NHTSA Complaint #10794516 — 2005 DODGE DAKOTA

THE 4WD TRANSFER CASE MOTOR SOMETIMES OPERATES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OFF, AFTER DOORS ARE UNLOCKED WITH THE KEY FOB. THE 4WD RANDOMLY & SPONTANEOUSLY ATTEMPTS TO ENGAGE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITHOUT ANY 4WD-RELATED INDICATOR LIGHTS. THERE IS A MOMENT OF RESISTANCE - LIKE AN EXTREME HEADWIND, THEN A VIOLENT THUD IN THE DRIVETRAIN WHEN IT DISENGAGES. AT TIMES THERE IS A ROLLING PULSATION IN THE DRIVETRAIN, AS IF THE 4WD IS ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE OVER LONGER DISTANCES. ENGAGING 4WD UNEXPECTEDLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED COULD CAUSE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE DRIVETRAIN, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. THIS COMPLAINT IS POSTED LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF TIMES ON INTERNET FORUMS AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED.