NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
296 reports11 miles · Aug 10, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE A LIGHT KNOCKING IN MY ENGINE. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY STATED THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE, BUT UNABLE TO INDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT BACK AGAIN. THEY HAD IT FOR 3 DAYS, AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY SAY ALL DODGE ENGINES MAKE THAT NOISE. UNKNOWN TO THEM, I HAVE…
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I HAVE A LIGHT KNOCKING IN MY ENGINE. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY STATED THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE, BUT UNABLE TO INDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT BACK AGAIN. THEY HAD IT FOR 3 DAYS, AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY SAY ALL DODGE ENGINES MAKE THAT NOISE. UNKNOWN TO THEM, I HAVE 2 AND MY OTHER DOES NOT MAKE THE SAME NOISE. IT HAS OCCASIONALLY STALLED BOTH BACKING UP AND GOING FORWARD. THERE IS A PULLING TO THE RIGHT EVEN AFTER HAVING IT ALIGNED AND BALANCED. IT DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AND WON'T STAY IN CRUISE CONTROL WHILE CLIMBING A HILL. ALSO MY OIL HOSE WAS LOOSE CAUSING A RATTLING UNDER THE HOOD. THE LIGHT SHOWING YOU THE GEAR YOUR IN DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. OVER ALL THE WORSE VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED WITH A HEFTY TAG.
NHTSA ODI #10086512
43,000 miles · Aug 5, 2004
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHILE DRIVING ON SEMI WET PAVEMENT BRAKES LOCKED. AS RESULT, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10087253
2,500 miles · Aug 2, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BOUGHT 2003 DODGE DAKOTA WITH 4-WHEEL DISC BRAKES. VEHICLE HAD ONLY 3 MILES ON IT AT TIME OF PURCHASE. DISC BRAKE WARPAGE STARTING AT ONLY 3000 MILES. IT SLOWLY BECAME WORSE AND FINALLY ALL FOUR ROTORS WERE TURNED AT 13000 MILES. NOW AT 15000 THE BRAKES ARE BEGINNING TO PULSE AGAIN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10083182
30,000 miles · Jul 25, 2004
Suspension
TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A BLOWER FAN PROBLEM, AND TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER OF A SQUEAK GOING AROUND CORNERS. FOUND THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE WORN AND REQUIRE REPLACING. ONLY 32,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10082621
6,000 miles · Jul 19, 2004
Suspension
WHEN MAKING SHARP RIGHT TURNS A POPPING NOISE CAN BE HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER SUSPECTS THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINTS, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. *AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10044858
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK IN NOVEMBER, 2003. THE BRAKES STARTED SQUEAKING LOUDLY IN JANUARY, 2004. IT SEEMS THAT I REALLY HAVE TO PUSH HARD FOR THE BRAKES TO WORK. I INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP IN JANUARY, MARCH, AND MAY 2003 AND AGAIN IN JUNE, 2004. THEY INSIST THAT IT IS COMMON FOR THE BRAKES TO MAKE A NOISE LI…
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I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK IN NOVEMBER, 2003. THE BRAKES STARTED SQUEAKING LOUDLY IN JANUARY, 2004. IT SEEMS THAT I REALLY HAVE TO PUSH HARD FOR THE BRAKES TO WORK. I INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP IN JANUARY, MARCH, AND MAY 2003 AND AGAIN IN JUNE, 2004. THEY INSIST THAT IT IS COMMON FOR THE BRAKES TO MAKE A NOISE LIKE THIS. THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED TO PUT SOME TYPE OF FILLER ON THE PADS WHICH ONLY STOP IT FROM MAKING A NOISE FOR ONE WEEK. IN JUNE, 2004, THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE PADS WITH A "CHEAP" NEW PAD. THE BRAKES ARE STILL SQUEAKING LOUDLY. I AM SENDING THIS TO YOU BECAUSE I CALLED CHRYSLER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I AM JUST AFRAID THAT ONE DAY MY BREAKS WILL NOT WORK AND I WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND I DO? THANK YOU. INGRID GETKA *LA
NHTSA ODI #10080853
18,000 miles · Jul 6, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO CLAIMED THAT THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ANOTHER CERTIFIED MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. RECENTLY THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, AND THE DEALER WAS STILL DENY…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO CLAIMED THAT THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ANOTHER CERTIFIED MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. RECENTLY THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, AND THE DEALER WAS STILL DENYING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10081394
8,300 miles · Jun 25, 2004
Power Train
THE ARMS THAT HOLD THE FRONT END IN PLACE ARE BROKEN THEY WILL KNOT FIX IT. THEY ARE SAYING IT GOT HIT THE TRUCK HAS 8320 MILES ON IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10078818
100 miles · Jun 14, 2004
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train
VEHICLE WILL EITHER GO INTO NEUTRAL WHEN PUT IN REVERSE OR WHILE REVERSING POP OUT OF REVERSE INTO NEUTRAL. THIS MOSTLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT SINCE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD TWO …
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VEHICLE WILL EITHER GO INTO NEUTRAL WHEN PUT IN REVERSE OR WHILE REVERSING POP OUT OF REVERSE INTO NEUTRAL. THIS MOSTLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT SINCE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD TWO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION MODULE SHORTED OUT ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO BE NEARLY REAR ENDED THREE TIMES. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE BUT ACTED AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT, THE BRAKES WOULD SQUEAK AND THE VEHICLE HAD POOR GAS MILEAGE. *SC THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE DID NOT START AT TIMES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10073696
Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. *MR THERE WERE BACKFIRES AT TIMES, THE PEDAL WOULD BARELY MOVE AT STOP SIGNS, WHEN BACKING OUT, THE VEHICLE WOULD STAY IN SECOND GEAR FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO LET OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL THEN SHIFT INTO HIGH GEAR, SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO O…
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VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. *MR THERE WERE BACKFIRES AT TIMES, THE PEDAL WOULD BARELY MOVE AT STOP SIGNS, WHEN BACKING OUT, THE VEHICLE WOULD STAY IN SECOND GEAR FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO LET OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL THEN SHIFT INTO HIGH GEAR, SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE, THEN AS SOON AS IT STARTED TO MISFIRE, THE VEHICLE WOULD DROP TO OVERDRIVE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, THERE WAS A WHINE AND OR HOWL IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AROUND 50 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD NEVER COME ON, SOMETIMES THE SHIFT LEVER WOULD BE PLACED IN PARK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD START, AT TIMES WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE OR DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE AND THE WOULD HAVE TO BE JERKED AROUND ON THE SHIFT LEVER, THE HEATER CONTROLS WERE INOPERATIVE, AND THERE WERE NOISES WHEN THE LIGHTS ON THE RADIO WERE TURNED ON. THE VALVE ON THE TRANSMISSION WAS CHANGE AND HELPED THE VEHICLE, BUT SOMETIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED UP OR DOWN IN GEAR IT WOULD BE A PROBLEM. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10075886
Official recalls
4Dec 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.
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.
Dec 2, 2002
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE (CTM) HAS AN IMPROPERLY SIZED CIRCUIT BOARD TRACE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE RIGHT HEADLAMP LOW BEAM TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE LIGHTS FAIL, A VISIBILITY PROBLEM COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CTM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 23, 2002. 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.
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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