Four problems related to automatic transmission have been reported for the 2003 Dodge Dakota. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Automatic transmission will not shift to third gear unless the gas pedal is almost fully released. Transmission will not downshift to pass.
Engine malfunction light illuminated. Tranmission will not shift from third gear. Dealer confirmed problem, ordered replacement transmission module. Replacement did not correct problem. Further investigation from dealer found broken wire in wiring harness leading to transmission.
Truck will not shift properly when going up grade. Engine will rev at 4500-5000 rpm but will not shift until I slightly release the gas pedal. Truck will also perform multiple hard up shifts when in cruise control going up grade. . . Had the truck in for service 3 times. First time in may, 1 month after purchase, the dealer reprogrammed the computer with a "flash update" and adjusted throttle linkage. That was no help. Several months later I took it in for the same problem, and dealer found nothing wrong. The third time, January 2004, I took a technician for a test drive, and he agreed that the truck was not shifting properly. They replaced the "valve body" in the transmission and the problem has now gotten worse. They informed me that the truck is now having problem shifting out of park. They claim they need to replace the same part they just installed, they say it must have been a defective "valve". Furthermore, the technician is now saying the original shifting problem is normal because Dodge reprogrammed the transmission to avoid multiple up & down shifting when going up a grade. This was down to put "less stress" on the transmission. Doesn't make sense, Dodge is saving the transmission by making it work less and destroying the engine by letting it rev at 5000 rpm. . . . . P. S. This shifting problem has been occurring since the day I drove the truck off the lot.
While driving the vehicle stalled. The driver tried to restart the vehicle and was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The cause has not been determined. Please provide further details.