10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,803 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #11

Feb 072016

Dakota

  • 200,000 miles
"takata recall" the power steering continues to leak even after several repairs have been made.

- National City, CA, USA

problem #10

Sep 142015

Dakota

  • 207,834 miles
It has been confirmed. I have received a second opinion and have been told intermediate drive shaft needs to replaced. I have researched this problem and am totally confused as to why chrystal has not yet issued a recall on this faulty part, it has been an ongoing issue for many Dodge owners. All NHTSA needs to do is search it online. So many complaints and yet no action has been taken. I have written/ emailed to Dodge Corp. And was told that recalls need to be processed through NHTSA. Please anyone else having this problem file a complaint so Dodge will finally do something about it!

- Brockton, MA, USA

problem #9

Sep 022009

Dakota

  • 105,000 miles
Steering locking up due to faulty steering shaft universal joint.

- Ava, NY, USA

problem #8

Jul 072010

Dakota

  • 94,000 miles
Universal in the shaft wears out and causes excessive play in the steering wheel, and could break. Had to buy a new shaft off ebay, that Dodge has since improved.

- Wingdale, NY, USA

problem #7

Apr 012006

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving various speeds on normal road conditions, the steering wheel malfunctioned on a worsening basis while trying to turn in any direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who determined the intermediate shaft of the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not included in any recall due to the VIN. No replacements had been made. The contact encountered similar complaints on the NHTSA website # 10120725 regarding the steering column.

- Lagrangeville, NY, USA

problem #6

Dec 222004

Dakota 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles
While driving 30 mph the upper ball joints failed. As a result, the steering also failed, causing the vehicle to crash into a guard rail. No injuries reported.

- Steubenville, OH, USA

problem #5

Nov 052004

(reported on)

Dakota

  • miles
Heard a clunking noise from front end. Vehicle also shakes when apply brakes. While driving over 65 mph the front end of the vehicle shook as though it was misaligned or unbalanced. It also shook when the brakes were applied at speeds of 50 mph or higher. The vehicle's wheels have been balanced, the steering aligned, the brakes and rotors have been replaced yet the problem recurs.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #4

Jul 282002

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Purchased 2000 Dodge Dakota. Quad cab summer 2002, approximately 20,000 miles at time of purchase. Vehicle covered under warranty at that time. Had problems with steering. The wheel would jerk from side to side as if the power steering would engage and then disengage during a turn. Brought to dealer. They said they fixed problem by replacing steering column. Problem was not fixed. Returned to dealer. Replaced bearings in column during second repair. Did not fix problem. Returned again, dealer(formerly courtesy Dodge, norwich, ct) stated that they sold there warranty to another dealership and they could not make repair. I would have to take to other dealership. Taken to other dealer ship but at this time problem had not been fixed and vehicle was over 36,000 miles. Dealer said I would have to fill out forms and that it was unlikely the repair would be authorized. How is it if the repair was never completed that they are allowed to wait until warranty expires and say too bad. I was then recalled by the military and had to drive my vehicle to New Jersey so the repair was never completed. Thanks, now courtesy Kia. I wish I could conduct my business like the dealers. Just ignore the problem and it will go away!!!!!!!. im not finished with this yet!!!! jpl.

- Norwich, CT, USA

problem #3

Aug 302003

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles
Power steering fails. Lose control of steering at highway speeds after about 1.25 hours. First occurance in August 2002, then October, 2002. Did not drive on highway for extended period until August 2003 - failed again and again on mountain roads, exits, straightaways while passing, gentle curves. November 2002 dealer replaces rack and pinion and bushings at 23,997 miles. August 18, 2003, 31424 miles, dealer replaces column, intermediate shaft and bolt per starline. Sep 3, 2003, 31904 miles, dealer replaces all four control arms - cannot replicate problem as they will not drive the required miles, I'm their test dummy. The knobs for air conditioning also broke at this time - charged to fix this. Manufacturer says to contact dealer, dealer won't drive necessary miles - I still have to check the Sep 3 repair to see if it really fixed the problem. Each time the alignment is out and they will not fix this as part of the warranty item although I maintain my vehicles' alignment. The brakes have been relined at 26K miles because the dealer said they were shuddering - which I had not experienced until they repaired them. Shocks have been replaced, have been trying to get the rear struts replaced due to excessive sway and loss of control when carrying a load, another thing they claim not to replicate.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #2

Jul 272003

Dakota 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer stated that while driving the vehicle would only shift to neutral. Dealer notified. When the vehicle was in 3rd gear it went to neutral and the engine RPM's increased for a short period of time when the transmission should have changed to 4th gear. The vehicle had been to the service dealer 6 times for repairs. There was a vibration in the front of the vehicle due to warped rotors. Faulty wheel bearings caused a popping noise in the steering when the consumer made left turns.

- Reidsville, NC, USA

problem #1

Jun 282002

Dakota

  • miles
Consumer states the shaft under the hood fell apart at the gear box, this caused consumer complete steering loss.

- Harrison, MI, USA