2.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,350 miles

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problem #2

Mar 252008

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,700 miles
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.

- Los Vegas, NV, USA

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problem #1

Oct 212005

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles
On October 20, 2005 I was driving my 2003 Dodge Dakota quad-cab 4WD pickup back from visiting a friend when I sustained a catastrophic failure of the transfer case. This resulted in a complete loss of motive power. Vehicle was towed to the nearest Dodge dealer and repaired. Dealer claimed case was struck by something (implying abuse) which is unsupported by any physical evidence. The dealer's position prevented repairs being made under warranty. Investigation by an independent shop identified the source of the damage to be the coupling between the front driveshaft and the transfer case. DaimlerChrysler refuses to acknowledge the factual cause and adheres to the dealer's (erroneous) position.

- Iva, SC, USA

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