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.
Just like other 2005 Dodge Dakota owners reported with the steering rack pinion failed. Fluid leak at steering rack pinion which caused vehicle to pulled to right. It failed to turned back to right after failed. Could have been worst if not for me went to an open field. No injury or damaged reported. It should have not failed on truck with only 39500 miles.
To whom it may concern: I was referred to you by www.carcomplaints.com.they felt that what I had to say may be safety related. I have a 2005 Dodge Dakota 4X4. I bought this truck new. Starting in may of 2010 I started to hear a clunking noise in the front, or maybe rear end, only when I turn left or right.I have been to 3 garages and the last one being a dealership. I have replaced both lower ball joints, both front stab links, both tie rods, both rear stab links, and as recent as this Sept.,both leaf springs. The truck still has the same noise and I'm out $2000. The dealer doesn't even know what's wrong. Now, all this happened before the truck turned 50,000. Miles. I know it's out of warranty. I also, know now, the manufacturer's have studies on how long a vehicle is to last in order for the consumer to give it a passing grade as to by it again. I have had many trucks in my day and I maintained all just as well as this one. I had an S10 4X4 with 120,000 miles on it and the front and rear end was as tight as the day I bought it. An accident ended that vehicle. I think Dodge should find out what's wrong and fix it at their expense. Not mine or the dealership but, theirs!!!!!! I know my purchase will not make or break Dodge. However, I am one and done with Dodge products and I will continue to spread the word about my troubles with my Dakota. I'm asking you too, to go on line and google Dodge Dakota 2005 front end or suspension troubles. You will not be disappointed. Thank you for your time!
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving the steering wheel locked up at any speed. The contact stated that the failed component was the intermediary shaft. When he lubricated it with WD40 the vehicle began to steer normally for a short time. The dealer stated that the vehicle could be repaired at the owners expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 57,000. Updated 02/02/11
2005 Dodge Dakota. Defective steering components. 68,000 miles. Vehicle shakes during braking and at highway speed. One diagnosis stated 4 defective ball joints and upper control arms requiring replacement. Another diagnosis by a Dodge dealer states one defective ball joint, defective rack and pinion and brake calipers sticking. Dodge states there is not a recall on the mentioned parts for my particular vehicle.
2005 Dodge Dakota play in steering every since purchased one year ago as an off lease return. Now truck is in shop due to accident involving front end damage from impact with pillar / pole. Accident unrelated to steering problem. Was contacted by repair shop today and they state all is repaired except the unrelated steering problem and that it is not part of accident and will be separate cost if I want it repaired and that it is loose steering column and rack and pinion loose
- Branson, MO, USA
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2005 Dodge Dakota front end was making a rattling noise. Took it to my mechanic and he said the lower ball joint is bad. What gives with all of these problems with the front end of these Dakotas without any recalls. Jeep had a recall on the same problem.
In January, 2009, noticed a growling in the front end of the 2005 Dodge Dakota (~43,000) with difficulty turning corners. Took it to several repair shops who indicated that the front end needed work, including but not limited to, ball joints, tie-rods, tires at a cost over $1000. Took it to a Dodge dealer who indicated that only needed grease and greased. In the past week, March, 2009, shimming and noise in front end when turning. Took to Dodge dealer who indicated that the tie-rods, sway bars and tires (split) needed repair cost >$1000. Took it to another repair shop and received same news plus ball joints were worn. Having work done and wanted to report since I noticed that there seems to be a number of incidents related to same issue on your website. No injuries but there was the possibility if the front end had failure on the highway while driving on icy/snowy/wet roads.
I have a 2005 Dodge Dakota slt. I purchased it in 10/2005. I have had problems with this truck since I first bought it. Recently I had to replaced the tire rods, sway bar and linkage, brakes, calipers, and rotors. Two days after I had all of these things fixed I noticed that the truck was still shaking and making a lot of noise. When I brought the truck to Dodge I was informed that the rear axle in the truck needed to be replaced. I was told that when the truck was manufactured the wrong size axle was put in the truck. This caused all kinds of problems. I was told that other parts are damaged and need to be replaced and repaired.(rear brake shoes, front disc rotors) I was told that the axle part is covered under warranty but I have to pay the $100 deductible. I was told that everything else that is damaged (due to the axle) and requires repair and replacement is not covered because it is considered "normal wear and tear". I was given a quote of somewhere around $400. (depending on labor) my complaint is simple, I am being forced to pay for damaged parts on my truck that are directly caused by the manufactures error. A problem that can be proved to be the manufacturers fault. I was sold a vehicle that had the wrong axle installed. Which then caused additional problems. When I bought this truck I was under the impression that the manufactures made the vehicle properly. They did not. They sold me a truck with the wrong part installed. Not only is this wrong but there should be some kind of an investigation into this. If the wrong size axle is in my truck, there are other trucks that also have the wrong size axle installed. It is dangerous and suspicious. I think it is even safe to say that it is fraud too! selling trucks that have the wrong parts installed and then making profit from the repairs and replacements. Sounds like fraud to me.
Bought a 2005 Dodge Dakota with 61,000 miles on it...was driving about 30 mph after picking up my child and all of a sudden lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle pulled me right off the road almost into a ditch where I was finally able to come to a stop and get out. To hear that my tire is about to fall off. The tie-rod had broke away and I lost control, if I had been going any faster I probably would have rolled the vehicle and may have injured my family or other people. I had the vehicle towed to a mechanic where he had told me these models do not have a nipple to lube the tie-rods so they break often. This should not be happening I could have been killed as could have my mother and 2 year old daughter or even someone else on the road. A vehicle with 61000 miles should not be having these issues. This problem should be resolved before someone does get hurt or even worse killed!
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. While driving at any speed, but particularly at speeds between 50-70 mph, the steering wheel vibrates out of the contact's hand when the brake pedal is depressed. The dealer replaced the front rotors and brakes. Two weeks later, the failure recurred. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 32,000 and failure mileage was 20,000.
Consistent driveline vibration, unable to diagnose or repair. I took my 2005 Dodge laramie quad cab in for a front end alignment on March 5, 2007 to try and repair the previously mentioned problem. Since this time I have had the truck back to the dealership a minimum of ten times and it has been in their possession at least 60 days. The dealer has virtually replaced all of the front end parts, brakes, rotors, calipers, rotated tires, replaced and tried eleven (11) Michelin tires, balanced, high speed balanced, my rims have over fifty notches where they have placed weights to balance the tires without result. Similar complaints lead me to believe this is a safety issue and needs investigated since by their own admission they can not diagnose the problem.
My 2005 Dodge Dakota has has a steering problem starting July 2005. The vehicle makes a loud noise/squealing sound when steering is turned either right or left. This noise is made with little movement of the steering wheel and continues to the stop. The vehicle has been serviced three times replacing the belt and tensioner twice, power steering pump, and power steering rack. Vehicle still makes noise and dealership has no idea what problem is. I contacted corporate and advised them of the problem and have been getting the run around from them also. They do not know what the problem is, yet they tell me it is safe to drive! as of today they continue to tell me that engineering is looking into the problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Iron Stationi, NC, USA