1997 Dodge Dakota Owner Complaints

BRAKE LINE CRODDED, LOSS OF BRAKES IN MOTION IN DRIVEWAY

NHTSA ID

11074563

Incident

Jan 31, 2018

Mileage

184,231 mi

HEADLIGHTS KEEP FAILING. HAVE CHANGED HEADLIGHT SWITCH SEVERAL TIMES, BUT FAILS AGAIN. TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE. CRUISE CONTROL IS DIFFICULT TO ACTIVATE. SOMETIMES TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR

NHTSA ID

10911071

Incident

Jul 8, 2016

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10863588

Incident

Apr 28, 2016

TOOK VEHICLE TO DODGE DEALER (BRYDEN MOTORS BELOIT) FOR INSPECTION OF FUEL LINE AND BRAKES (FUEL LINE IS NOT RIGHT AND REAR BRAKE LINE IS LEAKING AFFECTING BRAKING) FUEL LINE PART WAS ORDERED NUT BRAKES WERE NOT INSPECTED AND IGNORED. I AM SUPPOSED TO RETURN WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON TO HAVE ORDERED FUEL LINE PART(S) INSTALLED.

NHTSA ID

10722378

Incident

May 29, 2015

Mileage

118,000 mi

3 DAYS AFTER WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE THE FUEL SYSTEM WENT DOWN. REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND STILL WANTS TO STALL AND ACT LIKE ITS CLOGGED IN THE FUEL LINES. ITS BEEN FLUSHED. WHEN DRIVING IT BOGS DOWN AND CHUGS. IT WANTS TO DIE AND SHUT OFF WHILE YOUR DRIVING THE TRUCK. THE BRAKES ONLY WORK HALF THE TIME. MOST OF THE TIME I CAN'T EVEN STOP UNTIL I'M HALFWAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. REPLACED ALL THE SENSORS AND STILL DOESN'T WANT TO START AND STAY RUNNING. FUEL PUMP KICKS ON, BUT HAS TO RUN EXTRA HARD TO TRY AND KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10706503

Incident

Sep 26, 2014

Mileage

171,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR EMITTING OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V199000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10661594

Incident

Nov 20, 2014

Mileage

121,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 00V199000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID

10632232

Incident

Aug 4, 2014

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER FRONT SEAT WAS UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10586050

Incident

Nov 23, 2011

Mileage

125,000 mi

LOCKED VEHICLE IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE HIGH, STARTED GOING THROUGH FLAT PASTURE, EITHER BRAKES LOCKED UP OR FRONT PUMKIN TURNED UP AND LOCKED FRONT WHEELS UP, LOST CONTROL AND ROLLED ONTO DRIVER SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10552659

Incident

Jun 28, 2013

Mileage

190,000 mi

BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH. BURST WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY. REPLACED ALL BRAKE LINES. *JS

NHTSA ID

10455932

Incident

Apr 11, 2000

Mileage

86,000 mi

REPLACE RUSTED RADIATOR. *JS

NHTSA ID

10455931

Incident

Apr 18, 2012

Mileage

113,600 mi

REPLACED RUSTED RADIATOR. *JS

NHTSA ID

10455930

Incident

Feb 7, 2000

Mileage

70,916 mi

CAR LOST POWER AND LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SCANNER SHOWED CODE P0740; TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM. HAD TO OVERHAUL TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. *JS

NHTSA ID

10453604

Incident

Dec 28, 2007

Mileage

137,141 mi

PREMATURE WEAR AND FAILURE OF UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. TRUCK WAS MAKING POPPING NOISES WHEN YOU TURNED THE WHEEL OR WENT OVER BUMPS. TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC; MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE SCARY BAD. MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT IF I HAD NOT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN THE FRONT WHEELS COULD HAVE BROKEN OFF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO WRECK. *JS

NHTSA ID

10453601

Incident

Aug 1, 2006

Mileage

124,219 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE HEATER BLOWER MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO HEAT THE VEHICLE INTERIOR OR UTILIZE THE DEFROSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS WHERE THE HEATER BLOWER, MOTOR AND BLOWER FAN WERE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO ADDED MORE ANTI-FREEZE TO THE VEHICLE BUT NONE OF THE REPAIRS REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,400. UPDATED 3/1/11 *CN UPDATED 07/01/11

NHTSA ID

10377177

Incident

Aug 23, 2004

Mileage

96,400 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND DISCOVERED FUEL LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 120,000. UPDATED 02/03/11*LJ UPDATED 03/17/11

NHTSA ID

10361018

Incident

Oct 5, 2010

Mileage

120,000 mi

DUE TO POOR CHOICE OF MATERIALS (I ASSUME) THE FRONT HUB AND SPINDLE ASSEMBLY WEARS. LEAVING FRONT BRAKE SLIDER PINS UNATTACHED TO CALIPER MOUNTING PLATE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE FRONT CALIPER WOBBLES IN IT'S PLACE, POSSIBLY EJECTING THE SLIDEPINS BECAUSE THEY "WOBBLE" IN THE KNUCKLE HOLES DESIGNED TO RETAIN THEM. THIS CAUSES EXCESS WEAR ON THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY, INCREASED WEAR IN BRAKES, AND STRESS ON THE HUB BEARINGS. HAVING READ THE "ALLDATA" DATA BASE, THERE IS A REDESIGNED KNUCKLE WITH IMPROVED SLIDE PIN SUPPORTS. THERE ALSO IS A REPAIR KIT INVOLVING THE USAGE OF "HELI-COIL" INSERTS TO SECURE BRAKE PAD CARRIER TO SPINDLE ASSEMBLY. (SLIDE PINS) I FEEL TOTALLY UNSAFE WITH THIS ARRANGEMENT. I PREFER TO HAVE THE RE-DESIGNED SPINDLE ASSEMBLIES INSTALLED FOR FREE BY DEALER WITH UP-DATED PART NUMBERS. THE DEALER WANTS $1000 PER SIDE FOR THE REDESIGNED UNITS. I THINK THIS IS ABSURD. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD CAUSE LOSS OF LIFE DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE BRAKE ASSEMBLIES IN PLACE IS THE WHEEL, ITSELF!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10267391

Incident

Apr 30, 2009

Mileage

180,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TREAD FROM ONE OF THE TIRES BEGAN TO STRIKE THE DOOR AND FRONT FENDER OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE COMPLETELY SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE. THE REMAINDER OF THE TIRES REMAINED INFLATED. THE CONTACT DID NOT DRIVE OR ANY POTHOLES OR OTHER ROAD HAZARDS TO CAUSE THE FAILURE. HE TOOK THE TIRE BACK TO THE STORE FROM WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED FOR FREE. THE TIRE SIZE, TIRE LINE, AND REMAINING TREAD DEPTH WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,408. UPDATED 03/17/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 03/17/09. *JB

NHTSA ID

10260028

Incident

Jan 14, 2009

Mileage

90,408 mi

THE BALL JOINTS ON MY 97 DODGE DAKOTA ARE WORN OUT. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND SUPPOSEDLY THERE IS A RECALL IN EFFECT FOR NEWER DAKOTAS AS THOUGH THE PROBLEM DIDN'T START UNTIL AFTER 1997. THIS IS A FAULTY PART FROM THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND ITS REPAIR (AMONGST THE MANY OTHER MANUFACTURING FAULT REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE) IS RUINING ME FINANCIALLY IN THIS ECONOMY. I SHOULD NOT BE HELD FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR A CAR MAKERS INEPT MANUFACTURING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10246633

Incident

Oct 22, 2008

Mileage

170,000 mi

THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER BOLTS TO THE STEERING KNUCKLE ON A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA, 4WD. DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE DESIGN, THE THREADS THAT HOLD THE BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING STUDS CAN STRIP OUT, THEREBY LEAVING THE CALIPER TO FLOAT ON THE KNUCKLE. UNDER PROLONGED USE, THESE STUDS CAN BACK OUT, LETTING THE CALIPER FALL OFF, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE, THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR THE THIRD TIME NOW, ONCE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND TWICE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE THREADS STRIP OUT, AND THE MOUNTING BOSS SECTION IS SO SMALL THAT A LARGER THREAD CANNOT BE RETAPPED WITHOUT DANGER OF BREAKING THE HOLE OUT. AUTO PARTS SUPPLIERS SELL SLIGHTLY OVERSIZE, SELF TAPPING STUDS, BUT THESE DO NOT LAST LONG. THE STEERING KNUCKLE IS A VERY PRICEY PART (ON THE ORDER OF $600 JUST FOR THE PART) AND CONTINUING REPLACEMENT IS COST PROHIBITIVE. MY VEHICLE IS APPARENTLY NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM, AS A SEARCH OF SALVAGE YARDS REVEALED NUMEROUS STRIPPED OUT THREADS ON VEHICLES WHERE THE STEERING KNUCKLE WAS ACTUALLY AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10222670

Incident

Mar 12, 2008

Mileage

70,000 mi

MY BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS WERE GOING BAD AT 54,000 MILES. DODGE WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. ALSO, MY TRANSMISSION STARTED TO GO BAD AT 74,000 MILES. 2ND GEAR WENT OUT, THEN IT WENT COMPLETELY OUT AT 91,000 MILES. OBVIOUSLY DODGE WASN'T GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WONT BUY ANOTHER DODGE AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10220369

Incident

Feb 14, 2006

Mileage

54,000 mi

BALL JOINT FAILURES: TRUCK FAILED STATE INSPECTION DUE TO DEFECTIVE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS OR BALL JOINT AND LOWER CONTROL ARM. ANOTHER BALL JOINT HAD BEEN REPLACED THE PREVIOUS YEAR. ALL DEFECTS OCCURRED AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES. THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE DAKOTA AND CHRYSLER WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS. PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON DOZENS OF INTERNET SITES, BLOGS, ETC AND ALL MECHANICS AND STATE INSPECTORS ALL NOD KNOWINGLY ABOUT THE DODGE PICKUP. THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE AND FAILURE OF BALL JOINTS IS NOT A PROBLEM IN ALMOST ANY CAR EXCEPT CHRYSLER PRODUCTS. HOW DO THEY GET AWAY WITH THIS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND CRASHES AND AT UNDER 50,000 MILES. IT IS TIME NHTSA FORCES DODGE TO RECALL AND REIMBURSE ALL COSTS TO THOSE ALREADY HAVING PAID FOR SUCH REPAIRS. THIS SHOULD BE APPLICABLE FOR ANY YEAR VEHICLE UP TO AT LEAST 100,000. I HAVE OWNED OVER A DOZEN VEHICLES AND MOST DRIVEN OVER 100,000 AND ONE AT 145,000 AND ONE 200,000 AND HAVE NEVER REPLACE BUT ONE BALL JOINT ON A 1970 CUTLASS. ONLY ONE HIGH MILEAGE VEHICLE WITH CV JOINTS BUT MAYBE NO BALL JOINTS HAD TO HAVE A CV JOINT REPLACED. THIS DOES NOT SPEAK WELL OF CHRYSLER/DODGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10214616

Incident

Jul 15, 2007

Mileage

50,000 mi

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 50,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO BOG DOWN WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES IT WOULD ONLY GO ABOUT 5 MPH WHILE REVING ABOUT 3500 RPM. PAID FOR TOW TO DODGE DEALER IN HAMPTON VA FOR ANALYSIS AND REPAIR. TOW OPERATOR REMARKED ALMOST ALL DODGE DAKOTAS TOWED FOR TRANNY WORK ENDED UP COSTING $2300-$2900 FOR A REPLACEMENT. I WAS LUCKY AND ONLY HAD TO REPLACE ALL PRESSURE REGULATING VALVES FOR ABOUT $670 (FUNNY HOW THEY ALL WENT BAD AT THE SAME TIME BUT I WOULD NOT ARGUE THE POINT SINCE THE PARTS WERE CHEAP COMPARED TO DOING IT OVER IN A FEW MONTHS). DEALER INDICATED THIS WAS A YEARS OLD PROBLEM WHICH WAS COMMON TO REPLACE THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND THAT MY $600 REPAIR WAS NOT GUARANTEED TO PREVENT TOTAL FAILURE. DODGE HAS NOT AGREED TO ANY RECALL TO FIX BUT SHOULD DO THIS. THEREFORE, I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER DODGE OR CHRYSLER OF ANY SORT. UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ALSO FAILED AT UNDER 50,000 MILES AND NO REPAIR RECALL ON THIS LONG STANDING PROBLEM AS WELL. SUBJECT ON ANOTHER COMPLAINT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10214613

Incident

Oct 15, 2006

Mileage

51,000 mi

BALL JOINT FAILURE.........HAD TO REPLACE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS IN MARCH 2005, AND NOW IN DECEMBER 2007, I AM HAVING TO REPLACE UPPER BALL JOINTS AGAIN. BALL JOINTS IN 1997 DODGE DAKOTA ARE A DEFECTIVE DESIGN, AND WEAR OUT TOO QUICKLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10210776

Incident

Dec 4, 2007

Mileage

100,000 mi

DURING 200, SQUEAK IN FRONT END BECAME LOUDER AND LOUDER. HAD TO HAVE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT. TRUCK HAD 95,000 MILES. 2 YEARS LATE SAME PROBLEM WITH SQUEAK IN FRONT END BECAME LOUDER AND LOUDER. NEEDED TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED AGAIN. ONLY ABOUT 10,000 MILES ON TRUCK THIS TIME. *AK

NHTSA ID

10196740

Incident

May 5, 2007

Mileage

95,000 mi