2003 DODGE DAKOTA Exterior Lighting Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING, THE CLUTCH WAS APPLIED AND THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING BECAME INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED FERRARIO CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP (2463 CORNING RD, ELMIRA, NY 14903, (607) 733-9108) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V322000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. *BF *TP

Mileage: 42,000

LOST EXTERIOR LIGHTS (PARKING LIGHTS, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, TAIL LIGHTS, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS) WHILE DRIVING. HEADLIGHTS, TURN LIGHTS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS FUNCTIONING. CTM WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE, HOWEVER SAFETY CONCERNS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE UNUSED IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS UNTIL PROBLEM DIAGNOSED. REPETITIVE POSTINGS ABOUT THIS MODELS CTM FAILURES ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND ADJOINING SAFETY CONSIDERATION WITH ONLY A LIMITED RECALL, WHICH DID NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. NO AFTER MARKET PARTS WERE FOUND AND REPLACED WITH A ITEM FOR A LOCAL JUNK YARD WHICH MAY SIMPLY FAIL AGAIN.

Mileage: 159,000

HEAD LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY START BLINKING AND EVENTUALLY GO OUT ALL TOGETHER ALONG WITH DASH AND DOME LIGHTS. ONLINE FORUMS SAY IT'S THE CTM. THE NEXT DAY IT'S FINE THEN OUT OF THE BLUE IT STARTS ACTING UP AGAIN. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRAVELING AT NIGHT. ANY RECALLS FOR THIS? SEEMS TO BE QUITE COMMON FOR THIS YEAR DAKOTA

Mileage: 75,000

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE TRUCK WAS GREAT EXCEPT THAT AT NIGHT WHEN I WOULD TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS ALL OF THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD FLASH OFF THEN BACK ON APPROXIMATELY EVERY TWO SECONDS TO 30 SECONDS. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR WITH THIS HAPPENING I BECAME VERY FRUSTRATED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I NARROWED DOWN MY PROBLEM TO THE DAKOTA CENTRAL TIMING MODULE. IT APPEARS AS IF MANY DODGE CUSTOMERS HAVE THIS EXACT ISSUE WITH THESE DODGE MODEL TRUCKS. IT IS VERY UNSAFE TO OPERATE A VEHICLE UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. THIS ISSUE DID NOT DEPEND ON WHETHER I WAS DRIVING IN ROUGH TERRAIN AT NIGHT OR DURING THE DAY. NO MATTER WHERE I DRIVE THE TRUCK, IF THE LIGHTS ARE ON IT WILL BEGIN TO START BLINKING OFF AND THEN ON INTERMITTENTLY. PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM! I HAVE SINCE HAD TO PURCHASE A USED CENTRAL TIMING MODULE OFF OF THE INTERNET BECAUSE WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO GET THE PART AND IF THEY WERE IT WOULD COST OVER $500 JUST FOR THE PART. *TR

Mileage: 149,000

OUR PICK UP TRUCK WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING A CENTRAL TIMER MODULE REPLACEMENT. WE LEARNED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT FROM 10/2/02 THROUGH 11/8/02. OUR VEHICLE WAS BUILT ON 9/12/02. OUR VEHICLE WAS BUILT JUST 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE RECALL AND NEEDS THE SAME TYPE OF REPAIR! DODGE WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR. PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN IT IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. WE ARE REQUESTING THAT YOU INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND EXPAND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE OUR VEHICLE.

Mileage: 60,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/06/16*LJ *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMPS, INTERIOR LIGHTING, GAUGES, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL RANDOMLY FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V322000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NEITHER THE LOW BEAM NOR THE HIGH BEAM WORK PROPERLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRICAL CENTRAL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE WARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

Mileage: 95,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE MASTER WINDOW CONTROL WAS ALSO INOPERABLE AND THE DOORS COULD NOT BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT THEN STARTED THE ENGINE AND THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS HAD ALSO FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V322000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL WAS THE SAME FAILURE THAT HAD BEEN EXPERIENCED WITH HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

Mileage: 128,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CTM AND THE LOW BEAM WIRE CIRCUIT WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V322000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,710.

Mileage: 9,710

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD SWITCH ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,660.

Mileage: 96,660

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008, THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT REVIEWED THE WIRING DIAGRAM FOR THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO POWER COMING OUT OF THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V322000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/20/08. *JB

Mileage: 85,000

2003 DAKOTA LIGHTS QUIT WORKING, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. ALSO DOORS WOULDN'T LOCK OR UNLOCK ELECTRICALLY. WIFE TOOK TRUCK TO LOCAL DEALER WHO SAID THEY COULDN'T TOUCH IT FOR TWO WEEKS. I COULD NOT DRIVE THE TRUCK WITHOUT LIGHTS. I CHECKED ALL FUSES AND SEARCHED INTERNET AND DEDUCED THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE (CTM) (56047092AI WITH DATE CODE 12/22/2002) WAS THE PROBLEM AND THERE WAS A RECALL #02V322000. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER WHO SAID THE RECALL DIDN'T APPLY TO MY TRUCK VIN #. I CALLED ANOTHER DEALER WHO WANTED $400+ TO FIX IT. I FOUND ANOTHER DEALER WILLING TO SELL ME THE PART). THEY SOLD ME A NEWER VERSION AND I INSTALLED IT IN THEIR PARKING LOT IN ABOUT TEN MINUTES. ALL THE LIGHTS AND ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS WORKED AGAIN EXCEPT THE FOR THE KEY FOBS WHICH HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED. TOTAL REPAIR WAS $260.21. THEN I CONTACTED CHRYSLER TO GET MY TRUCK INCLUDED WITHIN THE RECALL AND ASKED FOR A REFUND OF THE REPAIR COST. THEY ASKED FOR ALL ORIGINAL RECEIPTS AND A FORM FILLED OUT. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER CHRYSLERS CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICE IN INDIA CALLED AND THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE KEPT TELLING ME THE RECALL DIDN'T APPLY TO MY TRUCK AND THEY WERE NOT GOING TO REFUND THE MONEY. THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME ANY OTHER CONTACT PEOPLE OR PHONE NUMBERS. TO MY TRUCK. BUT THE $260.21 I PAID TO HAVE THE CTM #56047092AL INSTALLED REPLACING THE ORIGINAL ONE THAT FAILED WITH A DATE CODE OF 12/22/2002 FIXED THE PROBLEM AND WAS ONE DAY PRIOR TO THE RECALL STARTING. PLEASE REFUND THE $260.21. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD THUD COMING FROM THE AXLE AREA. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED COMPLETELY. EVENTUALLY, THE HORN BEGAN TO SOUND INTERMITTENTLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN WIPING AUTOMATICALLY, AND THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CONTINUED TO CHIME. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT ALL THE FAILURES WERE RELATED TO THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V322000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS SWITCH) WAS REFERENCED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,700.

Mileage: 65,700

2003 DODGE DAKOTA WITH SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HEADLIGHTS, WIPER DELAY, AND INTERIOR LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. HE STATES THAT THIS ALL HAPPENED WHEN THE LOW FUEL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEAD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AT ALL. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THEY DIDN'T HAVE A RECALL IN THEIR SYSTEM AND REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT FAILS INTERMITTENTLY AND THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR DISPLAYS SPORADICALLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V322000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH) AND DAIMLER CHRYSLER RECALL NUMBER B32. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED, WHICH WOULD COST $500. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THEY ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NHTSA WAS THE AGENCY THAT ISSUES RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000. UPDATED 01/29/08 *BF

Mileage: 30,000

25JAN06 TELL DODGE DEALER THAT PASS WINDOW INOP FROM PASS SIDE SWITCH WORKS FROM DRIVERS SIDE SWITCH. DODGE REPLACE SWITCH. 20APR06 TELL DODGE DEALER PASS WINDOW INOP FROM PASS SIDE BUT WORKS FROM DRIVERS SIDE. DODGE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. PERSISTS UP TO 7DEC07, HOPEFULLY MY MECHANIC FOUND THE TROUBLE. 1DEC07 "SERVICE 4WD" LIGHT CAME ON 3DEC07 CALLED TO GET APPTMT FOR TRUCK 4DEC07 REMOTE DOOR ENTRY WOULDN'T WORK OR DOOR LOCK FOR ALL DOORS ON DRIVER ARM REST, WINDSHIELD WASHER AND WIPER PULSE WOULDN'T WORK 5DEC07 HEADLIGHTS DID NOT COME ON DURING EVENING TRAFFIC COMMUTE, TURN SIGNALS WORKED 7DEC07 TAKE TRUCK TO SHOP FINDS SHORT TO GROUND IN CIRCUIT TO INTO LIGHTS (FUSE#1) PNK WIRE NEAR PARKING BRAKE PETAL, REPLACE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE (P/N 56049072AL). *TR

Mileage: 47,250

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE HEADLIGHTS AND AUTOMATIC LOCKS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WERE INOPERABLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. TWO MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MECHANIC THEN STATED THAT THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MODULE WAS REPAIRED ON THE VEHICLE. SINCE THE REPAIR NO OTHER FAILURES OCCURRED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER REGARDING RECALL #02V322000. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 60,000.*AK UPDATE 05/10/07*TR

Mileage: 60,000

EVENING RAIN CONDITIONS HEADLIGHT FAILURE INTERIOR LIGHTS STUCK ON. (CAUSED VISION IMPAIRMENT) BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS NOT FUNCTIONING. *NM

Mileage: 63,000

RECALL 04V216000/WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR: AFTER THIS RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE CONSUMER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATES, THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN IN INCLEMENT CONDITIONS IT CAUSES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THE HEADLIGHT TO STOP OPERATING. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.*AK

Mileage: 37,200

WE HAVE RECENTLY SUBMITTED A CLAIM TO THE BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRS. OUR TRUCK HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME AND NEW PROBLEMS. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN JUNE WITH 12 MILES ON IT. THEY RECENTLY HAD OUR VEHICLE FOR 3 DAYS IN A ROW AND WANTED TO KEEP IT FOR A 4TH DAY, HOWEVER WE DECLINED. BELOW PLEASE FIND A LIST OF THE PROBLEMS: 1) LOUD HOWLING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP IN REVERSE 2) SLIPS OUT OF GEAR WHEN IN REVERSE OR DRIVE 3) IDLES ROUGHLY 4) OCCASIONALLY DIES WHEN BACKING IN REVERSE OR GOING FORWARD 5) WHEEL WELL GUARDS ARE STARTING TO PEEL AWAY 6) RUNS IN THE PAINT JOB 7) THERE WAS ELECTRICAL WIRING ISSUES 8) TRANSMISSION ISSUES

I KEEP HEARING A LOUD "BANG" AND LOUDING CREAKING NOISES IN THE FRONT END OF MY 2003 DODGE DAKOTA WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DODGE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY HAVEN'T FOUND ANYTHING. I KEEP TELLING THEM IT SOUNDS LIKE A CRACKED COIL SPRING OR BODY MOUNT. THEY SAID IF I BRING IT IN AGAIN AS WARRANTY WORK, THEN THEY'LL CHARGE ME FOR THE TIME. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNALS KEEP SHORTING OUT AND WHEN YOU TURN THE LEFT ONE ON, THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS COME ON. FINALLY, THE LEFT POWER WINDOW SLOWS DOWN EXCESSIVELY WHEN I ATTEMPT TO PUT THE WINDOW UP. IT GOES DOWN FINE, BUT IT WON'T GO UP AT NORMAL SPEED.*AK

Mileage: 3,000