1997 DODGE DAKOTA Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

REPLACED RUSTED RADIATOR. *JS

Mileage: 70,916

REPLACE RUSTED RADIATOR. *JS

Mileage: 113,600

CATALYTIC CONVERTER INSPECTION. THERE IS A RECALL OUT FOR 1996 JEEP CHEROKEE WITH A 4.0 LITER ENGINE AND 1997 DODGE DAKOTA WITH A 2.5 LITER ENGINE. I HAVE A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA WITH A 3.9 ENGINE AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT ARE IN THE 2 MODELS DESCRIBED ABOVE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLES. *NM

I OWN A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA SLT. THE ENGINE IS A 5.2 V8 WITH ONLY 45,000 MILES MY COMPLAINT STARTED AROUND 40,000 MILES. I AM GETTING A SEVERE SPARK KNOCK AND A TREMENDOUS OIL CONSUMPTION 2.5 QUARTS EVERY TWO HUNDRED MILES. THEY INSTALLED FAULTY ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD PLENUM PAN GASKETS. THROUGH MY EXTENSIVE RESEARCH THERE HAVE BEEN COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ON THIS. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CHECKED MY GAUGES I HAD A COMPLETE LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME BECAUSE MY ENGINE STALLED!!! THE DODGE DEALER TOLD ME THIS IS VERY COMMON, SO WHY ARE THEY NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY? *NM

Mileage: 44,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH A KNOCKING AND PINGING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACED DUE TO OIL SLUDGE. THE VEHICLE WAS PROPERLY MAINTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 6/12/2006 -*NM

Mileage: 96,547

OUR 1997 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK'S ENGINE FAILED THIS PAST FEBRUARY DUE TO THE LACK OF OIL PRESSURE. WE THEN HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. OUR MECHANIC TOLD US WE NEEDED TO GET A NEW ENGINE PUT IN SINCE OUR ENGINE WAS FULL OF SLUDGE AND HE SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE LACK OF CHANGING OUR OIL. MY WIFE AND I KNEW THIS WAS NOT THE CASE AT ALL SINCE WE ALWAYS HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES AND WE COULD NOT FIGURE OUT HOW THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED. AFTER PAYING $5,000 FOR A NEW ENGINE, WE WERE OUTRAGED AND DID OUR OWN RESEARCH ONLINE ABOUT THE CHRYSLER ENGINES AND FOUND THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THE CHRYSLER ENGINES EVERYWHERE. THE ONLY THING WE'VE NOTICED IN OUR RESEARCH IS THAT THE COMPLAINTS ARE STEMMING FROM THE SMALLER 2.7 LITER ENGINES, BUT WE HAVE A 3.9 LITER ENGINE WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THERE IS CLEARLY A DEFECT WITH THE CHRYSLER ENGINES REGARDLESS OF THE SIZE OF THE ENGINE. CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS SINCE THEY ARE THE ONES THAT ARE PUTTING OUT THE DEFECTIVE ENGINES THAT ARE CAUSING ALL OF THE SLUDGE TO BUILD UP IN THEIR ENGINES!! *NM

Mileage: 96,547

TWO DRIVER SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKE OFF. THESE TWO BOLTS WHERE HOLDING ON THE HEAT SHIELD. THE HEAT SHIELD DROP DOWN AND WEDGED IT SELF BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND STEERING SHAFT. THE STEERING SHAFT IS NOW SCORED. THE ONLY REASON I FOUND THIS WAS THAT I KNOW WHAT AN EXHAUST LEAK SOUNDS LIKE AND WENT SEARCHING. IF I DIDN'T I WOULD HAVE NEVER FOUND IT UNTIL MY STEERING SHAFT SEPARATED. *JB

Mileage: 147,000

CONSUMER WAS REPLACING UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS EVERY 35,000 MILES. ALSO, CONSUMER REPLACED THE IDLER ARM. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY THE SUSPENSION PARTS. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANIFOLD PLENUM GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL INTO THE INTAKE. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE GASKET HIMSELF. *JB

Mileage: 35,000

60,000 MILES TO AND FROM WORK NO ABUSE BALL JOINTS FAILED AND AC HAS LEAK IN DASH,TIMING CHAIN AND IDLER PULLEY MAKES NOISE. RADIATOR LEAKS TRANSMISSION FLUID PLASTIC TANKS ON RADIATOR. *JB

VEHICLE IS MISFIREING AND LOSING POWER. DEALER HAS NO SOLUTION TO PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 130,000

THERE WAS A BALL JOINT PROBLEM. THEY MADE A CLANKING SOUND ALONG WITH A SQUEAL. THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR A CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEM. *AK *SC *JB

Mileage: 70,000

BALL JOINTS FAILED. *AK

Mileage: 75,000

UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED AT 77,000 MILES. *AK THE VEHICLE STARTED SQUEAKING OVER SLIGHT BUMPS AND WORSENED TO SQUEAKING ALL OF THE TIME, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO MAKE UNUSUAL NOISES WHEN TURNING, AND COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE ENGINE. *SC *JB

Mileage: 77,000

AIR CONDITIONING--STILL WORKS BUT AT TIMES IT SHUTS OF THE UPPER AIR DUCTS AND I HAVE TO SHUT IT OFF ON RESTART IT TO MAKE IT WORK RIGHT. ENGINE--- MAKES A NOISE ( STARTED AT 20,000 MILES) TOOK IT TO A DEALER THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS. AFTER WARRANTY WAS UP TOLD ITS THE TIMING CHAIN.AT 92,000 STILL MAKES THE SAME NOISE POWER WINDOW-- PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT WORK OTHER--1. RADIO (TAPE DECK) TAPE DECK TURNS THE WIND AND REWIND ON BY ITSELF. HAVE TO TURN THE MOTOR OFF AND RESTART TO GET IT TO QUITE. 2.HAVE ALL KINDS OF WIRE PROBLEMS, ALL THE PLASTIC COATING COMES OFF AND WIRES BREAK 3.TAIL LIGHT PLUGS WON'T STAY PLUGGED IN PAINT-- CHIPS EASILY

TIMING CHAIN BROKE. IT CAUSED DAMAGE TO VALVES AND HEAD.*JB

LOW OIL PRESSURE AT IDLE SPEEDS. ACCORDING TO DEALER, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 5.2L V8 ENGINE. FIX IS TO REPLACE THE OIL PUMP AND OIL SENDING UNITAT A COST OF OVER $800.00.*AK

Mileage: 36,000

POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED DURING COLD WEATHER. WAS SLUGGISH DURING SLOW IDLE. MOPAR MECHANIC SAID THAT COMPLETE REPLACEMENT WOULD COST OVER $1000 AND MAY STILL NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. *TT

Mileage: 70,000

TWO FREEZE PLUGS WERE NOT REPLACED IN THE BACK OF THE BLOCK, CHRYSLERS RESOLUTION WAS STOP LEAK, HOWEVER AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PULLED THE TRANSMISSION TO REPLACE THE FREEZE PLUGS AND FOUND STOP LEAK ALL OVER THE FLY WHEEL AREA, EVEN THOUGH CHRYSLER STATED THAT THEY HAD REMEDIED THE PROBLEM.*JB

WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND SAW INSULATION OF ENGINE WAS BURNING.*AK. *JB

WE DISCOVERED A DEFECTIVE ENGINE ASSEMBLY TICKET #311914 STUFFED NEXT TO THE ENGINE. THE TICKET INFORMATION IS BUILD. NO 107, SHIFT 2, H/T PUNCH G , REJECT 1 DATE 3/5/97 NATURE OF DEFECT #5 M/F INSPECTOR 64274, NATURE OF REPAIR 03052654 NDF. WE CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND WERE TOLD THEY DO NOT SELL TRUCKS WITH DEFECTIVE ENGINES. CAN YOU HELP US FIND OUT WHY OUR DAKOTA PICKUP WOULD HAVE THE INSPECTION COPY OF A DEFECTIVE ENGINE TICKET ROLED UP AND TIED WITH TIE WIRE TICKET ON THE ENGINE?*AK

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE ENGINE LIFTERS WOULD TAP. HAD LIFTERS REPLACED TWICE . PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK

ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON SEVERAL OCCAISIONS. BRAKE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATES. ABS PULSATION EVEN ON DRY ROADS. FRONT PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED AT APPRX. 40000 MILES. SERVICE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT "DODGE ROTORS DO NOT LAST VERY LONG." ENGINE RATTLE BEGAN ABOUT 30000 MILES. DIAGNOSED AS A HEAT SHIELD RATTELING. SUBSEQUENTLY DIAGNOSED AND A LOOSE TIMING CHAIN. *AK

ENGINE IS CAUSING A "PINGING" NOISE WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT PAN GASKET WAS SUCKING AIR AND CAUSING EXCESSIVE BURNING OF OIL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK

HEAD OF A BOLT BROKE FROM BASE OF ENGINE MANIFOLD. CONSUMER NOTICED THIS WHILE DRYING SOME PARTS ON ENGINE. BROKEN PIECE WERE NOT LEAKING ANYTHING YET. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

AFTER PARKING VEHICLE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM VEHICLE , FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK FUEL SPRAYED WHEEL WELL AREA ADJACENT TO THE FUEL FILL AREA, THE LARGE CRACK IN THE LINE ALLOWED LARGE AMOUNTS OF GAS TO SATURATE TRUCK AND GROUND UNDER TRUCK. CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED. *SLC

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE MAKES A PINGING NOISE WHICH DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR, VEHICLE EXPERIENCING HARD START MOSTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD BUT SOMETIMES WHEN IT IS NOT, IT TAKES MORE TIME THAN IS NECESSARY TO START.*ET

CONSUMER STARTED HEARING A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM BRAKES, ALSO REAR SEAL OIL PAN WAS LEAKING OIL. *AK

WHEN GOING 55 OR FASTER AND LET OFF THE GAS, WHEN REACCELERATING THE TRANSMISSION "BUCKS". THE TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE THERMOSTAT HAS BEEN REPLACED TO TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT IT HAS NOT WORKED. *AK

WHEN PULLING A TRAILER IT CAUSES VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER/STALL; VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONES, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

THIS TRUCK IS A LEMON!!!! HELP! NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

I HAVE TWO RECURRING PROBLEMS. 1) I HAD THE TRUCK IN 3 SEPARATE TIMES FOR RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER, SO FAR, REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN AND FAN CLUTCH, BOTH UNDER WARRANTY. ONCE AGAIN, THE ENGINE IS MAKING THE SAME RATTLING NOISE. THIS NOISE STARTED AROUND 58,000 MILES. ALSO, MY ENGINE CURRENTLY HAS AN OIL LEAK. THE DEALER CLAIMS IT IS THE FRONT SEAL. THE DEALER BROKE THIS SEAL WHEN THE TIMING CHAIN WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE SEAL REPAIR. 2) I HAD THE TRUCK IN 3 TIMES FOR ANOTHER RATTLING NOISE IN THE A/C (INTERIOR). THE DEALER CLAIMED THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. THE FOURTH VISIT AND CONVERSATION WITH MANAGER PROVED THAT THE NOISE, IN FACT, WAS NOT NORMAL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPRESSOR. AT THE CURRENT MILEAGE, THE A/C IS ONCE AGAIN MAKING THE SAME NOISE. IN SUMMARY, THE ENGINE IS PRODUCING A RATTLING NOISE. THE A/C IS ALSO PRODUCING A RATTLING NOISE (BOTH ITEMS ARE SEPARATE NOISES AS VALIDATED BY THE DEALERSHIP). *AK

I HAVE TWO RECURRING PROBLEMS. 1) I HAD THE TRUCK IN 3 SEPARATE TIMES FOR RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER, SO FAR, REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN AND FAN CLUTCH, BOTH UNDER WARRANTY. ONCE AGAIN, THE ENGINE IS MAKING THE SAME RATTLING NOISE. THIS NOISE STARTED AROUND 58,000 MILES. ALSO, MY ENGINE CURRENTLY HAS AN OIL LEAK. THE DEALER CLAIMS IT IS THE FRONT SEAL. THE DEALER BROKE THIS SEAL WHEN THE TIMING CHAIN WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE SEAL REPAIR. 2) I HAD THE TRUCK IN 3 TIMES FOR ANOTHER RATTLING NOISE IN THE A/C (INTERIOR). THE DEALER CLAIMED THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. THE FOURTH VISIT AND CONVERSATION WITH MANAGER PROVED THAT THE NOISE, IN FACT, WAS NOT NORMAL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPRESSOR. AT THE CURRENT MILEAGE, THE A/C IS ONCE AGAIN MAKING THE SAME NOISE. IN SUMMARY, THE ENGINE IS PRODUCING A RATTLING NOISE. THE A/C IS ALSO PRODUCING A RATTLING NOISE (BOTH ITEMS ARE SEPARATE NOISES AS VALIDATED BY THE DEALERSHIP). *AK

I HAVE TWO RECURRING PROBLEMS. 1) I HAD THE TRUCK IN 3 SEPARATE TIMES FOR RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER, SO FAR, REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN AND FAN CLUTCH, BOTH UNDER WARRANTY. ONCE AGAIN, THE ENGINE IS MAKING THE SAME RATTLING NOISE. THIS NOISE STARTED AROUND 58,000 MILES. ALSO, MY ENGINE CURRENTLY HAS AN OIL LEAK. THE DEALER CLAIMS IT IS THE FRONT SEAL. THE DEALER BROKE THIS SEAL WHEN THE TIMING CHAIN WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE SEAL REPAIR. 2) I HAD THE TRUCK IN 3 TIMES FOR ANOTHER RATTLING NOISE IN THE A/C (INTERIOR). THE DEALER CLAIMED THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. THE FOURTH VISIT AND CONVERSATION WITH MANAGER PROVED THAT THE NOISE, IN FACT, WAS NOT NORMAL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPRESSOR. AT THE CURRENT MILEAGE, THE A/C IS ONCE AGAIN MAKING THE SAME NOISE. IN SUMMARY, THE ENGINE IS PRODUCING A RATTLING NOISE. THE A/C IS ALSO PRODUCING A RATTLING NOISE (BOTH ITEMS ARE SEPARATE NOISES AS VALIDATED BY THE DEALERSHIP). *AK

ON APRIL 20,1999 REGULATOR,OIL PAN,IDLE AIR CONTROL AND WINDOW BELT FAILD.(ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)YH

THE VEHICLE STALL WHILE DRIVING.(ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)YH

LOOSE TIMING CHAIN. *AK

TRANSMISSION ACTING SLUGGISH. WAS NOT SHIFTING INTO GEAR PROPERLY. WOULD BUCK SEVERELY. PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING, VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT FOR NO REASON. HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4-5 TIMES. AT DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC CHANGED BATTERY, MAP SENSOR & THE COMPUTER CHIP. PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED. FINALLY INDICATED TRANSMISSION WAS WORN OUT & NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH A REBUILT ONE. *AK

52000 MILES AND I HAVE REPLACED THESE ITEMS: BELT TENSIONER, A/C COMPRESSOR, 3 SETS OF FRONT TIRES (THE TIRES ARE WEARING ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE-THE TRUCK HAS BEEN ALIGNED EACH TIME THE TIRES WERE REPLACED), 2 SETS OF ROTORS, 2 BRAKE CALIPERS, 4 SETS OF BRAKE PADS, THE STEERING KNUCKLE THAT BROKE INTO THREE (3) PIECES WHILE THE TRUCK WAS GOING 65 MPH, AND NOW I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP BECAUSE THE TRUCK JUMPS FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WHILE THE TRUCK IS IN MOTION. ALL OF THESE REPAIR COST HAVE BEEN PAID BY MYSELF. DEALER SAID THERE HAS BEEN NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DODGE DAKOTA I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT21575R15 )

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLW. *AK

THE VEHICLE'S FAN BELT SQUEALED THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF OF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR. IT HAS BEEN FOR REPAIRS TO THE BELT SIX TIMES IT IS CLOS TO THE END OF THE WARRANTY AND CHRYSLER REFUSES TO COMMIT TO CONTINUED REPAIR UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED. THE BELT IS A CONCERN FOR ME BECAUSE IF IT FAILS WHILE I AM CALLED TO THE HOSPITAL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, I COULD BE STRANDED IN A VERY BAD NEIGHBORHOOD AND COULD BE DEALT GREAT BODILY HARM OR DEATH IF THE INDIVIUAL NEEDS DRUG MONEY DESPERATELY!! I ALSO DO NOT FEEL THE VEHICLE IS A RELIABLE FORM OF TRANSPORTATION. THE FIRST TWO TIMES IT WAS IN THE DEALER, THEY REPALCED CLUTCH PARTS, THE THIRD TIME THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THE FOURTH TIME THEY TOOK MY SUGGESTION AND SPRAYED THE BELT WITH WATER AND IT SQUEALED. THEY REPLACED THE BELT. THE FIFTH TIME, IT WAS SQUEALING ALL OF THE TIME. THEY REPLACED THE BELT AND THE BELT IDLER. THE SIXTH TIME, ANOTHER DEALER ADJUSTED THE IDLER AND REASSEMBLED WITH THE SAME BELT. THAT WAS TODAY. TONIGHT, THE BELT SQUEALED AT HOME WHEN I PUT WATER ON THE BELT. THE MICHIGAN ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS WHERE I GOT TO THIS SITE. I JUST WANT TO GO AHEAD WITH THE MICHIGAN LEMON LAW AT THIS POINT. *AKCOULD YOU OFFER ANY SUGGESTIONS? THANK YOU. BETH DAVIS

DON'T KNOW IF ANY PARTICULAR SPEED INVOLVED. SEE CHRYSLER'S TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 9/7/97 ISSUED JUNE 97 ENTITLED TIMING CHAIN NOISE. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE IS BACKFIRING/STALLING/VIBRATING, AND VEHICLE DIES OUT. CONSUMER HAD TO GET A NEW CLUTCH AND THIS IS THE THIRD TRANSMISSION THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED WITHIN VEHICLE. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE GEARS, AND DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

ENGINE SENSOR FAILED. MJS

CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. *TT

THE VEHICLE STALLS EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS NOT MOVING, AND WHEN THE OWNER TAKES HER FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK

EXHAUST PIPE UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK

ENGINE FIRE.

LOW WINDSHIELD WASH INDICATOR CAME ON.

WINDSHIELD WASH INDICATOR CAME ON.

ENGINE HESITATES/BACKFIRES, ALSO GAS MIXES WITH OIL.

ENGINE STALLS.

VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN DRIVING FROM 35 TO 55MPH. TIRES WERE CHANGED. DEALER DISCOVERED IT WAS IN THE ENGINE . PROBLEM STARTED WHEN VEHICLE' S MILEAGE WAS AT 365 MILES. *AK

POOR GAS MILEAGE.