NHTSA Complaint #767568 — 2001 DODGE DAKOTA

COMPLAINED TO WOODS DODGE IN BREVARD NC ABOUT NOISE IN FRONT AND SLIGHT BUMP IN BRAKES AT 12000 MILES. DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL DUE TO THE TYPE OF BRAKES PADS USED AND SAID TO DRIVE IT. WE DROVE IT UNITL IT HAD 24000 MILES AT WHICH TIME THE BUMPING BECAME A SHAKE DURING BRAKING. I SUSPECTED WARPED ROTORS AND THE DEALER CONFIRMED SAME. THE DEALER TRIED TO CHARGE ME FOR THE REPAIR AND ALSO STATED THAT THE PADS WERE BAD DUE TO THE BAD ROROR. I DISAGREED WITH THE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND DODGE USED SUBSTANDARD ROTORS THAT HEATED EASILY. IF WATER WAS SPLASHED ON THE ROTORS THEY WOULD WARP. THIS WOULD BE ESPECIALLY PRESENT IN VECHICLES DRIVEN IN THE MOUNTAINS. I CONTINUED TO ARGUE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER BUT HE STILL CHARGED ME FOR THE REPAIR BUT DID REDUCE THE CHARGE SOME. NOW AT 37000 MILES I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC DID RECOMMEND THAT I BUY AN AFTERMARKEY ROTER SINCE THE DODGE ROTOR WAS NO GOOD! WOW WHAT A COMMENT FROM A DODGE DEALERSHIP. ANYWAY THIS IS A DANGERIOUS SITUATION SINCE THE WARPED ROTORS COULD HEAT UP AND CRACK CAUSING A WHEEL LOCK UP. THE WARPAGE CAN ALSO CAUSE REDUCED STOPPING ABILITY. I THINK IF YOU LOOK INTO THIS FURTHER THAT YOU WILL FIND OTHER INFO WHERE THE ROTORS HAVE TO BE TURNED FREQUENTLY BUT DEALERS WHO ARE LINING THEIR POCKETS DUE TO A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND SUBSTANDARD PARTS. IF THESE ROTORS ARE SO THIN OR OF MATERIAL THAT WARP THIS EASILY THEN THEIR SHOULD BE A RECALL AND BETTER ROTORS INSTALLED ONTO THESE VEHICLES. *AK