NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
60 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jun 12, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE MAINFOLD BOLTS BROKE FLUSH WITH THE MANIFOLDS. 1998 4 CYLINDER DAKOTAS ARE KNOWN FOR THIS DEFECT. CHRYSLER WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY PART OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY CLAIM IGNORANCE AND BASICALLY TOLD ME I WAS STUPID FOR NOT BUYING AN EXTENDED WARANTY. I TALKED TO AND SHOWED THE TRUCK TO OTHER MCHANICS AND THEY SAID, "THIS SHOUDL NOT…
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THE MAINFOLD BOLTS BROKE FLUSH WITH THE MANIFOLDS. 1998 4 CYLINDER DAKOTAS ARE KNOWN FOR THIS DEFECT. CHRYSLER WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY PART OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY CLAIM IGNORANCE AND BASICALLY TOLD ME I WAS STUPID FOR NOT BUYING AN EXTENDED WARANTY. I TALKED TO AND SHOWED THE TRUCK TO OTHER MCHANICS AND THEY SAID, "THIS SHOUDL NOT HAVE HAPPEND TO THIS TRUCK." CHRYSLER ALSO TOLD ME WHEN I CALLED TO TAKE IT TO A CHRYSLER/DODGE DEALER TO GET THE WORK DONE FOR ANY CONSIDERATION OF HELPINGH TO COVER EXPENSES. I DID THAT AND GOT AN OUTRAGEOUS BILL FRO 1806.99. I CALLED THE DAMLER CORP. BACK AND JOSH TOLD NE TOO BAD. I ALSO HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AND IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN RECORDE IN 4 CYLINDER DAKOTAS YOU CNA SSUME THE AME PROBLEM EXISTS IN THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR TRUCKS. I AM OUTRAGED. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY 1998 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK. TO DATE THE CATALLETIC CONVERTER, DRIVE COLUMN, GEAR BOX, DOME LIGHT SWITCH AND BALL JPINT HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ALL WERE COVERED EXCEPT THE BALL JOINT. THEY TOLD ME IT JUST PASSED AT THE LOWER END OF THEIR STANDARD USING SOME SORT OF TOOL. THAT'S A CROCK. ALSO, I HAD TO TAKE IT TO 3 DEALER STO GET A WATER LEAK FIXED. I HAD OVER 3 INCHES OF WATER IN MY TRUCK AT ONE TIME. THEY FINALLY FOUND IT AND HAD TO RIP OUT THE ENTIRE INTERIOR AND CLEAN IT BECASUE4 IT STANK. HOW DO I KNOW THAT ISN'T GOING TO RUST IN THE FUTURE BECASUSE OF THE LEAKS. NOW, THE MANIFOLD STUDS HAVE BROKEN. I ALSO HAD TO GET A CAR RENTAL AT THE COST OF 600 PLUS DOLLARS. WHAT CAN I DO AND HOW DO I GET DAIMLER TO OWN UP TO THEIR POOR QUALITY/DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS? *AK
NHTSA ODI #746700
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON WHILE WE WERE ON A TRIP TO PALM COAST, FL ON THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2001. THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED FROM NORMAL TO 0. WE PULLED OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT. THE TRUCK WAS STILL RUNNING, HOWEVER WE CALLED CHRYSLER AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD TOW IT TO THE NEAREST DODGE DEALERSHIP. WE TOLD THEM TO TAKE IT TALLAHAS…
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ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON WHILE WE WERE ON A TRIP TO PALM COAST, FL ON THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2001. THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED FROM NORMAL TO 0. WE PULLED OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT. THE TRUCK WAS STILL RUNNING, HOWEVER WE CALLED CHRYSLER AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD TOW IT TO THE NEAREST DODGE DEALERSHIP. WE TOLD THEM TO TAKE IT TALLAHASSEE AS WE WERE IN MADISON. AFTER ONE WEEK BEING IN THE SHOP THEY TOLD US THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN DUE TO NON-MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGES). WE DID NOT UNDERSTAND THAT BECAUSE WE HAD THE OIL CHANGED. IT WAS NOT EVERY 3000 MILES BUT IT WAS SUFFICIENT. THEY TOLD US THAT THE OIL HAD NEVER BEEN CHANGED IN THIS TRUCK. THIS IS TOTALLY UNTRUE. WE GAVE THEM RECEIPTS WHERE IT WAS CHANGED AND THEY SAID THE INSPECTOR FROM CHRYSLER HAD TO CHECK IT OUT. WE HAD TO PAY RUSSELL DODGE OVER $200.00 TO BREAK IT DOWN JUST FOR AN INSPECTION. THE INSPECTOR FOR CHRYSLER CAME AFTER 3 DAYS AND SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SO MY HUSBAND WORKS FOR PRESTIGE INFINITI DEALERSHIP IN TALLAHASSEE AND WE HAD IT TOWED TO THEIR GARAGE TO LOOK AT. THEY TOLD US THE ENGINE WAS GONE AND THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. WE BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE 6 CYLINDER 1998 DODGE TRUCK ENGINES, BECAUSE WE CAN PROVE THAT THE OIL WAS CHANGED, THEREFORE SOMETHING IN THE ENGINE WAS NOT WORKING AND CAUSED A BACK UP OF OIL OR SOMETHING WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE FUNNY THING IS THAT WHEN WE CALLED TO GET A REPLACEMENT ENGINE, THE PERSON WE ORDERED IT FROM SAID THEY HAD SOLD 17 ENGINES FOR 1998 DODGE 6 CYCLINDERS IN THE LAST MONTH. NOW COME ON 17 IN A MONTH, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE???? A 1998 IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND OUR ENGINE HAD 42,000 MILES ON IT. SHOULD NOT AN ENGINE LAST MORE THAN 42,000 MILES WITHOUT BEING TOTALLED???? I THINK THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG HERE. ALSO THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION WILL NOT SEND US A COPY OF THEIR INSPECTION REPORT DO THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO HIDE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #745702
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE TRAVELING UP A HILL NOTICED VEHICLE NOT GAINING POWER. ALSO, WHILE ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE WILL NOT TRAVEL OVER 45 MPH. TECHNICIAN STATED CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS STRANDED AND WAS UNABLE TO GET TO WORK DUE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR FAILURE. *YH
NHTSA ODI #884789
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #739114
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
ENGINE EXPERIENCES ROUGH AND LOW IDLE, AND STALLING, DEALER HAS REPLACED THROTTLE BODY, MANIFOLD GASKETS, AND VALVE BODY, HOWEVER STALLING STILL EXISTS, DEALER STATED THE COMBINATION OF STOPPING, SHIFTING, AND THE TURNING OF THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STALL, THERE WAS ALSO AN OIL PAN LEAK AND COOLANT LEAK, PURGE SOL…
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ENGINE EXPERIENCES ROUGH AND LOW IDLE, AND STALLING, DEALER HAS REPLACED THROTTLE BODY, MANIFOLD GASKETS, AND VALVE BODY, HOWEVER STALLING STILL EXISTS, DEALER STATED THE COMBINATION OF STOPPING, SHIFTING, AND THE TURNING OF THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STALL, THERE WAS ALSO AN OIL PAN LEAK AND COOLANT LEAK, PURGE SOLENOID WAS ALSO NOISY. REVERSE LIGHTS HAD A DEFECTIVE SWITCH AND THE HEADLIGHTS HAD A DEFECTIVE SWITCH. EXHAUST WAS NOISY AND THE EXHAUST BOLTS WERE BROKEN. MOLDINGS WERE LEAKING, DEALER HAD TO ALSO REPLACE CARPET. BRAKES LOCKED UP, DEALER FOUND THEY WERE FULL OF BRAKE DUST, FRONT ROTORS GOUGED, DEALER REPLACED BRAKES AND ROTORS. STEERING GEAR BOX AND POWER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY BOTH LEAKED. TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED MANY PROBLEMS, A DEFECTIVE LEAKING PRESSURE LINE, VIBRATION IN DRIVELINE, VEHICLE WOULD SLAM IN REVERSE WHEN GOING FROM DRIVE, DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED DUE TO A HUMMING NOISE, AND THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE. NEW TIRES (NO SIZE OR BRAND) DUE TO VIBRATION IN FRONT END. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #874936
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS GOING TO BE THE FITH CATALETIC CONVERTER I HAVE HAD REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #734976
Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS TRRUCK HAS BEEN A LEMON FROM BEGINNING AND CHRYSLER SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME TO GET A LAWYER AND THEY DO NOT CARE HELP ME!! I HAVE ONLY DRIVE MY TRUCK 1/2 THE TIME THAT I HAVE HAD IT, BECAUSE IT ALWAYS HAS BROKEN DOWN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #734214
Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering
LOOSE CLUNKING EMINATING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL. THIS OCCURS WHEN TURNING, ACCELERATING AND APPLYING THE BREAKS. APPEARS TO BE A LOOSE FITTING IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLOM OR THE MID SHAFT. GETTING WORSE ALL THE TIME. ONLY 21K ON THIS TRUCK. ALSO, TRUCK SLIDES ALL OVER THE ROAD WHEN SURFACE IS DAMP OR WET. …
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LOOSE CLUNKING EMINATING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL. THIS OCCURS WHEN TURNING, ACCELERATING AND APPLYING THE BREAKS. APPEARS TO BE A LOOSE FITTING IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLOM OR THE MID SHAFT. GETTING WORSE ALL THE TIME. ONLY 21K ON THIS TRUCK. ALSO, TRUCK SLIDES ALL OVER THE ROAD WHEN SURFACE IS DAMP OR WET. THIS HAPPENS EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. ANTILOCK SYSTEM DOES NOT APPEAR TO WORK. TRUCK ALSO BURNS UP TIRES AFTER 15K MILES. ENGINE MISS-FIRES AND UTILIZES WAY TO MUCH FUEL. APROX. 12 MPG. OVERALL, MY TWO MAIN CONCERNS ARE THE STEERING AND BRAKES. PROBLEM. THIS IS MOST CERTAINLY AN UNSAFE VEHICLE WHICH SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE LOOSES THEIR LIFE. THE TIME IS NOW, NOT LATER. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH SEVERAL OWNERS OF THIS YEAR AND MODEL. THEY TOO REPORT THE SAME SITTUATION WITH RESPECT TO THE STEERING AND BRAKE SYSTEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #733147
Mileage unknown · May 10, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT THE FREQUENCY OF EVERY 6000. MILES WITHOUT EXCEPTION. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN THE SUMMARY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722512
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
EXHAUST LEAKAGE DUE TO A BROKEN MANIFOLD BOLT; DEALER NOTIFIED. MANIFOLD STUD REPLACED AT NO COST TO OWNER. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #860952
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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