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.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. While driving approximately 55 mph, he heard an abnormal rattling from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnosis of the failure. The failure persisted and progressively became worse within one year. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the mechanic advised the caliber brackets were stripped. The mechanic re-drilled the caliber and bracket and installed a large bolt with a lock nut on both sides of the vehicle. The failure mileage was 85,000 and the current mileage was 96,000.
Clock spring - no horn - no drivers side airbag have replaced 2 sets of front brake calipers and lines on this truck due to front brakes locking up while driving. Nearly causing accidents.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. While driving approximately 35 mph with his foot on the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started to slow down and hesitate. The contact stopped the vehicle to allow the front disc brakes to cool off since they were dragging. The brake lines and calipers were replaced at 50,000 miles. The current mileage is 64000 and the failure mileage was 30000. The contact will add the VIN, engine size and purchase date.
Had a sudden stop in 100 degree weather, when pulled off, the truck felt as if it were pulling a load and a strong burning rubber smell was coming from the front end. Ended up having it towed to the dealership where it was found that the front calipers had seized up. Dealership was not certain as to what caused the problem. Truck only has 52,000 miles on it. Ended up putting all new braking system on the front end. A year ago had the same problem, brought into the dealership and they told me it was a sensor that controlled the ABS. Can't figure that one out, only have ABS on the rearend, not on the front. It is a scary thing when you are on the highway and you have that burning smell and smoke is bellowing from the front wheels. Dealership claims no fire would've occurred. Tained.
Front brakes rubbing on rotors causing brake pads to smoke. This caused the warping of the brake rotors. Replaced brake pads and rotors. This fixed the problem for about 1 (one) month. This time after smelling the brakes and seeing smoke, I tried to pull off the road but the truck would barely move. This is not the first problems with the brakes. I had found the front left caliper mounting bolt had become loose and stripped the bolt hole. I heli-coiled the hole and loctited the bolt in place.
- Nazareth, PA, USA
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Dodge Dakota, quad-cab, 2001 ? after heavy usage (I.e. commuter traffic) front brakes seize and lock up; leaving brakes engaged while driving. Suspect rotor warp from the heat of the brake pads thus rendering the front brakes fully engaged until the rotor cools. Dealer inspected brakes / rotor after each incident (3) to find no obvious direct cause and only made the suggestion to bring in for service when incident occurred again.
I purchased the vehicle used but it had new brakes. I had it for a month and drove approx. 1000 miles and the brake rotors became warped. I had them turned and they were fine. I drove the vehicle for approx. 5 more months and 6000 miles and the rotors became warped again. The vibrations occur very badly when braking from 50 mph-40 mph. When braking from a higher or lower speed than 40-50 there are only minor vibrations. I also have noise coming from the front drivers side suspension when turning at slow speeds and going over a bump/curb(such as to enter/leave a driveway).
Rotors are warping and being severely scored. My caplipers were badly rusted with in a year which did not let it slide properly and cause uneven pressure on the pads. This cause a pad to disintegrate while braking. I have since replaced my brake pads with performance ferro carbon pads and cross drilled vented rotors. The rotors no long warp but they are still being badly scored. And I have to keep a constant eye on pad wear.
I own a 2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4X4 sle that we purchased new. In the last 6 months, and with only 49000 miles on the truck currently, the following failures have occurred: (1) (from February 2004 to present) the factory-installed external wiring harness (for towing a trailer) melted from the inside out, shorting out the electrical system. (2) brakes would pulsate anytime brakes were applied. Dealer attributed this to warping of rotors and replaced pads and turned the rotors. Dealer noted a spring on driver-side caliper was missing and replaced it as well. (3) the heater/ac controls failed. (4) went for state inspection and inspector failed truck due to failure of upper ball joints and brakes. The same brakes I just had fixed in February. Premature failure of ball joints attributed to "typical problem for Dakotas/durangos". well if it's typical, why isn't there a recall?? the dealer had no answers. Failure was a result of calipers not releasing properly causing the rotors and brake pads to "glaze". dealer opted to pick up the tab for the new rotors and the new pads, only at my request. The new calipers and brake lines still cost me $800. Again I'm wondering why I'm paying for so much on a truck that is only 3 years old with only 49000 miles. (5) unknown problem at startup when engine is cold. Pressing the accelerator causes the engine to sputter. Problem exists until engine is warm then goes away. Two Dodge dealerships and neither can figure out the problem as there is no computer error code coming up. All items mentioned were paid for by me unless otherwise specified. Had any of these issues been a result of negligence, or lots of mileage, or had the Dodge dealership(s) opted to pay for items that were the obvious result of poor craftsmanship, I wouldn't complain. But, the failures relating to the brakes could quite possibly have resulted in an accident which risks my life and that of my wife, and Dodge doesn't seem to care.
While applying the brakes they locked up. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the calipers needed to be replaced, and replaced them five times. However, problem recurred.
Front rotors "warped" at 13K. Rotors turned. Problem persisted and had to be turned again at 31K. 61K had front rotors and brake pads replaced. Brake assembly fell apart in mechanics hands. 72K problem still persists and dealer suggest having rotors turned every 3K miles. Huh??
Consumer complained about a brake problem. While driving at any speed brakes locked up. Vehicle had been to dealer on 4 separate occasions. Dealer replaced rotors, booster power unit, calipers, master cylinder and pads. Vehicle was still having the same problem.
While driving, a strong odor of burning brakes was smelled. There was a large plume of smoke coming from the front left wheel well, and the vehicle was pulling to the right. The truck had to be stopped for fear of fire or injury. Dodge states that the front left caliper seized, causing damage to the relatively new front rotors and pads I purchased. Last July, approximately 7 months ago, the truck's right front brake caliper seized, causing a similar situation only on the opposite side of the vehicle. Dodge refuses to admit fault in supplying faulty parts to customers. Brake calipers should not fail under normal driving conditions after 36,000-42,000 miles. After numerous other mechanical problems with this vehicle I have lost complete confidence in it, and believe it to be a safety hazard for myself and others on the road.
My Dodge Dakota has had the original rotors warp at 14000 miles, they were turned once and again at 23K they warpped. I have now installed new Napa premium lifetime warranty rotors and they lasted 600 bafore warpage. I have replaced the calipers in the event they were not releasing all the way yet still the same problem. Perhaps Dodge has a lack of ventilation on the Dakota rotors. Seems like a recall problem!
While driving, front end of vehicle pulls severely to the right, dealer can not identify cause of problem. Control arm was replaced. Calipers were replaced. Dealer found air leak with the gas tank and replaced the fuel pump, this was causing the engine light to illuminate.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Glen Ferris, WV, USA