Problems with 2002 Dodge Dakota SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Truck has been driving like something was grinding against my front right wheel for a week or so, i didn't think anything of it, it had just become an annoyance. id look under the wheel and everything looked okay and in shape, no damage was being done. the other day i drove a short distance and heard a pop, like something had popped near the wheel, i pulled over and could see no damage. i continued to drive and noticed that the grinding had stopped and my wheel seemed to be functioning correctly. i arrived to my destination with no problem. when i left the destination to return home, i started feeling heavy pull to the right on my steering wheel, if i let go of the steering wheel i would have gone into a ditch or the woods or another car. i then started noticed smoke coming from my right wheel, i was a few blocks away from home and figured i could make it, i started noticing my brakes were not working too well, and anytime id push on the brakes more smoke would arise, i went the 3 stop signs to my house and pulled in, ran ...

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. the contact was driving 35 mph when the contact applied the brakes, but the brakes seized. later, the contact discovered that the hub of the brake had burned and was an abnormal color. neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted in regards to the failure. the failure mileage was 45,000. updated 09/21/11*lj the consumer stated he replaced the caliper, brakes, hoses, brake pads and turned the rotors. updated 10/05/11

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. the contact stated that the front passenger side brake caliper needed to be replaced. the caliper was replaced once in the past because it would fail to release completely after the brakes were engaged, allowing the brakes to overheat. the caliper would not release until the vehicle was allowed to cool off. the vehicle was taken back to an authorized dealer after the second occurence where it was not repaired because the failure was no longer covered under warranty. the failure mileage was 17,000 and the current mileage was 32,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. the contact stated that a knocking sound could be heard coming from the brakes whenever they were applied. the vehicle would also jerk during the failures and smoke would be seen coming from the brakes. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. the manufacturer was notified, but offered no assistance. the failure mileage was 117,000. updated 08/31/11 *bf the caliper guide was rubbing causing the brakes to sound like metal on metal. the brakes smoked and became hot three to four times in a period of a year. updated 09/01/11

Front brakes seized up causing the pads to smolder and smoke. this is the latest instance. the first time, the brake pads and rotors were replaced. *tr

Rear brake line failed (leaked) due to rust and corrosion. the rusted part of line runs between fuel tank and inside frame. luckily the line failed in my driveway. my wife and daughter were in the vehicle earlier and it could have been disastrous! i have been reading online of case after case of similar experiences by other dodge owners. the line should be stainless steel or change the routing so that it can't have a chance to corrode as quickly. there should also be switch/stop valve in-line to avoid total loss of braking (control). should definitely be a recall item.

tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. the contact stated that the front driver side brake abnormally locked while driving 50 mph. the vehicle began to smoke and was left parked for several hours. the vehicle was neither inspected nor repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the current and failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. while driving approximately between 40-50 mph, the brakes began to lock without warning when pressure was applied. the contact drove onto the emergency lane for a few minutes and was able to continue driving in spite of the brake malfunction. the failure occurred on three occasions. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic twice. the front brakes, brake pads and brake hose were replaced at different times. the failure persisted after the vehicle was repaired. the recent vehicle failure was not repaired. the failure mileage was approximately 84,200.

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota quad cab. the contact stated that the front brakes continued to lock, grab when trying to stop and the brake lights failed to illuminate. the vehicle was taken to the dealer three times for diagnostic testing but the dealer informed him that there were no failures. the vehicle was also taken to a midas mechanic center where the brake rotors, calipers, and brake pads were replaced a couple of times and still the problems exist. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was 122,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota quadcab. while driving at approximately 10 mph, the front brakes locked and the vehicle would only accelerate at a very low speed. the contact stated there was an extremely strong burning rubber smell. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnosis and was not repaired. the failure occurred once before and was taken to an authorized dealer where they were unable to diagnose the failure. the failure and current mileages were 73,000. updated 11/19/10 *cn the consumer stated the front brakes locked up. updated 11/23/10. *jb updated evoq 12/22/10*jb the consumer stated the brakes locked up again on july 18,2011. the consumer also stated while under the 30 day warranty, the vehicle caught on fire under the hood. updated 08/31/11 updated 10/20/11,. *jb

One front brake failed to release resulting in excessive heat and smoke, difficult steering and stopping. will replace calipers, pads and rotors. *tr

Brought 2002 dodge dakota into dealership a total of 6 times since may 2010 because of problems with the front brakes. the first time the brakes were shuddering so bad when braking on a hill, it was difficult to hold the steering wheel straight. the dealership recommended replacement of the rotors and pads to resolve the problem in light of the fact that they supposedly visually passed inspection, and had plenty of pad surface remaining. the day following replacement, i took the vehicle out and noticed a distinct clicking below the brake pedal when braking. i took it back to the dealer, where they kept it for a day, told me they thought they fixed it, and returned it to me. as soon as i drove into my driveway, the passenger front was seizing and smoking. i called the dealership and they came to pick it up. it remained at the dealership for a few days until they disassembled the slide on the caliper, cleaned and regreased it, and resurfaced the new rotor. the problem reoccurred again within two weeks, when i had to ...

Driving at interstate speed, vehicle started abruptly pulling hard to the left. i stopped the vehicle, the brakes were hot, and i needed to accelerate greater than normal to get the car to move. let the truck sit until brakes cooled off, and the problem didn't re-occur even after taking it to the dodge dealer. they could not replicate the problem. said they could start replacing brake parts in hopes of fixing it. the first incident was at 37,000miles, and just out of warranty. (sept. of 2005 was first time) the problem has happened about 8 times in the 54,000 miles i have on it now. no mechanic can tell me what's wrong, and it occurs intermittently out of the blue. i'm finding out that many, many other owners of the same make/model of vehicle have had similar incidents. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. the contact stated that the front brakes intermittently locked while driving various speeds. the brakes would lock unexpectedly, until the vehicle was stopped and remained off for an undetermined amount of time. occasionally when the failure occurred the brakes would smoke during the failure. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. the failure mileage was 22,000 and the current mileage was 27,000. updated 07/28/11*lj updated 08/01/11

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. while driving approximately 30 mph, the contact applied pressure to the brake pedal while approaching a stop sign. the brakes seized and the vehicle skidded and swerved. the contact was able to control the vehicle as the brakes returned to normal and the accelerator pedal was depressed. the failure recurred intermittently when driving at different speeds. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics but the mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the approximate failure mileage was 76,000.