NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
60 reportsClear category filter11,000 miles · Dec 23, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES IN 4 YEARS. NOW AT THE 5TH YEAR IT NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND THE DEALER REFUSES BECAUSE THEY DID IT 14 MONTHS AGO AND IT'S NO LONGER UNDER THEIR 12 MONTH WARRANTY AND IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE FEDERAL 8 YR, 80,000 MILE WARRANTY BECAUSE I'M AT 109,000 MILES, THEREFORE IT WIL…
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CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES IN 4 YEARS. NOW AT THE 5TH YEAR IT NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND THE DEALER REFUSES BECAUSE THEY DID IT 14 MONTHS AGO AND IT'S NO LONGER UNDER THEIR 12 MONTH WARRANTY AND IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE FEDERAL 8 YR, 80,000 MILE WARRANTY BECAUSE I'M AT 109,000 MILES, THEREFORE IT WILL COST ME OVER 600$ TO REPLACE A DEFECT IN THEIR EQUIPMENT. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PUT 600$ INTO MY CAR EVERY 14 MONTHS FOR SUCH A MAJOR COMPONENT PLUS ALL THE OTHER MINOR UPKEEP A VEHICLE TAKES.
NHTSA ODI #10051013
70,798 miles · Oct 22, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE WAS MAKING A LOUD PINGING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER SAID ENGINE WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10044540
Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON MY TRUCK TWICE SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT IN 1998 BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT THE NOISE MY TRUCK WAS MAKING WAS DUE TO THE SUSPENSION AND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. THE TRUCK WAS NOT EVEN EVALUATED, I WAS JUST TOLD THAT I WAS W…
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I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON MY TRUCK TWICE SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT IN 1998 BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT THE NOISE MY TRUCK WAS MAKING WAS DUE TO THE SUSPENSION AND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. THE TRUCK WAS NOT EVEN EVALUATED, I WAS JUST TOLD THAT I WAS WRONG, AND IT WAS NOT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND WAS SENT ON MY WAY. WHEN I WENT BACK AFTER THIS INCIDENT 2 DAYS LATER I REQUESTED TO SPEAK WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND PROCEEDED TO TELL HIM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THEY THEN PUT MY TRUCK ON THE LIFT AND FOUND IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND FIXED IT. IT THEN HAPPENED AGAIN AND IT'S NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I KNOW THAT THE FEDERAL EMISSIONS LAW STATES THAT THEY HAVE TO COVER IT UP TO 80,000 MILES FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, BUT MY TRUCK CURRENTLY HAS 76,000 MILES ON IT, THUS I AM GETTING CLOSE. I HAVE HEARD MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS WITH THE DODGE DAKOTAS AND I FEAR THAT THIS WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN AND WILL END UP TO COST A LOT OF MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET FOR A MISTAKE ON THE PART OF DODGE WHICH THEY WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR TO TRY AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF IT BEING ONGOING. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10041262
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER BRAKES AND STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10024768
Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE INOPERATIVE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10017209
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT IDLING FOR SEVERAL HOURS, THE FLOOR BOARD OVER HEATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAD BECOME EXTREMELY HOT. SEVERAL ITEMS THAT WERE LEFT ON THE FLOOR MELTED, WHICH INCLUDED SOME PORTIONS OF THE SEAT BELT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10015395
58,000 miles · Jan 31, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
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…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10005007
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON MY DAKOTA KEEPS FALLING APART. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT 4 OR 5 TIMES NOW (THE FIRST TIME WAS NOT LONG AFTER I HAD BOUGHT THE VEHICLE). EACH TIME THEY PUT A NEW CONVERTER ON, IT FALLS APART WITHIN A YEARS TIME. I ASKED THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY BLAME IT ON FAULTY MANUFACTURING …
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THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON MY DAKOTA KEEPS FALLING APART. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT 4 OR 5 TIMES NOW (THE FIRST TIME WAS NOT LONG AFTER I HAD BOUGHT THE VEHICLE). EACH TIME THEY PUT A NEW CONVERTER ON, IT FALLS APART WITHIN A YEARS TIME. I ASKED THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY BLAME IT ON FAULTY MANUFACTURING OF THE CONVERTER. I KNOW OTHER DAKOTA OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND ARE GIVEN THE SAME STORY (JUST FAULTY MANUFACTURING). I E-MAILED DODGE, BUT THEY DIRECTED ME TO THE DEALER. IS ANYONE BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS? MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, I AM A SINGLE PARENT AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR A NEW CONVERTER WHEN THIS NEW ONE FALLS APART. I SEE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS IS ANYTHING BEING DONE??? MY BRAKES ALSO MAKE A TERRIBLE NOISE WHEN IT IS COLD AND/OR RAINS OR IF IT IS FOGGY. THE DEALER SAID "OH, ITS JUST MOISTURE" BUT THERE IS REALLY NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR BRAKES. WHEN IT IS RAINING, IT SEEMS THAT THE BRAKES DON'T WORK AS THEY SHOULD AND THE ANTI-LOCK DOES NOT SEEM TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. ONE OTHER PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE RACES AFTER THE TRUCK HAS SAT OVERNIGHT OR WHILE I AM AT WORK, AND IT TAKES AWHILE BEFORE IT IDLES AT THE NORMAL RPM. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT, IT IS JUST THE COLD AIR SOLENOID. WHAT HAS NHTSA CONCLUDED IN REGARD TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER? OR ARE YOU THE WRONG CONTACT? DT
NHTSA ODI #768926
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON MY 1998 DAKOTA 3 TIMES SINCE I BUY THE TRUCK. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY WERE GOING TO LOOK INTO THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. AND EACH TIME THEY WOULD SAY "WE DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO LOOK AT WHAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM BUT, IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN WE WILL". WELL, IT HAP…
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I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON MY 1998 DAKOTA 3 TIMES SINCE I BUY THE TRUCK. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY WERE GOING TO LOOK INTO THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. AND EACH TIME THEY WOULD SAY "WE DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO LOOK AT WHAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM BUT, IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN WE WILL". WELL, IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON 3/09/02. NOW THEY REFUSE TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CONVERTER. THEY SAY THIS IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE EMISSIONS WARRENTY HAS RUN OUT. I FIND THIS RIDICULOUS, DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO LEARN THAT CONTRARY TO WHAT THE DEALERSHIP AND CHRYSLER CLAIM, I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #759257
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash
I HAVE RECENTLY NOTICED MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER MAKING TICKING NOISE AGAIN, MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS JUST RECENTLY EXPIRED TOO. THIS PART HAD BEEN REPLACED AT 22000 MILES. NOW JUST LESS THAN 2 YEARS LATER I AM RUNNING INTO THE SAME DELEMA. I HAVE SPOKE TO SEVERAL AUTO MECHANICS AND THEY ALL SAY THAT THIS MUST BE A DEFECTED PART. …
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I HAVE RECENTLY NOTICED MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER MAKING TICKING NOISE AGAIN, MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS JUST RECENTLY EXPIRED TOO. THIS PART HAD BEEN REPLACED AT 22000 MILES. NOW JUST LESS THAN 2 YEARS LATER I AM RUNNING INTO THE SAME DELEMA. I HAVE SPOKE TO SEVERAL AUTO MECHANICS AND THEY ALL SAY THAT THIS MUST BE A DEFECTED PART. WHEN I NOTIFIED MY DODGE DEALER, HE STATED BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, I WILL HAVE THE BURDEN OF PAYING ALL THE COST. YET AGAIN THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN A TRUCK THAT WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW LESS THAN 4 YEARS AGO. I FEEL THAT AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS AND TALKING TO SEVERAL OTHER DODGE OWNERSHAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, THAT THE PART IS A DEFECT. ABOVE ALL, DODGE DOESN'T SEEM TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THEY WERE RUDE AND WOULD NOT BUDGE TO SATISFY THEIR CUSTOMERS. IN FACT MY SERVICE ADVISOR EVEN WENT ON TO TELL ME THAT I PROBABLY HIT A BUMP THAT MADE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER GO OUT. COME ON NOW THIS IS A 4X4, YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT IF I HIT A SPEEDBUMP MY ENGINE WILL DROP? "DODGE TOUGH" ? YEAH RIGHT! THEY CERTAINLY LOST MY BUSINESS IN THE FUTURE. PLEASE CHECK ON THIS DEFECTED PART, THERE HAS GOT TO BE JUSTICE FOR THE CONSUMER. BAD WORD OF MOUTH IS THE WORST ADVERTISEMENT DODGE AND I GOT A BIG MOUTH GUYS!*AK
NHTSA ODI #750496
Official recalls
5May 8, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Jul 17, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS BUILT WITH 2.5L ENGINES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A PUNCTURE OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE FRONT WHEELS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE TUBE AND POWER STEERING HOSE FOR WEAR. IF WEAR IS EVIDENT, THE BRAKE TUBE AND/OR POWER STEERING HOSE WILL BE REPLACED. A POWER STEERING STANDOFF BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND POWER STEERING HOSE IS MAINTAINED.
Jul 17, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE REAR AXLE VENT HOSE AND THE BRAKE HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A PUNCTURE IN THE REAR BRAKE HOSE WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE REAR WHEELS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE HOSE FOR EVIDENCE OF WEAR. WORN BRAKE HOSES WILL BE REPLACED. THE REAR VENT HOSE WILL BE SHORTENED BY 3 INCHES AND A CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ASSURE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE AXLE VENT LINE AND BRAKE HOSE IS MAINTAINED.
Sep 8, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH BOLTS THAT WERE NOT PROPERLY HARDENED. THE BOLTS WERE USED TO ATTACH THE CAB AND THE CORE SUPPORT TO THE FRAME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW THE CAB TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BOLTS WITH PROPERLY HARDENED BOLTS.
Oct 7, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS (2 WHEEL DRIVE ONLY). THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR WIRE MAY BE ABRADED AT THE FRONT WHEELS BY CONTACT WITH A FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PROLONGED BRAKE HOSE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. PROLONGED ABS SENSOR WIRE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF ABS FUNCTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TRIM THE FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELDS AND THE BRAKE HOSES AND ABS SENSOR WIRES WILL BE INSPECTED. IF EVIDENCE OF ABRASION IS FOUND ON ANY HOSE OR ABS WIRE, THEY WILL BE REPLACED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS (2 WHEEL DRIVE ONLY). THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR WIRE MAY BE ABRADED AT THE FRONT WHEELS BY CONTACT WITH A FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELD.
Consequence: PROLONGED BRAKE HOSE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. PROLONGED ABS SENSOR WIRE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF ABS FUNCTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TRIM THE FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELDS AND THE BRAKE HOSES AND ABS SENSOR WIRES WILL BE INSPECTED. IF EVIDENCE OF ABRASION IS FOUND ON ANY HOSE OR ABS WIRE, THEY WILL BE REPLACED.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS (2 WHEEL DRIVE ONLY). THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR WIRE MAY BE ABRADED AT THE FRONT WHEELS BY CONTACT WITH A FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELD.
Consequence: PROLONGED BRAKE HOSE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. PROLONGED ABS SENSOR WIRE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF ABS FUNCTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TRIM THE FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELDS AND THE BRAKE HOSES AND ABS SENSOR WIRES WILL BE INSPECTED. IF EVIDENCE OF ABRASION IS FOUND ON ANY HOSE OR ABS WIRE, THEY WILL BE REPLACED.
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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