Dash Wiring Problems of Dodge Dakota

I bought my 2005 Dodge Dakota new. At about 40,000 miles going to work at night and in a snowstorm my headlights flickered a couple of times then started to intermittantly go off then back on. Only my fog lights below my bumper were on. Fortunately there was no accidents. Later I looked at all the wiring and connectors and found nothing. The problem went away for about 3 months then came back. This is very dangerous and at certain instances could be dangerous: fog, winding roads, etc. I spoke to a Dodge mechanic and he informs me that there's a know problem with the interior instrument cluster light intensity switch (its part of the headlight assy). This needs to be addressed before someone gets hurt. Thanks bob paulding.

See all problems of the 2005 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Dash on 2002 1500 Dodge quadcab bought new in 2003 has been cracking for more than 3 years. The dealer knows it is a problem but the factory is in denial. Now it is causing electrical problem. My light have gone out suddenly. My alarm wiring was cut by the dash and the engine shut off. The speaker have been ruined. It is now becoming a safety issue.

See all problems of the 2002 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Truck died in downtown denver. No bus"on digital odometer. Took to dealership for wire harness connector replacement, but it was still failing.

See all problems of the 1999 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

On July 30, 2006 my cabin controls (a/c, defrost, vent and window wipers) would not work. I took the vehicle to my local mechanic who identified the problem in the wiring harness in the steering column. My local mechanic made an attempt to fix the problem but when he contacted Dodge for a replacement part they refused to sell it to them due to a recall on the model year before mine (2002). I had to take my vehicle to dave croft motors in collinsville, IL for repair costing me approx 2x's more than my local shop. Dave croft said the wiring harness and ignition switch was bad due to the faulty part. When I question Dodge about this harness and the recall they would not provide me any information. Dave croft fixed the problem as of this date however, I am still waiting to hear from Dodge if they will cover this repair. (recalled part in 2002 Dodge is the same part in my 2003).

See all problems of the 2003 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

For the 2nd time the fan motor for the a/c,heater has stopped working all together. The dealer had the truck for over a week the first and it really never seem to work right. The front head lights work when they want to.

See all problems of the 2001 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Evening rain conditions headlight failure interior lights stuck on. (caused vision impairment) bright headlights not functioning.

When putting heater on the vent setting the electric locks, the dome lights and the 4 way flashers start blinking, had central timer module replaced, still is doing same thing.

Recently investigated a fire in a 2001 Dodge Dakota r/t pickup truck equipped with a 5. 9 liter gasoline engine. Fire originates at and confined to the central timer module and the c1, c2 & c3 wiring harness connectors attached to the module. The central timer module is located behind the kickpanel at the front lower left side of the passenger compartment below the fuse panel and the parking brake pedal. The vehicle was parked for approx. 30 minutes prior to the fire. If any one else has experienced a fire in this location or would like additional information, please contact steven c. Rowe fire investigation at 610-285-6542 or by e-mail at scrfireinv@direcway. Com .

The dashlights and headlights started flashing and headlights will not come on at all. Also, the remote would not open doors, took vehicle to dealer, and havd to replace central timer module (ctm). Dealer unhooked the module and conected it back, and itworked for about 30 minutes.

Dodge Dakota 1999 numerous problems with vehicle ball joint and steering mechanisms. There were also problems with the rear end, transmission, engine malfunction lights, poor engine performance which consisted of hesitation and loss of power especially when under a load-going up and hill and seemed to get worse as the gas level in the tank lowered, hard abrupt shifting when in reverse and park to reverse, loud rubbing which was intermittent when making left turns and when stopping, the front would shake, the four wheel drive light was not visible on the dash when activated and would only show when the all wheel drive was activated, and there was a wobble, flexing and or vibration that would be present when braking along with a loose feeling or wobble when turning the front wheels.

Vehicle was taken to dealer for the upper ball joint recall. Dealer told consumer that the lower ball joints wore out as well, and needed to be replaced. Manufacturer stated no recall. Recall campaign; NHTSA campaign id number : 04v596000 dealing with upper ball joints. The recall did not include the lower ball joints with the same defect. Nhtsa campaign id number : 04v216000; dealing with the windshield wiper motor. The consumer stated that the windshield wiper motor was serviced and had at least one failure since the repair. Nhtsa campaign id number : 03v389000 dealing with the dash wiring harness repaired by the dealer.

To date, I have replaced the following: 1) upper ball joints - both sides 2) lower ball joints - both sides 3) calipers - both sides (front) 4) water pump 5) wheel hubs - both sides (front) 6) catalytic converter 7) headlamp switch. Now, I have the following problems: 1) headlamp switch (again) 2) transmission will not shift between gears 3) upper control arm bushings.

The wire harness that plugs the headlights into the dashboard melted. Also the parking light and the high beams didn't work.

See all problems of the 1997 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

2002 Dodge Dakota 52000 miles first the seat belt light comes on while driving, then all the guages on the dash go dead for about three seconds. Odometer also will not record any mileage also. Then the gauges reset normal. This happens only when the inside gets hot from the sun. Turning the air on and cooling the inside helps to stop or slow down the pulsing of the guages from dead to normal. Replaced central timing unit computer . Did nothing, old unit put back in . Next step is to replace dash cluster.

Bought Dakota new Jan,04 at 10000,15000,and 18000rotors were replaced for shake in tk when braking still has problem front hubs and bearings replaced has popping noise in front end when turning sometimes when applying brakes truck pulls to left front driveshaft and driver window regulater has been replaced also 2 sensors in trans replaced. Temperature guage went all the way to hot 1 time when truck was started. Wish Dodge would just buy it back. My first and last Dodge ever.

See all problems of the 2004 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

The vehicle is a 2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab equipped with a factory towing package. On March 12, I was driving the vehicle on I-215 pulling a trailer. I smelled something burning, then the cabin filled with smoke. The turn signals, brake light, and emergency flasher ceased operating. A combination flasher unit had failed and burned, with the plastic case partially melted. The heat had damaged the combination switch, which also failed, and the plug into the wiring harness was also partially melted. The Dodge dealer changed the failed components, and they failed again, this time with no trailer attached. The dealer finally attributed the failures to a short circuit in the wiring installed by the factory which connected the factory installed trailer socket to the electrical system. I have advised Dodge of the problem, and they maintain that their wiring was not defective because they believe that the short originated in the trailer wiring. They made this determination without examining the trailer. Even if the short did in fact start in the trailer, the factory designed and installed wiring harness should have prevented the short from destroying these vital safety components. The freeway I was on when the fire occurred was packed with rush hour traffic, and it was extremely difficult making my way to safety pulling a trailer without the use of the signal lights.

While driving 70 mph driver noticed sparks were coming from underneath the dashboard. The driver was able to pull over to the shoulder. Vehicle caught on fire.

Multiple failures of vehicle's catalytic converter. The engine light had come on, the oil pressure gauge had become inoperative and the vehicle had trouble climbing steep hills.

1999 Dodge Dakota wiring problem. My 1999 Dodge Dakota has a wiring problem that causes the cruise control to be stuck in the on position and causes the turn signal to freeze while at a long light. The cruise control is a dangerous situation since it can not be disengaged with the brake, you must manually turn the system off. Superior Dodge in nicholasville, ky has already charged me for 2 hours labor to try and find the problem but have had no luck finding the shorted out wire yet.

Check engine light appt. 02/20/03 rey m 03/06/03 called me. 4:30 + - pm about part 4 cluster , arrived 11:15 am 02/07/03 asked 4 bill boyd, service dir. States u will b taken care off. Jimmy lawrence called in, general. Sales manager. Doesn't like my reaction, storms out to see bill b, while my ram is being appraised for value, new credit form is brought out by art agguirre, sales agent states he needs to check my credit to see what kind of interest rates I can get, I state I'm not here to do another app gets me to see jimmy, I tell him I'm driving a rental more than my own, I mention you have been paying for a rental and states he didn't care, dealership spends thousands of dollars on rentals, and that I was crazy if I thought I was going to get another vehicle. It's only a bulb he says, and if the vehicle is drivable you drive it! wow! and threatens to call police to escort me out, art and I go to bill, which is also upset states I 'm not going to give you another vehicle, my wife is crying, she's upset and I'm up set. I told bill you told me you were going to call a Chrysler rep. And notify me for a meeting . My time's valuable and I need a dependable vehicle, in time he reacted better, I've been here #'s x"s and spend 4 - 6 hrs here. I don't like it. I should be here for regular. Service only. My ram has been here 4 #'s check engine light, alignment (pulling light) doors adjusted. , wiring to tcm, connection to pcm, computer changed, let us do pilot testing, right front has been hit/scraped, now a part four cluster, not to fuel up w/engine on, put best mechanic this time. Now driving a rental again 02/20/03 to present time, left w/ wife crying 5 hrs later. I have to pick up my son from school & I"m out of town. It hurt to see my wife in that condition, and for agents to tell me there is nothing I can do! bill b. Stated b-4 we left that he will call Chrysler, and would contact us later.

Consumer states that vehicle's computer is defective. Dealer notified. The vehicle failed state emission test and the dealer replaced spark plugs and serviced the fuel injection. But the vehicle failed the emission test again. Another mechanic stated that the catalytic converter could possibly be the cause. Yh.

See all problems of the 2000 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

The day the truck was picked up, the instrument cluster light fuse was blown. After replacing the fuse, lights were fine for about 3 weeks. Fuse blew again, returned truck to dealer. They looked over the system and said it was a lose wire to the fuse box. Two days later, fuse blew again. They then ordered a new instrument cluster. In the meantime, I continue to replace fuses as they blow. Now it is impossible to replace fuse, as they blow immediately. Dealer now has truck and replaced the instrument cluster still blows the fuse. Truck is now at dealer while they troubleshoot. Truck is unsafe to drive at night without instrument lights.

Dimmer switch on 2002 Dodge Dakota gets excessively hot after lights are on for several hours with dimmer switch in the in dim position. It is hot enough to burn a child's hand. Switch was replaced three times by dealer and still no change. Dealer refuses to do anything else to fix the problem. I have notified their customer service department, recall department and their corp. Headquarters. Ts.

Speedometer does not operate smoothly. On acceleration or deceleration movement is erratic (jerky); it moves as if it is getting stuck. Dealer has replaced the instrument cluster 3 times with no improvement. They now say this operation is 'normal' beacuse it is electronic and computer controlled. They now appear to be unwilling to do anything else to the truck. The suspension pops/clunks when making sharp right turns. It occasionally will also pop when stopping and immediately again upon startup (going straight). The intensity of the noise varies. Dealer says they can't find the problem until it gets worse.

While driving there was a fire in the engine compartment. A couple of days before the fire, engine check light came on. After the ignition was turned off, on a couple of times, a code 12 was displayed on the instrument panel. A mechanic from the dealership stated that the code meant the battery was disconnected. Vehicle has been totalled. Please provide any further information.

When turning on the truck or driving down the road the instrument cluster goes dead. Dodge dealer has replaced the instument cluster, dash wiring harness and an engine controll module. I have also had to replace the battery because the problem burned it out twice. $2000. 00 and mounting. Another part on order. 5th time to dealer.

This vehicle has been in the shop 18 times in less than 2 years. The biggest problem is with the brakes. The dealer tells me they are supposed to operate that way. These brakes are so bad I no longer call them anti-lock brakes I call them anti-stop brakes. Do I have to kill someone in an accident for them to be fixed? all I know is I have ordered a new truck and it is not a Dodge! I hesitate to even ride in any Chrysler product!!!.

See all problems of the 1998 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Intermittently while driving instrument panel goes out, and driver could not see the instrument panel in the dark. Also, problems when reversing gears, which felt like going "over a sack of potatoes". Dealer is willing to pay half of the cost for transmission. Please provide further information.

See all problems of the 1996 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Instrument panel goes to zero,/completely out, including speedometer. Driver cannot tell how fast vehicle is traveling. Potential for crash, vehicle with dealer for inspection/repair.

All dash lights and alarm buzzers come on when the headlight switch is pulled out this condition lasts until truck is warmed up and only occurs at temperatures freezing or below.