Brake Disc Caliper problems of the 2001 Dodge Dakota

Driving within the city limits of fort collins colorado and stopping for a traffic light the front brakes on my 2001 Dodge Dakota pickup truck locked up and would not release until the vehicle was allowed to sit for several minutes. I had the vehicle towed to a repair facility, where I was informed that the front left wheel bearing, both rotors and pads needed to be replaced due to excessive heat and wear. After the repairs were completed I proceeded to drive the vehicle for approximately 15 miles when the brakes again locked up after coming to a stop at a stop sign and began to smoke from excessive heat build up on the left front rotor. The vehicle was towed back to the repair facility where left front caliper was replaced and the vehicle was test driven, at which time the right front brake locked up in the same manner as the left front had. The repair facility researched the problem further and discovered via identafix. Com that the hydraulic lines and calipers on both the right and left front brakes had to be replaced in order to fix the problem. This was not the only occurrence of this problem and it appears to be happening at around 70 to 80,000 miles. Had this problem occurred while I was towing my travel trailer, which I had just done, and when going down a long or steep grade at the very minimum it would have been a very dangerous occurrence. This is a safety defect that Chrysler corp. Needs to address under recall for the affected models.

2001 Dodge Dakota has had front brakes drag/lock up. Has happened twice, both times the calipers/rotors got extremely hot and smoked. After first time, truck was taken to dealer, they found nothing wrong but could see that rotors had gotten extremely hot. After allowing car to sit for several hours, the problem seems to go away.

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. While driving approximately 55 mph, he heard an abnormal rattling from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnosis of the failure. The failure persisted and progressively became worse within one year. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the mechanic advised the caliber brackets were stripped. The mechanic re-drilled the caliber and bracket and installed a large bolt with a lock nut on both sides of the vehicle. The failure mileage was 85,000 and the current mileage was 96,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. While driving approximately 60 mph, there was a pulling sensation and an odor was present when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact immediately pulled to the side of the road and observed that the wheels were excessively hot. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on two separate occasions. The technician stated that the failure was related to the calipers locking up, which damaged the rotors. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 59,776 and current mileage was 59,876.

I purchased the vehicle used with 39k miles I had it for a month and noticed vibrations when braking from 50 - 40 mph. I figured the brake rotors were warped. After about a year of this I took the rotors off and into a parts store to have them checked, they were warped and too thin to turn (lathe). I bought new rotors and pads, cleaned and greased the caliper slide pins and reassembled the brakes. After this the braking vibration went away. Recently I was driving in heavy traffic and once I got to my exit I noticed smoke from the left front of the vehicle, also the brake pedal felt hard. I pulled over to find that the front brakes were smoking. I jacked up the front of the vehicle (wheels off the ground) and found that neither wheel/tire could be turned by hand. After the vehicle sat for approximately 5 hours to cool down the wheels could then be turned. Took vehicle to repair shop that confirmed the brake pad wear indicated that for the most part the pistons and slides seemed to be operating properly. I am an a. S. E. Certified master mechanic and have never seen brakes overheat like this and cause caliper lock up. Happen. I believe there is something inherently wrong with these vehicles.

Knowing the Dakota's have brake issues, I replaced the front rotors with aftermarket slotted rotors in hopes that the rotor would stay cool & not warp. However even after adding new rotors I have had on three separate occasions one or the other front rotors have locked up. After the first incident I completely drained & replaced all the brake fluid w/synthetic brake fluid. I had no problems for about 2 months before they locked up again. This time I replaced both calipers, it's only been a month everything is working for now. Dodge should recall! either there brake booster or calipers are flawed because the brake caliper tend to stick causing overheating, wrong to the point where the pads are so hot your engulfing other vehicles in smoke!.

I have taken my vehicle several repair places (brake specialists) including 2 dealerships (multiple times). They tell me my rotors are warped, or that they can find nothing wrong!!! starting at around 20,000 miles I started getting hard vibrations in the front end, replaced rotors and pads, fixed problem. Then, 5,000 miles later it started again, had rotors turned and replaced pads, fixed problem. 5,000 miles later it happens again, I decide to deal with it for a little while. 2,000 miles of driving with warped rotors, and right front caliper locks up, nearly causing a fire!!. Replaced both calipers, rotors and pads, problem fixed again. Problem recurs roughly every 5,000 miles. I drive very carefully to ensure that I am not causing any undue stress on the brake components. The expense of repairing the brakes every 5,000 miles is roughly $200 to $400 dollars depending on what I find upon inspection. I am an industrial mechanic so I do this work myself. I purchased copies of daimler Chrysler master tech videos to makes sure that I am not missing something. I have purchased several manuals for my vehicle , some from Dodge and some aftermarket in my search for a more permanent solution to this problem. This problem is very dangerous, to me and to others around me when driving. I am currently at 90,000 miles and have decided that this problem needs to be addressed by someone. . . I hope you can help.

Had a sudden stop in 100 degree weather, when pulled off, the truck felt as if it were pulling a load and a strong burning rubber smell was coming from the front end. Ended up having it towed to the dealership where it was found that the front calipers had seized up. Dealership was not certain as to what caused the problem. Truck only has 52,000 miles on it. Ended up putting all new braking system on the front end. A year ago had the same problem, brought into the dealership and they told me it was a sensor that controlled the abs. Can't figure that one out, only have abs on the rearend, not on the front. It is a scary thing when you are on the highway and you have that burning smell and smoke is bellowing from the front wheels. Dealership claims no fire would've occurred. Tained.

Front brakes rubbing on rotors causing brake pads to smoke. This caused the warping of the brake rotors. Replaced brake pads and rotors. This fixed the problem for about 1 (one) month. This time after smelling the brakes and seeing smoke, I tried to pull off the road but the truck would barely move. This is not the first problems with the brakes. I had found the front left caliper mounting bolt had become loose and stripped the bolt hole. I heli-coiled the hole and loctited the bolt in place.

Rotors are warping and being severely scored. My caplipers were badly rusted with in a year which did not let it slide properly and cause uneven pressure on the pads. This cause a pad to disintegrate while braking. I have since replaced my brake pads with performance ferro carbon pads and cross drilled vented rotors. The rotors no long warp but they are still being badly scored. And I have to keep a constant eye on pad wear.

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. While the contact was driving approximately 35 mph, the brakes were engaged and the vehicle began to travel into a different lane without assistance. The failure occurred four different times. The vehicle was taken to a an independent mechanic where the front calipers and brake pads were replaced. Also, the front rotors were resurfaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on two separate occasions for the identical failure and the same repairs were performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the third time for the identical failure occurrence. The contact was waiting on a response from the technician regarding the extent of the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

Dodge Dakota, quad-cab, 2001 ? after heavy usage (I. E. Commuter traffic) front brakes seize and lock up; leaving brakes engaged while driving. Suspect rotor warp from the heat of the brake pads thus rendering the front brakes fully engaged until the rotor cools. Dealer inspected brakes / rotor after each incident (3) to find no obvious direct cause and only made the suggestion to bring in for service when incident occurred again.

I purchased the vehicle used but it had new brakes. I had it for a month and drove approx. 1000 miles and the brake rotors became warped. I had them turned and they were fine. I drove the vehicle for approx. 5 more months and 6000 miles and the rotors became warped again. The vibrations occur very badly when braking from 50 mph-40 mph. When braking from a higher or lower speed than 40-50 there are only minor vibrations. I also have noise coming from the front drivers side suspension when turning at slow speeds and going over a bump/curb(such as to enter/leave a driveway).

While driving, a strong odor of burning brakes was smelled. There was a large plume of smoke coming from the front left wheel well, and the vehicle was pulling to the right. The truck had to be stopped for fear of fire or injury. Dodge states that the front left caliper seized, causing damage to the relatively new front rotors and pads I purchased. Last July, approximately 7 months ago, the truck's right front brake caliper seized, causing a similar situation only on the opposite side of the vehicle. Dodge refuses to admit fault in supplying faulty parts to customers. Brake calipers should not fail under normal driving conditions after 36,000-42,000 miles. After numerous other mechanical problems with this vehicle I have lost complete confidence in it, and believe it to be a safety hazard for myself and others on the road.

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. While driving approximately 35 mph with his foot on the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started to slow down and hesitate. The contact stopped the vehicle to allow the front disc brakes to cool off since they were dragging. The brake lines and calipers were replaced at 50,000 miles. The current mileage is 64000 and the failure mileage was 30000. The contact will add the VIN, engine size and purchase date.

Front brakes began to shudder at approximately 18k miles. Brought vehicle to westminster Dodge in boston, MA. And was quoted $400 for replacement of front rotors and pads. After doing research I realized brake rotors should not warp at only 18k miles. I driver 50/50 highway/city and do not brake unless in emergency situations. At approximately 20,000 miles the right front brake pad began to rattle in the caliper. I contacted Dodge and they refuse to cover any of these repairs under warranty. Dodge needs to realize they have an engineering problem with their brake rotors and replace them. Scc ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****770861.

Front rotors "warped" at 13k. Rotors turned. Problem persisted and had to be turned again at 31k. 61k had front rotors and brake pads replaced. Brake assembly fell apart in mechanics hands. 72k problem still persists and dealer suggest having rotors turned every 3k miles. Huh??.

My Dodge Dakota has had the original rotors warp at 14000 miles, they were turned once and again at 23k they warpped. I have now installed new napa premium lifetime warranty rotors and they lasted 600 bafore warpage. I have replaced the calipers in the event they were not releasing all the way yet still the same problem. Perhaps Dodge has a lack of ventilation on the Dakota rotors. Seems like a recall problem!.

While applying the brakes they locked up. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the calipers needed to be replaced, and replaced them five times. However, problem recurred.

Consumer complained about a brake problem. While driving at any speed brakes locked up. Vehicle had been to dealer on 4 separate occasions. Dealer replaced rotors, booster power unit, calipers, master cylinder and pads. Vehicle was still having the same problem.