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.
Heater core has gone out for the second time causing hot coolant to be leaked on my feet in the cab and fogging the windows severely while driving. Research shows this is a common problem with my model year Dakota. Research also shows that once you have the problem then it will happen again frequently with no final fix. I feel this is dangerous and the manufacturer should have a permanent fix. My first failure was at 58K miles and now my second is at 69K.
My 2001 Dodge Dakota 4X4 was purchased in September 2004 with 54,000 miles on it. Right before christmas 2004 the heater core went out. I would have had to pay $900 for this repair but I talked the dealership into giving me "shop rate" of $500. Less than 10,000 miles later the heater core again needed replaced. The part was under Chrysler warranty, but the labor was not. Again the dealership worked with me and they took care of the cost of labor. Now at 80,000 miles the heater core again is needing replaced.
The consumer has replaced the heater core in his 2001 Dodge Dakota five times. When the consumer received his vehicle back, he found the repair to be insufficient. The consumer discovered that the dealer created other problems on the vehicle.
Heater core failure. Truck has 44,000 miles on it and the heater core failed. Coolant was sprayed throughout entire vehicle. Visibility was reduced to zero.
Dodge Dakota heater core defective for the 3rd time. Leaking anti-freeze on the interior of vehicle. The first time it happened, the windshield fogged up so bad I almost got into an accident on the interstate. Had to roll down window and stick head out to avoid traffic. The second time it went out was during a vacation to Connecticut. Same exact situation as the first time. Happened in newburgh, New York. This third time it happened in front of the Dodge dealership. It is going in on Monday for replacement. The first 2 times it was covered, but this time I am afraid I am going to have to pay 500-1000 to fix it. How can let this keep happening. It is a known defect. Hundreds of others are in the same shoes I am in. One guy is on his 4th heater core with only 9,000 miles on the truck. I bought that truck in good faith, and I feel they should fix the problem the first time in good faith. Not the 3rd, 4th or more. Please help.
- Hudson, WI, USA
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Heater core leaks hot (200F+)engine anti- freeze on drivers foot while driving. Mine has failed three times in 34,00 miles. If my wife had been driving with sandal's it would have scalded her foot and may have caused her to loose control of truck!!!!!!!!! additionally, the window fogged up to the point of complete loss of ability to see forward, had to open side window to pull over and clean fogging off windshield.
Noticed antifreeze smell coming out of heater vents and steam fogging up windshield and side windows, this is the third failure of heater system. Was told by service mgr that cooling system was conducting electrical charge. Dealer had grounded cooling system after second failure but after 5 months heater core failed again. Called Chrysler consumer relations and filed a complaint case # 11323644 talked with dealer on 07 June 03 Chrysler is sending field rep out to look at truck was told they don't want to buy back truck due to mileage.
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- Roswell, GA, USA