2005 DODGE DAKOTA Seats Problems

WHILE DRIVING ON I-635 NORTHBOUND AT AROUND 25 TO 30 MPH WITH 4X4 ACTIVATED ON A SINGLE LINE AVAILABLE SINCE IT WAS CLEARED AND SALTED. WITHOUT WARNING I WAS THE ONLY VEHICLE THAT VEERED RIGHT HARD AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ALMOST CRASHING ONTO THE METAL BEAM ALONG THE HIGHWAY. I WENT PAST THE SHOULDER AND DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF HILL, BUT THANKFULLY VEHICLE DIDN'T TURN OFF. I HAD TO SWITCH OFF 4X4 AND BACK ON AND WAS ABLE TO CLIMB UP DESPITE THE SNOW BACK TO THE HIGHWAY WITH NO FURTHER REOCCURRENCE. UNFORTUNATELY WHEN THIS HAPPENED MY PASSENGER SEAT WENT FORWARD AND IS NOW STUCK AND I BROKE LEVER TRYING TO BRING IT BACK FROM FRONT RECLINING. BECAUSE OF THE ROUGH TERRAIN THE REAR QUARTER PANELS WHERE THE WAS SOME RUST HAVE CRACKED

Mileage: 189,000

HEATED DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DRIVER HEATED SEAT. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS AIRBAG RECALL ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TRUCK. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR AIRBAGS AND WOULD NEED TO CONTACT DODGE FOR A CASE NUMBER. CONTACTED DODGE AND WAS TOLD JUST DRIVE CAREFULLY.

Mileage: 112,855

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE T80 HEATED SEATS IN MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA I CALLED THE CHRYSLER REPRESENTATIVE SCHEDULE A REPAIR SERVICE WITH PERKINS DODGE COLORADO SPRINGS HE ORDERED THE SEATS I TOLD THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD A BURN HOLE IN IT AND HAD CAUGHT FIRE WHEN THE NEW SEATS ARRIVED AT PERKINS DODGE I TOOK MY TRUCK IN TO BE REPAIRED THEY TOLD ME THEY WILL NOT DO THE PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE OF THE BURN HOLE HAS CUT OUT PIECES. I TOLD THEM I HAD TO REMOVE SOME OF THE BURNT MATERIAL TO PUT A SEAT COVER ON AND STILL UTILIZE THE SEAT. SEATS ARE STILL UNDER RECALL THEY ORDERED THEM KNOWING THAT THERE WAS A BURN HOLE I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WILL NOT PROCEED WITH THE REPAIR THE INFORMATION FOR THE CASE NUMBER AND REPRESENTATIVE I TALKED TO IS HERE.... MY NAME IS [XXX] FROM THE FCA CASE MANAGEMENT DIVISION, I HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED AS YOUR CASE MANAGER. HERE IS SOME INFORMATION THAT WILL BE HELPFUL FOR YOU TO HAVE: YOUR CASE NUMBER IS [XXX] THE CHRYSLER CASE MANAGEMENT TELEPHONE NUMBER IS: [XXX] MY DIRECT EXTENSION: [XXX] MY WORK HOURS ARE: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME (MONDAY-FRIDAY). I WILL CONTACT YOU WITHIN ONE BUSINESS DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT BY TELEPHONE TO REVIEW YOUR CASE WITH YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR - (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE T80 HEATED SEATS IN MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA I CALLED THE CHRYSLER REPRESENTATIVE SCHEDULE A REPAIR SERVICE WITH PERKINS DODGE COLORADO SPRINGS HE ORDERED THE SEATS I TOLD THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD A BURN HOLE IN IT AND HAD CAUGHT FIRE WHEN THE NEW SEATS ARRIVED AT PERKINS DODGE I TOOK MY TRUCK IN TO BE REPAIRED THEY TOLD ME THEY WILL NOT DO THE PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE OF THE BURN HOLE HAS CUT OUT PIECES. I TOLD THEM I HAD TO REMOVE SOME OF THE BURNT MATERIAL TO PUT A SEAT COVER ON AND STILL UTILIZE THE SEAT. SEATS ARE STILL UNDER RECALL THEY ORDERED THEM KNOWING THAT THERE WAS A BURN HOLE I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WILL NOT PROCEED WITH THE REPAIR THE INFORMATION FOR THE CASE NUMBER AND REPRESENTATIVE I TALKED TO IS HERE.... MY NAME IS [XXX] FROM THE FCA CASE MANAGEMENT DIVISION, I HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED AS YOUR CASE MANAGER. HERE IS SOME INFORMATION THAT WILL BE HELPFUL FOR YOU TO HAVE: YOUR CASE NUMBER IS [XXX] THE CHRYSLER CASE MANAGEMENT TELEPHONE NUMBER IS: [XXX] MY DIRECT EXTENSION: [XXX] MY WORK HOURS ARE: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME (MONDAY-FRIDAY). I WILL CONTACT YOU WITHIN ONE BUSINESS DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT BY TELEPHONE TO REVIEW YOUR CASE WITH YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR - (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V820000 (SEATS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HALEY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM AIRPORT (5400 S LABURNUM AVE, RICHMOND, VA 23231, (804) 663-5337) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Mileage: 110,000

2005 DODGE DAKOTA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO HEATED SEATS SAFETY RECALL T80/NHTSA 17V-820 AND WHEN VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. *AS *TR

2005 DODGE DAKOTA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO A SETTLE CLAIM FOR FAULTY HEATED SEATS THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AS *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V820000 (SEATS) WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER (PARKWAY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM, 21560 HALL RD, CLINTON TWP, MI 48038, (586) 465-7210) WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO RECEIVE THE PART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A HOLE WAS BURNED IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT NEAR THE CONSOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO SPECIFY WHEN THE PART WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V820000 (SEATS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER (JOHN GREENE CHRYSLER/JEEP/DODGE, 910 JAMESTOWN ROAD, MORGANTON, NC 28655) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE IN FEBRUARY OF 2017. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE DRIVER. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V820000 (SEATS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. TOMBALL DODGE IN TOMBALL, TEXAS WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE, AND THAT CHRYSLER HAD NOT DETERMINED A REMEDY FOR THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT HEATERS WERE TURNED ON. AFTER THE PASSENGER EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE SEATS WERE VERY HOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT STARTED TO SMOKE AS THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN 25 MILES TO THE FIRE STATION WHERE THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER BRICKNER'S OF ANTIGO INC. (123 E HIGHWAY 64, ANTIGO WI 54409) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A FUSE FOR THE HEATED SEATS WERE TURNED OFF. THE NEXT DAY THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AN AT THAT TIME WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V820000 (SEATS) AND THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL WERE DISCONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000. *TT *JS *TT

Mileage: 195,000

I HAVE A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA WITH LEATHER SEATS. I TURNED ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER HEAT TO THE SEATS DROVE ABOUT TWO MILES TO DROP MY CHILD OFF TO SCHOOL. WHEN I GOT BACK HOME I NOTICED A BURN HOLE AND MELTED LEATHER AROUND THE HOLE. I HAVEN'T USED IT SINCE.

Mileage: 137,000

TURNED ON PASSENGER SEAT WARMER TO KEEP A MEAL WARM IN A WHITE FOAM FOOD CONTAINER. 5 MINUTES LATER WHEN I ARRIVED AT HOME THE BOTTOM OF THE CONTAINER HAD A MELTED HOLE IN IT. THE SEAT WAS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH IN ONE SPOT ON THE SEAT. THE REST OF THE SEAT BOTTOM AND BACK WERE NOT WARM AT ALL. SEVERAL DAYS LATER MY WIFE TURNED THE SEAT WARMER ON TO LOW AND WITHIN A COUPLE OF MINUTES SHE EXCLAIMED THAT THE SEAT WAS BURNING HER BOTTOM. WE SHUT THE SEAT WARMER OFF AND THE SEAT BEGAN TO COOL DOWN. THE SEAT WARMER HAD WORKED JUST FINE BEFORE THESE INCIDENTS. IT COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY BURNED MY WIFE IF COULD GET HOT ENOUGH TO MELT A FOAM FOOD CONTAINER. BOTH TIMES THE TRUCK WAS PARKED AND TRAVELING. TOP SPEED WAS 30ISH.

Mileage: 115,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.

Mileage: 56,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.

Mileage: 56,000

I WAS PICKING UP MY BOYS FROM SCHOOL WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THEN I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT. I TURNED OFF THE HEAT TO THE SEAT. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK, THERE WAS A BURN MARK IN THE SEAT AND ON MY JACKET.

Mileage: 158,580

SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTION, CAUSING SMALL FIRE AND HOLE MELTED INTO THE SEAT.

Mileage: 45,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING INSIDE THE DRIVER'S SEAT CUSHION BURNED HOLES IN THE FABRIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RAIRDONS CHRYSLER DODGE OF KIRKLAND (12828 NE 124 TH ST KIRKLAND, WA 98034), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND SENT A SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 10/26/17*LJ UPDATED 10/30/2017*JS

Mileage: 81,000

HEATED SEAT ELEMENT BURNED SEAT FOAM. FOUND SAME BEFORE IT COULD COMPLETELY BURST INTO FLAMES. SAME DID MELT HOLE IN THE FOAM AND SCORCH THE SEAT COVERING.

Mileage: 85,900

HAD DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT TURNED ON LOW AND THE SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. LUCKILY I HAD NOT LEFT BECAUSE I FORGOT MY LIST INSIDE AND WENT INSIDE HOUSE. WHEN I CAME BACK OUT THE SEAT WAS SMOKING SO I RAN IN AN GOT SOME WATER TO POUR ON SEAT. IT PUT THE FIRE OUT. FIRE DEPT. CAME OUT AND THEY TOOK A PICTURE AND PULLED THE FUSE OUT.

Mileage: 148,557

WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND THE DRIVERS COAT LEAVING BURN MARKS. *TR

Mileage: 72,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT, WHICH LEFT A BURN STAIN ON THE CONTACT'S CLOTHING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

WHILE DRIVING, MY DAUGHTER SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND PULLED OVER TO INVESTIGATE. SHE NOTICED THE COAT SHE WAS WEARING WHILE DRIVING WAS SMOKING AND WAS SCORCHED AT THE BOTTOM. SHE THEN NOTICED THE DRIVERS SEAT WHERE SHE WAS SITTING WAS ALSO SCORCHED AND HAD BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE FABRIC OF THE SEAT. SHE STATED SHE HAD THE HEATED SEAT TURNED ON HIGH AT THE TIME. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, I HAVE FELT A BURNING SENSATION TO MY RIGHT BUTTOCK WHILE DRIVING AND JUST TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF NOT THINKING ANY FURTHER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 32,000

THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK WILL NOT STAY IN POSITION AND WILL GO IN A TOTAL RECLINE POSITION AT ANY TIME.THE LOCKING SYSTEM WILL NOT HOLD. THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM IF IT SUDDENLY LETS GO WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 71,000

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND RUNNING, HEATED SEATS WERE ON, DRIVERS SIDE SEAT STARTED SMOKING, BURNING A BROWN MARK IN SEAT. *TR

Mileage: 152,000

I TURNED ON MY HEATED SEAT, AS I HAVE DONE SEVERAL TIMES THIS WINTER. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I REACHED AROUND THE BACK OF ME AS I WAS DRIVING BECAUSE A SPOT ON MY BACK WAS VERY HEATED. I ACTUALLY STUCK MY FINGER THROUGH A HOLE IN THE SEAT THAT HAD BURNED THROUGH BOTH THE SEAT AND MY COAT. (ALSO MY FINGER, AT THIS POINT.) I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE HEAT OFF AND WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO CONTACT CHRYSLER'S CUSTOMER CLAIMS RESOLUTION CENTER, WHO IN TURN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND MY COAT ON MARCH 3, 2014. THE NEXT CONTACT I HAD WAS A LETTER DATED MARCH 10 THAT STATED, "THE INSPECTOR FOUND NO INDICATION OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED TO THE INCIDENT..." I SUBSEQUENTLY CALLED THEIR GENERAL OFFICE COUNSEL AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT BE DOING ANYTHING FURTHER AND I SHOULD MAKE A CLAIM TO MY INSURANCE AGENT. THEY REFUSED TO ANSWER MY QUESTIONS REGARDING HOW MANY VEHICLES HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND THAT THERE WERE NO "HIGHER UPS" THAT I COULD CONTACT. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I'M NOT HAPPY WITH THE OUTCOME AND WOULD WELCOME ANY SUGGESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE FOR ME. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER SHORTED/OVERHEATED TO CAUSE BURNING AND CHARRING OF THE SEATS MATERIALS, INCLUDING A COAT I WAS WEARING. *TR

Mileage: 126,000

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A COLD MORNING AND TURNED ON THE HEATED SEAT. TILL I GOT HOME THE BACK OF THE SEAT HAD A HOLE IN IT FROM THE HEATING ELEMENT AND IT ALSO BURNED A HOLE IN MY BIG WINTER COAT...I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MADE THEM AWARE OF THIS....NO HELP THERE....THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE...WHAT IF MY GRANDCHILD WAS SITTING IN THAT SEAT? I ONLY LIVE 8 MILES FROM MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT..IT GOT THAT HOT THAT DARN FAST!!!!!!!! *TR

Mileage: 75,000

VEHICLE WAS PARKED UNDER THE CARPORT, WAS NOT RUNNING, KEYS WERE NOT IN THE IGNITION. IT HAD BEEN PARKED APPROXIMATELY 2 1/2 HOURS WHEN SON IN LAW HAPPENED TO COME OVER AND SAW THE INSIDE OF THE TRUCK FULL OF SMOKE. HE OPENED THE DOOR AND DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS THE SOURCE OF THE SMOKE AND THE INSIDE OF THE SEAT WAS BURNING. THE SEAT WAS FULLY DESTROYED, BUT THE FIRE WAS ABLE TO BE PUT OUT BEFORE ANY FURTHER DAMAGE OCCURED. HAD THIS NOT BEEN DISCOVERED WHEN IT WAS, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN DESTROYED, ALONG WITH THE CARPORT AND POSSIBLY THE ENTIRE HOME. *TR

Mileage: 62,000

DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

DRIVER'S SIDE HEATER SEAT BURNT HOLE IN MY SEAT, MY BLUE JEANS AND MY WALLET, WARPED CREDIT CARD. THREE MONTHS AGO, A FRIEND BACKED MY TRUCK OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I LEFT HIS HOUSE, I NOTICED A HOLE IN THE BACK SEAT COVER. I BLAMED HIM FOR BURNING A HOLE IN MY SEAT SINCE HE IS A SMOKER. I HAVE NOTICED THAT LATELY MY SEAT HAD BEEN GETTING AWFUL "HOT" BUT NEVER THOUGH IT MIGHT BE BURNING. THEN, TUES JAN 22, I GOT OUT OF MY TRUCK AND NOTICED THE HOLE BURNT IN THE BOTTOM CUSHION. I HAVE SPENT THE PAST WEEK TALKING WITH THE DEALER AND CHRYSLER ABOUT IT SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. CHRYSLER IS WILLING TO HELP ME OUT 50% COST. WHAT I AM FINDING OUT IS THAT THE DEALER ARTIFICIALLY INFLATES THE COSTS SO THAT IN REALITY, IT REALLY WON'T COST CHRYSLER A DIME. OBVIOUSLY, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME. THE PROBLEM WITH THE NHTSA IS THAT THESE ISSUES ARE MINOR TO THEM IN THE BIG PICTURE OF THINGS PERCENTAGE WISE - SO THEY IGNORE IT. BUT TO THE CONSUMER, IT IS MAJOR. IF THE NHTSA WAS SMART OR REALLY ON TOP OF THINGS - THEY WOULD LOOK AT THE OVERALL NUMBERS OF THE CAR COMPANY AND THEY WOULD FIND THAT THE CHRYSLER CORP. HAS HAD TROUBLE WITH THEIR HEATED SEATS FOR OVER A DECADE. ALL THEIR BRANDS. RECALL ON JEEP GR CHEROKEE 2001-2004 ; SEBRING; TOWN & COUNTRY; DODGE/RAM TRUCKS. WHY DOES NHTSA NOT CARE ABOUT THE INDIVIDUALS IN THESE CASES. THERE WAS A PARALYZED MAN THAT HAD HIS SEAT ACCIDENTALLY TURNED ON - HE ENDED UP WITH THIRD DEGREE BURNS ON HIS THIGH ABOUT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER. I WOULD SAY THAT THE NHTSA NEEDS TO DO SOME HOMEWORK ON CHRYSLER AND EXERCISE A RECALL ON ALL OF THESE HEATED SEAT ELEMENTS. HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED TO SUFFER? WHY IS EVERYTHING BASED ON NUMBERS?? DOES ANYONE IN THIS WORLD CARE ABOUT THE INDIVIDUALS BEING HARMED??IN MY OPINION, YOU ARE FAILING TERRIBLY BY NOT GOING AFTER THE CHRYSLER CORP. FOR THEIR NEGLECT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 133,200

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT WARMER OVERHEATED AND BURNED HIS LEG THROUGH HIS PANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLACE THE SEAT AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND RECOMMENDED THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,300.

Mileage: 32,300

I WAS USING THE HEATED SEATS AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT OVERHEATED AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT. THIS OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST 7-8 MINUTES OF USING IT. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

TURNED ON DRIVERS HEATED SEAT TO (LOW),IN JUST A FEW MINUTES I GOT A BURNING FEELING IN MY RIGHT BUTT CHEEK ,AT THE TOP OF MY RIGHT LEG. IT GOT SO HOT THAT I HAD TO TURN THE SEAT OFF RIGHT AWAY !!!!! I DROVE TO WORK AND BY THE TIME I GOT THERE I FORGOT ABOUT THE SEAT ,ALTHOUGH I STILL HAD A BURNING SENSATION IN MY BUTTOCKS. WHEN I CAME OUT OF WORK TODAY ,I NOTICED A BURN HOLE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT AND THE TRUCK HAD THE SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING! I GUESS I SHOULD BE HAPPY THE TRUCK DIDN'T BURN TO THE GROUND BUT I'M AT A LOSS ON WHAT TO DO, EVEN MORE SO ,NOW THAT I'VE SEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET !!!!!! MY BUTT WILL BE FINE ,I'M JUST WONDERING WHAT MY NEXT MOVE SHOULD BE ????? *TR

I STARTED VEHICLE AND TURNED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT SWITCH PRIOR TO CLEANING THE SNOW AND ICE OFF WINDOWS AND HOOD AFTERWHICH I LET MY COWORKER CLEAN HIS VEHICLE OFF. I WENT BACK TO MY VEHICLE TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING AND NOTICED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT SMOLDERING THROUGH THE CLOTH. I TURNED THE SWITCH BACK OFF AND WIPED THE AREA WITH SNOW THUS STOPPING THE IMPENDING FIRE. I WOULD ESTIMATE THE TIME RUNNING/WARMING UP; TO BE APPROXIMATELY 6 MINUTES. *TR

Mileage: 101,253

DRIVERS SEAT SHORTED OUT AND OVERHEATED, CAUSING A 1 INCH SQUARE BURN ON THE SEAT, AND ALSO BURNED A HOLE IN MY JEANS. HEATED SEAT FUSE DID NOT BLOW. CONCERNED THAT A FIRE COULD HAVE STARTED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OCCUPIED. *TR

Mileage: 72,324

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT WARMER OVER HEATED. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT WARMER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND THE DRIVER'S JEANS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE SEAT WARMER MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000... UPDATED 02/06/12*BF THE CONSUMER STATED CHRYSLER AGREED TO REPAIR BOTH SEATS AND THE CONSUMER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR $400. THE ONLY THING THAT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED IS THE SEAT BOTTOM, WHICH IS ON ORDER. UPDATED 03/21/12

Mileage: 59,000

IN JANUARY 2009 I REPLACED THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION IN MY 2005 DODGE DAKOTA SLT 4X4 TRUCK. VIN NUMBER [XXX]. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION COST ME $3200.00, NOT TO MENTION THE HASSLE OF BREAKING DOWN WHEN I WAS VISITING OUT OF STATE. IN 2010, I HAD TO REPLACE THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE COMPONENT THAT ENGAGES AND DISENGAGES THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. COSTING ME ANOTHER $300.00 RECENTLY WHILE USING MY HEATED SEAT OPTION, IT BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT AND THE SEAT COVER. I AM TIRED OF FIXING THIS TRUCK,AND IF I COULD GIVE IT BACK I WOULD, BUT SINCE THE HEATED SEATS ISN'T A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM, I WANT CHRYSLER TO ABSORB THE COST OF GETTING THIS CHECKED AT A DODGE DEALERSHIP. NOT ONLY DO I WANT YOU TO COVER THE COST OF FIXING THE ISSUE, BUT I ALSO WANT THE HOLE IN MY SEAT FIXED AS WELL. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING FOR APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES WITH THE HEATED SEATS ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMANATING FROM HER VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEATED SEAT MECHANISM WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE COMPONENT WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. IN ADDITION, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED INCIDENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,000. UPDATED 03/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/17/09. *JB

Mileage: 99,000

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT(POWER) HEATER BURNT PADDING AND SCORCHED SEAT FABRIC. VEHICLE WAS LEFT IDLING TO WARM UP. I RETURNED TO FIND SMOKE COMING FROM SEAT. I FOUND WIRING CONNECTOR AND UNPLUGGED HEATER. *TR

Mileage: 64,000

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER BECAME TOO HOT AND BURNED HOLES IN THE SEAT AND MELTED BY COAT. *TR

Mileage: 47,000

CONSUMER STATES THE REAR SEAT HEAD RESTS OBSCURE THE VIEW OF THE REAR WINDOW. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY IS IMPAIRED. *AK THE DEALER AND THE CONSUMER TRIED TO REMOVE THE HEAD RESTS BUT FAILED. *TC

Mileage: 200

INCIDENT-2005 DODGE DAKOTA, SEVERE VIBRATIONS IN REAR OF TRUCK. SO FAR DEALER HAS CHANGED 11 GOODYEAR EAGLE LS & 8 WHEELS AND VIBRATION STILL THERE. DEALER ADVISES THAT CANNOT CHANGE BRAND IF TIRES WITHOUT DODGE PERMISSION. AWAITING PERMISSION. THE VIBRATION IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AS THE REAR END OF TRUCK WILL HOP AROUND ON ROUGH OR POORLY MAINTAINED ROADS. I HAVE DRIVEN 5 SEPARATE 2005 DAKOTA'S AND THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ON ALL 5 TRUCKS. DEALER RESPONSE IS THEY ALL DO IT, SO IT IS NOT A PROBLEM. ALSO, SECOND CONCERN IS THE POSITIONING OF THE 2 HEADRESTS IN REAR SEATING AREA AS THEY REDUCE REARWARD VISION BY 25%. IT WOULD REQUIRE A MAJOR DIS-ASSEMBLY OF THE INSIDE BACK OF TRUCK TO REMOVE. THEY ARE NOT NEEDED WHEN THE REAR SEATS ARE REMOVED. *NM

Mileage: 10