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.
I was driving to pa from fl in my 2002 Dodge Dakota quad cab with a V-8 4.7L engine (msrp $27,000)when I heard a ticking noise while in SC. All fluid levels were fine, so I continued on my journey on tues. Oct. 11, 2005 I found out the diagnosis which was that 3 rods inside the engine had seized and a new engine was required to fix it. I was shocked and assumed that Chrysler would take responsibility since I had an extended warranty through Chrysler. The Chrysler adjustor finally arrived to check out my truck on fri. Oct. 14 and that is when I heard the horrendous news that Chrysler was not taking responsibility for their end of the contract and stated that there was a lack of maintenance on my truck. After I found that out I immediately had all of my maintenance records faxed to me from fl which proved that I faithfully changed my oil every 3,000 miles or less. I assumed that this would be sufficient for them to fix my engine. I decided to leave SC due to costly hotel expenses and had my sister come from va to pick my daughter and I up where we at least had a free place to stay temporarily till my truck was fixed. I found out the terrible news on mon. Oct. 24th that my maintenance records meant nothing to the Chrysler corporation. I received the response "lack of maintenance" as being the reason why they would not take responsibility. I was shocked that my extended warranty that I paid almost $1800 for to cover this type of situation would not cover this repair. My truck had 41,369 miles on it when the engine seized. The estimate I received for repairing the engine was $7,301. I called Chrysler customer service and asked why my maintenance records were not honored and was told "this is the final decision mam". I asked for faxes to be sent to me regarding the adjustors report & a letter from Chrysler saying that responsibility was not being taken by them for the repair and was told that they could not send that to me.
In Oct.2002 my truck shut off while driving down the road. In the past the truck had shut off in reverse or when I was at a dead stop and then press the gas, but this time I had to drive with my foot on the gas and the brake at the same time and then put it in neutral at a stop to keep the gas going. I had also had a problem with my blinkers. You turn the left one on and occasionally the right one will blink to-like "hazard lights". my dash board would also light up while driving or even when I come to a stop at a light. I put it off until the driving down the road. The dealership said it was a computer problem and the truck had been doing it since day 1, they couldn't find the problem to the blinkers. Also the A/C condesation line had a crack in it and was leaking into my passenger side floor-that was a second trip. Now my truck is haveing the same shut-off problem starting just like it did last time-so now I am looking into the "lemon law", it seems to apply so far.
Consumer states vehicle special ordered with power windows and locks stalled out 3 times. Dealer replaced blown ignition fuse, replaced fuse that shorten relating to the installation of the power windows and locks and replaced a mis-routed wiring in the ignition switch. In addition, the electric locks do not work, and the light switch must be jiggled in order to turn the lights off. Consumer is requesting replacement of another Dakota (slt) model.
Engine stumbles at 2300 RPM, two dealers have said problem is characteristic and not repairable. Steering is stiff at center very light elsewhere causing oversteering at the transition, also characteristic according to dealers. Steering problem amplified starting from stop and turning corner. Excessive vehicle roll and stumbling accentuates steering instability. Also noticable on freeway entrance/exit ramps when steering is on the transition between heavy and light effort.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Annville, PA, USA