Problems with 2000 Dodge Dakota FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Purchased this 2000 dodge dakota , engine light constantly on stating large leak in evap system. p0455. fuel leak at gas cap. no way to fix this, odor is strong smell the gas leaking out. unable to pass nys inspection! *tr

Truck fuel leak. 2000 dodge dakota quad cab purchased new december 1999; mileage 66,000 + ; extensive preventative maintenance performed on vehicle, also garaged when not in use; truck is not 4wd and is only driven over paved roads. . started smelling fuel in garage, then could smell fuel when truck parked in open, finally could smell fuel when stopped at traffic light with windows closed and air / fan not on recirculate. went to dealer, found fuel dripping from vehicle tank. dealer says it is a molded fuel line from the tank, and it is being replaced now. this is the second fuel leak in this vehicle!! just over 2 years ago, the truck intermittently quit while driving,and it took 4 visits to 3 dealers to get the fuel pump / filter diagnosed as the problem. that repair left a fuel leak which required 2 subsequent trips to dealer [ and one other repair facility] to get repaired. driver / owner is 60+, with extensive driving experience, having owned 3 trucks, and at least 10 over vehicles manufactured in the us, japan, and germany, and is a pilot by training. driver / owner has never experienced a fuel leak in a previous vehicle; he also thinks that his expectations are not outrageous , and that this is a safety issue.*jb

When the truck is off for several minutes or more, it takes several seconds for the engine to start. this started when it was about 5 yrs old with about 70,000 miles on it. it will start immediately if it has just been turned off. i suspect a lowering of gas line pressure when the engine is off. *nm

At approx. 8k miles, pulsing and shimmy started in front end. had to resurface rotors. had to do again later at about 35k. not normal. at 15k reported front end creaks/groans dealer found no problem. at 35k more of the same, dealer replaced front stabilizer/sway bushing. at 38k miles, replaced lower steering column. helped some but still creaking when steering at low speed. at 53k asked again about steering groan. dealer says he could fix for about $1000 (of course out of warranty now! and i've been asking about this since 15k miles). also at 53k, replaced lower ball joints left side and fuel pump. at 59k back in the shop today to replace right ball joints which cause vehicle steering to "wander" and have badly worn inside right tire. quality of vehicle is lousy and they won't admit it or stand behind it. the rotor and front end problems could be very dangerous because they impair the drivers control of the vehicle. *jb

Consumer stated that while driving the vehicle would only shift to neutral. dealer notified. *ph when the vehicle was in 3rd gear it went to neutral and the engine rpm's increased for a short period of time when the transmission should have changed to 4th gear. the vehicle had been to the service dealer 6 times for repairs. there was a vibration in the front of the vehicle due to warped rotors. faulty wheel bearings caused a popping noise in the steering when the consumer made left turns. *scc *nlm

Upper and lower ball joints have failed. 40,000 miles on vehicle. ball joints should last much longer than this. dealer wants $1,200.00 to change them. truck has already had new front drive shaft, new sway bar bushings, new driver seat cushion, new fuel injectors, new electric motor in right rear window. what has happened to "ram tough". may have to go back to "like a rock". old pickup 1979 chevrolet never had ball joint problems, much less any thing else major. thanks rick worsfold. *nlm

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

There was a strong gas smell in cab with all windows closed. i closed the vent, but it was still very strong and getting worse. no fuel leaks found. this has occurred 5 times. seems to be intermittent and not directly connected with re/fueling, or fuel tank level. i was told it was possibly the orvr. sounds like a good combination for a explosion. *jb

Whenever vehicle stops consumer hears a loud clunking noise. dealer said it was fuel in the tank. currently, dealer claimes it is fuel which is norlmal. *ak the clunking noise is loud and causes vibration of the vehcile. the consumer was concerned about safety and the impact of vibration on the vehicle. the rear seat back was loose on bottom. *yh

From the start of taking delivery of the vehicle, when stopping vehicle, from any speed, right after it stops, about 1/2 second, a loud thud can be heard and felt. this only occurs when vehicle is between half full and full. the dealer and manufacture agreed it was from the fuel tank. manufacture claims it is a design flaw and suggests to only fill tank half full. manufacture claims due to lack of baffle in tank, upon stopping. gas sloshes around causing internal internal parts to hit inside of tank. they have no plans on changing the design or coming up with a repair. they say this is normal. they did replace the tank only and the condition is still present. i asked for something in writing from the dealer and manufacture as to the safety implications. they both refused to put any thing about safety in writing. the only thing they did, is say it is normal. i am a federal employee, part of my job is to conduct safety inspections for osha compliance and accident investagations. i am also part ot tht national aircraft crash response team, and an engineer. enough said? isn't the violent movement of gasoline in the presents of oxygen and metal components a good possibility of an explosion or just the wear factor of constant contact against the tank every time you stop a potential for a leak ? i explained to both of them the potential and the only response was laughter. i also informed them of my employer and back ground. i also told them i would contact the nhtsa, only more laughter. help please. *ak