1997 Dodge Dakota

446 complaints on file, page 1 of 23.

1. Filed Feb 23, 2018Failure Jan 31, 2018184,231 milesKingsport, TNService brakes

   BRAKE LINE CRODDED, LOSS OF BRAKES IN MOTION IN DRIVEWAY

   NHTSA complaint 11074563
2. Filed Oct 2, 2016Failure Jul 8, 2016120,000 milesGarberville, CAElectrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control

   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 complaint 10911071
3. Filed May 6, 2016Failure Apr 28, 2016King Stree, SCEngineFire

   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 complaint 10863588
4. Filed May 29, 2015Failure May 29, 2015118,000 milesClinton, WIService brakes

   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 complaint 10722378
5. Filed Apr 19, 2015Failure Sep 26, 2014171,000 milesIonia, MIEngine, Fuel/propulsion system, Service brakes

   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 complaint 10706503
6. Filed Dec 2, 2014Failure Nov 20, 2014121,000 milesCentral Pointe, ORFuel system, Gasoline

   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 complaint 10661594
7. Filed Sep 10, 2014Failure Aug 4, 2014120,000 milesFountain Valley, CAFuel system, Gasoline

   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 complaint 10632232
8. Filed May 1, 2014Failure Nov 23, 2011125,000 milesAlbany, ORSeats

   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 complaint 10586050
9. Filed Nov 18, 2013Failure Jun 28, 2013190,000 milesSheridan, ARService brakes, Steering, BodyCrash1 injured

   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 complaint 10552659
10. Filed Apr 20, 2012Failure Apr 11, 200086,000 milesANN Arbor, MIService brakes, Hydraulic

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

    NHTSA complaint 10455932
11. Filed Apr 20, 2012Failure Apr 18, 2012113,600 milesANN Arbor, MIEngine and engine cooling

    REPLACE RUSTED RADIATOR. *JS

    NHTSA complaint 10455931
12. Filed Apr 20, 2012Failure Feb 7, 200070,916 milesANN Arbor, MIEngine and engine cooling

    REPLACED RUSTED RADIATOR. *JS

    NHTSA complaint 10455930
13. Filed Mar 30, 2012Failure Dec 28, 2007137,141 milesDallas, TXTorque converter

    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 complaint 10453604
14. Filed Mar 30, 2012Failure Aug 1, 2006124,219 milesDallas, TXLower ball joint, Upper ball joint

    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 complaint 10453601
15. Filed Jan 19, 2011Failure Aug 23, 200496,400 milesGreen BAY, WIFan/motor

    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 complaint 10377177
16. Filed Oct 18, 2010Failure Oct 5, 2010120,000 milesPine, COFuel system, Gasoline

    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 complaint 10361018
17. Filed Apr 30, 2009Failure Apr 30, 2009180,000 milesWaterford, MISteering, Front

    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 complaint 10267391
18. Filed Feb 26, 2009Failure Jan 14, 200990,408 milesLivermore, CATread/belt

    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 complaint 10260028
19. Filed Oct 24, 2008Failure Oct 22, 2008170,000 milesOdell, ORFront

    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 complaint 10246633
20. Filed Mar 29, 2008Failure Mar 12, 200870,000 milesHOT Springs, ARService brakes, Caliper, Arm

    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 complaint 10222670