Problems with 2000 Dodge Dakota SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Brake rotors are warped. when applying brakes they will pulsate or flutter. also, vehicle has extended stopping distance. contacted dealer, and had to replace rotors.*ak

Vehicle accelerates to 3800 rpm in first gear going down hill. vehicle does not slow with compression until this point. must ride brakes to slow. brakes get hot rotor warps. brake failure. manufacturer will not address; not warranted even with maxicare warranty.*ak

Consistent failure of brake rotors on dakotas, severe and early warpage leads me to believe in substandard design/manufacture, request investigation of quality issues which i feel may affect safely of vehicle. *ak

Transmission failed and replaced at 40000 miles and 1 1/2 years on the road. just had transmission serviced 7000 miles ago. dodge agreed to replace parts, but i still have to pay service which is over 1000. dodge never told me why it failed, nor how. i asked them to check fluid level, never did. brakes when applied cause vehicle to "wobble". brake repair said rotors were warped. they were fixed only to be occurring again. i shall never buy another dodge.*ak

Have been to the dealer at least 7 times with problem with vehicle hopping and jumping during braking, between the speeds of 40 to 30 and under. the dealer has turned the front rotors twice and replaced them once. the rear drums have also been turned and replaced. the problem still exists not only is it annoying it could be a very real safety issue.*ak

Front brake rotors warping every 2000 miles. *ak

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. *ak

Warping rotors on dodge dakota. i am on my third pair of rotor's which are also warped. the dealer has told me it is the way i drive. i am sorry, but i drive my company van a lot harder than i drive my truck, and it has not had a problem with warping rotor's. this kind of thing really makes me want to by another dodge, "not". *jb

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

I just had the rotors replaced 2 weeks ago and they are already getting grooves in these again. the dodge rep told me the first time it was normal wear and tear 495 dollars later i have same problem and just 2 short weeks from the repair. why has their not been a recall to fix this problem. *ak

Rear drums and front rotors have warped under light driving conditions. *ak

Repeated replacement of front brake rotors due to warping. dealers kept saying never heard of any problems with dodge dakota brake problems.*ak

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.*ak

Engine gauge, quit unexpectedly in middle of freeway, no power brakes etc.*ak

Rear brake rotors/drums are warped, this was under normal wear and tear, need to be recalled and replaced,*ak

Violent pulsation in the brakes started at 3000 miles. personally paid for rotor resurfacing and brake servicing. the pulsation resumed at about 10000 miles. *nlm

Vehicle was taken to a repair shop. mechanic put vehicle up on a lathe and pointed out how drum wobbled when it was rotated. it was about a 1/8 of an inch off center. consumer contacted dealer, and they said brake system was only w arrantied for 12,000 miles. vehicle has ben in several times for vibration when brakes were applied. dealer said it was rotors overheating . turned rotors smoothly and checked adjusted brakes. consumer had 8,000 miles at the time, and thought it was too early to be turned. *ak

When applied between 35 and 40 mph, the rear brakes will pulse causing the rear end of the truck to hop. the rear drums are warped but "hardly worn" according to the inspector at midas. the technician at midas told me that re-surfacing the drums wouldn't fix the pulsing & hopping problem. i first really noticed this problem at around 17k miles and it has been consistent and reoccurring ever since. i have tried to find recalls or tsb's from dodge (daimlerchrysler) regarding this problem but nothing has been issued that i could find. there are, however, many owners who are also experiencing this problem with similar dodge dakotas as is evident but the amount of complaints that i have seen posted on various sites on the internet.*ak

Dealer said that the rotors and pads should be replaced every 12k miles....at my expense. no warranty for brake parts. *ak

Vehicle pulses while braking, and stoping distance has increased. dealer has turned the front discs once, at app. 11000 miles, but the problem has since returned at app. 17000 miles. something must be done to fix this annoying problem. there are too many complaints, of the same problem, by so many owners.*ak

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. *ak

Rubber cover came off brake pedal while applying and causing driver's foot to slide onto accelerator pedal, which accelerated vehicle and caused a four car accident. dealer / manufacturer were notified. *ak the rubber cover for the brake pedal was not glued and the manufacturer should be responsible for this accident. *yh

Rotors heated up and warped at 9000 miles and vehicle had a bouncy ride. dealership was aware of problem. *ak dealer replaced the rotors, the pads were left on because they didn't look warn. *slc

When applying brakes vehicle wobbles. dealership is aware of problem.*ak rotors were replaced but the vehicle was wobblying again after 4,000 miles. *yh

Problem is that the brake pads are like brand new and the rotors are heavily grooved on both sides of the rotor and it is both rotors.it took the factory rep from dodge two months to look at it and when he finally did he said it was normal wear and tear.i have had vehicles for over 7 years for one vehicle and have never had to even replace the brakes.they tried to tell me it is stop and go traffic or pulling my boat and i told them i have only pulled it about 5 times.why would you put a towing package on the truck if you were going to have to replace the rotors evey 15 thousand miles.this is a safety problem and someone is goin to be killed one day if they already haven't.can you do something about this problem or are we just screwed again.*ak

I belong to a nation club of dakota owners and warped rotors is the #1 problem we talk about.*ak

Front brake rotors were warping and causing serious bouncing/ vibration while traveling at high speeds and applying brakes. dealership informed consumer that defect was a result of hard driving of vehicle. *ak consumer states vehicle showed signs of warping aat 12000 miles. *slc

Brakes are out of round, and vehicle vibrates real hard. hard to handle, and hard to stop. dealer feels that consumer is hitting brakes too hard, and may be abusing them. consumer went through this once before with rear brakes, and then with front brakes.*ak

Front brake rotors warp about every 10 to 11,000 miles. have had then turned once at approximately 15,000 miles, and have lived with it since then. cost $115 to turn the rotors the first time, and it's not worth it that often. *la

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. *ak

As of 10/22/00 until 01/14/01 i have had 18 problems with vehicle. wont start at different times, but will restart after several minutes. transmission stays in 3rd gear or slips in & out of gear. brakes make growling noise & shutter. truck will die with no warning. has spark knock with 87 or 89 octane fuel. many problems.*ak

Brake drums are warping prematurely. dealer/manufacturer is not admitting any problems... although every dakota owner is experiencing this problem. *ak

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. *ak

Dealer diagnosed "wobble" while braking as warped rotors and possible warped rear drums. this after 18000 miles of "normal" driving conditions. i seriously question the capabilities of the brake system that fails after such short use under mainly highway driving. this is apparently a condition on dakotas that is becoming more prevelent and notices. safety issues with "underengineered" brake system should be investigated. thank you. *ak

Front rotors were replaced at 5,000 same problem again at 18,000 also drums this time

Front brake rotors warped,dealer replaced at no cost,dealer said this is a big problem and they do not know what is causing it.*ak

Vehicle is experiencing problems with pulsation when applying brakes. this occurred 3 times. dealer found front rotors warped and replaced both front brake rotors. however consumer was appalled when advised that 3 warped brake rotors problems within 30,000 miles were due to his driving habits. manufacturer notified. *tt

Front brake rotors warped shortly after reaching 12,000 miles, manufacturer did not warranty due to mileage.*ak

Front brake rotors have been warping since the vehicle was purchased. first reported at 8833 miles. rotors were replaced. second report was at 16157 miles; rotors were replaced again. vehicle now has 20850 miles and brakes are pulsating again. vehicle has been taken to three dealers over the past two years. all three dealers have been reluctant to admit there is a manufacturer's problem with the front rotors. each has indicated that the problem is caused by "driver habits". how can three sets of brake rotors warp in less than 21,000 miles?*ak

Just another one on many rotor failures on dakotas. *ak

When applying brakes pedal went to the floor , lights flashed on dashboard, resulting in extended stopping distance. after vehicle was inspected by dealer it was discovered that bolt holding calipers popped out. vehicle has been repaired by dealer. *ak

Experiencing severe brake rotor warpage after approx. 14k miles of 80% highway driving. the truck is not used for hauling or towing although it is intended for such as it has the towing package option. the truck has been in for this problem on two occasions. the first occasion, the dealer turned rotors at no cost. pads were still in good condition. the second time, at nearly 36k miles, rotors will be at min thickness if turned, but original pads still have 1/2 material left. truck still has original tires as well. i am concerned that if i were to use the truck at the capacity it is intended (towing or hauling), i would experience severe brake fade or even failure due to the overheating condition that is present with the highway driving i am doing now. at this point, neither the dealer nor the manufacturer will honor this claim. they have classified the condition as normal wear . i disagree as the pads should be wearing faster than the rotors. i have also filed a complaint with the better business bureau. i want to have the front brake system replaced with one that will perform properly and safely under all conditions that the vehicle was intended to operate under. thank you for any assistance you can appropriately provide in this matter. *ak

Rotors have excessivly warped twice in 23k miles. common problem. *ak

My dodge dakota sport 4x4 4.7ltr v-8's brakes started sputtering and hopping at about 13000 miles. since that time the problem has only gotten worse. i am currently at about 24000 miles. i have talked to several people where i work that have owned dodge vehicles (99 and newer) and all of them have had the same problem. i researched this on the internet and found hundeds upon hundreds of people have this same problem. using brakes that are defective on a vehicle is a major safety issue. how come dodge has not yet recalled these brakes? how can so many people buy a brand new truck and have to replace the brake system within a year? this is very frustrating and dangerous for all the dodge vehicle drivers throughout the world. thank you, [xxx], federal law enforcement. *ak parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Front rotors are warping on a regular basis. rotors were replaced at 18000/40000/47000/57000. currently at 59000 miles, rotors need replacement again. *ak consumer states the front and rear brakes were replaced this time, vehicle has 68000 miles and it feels as if the front brakes are hanging up, there is a lot of brake dust on the rims and rotors, in the winter time the brakes would lock up and cause the vehicle to skid. *jb

Warped rotors at 11000 miles dealer replaced. 16000 warped again. dealer says this is a big problem with no solution. *ak

Poor rotor quality. in speaking with many other dakota owners, aftermarket rotors fixes this problem.*ak

When applying brakes vehicle will vibrate. dealer replaced both front rotors at 10000/ 19000 and 26000 miles. at this time, rotors need to be replaced again.*ak

Abs system only works when pedal is applied very hard. when applied on ice front will lock up and rear will keep going. vehicle taken to 2 dealerships, both stated this was normal for vehicle.*ak

I took the vehicle into the dealer at 7000 miles for the rotors being gouged. the dealer said it was normal. called customer service in michigan and they told the dealer to replace the rotors. one thousand miles later they are gouged again and squealing. service advisor told me that brake system is under designed for vehicle weight and can't do anything for me. please help. my brakes on other new dodges didn't do this until 15 to 20k. lots of excessive brake dust. something must be wrong. thanks. *ak