2006 Dodge Dakota Suspension Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 169,000.

NHTSA ID

11406104

Incident

Mar 22, 2021

Mileage

169,000 mi

THIS TRUCK IS A BAD PROBLEM SINCE I HAVE BEEN DONE ALONG WITH THE THE YEARS I'M TIRED OF DRIVETRAIN WHEEL HUBS AND FRONT SUSPENSION REPLACES EVERY MONTH.

NHTSA ID

10993696

Incident

May 31, 2017

NUMEROUS FRONT END REPAIRS TO NO AVAIL. STILL HAVING STEERING ISSUES AND LOUD BANGING WHEN TURNING. WIPERS COMING ON AT RANDOM, BATTERY LIGHT ON IN SPITE OF NEW BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $4000 IN REPAIRS ON FROM END AND 2 WIPER MOTORS. THE WIPERS STILL WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY.

NHTSA ID

10968467

Incident

Apr 1, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COMPLETED CORRECTLY. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TRANSMISSION DAMAGE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT ISSUES, SUCH AS A DAMAGED FRONT CROSS MEMBER, A FRACTURED FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STABILIZER LINK, A WORN PASSENGER SIDE UPPER CONTROL BUSHING, AND OTHER ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. UPDATED 03/02/17*LJ***UPDATED 05/09/17*LJ *TR

NHTSA ID

10940229

Incident

Oct 15, 2014

Mileage

65,000 mi

TRUCK NEEDS STRUTS AND PARTS HAVE BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR OVER 6 MONTHS, THERE IS A BOLT AND NUT THAT CANNOT BE REMOVED WITHOUT CUTTING IT OFF BECAUSE OF POOR DESIGN. THE REPLACEMENT PART FOR THE NUT AND BOLT ARE NOT AVAILABLE .... STRUTS ARE AVAILABLE. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN DODGES BUT AS FAR AS I CAN TELL THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. TRUCK IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE CONTROL ARMS HAVE TO BE CUT OFF TO REPLACE STRUTS

NHTSA ID

10928830

Incident

May 1, 2016

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS BENT. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE WAS DAMAGED. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,584.

NHTSA ID

10810521

Incident

Nov 30, 2015

Mileage

139,584 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO BOUNCE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT SHOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. MA 08/13/15 UPDATED 11/01/2017*CN

NHTSA ID

10730659

Incident

Jun 1, 2007

Mileage

13,000 mi

IN USING SIGNAL LIGHTS, TURN LEFT SIGNAL ON TO TURN AND THE RIGHT DASH SIGNAL INDICATOR AS WELL AS RIGHT SIGNAL LIGHT FLASH. IF I MOVE THE TILT STEERING POSITION UP AND THEN BACK DOWN THE LIGHTS FUNCTION PROPERLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IN THE STEERING WHEEL IS RUBBING WHENEVER ONE TURNS THE WHEEL. THE PREVIOUS OWNER BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW AND IT HAPPENED TO HIM SEVERAL TIMES AS WELL. ALSO THE BALL JOINTS WERE ALL REPLACED BY PREVIOUS OWNER AT LESS THAN 30,000 MILES. NOW AT 55,000 MILES THE STRUTS, SHOCK ABSORBERS, REAR STABILIZER LINKS AND QUITE POSSIBLY SWAY BAR LINKS FRONT AND REAR NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10659160

Incident

Nov 30, 2012

Mileage

37,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD BECOME LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID

10655030

Incident

Sep 1, 2014

Mileage

75,000 mi

PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE ONE YEAR AGO THIS MONTH, AS WE WERE LEAVING THE DEALER SHIP, WE NOTICED A SMALL SQUEAK, REALLY DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT, 6 MONTHS LATER THE SQUEAK IS LOUDER. WHEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD, NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT, IT WAS NOTHING. ON JUNE 12TH WHEN TO GET IT INSPECTED, AND GUESS WHAT IT FAILED, REASON, THE FRONT BALLJOINTS ARE NO GOOD. I SUSPECT THAT THIS DEALERSHIP KNEW THEY WERE BAD WHEN THEY SOLD IT, NOW BEING ON A LIMITED INCOME, I CAN'T GET IT FIXED AND STILL HAVE TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON IT. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS, THIS VEHICLE WAS ONLY DRIVEN DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, SINCE IT WAS A 4X4. *JS

NHTSA ID

10598062

Incident

Jun 12, 2014

Mileage

47,000 mi

TRUCK IS SQUEAKING BADLY WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP OR DRIVING UNLEEVEL GROUND. *TR

NHTSA ID

10534828

Incident

Aug 11, 2013

Mileage

47,889 mi

I NOTICED IN NOVEMBER 2012 THAT THE STEERING ON MY 2006 DODAGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB SEEMED STIFF AND HARD TO TURN, ALMOST AS IF IT WASN'T GETTING ENOUGH POWER STEERING FLUID - CHECKED IT AND IT WAS OK. SEEMED AT FIRST TO BE STIFFER WHEN IT WAS COLD SO ATTRIBUTED IT TO WINTER COLD. THEN AT THE END OF MARCH 2013, I WAS TURNING AND HEARD A CLUNK AS IF I HAD HIT A POTHOLE. I HEARD IT AGAIN ON THE SAME DAY AND THEN HEARD A SQUEAK AS IF THE SPRINGS NEEDED OILING. I STOPPED AT MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC OILED SOMETHING - DROVE IT AND DIDN'T HEAR A CLUNK. THREE DAYS LATER I TOOK IT TO HIM AND SAID IT IS CLUNKING REGULARLY AND THE STEERING STILL SEEMS STIFF. HE REPLACED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS THAT HAD GONE BAD, CONTROL ARMS, AND TIE RODS THAT HAD PLAY IN THEM. THIS AT 82,000 MILES. THESE REPAIRS ARE RIDICULOUS FOR 82,000 MILES. AFTER SPENDING $1400 I AM STILL HAVING TIGHT STEERING. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT DODGE EXECUTIVES, BUT I CAN'T AFFORD REPAIRS LIKE THIS. THE MOST COMPLAINTS LISTED FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR ARE FOR STEERING AND I'VE HEARD FROM THE DEALER THAT THE BALL JOINTS GO OUT EARLY - AS MINE DID. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR STEERING AND BALL JOINTS! MY 1993 DAKOTA IS STILL GOING WITHOUT THESE PROBLEMS AND IT HAS 204,000 MILES. IF THEY CAN'T MAKE THEM THE WAY THEY USED TO I'M NOT BUYING DODGE AGAIN. P.S. MY SISTER'S 2009 DAKOTA HAD A BROKEN TIE ROD, BALL JOINT, AND STEERING ISSUES. THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING. SHE IS DUMPING IT - WON'T DRIVE IT AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10509004

Incident

Nov 26, 2012

Mileage

80,000 mi

LOUD CLUNKING NOISES FROM FRONT END OF TRUCK. TOOK TRUCK TO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SWAY BARS AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FRONT TIE RODS WERE REPLACED IN JULY 2012. *TR

NHTSA ID

10485431

Incident

Nov 21, 2012

Mileage

40,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE RATTLING NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE SWAY BAR LINKS WERE LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED EVERY FEW MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE VARIOUS FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 02/15/12*LJ THE RACK AND PINION, SWAY BAR LINKS, LOWER BALL JOINTS, UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT AND SHOCKS WERE ALL BAD. ALSO, THE SHIFTER WAS COMING OUT OF PARK AND THE TIE RODS WERE WORN. UPDATED 05/02/12

NHTSA ID

10445045

Incident

May 26, 2009

Mileage

30,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT TIE ROD END DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS IN REVERSE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ID

10412406

Incident

Jan 1, 2011

Mileage

75,000 mi

DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED STABILIZER BAR LINKS NEED REPLACEMENT. REPLACED BOTH LINKS TWICE WITHOUT CORRECTING FRONT SUSPENSION "CLUNKING". POSSIBLE OF LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10357239

Incident

Aug 30, 2010

Mileage

68,952 mi

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT 40-60 MPH HARD BRAKING OR SOFT IT VIBRATES AND SHAKES REPLACED SHOCKS TURNED DRUMS. STILL THERE THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE SHOCKS IT'S NOT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10324817

Incident

Sep 17, 2009

PURCHASED A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 29119 MILES. RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS WORN UNEVENLY. PURCHASED NEW TIRES AT 33,325 MILES AND WAS TOLD ALIGNMENT COULD NOT BE DONE BECAUSE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD FAILED. WAITING TO CHECK WITH DEALER. RIDICULOUSLY LOW MILES FOR A SUSPENSION PART TO FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10300071

Incident

Jan 17, 2010

Mileage

33,325 mi

VEHICLE VIBRATES SEVERELY WHEN OD (LOCK-UP) COMES IN AT 40 MPH , IF BRAKES ARE APPLIED AFTER THIS THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND JUMPS ALL AVER THE ROAD. 4 TIRES REPLACED TWICE, FRONT ROTORS REPLACED, REAR DRUMS TURNED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I CHECKED ALL THE SWAY BAR ITEMS AND FRONT END; THE SWAY BAR STRUTS WERE BROKEN, I REPLACED AND PROBLEM SOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10292464

Incident

Apr 23, 2008

WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD DRIVE OVER A BUMP HE NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND RATTLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT WHENEVER HE TURNS IN ANY DIRECTION THE STEERING WHEEL WILL CREEK AND BUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND, THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE IS 53000. BML UPDATED 9/17/09 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE FRONT STRUTS AND SWAY BARS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 09/18/09. *JB

NHTSA ID

10280619

Incident

Jul 20, 2009

Mileage

53,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RESURFACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO MORE OCCASIONS AND THEY REPLACED THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR, RACK AND PINION, LOWER BALL JOINTS, AND TIE RODS. ALL OF THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENT IN REMEDYING THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA ID

10255727

Incident

Jan 12, 2008

Mileage

15,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ID

10248590

Incident

Sep 11, 2008

Mileage

38,000 mi

REGARDS TO A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA CLUBCAB PICKUP TRUCK. LOUD BANG FROM REAR END OF TRUCK @ A STOP @ A TOLL BOOTH ON MASS PIKE I-90 IN WESTBORO,MA. TOWED TO NEARBY WESTBORO DODGE DEALER. REAR END FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT DOWN FAILED. COULD HAVE CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. STILL @ DEALERSHIP. TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 3000 MILES. BEEN IN TOUCH WITH CHRYSLER DEALER, THEY ARE CALLING IT A DEFECT BUT WANT ME TO PAY FIRST $500.00. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT THAT THE DOT SHOULD BE AWARE OF. IF I WAS TRAVELING AND NOT STOPPED THE DRIVE SHAFT COULD HAVE FELL COMPLETELY OUT AND CAUSED A CRASH OR EVEN WORSE. MY TRUCK IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 16 2008. I'M A SINGLE MOM AND TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF THE TRUCK. IT WAS SERVICED EVER 3,000 MILES OIL, FLUIDS ECT. I'M WAITING NOW ON FAXES FROM WESTBORO DODGE IN WESTBORO MA. TO SEE ALL OF THE DEFECTS INVOLVED. PLEASE CONTACT ME THANK YOU! *TR

NHTSA ID

10235736

Incident

Jul 16, 2008

Mileage

39,000 mi

THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED 12-14-06 AND SHORTLY AFTER I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE THE BOUNCING AND ROLLING ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION AS WELL AS NUMEROUS TYPES OF RATTLING NOISES. SHOCKS WERE REPLACED ON 3-14-07 AND FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS ON 4-24-07. SINCE THEN, FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS WERE REPLACED AGAIN AS WELL AS ONE TIE ROD END. ONE SWAY BAR LINK WAS REPLACED IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND THE OTHER IS CURRENTLY NEEDS REPLACED. THE CONDITION HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND NOW INCLUDES A FRONT END SHAKING ON ALMOST SMOOTH ROADS AS WELL AS THE STEERING WHEEL MOVING LEFT AND RIGHT IN MY HANDS WHEN GOING AROUND TURNS. THIS VEHICLE IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I HAVE TO VIRTUALLY HOLD A DEATH GRIP ON THE WHEEL TO KEEP FROM LOOSING CONTROL WHEN I HIT A BUMP, DIP, STRIP BUMP, PAVEMENT WAVES, ETC. *TR

NHTSA ID

10232765

Incident

Feb 4, 2003

Mileage

5,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JUMP SIDEWAYS WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR POTHOLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. AS OF DECEMBER 13, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,600.

NHTSA ID

10211792

Incident

Apr 1, 2007

Mileage

25 mi