Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION - MULTIPLE AXLE | |||||
| 0300306 | 10/20/2006 | 10020924 | Axle fluid level. *kb | 01/30/2007 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 10/25/2010 | 30000 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 05/01/2008 | 40000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. the contact stated that the vehicle emitted a squeaking noise upon entering and exiting. the noise was also present while the vehicle was driven. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the head was rebuilt and the electrical harness was replaced. the manufacturer was notified and was working with the contact to repair the vehicle. the failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 87,000. sm. | |||
| 05/01/2008 | 40000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. the contact stated that the vehicle made a squeaking noise while getting in and out of the vehicle as well as when driving the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the head was rebuilt and the electric harness was replaced. the manufacturer was notified and was working with the contact to repair the vehicle. the failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 87,000. dt | |||
| 08/30/2011 | 62004 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 03/21/2009 | 72908 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota extended cab. there was a squeaking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to a mechanic shop for a routine maintenance and was told the front suspension ball joints and the stabilizer bar can collapse anytime and needed to be repaired. the manufacturer was called and informed him there was no recalls or warranty on his vin but he can file a complaint file #19978674 and there was no other assistance offered. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 72,908.....mw | |||
| 07/21/2009 | 45000 | ||
| Ball joints keep going bad | |||
| 06/13/2009 | 41265 | 1 | |
| Bottom ball joints on 2005 dodge dakota are worn out less than 42000 miles. *tr | |||
| 02/23/2009 | 1 | ||
| 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 | |||
| 07/17/2008 | 12000 | 1 | |
| 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 | |||
| 06/11/2007 | 21000 | 1 | |
| Original owner of vehicle with 21,00 miles. approx 1 week ago began hearing scraping sound when turning. noise became progressively worse. mechanic says vehicle needs new tie rod. advised us against driving it because he considers it to be very unsafe. *tr | |||
| 03/05/2007 | 19963 | 1 | 09/22/2005 |
| Consistent driveline vibration, unable to diagnose or repair. i took my 2005 dodge laramie quad cab in for a front end alignment on march 5, 2007 to try and repair the previously mentioned problem. since this time i have had the truck back to the dealership a minimum of ten times and it has been in their possession at least 60 days. the dealer has virtually replaced all of the front end parts, brakes, rotors, calipers, rotated tires, replaced and tried eleven (11) michelin tires, balanced, high speed balanced, my rims have over fifty notches where they have placed weights to balance the tires without result. similar complaints lead me to believe this is a safety issue and needs investigated since by their own admission they can not diagnose the problem. *tr | |||
| 04/20/2006 | 1 | 1 | |
| My trucks steering wheel pulsates when driving at speed above 40 mph and unbearably at speeds of 60 to 65. when driving the truck it will shimmy and shake violently when going over any road service that is not perfectly flat. i will no longer operate this vehicle with my wife or children in the car. no one should attempt to tow with this vehicle. the pulsation throughout out the truck will get you sick. you will feel as though you are about to lose control of your vehicle at any moment due to its instability. after a half hours use in traffic my brakes heat up and feel like a car with the abs being activated everytime you touch the brake. my dealer has made five attempts to fix this truck, they tried to blame good year for the composition of the tire. i have taken the truck to a good year dealer and they concluded the tires are fine and there is no unusual wear pattern, i had the same tires on my durango. i have only 8,000 miles on my truck and feel i have spent to much time trying to be a test for dodge to correct its engineering mistakes. i am going to begin the lemon law paperwork. please make dodge try to correct this problem before some is seriously injured or killed. *nm | |||
| 03/21/2006 | 3000 | 1 | 11/01/2005 |
| Dt*: the contact stated while driving at various speeds the vehicle vibrated. it has been to the dealership twice for repairs. the first time, they aligned the front end of the vehicle. the second time, they replaced the front axle, lower and upper ball joints however, the problem still exists. | |||
| 06/25/2005 | 3 | 1 | 06/25/2005 |
| Purchased 2005 dodge dakota quad cab with 3 miles , noticed a vibration,shimmy in steering wheel and floor board at all speeds and on all types of roads, it increases on bumpy or construction roads. have been to dealership 7 times, they balanced the tires they installed new tires then they installed rear axles and drums but vibration continues. the last couple of times they said normal for that vehicle or could not duplicate but the air pressure in tires is always changed or tires rotated,. i filed a lemon law complaint but of course the verdict is drives normal. i just want a vehicle that doesn't shake when i drive, could be hazzard.safty concern. *nm | |||
| 06/01/2005 | 13000 | 1 | 09/27/2004 |
| Dt when the consumer applied the brakes, the vehicle vibrated so badly, the consumer was unable to control the vehicle. the dealer replaced the left front wheel bearing, rotors, front and rear drums. the consumer called daimler chrysler and they were suppose to get back with the consumer today. *jb can't set minutes on clock radio and won't keep correct time. clock radio has to be reordered. speedometer ticks at times. dealer could not duplicate condition. *tt | |||
| SUSPENSION - AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL (ASC) | |||
| 05/01/2005 | 1000 | 2 | 04/05/2005 |
| Dt: the contact stated while driving a t highway speeds on bumpy roads the vehicle had poor stability. he felt as though he could lose control of the vehicle. he took the vehicle to the dealer numerous times. the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the problem. he noted daimler/chrysler were aware of this problem but at this time there was no solution. the dealer resurfaced a rotor on the front brakes which did relieve some vibration in the front suspension. no further repairs have been made at this time. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 07/22/2011 | 53000 | ||
| I was driving my 2005 dodge dakata 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 straighted out inner tie rod for now very scary situation thank god i wasnt 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 | |||
| 06/28/2011 | 58000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. the contact stated that while in the process of making a turn, his steering wheel proceeded to tighten. the steering failure occurred at all 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 has not been repaired. the contacted also stated the front stabilizing bars, were missing bolts. the vehicle was taken to a repair shop, wear the missing bolts were installed. the failure mileage was 58,000. the current mileage was 58,355. | |||
| 04/03/2011 | 60000 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 11/12/2010 | 58000 | ||
| 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 pedistrans 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. | |||
| 05/31/2010 | 45000 | ||
| To whom it may concern: i was referred to you by www.carcomplaints.com.they felt that what i had to say may be saftey 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 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 vehical 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 vehical. i think dodge should find out what's wrong and fix it at their expence. not mine or the dealership but, their's!!!!!! 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! | |||
| 10/19/2010 | 105636 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 02/05/2008 | 25000 | ||
| Front end shakes/vibrates starting at around 60mph. makes car difficult to handle. replaced tires, steering rack, tie rods and no change | |||
| 01/10/2010 | 45000 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 02/18/2010 | 40000 | 1 | |
| 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 | |||
| 11/23/2009 | 35555 | 1 | |
| 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 | |||
| 12/30/2008 | 31000 | 1 | |
| Front end noise-passenger side front swaybar links broken.*tr | |||
| 11/12/2009 | 56329 | 1 | |
| 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 | |||
| 08/10/2009 | 37300 | 1 | |
| Right side ball joints on 2005 dodge dakota are worn out less than 37000 miles. *tr | |||
| 05/28/2009 | 70384 | 1 | |
| 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 | |||
| 04/21/2009 | 37074 | 1 | |
| 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 | |||
| 04/23/2009 | 1 | ||
| 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 | |||
| 01/12/2009 | 1 | ||
| 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 | |||
| 02/03/2007 | 31602 | 0 | 02/01/2007 |
| Purchased a pre owned 2005 dodge dakota 2/2007.the dealership guaranteed me the vibration in the vehichle would be resolved. the first 2months they had the vehicle more than i. 5 times the vehicle has been back to this dealership. replaced the rotors, break pads, new sway bar(that was disconnected). the vehicle still vibrates.at speed of 50-60 mph when applying the brakes, the vehicle will vibrate considerably. at normal speed it still vibrates but not as much. the warrenty on the vehicle is up in about 30 miles. i believe the dealership has just worn us down. the owner of the dealership said he would make things right, but as of today, nothing.no resolution. something is definetly wrong with this vehicle and i won't drive it far for fear of failure. my wife owned a jeepliberty w/recalls on ball joints...needless to say the 2nd set of ball joints failed, causing an accident and $4000 later was traded off. will not purchase another dodge chryslerjeep product again in my life. guress we go back to chevy. | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT | |||
| 02/01/2006 | 10000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. the contact stated that the vehicle made a clunking noise at slow speeds because the lower ball joints were defective. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership but the dealer could not find a failure. the failure continued so the contact took the vehicle back to the dealership where he was informed that the ball joints and sway bars were defective and needed to be replaced. the dealer agreed to give him a discount on the labor expenses. the contact then filed a complaint with the manufacturer. the failure mileage was approximately 10,000. the current mileage was approximately 62,000. | |||
| 05/27/2009 | 34003 | 1 | |
| 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 | |||
| 03/10/2008 | 49000 | 1 | 08/30/2005 |
| Premature failure of lower ball joints on 2005 dodge dakota 4wd pu. *tr | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - STABILIZER BAR | |||
| 02/01/2006 | 10000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. the contact stated that the vehicle made a clunking noise at slow speeds because the lower ball joints were defective. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership but the dealer could not find a failure. the failure continued so the contact took the vehicle back to the dealership where he was informed that the ball joints and sway bars were defective and needed to be replaced. the dealer agreed to give him a discount on the labor expenses. the contact then filed a complaint with the manufacturer. the failure mileage was approximately 10,000. the current mileage was approximately 62,000. | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING | |||
| 01/31/2010 | 45000 | ||
| 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. | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||
| 05/31/2010 | 45000 | ||
| To whom it may concern: i was referred to you by www.carcomplaints.com.they felt that what i had to say may be saftey 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 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 vehical 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 vehical. i think dodge should find out what's wrong and fix it at their expence. not mine or the dealership but, their's!!!!!! 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! | |||