NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
177 reportsClear category filter30,000 miles · Dec 6, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS IN THE NORTHEAST I HAVE EXPERIENCED TWO SEPARATE INSTANCES WHERE THE FRONT BRAKES WOULD NOT DISENGAGE OR REMAINED PARTIALLY ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING. FIRST FAILURE AT APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES, MECHANIC FOUND CALIPERS TO OPERATE NORMALLY BUT REPLACED ALL PADS AND ROTORS DUE TO HEAT DAMAGE EVIDENT O…
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UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS IN THE NORTHEAST I HAVE EXPERIENCED TWO SEPARATE INSTANCES WHERE THE FRONT BRAKES WOULD NOT DISENGAGE OR REMAINED PARTIALLY ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING. FIRST FAILURE AT APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES, MECHANIC FOUND CALIPERS TO OPERATE NORMALLY BUT REPLACED ALL PADS AND ROTORS DUE TO HEAT DAMAGE EVIDENT ON "PASSENGER SIDE" FRONT. SECOND FAILURE AT APPROXIMATELY 35,000 AGAIN FOUND CALIPERS OPERATING NORMALLY BUT REPLACED FRONT BRAKE LINE, BRAKE FLUID, PADS AND MACHINED ROTORS. MECHANIC UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE BRAKES FREEZE WHEN EVERYTHING APPEARS TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10175291
17,000 miles · Nov 28, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
NO SINGLE INCIDENT. MANY ABS BRAKING PROBLEMS EVERY DAY. REPLACED ROTORS, CALIPERS, DRUMS, BRAKE SHOES AND REAR SENSOR. PROBLEM PERSISTS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10174625
40,000 miles · Oct 27, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 1 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A GARAGE, A NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE SHOE LINING WAS DESTROYED. ALSO, ON THE REAR LEFT SIDE THE BONDED LINING WAS SEPARATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE PARKING BRAKE HAD NEVER B…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 1 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A GARAGE, A NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE SHOE LINING WAS DESTROYED. ALSO, ON THE REAR LEFT SIDE THE BONDED LINING WAS SEPARATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE PARKING BRAKE HAD NEVER BEEN USED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA ODI #10171984
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WITHIN 29,500. TOTAL MILES COVERED IN 4.5 YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN 5 EPISODES WHEN EITHER THE FRONT LEFT OR FRONT RIGHT BRAKE PARTIALLY SEIZED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO ONE SIDE UPON APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES, AND EMITTED SMOKE. TWO DEALERS HAVE OFFERED NO PLAUSIBLE CAUSE OR REMEDY. ORIGINAL BRAKE PADS, BOTH FRONT …
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WITHIN 29,500. TOTAL MILES COVERED IN 4.5 YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN 5 EPISODES WHEN EITHER THE FRONT LEFT OR FRONT RIGHT BRAKE PARTIALLY SEIZED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO ONE SIDE UPON APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES, AND EMITTED SMOKE. TWO DEALERS HAVE OFFERED NO PLAUSIBLE CAUSE OR REMEDY. ORIGINAL BRAKE PADS, BOTH FRONT AND REAR, AND THE FRONT DISCS AND READ DRUMS WERE FOUND TO BE BADLY WORN AT A MERE 20,000. MILES OF LIGHT SERVICE RESULTING IN ALL PADS BEING REPLACED AND THE ROTORS AND DRUMS BEING TURNED. NOW AT 29, 500. MILES THE FRONT ROTORS ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF WARPAGE. OK, I'M NOT AN EXPERT, BUT I'VE DRIVEN ABOUT 15 VEHICLES OVER A TOTAL OF A MILLION MILES AND MY FEELING IS THAT THESE BRAKES ARE UNDERSIZED AND CONSTANTLY RUN TOO HOT. THE SHORT BRAKE LIFE IS NOTHING SHORT OF ASTOUNDING. AS THE DEALERS SEEMS STUMPED, MY NEXT MOVE IS TO INSTALL RACING BRAKES ON THE FRONT COMPLETE WITH MULTIPLE PISTON CALIPERS AND DRILLED AND SLOTTED ROTORS. I'M BETTING THAT THE SMOKING EPISODES WILL STOP. ONE LOOK AT THIS VEHICLES COMPLAINTS IS ALL THE NHTSA SHOULD HAVE TO SEE THAT THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, HERE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10168137
1 miles · Aug 2, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DODGE DAKOTA AND DURANGO YEARS 2000 TO 2003 THAT I KNOW OF FROM ME AND MY FRIENDS. I HAVE A 2002 DAKOTA AND WHEN THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD DO TO ENGINE IDLE SPEED MOST LIKELY FROM BOOSTER VACUUM DUMP OFF. I AM A ASE CERTIFIED MECH AND I UNDERSTAND HOW THE ABS BRAKES ARE SUPPOSE TO REACT WHEN APPLIED.…
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DODGE DAKOTA AND DURANGO YEARS 2000 TO 2003 THAT I KNOW OF FROM ME AND MY FRIENDS. I HAVE A 2002 DAKOTA AND WHEN THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD DO TO ENGINE IDLE SPEED MOST LIKELY FROM BOOSTER VACUUM DUMP OFF. I AM A ASE CERTIFIED MECH AND I UNDERSTAND HOW THE ABS BRAKES ARE SUPPOSE TO REACT WHEN APPLIED. MY FRIEND HAS AN EARLIER MODEL DURANGO AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10164240
28,600 miles · May 15, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE ROAD WAS DRY AND THE BRAKING CONDITION WAS NORMAL. THE CONTACT FURTHER STATED THE BRAKES FELT SLUGGISH, AS IF RIDING ON A FLAT TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MASTER CYLINDER, ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED WHICH C…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE ROAD WAS DRY AND THE BRAKING CONDITION WAS NORMAL. THE CONTACT FURTHER STATED THE BRAKES FELT SLUGGISH, AS IF RIDING ON A FLAT TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MASTER CYLINDER, ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10157552
Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2002 DODGE DAKOTA PURCHASED NEW 10/2001. MARCH 2004 NOTICED GRINDING NOISE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. BRAKES WERE METAL AGAINST METAL. DEALER REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS (AND CHARGED FOR SERVICE) AT 20940 MILES. MARCH 2006, NOTICED PULSING WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. DIFFERENT SERVICE CENTER SAID ROTORS WERE RUSTED AND REPLACED; ALSO CLEANED …
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2002 DODGE DAKOTA PURCHASED NEW 10/2001. MARCH 2004 NOTICED GRINDING NOISE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. BRAKES WERE METAL AGAINST METAL. DEALER REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS (AND CHARGED FOR SERVICE) AT 20940 MILES. MARCH 2006, NOTICED PULSING WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. DIFFERENT SERVICE CENTER SAID ROTORS WERE RUSTED AND REPLACED; ALSO CLEANED AND ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES AND PERFORMED FRONT CALIPER "SLIDER SERVICE." MILEAGE 40239. I BELIEVE BRAKES SHOULD LAST MORE THAN TWO YEARS AND/OR 20000 MILES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10154836
81,180 miles · Mar 10, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2002 DODGE DAKOTA, 4 WHEEL DRIVE,81,180 MILES, FRONT BRAKES SEIZED. HAD ALL BRAKES REPLACED ON AUG 31, 2005. ON NOVEMBER 10, 2005 LEFT FRONT ROTOR AND PADS SEIZED, ALERT DRIVING PREVENTED POSSIBLE VEHICLE. MARCH 10, 2006, RIGHT FRONT ROTOR SEIZED AND ONCE AGAIN MY ALERTNESS PREVENTED ANOTHER POSSIBLE VEHICLE FIRE. THIS WILL …
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2002 DODGE DAKOTA, 4 WHEEL DRIVE,81,180 MILES, FRONT BRAKES SEIZED. HAD ALL BRAKES REPLACED ON AUG 31, 2005. ON NOVEMBER 10, 2005 LEFT FRONT ROTOR AND PADS SEIZED, ALERT DRIVING PREVENTED POSSIBLE VEHICLE. MARCH 10, 2006, RIGHT FRONT ROTOR SEIZED AND ONCE AGAIN MY ALERTNESS PREVENTED ANOTHER POSSIBLE VEHICLE FIRE. THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH TIME THE ROTORS AND/OR PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10152397
15,000 miles · Mar 3, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS SYSTEM CAUSING STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION; BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED, NO CHANGE. REAR ABS PULSATING CAUSING REAR AXLE TO VIBRATE ENOUGH TO MOMENTARILY LIFT REAR TIRES OFF PAVEMENT. NEITHER PROBLEM EXTANT DURING RAIN CONDITIONS. PROBLEM INTERMITTENT: APPROX 30% OF THE TIME FOR FRONT ONLY; APPROX 60% FOR REAR ONLY; BO…
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ABS SYSTEM CAUSING STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION; BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED, NO CHANGE. REAR ABS PULSATING CAUSING REAR AXLE TO VIBRATE ENOUGH TO MOMENTARILY LIFT REAR TIRES OFF PAVEMENT. NEITHER PROBLEM EXTANT DURING RAIN CONDITIONS. PROBLEM INTERMITTENT: APPROX 30% OF THE TIME FOR FRONT ONLY; APPROX 60% FOR REAR ONLY; BOTH CONDITIONS SIMULTANEOUSLY, MIXED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10151712
42,733 miles · Jan 26, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS UP TO 55 MPH THE TRUCK BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT AND DECELERATION WAS MUCH GREATER THAN NORMAL. AT THIS TIME I DECIDED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO INVESTIGATE. NOTICED LOTS OF HEAT COMING FROM DRIVERS SIDE DISK BREAK. WHEN RESTARTING AND MOVING FORWARD THE TRUCK STOPPED VERY QUICKLY. THE FAILURE WAS,…
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WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS UP TO 55 MPH THE TRUCK BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT AND DECELERATION WAS MUCH GREATER THAN NORMAL. AT THIS TIME I DECIDED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO INVESTIGATE. NOTICED LOTS OF HEAT COMING FROM DRIVERS SIDE DISK BREAK. WHEN RESTARTING AND MOVING FORWARD THE TRUCK STOPPED VERY QUICKLY. THE FAILURE WAS, THE CALIPER DID NOT RETRACT, CAUSING THE DISC BRAKE TO OVERHEAT AND IT SEIZED UP. THIS FAILURE COULD CAUSE THE TRUCK TO PULL LEFT INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. A TRAGEDY COULD COME OF THIS IF THIS FAILURE IS NOT CORRECTED. THE TRUCK DEALER HAD NO EXPLANATION BUT NOTICED OTHER WORN PARTS THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED UNRELATED TO THE BRAKE FAILURE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10148730
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 ↗
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