NHTSA Complaint #10200096 — 2005 DODGE DAKOTA

I HAD BEEN NOTICING SOME MAJOR PULSATING (TO THE POINT I THOUGHT I WAS LOOSING A TIRE) IN THE FRONT END OF MY 05 DODGE DAKOTA WHEN I STEPPED ON THE FRONT BRAKE SO I HAD THE BRAKES LOOKED AT BY MEINEKE MUFFLER. THEY SHOWED ME HOW THE DUST BOOT ON THE CALIPERS WERE DETERIORATING AND THAT THE ROTORS WERE TURNING BLUE FROM OVER-HEATING. THEY SUGGESTED I CONTACT DODGE TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS OR IF IT WAS COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY TRUCK HAS 24K MILES ON IT. I CONTACTED DODGE REGARDING THE WARRANTY AND THEY SAID THAT ONLY THE CALIPERS WOULD BE COVERED EVEN THOUGH THE DEFECTIVE CALIPERS CAUSED THE PREMATURE WEARING OF THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. THE BRAKE PADS STILL HAD AT LEAST 50% WEAR ON THEM. MY TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT STEVENS DODGE IN MILFORD CT. TOMORROW WILL BE 2 WEEKS SINCE I BROUGHT IT THERE AND SUPPOSEDLY THEY ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE PARTS TO COME IN. ACCORDING TO THEIR SERVICE DEPT THE PARTS ARE NOT ON BACK ORDER BUT THEY STILL AREN'T IN. THIS TRUCK IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO TOW UP TO 7,000 POUNDS BUT WITH THE BRAKES FAILING AFTER ONLY 24K OF NORMAL DRIVING (MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES) I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED IF I TOWED THINGS WITH IT REGULARLY. *TR