2002 DODGE DAKOTA Steering Problems

THE CAR GOES INTO PARK, BUT PARK DOES NOT ENGAGE. I'M ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. THE COLUMN SHOWS PARK BUT THE CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL. I SEE THAT 2002 DAKOTAS HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT MY VIN # DOESN'T SHOW A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.

Mileage: 156,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GALEANA'S VAN DYKE DODGE (28400 VAN DYKE AVE, WARREN, MI 48093, (586) 573-4000) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL FOR THE GEAR SHIFTER, AND THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER AND THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

Mileage: 96,000

RACK AND PINION SEAL BUSTED WHILE DRIVING AT SOME POINT RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

THE SHIFTER WILL NOT MOVE FROM PARK POSITION. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER DUE TO THE RECALL FOR THAT SPECIFIC PROBLEM WITH THAT YEAR MODEL. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT IS VIN # RELATED PROBLEM (IT IS A SPECIFIC VIN NUMBERS THAT IT IS RELATED TO). I INFORMED THEM THAT I'M EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT ALL SITES, REPORTS AND BLOGS ARE TALKING ABOUT. THE FINAL ANSWER IS TO TAKE MY CAR TO BE DIAGNOSE, DEPENDING ON THE REPORT THEY MAY OR MAY NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. HOW IT IS DIFFERENT THIS PROBLEM FROM THE PROBLEM THAT I'M HAVING?! *TR

Mileage: 65,500

HAVE HAD STEERING KNUCKLES REPLACED TWICE ON MY TRUCK BECAUSE THE CALIPER BOLTS STRIP OUT AND CAUSE MY TRUCK DO DIVE LEFT OR RIGHT UPON BRAKING. ALSO CAUSED BY BRAKE PAD RAILS WEARING TOO MUCK AND NOT LETTING THE CALIPERS MOVE THE BRAKE PADS TO APPLY THE BRAKES. ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS MULTIPLE TIMES BUT DEALER SAYS ITS NOT AN ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH BOTH FRONT TIRES LOCKED UP AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BRAKES AND UPPER BALL JOINTS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRONT CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOUR TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND THE BOTTOM OF THE CONTROL ARM BROKE FREE LETTING THE WHEEL COME FREE FROM THE VEHICLE..... *TR

Mileage: 139,836

LOWER U JOINT IN THE STEERING SHAFT BREAKS. MINE LUCKLY BROKE IN MY DRIVEWAY BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN BAD. THE PART IS UNAVAILBLE AFTERMARKET. DEALER IS BACK ORDERD FOR WEEKS. I HAD TO DRIVE OVER 2 HOURS AWAY TO GET THE SHAFT AT THE CLOSEST DEALER. *TR

Mileage: 59,642

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE STEERING COMPONENT ON HER VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE WEARING QUICKLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CV JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO SERVICE THE CV JOINTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS OWNER ALREADY HAD IT REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 127,000.

Mileage: 127,000

BOUGHT A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA NEW. TOOK IT BACK 3 TIMES FOR COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFTER PROBLEMS WITHIN DAYS OF IT JAMMING, COULD NOT GET IT OUT OF PARK,THEN IT WOULDN'T STAY IN PARK, MAKING A CRUNCHING SOUND WHEN YOU TRY TO SHIFT THREW THE GEARS. EACH TIME I TOOK IT BACK, ANOTHER PROBLEM CAME UP CAUSED BUY THE DEALERS NEGLECT DAMAGING THE TRUCK, I COMPLAINED TO CHRYSLER CORP AND THEY BLEW ME OFF AND TOLD ME I WAS A TROUBLED CUSTOMER AND THEY NEVER WOULD RETURN MY CALLS. I PARKED THE TRUCK IN THE GARAGE AND NEVER TRUSTED IT FOR ANY LONG TRIPS AND SUCH. GOT STUCK 250 MILES FROM HOME WHEN THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK, AND THEN NOT STAY IN PARK. NOW I WAS SENT A RECALL NOTICE OF THIS ISSUE ( RECALL G28 IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM) I TOOK THIS TRUCK TO GLENN E THOMAS DODGE IN LONG BEACH CALIFORNIA FOR THE RECALL AND THEY ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THIS, I DID NOT EVEN GET OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN I NOTICED THE SHIFTER STILL DID NOT WORK CORRECT AND STILL WAS HAVING AN PROBLEM. I ASKED FOR THE SERVICE PERSONNEL TO LOOK AT THIS AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL, IT CLEARLY WAS NOT ! THEY ATTEMPTED TO TAKE IT IN AGAIN, AND STILL IT DID THE SAME THING, THIS 3 TIME REPEAT REPAIR BEFORE I EVEN GOT OFF THE LOT. I GOT DISGUSTED AGAIN AND LEFT BUT WHEN I GOT DOWN THE STREET I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF CENTER AND NOT EVEN STRAIGHT ANYMORE. THIS TRUCK HAS ONLY 11,250 MILES ON IT AND IS LIKE MINT NEW CONDITION ( EXCEPT FOR THIS PROBLEM) NOT A SCRATCH, MARK OR DIRT ANYWHERE ON IT. I AM NOT TRUSTING THIS VEHICLE IT COULD GO INTO REVERSE AND KILL SOMEONE. THERE IS MORE I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS AND WOULD LIKE TO INFORM NHTSA OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS. ALSO WANT THIS FIXED OR FOR CHRYSLER TO TAKE IT BACK. *TR

Mileage: 100

2002 DODGE DAKOTA, LESS THAN 60,000 MILES, CORRODED POWER STEERING FLUID TUBING, CAUSING FLUID LOSS AND LACK OF NORMAL STEERING CONTROL. REPAIR PART NOT AVAILABLE FOR MORE THAN 5 WEEKS. HAS THERE BEEN A LOT OF POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURES FOR THESE AND SIMILAR VEHICLES? I HAVE PARKED THE VEHICLE UNTIL REPAIRS ARE COMPLETED. I'VE OWNED 13 VEHICLES SINCE 1971 AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. IS THERE AN UNANNOUNCED VOLUNTARY RECALL BY CHRYSLER FOR THIS? IT SEEMS ODD THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART IS NOT READILY AVAILABLE, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS MORE WIDESPREAD THAN ACKNOWLEDGED. *TR

Mileage: 59,700

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE CLEANING OUT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE DRIVE GEAR SHIFT WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT OWNS THREE OTHER DODGE DAKOTA'S AND NONE OF THEM HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE PARTS BROKEN IN THE STEERING COLUMN. UPDATED 12//12/07

Mileage: 40,000

THOUGHT I WOULD "BUY AMERICAN" AND GET THE DODGE DAKOTA 4 DR CREW. LOVE ITS STYLE, COMFORTS, MORE POWER THAN I NEED (4.7L V8) 2WD HAS NO TRACTION IN SNOW OR ICE. VERY EASY TO DRIVE AND COMFORTABLE 6FT.2 220LBS.(2 TRIPS NJ TO CALIF.) GAS MILEAGE STINKS...13-18MPG, NO LOADS. BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED 28K, LEFT TOP BALL JOINT WORN (NO RECALL YET)A/C NEEDED CHARGING, RIGHT FRONT HUB AND BEARINGS REPLACED 49K, REAR LEAF SPRING NOISY, TRANSMISSION HESITATION OCCASIONALLY. GREAT TRUCK TO DRIVE AND HAUL BUT RELIABILITY REALLY IN QUESTION WITH ONLY 49K. PROBABLY BACK TO NISSAN OR TOYOTA.

Mileage: 20,000

MULTIPLE SUSPENSION COMPONENT FAILURES PLEASE REOPEN INVESTIGATIONS INTO DODGE DAKOTA/DURANGO PRODUCTS. STABILIZER BUSHINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED AND WERE REPLACED, STEERING INPUT SHAFT FAILED AND REPLACED ONCE.

Mileage: 25,572

RACK AND PINION FAILURE 48,000 MILES. SEALS LEAKING AND PUMP WHINING. *AK.

Mileage: 47,980

SLIGHT NOISE, LOUD NOISE. POWER STEERING PUMP. *AK.

Mileage: 46,950

UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AFTER 2,000 MILES OF OWNERSHIP. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION. THE DEALER WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, STATING IT WAS A WEAR ITEM. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT AND FIXED BEFORE OFFERING THE VEHICLE FOR SALE, BUT THEY CLAIM OTHERWISE. I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE BOTH SETS OF BALL JOINTS ON MY OWN. SINCE THEN, DC HAS RECALLED THE UPPER JOINTS. THE UPPER JOINTS CREATED A SITUATION CAUSING THE LOWER JOINTS TO FAIL ALSO AND SHOULD BE COVERED IN THEIR RECALL. THEY ALSO DO NOT SPECIFY COVERING THE ALIGNMENT NEEDED AFTER JOINTS ARE REPLACED. THE RECALL SHOULD BE REISSUED COVERING UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ALONG WITH ALIGNMENT TO REMEDY THE SITUATION IN THIS RECALL FAILURE. *JB

Mileage: 37,000

(1) FAILURE OF STEERING COMPONENTS; (2) REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE PARTS; (3) PARTS REPLACEMENT IMMINENT.*AK

Mileage: 50,347

(1) FAILURE OF STEERING COMPONENTS; (2) REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE PARTS; (3) PARTS REPLACEMENT IMMINENT.*AK

Mileage: 50,347

IN A RECENT NEWS ARTICLE I READ THAT THE NHTSA IS CONSIDERING RECALLING DODGE DAKOTAS FOR FAULTY UPPER BALL JOINTS. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE WITH MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB CONCERNING THIS ISSUE.*AK I RECENTLY TOOK MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB IN FOR A FRONT END ALLIGMENT. AT THE TIME OF SERVICE THE VEHICLE HAD 36,500 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE SERVICE TECH NOTIFIED ME THAT THE RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY AND WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE AND SHOULD NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT AT THE STATED MILEAGE. I HOPE THIS ISSUE CAN BE REMEDIED SOON.

Mileage: 41,500

I OWN A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA AND HAD TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED AT 24,000 MILES AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS IS COMMON. MY HOPE IS THAT YOU WOULD INVESTIGATE THIS AND FORCE CHRYSLER TO DO A RE-CALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *AK

Mileage: 24,000

2002 - DODGE DAKOTA: TRUCK MECHANICALLY SOUND WHEN IT COMES TO THE ENGINE. RECENTLY HAD A TUNE-UP & 27 POINT INSPECTION @ 50,000 MILES AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACEMENT AND WOULD COST ABOUT $1200.00 TO FIX. THE DEALERS MECHANIC ASKED IF I HAVE BEEN HEAR A "CLUNKING" SOUND WHEN MAKING SHARP TURNS. I ADVISED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS SOUND STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 30,000 MILES BUT DID NOT PAY TO MUCH ATTENTION. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF IT WAS COMMON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN SO PREMATURELY. NO ANSWER. ANY RECALLS IN THE WORKS. THERE SEEMS TO BE MAY ISSUES FROM OTHERS SURROUNDING THE BALLJOINTS!!! IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE ADDITIONAL COST OF $1200.00 MAYBE I WOULD NOT HAVE CONSIDERED PURCHASING THE TRUCK IN THE FIRST PLACE.*AK FP

Mileage: 30,000

RACK AND PINION, AND TIE ROD FAILURE AFTER 2 YEARS ON DODGE DAKOTA....TIRE ROTATION STORE INFORMED ME THAT WHEEL WAS IN DANGER OF COMING OFF. RACK AND PINION GEAR AND TIE ROD REPLACED AT COST OF 1,000.00. WAS "WORN" THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE PIECES. A SEARCH OF THE WEB INDICATES THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF WHEELS COMING OFF, BALL JOINTS, AND TIE RODS FAILING ON THE DURANGO/DAKOTA FRONT CLIP. WILL IT TAKE A DEATH FOR CHRYSLER TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES? I HAVE DRIVEN FOR 35 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A FAILURE IN SUSPENSIN LIKE THIS. THIS HAS BEEN "UNDER INVESTIGATION" FOR 3 YEARS. WHY IS THAT? *AK

Mileage: 50,000

RACK AND PINION, AND TIE ROD FAILURE AFTER 2 YEARS ON DODGE DAKOTA....TIRE ROTATION STORE INFORMED ME THAT WHEEL WAS IN DANGER OF COMING OFF. RACK AND PINION GEAR AND TIE ROD REPLACED AT COST OF 1,000.00. WAS "WORN" THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE PIECES. A SEARCH OF THE WEB INDICATES THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF WHEELS COMING OFF, BALL JOINTS, AND TIE RODS FAILING ON THE DURANGO/DAKOTA FRONT CLIP. WILL IT TAKE A DEATH FOR CHRYSLER TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES? I HAVE DRIVEN FOR 35 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A FAILURE IN SUSPENSIN LIKE THIS. THIS HAS BEEN "UNDER INVESTIGATION" FOR 3 YEARS. WHY IS THAT? *AK

Mileage: 50,000

REPORTED A POPPING SOUND ON THE RIGHT FRONT OF VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP APPRO. ONE YEAR AGO, INFORMED NOTHING WAS WRONG. UPON A PERSONAL INSPECTION DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE I NOTED THAT THE RIGHT UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT HAD PREMATURELY FAILED. *AK(CURRENT VECHICLE MILEAGE 16,000) PURCHASED REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM AND INSTALLED PER MANUFACTUERS INSTRUCTIONS. I HAVE SAVED THE OLD PART. MY CONCERN IN THIS MATTER IS, IF THESE SAME PARTS ARE USED ON BOTH DODGE DAKOTAS AND DODGE DURANGOS AND THIS PART IS PRONE TO PREMATURE FAILURE, WHAT WILL BE THE END RESULT?

Mileage: 16,134

I HAD A BRAKE AND ROTOR JOB DONE AT 36000 MILES BY A LOCAL MECHANIC AND FOUND THAT MY RACK AND PINION IS LEAKING AT THE BOOT AND THERE IS TO MUCH PLAY FROM TIE RODS. DEALER SHIP WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP EXEPT CHARGE ME $3750 TO FIX IT. I DO NOT NO HOW LONG THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN THERE. ANOUTHER DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS A MESSY OIL CHANGE YA RIGHT!*AK

Mileage: 36,200

I HAD A BRAKE AND ROTOR JOB DONE AT 36000 MILES BY A LOCAL MECHANIC AND FOUND THAT MY RACK AND PINION IS LEAKING AT THE BOOT AND THERE IS TO MUCH PLAY FROM TIE RODS. DEALER SHIP WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP EXEPT CHARGE ME $3750 TO FIX IT. I DO NOT NO HOW LONG THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN THERE. ANOUTHER DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS A MESSY OIL CHANGE YA RIGHT!*AK

Mileage: 36,200

I HAD LOSS OF CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE THIS MORNING WHICH I BELIEVE IS A DIRECT RESULT OF MY STEERING/BALL JOINT / RACK AND PINION FAILURE. IT'S AT THE DEALER NOW BEING LOOKED OVER THOROUGHLY. THE DEALER JUST REPLACED THE INTERMITTENT STEERING SHAFT LAST WEEK.*AK

Mileage: 25,680

2002 DODGE DAKOTA FRONT END FAILURE.*MR WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS MANEUVERING A CURVE THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE HIT A GUARD RAIL. THE TRUCK SUSTAINED SOME FRONT BUMPER DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT. THE CONSUMER STILL HEARS A POPPING NOISE WHEN MAKING SHARP TURNS. THE CONSUMER PLANS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT SINCE DODGE IS HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SUSPENSION THAT THE DEALER NEEDS TO LOOK AT THE BALL JOINT, TIE RODS, RACK AND PINION. *NM

Mileage: 25,000

WHILE DRIVING/TURNING OR BRAKING FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS MADE A POPPING NOISE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY THE DEALERSHIP, THEY NOTICED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED.*AK ADDITIONALLY THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND AUGUST 2003, THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR BOX. *NM

Mileage: 43,000

DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 2002 /HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING FRONT END PROBLEMS WITH TRUCK SINCE PURCHASE. BROUGHT IN NUMEROUS TIMES TO DEALER FOR BRAKE ISSUES[FRONT ROTORS,PADS,REAR DRUMS AND DISCS].TOLD MULTIPLE TIMES THERE IS NO PROBLEM, ITS THE WAY YOU DRIVE. TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED,VERY WELL CARED FOR. AFTER THE 5TH TIME TO DEALER FINNALLY TOLD THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACMENT.THIS WAS AFTER ONE FULL YEAR OF DENIAL.NOTIFIED DEALER OF NOISE AT THE STEERING WHEEL,TOLD THEY COULD NOT VRIFY THE COMPLAINT WOULD PROBABLY GO AWAY AFTER REPLACING UPPER BALL JOINTS.ONE WEEK LATER AFTER REPLACMENT OF UPPER BALL JOINTS ,SAME NOISE REOCCURED [LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AT FRONT END]TOOK BACK TO DEALER ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE BOTTOM BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACMENT,NO MENTION ONE WEEK PRIOR ABOUT WEAR ON LOWER AREA.DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE NOISE NOTED COMING FROM STERING WHEEL FROM PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS WAS NOW THOUGHT TO BE AN INTERMIEDIATE SHAFT IN THE STEERING COLUMN,THIS SAME NOISE THAT ONE WEEK EARLIER COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED.AT 30,000 MILES MY ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL GEAR ASSEMBBLY NEEDED REPLACMENT.I HAVE BEEN CHARGED MULTIPLE WARRANTY DEDUCTIBLES ON WHAT SEEMS TO ME TO BE, THE SAME PROBLEM AND POSSIBLY A CANIDATE FOR LEMON STATUS.AT WHAT POINT WILL THE CONSUMERS RIGHT'S BE PROTECTED.I AM JOINING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN REGARDS TO CHRYSLER/DAIMLER AND SUGGEST TO EVERYONE WHO READS THIS TO DO THE SAME.CHECK OUT WWW.DODGETALK.COM FOR INFO AND LINKS.ALSO I RECCOMEND TO ANYONE WHO HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR DAELER IN TERMS OF DENIALS/NON REPAIRS/FAULTY WORKMANSHIP/OR ANY RELATED COSTS OUT OF POCKET TO FILE FORMAL COMPLAINTS AND CONTACT A LOCAL LEMON LAW ATTORNEY IN RELATION TO THEIR ACTIONS AND LACK OF PROPER BUSINESS ETHICS.ONLY UNTIL WE MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN CAN WE ACCTUALLY ACHIEVE IT.GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE WHO READS THIS.*AK

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS GETTING THE TIRES ROTATED, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TIE RODS WERE LOOSE. MIDSTATE DODGE REPLACED THE TIE RODS WITH NEW ONES. *AK MIDSTATE DODGE WOULD NOT REPLACED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *SC *JB

Mileage: 17,000

WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT SECTOR, RACK AND PINION, AND UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. *AK

Mileage: 35,000

WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT SECTOR, RACK AND PINION, AND UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. *AK

Mileage: 35,000

AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY WHEN AN ACCIDENT OCCURED AT 43 MPH. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHEN MY SON HIT THE BRAKES TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT.*AK

Mileage: 31,000

THE TRUCK HAS HAD SEVER PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION AND STALLING. IT ALSO MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF PROBLEMS WITH AT LEAT 15 DAYS TOTAL IN THE SHOP.

Mileage: 1,500

WHILE HAVING VEHICLE SERVICED FOR A BRAKE ISSUE DEALERSHIP NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY, AND THE TIE RODS WERE DEFECTIVE. DEALERSHIP COULD ONLY REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE THE LOWER ONCE DUE TO PART BEING ON BACK ORDER. *AK

Mileage: 38,400

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW SECONDS LATER THE VEHICLE WENT TO ONE SIDE AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THE CONSUMER WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS IN THE COLLISION. THE CAUSE OF THE COLLISION WAS THE SPINDLE AND THE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB *MR

Mileage: 65,000

I OWN A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. AT 27,000 MILES, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS. THEY ALSO WORKED ON THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. AT 34,000 MILES THEY REPLACED THREE BALL JOINTS AND WORKED ON THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. AT 42,000 MILES THEY REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND WORKED ON THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. AT 49,000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. FORTUNATELY, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS. I HAVE HEARD NOISES AND TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP OR MY MECHANIC. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING IT. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT ANYMORE. I THINK THEY HAVE SOME SERIOUS FRONT END PROBLEMS THAT THEY SHOULD BE ADDRESSING. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE FOOTING THE BILL FOR IT. I AM ALSO VERY UPSET THAT THE DEALERSHIP AND DODGE HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEMS AND CHOSE TO BLAME THEM ON OTHER CONDITIONS CAUSED BY THE OWNER.*AK

Mileage: 27,104

2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB V8 CURRENTLY WITH 45, 000 MILES. FIRST NOTICED STEERING PROBLEMS AT 18,000 MILES. THE TRUCK MAKES NOISE OVER BUMPS AND WHEN TURNING. BROUGHT TRUCK IN FOR SEAT REPAIR AND TO CHECK STEERING AT 35,000 MILES. MECHANIC PERFORMED FRONT END ALIGNMENT. PROBLEMS STILL PERSISTED. ALSO, THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED AT 18,000 MILES AND CAUSED A PULSATING FEEL IN THE PEDAL. THE TRUCK NOW FEELS AS IF IT WILL FALL APART OVER BUMPS AND FEELS AS IF I WILL LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WARRANTY IS NOW EXPIRED BUT I NEED THIS PROBLEM FIXED. I HAVE READ OF MANY COMPLAINTS IN DODGE TRUCKS AS WELL AS THEIR CARS OF PREMATURE STEERING FAILURE. *LA

Mileage: 18,000

HEARD AND FELT A CLUNKING SOUND IN STEERING WHEN VEHICLE HIT A BUMP/ BALL JOINTS AND ARMS REPLACED. *MR THE CONSUMER FELT AND HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE STEERING WHEN A BUMP WAS HIT OR TURNING A CORNER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS AND A ARM UNDER WARRANTY. *SCC *JB

Mileage: 30,000

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S UPPER BALL JOINT, LOWER CONTROL ARM, AND STEERING.*MR *CB

Mileage: 17,000

ONLY 27689 MILES SAFETY FRONT END COMPONENTS FAILED POWER STEERING RACK SEAL LEAKING FLUID.SWAY BAR BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED.SEAT RIGHT REAR COMING APART PASS SIDE PLASTIC RECLINER HANDLE BROKE MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 SPORT HAS HAD SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, AND BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS MAKE A POPPING SOUND WHEN STEP ON BRAKES OR MAKE A SHARP LEFT TURN. I NOW HAVE 29900 MILES AND THE POUNDING AND NOISE HAVE NOT STOPPED. VEHICLE FEELS LIKE YOU WILL LOOSE CONTROL WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE HIGHWAY. *AK

Mileage: 27,689

THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. *NLM *AK THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: KNOCKING IN THE SUSPENSION(4 ATTEMPTS TO FIX), THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT, THE DRIVER DOOR HAD A WIND NOISE AND WATER LEAKED, THE TAILGATE HANDLE WAS LOOSE ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN COUPLED, AND THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BOLTS WERE FOUND LOOSE. *SCC

Mileage: 10,000

THE CONSUMER NEARLY HAD A COLLISION DUE TO THE MALFUNCTIONING OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. *AK *CB *JB

ENGINE STUMBLES AT 2300 RPM, TWO DEALERS HAVE SAID PROBLEM IS CHARACTERISTIC AND NOT REPAIRABLE. STEERING IS STIFF AT CENTER VERY LIGHT ELSEWHERE CAUSING OVERSTEERING AT THE TRANSITION, ALSO CHARACTERISTIC ACCORDING TO DEALERS. STEERING PROBLEM AMPLIFIED STARTING FROM STOP AND TURNING CORNER. EXCESSIVE VEHICLE ROLL AND STUMBLING ACCENTUATES STEERING INSTABILITY. ALSO NOTICABLE ON FREEWAY ENTRANCE/EXIT RAMPS WHEN STEERING IS ON THE TRANSITION BETWEEN HEAVY AND LIGHT EFFORT.

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLES. *AK

EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING. TOP OF STEERING WHEEL MUST MOVE ABOUT 8 INCHES TO CHANGE DIRECTIONS. 4 INCHES FROM CENTER TO EACH SIDE.