Brake Disc Problems of Dodge Dakota - part 1

Purchased 2005 Dakota quad cab on 9/30/05. Immediately noticed pulsating or shuddering of the brakes when applied at higher rates of speed & when braking on an incline. Visited dealership on 10/13/05 & rear drums were turned. Visited dealership again on 10/21/05 with the same problem. They found no problem. Brakes progressively worsened & returned again to dealership on 11/15/05. Dealership ordered parts & we returned to dealership on 12/14/05 & rear brake shoes were replaced. Several months passed & brake shuddering returned again. Visited dealership again with same complaint on 9/19/06 & the dealer replaced rear brake shoes, brake drums, & rotors. Not two months later, the same braking problem returned. After taking the truck in to the dealership on 5 separate occassions without a resolve, we filed for our rights under the florida lemon law. Daimler Chrysler set up an appt with dealership to have technician look at our truck. They found nothing wrong with our truck other than a bad tire. The technician did not drive the truck under the conditions that I described to them. We took the truck to sears to have the tires looked at & there indeed was a flat spot on the right front tire. I questioned why there would be a flat spot on a tire that had only 24k on it without any explanation. We had the tire replaced & also had the front end aligned. In the meantime the brake pulsation only continues to get worse. I have called daimler Chrysler again to request another review of our case & we now have to take the truck back to the dealership & this time stay with the tech and drive with them to identify the pulsating brakes. We are trying to be patient with the process but it is getting very trying. There is definitely something defective with the engineering of this make and model of truck & it is time that Chrysler take responsiblity for it. I only hope that they correct the situation before someone gets killed because of it.

See all problems of the 2005 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

: the contact stated while applying brake pressure at high speeds, there was a pronounced vibration through the front end and the steering wheel. The vehicle was seen by a dealer for inspection. The dealer determined the brake drums, disc, and shoes needed to be replaced.

While depressing the brakes the truck started to shimmy badly. I took it to the dealership, and they had to resurface the rotors. This truck has 6,524 miles on it. I asked the dealership about the rotors and drums because my 2001 Dodge had the same problem at 14,000 miles, the dealership said, "these are new and improved rotors and drums". They only lasted 6,500 miles. This is not a good thing and should be looked at before someone gets hurt.

I have only had this truck for 2 and half months, only 3800 miles on it. I noticed it was shaking real bad when applying the brakes. I took it into the shop and they had it for 4 days and they told me that they had a TSB that the rear axles and drums needed to be replaced. So they did that and gave it back to me and I had to take it back the same day, because they did not fix it. So. . Then they had it for 9 days and I had told them that I was getting real upset about this and the manager look me in my face and asked me what was I going to do about it. You have real good people selling your trucks. But any way. When I was finally called 9 days later, they told me that Dodge had to re design the rear plate. There has been a lot of things done to these trucks and nothing is fixing them. Look at how many people are having trouble. I also call chrsyler and they never returned my call. . . I called twice. They refused a loaner or a rental. Told me I had to drive it the way it is. . . Maybe until sometime in November. . . Who knows. . . I don't feel safe driving this truck. . . I will not put my kids in this truck. I will never deal with waldorf Dodge again and I will never buy a Dodge again. So much for the consumer there. . We have to deal with there mistakes. . . . Someone help. . . . . . . . . Oh yeah I asked for them to buy the truck back and they told me that first they have to may sure it can be fixed so that would beable to resell it. . . Now what kind of service is that. . . . Have had it in the shop 2 times now.

My 2003 Dodge Dakota quad cab has had the brake rotors warped at less than 20,000 miles with no severe use. And also the ball joints are worn out at 35,000 miles. These parts should last a lot longer on a ligh use vehicle.

See all problems of the 2003 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Main concern is brakes. The front calipers are sticking and the rotors are warping which is causing the truck to pull one way or the other when stopping. On slick roads the truck will turn sideways on a fast stop and now they have to be pushed almost to the floor board to get them to work. I told them something was wrong the day I bought it after about 20 miles of ownership it took many phone calls and 8 months to get them to fix it and the day I picked it up we drove it and still was not right so they kept it 2 more days and late it is not working again. Windshield wiper on right side at very end does not touch window on all of the Dakota trucks which when in use it skips across the window. It makes a loud noise when using and can not see out that side of front window because of the skipping. There are many other things wrong with this truck but the brakes, wiper and drivetrain ( more so on the brakes ) is a lot of peoples problems. With the brakes like they are it makes for a very unsafe truck. I could get rid of it but could not live with myself knowing how unsafe the brakes are on this truck. I think I got a lemon and wish they would just take this truck back. If I knew how to do it I would. I am disable and can't trust this truck. I can show you on the web where many people are having brake and other problems. The fix they came up with is quality aftermarket brake parts. I did not buy a 20k truck to fix myself. It should at least last a year. I have another Dodge truck with none of this kind of problem and its a 1994 with over 100000. Also the back brakes don't even feel like they are working. I have anti lock on the back but not the front and when they tried to fix the front I was told they put anti lock pads on it and that's not what I have.

See all problems of the 2001 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

The brake disc steel is faulty, and pits. This causes very jerky, difficult, and unreliable braking. As if one was braking on top of logs. Two years ago we had the disc(s) machined, and that fixed the problem temporarily. But it returned. Today we are having the discs replaced. I think Dodge should be made aware of this problem, and recall it.

See all problems of the 2000 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

My 2002 Dodge Dakota 4x4 at 20,000 miles began experiencing a pulsation in the brake pedal when the brakes were applied. I took my vehicle to the dealership who told me that my rotors were warped and pitted and that my calipers were grooved. Dodge told me that this was not a warranty item and that this was normal wear. I spoke to two shops specializing in brakes and they stated this is not a normal wear problem.

See all problems of the 2002 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

2002 Dodge ram 1500 quad cabbrake rotor warpping, extreme shuttering under hiway braking very dangerous in the rain with associated brake grab, and darting of vehicle. Manufacture has repaired twice, but now refuses to correct problem outside of warranty.

Front brakes and rotors need replaced at 16,000 miles. This truck is not driven hard or a lot. Dealer refuses to replace under warranty, claims no knowledge of reported problems.

Front brake rotors on the 2000 Dodge Dakota truck are of inadequate designed, they warp too often. . No support from the dealer or manufacturer.

While driving and applying the brakes steering wheel shook, had some pulsation either to the right or left. Dealer has inspected vehicle several times, and could not duplicate or correct the problem.

Consumer states front brakes are warped. Dealer notified.

Front brake rotors warped for second time. First occurence was at 10,000 miles, second was quite noticeable by 20,000 miles. I had a 2000 Dakota which Chrysler re-purchased for the same reason (had 5 repairs in 30,000 miles on my 2000). Chrysler offering a non-warrantied solution.

My rotors have warped 4 times in 38,530 miles. New Dodge parts have been installed. This most recent time I got a surprise. Dodge said aftermarket brake pads had been installed. I have only had brake service performed at marietta Dodge. The previous installation someone must have used after-market front brake pads. Also, this is an on-going problem with this truck. 4 sets of rotors warped in less than 10,000 miles. Not good. Weak brakes. Dt.

Rotors deteriorated and would not pass inspection on front wheels. Rotors and brake pads had to be replaced to make vehicle safe to operate. Mileage is 10991 at time of failure.

While performing a brake inspection on this vehicle I found that the disc brake pads that are used on this vehicle include what they are calling a "shim" that gets glued onto both the inboard and outboard shoes which as near as I can tell acts as some sort of cushion between the phenolic (plastic) brake caliper piston and the brake pad in order to keep the brake pad rivet heads from coming in contact with the phenolic (plastic) caliper piston and causing the caliper piston to wear prematurely or even crack. This "shim" is made of ferrous metal and is only about a 32nd of an inch thick. With the combination of heat,stress and salt that is used on michigan roadways this ferrous metal "shim" is entirely inadequate for the intended purpose and has completely rusted away in less than four years causing the caliper piston to crack. A cracked caliper piston is a very dangerous situation and can lead to complete brake failure. If this part were made of stainless steel rather than ferrous metal it would greatly reduce the corrosion of this part and insure the safety of all concerned. This is a problem that needs to be addressed by the NHTSA in the very near future as even the aftermarket brake pads include the same type of shim.

See all problems of the 1998 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

I have had to redo the front disc brake rotors and calipers twice and they need replacing a third time due to warping of the rotors. The dealer says this is caused by improper torquing of the wheel nuts when replacing the wheel. I got the manufacturers recommended torque setting and made sure the bolts were hand torqued to that poundage since they claimed "torque sticks" seems to be in question. The rotors still continue to warp. The brakes function but the front brake pedal trembles when applying brakes and the warping accelerates the failure of the calipers. Other local mechanics have told me they see this problem on Dakota trucks on a regular basis. Ts.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Even with light application of brakes, progressively severe shuddering of entire front end. Service dept. Determined warped brake discs and incorrect brake pad (oem). Disks were turned and brake pads replaced. Now, 5000 miles later, same problem (pulsating condition upon light brake application) manifests itself. What is NHTSA doing to get Dodge to take corrective action? this situation is a safety hazard and needs to be corrected!!! there are over 100 complaints in your database about the identical problem with the same vehicle. Have described the situation to Chrysler but doubt that they will respond with a constructive solution without some pressure from NHTSA. After all, this is all about "people saving people" so let's have some action before we have another firestone-like disaster on our hands.

Front brake grinding when hot and continual rear brake drum warpage. Dealer has turned the drums once and I have had it done independantly twice. Warpage continues within 5-7000 miles.

#1 brakes front and rear when applied vibrate the whole truck # 2when truck shifts from 2 to 3 it bangs hard into gear.

When I appled the brakes the front end would shake. The dealer said it was hot spots and was not uncomman for a truck with 21000 miles. They said it was not covered under warranty so I removed the wheel and fond the outer retainer hanging loose and seen marks on the rim where it had been riding. This maybe a problem that could result in a very bad accident. I have pic if you need them.

The left front disc brake was either locked or the caliper was compressed enough that it was holding the pad on the disc. The vehicle pulled to the left slightly. I started to notice an odd odor. After several miles, I saw smoke coming from the left front wheel well. I pulled off and noticed the left front wheel was smoking a lot. The wheel was very hot. I had the vehicle towed to fair oaks Dodge. They inspected the vehicle and test drove it but, they did not find anything wrong. They also stated that they did not see any signs of over heating on the brake (no discoloration of the rotor or cracking on the pad). I am relatively certain that the brake caliper was locked up and not retracting from the disc properly.

Brakes keep failing on this vehicle -lost control of vehicle slowing down for exit ramp. Left road and slid on grass to a stop. Do you need fatalities to make this an issue? with more then 50 documented complaints on file with NHTSA it wont be long now.

Vehicle shudders on braking (violently on hard braking), dealer says both rotors needed to be replaced although the original brake pads are still in good condition.

No summary listed for abov evehicle.

Pulsating brakes,hops enough to feel vibration in driver seat. Felt like vechicle was not going to stop when brakes applied.

Brake rotor needed to be turned after only 30,000 due to shaking. Now 3,000 miles later shaking has returned. Manufacturer states that this is normal! no brake interlock-my 3 year old son was able to take the truck out of gear and the vehicle rolled back into a treed area damaging the truck. The lack of a brake interlock is an accident waiting to happen and needs to be addressed immediatley. When I contacted Dodge about my concerns I never received a response.

Had calipers rebuilt and rotors turned because of warpage by dealer at 12000 miles I am now at 2100 miles and have the exact same problem and they refuse to fix it under warranty saying 12000 miles is the limit to the brake warranty I know of others who have had this fixed beyond the 12000 mile mark. I only have 9000 on this set of brakes. They tell me they know of the problem but will not cover it.

Dealer said that the rotors and pads should be replaced every 12k miles. . . . At my expense. No warranty for brake parts.

At 8000 miles front discs brakes started to shutter. Called dealer . They said it normal. 11500 took too dealer to repair. They replaced rotors/pads. They said that they failed due to normal wear and driver abuse. Replaced for free under warrenty. At 13400 I now notice same problem again. . . . . These are warping if I brake under wet conditions. Like a puddle im pissed on the amount of problems on these trucks.

I took my Dakota to the dealership with popping noises in the brakes and they couldn't find anything. I took it on a long trip before the 12000 mile warranty on the brakes was up. It stared vibrating when I braked. I finally got it into the dealership after the 2000 plus mile trip and they said the front disc brakes were warped and had to be turned. Cost me $168. 00 to turn two disc brakes. That's bull! I found 30 plus complaints on the NHTSA about the same thing. I want my money back. The Dakota is a piece of crap. I traded in it1.

Pulsation in front braking system at 26000 miles. Brought into dealer and said rotors were warped. Had rotors turned and now 8000 miles later they are warped again. I'm now in the position of replacing rotors on a vehicle that is only 2 years old.

I had new front rotors put on my truck at 72,116 miles per Dodge's request. Noticed rubbing when applied brake when going up and down hills. Dodge said they need to break in that condition would improve. August 5, 2000 burning smell coming in through vents as I approached a stop sign the vehicle would not stop and then vehicle veered to one side. Left front was smoking and very hot. I was out of state at the time and the service person said that the brakes weren't installed correctly that the front left was warped and needed replacing. Norwood Dodge inspected it and said all was ok. Received a safety recall 891or892 regarding fuel and brake lines rubbing on chasis. Brought vehicle in to get fixed. Brakes did not work correctly since then. While doing 65mph and on the gas all of a sudden the brakes locked up out of the blue and I skidded about 40'. Heard a loud noise and something break under the truck. I think the sudden stop destroyed the transmission or differential (which was worked on the day before) had to have vehicle towed. The brake system is an ongoing problem I have had the vehicle in for brake problems on 12 different occurances and counting. At present vehicle is out of commission and I will not drive even if they say they fixed it. I almost killed myself and others not once but twice due to brakes not working and brakes locking up while on the gas. Dealer has no clue what is wrong.

See all problems of the 1997 Dodge Dakota 🔎.