I have a 1998 Dodge Dakota. I bought it with 11,000 miles on it. During my warranty at about 20,000, the truck would backfire when shifting up a gear.towson Dodge had my truck for a day and said that they couldn't duplicate the circumstances and it cost me $75 anyway. Around 45,000 miles my truck was running real poor with no power. The catylitic converter clogged up so bad the truck stopped running. The Goodyear place where I took it, carney tire, didn't tell me of the federal warrenty on converters and replaced it and the muffler for a few hundred dollars. After my learning of the warrenty, carney tire refused to refund 50% as suggested by the Chrysler rep. On the phone. Now at 80,000 miles the muffler rusted enought to loose the tailpipe, which now resides in my driveway. This is totally unexceptable for this truck. I had an '87 Dakota with 145,000 miles on it and never had an exhaust problem. I was going to trade it in for a 2500 Ram but this and other complaints will keep me from ever buying another Chrysler. I will bad mouth Dodge, especially towson Dodge (schaefer & stromenger), to anyone who askes me.the service managers over there didn't help a bit. I was given a service bulliten by the mechanics about a broken bolt on the manifold after my third visit, when the 2 managers weren't around. I'll never buy anouther Chrysler product and I'll badmouth Dodge to everyone I can. I'm going to buy a GMC product where I know they take care of any complaints a customer might have, beings they know the customer is always right.

- Carney, MD, USA

Purchased used 1998 Dodge Dakota truck in April 2002 from Toyota dealer with mileage of 42,000. I heard a knocking noise in motor on 11-11-2003 took to my mechanic and he had to replace bolts in the manifold. Again on 3-2-2004 heard clicking noise in wheel my mechanic had to replace front suspension ball joint. I wrote a letter to daimler Chrysler of the problems and they said that they are unable to assist me with the problems because I was no longer covered under the warranty. So I feel, that other purchasers should be made aware of the protential problems with this vehicle.

- South Hill, VA, USA

I had catalytic converter replace last summer because it was defective. I have an exhasust leak know and took it to the dealer and they said I have 3 broken exhaust manifold bolts. They said it would cost 65 to 75 dollars apiece to fix. I work for daimler Chrysler at twinsburg stamping as a machine repairman. I have never heard of exhaust bolts just breaking.I beleive there is a problem here they ought to fix. There more people at work that had the same problem. Thank you

- Olmsted Falls, OH, USA

The mainfold bolts broke flush with the manifolds. 1998 4 cylinder Dakotas are known for this defect. Chrysler will not pay for any part of this problem. They claim ignorance and basically told me I was stupid for not buying an extended waranty. I talked to and showed the truck to other mchanics and they said, "this shoudl not have happend to this truck." Chrysler also told me when I called to take it to a Chrysler/Dodge dealer to get the work done for any consideration of helpingh to cover expenses. I did that and got an outrageous bill fro $1806.99. I called the damler Corp. Back and josh told ne too bad. I also have been doing research and it is my understanding that even though it has been recorde in 4 cylinder Dakotas you cna ssume the ame problem exists in the same make and model and year trucks. I am outraged. I have had nothing but problems with my 1998 Dodge Dakota truck. To date the catalletic converter, drive column, gear box, dome light switch and ball jpint have been replaced. All were covered except the ball joint. They told me it just passed at the lower end of their standard using some sort of tool. That's a crock. Also, I had to take it to 3 dealer sto get a water leak fixed. I had over 3 inches of water in my truck at one time. They finally found it and had to rip out the entire interior and clean it becasue4 it stank. How do I know that isn't going to rust in the future becasuse of the leaks. Now, the manifold studs have broken. I also had to get a car rental at the cost of 600 plus dollars. What can I do and how do I get daimler to own up to their poor quality/defective products?

- Northampton, PA, USA

Exhaust leakage due to a broken manifold bolt; dealer notified. Manifold stud replaced at no cost to owner.

- Spatanburg, SC, USA

Vehicle is pinging numerious times broken the manifold bolts.

- Iowa City, IA, USA

Truck bucked violently and stalled immediately after getting discount gas, stalled thereafter shifting from reverse to drive and while waiting at stop signs/red lights. Dealer said it needed tune-up, problem not solved. Different dealer fixed gasket on intake manifold that was drawing oil into engine. Soon after transmission would hesitate before shifting, then rev high (from 2,000 RPM to 4,000) suddenly, then shift to next gear. First dealer claimed pinion bearings were worn, problem was not with transmission. Problem continued day after pinion bearings replaced, dealer pressed to look at transmission. Diagnosed clutch failure. Day after repair rattling sound was heard from exhaust, returned to dealer. Bolt had sheared off into exhaust manifold from heat shield, dealer claimed it was from snow packing on shield. Copy of letter to daimler-Chrysler being sent to NHTSA.

- Linden, VA, USA