7.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$210
Average Mileage:
75,400 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. dealership replaced rotors and disc pads (1 reports)
  3. replaced front rotors (1 reports)
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problem #6

May 012016

Dakota Laremie 4.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

We have had this vehicle for 3 months now and since day one its been acting up. I was a Dodge lover and now I really regret buying this POS. No one seems to know what the problem is and I'm tired of spending more money to attempt to get it fixed.

- Heather C., Macungie, PA, US

problem #5

Jul 242014

Dakota SLT V8 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles

2005 Dodge Dakota Club Cal SLT - 79,000 miles, purchased used from Dealer. Excellent condition, however the brake calipers keep going bad, this is the 3rd time since owning it. 1st time: wheel locked up and smoked so bad and was extremely hot. Changed brake line, calipers, you name it, it was changed. 2 years later similar incident. Took to mechanic, they changed it all out again. Now several years later, starting to have same issue again.

I read everyone's complaints about this issue and checked recalls or service bulletins - Chrysler has done nothing apparently to appease anyone. No-one seems to know why it keeps happening and how to permanently fix this issue. I am frustrated to say the least. I have owned two previous older 1992 and 2000 Dodge Dakota's and nothing like this ever happened with those.

- Joe M., Rippey, IA, US

problem #4

Apr 162013

Dakota SLT 3.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 142,000 miles

There is a vibration in my Dakota every time I put on the brakes. I have put on new rotors and pads, drums and shoes, and the vibration subsides, but never goes completely away. After a hundred miles or so, the vibration comes back and gradually gets worse. It takes about 300 miles until the vibe is back to where it was before the brake change. I suspected a leaky rear axle seal and replaced them with the same results.

I have gone so far as to change all four ball joints and stabilizer links. With the same results, very little vibration until I have driven a couple hundred miles.

I have had nothing but problems with this truck. I thought it rather odd that I had to replace two tie rod ends after 30000 miles, ball joints at 32000, steering column connector link at 48000, ball joints again at 57000, etc. It is a two wheel drive and most of my driving is highway. I keep it maintained with oil change and lubrication's. And, I do not go off road. The dealer said Dakotas are notorious for having suspension problems, but they say there aren't enough complaints to warrant a recall on sub-standard parts.

I will never buy another Dodge just because of their unwillingness to do right by their customers. If I want their help, I need to rent a car and leave my truck with them to diagnose the problem, at a significant cost to me.

- Brian R., Valparaiso, IN, US

problem #3

Jun 012012

Dakota

  • 115,000 miles

This should be a recall problem. Every time I would brake there is a pulsation and everything starts to shake. Every time I bring it to a shop to have it looked at all they tell me is I have a warped rotor then they would replace it. It would drive well for about 6 months then it would start to shake again when I would brake. I have had my brake pads and rotors replaced so many times I lost count and its costing me money every 6 months. Daimler Chrysler should be the one to pay for this every time I bring my truck to the shop.

- pramos1223, Fort Wayne, IN, US

problem #2

Mar 062007

Dakota LX 4.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,707 miles

I'm disabled so i do not drive my 2005 Dodge Dakota all that much so that is why there is so few miles on my truck but I have taken my truck to the Dealership 3 times over this same issue. The First time all they did was turned the rear drums and of course that did not solve the issue, The 2nd time the turned and replaced the front rotors and pads, That did not solve the issue. Then the driver side front brake started to lock up on me while driving it. It would tighten up the more it was used having to apply alot of the gas peddle just to get home. It was a good thing that it always happened close to home. After a Day of cooling off it would drive normal once again until a week or two later again. I took it in to the Dealership, They Replaced the Rotors and Pads and It Solved the Vibration Problem that i was having during Braking also. Now if i can Only get them to Fix my Stalling Issue that I'm having with my truck i'll be set.

- walkerjames, Cape Coral, FL, US

problem #1

Aug 232007

(reported on)

Dakota V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,583 miles

We leased this truck. It had an annoying shake in the front end upon applying the brakes. It is especially severe on a curve turn as you slow down around a bend. The Dodge dealership cannot find a problem. I lease the truck and am annoyed that I must finish my lease WITH THIS PROBLEM!! It feels unsafe and is definitely annoying.

- bgaines, Burford, ON, Canada