Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
POWER TRAIN
210150509/01/20051001700045rfe/545rfe trans - delayed engagement due to cooler return filter replacement. *sc10/20/2005
1800503C03/30/2003180130410003540Transmission shift / speed control improvements / possible malfunction indicator lamp illumination. *tt10/23/2003
1800103A03/28/2003180010310002280Customers may complain the vehicle will not shift out of 2nd gear while climbing a grade. update to transmission calibrations.08/20/2003
180010301/10/200310000906Customers may complain the vehicle will not shift out of 2nd gear while climbing a grade. update to transmission calibrations. *tt04/03/2003
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
080300608/25/20060803006A10021239Powertrain control module initialization. *kb03/23/2007
02026A01/16/200310000914The transmission may overheat due to a restriction in the torque converter drain back valve and may cause damage to the transmission. *tt04/03/2003
0202612/20/200210000830The transmission may overheat due to a restriction in the torque converter drain back valve. *tt04/01/2003
0202411/11/200210000620Harsh shifts due to a sticking pressure sensor transducer. *tt03/25/2003
210020207/08/2002635721Subject regarding revision in diagnostic procedures and labor operation times for re transmissions. *tt10/30/2002
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)
080150503/02/200510013731Powertrain control module initialization. *sc04/26/2005
1002310/01/200210009240Powertrain diagnostic information. service information tuneups. *tt09/20/2004
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER
0101/01/200310000913Customer satisfaction notification - 3/8 torque converter drain back valve. *tt04/03/2003

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
POWER TRAIN
10/05/2012110000
 When driving down the road straight no curve, the rear axle of my truck on the passenger side broke off and lost control of the vehicle fortunelaty, there was no traffic near by while vehicle was moving uncontrolled down the road. in a coincidence dodge is have a recall of same issue for only the 2009 and 2010 models.
09/30/2012100012
 Tl- the contact owns a 2003 dodge dakota. the contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the rear axle pinion nut became loose. the axle then seized without warning, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle momentarily. the manufacturer was notified of the issue but offered no assistance. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and was repaired. the failure mileage was 100,012 and the current mileage was 100,205. kmj
10/05/2012110000
 When driving down the road straight no curve, the rear axle of my truck on the passenger side broke off and lost control of the vehicle fortunelaty, there was no traffic near by while vehicle was moving uncontrolled down the road. in a coincidence dodge is have a recall of same issue for only the 2009 and 2010 models.
09/30/2012100012
 Tl- the contact owns a 2003 dodge dakota. the contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the rear axle pinion nut became loose. the axle then seized without warning, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle momentarily. the manufacturer was notified of the issue but offered no assistance. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and was repaired. the failure mileage was 100,012 and the current mileage was 100,205. kmj
09/30/2012100012
 Tl- the contact owns a 2003 dodge dakota. the contact stated that while driving 30 mph the rear axle pinion nut loosened, the axle locked without warning up causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle momentarily. the manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and was repaired. the failure mileage was 100,012 and the current mileage was 100,205. dt
08/08/2007600001
 2003 dodge dakota, 2wd, 5 spd manual, v6. at speeds from 15 mph and up the brake system seems to fail as the truck jumps and skids very rapidly. the first time this happened i was on the freeway, traffic came to a halt quickly, i applied the brakes and almost lost control and hit the car in front of me as this jumping and skidding occured. all parts on the truck are factory and have not been modified. i am concerned and wondering if this has anything to do with the front suspension clunking. *tr
06/01/20041409/22/2003
 Various problems with 2003 dodge dakota. *mr there were backfires at times, the pedal would barely move at stop signs, when backing out, the vehicle would stay in second gear for a long period of time and the consumer would have to let off of the gas pedal then shift into high gear, sometimes the vehicle wouldn't shift into overdrive, then as soon as it started to misfire, the vehicle would drop to overdrive, the cruise control was inoperative, there was a whine and or howl in the rear differential around 50 mph, the engine light would never come on, sometimes the shift lever would be placed in park and the vehicle would start, at times when shifting to reverse or drive, the vehicle would not move and the would have to be jerked around on the shift lever, the heater controls were inoperative, and there were noises when the lights on the radio were turned on. the valve on the transmission was change and helped the vehicle, but sometimes when the vehicle was shifted up or down in gear it would be a problem. *sc *jb
11/15/20030
 When the truck is started and put into drive it hesitates then shifts really hard. also when the truck is started and allowed to warm up for around three minutes it dies when it is put in reverse. when it does this none of the lights on the instrument panel come on. the truck just dies. i have had the truck into the dealership four times now. the first time i took it in, the dealership told me that they couldn't get the problem to replicate and told me to bring it back when it got worse. i am now on my forth attempt to get the problem fixed and they are continuing to tell me that they can't get the problem to replicate. so i went to the dealership and replicated the problem for them. that was on 10-27-03. it is now 11-06-03 and they called me today to tell me that they still can't get the truck to replicate. but they have hooked up a "co-pilot" which will read the trucks computer and hopefully catch the problem. i am having a really hard time believing that they can't replicate the problem. i have had the truck for three months now and the damn thing has died every single time i have put it in reverse. i am positive that i am being bent over. i know that i will never buy another chrysler again.
05/15/20031571
 Transmission will not shift from 2nd to 3rd gear when climbing grades. also truck will stall out with no warning or check engine lights.
10/15/200310100
 Peeling paint from front grille assembly. also at 10600 miles the transmission shifts hard. both upshifts and downshifts cause a noise and a slight hesitation, followed by a very harsh shift. and the engine seems to engage the electric heat/exchanger fan assembly causing a tremendous amount of cab noise. no temperature change has been detected with the dash gauges when the electric radiator has engaged. very noisy. there will be a follow up letter after the truck is taken to the dealer. oct. 5th, 2003. 2:30 pm mst
08/15/20034500
 Transmission intermittently jerks/shudders when accelerating around 30-40 mph.
11/15/20030
 We have recently submitted a claim to the bureau of automotive repairs. our truck has been in the shop 6 times for the same and new problems. we bought this vehicle in june with 12 miles on it. they recently had our vehicle for 3 days in a row and wanted to keep it for a 4th day, however we declined. below please find a list of the problems: 1) loud howling noise when backing up in reverse 2) slips out of gear when in reverse or drive 3) idles roughly 4) occasionally dies when backing in reverse or going forward 5) wheel well guards are starting to peel away 6) runs in the paint job 7) there was electrical wiring issues 8) transmission issues
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
01/15/200522300311/20/2004
 Truck shifts out of gear when stop and is left running. 1)events leading to the failure: stop to get some information on a neighborhood store, stop the truck shift the truck into park, open the door got out of the truck, close the door, as i was waking towards the front of the tuck and i was approximately 5? feet away from the door of the truck started to move in reverse. i quickly chase the truck back, open the door jump into the truck (while the truck was moving) apply the brakes and stop the tuck. the shift indicator it showed that he truck was in park. 2) failures and consequences: if the truck start to move while you getting out of the truck the open door can push you down and kill you. if some one is behind the vehicle the person kill or the object/property damage. 3)what was done to correct failure: truck will be taking to the dodge service department for analysis and correct failure. *nm
02/20/200410001
 While driving at any speed the transmission slipped. the vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. the mechanic informed the consumer that the transmission needed to be replaced. please provide further details. *jb
0
 While driving the vehicle stalled. the driver tried to restart the vehicle and was able to restart. the vehicle was taken to the dealer. the cause has not been determined. please provide further details.
12/26/2003500006
 While driving 50 mph the vehicle vibrated. the dealerships mechanic informed the consumer that the problem was due to transmission failure. the dealership could neither determine the cause of the problem nor repair it. *ak *nm
11/10/20033200107/08/2003
 Engine malfunction light illuminated. tranmission will not shift from third gear. dealer confirmed problem, ordered replacement transmission module. replacement did not correct problem. further investigation from dealer found broken wire in wiring harness leading to transmission.*ak
06/23/20036000512/26/2002
 At 6,000 miles the upper ball joints failed. when riding over any size bump in the road the front end collapsed. *ak the vehicle pulled to the right when driving and when braking, the flapper door for the fuel filler neck was missing and or fell inside the tank, the transmission did not shift properly, the front and rear rotors were grooved, worn uneven and pitted. *scc *jb
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
08/31/2002
 Location of gear shift lever is positioned, where if reaching over to ajust radio or air conditioning unit and putting hands back on steering wheel, can knock shift lever out of gear into neutral/ park while driving. this can result in an accident.*ak
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY - BANJO HOUSING
06/16/20048300109/04/2003
 The arms that hold the front end in place are broken they will knot fix it. they are saying it got hit the truck has 8320 miles on it. *ak
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
12/02/20042
 A loud clanking noise was heard coming from the front the clutch popped out. consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer, and mechanic determined that the 02 sensor blew a hole inside of the clutch and needed replacement. *ak......*ak
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
09/01/2004125002
 The vehicle's ball joint had to be replaced at 24,000 miles. *nm the rear limited slip differential fluid needed to be replaced. *sc *jb
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DRIVESHAFT
03/11/2009680001
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge dakota. while driving 55 mph he noticed smoking coming from the engine. he immediately took the vehicle to the car wash to stop it from smoking. the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who located the failure as the front drive shaft. the drive shaft was replaced. the total cost of the repair was $320.00. the manufacturer stated that they would not offer any assistance with the repair cost because the repair was not done by an authorized dealer. the failure mileage was 68,000. the current mileage was 100,000. updated 3/17/10 *cn the consumer stated the defect was on the hgh velocity joint fo the front drive shaft. updated 05/14/10.*jb
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
06/01/200734000310/01/2003
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge dakota. when she attempted to enter the vehicle, the stick slipped out of gear and the vehicle began to roll backward. the vehicle was parked in first gear and the engine was turned off. the vehicle was parked on a flat surface and the weather was normal. the vehicle was not looked at by a dealer. the current mileage was 34,750. the failure mileage was 34,000.
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION - SHIFT PATTERN INDICATOR
07/24/200734700310/30/2006
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge dakota. the contact stated that the vehicle slipped out of gear and began to roll while it was parked. the vehicle was unable to be driven because it would not shift into gear. the powertrain was unknown. the current and failure mileages were 34,700.
POWER TRAIN - TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
03/25/2008657005
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge dakota. while driving between 5-10 mph, the contact heard a loud thud coming from the axle area. the four wheel drive indicator light illuminated and the headlights, interior lights, and windshield wipers failed completely. eventually, the horn began to sound intermittently, the windshield wipers began wiping automatically, and the low fuel indicator light illuminated and continued to chime. the contact believes that all the failures were related to the central timer module. nhtsa campaign id number 02v322000 (exterior lighting:headlights switch) was referenced. the purchase date was unknown. the current mileage was 66,000 and failure mileage was 65,700.