Defogger Heater Problems of Dodge Dakota

The factory equipped heating and defrosting system fails to regulate from dash board heat to the defrosters that directs the heat to the front windshield, thus causing the front windshield to fog up and in most cases of the winter months build up with ice to cause unsafe driving conditions. In not winter months where the weather is cool or rainy fog forms on the inside of the windshield blocking visibility. With the windows down or up the problem still exists. The accidents were loss of control of the vehicle due to the front windshield being frozen and not being able to seen through. On several occasions the vehicle headed into on coming traffic. The events leading to the failure would be normal daily driving. The failure occurs %100 of the time. At this time nothing has been done to correct the problem.

See all problems of the 2003 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Front left door snapped off. I can't open the drivers door from the inside. Also, both seat belts snapped, the air and heat doesn't work, the brakes locked up, which affected the steering. The transmission was replaced three timed, the vehicle would loose power and the engine would die. The catalytic converter rattled. There was a rough idle and then the vehicle would stall. The cruise control was inoperative, the tires wore out prematurely. Also, I had difficulty getting the vehicle out of park. The idler arm is in the process of breaking, the ignition broke after the keys became stuck, the fuel pump failed and the bearing and bushing needs to be replaced.

My 2001 Dodge Dakota 4x4 was purchased in September 2004 with 54,000 miles on it. Right before christmas 2004 the heater core went out. I would have had to pay $900 for this repair but I talked the dealership into giving me "shop rate" of $500. Less than 10,000 miles later the heater core again needed replaced. The part was under Chrysler warranty, but the labor was not. Again the dealership worked with me and they took care of the cost of labor. Now at 80,000 miles the heater core again is needing replaced.

See all problems of the 2001 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

While driving down the road at about 60 miles per hour or so I lost my overdrive and 3 rd gear of my transmission. Dodge dealer reports the valve body went out on my truck it had only been out of warranty by about 3000 miles. Dodge would not work wit me even thou they admitted to having some come it. So I had to have the valve body replaced. While sitting in the service area waiting for my truck to be fixed a customer came in to get a heater core for his 2002. Guess what less then a month after spending 1300. 00 to get my transmission fixed the heater core went out on mine . Is this common or am I just the lucky one? as the heater core failed it did dump anti freeze in the cab of the truck and on the carpet. I have yet to have the heater core replaced.

See all problems of the 2002 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Heater core busted at 42000 miles.

See all problems of the 2000 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Heater core failure. Truck has 44,000 miles on it and the heater core failed. Coolant was sprayed throughout entire vehicle. Visibility was reduced to zero.

No hot air blowing from heater. I took it to two repair facilitys and both confirmed that the heater core needed to be replaced. The vehicle only has 68k miles and it appears this is a chronic problem with Dakotas, although the dealer will not acknowledge the problem. It is not easy to replace the heater core and typical cost run from $600-$1000.

See all problems of the 1999 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Heater core failed - now I have no defroster and anti freeze leaked all over the passenger side carpeting causing me to have to vacate the vehicle.

See all problems of the 1998 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

Dodge Dakota heater core defective for the 3rd time. Leaking anti-freeze on the interior of vehicle. The first time it happened, the windshield fogged up so bad I almost got into an accident on the interstate. Had to roll down window and stick head out to avoid traffic. The second time it went out was during a vacation to connecticut. Same exact situation as the first time. Happened in newburgh, new york. This third time it happened in front of the Dodge dealership. It is going in on Monday for replacement. The first 2 times it was covered, but this time I am afraid I am going to have to pay 500-1000 to fix it. How can let this keep happening. It is a known defect. Hundreds of others are in the same shoes I am in. One guy is on his 4th heater core with only 9,000 miles on the truck. I bought that truck in good faith, and I feel they should fix the problem the first time in good faith. Not the 3rd, 4th or more. Please help.

Heater core leaks hot (200f+)engine anti- freeze on drivers foot while driving. Mine has failed three times in 34,00 miles. If my wife had been driving with sandal's it would have scalded her foot and may have caused her to loose control of truck!!!!!!!!! additionally, the window fogged up to the point of complete loss of ability to see forward, had to open side window to pull over and clean fogging off windshield.

Noticed antifreeze smell coming out of heater vents and steam fogging up windshield and side windows, this is the third failure of heater system. Was told by service mgr that cooling system was conducting electrical charge. Dealer had grounded cooling system after second failure but after 5 months heater core failed again. Called Chrysler consumer relations and filed a complaint case # 11323644 talked with dealer on 07 June 03 Chrysler is sending field rep out to look at truck was told they don't want to buy back truck due to mileage.

I began to smell horrible antifreeze/musty smell (truck had always had musty smell, but this was much worse). It was so bad that I had to turn the heat off and roll the windows all the way down and keep them that way through the dead of winter because the first time I took it in, I was told nothing was wrong. The second time I took it in, I specifically asked them to look for an antifreeze leak. Seeing as how they are mechanics, they should know this was a heater core problem. I obviously didn't know at the time. They told me nothing was wrong. The third time I took it in (by this time it had gotten to where heavy mist would come out of vents and fog up the entire cab), they told me it was mildew and charged me to clean and deoderize. What a ripoff since that was not the problem, my vehicle is under warranty, and it still stinks! I now have another appointment with a different (hopefully better) dealer since my warranty expires in three weeks and Chrysler "customer service" told me I have to get it fixed before warranty expires or I will have to pay. . . Even though the problem has been going on for 10 months and it is chryslers fault it is not already fixed. From what I understand, this is a huge problem with new Dakota's. All you have to do is search heater core Dakota on the internet and you'll come up with many complaints, most of which say that if Chrysler finally admits there is a problem, then the person is still out of a vehicle for weeks at a time. Honoring warranty also seems to be a huge problem with Chrysler. I'll never buy another unless they change their attitude.

Heater core is leaking fluid into passenger's compartment. The heater core started leaking at 35,000 miles.

See all problems of the 1996 Dodge Dakota 🔎.

While driving a part from the heater core fell off and slipped underneath the brake pedal. Occupant could not stop vehicle which caused a crash. Please provide further information.

The consumer has replaced the heater core in his 2001 Dodge Dakota five times. When the consumer received his vehicle back, he found the repair to be insufficient. The consumer discovered that the dealer created other problems on the vehicle.