Nine problems related to manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe have been reported for the 1999 Dodge Dakota. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Faulty intake manifold gasket in my 99 Dodge Dakota with 38,900 miles on it. Chrysler daimler covered only parts. It cost me 370 dollars to get it repaired. I contested when they said they would only cover parts. Chrysler stated that it was out of warranty and that this is all they would do. I found numerous complaints on the internet of other people with the same problem with a leaking intake manifold gasket at very low miles on this Chrysler product. I believe that this is unacceptable. Chrysler won't talk to me anymore. They stated that the only way I could still fight it was to pay the full price for the repair and then contest it. I needed my truck back. The dealer told me that it was unsafe to drive it far do to the oil consumption. I was stuck. I paid it cause I needed a vehicle. Age shouldn't matter in a case like this. 38,900 is way to low of miles for a major repair like this. I am worried that it will happen again and that Chrysler will just say "tough". I have read complaints on the web where people have had it replaced 3 times within 100,000 miles.
When driving at an undetermined speed oil light appeared on the dashboard. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership for inspection, and mechanic determined that the intake manifold failed.
Exhaust manifold bolts and studs broken off. From what I read on the internet, this is a common occurrence.
The consumer stated the engine started to knock on acceleration, then he noticed the oil consumption started to go up. It was confirmed the plenum seal leaked.
We have been told by mckinney Dodge in mckinney, texas that we have an intake leak on our manifold. We have made arrangements with our mechanic to have this fixed. I went to the west loop Dodge in ft. Worth and picked up the manifold gasket kit from the parts department. Upon reading the insert it stated that the new bolts are now 1/2 inch longer and that the gasket itself is now thicker as well. Also with speaking with our mechanic, he informed us that we are the second truck in the past two weeks that has had the same problem. He was even able to tell us exactly where our leak was before inspecting it. This seems to me that Dodge has been aware of this problem and instead of recalling their defect in their product, they made changes to the gaskets and bolt sizes and are now charging over $600 to have this repaired. I feel that this should be considered a defect in their product and Dodge should be responsible for paying the bill and not the consumer that has purchased their product.
5. 2l engine; 20,418 mi; high oil consumption & spark knock due to faulty intake manifold valley-pan gasket. Dealership replaced gasket at no cost (warranty).
While driving vehicle back fired and noticed a lot of racket, and a lot of oil consumption. Consumer stated it was manifold gasket.
Intake manifold is leaking fluid.
Exhaust manifold bolts cracked, causing exhaust fumes to come inside vehicle. Please give any further details.