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.
When I appled the brakes the front end would shake. The dealer said it was hot spots and was not uncomman for a truck with 21000 miles. They said it was not covered under warranty so I removed the wheel and fond the outer retainer hanging loose and seen marks on the rim where it had been riding. This maybe a problem that could result in a very bad accident. I have pic if you need them.
Continuing problem with extraordinary wear of brake components. Front rotors turned at 17,000 miles current mileage 31,000 and system is in need of repairs again. The vehicle will almost "jump" off the ground when brakes are applied in normal conditions. If the road is wet they will lock under normal pressure. Dealer states this is normal wear and is not a manufactures problem. I have never owned a vehicle that the brake system has worn out twice within 31,000 miles. This vehicle is not used for any commercial enterprise, only personal use and the majority of the mileage has occured on interstate highway driving conditions where braking is lite and infrequent. Research on the internet has provided me with many other like complaints from other Dakota owners. The manufacturer has sold me a vehicle with inherently defective brakes which are failing prematurely under normal driving conditions. I have another appointment for repairs in the morning.
At 8000 miles front discs brakes started to shutter. Called dealer. They said it normal. 11500 took too dealer to repair. They replaced rotors/pads. They said that they failed due to normal wear and driver abuse. Replaced for free under warrenty. At 13400 I now notice same problem again..... these are warping if I brake under wet conditions.like a puddle im pissed on the amount of problems on these trucks.
Brake rotor needed to be turned after only 30,000 due to shaking. Now 3,000 miles later shaking has returned. Manufacturer states that this is normal! no brake interlock-my 3 year old son was able to take the truck out of gear and the vehicle rolled back into a treed area damaging the truck. The lack of a brake interlock is an accident waiting to happen and needs to be addressed immediatley. When I contacted Dodge about my concerns I never received a response.
Problem is that the brake pads are like brand new and the rotors are heavily grooved on both sides of the rotor and it is both rotors.it took the factory rep from Dodge two months to look at it and when he finally did he said it was normal wear and tear.I have had vehicles for over 7 years for one vehicle and have never had to even replace the brakes.they tried to tell me it is stop and go traffic or pulling my boat and I told them I have only pulled it about 5 times.why would you put a towing package on the truck if you were going to have to replace the rotors evey 15 thousand miles.this is a safety problem and someone is goin to be killed one day if they already haven't.can you do something about this problem or are we just screwed again.
Had calipers rebuilt and rotors turned because of warpage by dealer at 12000 miles I am now at 2100 miles and have the exact same problem and they refuse to fix it under warranty saying 12000 miles is the limit to the brake warranty I know of others who have had this fixed beyond the 12000 mile mark. I only have 9000 on this set of brakes. They tell me they know of the problem but will not cover it.
Brakes are out of round, and vehicle vibrates real hard. Hard to handle, and hard to stop. Dealer feels that consumer is hitting brakes too hard, and may be abusing them. Consumer went through this once before with rear brakes, and then with front brakes.
Brakes continue to wear out at about 4-5000 miles. When worn, the brakes begin to vibrate and vehicle has difficulty stopping. The dealership has replaced the brakes three times and the front rotors 2 times. They believe that it is not a big problem. Or maybe they are waiting to me to get injured in an accident before the admit the vehicle is a lemon. I would appreciate it if you can provide me any help. Thank you.
I took my Dakota to the dealership with popping noises in the brakes and they couldn't find anything. I took it on a long trip before the 12000 mile warranty on the brakes was up. It stared vibrating when I braked. I finally got it into the dealership after the 2000 plus mile trip and they said the front disc brakes were warped and had to be turned. Cost me $168 to turn two disc brakes. That's bull! I found 30 plus complaints on the NHTSA about the same thing. I want my money back. The Dakota is a piece of crap. I traded in IT1.
We have taken this vehicle to the dealer 5 times for the rotors. 4 of the times they replaced the rotors and once they only cut them. We purchased this vehicle new and this is not normal as the dealer tried to claim in the beginning. The 4th time the dealer replaced the rotors and disc brake pads on the front and also replaced the valve, with switch assembly, brake combination. This work was done on the vehicle at 34,281 miles and now we are at 45,000 approx. And the rotors are shot again for a 5th time. This time in the vehicle also needed to have the sway bar bushing replaced. This vehicle is only 1 year old.
As of 10/22/00 until 01/14/01 I have had 18 problems with vehicle. Wont start at different times, but will restart after several minutes. Transmission stays in 3rd gear or slips in & out of gear. Brakes make growling noise & shutter. Truck will die with no warning. Has spark knock with 87 or 89 octane fuel. Many problems.
Dealer diagnosed "wobble" while braking as warped rotors and possible warped rear drums. This after 18000 miles of "normal" driving conditions. I seriously question the capabilities of the brake system that fails after such short use under mainly highway driving. This is apparently a condition on Dakotas that is becoming more prevelent and notices. Safety issues with "underengineered" brake system should be investigated. Thank you.
I would like to question of the quality of this braking system and have it checked out. I have had numerous visits to the dealer and have replaced the front rotors 4 times. I have had the rear drums and shoes replaced. I have complained about the front calipers and finally got the right front replaced in October 2000. My main consern would be that the calipers are hanging up and the rotors are heating causing warpage, or that the materials used in these components are inferior and should be improved. If the calipers are heating up the system, perhaps this could lead to fluid heat and failure thereof.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Peck, KS, USA