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.
Both front brake rotors needed to be replaced with approximately 30,000 miles on truck. The brakes had been checked regularly during the recommended maintenance and no indication of trouble had been made prior to the failure.
Vehicle = 2002 Dodge Dakota quad cab - V6 (currently @ 49,000 miles) took vehicle to independent mechanic for annual inspection and was told that both the upper and lower ball joints were worn excessively and would totally fail in approximately 1000 miles. After further investigation on numerous websites I have found this problem to be quite common and is what was causing the feeling of loss of control when hitting bumps in the road at speed, strange noises when turning slowly, and it also seems this is what could have led to my premature brake failures (which I had to have my rotors ground at approx 25K miles). I will be speaking to my dealer tomorrow directly - my girlfriend had called them for me because I was out of town for work and it sounds as though they are claiming they have never heard of the problem. This appears to be quite a common problem and had my mechanic not caught the problem doing the annual inspection it would have definitely caused an extreme safety hazard. Hopefully something is being done to remedy this problem. Thanks.
The brakes on my truck started pulsating at around 13000 miles. I called the dealership to ask about this problem and they said the brakes need a checkup but are out of warranty so they'll have to charge me for everything. This shouldn't be happening on a brand new vehicle. The truck starts to vibrate and shake almost violently when light braking pressure is applied. I'm in the process of getting my brakes/rotor replaced.
I have had to turn my front rotors on my 2002 Dodge Dakota 4.7L, 4WD quad cab 4 times in 40,000 miles. The dealership blames it on rain cooling the rotors too fast. I do strictly highway driving, and the vibration that occurs is nerve racking. I have seen many complaints on consumer sites regarding this. Please consider this for a recall.
- Kill Devil Hills, NC, USA
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At 35,500 I was told that my front brakes and rotors had to be replaced because the rotors were pitted and brakes were worn. I could understand brakes pads need replacing (although I do most driving on a highway therefore not using brakes much) but rotors need replacing because of pitting; something is wrong here. In addition, ever since I've had this truck (rear anti-lock brakes) I notice that when the anti-lock kicks in it seems as though I've lost alot of braking power. I've found myself in the middle of an intersection at times because the truck wouldn't stop and I was not going that fast. I had a truck cut in front of me one day on the highway (someone in front of him had stopped) and the only way I advoided hitting him was to drive off on the shoulder of the road; the brakes quit working. I have a '92 Dakota with rear anti-lock brakes and it stops with out problems.
Premature failure of the front disc brake rotors. Had a severe pulsation when braking at approximately. 26,000 miles. Dealer stated that the brakes were not covered on the 3year/36,000 bumper to bumper warranty, brakes were only covered for 1year/12,000. I took the vehicle to a meineke shop at 26,120 miles and they told me the rotors were too deeply pitted to be resurfaced and needed to be replaced. The pads still had plenty of life, almost like new. I had them replace the pads and rotors which cost me $275.35. I believe these rotors failed prematurely and caused extended braking distances and some loss of vehicle control.
Experiencing pulsation and pull to the side under braking. Problem originated at approximately 25,000 miles and currently at 33,000 miles it now feels unsafe. Dealer states front rotors are warped and need machined to specifications and that rotors are a "wear" item and not covered under the 3 yrs./36,000 miles "bumper to bumper" warranty. I see that there are numerous complaints already on file regarding this issue, so being that I am no expert in braking systems or theory I will leave that debate to others, however I will say that my experience with other vehicles and manufacturers would lead me to believe that rotors should last at least 70,000 to 80,000 miles before needing to be machined. The other three vehicles my family has recently owned were all driven beyond 70,000 miles, all without ever needing the rotors turned.
My 2002 Dodge Dakota 4X4 had a defect in the brakes/rotors which had to be replaced at 30000 miles. From checking chat sites this is apparently a very common problem with this truck. Dodge told me that they were not going to do anything for me that the truck was not under warranty.
I am having problems with the brakes, which causes a shudder under moderate braking. The front brake pads are dragging all of the time, causing the rotors to overheat and warp. The warped rotors are the only problem that the dealer acknowledges, but there is obviously some defect that is causing the rotors to warp after only 15,000 miles.
Front brake rotors had to be turned/replaced at approx. 17000 miles. Dealership said they would not replace as brakes only have 1yr/12000 mile warranty. Repair facility only replaces with oem parts, so they will probably have to be replaced again in another 15-20000 miles. This is unacceptable. Also appears I will now have to replace ball joints at approx. 18500 miles. These parts should last much longer than this. Vehicle is 2002 Dodge Dakota cc 4X4 4.7L engine.
With no advance warning my 2002 Dodge Dakota began experiencing severe steering wheel vibration whenever the brakes were activated. I immediately brought the vechicle into the dealership and was charged $148 dollars to machine the front rotors of my truck. The truck (used as transportation to my desk job) has 24,000 miles on it, is a manual transmission, and is highway driven so the brakes do not see alot of activity. A check of the Dakota.com site indicates many rotor problems with low mileage Dakota series trucks. I believe either the brake rotors are not designed properly or are being made of material that cannot support safe performance within a 25,000 mile lifecycle. I have never had to have any brake maintenance performed on any of my other vehicles (other than inspection) before 75,000 miles and I am concerned that the problem will reoccur without warning.
Defective brakes and rotors. There are many, many others just like myself going through the same problem. Either it is a portioning problem which the causes the majority of the braking weight to be absorbed by the front brakes which causes rotors to warp due to the self adjusting back brakes, which do not function properly. Or the fact that the front rotors are not sufficient to carry the weight of the V8 quads. Either way, there are too many postings to list from other Dodge truck owners at www.dodgetalk.com and www.dodgedakotas.com forums that list the same problem. The fix is unfortunate for owners as it can range anywhere from $600 - $1500. When you purchase a truck that costs $25,000 - $35,000 you are putting your money into something that should be durable beyond the standard 12,000 warranties on this particular item. I've read postings whereas people have had this problem start at the low mileage of 5,000 up to 25,000 miles. This is unacceptable!! I've contacted Chrysler and received an "oh well, it's your problem not ours" attitude. This problem started at approx 20,800 miles for me under normal highway driving conditions. This is my 2nd complaint on your website!! please help us!!!! everyone who has contacted Chrysler has gotten the same response. I've read where some of the owners received warranty repair within the 12,000 mileage range only to have it happen again after the warranty limitations without help from Chrysler beyond the 12,000 even though it was an issue that was on going prior to the expiration. With the cost of vehicles these days and the outrageous monthly payments, this should not be happening. Chrysler is not responding to any of us. Help!!! to say that brakes are not a safety issue is ludicrous!!!
Bad vibrations in front brakes. Rotors were visibly worn and had pits in them. This was only after 16,000 mi. All highway driving, no towing or off road driving. Was out of warrenty and had to have the rotors turned. I have since found out many have this issue. Could prove to be a serious issue if not taken care of.
Front rotor on 2002 Dakota warping for second time. Had them turned about 10,000 miles ago and are already starting to warp again. Dealer offering non-warranty solution. Dealer admits it is common with the Dakotas and durangos but there is no recall notice on them so there is nothing they can do.
My rotors on my Dodge Dakota 4X4 (2002) began to warp at 15,000 miles. I am now at 40,000 miles and the vibration has become so bad that I will be replacing them. This problem is so bad that it is a very bad safety issue. I have heard many other people having the same problem. I have never had to replace rotors before 80,000 miles. In my opinion a recall should be issued for this safety defect in this vehicle.
Front brake rotors are warped/pulsate/out of round. Pads are still ok, have torques lug nuts everytime to 95 ft/lbs with a hand torque wrench. Rear brakes drums are constantly adjusted.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Holliston, MA, USA