1997 DODGE DAKOTA Complaints

CAN NOT GET CONFORMATION FROM DODGE FOR AIRBAGE RECALL FOR 1997 DODGE DAKOTA VIN #[XXX] AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON WHICH WAS TYPICAL OF DAKOTAS AIRBAG RECALLS, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ADVICE OF RECALL. *AK UPDATED 07/25/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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

FUEL LINE LEAKS. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT VEHICLE WILL CATCH ON FIRE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO EXAMINED THE FRONT END. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATED FROM THE FRONT END. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE FRONT BALL JOINTS BEING WORN OUT. *AK THE FAULTY BALL JOINTS RESULTED IN BAD ALIGNMENT AND CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR IMPROPERLY. *SC *JB

CONSUMER'S SON SEVERELY INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL COMPLETELY BROKE OFF AND LANDED IN THE FIELD. *PH SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL IN THE MAIL POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE BRAKES. *JB

I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, RAN IN THE HOUSE TO PICK UP SOME PAPERWORK, GOT BACK IN THE TRUCK AND BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE AWAY FROM THE FRAME. ONE WELD IS BROKEN AND THE OTHER IS RIPPED. NO COMPANY WILL FIX THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE LIABILITY ISSUES. I NEVER HIT ANYTHING THAT WOULD BREAK THIS ARM. I WAS TOLD BY THREE DIFFERENT COMPANIES THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN. THE BALL JOINT WAS IN TACT AND HAD NOT BROKEN. NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR A TRUCK WHICH IS JUST A PIECE OF JUNK.

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE DEALER TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED AND THE FRONT END ALIGNED. UPON PERFORMING THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IN A YEAR. *SC *JB

I HAVE REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO AND MY LEFT FRONT ALREADY STARTED SQUEAKING AGAIN. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THEM ONCE MORE. I BELIEVE DODGE SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES FOR THIS PURPOSE. IT HAS CAUSED MY TIRES TO WEAR UNEVENLY AND I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM PREMATURELY.*AK