The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Dakota. When the contact activated the heater, he smelled antifreeze. He inspected the vehicle and could not find any leaks. Approximately one month later, the overflow for the antifreeze was empty; however, antifreeze was still present in the radiator. The contact performs his own repair work and stated that the heater cores were defective. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The current mileage was 104,000 and failure mileage was 89,000. Updated 2/23/09 the consumer stated the heater core was leaking into the heater box, when the heater was on. Updated 02/26/09.

- El Dorado Hills, CA, USA

Heater core failed - now I have no defroster and anti freeze leaked all over the passenger side carpeting causing me to have to vacate the vehicle.

- La Mesa, CA, USA

My husband and I own a 1998 Dodge Dakota, VIN [xxx]. we have had numerous problems with this vehicle, beginning in the second year of our lease. During the past four years, we have spent approximately $9,000 on vehicle repairs including a new transmission, new engine, new starter, new wheel baring, new brake caliper, new heater core and new water pump. The catalytic converter and alternator have been replaced twice and two O2 sensors have been replaced. The air conditioner has been repaired four times. While these repairs have been costly and inconvenient, none of them has posed a safety concern per SE. I am writing now to complain about our most recent vehicle failure which most certainly is a safety issue. On November 18, 2004, my husband was driving approximately 35 mph when his front driver side tire broke off from the axle. The tire fell on its side and the truck landed on the tire. The steering wheel locked up, and the truck skidded to a stop in the left turn lane. My husband had no control of the truck. When we took the truck to our mechanic, he found that the passenger side wheel was near the breaking point as well and replaced that axle as well. We are still driving on the two front tires, but we were informed that we should get an alignment and probably have the tires replaced as well. We understand that Dodge has recalled the 2000-2003 Dakotas for this same defect. We believe that our vehicle should also be covered under this recall. Updated 07/24/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Lowell, MI, USA