2005 Dodge Dakota Complaint Log

2005 DODGE DAKOTA. DEFECTIVE STEERING COMPONENTS. 68,000 MILES. VEHICLE SHAKES DURING BRAKING AND AT HIGHWAY SPEED. ONE DIAGNOSIS STATED 4 DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS AND UPPER CONTROL ARMS REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. ANOTHER DIAGNOSIS BY A DODGE DEALER STATES ONE DEFECTIVE BALL JOINT, DEFECTIVE RACK AND PINION AND BRAKE CALIPERS STICKING. DODGE STATES THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THE MENTIONED PARTS FOR MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD BOOMING SOUND WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN SERVICED. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS ALSO REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME THE WEEK BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

PEPBOYS/DEFINITY DAKOTA H/TP255/65R16, I PURCHASED 4 OF THESE TIRES THROUGH A MEINEKE CAR CARE CENTERON 7/10/10 LOCATED AT 49TH & SPRUCE STREETS IN PHILADELPHIA, PA. WITHIN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS THE TIRES WERE ON MY DODGE DAKOTA, THE TIRES WERE SPIN BALANCED 4 TIMES AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS DUE TO EXCESSIVE VEHICLE SHAKING IN THE SEAT AND IN THE STEERING WHEEL. ON 7/26/10, I NOTICED THAT ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE 3 SIDE BELTS APPEARED BROKEN AS THERE WERE INDENTATIONS ON THE SIDE WALLS THAT I HAD NOT OBSERVED PREVIOUSLY. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT TWO OUT OF THE FOUR NEW TIRES HAD BROKEN BELTS. I CALL PEPBOYS CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER LISTED ON THEIR WEBSITE AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A PEPBOYS FOR INSPECTION. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO PEPBOYS LOCATED AT 41ST & MARKET IN PHILADELPHIA AND WHEN THE SERVICE ATTENDANT INSPECTED THE TIRES, HE REPORTED THAT THREE OF THE FOUR TIRES HAD BROKEN BELTS. SUCH SIGNIFICANT TIRE FAILURE, LACK OF VEHICLE CONTROL IS BELIEVED BY ME TO BE A HAZARD. THIS TRUCK HAS SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME EVER SINCE THE TIRES WERE PUT ON THE TRUCK. THE LACK OF VEHICLE CONTROL HAS BEEN TO THE POINT THAT THE TRUCK HAS ACTED LIKE IT IS GOING OFF THE ROAD WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS. THESE TIRES ARE DANGEROUS. *TR

WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN THE RUNNING AND OPERATIONAL POSITION, AKA DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED, BY SIMPLY PULLING IT OUT OF THE IGNITION, AND THE VEHICLE WILL REMAIN RUNNING, AND THEN THERE IS NO WAY TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN FAULTY SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. I AM AMAZED NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED, AND EVEN MORE SURPRISED NO RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LUG NUTS WERE FAULTY. THE MECHANIC STATED THE LUG NUTS WERE DESIGNED WITH A METAL COVERING THAT MADE THE NUTS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE ABILITY OF CHANGING THE TIRE IN AN EVENT OF A FLAT OR BLOWOUT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,010. UPDATED 08/12/10 *BF UPDATED 08/17/10

THERE'S AN EXISTING TSB (CHRYSLER/DODGE 05-002-06 SUPERSEDES 05-004-05) THAT COVERS THE REPAIR OF THE REAR AXLE SHAFTS AND BRAKING SYSTEM. THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE PARTS THAT CAN CAUSE THE REAR WHEELS NOT TO BRAKE AND CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DODGE ISSUED THE TWO AFOREMENTIONED TSBS TO CORRECT THE ISSUE, BUT IT WASN'T WIDELY PERFORMED. LOTS OF 05 AND 06 DAKOTAS WITH THE DEFECT ARE STILL ON THE ROAD. *TR

FIRST FALURE OF POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH WAS REPLACED NOW LEAKING AT RACK AND PINION. *TR

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I WAS REFERRED TO YOU BY WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM.THEY FELT THAT WHAT I HAD TO SAY MAY BE SAFETY RELATED. I HAVE A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW. STARTING IN MAY OF 2010 I STARTED TO HEAR A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT, OR MAYBE REAR END, ONLY WHEN I TURN LEFT OR RIGHT.I HAVE BEEN TO 3 GARAGES AND THE LAST ONE BEING A DEALERSHIP. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS, BOTH FRONT STAB LINKS, BOTH TIE RODS,BOTH REAR STAB LINKS, AND AS RECENT AS THIS SEPT.,BOTH LEAF SPRINGS. THE TRUCK STILL HAS THE SAME NOISE AND I'M OUT 2000.00. THE DEALER DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT'S WRONG. NOW, ALL THIS HAPPENED BEFORE THE TRUCK TURNED 50,000. MILES. I KNOW IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. I ALSO,KNOW NOW, THE MANUFACTURER'S HAVE STUDIES ON HOW LONG A VEHICLE IS TO LAST IN ORDER FOR THE CONSUMER TO GIVE IT A PASSING GRADE AS TO BY IT AGAIN. I HAVE HAD MANY TRUCKS IN MY DAY AND I MAINTAINED ALL JUST AS WELL AS THIS ONE. I HAD AN S10 4X4 WITH 120,000 MILES ON IT AND THE FRONT AND REAR END WAS AS TIGHT AS THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. AN ACCIDENT ENDED THAT VEHICLE. I THINK DODGE SHOULD FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG AND FIX IT AT THEIR EXPENSE. NOT MINE OR THE DEALERSHIP BUT, THEIRS!!!!!! I KNOW MY PURCHASE WILL NOT MAKE OR BREAK DODGE. HOWEVER, I AM ONE AND DONE WITH DODGE PRODUCTS AND I WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT MY TROUBLES WITH MY DAKOTA. I'M ASKING YOU TOO, TO GO ON LINE AND GOOGLE DODGE DAKOTA 2005 FRONT END OR SUSPENSION TROUBLES. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! *TR

PROBLEM IS WITH THE REAR AXLE ON THE 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. I HAVE HAD THE DEALERSHIP REBUILD THE AXLE AT 15,000 AND 50,000 MILES. IT'S BEING REBUILT FOR A 3RD TIME BY A INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP. I TRIED TO TAKE IT TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP IN SANTA MARIA CA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD REPAIR IT SINCE IT WAS A ONGOING ISSUE BUT INFORMED ME THAT IT'S NOT AND WOULD COST $2200. OF COURSE THE INDEPENDENT SHOP IS DOING IT FOR ROUGHLY HALF THAT. I WENT TO DODGE.COM AND FILLED OUT A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. I FAXED THE REPAIR DOCUMENTATION WITH THEM AND LEFT MESSAGES BUT MY REP (DAVID) NEVER CALLS BACK. I DID RECEIVE A EMAIL FROM DODGE FOR A CUSTOMER SURVEY BUT IT'S FUNNY HOW THEIR LINKS DON'T WORK AND THEIR WEBSITE SECURITY CERTIFICATES ARE OUT OF DATE. I GUESS IF THEY CAN'T MAINTAIN A WEBSITE IT'S PROBABLY ASKING TOO MUCH TO FIX A TRUCK. *TR

DRIVING AND IT GOT A TICKING NOISE ?? THEN I STARTED TO GET SLEEPY AND A BAD HEAD ACHE!!! IT GOT LOUD AND THEN I LOOKED UNDER HOOD AND BOLTS BROKE OFF IN THE HEADS OF THE MOTOR , I CAN'T AFFORD 800--- 1,000 FROM CHRYSLER WANTS TO FIX IT ! IT'S DANGEROUS IF YOU STAY IN TRUCK A LONG TIME WITH OUT WINDOW DOWN !! TALES TO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD SAME THING BUT OF COURSE THEY WON'T FIX IT SHOULD BE FIXED ! I SLEPT IN MY TRUCK IN MOVE OUT TO AR ! IF I DID TO KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG I COULD OF DIED FROM THAT DEAL !! HOW MANY MITE OF ??? FROM CARBON MONOXIDE POISON????? NEEDS TO BE RECALLED !!!!

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD SQUEAKY NOISE WAS HEARD WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AT ANY SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILED COMPONENT WAS THE INTERMEDIARY SHAFT. WHEN HE LUBRICATED IT WITH WD40 THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STEER NORMALLY FOR A SHORT TIME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 57,000. UPDATED 02/02/11 *CN

HAVE A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA, 40400 MILE ON IT, THE WHOLE FRONT END HAS TO BE REPLACE, DUE IN MY OPINION TO DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING. WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE WHOLE FRONT END SHUDDERS. HAVE REPLACED BALL JOINTS ONCE AND NOW HAVING TO REPLACE WHOLE SUSPENSION, AT MY EXPENSE. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED AND DODGE SHOULD HAVE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WHEN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I DISCOVERED THAT IT IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH DODGE VEHICLES. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS WHY THIS IS NOT BEING INVESTIGATED MORE EXTENSIVELY AND WHY THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT BEING RECALLED. JUST BECAUSE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A LOSS OF LIVES, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT DODGE OWNERS SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS OUT OF THEIR POCKETS. DODGE CREATED THIS PROBLEM AND DODGE SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

2005 DODGE DAKOTA 4X2. CHRYSLER FUEL LINE PART# 68043248AA. FUEL LINE LEAK NEAR TANK. WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED ON, FUEL SPRAYS OUT OF THE HOSE UNDER PRESSURE FROM FUEL PUMP. LOOKING AT THE TANK THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL, GAS CAN BE CLEARLY SEEN SPRAYING FROM THE HOSE ONTO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK BED AND INTO THE WHEEL WELL THEN PUDDLING UNDER THE BED OF THE TRUCK. A LOT OF FUEL COMES OUT AND PUDDLES UNDER THE VEHICLE. WE WERE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM BY A DRIVER IN ANOTHER OTHER VEHICLE THAT SMELLED GASOLINE. THEY FOLLOWED US UNTIL WE STOPPED. VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE LINE TO FAIL. VEHICLE IN EXCELLENT SHAPE OTHERWISE. WE WERE LUCKY THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT CATCH FIRE. *TR

VEHICLE: 2005 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 24,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS FOR BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS CONTINUALLY GO ON AND OFF PRESUMABLY INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS STARTED ABOUT 3 - 5 WEEKS AGO. THE DEALERSHIPS SERVICE ADVISOR SAID TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NOTHING UNDER THE SEATS (THERE ISN'T) AND OTHER THAN THAT, SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, BE PREPARED TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY HUNTING FOR THE CAUSE OF AN INTERMITTENT SENSOR FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT WHEELS WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL NOISE AND WOULD VEER THE VEHICLE TO ONE SIDE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE HUBS AND BEARINGS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE AND THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN UNUSUAL CLICKING SOUND IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FRONT END BULBS AND BOLTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 35555 MILES. THE GARAGE SAID I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THE BALL JOINTS DIDN'T BREAK AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. WE NEED TO HAVE THESE DODGE DAKOTA RECALLED BEFORE THEY CAUSE A WRECK. I HAD CARS/TRUCKS WITH 90,000 MILES ON THEM AND NEVER HAVE PROBLEMS. *TR

HAVE A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 WITH 56329 MILES ON IT AND JUST HAD TO HAVE BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED, THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINK KIT AND BUSHINGS REPLACED AND THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD REPLACED. THIS IS A LOT OF REPAIR WORK TO BE DONE ON A VEHICLE THAT IS JUST DRIVEN FOR PLEASURE. IT IS NOT TAKEN OFF-ROAD AND ROUGH HOUSED. I FEEL THAT THIS IS POOR WORKMANSHIP OF PARTS THAT WERE ORIGINALLY PUT ON THIS TRUCK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION AND THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS LATCHED, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING UNDER THE SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND 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 APPROXIMATELY 7,400.

ON MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA IT RANDOMLY SHIFTS IN AND OUT OF 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THIS OCCURS EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SHUT OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. I DISCONNECTED THE SELECTOR SWITCH IN THE CABIN AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. MY MECHANIC PINPOINTED THE PROBLEM TO THE CRANK CASE POSITION SENSOR. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER FOR A REPLACEMENT PART HE WAS TOLD THEY ARE ON NATIONAL BACKORDER AND THEY DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL BE RELEASED. NOW I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT I CAN'T DRIVE BECAUSE OF A SAFETY DEFECT. *TR

AIRBAG SENSOR CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON THIS MORNING. STARTED TRUCK AS NORMAL, PANEL LIGHTS CAME ON AS NORMAL, THEN SENSOR LIGHT CAME BACK ON WITH DING. FAILURE MILEAGE 33840. SINCE THIS TRUCK IS A LEASE, WHICH IS UP IN 2 WEEKS, WILL NOT BE CONTACTING DEALER. *TR

RIGHT SIDE BALL JOINTS ON 2005 DODGE DAKOTA ARE WORN OUT LESS THAN 37000 MILES. *TR

BALL JOINTS KEEP GOING BAD. *TR

HEADLIGHT - PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE, I HAVE REPLACED 4 HEADLIGHTS IN THE PAST YEAR. THERE HAS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR SIDE. THIS IS A DODGE 2005 DAKOTA, EXT CAB. THE TAYLOR CITY POLICE STOPPED ME ON SUN. , GAVE ME A WARNING MY HEADLIGHT WAS OUT. *TR

BOTTOM BALL JOINTS ON 2005 DODGE DAKOTA ARE WORN OUT LESS THAN 42000 MILES. *TR

HEARD RATTLING IN FRONT END. CHECKED AND NOTICED SWAY BAR LOOSE ON RIGHT SIDE. DROVE LESS THAN 1 MILE TO DODGE DEALER AND SPOKE WITH MECHANIC. HE SAID THAT BOTH LINKS HAD BEEN BROKEN WHICH HE THOUGHT WAS UNUSUAL. I ASKED IF HE THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE TO HOME 3 MILES AWAY SINCE IT WOULD TAKE SEVERAL DAYS TO GET PARTS AND THEN REPAIR. HE SAID HE WOULD NOT ADVISE DRIVING IT FOR EXTENDED PERIOD. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE IT FROM OFF THE STREET PARKING TO DEALER PARKING LOT TO REMAIN FOR REPAIR. THE RIGHT TIRE WAS PUNCTURED BY SWAY BAR. DECIDED TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO HAVE SWAY BAR LINKAGES INSTALLED AND TIRE REPLACED AT OTHER GARAGE THAT WAS LESS EXPENSIVE. *TR

2005 DODGE DAKOTA FRONT END WAS MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE LOWER BALL JOINT IS BAD. WHAT GIVES WITH ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END OF THESE DAKOTAS WITHOUT ANY RECALLS. JEEP HAD A RECALL ON THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

FOR THE LAST 3 OR 4 YEARS, I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 JERKING WHICH SEEMED TO GET WORSE WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES. I JUST TOOK IT IN FOR INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT MY LOWER & UPPER BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACED IN ORDER TO PASS INSPECTION. THIS JUST DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT WHEN THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 22,400 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN ONLY DRIVEN ON CITY STREETS. I DID GET ON THE INTERNET AND SEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS LIKE ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. SHOULDN'T THERE BE A RECALL WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM? *TR

FRONT END NOISE-BOTH FRONT SWAYBAR LINKS BROKEN-BOTH OUTER TIE ROD ENDS BAD. TIE ROD ENDS REPLACED. BOTH LINKS REPLACED WITH HEAVIER-DUTY LINKS AT CUSTOMER EXPENSE AND TOLD BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR-AND-TEAR AND THEY'VE BEEN GETTING SEVERAL OF THESE LATELY. WE LIVE ONE MILE OUT A GRAVEL ROAD AND THIS TRUCK IS BABIED BY A 53 YEAR OLD FEMALE DRIVER!!! NORMAL?? *TR

DODGE DAKOTA SLT 2005 MISFIRE IN CYLINDER 5 WAS THE CODE GIVEN. REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND COIL. DID NOT HELP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP...THEY RAN DIAGNOSTIC SAID IT WAS NOT THE COMPUTER THERE IS A MISFIRE. DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED COMBUSTION CLEANING (ABOUT $200) AND IF THAT DIDN'T WORK THEN THEY WOULD REPLACE HALF OF THE INTAKE VALVE LOCKS AND IF THAT DIDN'T WORK THEY WOULD REPLACE THE OTHER HALF OF THE INTAKE VALVE LOCKS (ABOUT $1650). THEY WOULD WARRANTY THE WORK FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM IS THE TRUCK HAS ONLY 25,000 MILES ON IT NOW! THE TRUCK IS ALMOST NEW IN TERMS OF MILEAGE BUT YET HAS THIS ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO COME TO REALIZE THAT THE "IDLE LOW UNTIL IT ALMOST DIES" IS ANOTHER COMMON COMPLAINT AMONG THESE TRUCKS. OBVIOUSLY, DODGE MADE A HUNK OF JUNK AND I BOUGHT ONE. AFTER LOOKING AT SOME OF THE BLOGS, I SEE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON STUCK WITH AN EXPENSIVE LAWN DECORATION. *TR

ENGINE LIGHT AND TRANSMISSION TEMP LIGHT CAME ON AFTER DRIVING UP AND DOWN A LARGE INCLINE. STOPPED VEHICLE TO ALLOW TEMP TO COOL. BOTH LIGHTS REAPPEAR AFTER 30-40 MINUTES DRIVING AND GOES OFF AFTER STOPPING AND COOLING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DODGE SERVICE AND THEY RECOMMENDED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER CHANGE. NEXT DAY BOTH LIGHTS REAPPEARED AFTER 30+MIN OF DRIVING. NEXT DODGE SERVICE RECOMMENDED CHANGING SOLENOID WHICH WAS UNDER WARRANTY, EXCEPT FOR $100.00 DEDUCTIBLE. NEXT DAY BOTH LIGHTS APPEARED AFTER 30+ MIN OF DRIVING. NEXT DODGE SERVICE RECOMMENDED FULL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT WHICH CORRECTED PROBLEM. MILEAGE WAS 69834 AND SO TRANSMISSION SERVICE WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND PAYMENT FOR REPLACING TRANSMISSION LINES; THEY SAID OLD ONES WERE LEAKING ALTHOUGH NO SIGNS WERE OBSERVED PREVIOUSLY. PARTS REPLACED: SOLENOID, TRANSMISSION LINES, CONVERTER, PUMP KITS, SEAL PKG, O-RINGS, DISCS, PLATES, RETNR PKG. *TR

LOUD NOISE WHENEVER TURNING - TECH FOUND UPPER BALL JOINT VERY DRY, ALSO FOUND SWAY BAR LINKS WORN - REPLACED LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT AND BOTH SWAY BAR LINKS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA EXTENDED CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT AND UNUSUAL SQUEAKING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FACILITY FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS AND STABILIZER BAR COULD COLLAPSE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. NO OTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,908.

ABOUT A WEEK AGO I NOTICED WATER DRIPPING WHILE IT WAS RAINING FROM MY GRAB HANDLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AREA. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER THE WEATHER CHANGED TO FREEZING AND MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED. INSURANCE REPLACED THE CRACKED WIND SHIELD AND THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE CAUSE WAS DOOR SEAL/ROOF SEAM SEAL. THIS WAS A RECALL ON DODGE RAM 2002 THROUGH 2004 REFERENCE #23-003-04. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND BASICALLY WAS TOLD NOTHING IS COVER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO BEING TOLD THAT UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT ISSUES A RECALL OR REPLACEMENT DODGE WILL NOT FIX THIS. *TR

REAR BRAKE JUDDERING (SHAKING) CAUSES THE TRUCK TO "BOUNCE" IN THE REAR WHICH, IF HAPPENING SUDDENLY, CAN CAUSE THE OPERATOR TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR DRUMS ON THE '05 DODGE DAKOTA ARE TOO SMALL AND HEAT UP AND "WARP", WHICH CAUSES THE REAR BRAKES TO BE MUCH LESS EFFECTIVE AT HELPING TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. CHRYSLER MOTORS RELEASED A TSB RELATED TO THE REAR BRAKING SYSTEM, BUT ONLY OWNERS WITHIN THE FIRST 12,000 MILES OF THEIR VEHICLE'S LIFE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE FREE REPAIR. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA SLT. I PURCHASED IT IN 10/2005. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK SINCE I FIRST BOUGHT IT. RECENTLY I HAD TO REPLACED THE TIRE RODS, SWAY BAR AND LINKAGE, BRAKES, CALIPERS, AND ROTORS. TWO DAYS AFTER I HAD ALL OF THESE THINGS FIXED I NOTICED THAT THE TRUCK WAS STILL SHAKING AND MAKING A LOT OF NOISE. WHEN I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO DODGE I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE IN THE TRUCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THE TRUCK WAS MANUFACTURED THE WRONG SIZE AXLE WAS PUT IN THE TRUCK. THIS CAUSED ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD THAT OTHER PARTS ARE DAMAGED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AND REPAIRED.(REAR BRAKE SHOES, FRONT DISC ROTORS) I WAS TOLD THAT THE AXLE PART IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT I HAVE TO PAY THE $100 DEDUCTIBLE. I WAS TOLD THAT EVERYTHING ELSE THAT IS DAMAGED (DUE TO THE AXLE) AND REQUIRES REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT IS CONSIDERED "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". I WAS GIVEN A QUOTE OF SOMEWHERE AROUND $400. (DEPENDING ON LABOR) MY COMPLAINT IS SIMPLE, I AM BEING FORCED TO PAY FOR DAMAGED PARTS ON MY TRUCK THAT ARE DIRECTLY CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURES ERROR. A PROBLEM THAT CAN BE PROVED TO BE THE MANUFACTURERS FAULT. I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE THAT HAD THE WRONG AXLE INSTALLED. WHICH THEN CAUSED ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS. WHEN I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE MANUFACTURES MADE THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. THEY DID NOT. THEY SOLD ME A TRUCK WITH THE WRONG PART INSTALLED. NOT ONLY IS THIS WRONG BUT THERE SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS. IF THE WRONG SIZE AXLE IS IN MY TRUCK, THERE ARE OTHER TRUCKS THAT ALSO HAVE THE WRONG SIZE AXLE INSTALLED. IT IS DANGEROUS AND SUSPICIOUS. I THINK IT IS EVEN SAFE TO SAY THAT IT IS FRAUD TOO! SELLING TRUCKS THAT HAVE THE WRONG PARTS INSTALLED AND THEN MAKING PROFIT FROM THE REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS. SOUNDS LIKE FRAUD TO ME. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA LARAMIE. THE BRAKES USUALLY WORK ALL RIGHT BUT IF THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF ICE THE ABS ENGAGES EARLY AND THE CAR DOES NOT STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO ME ON ICE. ONCE I ALMOST HIT SOMEONE. TODAY I DID REAREND SOMEONE. THE CAR DIDN'T EVEN FEEL LIKE IT WAS SLOWING DOWN AT ALL. *TR

IN JANUARY, 2009, NOTICED A GROWLING IN THE FRONT END OF THE 2005 DODGE DAKOTA (~43,000) WITH DIFFICULTY TURNING CORNERS. TOOK IT TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS WHO INDICATED THAT THE FRONT END NEEDED WORK, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, BALL JOINTS, TIE-RODS, TIRES AT A COST OVER $1000.00. TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT ONLY NEEDED GREASE AND GREASED. IN THE PAST WEEK, MARCH, 2009, SHIMMING AND NOISE IN FRONT END WHEN TURNING. TOOK TO DODGE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE TIE-RODS, SWAY BARS AND TIRES (SPLIT) NEEDED REPAIR COST >$1000. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP AND RECEIVED SAME NEWS PLUS BALL JOINTS WERE WORN. HAVING WORK DONE AND WANTED TO REPORT SINCE I NOTICED THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A NUMBER OF INCIDENTS RELATED TO SAME ISSUE ON YOUR WEBSITE. NO INJURIES BUT THERE WAS THE POSSIBILITY IF THE FRONT END HAD FAILURE ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING ON ICY/SNOWY/WET ROADS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING FOR APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES WITH THE HEATED SEATS ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMANATING FROM HER VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEATED SEAT MECHANISM WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE COMPONENT WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. IN ADDITION, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED INCIDENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,000. UPDATED 03/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/17/09. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR REPAIR WAS $3,000. REPORT NUMBER 18727338 WAS FILED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,254.

I BOUGHT MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA NEW. AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES GOING TO WORK AT NIGHT AND IN A SNOWSTORM MY HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED A COUPLE OF TIMES THEN STARTED TO INTERMITTANTLY GO OFF THEN BACK ON. ONLY MY FOG LIGHTS BELOW MY BUMPER WERE ON. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENTS. LATER I LOOKED AT ALL THE WIRING AND CONNECTORS AND FOUND NOTHING. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS THEN CAME BACK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND AT CERTAIN INSTANCES COULD BE DANGEROUS: FOG, WINDING ROADS, ETC. I SPOKE TO A DODGE MECHANIC AND HE INFORMS ME THAT THERE'S A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE INTERIOR INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHT INTENSITY SWITCH (ITS PART OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSY). THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR THANKS BOB PAULDING

FRONT END NOISE-PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SWAYBAR LINKS BROKEN.*TR

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT(POWER) HEATER BURNT PADDING AND SCORCHED SEAT FABRIC. VEHICLE WAS LEFT IDLING TO WARM UP. I RETURNED TO FIND SMOKE COMING FROM SEAT. I FOUND WIRING CONNECTOR AND UNPLUGGED HEATER. *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THEY HAD A TRUCK LIKE MINE COME IN FOR THE SAME REASON, THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THE SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR. THEY SAID THAT THE SENSOR KEEPS THE BAGS FROM DEPLOYING WHEN IN A WRECK. *TR

BOUGHT A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 61,000 MILES ON IT...WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH AFTER PICKING UP MY CHILD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE PULLED ME RIGHT OFF THE ROAD ALMOST INTO A DITCH WHERE I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO COME TO A STOP AND GET OUT. TO HEAR THAT MY TIRE IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. THE TIE-ROD HAD BROKE AWAY AND I LOST CONTROL, IF I HAD BEEN GOING ANY FASTER I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE ROLLED THE VEHICLE AND MAY HAVE INJURED MY FAMILY OR OTHER PEOPLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE HE HAD TOLD ME THESE MODELS DO NOT HAVE A NIPPLE TO LUBE THE TIE-RODS SO THEY BREAK OFTEN. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AS COULD HAVE MY MOTHER AND 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OR EVEN SOMEONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. A VEHICLE WITH 61000 MILES SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE ISSUES. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET HURT OR EVEN WORSE KILLED! *TR

2005 DODGE DAKOTA WITH BRAKE SHUDDERING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS IS A PROBLEM REPORTED BY NUMEROUS OWNERS, AS IS EVIDENCED BY SEARCHING THE INTERNET. THE DEALERSHIPS DO NOT TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH DODGE FIRST ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM IN NOVEMBER OF 2005 (BULLETIN 05-004-05) AND UPDATED IT IN MAY 2006 (BULLETIN 05-002-06). IN SOME INSTANCES, THE ISSUED BULLETIN REQUIRES THE VEHICLE REAR AXLES TO TO BE REPLACED. *TR

LEFT FRONT STEERING ROD END BROKE INTO TWO PIECES CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANG AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE STRUCK TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE DRIVESHAFT WAS PULLED OUT AT THE SCENE AND THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE GROUND. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE LEAF SPRING SNAPPED OFF. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY SERVICE AND WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS IN A CRASH, THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY INSTRUCTED HIM NOT TO GO TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 12,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/11/08

BRAKE FAILURE ON A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA . *TR