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.
December 6, 2004 I own a 2002 Dodge Dakota quad cabu and noticed a shaking feeling when applying my brakes when going down hill on 11/25/04. This problem has continued to happen. I have also noticed that when going over bumps that there is a loud creaking noise. I brought my vehicle in for any oil change and asked to have a road test done to see what might be causing the problems. I was informed by the mechanic that my front brake rotors were completly rusted, rotted out, and had grooves all over them. I was also informed that my ball joints were "shot" and needed to be replaced. I have 22,000 miles on my Dakota and do not believe that this is exceptable to have my front brakes completely replaced! I spoke to the service manager at the dealership I purchased the Dakota from and was told that Dodge's warranty only covers brakes for 12 months or 12,000 miles! after reading the NHTSA's complaints for a similiar problem, I see that this problem seems to happen when the vehicle's mileage is approximately between 20,000-25,000 miles. Not very happy with Dodge about this problem! dealership did not seem to be very understanding.
The front brakes on my truck was diagnosed with defective rotors. I do mostly highway driving so I expected 40,000 to 50,000 miles on the front brakes. I had 15,000 miles on the truck for its 1st brake inspection and was told at that time that I still had approximately 80% of pads left. I brought the truck in at 31,000 and requested to have the brakes inspected again. I was taken by surprise when they told me that the rotors were shot and asked to see them before I would authorize a repair. The mechanic told me that there was over 50% of the brake pads left but somehow the brake rotors were scored so badly that they could not be cut down to repair them, they must be replaced, and I could also see that the rotors were that bad. Considering that there was a lot of brake pad left I opted not to spend the $565 at this time and get more life out of the brakes. They still stop the vehicle with no problems. I feel that this should be looked into.. defective metal in the rotors, ( not hard enough ), defective pads, ( hard steel embedded in them ) etc.
Shaking in front end when brakes are applied, also rattle in front end. Dodge dealer found front brake rotors to be severely rusted and pitted and that brake pad clips were completely rusted off front pads causing rattle. Rotors and pads were replaced and old parts are available. Dodge refused to pay for repairs.
My rotors were trashed at 20,000 miles on the 2002 Dodge dakato. I do basic driving and found out from a forum website on dakatos that there are so many people with this problem. A mechanic from the dealership told me that he fixes double the rotors on dakatos that he does on any other vehicle.
Warped disc rotors on 2002 Dakota with 16000 miles. Dodge refuses to cover under warranty. It appears that there are excessive early rotor failures on Dakota's as identified by NHTSA complaints. This is a serious safety issue and may be related to defective calipers causing the problem.
At around 15000 miles I noticed the brakes starting to pulse or drag during normal stopping. At 18000 miles I was told by midas that rotor failure in this vehicle was a big problem, and that I would have to replace them many times during the life of my truck.
Update to complaint 10028872. After having the rotors turned (recut to safe specifications) at 24,000 the same severe vibrations and shaking came back at 27,000. Even light braking pressure caused the vehicle to swerve to the left and across lane markers. I noticed that when the truck was driven after sitting overnight all braking functions were normal. After driving approximately thirty miles the shaking and pulling to the side came back without warning. I had the rotors, calipers, and pads all replaced with high performance parts (slotted & cross drilled rotors, ceramic pads). Now at 37,000 with no further issues (as of this writing) on the brakes. I am deeply concerned that a less experienced driver could lose control of their vehicle resulting from this brake system defect.
Intermittently the brakes failed to release fully after being depressed. The brake pedal came back up when released, but the brakes dragged. When this occurred, the front rotors overheated. The dealership turned the front rotors, but the failure recurred a month later. This time the rear brake drums overheated.
While driving at any speed and when brake were depressed pedal pulsated. Vehicle was serviced, and technician turned the rotors at 34, 000 miles. Vehicle has a problem with the ball joint in the past, which concerned the consumer.
Have had my 2002 Dodge Dakota quad cab for less than three years and already have had to replace my rotors twice! and it only has $44,000 miles on it. I am sure that after another 10-15 thousand miles that the vehicle will again begin to shake and vibrate when I put on the brake and sure enough I will have to go and have them replaced yet again. From everything that I read here there are tons of people out there having the same exact problem and it doesn't seem like anyone out there want to do anything about it so I will do my part and post my problems here hoping someone gets off their butt to do something about it and from now on, no more Chrysler vehicles for me.
Dodge Dakota 4X4 2002 /have been experiencing front end problems with truck since purchase. Brought in numerous times to dealer for brake issues[front rotors, pads, rear drums and discs].told multiple times there is no problem, its the way you drive. Truck has never been abused, very well cared for. After the 5th time to dealer finnally told that the upper ball joints need replacment.this was after one full year of denial.notified dealer of noise at the steering wheel, told they could not vrify the complaint would probably go away after replacing upper ball joints.one week later after replacment of upper ball joints, same noise reoccured [loud clunking sound at front end]took back to dealer only to be told that the bottom ball joints need replacment, no mention one week prior about wear on lower area.dealer also stated that the noise noted coming from stering wheel from previous complaints was now thought to be an intermiediate shaft in the steering column, this same noise that one week earlier could not be identified.at 30,000 miles my entire differential gear assembbly needed replacment.I have been charged multiple warranty deductibles on what seems to me to be, the same problem and possibly a canidate for lemon status.at what point will the consumers right's be protected.I am joining a class action lawsuit in regards to Chrysler/daimler and suggest to everyone who reads this to do the same.check out www.dodgetalk.com for info and links.also I reccomend to anyone who has had problems with their daeler in terms of denials/non repairs/faulty workmanship/or any related costs out of pocket to file formal complaints and contact a local lemon law attorney in relation to their actions and lack of proper business ethics.only until we make change happen can we acctually achieve it.good luck to everyone who reads this.
Front rotors on my 2002 Dodge Dakota are habitually warping under normal driving conditions. Upon replacement of the rotors with raybestos severe duty rotors, they warped again. The dealership won't touch the issue upon requests.
Oh where to start? first the brakes and rotors seem to be a common problem. Mine are also bad. 20,000 miles shredded and had to replace rotors at my expense. They cannot support the wait of a 5.9 L V8 quad cab. Dodge needs to rectify this problem swiftly. Customer service has not been exactly friendly on this matter. Like all the testimonies I have read they seem to get the same attitude " oh well, its your problem." Also the transmission shifting from 1st T0 2nd is rough. Dealer has checked this several times, but they same everything is normal. Also when servicing front brakes I found the caliper pin was strip. So much for hardened steel. Also I had some bad tread wear on the Goodyear Wrangler rts tires. Dealer told the were ok. Said it was called second tread wear. Second tread from outboard of tire was bald all other were ok. It would be nice for Dodge to address these problems when I bring my car to them, but I do like the way the dealer cleans my car everytime.
2002 Dakota pk front brake rotors poor quality castings, pittted causing shimmy on braking. Vehicle still in warranty. Company advises vehicle not in warranty.
Brake rotors are warped. Started at approximately 20,000 miles. Way to early to be warped. Have read of many others with same problem. Also heard noise from front suspension, thought it might be ball joint or suspension problem, but dealer stated that it is ok. Read quite a bit about ball joint problems on same vehicle.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Duxbury, VT, USA