Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 08/22/2012 | 139836 | 1 | |
| Pulling out of driveway and the bottom of the control arm broke free letting the wheel come free from the vehicle..... *tr | |||
| 08/22/2012 | 139836 | ||
| Pulling out of driveway and the bottom of the control arm broke free letting the wheel come free from the vehicle..... | |||
| 04/29/2009 | 100 | 1 | |
| Bought a 2002 dodge dakota new. took it back 3 times for column mounted shifter problems within days of it jamming, could not get it out of park,then it wouldn't stay in park, making a crunching sound when you try to shift threw the gears. each time i took it back, another problem came up caused buy the dealers neglect damaging the truck, i complained to chrysler corp and they blew me off and told me i was a troubled customer and they never would return my calls. i parked the truck in the garage and never trusted it for any long trips and such. got stuck 250 miles from home when the shifter would not go into park, and then not stay in park. now i was sent a recall notice of this issue ( recall g28 ignition/park shift interlock system) i took this truck to glenn e thomas dodge in long beach california for the recall and they attempted to repair this, i did not even get out of the driveway when i noticed the shifter still did not work correct and still was having an problem. i asked for the service personnel to look at this and he told me it was normal, it clearly was not ! they attempted to take it in again, and still it did the same thing, this 3 time repeat repair before i even got off the lot. i got disgusted again and left but when i got down the street i noticed that the steering wheel was off center and not even straight anymore. this truck has only 11,250 miles on it and is like mint new condition ( except for this problem) not a scratch, mark or dirt anywhere on it. i am not trusting this vehicle it could go into reverse and kill someone. there is more i have to say about this and would like to inform nhtsa of this issue before something bad happens. also want this fixed or for chrysler to take it back. *tr | |||
| 12/23/2008 | 59700 | 1 | |
| 2002 dodge dakota, less than 60,000 miles, corroded power steering fluid tubing, causing fluid loss and lack of normal steering control. repair part not available for more than 5 weeks. has there been a lot of power steering system failures for these and similar vehicles? i have parked the vehicle until repairs are completed. i've owned 13 vehicles since 1971 and this is the first time this has occurred. is there an unannounced voluntary recall by chrysler for this? it seems odd that the replacement part is not readily available, leading me to believe this problem is more widespread than acknowledged. *tr | |||
| 02/13/2004 | 31000 | 2 | 09/13/2003 |
| Airbag didn't deploy when an accident occured at 43 mph. steering wheel locked up when my son hit the brakes to avoid the accident.*ak | |||
| 10/05/2002 | 18000 | 1 | 10/30/2001 |
| 2002 dodge dakota quad cab v8 currently with 45, 000 miles. first noticed steering problems at 18,000 miles. the truck makes noise over bumps and when turning. brought truck in for seat repair and to check steering at 35,000 miles. mechanic performed front end alignment. problems still persisted. also, the brake rotors were warped at 18,000 miles and caused a pulsating feel in the pedal. the truck now feels as if it will fall apart over bumps and feels as if i will loose control of the vehicle on the highway. the vehicle warranty is now expired but i need this problem fixed. i have read of many complaints in dodge trucks as well as their cars of premature steering failure. *la | |||
| 30000 | 1 | 12/01/2001 | |
| Heard and felt a clunking sound in steering when vehicle hit a bump/ ball joints and arms replaced. *mr the consumer felt and heard a clunking sound in the steering when a bump was hit or turning a corner. the dealer replaced the upper ball joints and a arm under warranty. *scc *jb | |||
| STEERING - COLUMN | |||
| 12/08/2004 | 50347 | 3 | 06/18/2002 |
| (1) failure of steering components; (2) replacement of defective parts; (3) parts replacement imminent.*ak | |||
| STEERING - COLUMN LOCKING - ANTI-THEFT DEVICE | |||
| 10/10/2001 | 7 | 08/09/2001 | |
| Dodge dakota 4x4 2002 /have been experiencing front end problems with truck since purchase. brought in numerous times to dealer for brake issues[front rotors,pads,rear drums and discs].told multiple times there is no problem, its the way you drive. truck has never been abused,very well cared for. after the 5th time to dealer finnally told that the upper ball joints need replacment.this was after one full year of denial.notified dealer of noise at the steering wheel,told they could not vrify the complaint would probably go away after replacing upper ball joints.one week later after replacment of upper ball joints ,same noise reoccured [loud clunking sound at front end]took back to dealer only to be told that the bottom ball joints need replacment,no mention one week prior about wear on lower area.dealer also stated that the noise noted coming from stering wheel from previous complaints was now thought to be an intermiediate shaft in the steering column,this same noise that one week earlier could not be identified.at 30,000 miles my entire differential gear assembbly needed replacment.i have been charged multiple warranty deductibles on what seems to me to be, the same problem and possibly a canidate for lemon status.at what point will the consumers right's be protected.i am joining a class action lawsuit in regards to chrysler/daimler and suggest to everyone who reads this to do the same.check out www.dodgetalk.com for info and links.also i reccomend to anyone who has had problems with their daeler in terms of denials/non repairs/faulty workmanship/or any related costs out of pocket to file formal complaints and contact a local lemon law attorney in relation to their actions and lack of proper business ethics.only until we make change happen can we acctually achieve it.good luck to everyone who reads this.*ak | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 03/24/2002 | 3 | ||
| The consumer nearly had a collision due to the malfunctioning of the power steering system. *ak *cb *jb | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES | |||
| 07/08/2005 | 25572 | 4 | 10/21/2001 |
| Multiple suspension component failures please reopen investigations into dodge dakota/durango products. stabilizer bushings have been replaced three times, upper ball joints failed and were replaced, steering input shaft failed and replaced once. | |||
| 10/25/2004 | 41500 | 1 | 08/13/2002 |
| In a recent news article i read that the nhtsa is considering recalling dodge dakotas for faulty upper ball joints. i would like to share my experience with my 2002 dodge dakota quad cab concerning this issue.*ak i recently took my 2002 dodge dakota quad cab in for a front end alligment. at the time of service the vehicle had 36,500 miles on the odometer. the service tech notified me that the right upper ball joint had excessive play and will require replacement. i feel this is a major component of the vehicle and should not require replacement at the stated mileage. i hope this issue can be remedied soon. | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||
| 05/05/2005 | 20000 | 3 | 08/31/2002 |
| Thought i would buy american and get the dodge dakota 4 dr crew. love its style, comforts, more power than i need (4.7l v8) 2wd has no traction in snow or ice. very easy to drive and comfortable 6ft.2 220lbs.(2 trips nj to calif.) gas mileage stinks...13-18mpg, no loads. brake rotors replaced 28k, left top ball joint worn (no recall yet)a/c needed charging, right front hub and bearings replaced 49k, rear leaf spring noisy, transmission hesitation occasionally. great truck to drive and haul but reliability really in question with only 49k. probably back to nissan or toyota. | |||
| 12/08/2004 | 50347 | 3 | 06/18/2002 |
| (1) failure of steering components; (2) replacement of defective parts; (3) parts replacement imminent.*ak | |||
| 07/08/2003 | 24000 | 2 | 10/14/2001 |
| I own a 2002 dodge dakota and had to have the ball joints replaced at 24,000 miles after doing some research i found that this is common. my hope is that you would investigate this and force chrysler to do a re-call and fix the problem before someone gets hurt or killed. *ak | |||
| 11/04/2004 | 50000 | 2 | 04/13/2002 |
| Rack and pinion, and tie rod failure after 2 years on dodge dakota....tire rotation store informed me that wheel was in danger of coming off. rack and pinion gear and tie rod replaced at cost of 1,000.00. was worn there was no damage to the pieces. a search of the web indicates that there are numerous complaints of wheels coming off, ball joints, and tie rods failing on the durango/dakota front clip. will it take a death for chrysler to recall these vehicles? i have driven for 35 years and never had a failure in suspensin like this. this has been under investigation for 3 years. why is that? *ak | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||
| 05/14/2003 | 27104 | 2 | 09/26/2002 |
| I own a 2002 dodge dakota. at 27,000 miles, the dealership replaced all four ball joints. they also worked on the 4 wheel drive. at 34,000 miles they replaced three ball joints and worked on the 4 wheel drive. at 42,000 miles they replaced the rack and pinion on the passenger side and worked on the 4 wheel drive. at 49,000 miles i had to replace wheel bearings in the passenger side. fortunately, i have not had any accidents. i have heard noises and taken it to the dealership or my mechanic. i am very concerned about driving it. i do not feel safe driving it anymore. i think they have some serious front end problems that they should be addressing. i don't think i should be footing the bill for it. i am also very upset that the dealership and dodge have known about the problems and chose to blame them on other conditions caused by the owner.*ak | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION - RACK | |||
| 11/04/2004 | 50000 | 2 | 04/13/2002 |
| Rack and pinion, and tie rod failure after 2 years on dodge dakota....tire rotation store informed me that wheel was in danger of coming off. rack and pinion gear and tie rod replaced at cost of 1,000.00. was worn there was no damage to the pieces. a search of the web indicates that there are numerous complaints of wheels coming off, ball joints, and tie rods failing on the durango/dakota front clip. will it take a death for chrysler to recall these vehicles? i have driven for 35 years and never had a failure in suspensin like this. this has been under investigation for 3 years. why is that? *ak | |||
| 05/22/2003 | 27689 | 1 | 09/08/2001 |
| Only 27689 miles safety front end components failed power steering rack seal leaking fluid.sway bar bushings were replaced.seat right rear coming apart pass side plastic recliner handle broke my 2002 dodge dakota quad cab 4x4 sport has had suspension problems, and brake problems. the upper and lower control arms and ball joints make a popping sound when step on brakes or make a sharp left turn. i now have 29900 miles and the pounding and noise have not stopped. vehicle feels like you will loose control when going over bumps in the highway. *ak | |||