NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
177 reportsClear category filter20,000 miles · May 15, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKING FOR 4 MONTHS HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE DEALER STATES THAT IT WAS WARPED ROTORS. THE DAKOTA TRUCK IS ONLY 1.5 YEARS OLD WITH 23,000 AT FIRST START OF PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATES THEY CAN'T BE TURNED DUE TO SEVERE RUST PITTING WHEN I BRAKE THE TRUCK HOPS INTO THE NEXT LANE . THE DEALER STATES THAT IT IS NOT UNDE…
Read full complaint
BRAKING FOR 4 MONTHS HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE DEALER STATES THAT IT WAS WARPED ROTORS. THE DAKOTA TRUCK IS ONLY 1.5 YEARS OLD WITH 23,000 AT FIRST START OF PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATES THEY CAN'T BE TURNED DUE TO SEVERE RUST PITTING WHEN I BRAKE THE TRUCK HOPS INTO THE NEXT LANE . THE DEALER STATES THAT IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I SUSPECT THAT THERE ARE MORE TRUCKS WITH THIS PROBLEM OUT THERE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10018756
17,000 miles · May 13, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
AT JUST AROUND 17,000 MILES, THE BRAKES STARTED TO VIBRATE WHEN APPLIED. DEALER SAYS ROTORS ARE ALREADY WORN AND NEED TO BE CUT/REPLACED, ALTHOUGH BRAKE PADS ARE STILL GOOD. ROTORS SHOULD LAST A LOT LONGER, EARLY WEAR IS MOST LIKELY DUE TO IMPROPER DESIGN, VENTING, MATERIAL AND WILL RECUR ONCE REPLACED. DODGE WILL DO NOTHING, A…
Read full complaint
AT JUST AROUND 17,000 MILES, THE BRAKES STARTED TO VIBRATE WHEN APPLIED. DEALER SAYS ROTORS ARE ALREADY WORN AND NEED TO BE CUT/REPLACED, ALTHOUGH BRAKE PADS ARE STILL GOOD. ROTORS SHOULD LAST A LOT LONGER, EARLY WEAR IS MOST LIKELY DUE TO IMPROPER DESIGN, VENTING, MATERIAL AND WILL RECUR ONCE REPLACED. DODGE WILL DO NOTHING, AS THEY CLAIM THEY COVER ONLY 12K MILES ON DEFECTS. I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S A DEFECT, BUT RATHER A DESIGN ISSUE, WHICH THE CONSUMER CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR, OR AVOID EVEN WITH EXTRA-EASY DRIVING. THERE IS NO ALTERNATE ROTOR AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME THROUGH DODGE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10018629
Mileage unknown · May 12, 2003
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
THE CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED AT 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10019659
1,000 miles · May 12, 2003
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. CONSEQUENTLY NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10019655
20,000 miles · May 2, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKES OF MY DODGE DAKOTA STARTED TO PULSE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AT 24,000 MILES AND THE ROTORS WERE WORN TO BELOW MINIMUM STANDARDS. THE REAR DRUMS HAD TO BE CUT. I DRIVE HIGHWAY WITH NO TOWING AND MINIMAL STOP GO DRIVING. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE DO THIS TO ME BEFORE SO IT IS NOT MY DRIVING. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10016901
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE VEHICLE PULLED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO STATED THE FRONT DISC ROTORS WERE WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE TURNED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10017593
10 miles · Apr 22, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 SPORT HAS HAD SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, AND BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN BAD FROM DAY ONE. I NOW HAVE 35,000 MILES AND THE POUNDING AND NOISE HAVE NOT STOPPED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. WHY NOT A RECALL? *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10016323
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ROTORS AND DRUMS WORN TO BELOW OEM REPLACEMENT SPECIFICATIONS IN ONLY 20,000 MI. WITH NO TOWING INVOLVED. AT ISSUE FOR SAFETY IS WHETHER OR NOT THE DESIGN OF THE ROTORS AND DRUMS ARE ACCEPTABLE FOR THE ADDITIONAL WEIGHT OF THE QUAD-CAB LINE. THE WEAR ON MY VEHICLE IS UNUSUALLY FAST AS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR ONLY 7 MONTH…
Read full complaint
ROTORS AND DRUMS WORN TO BELOW OEM REPLACEMENT SPECIFICATIONS IN ONLY 20,000 MI. WITH NO TOWING INVOLVED. AT ISSUE FOR SAFETY IS WHETHER OR NOT THE DESIGN OF THE ROTORS AND DRUMS ARE ACCEPTABLE FOR THE ADDITIONAL WEIGHT OF THE QUAD-CAB LINE. THE WEAR ON MY VEHICLE IS UNUSUALLY FAST AS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR ONLY 7 MONTHS AND DRIVE MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES. THE BRAKE PADS (LININGS) ARE STILL IN GOOD SHAPE SO, IN MY OPINION, THE COMPOSITION AND DESIGN OF THE ROTORS AND DRUMS ON MY VEHICLE ARE NOT SAFE. IF THIS ISSUE IS NOT ADDRESSED THERE WILL BE THE POSSIBILITY FOR NUMEROUS BRAKE FAILURES ON THIS MODEL IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS. THE PARTS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE ROTORS AND DRUMS SHOULD BE REDESIGNED. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10014377
Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
OUR 2002 DODGE DAKOTA 5-SPEED GOT STUCK IN A SNOW DRIFT DURING OUR BLIZZARD LAST WEEK. AFTER SHOVELING IT OUT, I FORGOT TO RELEASE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE PUTTING IT INTO GEAR, NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THE ENTIRE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM IS BLOWN AND IT WILL COST $1200.00 TO FIX. CHERRY CREEK DODGE HAS THE TRUCK, THEY TELL ME THIS …
Read full complaint
OUR 2002 DODGE DAKOTA 5-SPEED GOT STUCK IN A SNOW DRIFT DURING OUR BLIZZARD LAST WEEK. AFTER SHOVELING IT OUT, I FORGOT TO RELEASE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE PUTTING IT INTO GEAR, NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THE ENTIRE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM IS BLOWN AND IT WILL COST $1200.00 TO FIX. CHERRY CREEK DODGE HAS THE TRUCK, THEY TELL ME THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THEY HAVE SEVERAL OTHERS IN THE SHOP WITH THIS PROBLEM NOW. IT SEEMS LIKE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT FOR SOMETHING LITTLE LIKE THIS TO CAUSE SO MUCH DAMAGE TO AN EXPENSIVE VEHICLE. I WANT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM, IT SOUNDS LIKE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THE REPAIR SHOPS ARE MILKING LOTS OF MONEY FROM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10010933
10,000 miles · Feb 17, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED FOR SECOND TIME. FIRST OCCURENCE WAS AT 10,000 MILES, SECOND WAS QUITE NOTICEABLE BY 20,000 MILES. I HAD A 2000 DAKOTA WHICH CHRYSLER RE-PURCHASED FOR THE SAME REASON (HAD 5 REPAIRS IN 30,000 MILES ON MY 2000). CHRYSLER OFFERING A NON-WARRANTIED SOLUTION.
NHTSA ODI #10007685
Official recalls
5Dec 4, 2007
ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARSHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Dec 21, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4), IF MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT, EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT AND CORROSION OF THE JOINT MAY CAUSE THE JOINT TO WEAR OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HEARD BY THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
May 5, 2004
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD CAUSE INTERNAL CORROSION AND RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPING CAPABILITY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Dec 10, 2003
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS AND 4X2 PICKUP TRUCKS, THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR) THAT EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IMPROPERLY LOADING YOUR VEHICLE CAN CAUSE TIRE FAILURE AND RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL OVERLAYS CONTAINING CORRECTED INFORMATION RELATIVE TO VEHICLE GAWR AND TIRE SIZE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
Oct 10, 2003
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE HEADLAMP AND DASH WIRING HARNESS MAY BE CHAFED BY THE ACTUATION OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL. THIS COULD RESULT IN ABNORMAL OPERATION OF THE WIPERS, TURN SIGNALS, HORN OR LIGHTING SYSTEMS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY, COULD PREVENT A DRIVER FROM SOUNDING A WARNING BY USING THE HORN, AND, WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE WIRE HARNESS AND REPAIR THE HARNESS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Illustration