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.
After only 5 years and less than 22,000 miles, the front hydraulic brake lines from the frame to the caliper failed from intense rusting while the vehicle was on the road. Avoidance of a serious accident was only a matter of luck. The intense rust rate in the forward wheel well also caused brake pad release failures which caused increasing continuous drag and overheating of the brake and wheel assembly. No observation of the problem by dealer during ball joint recall work just 9 months prior to failure. Owner replaced hydraulic lines on both sides. Owner is now concerned with possible failure of front suspension components due to unusual rust rates.
Brake failure. Brakes would not apply and consequently ran through a busy intersection at 50 mph barely avoiding crossing traffic and stopped traffic. Found missing caliper pad. Replaced all pads on front and turned the rotors. Also replaced the rear cylinder seals. 1 week later right front brake severely overheated and was red hot after a seven mile commute home with only seven stops at low speed (normal braking). Mechanic found evidence of burned outer edge of rotor. Pads actuated normally. Re-turned right rotor to verify no warping had occurred. No parts required. Brakes have lost some stopping power since before the first incident and my confidence has been effected. Cost of repairs $400+.
2002 Dodge Dakota front brake calipers failed and the brake discs were warped. The left brake caliper failed as well. In both cases the brakes grabbed and smoke was produced. The consumer requested reimbursement.
Premature failure of the upper ball joints on my 2002 Dodge Dakota club cab pick-up with 26,465 miles. Took the vehicle to dealer to diagnose a clanking noise in the front end when turning they did not find any problem on the first visit, I returned for a second visit and I identified the upper ball joints as the problem, they checked them and agreed. They were replaced under the warranty. After reading a large number of complaints on different web sites this seems to be a common problem with the Dakotas and durangos. How about a recall! (premature front disc brake rotor failures is another common problem on both of these vehicles. Mine had to be replaced at 26,120 miles and was not covered under the warranty.)
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Annandale, NJ, USA