2004 Dodge Dakota

206 complaints on file, page 1 of 11.

1. Filed Sep 2, 2022Failure Aug 30, 2022Cincinnati, OHElectrical system

   While driving my 2004 dodge Dakota all the gauges, including the speedometer and the tachometer stopped working. Everything went off although the truck was still running. I had headlights turn signals an emergency flashers nothing else. I don’t know how fast I was going how much fuel I had or if my engine was running hot nothing. This is something that could spook a driver to a point where he/she would be distracted of their surroundings. Possibly causing a serious crash and hurting or killing someone.

   NHTSA complaint 11482673
2. Filed Nov 15, 2021Failure Oct 17, 2019Helena, MTPower train

   Unknown the four wheel drive was out when I purchased it I didn't realize until later that day when I drove it and tried to engage it. It no longer works and it is a safety hazard to even try and turn on it doesn't engage and makes a noise and catches in some sort of way I believe it may have affected the transmission as well. My safety and the safety of others could be at risk if I try and use the four wheel drive and it's needed for hazardous road conditions in my area like snow and ice

   NHTSA complaint 11440429
3. Filed Nov 4, 2020Failure Nov 4, 2020202,875 milesGrove City, OHPower train

   MY VEHICLES DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF WHILE MAKING A STOP AT A RED LIGHT, THE PINON NUT HAD COME LOOSE. IT WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC'S SHOP, MY DAD CAME AND REATTACHED IT. IT STILL MADE A WHIRRING SOUND, AT FIRST I WAS ON THE WAY TO THE MECHANIC FOR WHAT I THOUGH WAS A PINON SEAL LEAK.

   NHTSA complaint 11373056
4. Filed Feb 13, 2020Failure May 9, 2019150,000 milesLewisburg, TNPower train, Vehicle speed control

   TRANS SHIFT SOLENOID CONTROL PACK CODE POPPED UP AND DOES NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY AT ALL

   NHTSA complaint 11309021
5. Filed Jul 23, 2018Failure Feb 16, 201887,000 milesLogansport, INUnknown or other

   SHIFTER WILL MOVE WITHOUT KEY IN IGNITION. WILL ROLE IN ANY DIRECTION IN ANY POSITION BUT PARK. CAN REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION WHILE RUNNING. WHILE IT'S STILL RUNNING WITH KEY OUT CAN SHIFT AND DRIVE. OTHER TIMES WHEN I GO TO START ENGINE THE KEY WON'T TURN. I HAVE TO HIT THE END OF THE KEY WITH THE PALM OF ONE HAND WHILE THE OTHER TURNS IT. REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS THE FIRST OF THIS YEAR AND VEHICLE ONLY HAD 87000 MILES AT THE TIME. CHANGED BRAKES AND HAD TO HAVE ROTOR TURNED. DRIVER SIDE BRAKE CALIPER PLUNGER HAD MULTIPLE PIECES BREAK OFF GETTING STUCK BETWEEN BREAK PAD AND REMAINING PIECES OF PLUNGER CASTING THE VEHICLE TO PULL LEFT WHILE DRIVING. WHEN APPLYING THE BREAK IT PULL SO HARD IT CAUSED ME TO START GOING INTO ANOTHER LANE BARELY MISSING THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE.

   NHTSA complaint 11112957
6. Filed Jun 6, 2018Failure Jan 2, 200410,000 milesMirarmer, FLBody, Visibility

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE VEHICLE, FELL TO THE GROUND, AND SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. THE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE LOCAL DEALER (ROB LAMBDIN'S UNIVERSITY DODGE RAM IN DAVIE, FL) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT OVER THE YEARS, THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW, THREE TIMES ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW, THREE TIMES ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, AND THREE TIMES ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11100125
7. Filed May 14, 2018Failure Feb 2, 2018106,000 milesUnionville, NYSteering

   THE STEERING IS VERY HARD TO TURN EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT AT MOST TIMES. FEELS AS IF THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED, BUT HAD IT INSPECTED BY MECHANIC AND SAYS POWER STEERING PUMP AND BELTS ARE FINE. THIS DIFFICULTY IN STEERING IS ALSO ACCOMPANIED BY A GRINDING TYPE OF NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN BEHIND THE STEEING WHEEL. IT HAS BECOME MORE THAN JUST AN OCCASIONAL ANNOYANCE BUT RATHER A MORE PERMANENT SAFETY ISSUE SINCE MY WIFE IS NO LONGER ABLE TO USE THE TRUCK BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY WITH THE STEERING. PLEASE ADVISE ON WHAT MAY BE THE CAUSE AND IF THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER DAKOTA PICK UPS AND IF THEY HAVE ISSUED A RECALL IN THE PAST TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I AM HOPING TO HAVE THIS RESOLVED QUICKLY SINCE I FEAR IT MAY ONLY LEAD TO SOME TRAGIC OR CATASTROPHIC RESULT. THANK YOU

   NHTSA complaint 11093647
8. Filed Dec 18, 2017Failure Nov 1, 201797,448 milesSterling Heights, MIVisibility/wiper

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. WHEN THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, THERE WAS NO AIR FLOW DISTRIBUTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,448.

   NHTSA complaint 11055280
9. Filed Jun 8, 2017Failure May 19, 2017134,000 milesSuthelrin, ORElectrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper

   THE DRIVER HEADLIGHT QUIT WORKING. I WENT TO THE STORE TO REPLACE IT THINKING IT HAD BURNT OUT. WHEN I REPLACED THE LIGHT IT DID NOT WORK STILL AND THE OLD HEADLIGHT STILL HAD BOTH FILAMENTS PROVING IT WAS STILL GOOD. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER BOTH HEADLIGHTS QUIT WORKING ON ME WHEN I WAS OUT AT NIGHT DRIVING LESS THAN A 10TH OF A MILE FROM HOME. I MANAGED TO NOT GET IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE CTM AND HEAD LIGHT SWITCH WERE BAD HOWEVER THE CTM WAS A "OBSOLETE" PART AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET ME ONE. AFTER THEY RELEASED MY TRUCK BACK TO ME TO DRIVE AS I PLEASE, I WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE AN OLDER CTM FROM A 2003 4X4 AUTOMATIC DAKOTA 4.7L. NOW MY LIGHTS WORK AND I HAVE A "GUARANTEE" FROM THE EBAY SELLER THAT IT WILL WORK FOR 6 MONTHS. I HAVE A SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS VEHICLE AND I CAN NOT TRUST MY HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT GO OUT AT ANY TIME SO I CAN NOT DRIVE IT AT NIGHT IN GOOD CONFIDENCE OR MORAL CONSCIENCE. THE DEALERSHIP LILITHIA DODGE OF ROSEBURG OREGON HAS RECORD OF MY TRUCK BEING IN THEIR POSSESSION FOR MULTIPLE DAYS BEFORE RELEASING IT BACK INTO MY POSSESSION WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING BUT A DIAGNOSTICS TEST.

   NHTSA complaint 10994034
10. Filed Mar 28, 2017Failure Mar 3, 2017125,000 milesOrlando, FLElectrical system

    THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR KEEPS BURNING UP. I HAVE REPLACED THE RESISTOR VARIOUS TIMES AND IT KEEPS BURNING UP. I REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR AND THE RESISTOR KEEPS BURNING UP. I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT AND IT HAS NONE. THE WIRING TO THE RESISTOR ALSO BURNS UP. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE. IN ONE OF THE CASES THE RESISTOR CAUSE A FIRE INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE BURNED DOWN. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING ON THESE VEHICLES FOR A LONG TIME AND IT HADN'T BEEN REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. I AM AFRAID THAT SOMEDAY THE VEHICLE WILL CATCH ON FIRE BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I KEEP ON REPLACING THE RESISTOR AND THE HARNESS EVERY TIME IT BURNS AND I'VE ALSO REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR. I CAN'T SEEM TO GET ANSWER FROM ANYONE FROM DODGE OR CHRYSLER ON THIS PROBLEM. AT THE TIME THAT THE RESISTOR BURNED DOWN THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ON THE CITY STREETS AT 30 MPH. IT HAS HAPPENED VARIOUS TIMES ON THE SAME RUNNING SENARIO.

    NHTSA complaint 10969091
11. Filed Mar 24, 2017Failure Mar 6, 201763,173 milesWaynesville, NCExterior lighting

    DRIVING ON A RAINY NIGHT AND HEADLIGHTS AND WIPERS QUIT WORKING ALL AT ONCE. CENTRAL TIMER MODULE FAILED AND SHUT THE LIGHTS AND WIPERS OFF AS WELL AS INTERIOR LIGHTS AND DOOR LOCKS. ALMOST DIDN'T GET VEHICLE STOPPED WITHOUT WRECKING. LEFT VEHICLE AND CAME BACK DURING DAYLIGHT AND DROVE TO REPAIR SHOP. WHERE LOCATED THE ISSUE WAS A FAILED CENTRAL TIMER MODULE. CONTACTED DODGE AND SAID ITS OUT OF WARRANTY? ITS NOT ABOUT WARRANTY OR NOT IT COULD HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR A FATALITY. STILL HAVE THE OLD CTM IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN LOOKING INTO THE MATTER. WHY WOULD HEADLIGHTS BE RAN THROUGH A MODULE LIKE THIS JUST ASKING FOR TROUBLE.

    NHTSA complaint 10968286
12. Filed Dec 10, 2016Failure May 23, 2015149,000 milesGermantown, NYAir bags

    AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON TOOK IT TO DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS CLOCK SPRING WENT BAD ,I HAD IT REPLACED WITH NEW ONE . I HAD TO BRAKE FAST TO AVOID HITTING AND AIR BAG CAME ON AGAIN. THESE THINGS COST 100.00 WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?

    NHTSA complaint 10934333
13. Filed Nov 22, 2016Failure Oct 15, 2016196,000 milesBrigham City, UTElectrical system, Exterior lighting

    I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND COULD NOT GET MY HEADLIGHTS TO TURN ON. ALL CONNECTIONS AND BULBS WERE CHECKED BY A MECHANIC AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN TRACED TO THE CTM (CENTRAL TIMING MODULE). THESE UNITS ARE ON NATIONWIDE BACK ORDER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS REPLACEMENT ISSUE IF PEOPLE ARE LOSING THEIR HEADLIGHTS AND THE PART IS ON AN UNKNOWN BACK ORDER SITUATION.

    NHTSA complaint 10927591
14. Filed Nov 16, 2016Failure Nov 7, 2016985,000 milesGreenville, SCElectrical system

    WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND ENGINE RUNNING, I NOTICE SMOKE AND BURNING SMELL OF PLASTIC COMING FROM BLOWER FAN MOTOR UNIT. PLEASE TELL ME IS THERE ANY TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM FROM OTHERS. ENGINE SIZE 3.7L V6.

    NHTSA complaint 10926505
15. Filed Jul 8, 2016Failure Jul 7, 2016Roxbury, PAUnknown or other

    WIRING TO BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR GETS SO HOT IT MELTS THE WIRE COVERING AND THE PIGTAIL. IN THE LAST 2 YEARS, HAVE REPLACED THE PIGTAIL 3 TIMES, THE WIRING ONCE, THE RESISTOR TWICE, THE BLOWER MOTOR ONCE, AND THE WHOLE FAN UNIT ONCE. JUST BURNT UP AGAIN WHILE AIR CONDITIONER WAS RUNNING. IT HAS ALSO BURNT UP WHILE USING THE HEATER IN WINTER.

    NHTSA complaint 10883633
16. Filed May 16, 2016Failure Jul 2, 2015Brownstown, MIAir bags

    TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

    NHTSA complaint 10865050
17. Filed Apr 27, 2016Failure Sep 18, 201452,000 milesFayetteville, NCAir bags

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10861675
18. Filed Oct 13, 2015Failure Aug 11, 201050,000 milesHuntsville, ALSteering

    ISSUE WITH THE STEERING, APPEARED TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE PUMP. OCCURRED AT ABOUT 50K MILES, 6 YRS. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WOULD GET HARD LIKE THE PUMP HAD FAILED, AND THEN WITHOUT WARNING, WOULD RETURN TO THE POWER ASSIST AND OVER STEER DUE TO THE PRESSURE I WAS ALREADY EXERTING. THIS TOOK PLACE AT ALL SPEEDS AND UNDER CITY AND HIGHWAY CONDITIONS. VERY DISCONCERTING. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK OF THIS I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A FAILING FLUID CONTROL VALVE IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND REPLACED IT. IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I HAD PURCHASED BUT WOULD HAVE COST OVER $1500.

    NHTSA complaint 10781713
19. Filed Oct 6, 2015Failure Apr 15, 2015159,000 milesWeirto, WVPower train

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING DUE TO COST. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT UNPLUGGED THE SERVO MOTOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10780230
20. Filed Sep 8, 2015Failure May 13, 201046,923 milesDanville, ILElectrical system

    SMELL OF BURNT WIRE/PLASTIC. BLOWER CONTROL SWITCH WOULD NOT WORK (BLOWER MOTOR WOULD NOT RUN). BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR AND PIGTAIL CONNECTION WERE MELTED AND FUSED TOGETHER. THIS WAS IN 2010, IT IS NOW 2015 AND I JUST HAD THE SEVENTH RESISTOR PUT IN WITH THE FIFTH PIGTAIL. THE TIME BEFORE THIS LAST NIGHTMARE, I ALSO HAD THE BLOWER MOTOR REPLACED IN CASE IT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE RESISTOR AND PIGTAIL CONNECTION ISSUES.

    NHTSA complaint 10762291