1998 DODGE DAKOTA Power Trainautomatic Transmission Problems

BALL JOINTS FAILED, PASSENGERS SIDE CAME LOOSE AND THE WHEEL FEEL OFF AND THE TRANSMISSON HAD TO BE REBUILT DUE TO CHEAP INTERNAL PARTS. BUT IF YOU OWN A 98 DODGE DAKOTA HAVE YOUR BALL JOINTS CHECKED THEY ARE A HAZARD AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED, IF THEY ALREADY HAVE NOT.... *NM

MY HUSBAND AND I OWN A 1998 DODGE DAKOTA, VIN [XXX]. WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, BEGINNING IN THE SECOND YEAR OF OUR LEASE. DURING THE PAST FOUR YEARS, WE HAVE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $9,000 ON VEHICLE REPAIRS INCLUDING A NEW TRANSMISSION, NEW ENGINE, NEW STARTER, NEW WHEEL BARING, NEW BRAKE CALIPER, NEW HEATER CORE AND NEW WATER PUMP. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ALTERNATOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND TWO O2 SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOUR TIMES. WHILE THESE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COSTLY AND INCONVENIENT, NONE OF THEM HAS POSED A SAFETY CONCERN PER SE. I AM WRITING NOW TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR MOST RECENT VEHICLE FAILURE WHICH MOST CERTAINLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE. ON NOVEMBER 18, 2004, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN HIS FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BROKE OFF FROM THE AXLE. THE TIRE FELL ON ITS SIDE...

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN ONGOING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM FOR 3 YEARS WHICH BECAME WORSE WITHIN THE LAST 2 WEEKS. THE RPMS REVVED VERY HIGH WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT INTO SECOND GEAR AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP POSITION. WHEN THIS OCCURRED CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. DEALERSHIP NOR THE MECHANIC COULD IDENTIFY WHAT WAS CAUSING THIS TO OCCUR.*AK

WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD AFTER SHIFTING OUT OF PARK OR NEUTRAL. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ,TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT TO NEXT GEAR, RPM'S GO REALLY HIGH AND THE SPEEDOMETER STICKS. I'M AFRAID WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION THAT I WON'T BE ABLE TO GET ACROSS AND IT MIGHT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *LA

TRANSMISSION THROTTLE VALVE ADJUSTMENT...KEEPS THE TRANSMISSION FROM SHIFTING AT THE PROPER TIME... WONT DOWNSHIFT WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. ALSO... SHIFTER LEVER CABLE ADJUSTMENT.... WRONG GEAR SHOWS UP ON CONSOLE.*AK

IN WINTER TIME TRANSMISSION DOES NOT WANT TO SHIFT OUT OF LOW GEAR WHEN IT SHOULD WILL EVENTUALLY USUALLY AT ABOUT 1500 TO 2000 RPM AFTER GETS REALLY WARM STILL WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. CHANGED FLUID MYSELF WITH ATF 3 OR 4. HAVE HAD AT SHOPS NO ONE REALLY KNOWS WHAT CAUSES THIS THEY GUESS A LOT. *NLM

OWNER'S MANUAL STATED 87 OR HIGHER OCTANE SHOULD BE USED. WHEN PUTTING A MEDUIM GRADE GAS IN VEHICLE OVERDRIVE STOPPED WORKING/TORQUE CONVERTER WOULD NOT LOCK UP, AND CAUSED RPMS TO INCREASE. RMPS WENT UP TOO HIGH FOR TRUCK. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ,AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

A CRACKED FIFTH GEAR LEFT ME COASTING IN NEUTRAL AT 55 MPH ON A SIX LANE LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY, DESPERATELY TRYING TO REACH THE SAFETY OF THE SHOULDER IN LATE EVENING TRAFFIC. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

THE TRUCK WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY TO THE HOUSE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND IN THE "PARKED" POSITION. NOBODY WAS IN THE TRUCK AND IT AUTOMATICALLY RAN INTO THE GARAGE AND RAN INTO THE HOUSE. IT DAMAGED THE HOUSE, LAWNMOWER, POWER WHEEL CAR AND RADIATOR. THE TRUCK WAS THEN TURNED OFF WITH THE TRANSMISSION STILL IN THE "PARKED" POSITION.

THE TRUCK WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY TO THE HOUSE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND IN THE "PARKED" POSITION. NOBODY WAS IN THE TRUCK AND IT AUTOMATICALLY RAN INTO THE GARAGE AND RAN INTO THE HOUSE. IT DAMAGED THE HOUSE, LAWNMOWER, POWER WHEEL CAR AND RADIATOR. THE TRUCK WAS THEN TURNED OFF WITH THE TRANSMISSION STILL IN THE "PARKED" POSITION.

VEHICLE PURCHASED AUG. 24, 1999. RECEIPT OF CERTIFIED LETTER FROM NATIONAL DISPUTE CENTER-DALLAS, TEXAS. SIGN THIS LEMON DISCLOSURE PAPER NOT SIGNED WHEN YOU BOUGHT TRUCK. DEALER SIGNED CONTRACT WITH CHRYSLER TO DISCLOSE TO NEXT BUYER THEY WERE PURCHASING A LAUNDERED LEMON. THE DEALER, FINANCE OFFICER, NOR THE SALESMAN DISCLOSED THIS INFORMATION TO ME AT ANY TIME. IF I DIDN'T RECEIVE FORM FROM TEXAS, IT WOULD STILL BE COVERED UP. NUMEROUS TRANSMISSION FAILURES - HAULED IN TWICE WITH NOTHING SHOWING AT THE DEALERSHIP. I WORRY EACH TIME I GET BEHIND THE WHEEL. WHO WILL GET MAIMED OR KILLED? DEALER COMMITTED FRAUD BY FAILURE TO DISCLOSE. PLEASE HELP. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

ENGINE KNOCK,POOR GAS MILEAGE, ROUGH IDLING, STALLING,TRANSMISSION CLUNK WHEN SHIFTING.WORST TRUCK I'VE EVER OWNED!!!

TRUCK BUCKED VIOLENTLY AND STALLED IMMEDIATELY AFTER GETTING DISCOUNT GAS, STALLED THEREAFTER SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND WHILE WAITING AT STOP SIGNS/RED LIGHTS . DEALER SAID IT NEEDED TUNE-UP, PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. DIFFERENT DEALER FIXED GASKET ON INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT WAS DRAWING OIL INTO ENGINE. SOON AFTER TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE BEFORE SHIFTING, THEN REV HIGH (FROM 2,000 RPM TO 4,000) SUDDENLY, THEN SHIFT TO NEXT GEAR. FIRST DEALER CLAIMED PINION BEARINGS WERE WORN, PROBLEM WAS NOT WITH TRANSMISSION. PROBLEM CONTINUED DAY AFTER PINION BEARINGS REPLACED, DEALER PRESSED TO LOOK AT TRANSMISSION. DIAGNOSED CLUTCH FAILURE. DAY AFTER REPAIR RATTLING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM EXHAUST, RETURNED TO DEALER. BOLT HAD SHEARED OFF INTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD FROM HEAT SHIELD, DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS FROM SNOW PACKING ON SHIELD. COPY OF LETTER TO DAIMLER-CHRYSLER BEING SENT TO NHTSA. *AK

TRANMISSION ONGOING, POPPING IN REAR ONGOING, TIRES BALD IN 5,000 MILES. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC AND HAVING THE TRANSMISSION NOT WORK PROPERLY( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P215 75R15 )

TRANS. SHIFTS VERY HARD/POPPING NOISE FROM STEERING..DEALER CAN'T FIX..??!!

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 18 TIMES IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS WITH THE BRAKES. THE DEALER TELLS ME THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO OPERATE THAT WAY. THESE BRAKES ARE SO BAD I NO LONGER CALL THEM ANTI-LOCK BRAKES I CALL THEM ANTI-STOP BRAKES. DO I HAVE TO KILL SOMEONE IN AN ACCIDENT FOR THEM TO BE FIXED? ALL I KNOW IS I HAVE ORDERED A NEW TRUCK AND IT IS NOT A DODGE! I HESITATE TO EVEN RIDE IN ANY CHRYSLER PRODUCT!!!

TRANSMISSION FAILED. YH

SURE WISH THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF SUCH VEHICLES WHEN THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT SO WE CAN MAKE THE DECISION AS TO IF IT APPLIES TO OUR VEHICLE OR NOT...THE AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS DO IT THAT WAY...I KNOW..I WORK FOR THE BOEING AIRCRAFT COMPANY

TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE. *YC

TRUCK WAS IDLING IN PARK ON LEVEL GROUND WHEN IT SHIFTED ITSEL INTO REVERSE AND HIT A TREE. I WAS LOADING ITEMS IN THE TRUCK AT THE TIME OF THE MISHAP, BUT COULD NOT RUN FAST ENOUGH TO OPEN THE DOOR AND STOP IT.

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, AND RESUTLING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONTACTED NUMEROUS OCCASIONS OVER PAST 7+ MONTHS WITH EITHER NO RESPONSE OR EXTREMELY SLOW RESPONSE. TANSMISSION/BRAKES/SHOCKS/TIRES, AND SEAT BELTS, NOT REPAIRED TO DATE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235 75R15 )

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD STAY IN ONLY ONE GEAR. TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED. DEALER CONTACTED. REPAIRWORK DONE TO REMEDY PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDED FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN ACCELERATING THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO FULLY ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT PROCEED FORWARD AS EXPECTED. *YC

EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE THE GEARS GRIND AND MAKE A LOUD NOISE. DEALER CAN'T FIX PROBLEM. *AK

THIS CONCERN REGARDING THE POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ALSO INCLUDES THE OPERATION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL! THE ORIGINAL DEFECT MANIFESTED ITSELF BY EXTREME "POWER-DOWNSHIFTS" ON MODERATE UPGRADES, WHILE RUNNING ON CRUISE CONTROL (ALL FURTHER MENTION OF "POWER-DOWNSHIFTS" ARE WHILE THE CRUISE IS ENGAGED). THEY WERE EXTREMELY ROUGH, TO THE POINT THAT I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT NOT ONLY THE DAMAGE TO THE POWERTRAIN, BUT TO ALSO LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IF IT WOULD HAPPEN TO OCCUR AT THE "WRONG TIME." THEY EVEN OCCURED WHILE RUNNING "AT SPEED" ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE EXTREME OF THESE DOWNSHIFTS IS INDICATED BY THE FACT THAT AT 65 MPH THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE FORCED DOWN TO 2ND GEAR, THEREBY "RED-LINING" THE ENGINE ON THE TACH. FIRST VISIT BROUGHT LITTLE IF ANY IMPROVEMENT, AND ONLY AFTER AN ADJUSTMENT WAS MADE AT THE LAST MINUTE FROM "UNDER THE HOOD." AFTER THIS ADJUSTMENT (OR BECAUSE OF...

GOING UP HILL WHEN VEHICLE DIED OUT FOR NO REASON. TOWED TO DEALER & 1ST TIME, NOTHING FOUND. 2ND TIME IT HAPPENED, WAS TOLD TORQUE CONVERTOR NEEDED CHANGING. 3RD TIME, WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION WAS IN BAD SHAPE ALONG WITH TORQUE CONVERTOR & BOTH NEEDED REPLACING. *AK

LOUD NOISES COMING FROM DRIVETRAIN. DEALER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE.ALSO, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON.

TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY.