10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,176 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #17

Jun 012003

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. While driving approximately 35 mph with his foot on the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started to slow down and hesitate. The contact stopped the vehicle to allow the front disc brakes to cool off since they were dragging. The brake lines and calipers were replaced at 50,000 miles. The current mileage is 64000 and the failure mileage was 30000. The contact will add the VIN, engine size and purchase date.

- Rhododendron, OR, USA

problem #16

Nov 062005

Dakota

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Traffic was moving in front of grace covenant church, there was an officer directing traffic. My husband put on the brakes at the moment he realized traffic was not moving any longer. The brakes locked up. When you look at the tire marks on the road, it is apparent the right side tire locked first (the tire mark is much longer) then the left side tire locked (tire mark on road much shorter). He was unable to stop the vehicle before it struck the vehicle in front. The airbag did not deploy in this accident. The concern is that this truck is believed to have ABS which means it was malfunctioning since the tires locked up. The concern is this may have contributed to the accident in that he was not able to get the vehicle stopped in time. It was a hard impact which it appears will cause the vehicle to be totaled.

- Mooresville, NC, USA

problem #15

May 012005

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,982 miles
Consumer states: That ABS light, engine light, and brake lights came on at the same time. The clutch packed in the rear differential is half inch long, and its job is to hold the clutches and lemon slipped differential, and it failed. It came out and shredded speed sensor in rear differential.

- Santa Fe, NM, USA

problem #14

Sep 202004

Dakota 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab - faulty front and rear brake design I am a mechanical engineer by training. The front rotors and rear disc brakes are of poor design and function. They overheat, warp and begin to pulse. This occurs as a result of small brakes coupled with the large diameter tires and heavy weight of the vehicle. I have had to replace all brakes twice within 3 years (60,000 miles) as a result. These breaks do not brake well and are extremely soft. I have had numerous close calls as a result of these brakes. I would also like to point out that when coupled with this ABS system most vehicles continue to "lock-up" and slide creating a potential for serious accidents.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #13

Jul 172004

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
I'm a little disturbed at this page...."number of deaths"" does somebody have to die before consumers are protected? my complaint is for the brakes on my 2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab. I no longer expect my brakes to stop me when I need them which means to avoid an accident, I had better always be looking for a way to steer around an obstacle! on two occasions I can remember, I had to steer around a stopped vehicle because my truck would just not stop in time. I've done some research on my own and there is enough evidence on the internet that proves there is a real defect in the braking system used on Dodge Dakota trucks from 1999 to 2002 from what I've read. When you read of one person complaining about warped rotor's and having no brakes when you need them, that's one thing. But when you read countless complaints of these same things..what has to be done? how many people have to die? obviously it's about money...you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure that out. Chrysler would rather ignore problems and take a hit on a couple law suits every year after someone dies. It must be cheaper for them to operate this way because otherwise they wouldn't be doing it. Now it's your job to promote safety...is it not" if it is, then you should make our highway's safer by removing dangers from them..such as dangerous vehicles with brakes that fail.

- Lowell , MA, USA

problem #12

Dec 172004

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,987 miles
I have a problem with my fwd. I had replaced module/contrlo, anti-lock brake, trasfer case gear and the modulefor the transfer case.and the shift motor (vacuum). And also the propeller shaft, with universal joints replaced also. And to top it off my fwd service light is on again, also I have no low gear in fwd light is blinking.and front end still makes noise. I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab.

- Forked River, NJ, USA

problem #11

Sep 302002

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My 2001 Dodge Dakota 4X4 4W antilock brakes don't provide adequate braking. Vehicle does not brake adequately during "panic" stopping. The antilock feature releases the brakes long before it should. ABS engages but allows too much "free-wheeling" which allows vehicle too much travel. I have several close calls. The last time this has caused a rear end crash in my truck and both air bags deployed and cost $11,000. Replacing the air bags cost $8,500. I have taken the truck to 3 local dealers and they said the ABS is working as designed. The last dealer I took it to I talked to the tech. He said it is a bad design. He also said the master cylinder vacuum chamber is to small. This is very dangerous and all 2001 and newer trucks should be recalled. I have had antilock brakes on several of my previous vehicles but this truck has the worst brakes ever. We need a class action law suit to force Dodge to fix defect!!

- Erie, CO, USA

problem #10

Nov 012003

Dakota

  • 9,765 miles
While driving at any speed when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle did not slow down. When the pedal was depressed, most of the time there was a loud sound. The dealer had tried to repair the problem at least 5 times with no success. The master cylinder/rotors and calipers were replaced. When the antilock brake system disengaged, the problem was not present. The problem returned when the ABS re engaged.the dealer and manufacturer refused to repair under warranty. A repair attempt was made 8 times.

- Fremont, CA, USA

problem #9

May 122003

Dakota

  • miles
Consumer states that when trying to apply anti lock brakes. Brakes will lock up, causing the vehicle to have extended stopping distance. Dealer notified.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #8

Nov 212001

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,254 miles
Front brakes clunk when applied, dealer replaced rotors. Transmission won't shift properly, dealer ordered and replaced new valve body. Lower engine needed to be replaced, because of valve tapping. A/C has bad odor when on. Front end squeaked around boots front end has bad knocking sound. 2 Goodyear tires slow leak. Problems started at 1,254 miles, and keep going at 26,000 miles.

- Severn, MD, USA

problem #7

Mar 192003

(reported on)

Dakota

  • miles
While driving ABS brakes failed, resulting in loss of control. ABS light continuously was on.

- Nottingham, NH, USA

problem #6

Mar 012002

Dakota

  • miles
When applying brakes vehicle will jerk/pulsate and surge. Dealership is aware of problem.

- Selbyville, DE, USA

problem #5

Feb 142002

(reported on)

Dakota 4WD

  • miles
Between 30 and 50 mph when applying normal brake pressure the vehicle shudders violently sometimes almost uncontrolably. It started at about 12K miles. Took to dealer and they said found no problem with the brakes. There is a problem!.

- Ashland City, TN, USA

problem #4

Jan 012002

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When applying the brakes on wet pavement ABS brakes system failed to activate which caused extended stopping distance.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #3

Jan 082001

Dakota 4WD

  • miles
Dealer has had an independent company check the problem and did work to the brakes changing the original situation to appear that they were in better working condition without the knowledge of the independent company. The brakes are still unsafe.

- Richardson, TX, USA

problem #2

Apr 212001

Dakota 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving 35-40 mph applied brakes and pedal faded to floor, no braking action, and vehicle rearended another vehicle. Mileage at that time was 8000. Damage to vehicle about $ $1000 consumer injured leg and nerve system. Vehicle taken to dealer 3 times, cannot duplicate, cannot remedy. Dodge district manager said this was not dangerous enough to do anything about.

- Richardson, TX, USA

problem #1

Apr 272001

(reported on)

Dakota

  • miles
When applying brakes and coming to a stop vehicle completely shutsdown, cause unknown.

- Auburn, ME, USA