Transfer Case problems of the 2001 Dodge Dakota

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the vehicle was engaged in four wheel drive when the transmission erroneously slipped into neutral, causing the vehicle to roll away in reverse. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, who indicated that the electronic shift transfer case had malfunctioned. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 01v077000 (power train). The failure mileage was 81,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the truck transfer control module independently switched from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive, causing the tires to seize. The contact had to unhook the wires from the transfer case and power the vehicle off in order for the contact to secure the vehicle in two-wheel drive mode. The failure was recurring. The contact, who was a mechanic diagnosed that the transfer case control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.

While driving the transfer case cracked down the middle. The friction and sparks caused it to catch on fire. It was loose and severed from the main attachments which dumped the oil ontothe skid plates.

Reference 2001 Dodge Dakota 4wd: there has already been a safety recall on the 4wd module. It needed reprogramming to assure that it wouldn't slip out of gear causing the truck to roll. This recall has been performed on my truck. However, the module, after only a few thousand miles has gone out again. The "service 4wd" light comes on, but Dodge tells me that they cannot even retrieve diagnostic codes from the module. . . And that it needs replacing. This failure of the 4wd module and the dealers inability to even diagnose the problem, after having recall work done on it, makes me wonder if the original safety recall service was even effective.

While attempting to engage the two wheel drive vehicle became inoperative. As a result, vehicle became stuck in four wheel drive.

I do not have the exact dates for each time the transfer case has failed, my documents are in the vehicle, still in in the shop. The dealership has lead me to believe that it might be the way it was driven (of course). I assured them this was not the case and offered for them to drive the vehicle (if they can repair it again) as long as they drove it 20 miles per day and engaged the 4 wheel drive system for at least 1/2 mile per day. These are the exact driving conditions each time the transfer case has went out. My only other stipulation is that whomever drove it, did not transport children in this vehicle. (no takers so far) we live out in the county and off the main road. Four wheel drive is utilized not because of rough terrain, but because of the 45 degree incline (saves wear and tear on our tires). Another vehicle has been purchased to get back and forth to work and because I am terrified to drive this truck for fear of losing control due to yet another mechanical failure. We are not talking windshield wipers here. Russel at the dealership has contacted the manufacturer and has "not received adequate answers" to his questions regarding this transfer case. He also stated that they "no long made this transfer case" which "should tell him something. " he has checked the gears in the transfer case to ensure the right gears were in there and they were. He also thought that maybe the previous owners did not engage the 4 wheel drive system. My response was "that would explain the first transfer case. . . What about the other two? we have purchased Dodge products for well over 5 years now and look at nothing else when purchasing a new vehicle. It appears however, that when you need them to right a wrong, it is the consumer who is the victim, not the big corporation. I will rethink the purchasing of Dodge vehicles from now on and can assure the Chrysler corporation that my cummings diesel will be the last Dodge product purchased in this household. Dt.

Consumer stated vehicle was parked and when consumer went to check on vehicle, it had rolled down a mountain. Consumer also stated had gotten recall# 01v077000 but hadn't got recall fixed yet. Vehicle was totaled.

Recall 01v077 was completed on vehicle, however after repair, consumer drove onto driveway which is on a steep incline, waited for garage door to open and while consumer had foot on brake, the vehicle rolled back 2 feet or so, consumer pressed on gas to find engine had cut off, transmission specialist stated this is normal and it is a safety feature.