Problems with 2001 Dodge Dakota VISIBILITY

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge dakota. the contact was driving approximately 30 mph with the heater in activation and suddenly the heater failed to operate. in addition, there was a strong burning odor and smoke emitting into of the vehicle. the contact was able to continue driving and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised that the heater blower relay wires melted. the failure caused permanent damage to the heater blower relay. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 187,000.

An existing nhtsa recall, 06v039000, exists for 2006 dodge dakotas. "static can disable headlamps, turn signals, & windshield wipers". i have a 2001 dakota with the same issue. it happen 2-5 times per year. everything works again if i cycle the ignition, but that 's small comfort if the headlights go out @ 75 mph. dodge has refused to fix it for free, saying that it only applies to 2006. if it is a safety issue for a 2006, then it is a safety risk for 2001 too. the known fix is to "re-flash" the dash, which i assume means to reprogram the dash control processor.

I bought my 2001 dodge dakota quad cab brand new and until this date, i have only had one issue. the power window motor quit and was replaced in 2008. on october 1st, 2010, my cruise control went out. thinking it was wear and tear, i was not in a rush to fix it. then the horn quit working. when the air bag light started flashing when i turned the steering wheel, i took it in to be serviced. my concern is that i have the same issues as a previous recall, but my vin # is not included in that period. my mechanic says it is the clockspring assembly that needs to be replaced and the part is expensive. looking online, it appears dodge is not making good. my vin # matches the other complaints. after contacting dodge (11/10/10), i was offered a 50% refund on repair work. this says to me that they acknowledge there is something wrong with other models/year. this is unacceptable no matter how old the vehicle is. it is a safety issue with dodge. *tr

The heat quit working in our 2001 dodge dakota quad cab. it would not work on any of the blower settings. i began looking up possible solutions to the problem. i replaced the fuse, and it still didn't work. i also replaced the resistor. while looking online for other options, i realized that many vehicles from dodge from that year and surrounding years had a common problem. everyone had mentioned the wiring harness was melted. sure enough, i went and checked and it was melted just before where the resistor plugs in. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge dakota. the contact stated the door locks,air bag, head lights, and windshield wiper failed. the vehicle was taken to the dealer. the diagnostic test located the failure at the cmt module and the clock spring module.the vehicle will be repaired. the manufacturer will be contacted. the vehicle failure mileage was 72,990 and the current mileage was 73,000.

My husband was driving his 2001 dodge dakota home at night, on a country road, around august 5, 2008 and the headlights flickered on and off. when he got home, the windshield wipers went haywire, the horn continued to honk, the door locks began locking and unlocking, and the air bag light came on. we found out the central timer module (cmt) and clock spring had failed and was told the truck was unsafe to drive. we had both repaired for $530. i was told that recalls existed on several dodge vehicles but not one of them specified our truck. i contacted dodge and they just said it was not my truck so i was out of luck. i then did some research on this on-line and found several forums with this same problem on this year of truck, plus several others, and they could not find any help from dodge either. this is a really serious malfunction and could of cause a very bad accident. i just need dodge to own up to the problem and reimburse us for the repairs we had. also admit there is a problem on all dodge vehicles, before someone get seriously injured or killed. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 dodge dakota. after the vehicle had been parked for four months, the rearview mirror fell from the windshield. the contact noticed a crack that spread all the way down the windshield. she purchased adhesive and replaced the rearview mirror; however, the windshield was still cracked. the current and failure mileages were 101,300.

Heater core has gone out for the second time causing hot coolant to be leaked on my feet in the cab and fogging the windows severely while driving. research shows this is a common problem with my model year dakota. research also shows that once you have the problem then it will happen again frequently with no final fix. i feel this is dangerous and the manufacturer should have a permanent fix. my first failure was at 58k miles and now my second is at 69k. *jb

2001 dodge dakota slt a plastic part on the driver side power window regulator broke and had to replace the regulator and motor as one part. 3 months later the driver side rear window has the same problem. in reasearching this, many people have had the same experience with this regulator. *nm

The front left power window stopped working. found out it was the window regulator, which can not be replace for approx 1 month due to the part is on back order. every place i have called, has had at least 3 complaints of this failure, which i believe is a manufacturing defect, if all at once they are all breaking in this truck. i read through your complaints on this website, and noticed there were some with the same problem. would like to know if the manufacture plans on a recall of this part. *nm

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 dodge dakota. the contact stated that the engine began shutting off and the check engine light illuminated. the dealer replaced the fuel pump. the door hinges began coming apart on the driver side door, and the middle of the door also began to rip. the dealer would not assist with the repairs until after the warranty expired. the contact welded the door in place; however, it has begun to come apart again and will not remain locked. the window on the driver side door has also come off track. the contact had to add glue to secure the window in place. in april of 2008, the contact received a recall notice related to the emission park shift interlock. the recall repair has not been performed. the contact has photos. the recall number was unknown. the approximate failure mileage was 10,000 and current mileage was 71,997. updated 05/28/08 *bf the hydraulic pump was loosing pressure and the radiator overflow hose was replaced. updated 05/27/08

2001 dodge dakota driver seat steel bracket broke. *kb the power seat adjuster cracked in half. the consumer was told the damaged occurred when the rivet was fastened to the bracket. the left front power window regulator was replaced. *jb

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. *nm

Dt*: the contact stated the power windows are inoperable. the dealership and manufacturer were alerted but no repairs have been made. updated 3/28/2006 - *nm

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. *jb

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. *ak *sc

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. *jb

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. *jb

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. *jb

Currently my dodge dakota is being serviced at town and country dodge for the 12th time for the blower motor going out since i purchased it in september 2000. i have had other possibly related issues-hvac control lights going out, headlight accessory panel going out, door alarm malfunctioning, and cigarette lighter inoperable. the truck has been in the shop for approximately 56 cumulative days for the above listed issues. cannot defrost / defog windows without blower motor. no heat in the winter. no air-conditioning in the summer - not even the fan works to circulate air. at times the problem is intermittent - leaving me stranded when its raining/snowing. vehicle is completely unpredictable even though the dealership has "fixed" it (for sure this time) 11 times prior to me dropping it off today. *jb

When the rear door was closed, the windshield cracked.*jb

The vehicle was leaking antifreeze. *jb the window had fallen on the consumer foot. scc

The windshield wipers on my dodge 2001 quad cab hits on the hood as the wipers go back and forth motion. this is leaving a wear mark in the metal on the hood from where it continously hits. i informed my dealer where i bought the vechicle and they laughed at me. the problem is still taking place since i bought the vechile in 2001. *ak

Taken to dealership several times,but they find no problems.also rate of speed has been up to 55 miles when not working. no safety defect listed. *ak

The problem that i have with this truck is the windows all fog/frost up including the front windshield. the defroster/heater is not sufficiant enough to clear the windows. i have brought this to the attention of the dealership several times and have requested the cancelation of my contract with them. i feel that it is very unsafe to travel this way but have had to several times. if i roll the windows down it will clear the fog off but does not clear the frost but as soon as i roll the window back up they fog/frost up again.*ak