Two problems related to axle shaft have been reported for the 2003 Dodge Dakota. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
(rear axle shear), t 4:00 pm on March 19th 2005, I was driving this vehicle south bound on California state highway 71. When all of a sudden the right side rear axle sheared, causing the vehicle to go into a forced left handed 360 degree spin. I tried to correct the spin, but the vehicle would not respond or stop. The vehicle crashed into the center median. Also, the engine rpm's went up when the axle shaft broke. The insurance company said the vehicle is a total loss. The dealer would not repair it or admit to the defect. However an employee at the dealership showed me another shaft from a crashed 2003 truck. The axle shaft was identical to mine, the center part of the axle shaft was crystalized. See odi 10116455 also. .
(rear axle sheared) at 4:00 pm on March 19th 2005, I was driving this vehicle south bound on California state highway 71. When all of a sudden the right side rear axle sheared, causing the vehicle to go into a forced left handed 360 degree spin. I tried to correct the spin, but the vehicle would not respond or stop. The vehicle crashed into the center median. Also, the engine rpm's went up when the axle shaft broke. The insurance company said the vehicle is a total loss. The dealer would not repair it or admit to the defect. However an employee at the dealership showed me another shaft from a crashed 2003 truck. The axle shaft was identical to mine, the center part of the axle shaft was crystalized. See odi 10116454 also. Dsy.