1997 DODGE DAKOTA Complaints

I AM A CANADIAN DODGE TRUCK OWNER THAT FEELS THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION MAY WISH TO KEEP TABS ON A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT DISC BRAKES ON THE 1997, DAKOTA. I'VE HAD 3 SETS OF ROTORS AND PADS INTALLED NOW AND STILL GET SQUEALING GRINDING AND GRABBING. I THINK THERE IS MORE TO PROBLEM THAN CHRYSLER LEADS ME TO BELIEVE. *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

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL COMPONENT (00V-136) PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *MJS

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 5 MPH OVER A STEEL PLATE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SYSTEM (DRIVER AND PASSENGER ) DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND SUSTAINED INJURIES. DEALER SAID THERE WAS AN UNDER CARRIAGE IMPACT WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER INDICATED THERE WAS NO UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACT. *AK *ML

FRONT UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS BROKE, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR OF THE TIRES. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AT 25 MPH, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER 'S SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER RECEIVED MINOR CHEST INJURIES FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL AFTER IMPACT. *AK

SOMETIMES THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM WILL NOT ENGAGE AT ANY SPEED. THEN IF DOES ENGAGE SOMETIMES IT CANNOT BE MANUALLY TURNED OFF. WHEN BOBBY GALE DODGE HOOKED THE SCANNER UP TO IT THEY HAD NO READING AND MY CRUISE CONTROL WOULD'NT TURN ON. SO THEY REPLACED IT WITH A NEW SWITCH. THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THEN IT STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN. AND EVERYTIME I GET READY TO TAKE THE TRUCK IN IT WORKS. THE FIVE TIMES THAT I HAVE TAKING IT UP TO THE DEALER SHIP THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH MY TRUCK.*AK

PRIOR TO EXP. OF WARRANTY, (36000 MILES) VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP FOR A COMPLETE INSPECTION. WAS INFORMED BALL JOINTS AND IDLER ARM WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. PREVIOUS OWNER, (A PERSONAL FRIEND) AND MYSELF NEVER '4 WHEELED' THE TRUCK. NORMAL CITY/HIGHWAY USE. VIEWED INTERNET BULLETIN BOARDS ON DAKOTA MAINT PROBLEMS, AND FOUND OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH EARLY BALL JOINT/IDLER ARM FAILURES. 36,000 MILES UNDER NORMAL USE IS FAR TO EARLY FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. I FEAR THERE ARE MANY DAKOTA'S OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

PASSENGER'S AIR BAG NEEDS AN ON/OFF SWITCH. SMALL CHILDREN WILL HAVE TO BE TRANSPORTED IN FRONT SEAT FROM TIME TO TIME. DEALER SAID SWITCH WAS AVAILABLE, BUT I NEEDED A PERMIT FROM NHTSA TO HAVE INSTALLED. *AK