVE TO WORK AND BY THE TIME I GOT THERE I FORGOT ABOUT THE SEAT ,ALTHOUGH I STILL HAD A BURNING SENSATION IN MY BUTTOCKS. WHEN I CAME OUT OF WORK TODAY ,I NOTICED A BURN HOLE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT AND THE TRUCK HAD THE SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING! I GUESS I SHOULD BE HAPPY THE TRUCK DIDN'T BURN TO THE GROUND BUT I'M AT A LOSS ON WHAT TO DO, EVEN MORE SO ,NOW THAT I'VE SEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET !!!!!! MY BUTT WILL BE FINE ,I'M JUST WONDERING WHAT MY NEXT MOVE SHOULD BE ????? *TR

PASSENGER SEAT BELT OFF AND PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHTS LIGHT UP INTERMITTENTLY; EVEN WHEN NOTHING IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE WARNING LIGHTS LIGHT UP FOR NO REASON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN FOLLOWED BY A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A CLOSED INVESTIGATION PERTAINING TO THE DEFECT UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA06004 (STEERING:COLUMN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

TICKING NOISE COMING FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLDS! EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS & STUDS ARE BREAKING PREMATURELY ALLOWING EXHAUST GASES TO ENTER PASSENGER COMPARTMENT! NEW BETTER GRADE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS & STUDS PLUS GASKETS NEED TO BE INSTALLED ON BOTH LEFT & RIGHT HAND SIDE MANIFOLDS WITH A RECALL TO CORRECTLY REPAIR THIS DANGEROUS FACTORY INSTALLED DEFECT!!

TICKING NOISE FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLD. EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS & STUDS PREMATURELY BROKE! LEAKING EXHAUST FUMES ARE ABLE TO ENTER PASSENGER CABIN & CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD! THIS ISSUE NEEDS A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKETS, BOLTS & STUDS THAT ARE OF AN IMPROVED GRADE TO CORRECT THIS FACTORY INSTALLATION SAFETY ISSUE ON BOTH LEFT & RIGHT HAND EXHAUST MANIFOLDS!!

I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND INSTANTLY NOTICED A STRONG RAW GAS SMELL IN THE CAB. THINKING IT JUST OVERLOADED BY NOT STARTING IT FOR A MONTH, I WAITED FOR THE SMELL TO GO AWAY, BUT IT DIDN'T. LOOKING THROUGH THE REAR WHEEL WELL, I DISCOVERED THE FUEL HOSE FROM THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK HAD SPLIT AND WAS SPEWING GASOLINE ALL AROUND AND UNDER THE BED OF THE TRUCK. JUST TURNING ON THE KEY, WHICH STARTS THE FUEL PUMP AND PRESSURIZES THE FUEL LINE, CAUSES GAS TO BE DISCHARGED AT A HIGH RATE. THE TRUCK IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, WELL MAINTAINED, AND HAS JUST 54,000 MILES ON IT. I AM GLAD I DIDN'T DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH IT; THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING STILL AT AN INTERSECTION COULD CASE HARM TO NOT ONLY MYSELF, BUT OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY BEGAN TO SWAY. WITHIN MOMENTS, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER ON ITS DRIVER SIDE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED OR IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 09/03/15*LJ UPDATED 12/16/2015*JS

DASH BOARD AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I REPOSTIONED FRONT PASSANGER SEAT. .I CAME HOME AND CHECKED DODGE FORUM TO SEE WHAT AND WHERE THE PROBLEM MAY BE.... WHILE READING SEVERAL POSTS ABOUT CHECKING FOR A LOOSE CONNECTOR I DECIDED TO GO TO THE TRUCK AND REMOVED THE BOLTS HOLDING THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR I LAYED THE SEAT ON ITS BACK, RELEASED THE RED RETAINING CLIP AND DEPRESSED IT... WHILING HOLDING DOWN THE RELEASE I PULLED ON THE PLUG AND TO MY SURPRISE THE CONTROL UNIT CAME APART IN MY HANDS.... *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHEN HE MADE A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE THEN BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,100.

I STARTED VEHICLE AND TURNED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT SWITCH PRIOR TO CLEANING THE SNOW AND ICE OFF WINDOWS AND HOOD AFTERWHICH I LET MY COWORKER CLEAN HIS VEHICLE OFF. I WENT BACK TO MY VEHICLE TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING AND NOTICED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT SMOLDERING THROUGH THE CLOTH. I TURNED THE SWITCH BACK OFF AND WIPED THE AREA WITH SNOW THUS STOPPING THE IMPENDING FIRE. I WOULD ESTIMATE THE TIME RUNNING/WARMING UP; TO BE APPROXIMATELY 6 MINUTES. *TR

I HIT A POLE DOING 40 MPH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

DRIVERS SEAT SHORTED OUT AND OVERHEATED, CAUSING A 1 INCH SQUARE BURN ON THE SEAT, AND ALSO BURNED A HOLE IN MY JEANS. HEATED SEAT FUSE DID NOT BLOW. CONCERNED THAT A FIRE COULD HAVE STARTED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OCCUPIED. *TR

I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING STARTED GETTING SLOPPY AND STARTED POPPING. NOW IF YOU HIT A BAD PATCH OF ROAD IT WANTS TO JUMP OUT OF ROAD GETTING SCARY. I AM DISABLED AND DEPEND ON MY TRUCK TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO 4 DIFFERENT DOCTORS. I LIVE ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND CANT AFFORD REPAIR BILLS ON PARTS THAT SHOULD NOT BE WORE OUT. PLEASE HELP! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT WARMER OVER HEATED. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT WARMER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND THE DRIVER'S JEANS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE SEAT WARMER MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000... UPDATED 02/06/12*BF THE CONSUMER STATED CHRYSLER AGREED TO REPAIR BOTH SEATS AND THE CONSUMER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR $400. THE ONLY THING THAT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED IS THE SEAT BOTTOM, WHICH IS ON ORDER. UPDATED 03/21/12

MY BRAKES LOCKED UP COMPLETELY AND MY TRUCK SLID LIKE IT WAS ON ICE FOR 200FT BEFORE COLLIDING WITH THE CAR STOPPED AT THE INTERSECTION AHEAD. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND NOW IT HAS CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHICH THE CALIFORNIA LAW CONSIDERS ME AT FAULT BECAUSE I REAR ENDED THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. I THINK CHRYSLER IS AT FAULT BECAUSE THEIR ANTI LOCK BREAKS DID NOT STOP THE BRAKES FROM LOCKING AT ALL NOW MY TRUCK IS TOTALED AND ANOTHER PERSONS CAR IS DAMAGED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

ON 21ST BRAKES STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. ON MONDAY BEFORE GETTING IT TO THE SHOP I HAD NO BRAKES. BRAKE CALIPERS LOCKED UP AND OVER EXTENDED L REAR HARDWARE FALLEN INTO DRUM AND DAMAGED SHOES & CONTAMINATED BRAKE FLUID. JUST HAD THE ROTORS AND PADS DONE LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN USING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WOULD FLASH AND WHEN USING THE RIGHT SIGNAL, NEITHER TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WOULD FLASH. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE HAZARDS WERE UTILIZED, THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WOULD FLASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

AFTER ONLY 62,000 MILES MY BALL JOINTS ARE SHOT. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS IN THE PAST AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE BALL JOINTS. THIS IS NOT ALOT OF MILES TO WEAR DOWN BALL JOINTS ON A TRUCK, IT IS OBVIOUS THERE IS A DEFECT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA AT 25 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE IN RIGHT TIRE AND I LOST CONTROL OF TRUCK COULD NOT STEER IT THE TIE ROD BROKE COMPLETELY OFF THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT COULD NOT MOVE IT AND THE INNER TIE ROD WAS BENT WE HAD IT TOWED HOME I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT BOTH FRONT TIE RODS HAD FAILED HAD TO REPLACE THEM HE STRAIGHTENED OUT INNER TIE ROD FOR NOW VERY SCARY SITUATION THANK GOD I WASN'T DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NO ONE WAS HURT .THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE TRUCKS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED TRUCK ONLY HAD 53,000 MILES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR A FAILURE DIAGNOSTIC, WHERE THE CONTACTED WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING LINKAGES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACTED ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT STABILIZING BARS WERE MISSING BOLTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MISSING BOLTS WERE INSTALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,355. UPDATED 8/30/11 *CN UPDATED 09/21/11

I HAVE A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 CLUB CAB, I RECENTLY STARTED HAVING IRRATIC STEERING PROBLEMS WITH MY TRUCK WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES ON, THIS DODGE HAS HAD ALOT OF FRONT END PROBLEMS WITH LOW MILEAGE, FROM UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, TYE ROD ENDS AND HUBS WAREING OUT. I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED WITH ANY ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM IS TURNING THE VEHICLE WANTS TO OVER TURN, WHEN TURNING CORNERS OR ON CURVES ON HIGHWAY. WHICH I AM SURE CAN BE DANGEROUS TO ALL. *TT

SEVERE SHAKING OF TRUCK WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR AT TIMES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE OF AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, I WAS INFORMED I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THEY KNEW OF AN ONGOING CONCERN REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND NEVER NOTIFIED OWNERS ABOUT IT. I CONSIDER IT A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE SHAKES SO BADLY YOU HAVE TO STOP BRAKING IN ORDER TO GET IT TO QUIT. THERE ARE TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY YOU HAVE TO USE THE BRAKE. I THOUGHT THE TRUCK WAS GOING TO ROLL OVER ONE TIME. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR I ALMOST REARENDED SOMEBODY INFRONT OF ME. *TR

I WAS HAVING A PULSING SENSATION WITH MY BRAKES. WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE GARAGE AND THEY TEST DROVE THE TRUCK THE REAR TIRES COMPLETELY SEIZED.

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A COLD MORNING AND TURNED ON THE HEATED SEAT. TILL I GOT HOME THE BACK OF THE SEAT HAD A HOLE IN IT FROM THE HEATING ELEMENT AND IT ALSO BURNED A HOLE IN MY BIG WINTER COAT...I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MADE THEM AWARE OF THIS....NO HELP THERE....THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE...WHAT IF MY GRANDCHILD WAS SITTING IN THAT SEAT? I ONLY LIVE 8 MILES FROM MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT..IT GOT THAT HOT THAT DARN FAST!!!!!!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS DOWN A MOUNTAIN, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD AND HUB ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,105.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL POPPING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SWAY BAR AND THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIARY SHAFT FAILURE. SHAFT JOINT FROZE REDUCING STEERING CAPACITY WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. ATTEMPTED 1 REPAIR TO LUBRICATE JOINT, REPLACE BELT, AND ADJUST TENSIONER AT COST OF 300.00. PROBLEM SUBSIDED THEN RETURNING WITH EVEN GREATER FAILURE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF SHAFT AT 500.00. DODGE CHAULKS IT UP AS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. TOTAL REPAIRS ON VEHICLE BOUGHT IN 2005 AND HAS RECORDED 84K MILES(ABOUT 14K) NOW EXCEEDING 4K WITH 800.00 RECOUPED BY DODGE. HAVE PART IN POSSESSION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH HE HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AS THE VEHICLE ENGAGED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WITH NO DRIVER OR PASSENGER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER BUT AGAIN THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

THE ENTIRE FRONT BRAKES {ROTORS, CALIPER, PADS} REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT 33K MILES, IN ADDITION SEVERAL HARD BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE ON A TRUCK!

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.

MARCH , 2011, AS I WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, SMOKE FILLED THE TRUCK . WE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND I GOT OUT. THE SEAT BACK WAS SMOKING AND BURNING AND A HOLE WAS BURNED IN MY COAT. I REPORTED THIS IMMEDIAELY TO CHRYSLER. IT WAS INVESTIGATED AND CHRYSLER REPLACED THE ELEMENT AND PUT A NEW SEAT COVER ON THE SEAT BACK. I DID NOT ASK FOR REIMBERSMENT FOR THE COAT. ON 12/27/11, THE SAME SEAT , NOW THE BOTTOM, CAUGHT ON FIRE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED CHRYSLER AGAIN, BOUGHT THE TRUCK FOR AN INSPECTION ALONG WITH MY NEW BURNT COAT. I RECEIVED A LETTER THIS TIME SAYING THAT THEY FOUND NO DEFECT. I ASKED FOR AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY IT WAS NOT DEFECTIVE THIS TIME AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DECISION WAS FINAL AND NO EXPLANATION WAS NECESSARY. I DO NOT WANT HEATED SEATS AND TOLD THEM I DIDN'T EVEN WANT THIS SEAT FIXED, JUST MY COAT REPLACED. WHY , IF THE SEAT BACK WAS DEFECTIVE, THEN THE SEAT BOTTOM CATCHES ON FIRE A YEAR LATER, I FEEL THAT I NEED MORE OF AN EXPLANATION THAN TOO BAD. HEATED SEATS ARE APPARENTLY VERY DANGEROUS. *TT

DRIVING VEHICLE, TURNED ON SEAT WARMERS, BACK STARTED GETTING VERY WARM AND A TERRIBLE SMELL. PULLED OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD, GOT OUT, SMOKE COMING FROM SEAT AND TWO BURN HOLES IN FABRIC.

THE PINION GEAR SHAFT TO MY DIFFERENTIAL SHEARED OFF JUST AFT OF THE TAPERED ROLLER BEARING IN THE FRONT OF THE HOUSING. THE PORTION OF THE SHAFT STILL ATTACHED TO THE DRIVE SHAFT THROUGH THE UNIVERSAL JOINT AND THE ROLLER BEARING PULLED OUT OF THE HOUSING AND FELL TO THE GROUND. THIS APPEARS TO BE A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE GEAR SHAFT. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A MAINTAINED DIRT ROAD. NO MODIFICATIONS OF ANY KIND HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE AND ASIDE FROM OCCASIONAL USE ON MAINTAINED DIRT ROADS, NO OFF-ROADING OR OTHER SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED. CONSIDERING THE MILEAGE AND LIGHT USAGE OF THIS VEHICLE, THIS IS A VERY UNEXPECTED FAILURE. A GEAR SHAFT OF THIS TYPE SHOULD NOT FAIL, CERTAINLY NOT BEFORE THE U-JOINT ITSELF. THIS WOULD THEN SEEM TO MOST LIKELY BE A RESULT OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS IS CLEARLY A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AS THIS FAILURE IS FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY THE DRIVE SHAFT DRAGGING ON THE GROUND AND A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. A FAILURE OF THIS TYPE AT HIGH SPEED WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

IN JANUARY 2009 I REPLACED THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION IN MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA SLT 4X4 TRUCK. VIN NUMBER [XXX]. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION COST ME $3200.00, NOT TO MENTION THE HASSLE OF BREAKING DOWN WHEN I WAS VISITING OUT OF STATE. IN 2010, I HAD TO REPLACE THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE COMPONENT THAT ENGAGES AND DISENGAGES THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. COSTING ME ANOTHER $300.00 RECENTLY WHILE USING MY HEATED SEAT OPTION, IT BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT AND THE SEAT COVER. I AM TIRED OF FIXING THIS TRUCK,AND IF I COULD GIVE IT BACK I WOULD, BUT SINCE THE HEATED SEATS ISN'T A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM, I WANT CHRYSLER TO ABSORB THE COST OF GETTING THIS CHECKED AT A DODGE DEALERSHIP. NOT ONLY DO I WANT YOU TO COVER THE COST OF FIXING THE ISSUE, BUT I ALSO WANT THE HOLE IN MY SEAT FIXED AS WELL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNSTABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE SOUND WAS ALSO HEARD WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED THE MANUFACTURER BE CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WERE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

SEVERE FRAME AND BODY RUST!

AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLLY IN A 40 MPH CRASH IN MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA PU. CRASH INVOLVED THE FRONT RIGHT CORNER OF THE VEHICLE INTO CONCRET BARRIER ON INTERSTATE. IN THE PAST, I HAVE REPORTED AN ISSUE WITH THE "CHECK AIR BAG LIGHT" COMING ON AND STAYING ON FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME FROM THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS NEW AND UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY INVESTIGATED WITHOUT FINDING ANY ISSUES. TODAYS INCIDENT CAUSES ME GREAT CONCERN OF POTENTIAL FAILURES IN OTHER FRONTAL CRASHES WITH MORE SERIOUS INJURIES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED MOVING FORWARD. THERE WAS SNOW ON THE GROUND WHICH ALSO PLAYED A PART IN THE VEHICLE SLIDING INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE LEFT TIRE ROD CAME APART, BUT THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE THAT WOULD INDICATE THAT. THE DEALER SAID THE RIGHT SIDE TIE ROD WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60000. UPDATED 01/11/2011*LJ

WHILE ENTERING HIGHWAY (40MPH) MY VEHICLE WENT INTO AN UNCONTROLLABLE SPIN THAT RESULTED IN MINOR IMPACT DAMAGE WITH BRUSH AND DITCH. WHEN I REMOVED THE FLAT TIRE (LEFT FRONT), I FOUND THAT THE SWAY BAR LINK HAD SNAPPED. THIS 2005 DODGE DAKOTA ONLY HAS 58,00 MILES AND HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN HOUSE HOLD CHORES AND LOCAL DRIVING. I FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS THROUGH ON-LINE FORUMS ABOUT THESE SWAY BAR LINKS, BUT DODGE HAS NO RECALL POSTED. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MUCH WORSE ACCIDENT HAD THERE BEEN OTHER VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS ON OR BESIDE THE ROAD WHEN MY VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. I CANNOT PROVE, BUT BELIEVE THAT THE SWAY BAR FAILURE CAUSED MY SPIN-OUT AND THAT DODGE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR RESULTANT DAMAGES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA SQUAD CAB. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE ENGINE DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE AND THE USE OF THE INCORRECT ENGINE OIL. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,275.

IN OCTOBER OF 2010, I WAS DRIVING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY ONTO A MAIN STREET MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN I HEARD A METAL SNAPPING SOUND. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE, I FELT SOME SLACK IN THE STEERING WHEN I MADE A TURN AFTERWARDS. I INSPECTED THE SUSPENION SYSTEM SEVERAL TIMES IN THE NEXT WEEK BUT DIDN'T SEE THE CAUSE. LATER I FOUND THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINK BROKE APART WHERE IT ATTACHED TO THE SWAY BAR. I DIDN'T SEE THIS ON EARLIER INSPECTIONS BECAUSE THE 2 PARTS CAME TOGETHER WHEN STATIC TO CONCEAL THE BREAK. I PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT KIT AND REPLACED BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE SWAY BAR LINKS MYSELF. (DAMAGED PARTS STILL AVAILABLE) IN THE EARLY PART OF 2011, I BEGAN TO HEAR CREAKING NOISE FROM THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM AS I DROVE AND ON TURNS. I INSPECTED THE SYSTEM SEVERAL TIMES AND CONCLUDED THAT 1 OR MORE OF THE BALL JOINTS WERE DRY AND NEEDED GREASE. THE BALL JOINTS HAD NO FITTINGS TO APPLY GREASE SO A NEEDLE VALVE WAS USED TO INJECT GREASE INTO THE BOOTS. THIS HELPED FOR A SHORT PERIOD BUT THE CREAKING CAME BACK A FEW MONTHS LATER. I SENT THIS VEHICLE INTO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE DRY AND HAD EXCESS SIDE PLAY. THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT FOR SAFETY AND ALIGNMENT CONCERNS AT LESS THAN 40000 MILES. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THESE SUSPENSION PARTS ARE FAILING FAR TOO SOON. THE CONSUMER HAS NO WAY TO ADD GREASE TO THESE PARTS AND MUST RELY ON THE ORIGINAL PARTS BEING PROPERLY LUBRICATED TO HAVE REASONABLE DURABLITY. FAILURES AT THIS EARLY STAGE INDICATES DEFECTIVE PARTS AND PROCESSES THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED ASAP. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WILL BE FORCED TO HAVE THESE PARTS REPAIRED FOR SAFETY CONCERNS AND A HIGH COST TO THE VEHICLE OWNER. THESE PARTS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO LAST LONGER THAN THE SHORT PERIOD I HAVE EXPERIENCED ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

2005 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CAB 4X2 S 105,636 MILES HAVE JUST REPLACED FRONT SWAY BARS, FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, RIGHT-FRONT BRAKE CALIPER. *TR

IN JUNE 2009 I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES FROM POWER DODGE OF VALENCIA, CA. AT THE TIME I NEEDED TIRES AND I WAS TOLD THE TIRES THEY WERE SELLING WERE NEW. ON OCTOBER 18, 2010, I HAD A BLOW OUT OF ONE OF THE TIRES ON THE FREEWAY. THE TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY 8,000 MILES ON IT. I WENT TO GET IT REPLACED AT A TIRE SHOP AND WAS ADVISED THE TIRE WAS OVER 3 YEARS OLD, I QUESTIONED THE FACT I JUST PURCHASED THE TIRE ON 6-09 HOWEVER, I WAS SHOWN THE TIRE WAS MANUFACTURED 6-07. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT FOR SAY THE TIRE WAS NEW WHEN I PURCHASED IT AND THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD BY CHRYSLER THAT TIRES HAVE A SHELF LIFE OF 5 YEARS? NEEDLESS TO SAY THEY DID NOT OFFER A REMEDY OTHER THAN BUY ANOTHER. IS THERE NOT A LAW, RULE OR SOMETHING THAT SAYS A MANUFACTURE CANNOT SELL A TIRE THAT HAS BEEN ON THE SHELF FOR OVER A YEAR? THE TIRES BEING SOLD THAT HAVE BEEN ON THE SHELF FOR 2,3,4, AND EVEN 5 YEARS ARE UNSAFE. IT IS EVIDENT THAT THESE DEALERS DO NOT HAVE ETHICS OR CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR

LOW NOISE IN FRONT WHILE TURNING - DEALERSHIP VERIFIED COMPLAINT AND FOUND BOTH OUTER TIRE ROD ENDS TO BE LOOSE AND LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT TO BE NOISY - REPLACED BOTH OUTER TIRE ROD ENDS AND SET TOE ALSO REPLACED THE LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT. *TR

I WAS TRAVELING 55-60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN A STRAIGHT LINE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED WHEN I HIT A DIP IN THE ROAD AND THE TRUCK LITERALLY JUMPED OFF THE HIGHWAY. IT COMPLETELY LEFT MY LANE AND DROVE ITSELF OUT OF CONTROL ACROSS TRAFFIC AND TO THE RIGHT INTO A DITCH. IT CAUSED FRONT END BODY DAMAGE (MODERATE) AND SCARED ME TO DEATH. I HAVE SINCE DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL FROM MY TRUCK. NOW OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS THE TRUCKS FRONT END SHAKES AND RATTLES AND IS DIFFICULT TO CORNER, ACTS IF IT WILL JUMP OFF THE ROAD. THIS FRONT END OF THE DAKOTA SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE IT KILLS MANY PEOPLE. *TR

APPLIED LEFT TURN SIGNAL AND NOTICED THE RIGHT SIGNAL WAS BLINKING. I CANCELED SIGNAL AND THEN REAPPLIED AND LEFT SIGNAL FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. SINCE INITIAL OCCURRENCE THE TURN SIGNALS HAVE GOTTEN PROGRESSIVE WORSE. APPLICATION OF THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL TURNS ON LEFT ONE, APPLICATION OF THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL TURNS ON RIGHT ONE. SOMETIME NEITHER SIGNAL OPERATES. MY TRUCK HAS A TILT STEERING WHEEL AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL UP OR DOWN - WHILE DRIVING - INITIALLY CLEARED THE PROBLEM AND ALLOWED THE CORRECT SIGNAL TO OPERATE. BUT NOW THE SIGNALS EITHER DO NOT WORK OR MALFUNCTION MOST OF THE TIME NO MATTER WHICH POSITION THE STEERING WHEEL IS IN. ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL HAS LITTLE TO NO AFFECT ON IF THE SIGNALS WILL OPERATE PROPERLY. AS YOU MAY REALIZE THINKING YOUR LEFT / RIGHT TURN SIGNAL IS ON AND FINDING OUT THE OPPOSITE ONE IS ACTUALLY BLINKING HAS CAUSED SOME "INTERESTING" TRAFFIC SITUATIONS AS WELL AS A FEW NEAR CRASHES UNTIL I REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING. *TR