This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I have had to redo the front disc brake rotors and calipers twice and they need replacing a third time due to warping of the rotors. The dealer says this is caused by improper torquing of the wheel nuts when replacing the wheel. I got the manufacturers recommended torque setting and made sure the bolts were hand torqued to that poundage since they claimed "torque sticks" seems to be in question. The rotors still continue to warp. The brakes function but the front brake pedal trembles when applying brakes and the warping accelerates the failure of the calipers. Other local mechanics have told me they see this problem on Dakota trucks on a regular basis.
While performing a brake inspection on this vehicle I found that the disc brake pads that are used on this vehicle include what they are calling a "shim" that gets glued onto both the inboard and outboard shoes which as near as I can tell acts as some sort of cushion between the phenolic (plastic) brake caliper piston and the brake pad in order to keep the brake pad rivet heads from coming in contact with the phenolic (plastic) caliper piston and causing the caliper piston to wear prematurely or even crack. This "shim" is made of ferrous metal and is only about a 32nd of an inch thick. With the combination of heat, stress and salt that is used on Michigan roadways this ferrous metal "shim" is entirely inadequate for the intended purpose and has completely rusted away in less than four years causing the caliper piston to crack. A cracked caliper piston is a very dangerous situation and can lead to complete brake failure. If this part were made of stainless steel rather than ferrous metal it would greatly reduce the corrosion of this part and insure the safety of all concerned. This is a problem that needs to be addressed by the NHTSA in the very near future as even the aftermarket brake pads include the same type of shim.
The front braking system is extremely undersized. The rotors warp quickly due to overheating. Materials used are very cheap. The right side caliper pins have both stipped out their threads requiring me to install oversized self-tapping caliper pins. The Dodge dealer I took it to called me a liar and said that I stripped out the pin threads. I completed the repairs myself and installed aftermarket rotors and pads. Dodge refused to do anything about the problem.
Rotors (front discs) warp extemely quickly because of cylinder seal. Seal is allowing brake pads to remain in contact with rotors. Braking at high speed causes the front end to vibrate and is very difficult. Rotors turned and pads replaced at 36000, and is needed again at 59000. This vibration is also causing the front end to get out of alignment very quickly. In 59000 it has required 4 major alignments and is now in need of 5th.
I have had the brakes replaced twice so far it is pulling to the right again, so I will be in to have them replace the brakes for the third time, I was told bye the dealer personel, that they are aware of my type of truck haveing troubles with the front axle brakes, refering to the heavy duty models with dana 60 axles, I was told that the V10 and the deisle 4X4 trucks have the same troubles, im worried that once my warrenty expires I will be left with a truck that pulls to the right, I love the truck, but now im not sure what to do, it seems to be needing replacement every 7 to 10,000 miles.they also said they noticed a slight leak of power steering fluid, but I was told that was normal, (my thought) was it was leaking because the truck is pulling to the right and im turning the wheel to the left to compinsate, and to me that puts preshure on the power steering thats not normal, but im not the macanic, please note the dealership is nice and freindly, I think I just got a bad front brake set up on my truck.
- Milwaukee, WI, USA
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- Fort Washington, MD, USA