NHTSA Complaint #10116563 — 2001 DODGE DAKOTA

MY 2001 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK HAS EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE OF ITS POWER CONTROL MODULE (PCM) NOT ONCE BUT TWICE IN 2004. THE ORIGINAL UNIT FAILED 57,500 MILES AND THE SECOND UNIT FAILED AT JUST 7,000 MILES. PCM FAILURE MEANS THAT ELECTRIC POWER IS CUT UNEXPECTEDLY TO THE ENGINE LEADING TO ENGINE FAILURE. IN MY CASE THIS HAPPENED ONCE ON A NARROW HILLY ROADWAY AND THE SECOND TIME IN THE FAST LANE OF A FREEWAY. SUCH FAILURE DO NOT PROVIDE WARNINGS AND HAPPEN SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. IN BOTH CASES LOOSING POWER ALSO MEANT LOOSING BRAKING AND POWER STEERING. WHILE NEITHER INCIDENT RESULTING IN ACCIDENTS FOR ME, THEY COULD EASILY HAVE (PART LUCK & PART SKILL). YET I HAVE SEEN LITTLE REGARDING THIS MATTER. WHAT IS SO SINISTER ABOUT THIS IS THAT THE "BUG" IS DIFFICULT TO TRACE BECAUSE IT RE-APPEARS ONLY RANDOMLY (INITIALLY I THOUGHT THAT I NEEDED A TUNE-UP OR HAD RECEIVED BAD BATCH OF FUEL). THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE REQUIRED OF THIS UNIT AND IT HAS A WARRANTY OF 8/80,000. I HAVE WRITTEN TO DODGE REGARDING THIS MATTER REQUESTING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, AN EXPLANATION OF WHY THESE UNITS FAILED AND THE HAZARDS SUCH FAILURES PLACE THE DRIVER AND FELLOW MOTORISTS INTO. THE MANUFACTURER HAS RESPONDED BUT ONLY IN REGARD TO THE MATTER OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR CAR RENTAL RELATED TO THE SECOND INCIDENT ABOVE WHERE I WAS ON A TRIP. NOTHING HAS BEEN RESPONDED TO WITH REGARD TO THE "RELIABILTY" OF THE UNITS. THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS THE INITIAL SITUATION.*AK