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01dakota_355
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2005
12:39:05
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 Subject: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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I have a 2001 Dakota CC 4x4 4.7 auto 3.55. I really like the size and power of the truck. It beats out the lame S-10s and Rangers any day, and it looks really nice.
What I can't stand is the inferior engineering and lousy gas mileage. I baby this truck- it never goes off road, and I rarely tow or pull anything. The brakes (rotors and drums) are horrid, they warp even if you drive like an old lady. The balljoints (though recalled) are subpar quality. Engine sludging? Come on, how long has the internal combustion engine been around now? Are we going backwards?
I realize this is a truck and not a Honda Civic, but in this day and age, you'd think you could at least beat 15 on a good day. Chrysler needs to wake up and improve their mileage! I drove an 03 Dakota QC 4x4 4.7 auto 3.55 the other day, and surprise, with only 29K, those rotors were warped too. I couldn't check the gas mileage, but the OH console showed 13.5 average. What a joke.
I've never been an advocate for GM vehicles, but I'm starting to look at a Chebby full size 4x4 ext cab. I know several people that own them (5.3L), and not a one has had brake or balljoint problems. I know at least two of these people aren't exactly "easy" on their vehicles either. Most also regularly get in the high teens, low 20's for gas mileage. The rest that don't get that high of mileage still drink less gas than my Dakota any day.
Is mine a lemon? No, just a victim of cutting costs, as all manufacturers do. It's sad when you come to a forum like this and you're having the exact same problems everyone else is...doesn't give you a warm fuzzy feeling. Also lets you know what you're in for.
Anyway, I did like this truck. Since Dodge can't get their (engineering) act together, and since the 2005s are hideous, I guess I'll have to look to another manufacturer. Thanks for letting me vent...
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Bye
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2005
14:39:56
|  RE: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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Buh bye!! Don't let the door your ass on the way out!!
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Richard
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2005
14:54:46
| RE: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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You're not alone. I'm not thrilled with my Dakota either. Of course, now that I've spent the money, I'm just going to live with it, but my next vehicle probably won't be a Dodge. I don't like the way the Dealer has treated me on the recall. The milage is not what the sticker indicates, and I drive with milage in mind. I'll be curious to see what the F150 looks like by the time I buy my next truck.
Ah well. If getting suckered by Dodge is the worst thing that happens this year - you're probably lucky.
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SO WHAT
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2005
15:03:09
| RE: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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LOOK FOR SYMPATHY ON A "CHEBBY" SITE. YOU'LL GET NONE HERE.
PROUD OWNER OF A GAS GUZZLING DAKOTA!
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2005
15:25:08
| RE: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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I had a 00 CC and loved it so much that I replaced it with a 03 QC. Ball joints and brakes are minor problems if you recognize the problem and resolve it. Replace the ball joints and install upgraded brake rotors, problem solved.
15mpg for a truck with a 4.7 isn't bad for city driving, highway should be 19-20. If the Chebby guys are saying that they get 20mpg city thier full of it. Buy from Chebby or Ford your going to have similar complaints, though they might be for different problems.
I do agree that the 05's are fugly, why buy a fugly Dodge when there are other fugly trucks out there to choose from? Dodge skrewed themselves on the body styling of the 05's.
Oh BTW, my 03 QC 4.7 gets 19-20MPG highway just like my 00 CC and the brakes on the 03 are perfect at 35K.
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Dakota Driver
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2005
15:35:27
|  RE: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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I dumped mine too - 2005 RAM with the Cummins 600. The Dakota's brake problems and overheating can't be corrected. I try the fancy rotors and ceramic pads, "frozen" rotors and ceramic pads - $hit nothing worked.
Adios..toy truck.
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scott1981
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2005
15:35:40
| RE: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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I have an 04, 4 wheel disk and supposidly the newer BJ design that wont have problems (but i highly doubt they will hold up). I agree brakes and Bj are nothing that major. Another thing, you bought a v-8 what did you expect? i have a new 3.7 and im doing good to get 16.5 but i know i bought a truck so i didnt expect anything past 17 at best. i also use my truck as a truck and understand parts will wear and need to be replaced. This is the whole reason an aftermarket exist, to improve on problem areas from the factory. im sorry your dodge isnt everything you thought it would be, but it could be much worse. my installer at work has a ranger and it already on his third tranny before 100k miles. Luckily for him its a write off because its a work truck, but that to me is alot worse then replacing some bj's in the driveway and slapping on some new rotors
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Dakota Driver
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2005
15:45:30
| RE: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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You shouldn't have to settle with repairing the factory's mistakes. The design team at the "new" Daimler Chrysler for the Dakota just can't get it right. You shouldn't have to keep replacing rotors. I went through 4 (four) sets of rotors in 60K. Not any more. I've owned Ford, GM, Dodge, Nissan and Toyota vehicles and the Dakota was the worst for brakes and overheating.
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walt
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2005
16:16:05
| RE: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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someone got a tissue for these poor souls? ive got a ford work truck and it definately is the worst truck for brakes every car ive ever owned has its ups and downs! my s10 got a ac leak they were too full to take me in the middle of august well i was going on a trip and wasnt going to go without ac so i went to the dodge dealer. they took me right in and showed me the problem at no charge i ended up paying 80.00 to have them fix it since i was in a pinch.. in and out dealership in 1 hour! my sisters impala has been to the dealer 21 times in three years you would think that would be a lemon but no something different everytime!! all cars have there fault look at all the little parts and peaple b!tchin bout the price what do you expect?
the 05 dak will grow on everyone. its year 1 give them a break they study these things and will make changes over time!
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Hey DumbS
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2005
19:21:31
| RE: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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How does faulty replacement rotors/calipers and pads be chyrsler's fault? Did you use mopar parts or aftermarket? If you used mopar, then you only have yourself to blame. If you used aftermarket, then there should be no problem. Can I get an amen?
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GraphiteDak
GenIII
2/17/2005
21:10:25
| RE: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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27K miles on my '03 running to redline at least once each time I drive it, towing quite a bit of them miles and did some off roading that I consider fairly hardcore to be doing to a newer truck!
My ball joints never busted but I found out mine was made a few months after they stopped using them really sh*tty ones. Mileage is similar to sticker. I once got 19MPG highway unloaded.
I no longer romp it like i did for a while, but here's a few off road adventures I've done to my Dak. Right click and select "save target as" or it will error. (Stupid Windows Movie maker!)
After saving then open from your hard drive and it will play fine.
(NOT dial up friendly!) 1 Meg to 9 meg videos
http://www.paysonarizona.net/Home%20Videos/081504_DakThruWash.mpg
http://www.paysonarizona.net/Home%20Videos/081504_DakStuckBad.mpg
http://www.paysonarizona.net/Home%20Videos/Why%20NOT%20to%20use%20chain_082204.mpg
http://www.paysonarizona.net/Home%20Videos/Mud%20Romp_02_StuckInTheMud.mpg
http://www.paysonarizona.net/Home%20Videos/Mud%20Romp_01_ThroughTheWater.mpg
Some of these videos are funny as heck and some of you have seen these before.
Enjoy! I wont be abusing my Dak anymore like shown in these home movies :P
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Jecht X
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2005
22:54:08
| RE: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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I got a 03 QC 4.7l V8. I get about 15 city and in the low 20s highway. if yo uwant to see terrible gas milage. look at the colorado. I looked at the dakota/colorado at the same dealership. it woered its a gm/dodge dealership wierd huh?. well those colorados get the same exact gas milage with that inline 5 as the 4.7l v-8. it maybe 1 mile differnece but still the same.so would you rather have a v8 and justify the poor gas milage or get the I5 and slap yourself in the head saying I could of had a V8. so whoever told you the GM 5.3 v8 will get over 20 city driving is blowing smoke up your skirt. everyone knows a v-8 sucks gas. look at the 70's. how many cars and trucks manufacting companies stopped carrying v-8 in most of their vehicles.
I have 27,0000 on my truck and the rotors are just fine. you know if you wait till last minute to brake. you will heat up the rotors alot faster and warp them. try braking sooner and more gradually. and I bet you they will last longer.
just sounds like a person that wants to justify why he wants to get rid of his truck. tell you one thing if you get a ford F-150 better park it on the road. so when it catches fire it wont burn your house down.
all manufactures has problems with their vehicles. you dont want problems then get a bicycle.
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ecdak
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2005
01:37:48
| RE: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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to: jecht i have a 02 qc 4.7 slt auto no4x4 and am getting 14.5 sure iget after it once in a while but rarely to redline no towing. I was also looking at the colorado. test drove it and could not get them to a good price on the 04 or 05. they had the 0% for 72. drove 1 mile to dodge well you know what happened. One of the factors was the v8 over the lopped off straight 6 that was rated 3 mpg better than the dakota. I was disapointed to see what i was auctually getting was less. The dealer was very evasive told me i had a towing dif they don't put mpg rating on used vehicles i clearly remember looking right at it for comparision to the colorado. still I got the better truck. I knew as soon as we got on the street. got same deal as chebby oac better warranty 3/30 c 8/80 d. too long i know. just venting about mpg. FAQ that ugly POS colorado
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Toyota Pres.
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2005
02:09:03
| RE: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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Us Toyota guys love to see posts like this... it just gives us ammo. I see more and more neg posts listed here. Now you know why the DUDge suckota has the worst resale value of any pickup truck line.
One more reason to consider Toyota... our trucks rank highest in customer satisfaction.
Toyota President
Yamakushi, Japan
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2005
06:29:55
| RE: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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Why don't you trade that dak in for a brand spanking new 05 silverado where the pressure acculator in the bosch hydro-boost break assembly can crack resulting in a loss of hydraulic fluid causing braking AND seering problems. Not to mention fragments can injust someone if the hood were open. It's tough to be a tech at a chevy dealership.
If you want an SUV, go with an 02-04 trailblazer. Vibration and heat may cause the rear brake and turn signals to stop working.
Looks like dodge is not the only one with brake issues. V-8s and 4x4s are not known for good gas milage. When you come up with a valid complaint, let me know.
I'm completely happy with my 95 CC 4x4 3.9L auto. I just filled up yesterday and got 17.34 MPG combined city/highway. Oh yeah, this includes 17 miles of Atlanta highway rush hour traffic and 6 miles of city traffic with speeds under 45 mph.
- Dan M
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Jecht X
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2005
09:17:09
| RE: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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well toy pres. I take it you dont read fourms. I found one here
http://www.automotiveforums.com/f452-tacoma.html
I really like topic 199 about towing. or the lack of towing that is lol. from what I read tacos has about the same if not more probs than the kotas. so US dodge guys like to see posts like in the posted url above. want a car in truck clothing buy a taco. want a real mid size truck with towing power when you need it buy a kota.
so toy pres you better click on links in tacos fourms and read the bad with the good.
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Toyota Pres.
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2005
10:32:45
| RE: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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You silly Americans, driving your big, powerful Dakotas. In Japan we can build five Tacomas from just one twelve ounce beer can.
Toyota President
Yamakushi, Japan
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Figols
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2005
11:20:09
| RE: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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I'm with you 01dakota_355. I've had good luck in the past with the GMC's, but when it came time to replace my 96 K1500 with almost 200K(and NO problems)I was lured by the looks and utility of the '00 QC 4x4. I agree, Dodge really skimped on the Dakota AND I undestand the Rams also. It's not only bj's and rotors, but also interior parts, electronics etc. My dakota seats w/80K miles look like they've had 500K miles of 500 lb ass in them everyday! At my heaviest I was 190Lb's and besides, my GMC's interior both looked as good as the day I drove them off the lot(one with 290K and the other with 180K)when I sold them. My Dakota's left door hinges are worn, my truck squeeks and rattles over every crack and bump in the road. Overall quality seems to be the issue and I notice it ONLY because I've had much better int he past.
I don't buy the 20MPG city with your friends Chevy, but I did get that with my 96 on the highway. City driving was about 14 MPG. Granted the new 4.9 and 5.3 get better mileage, but my buddys 03 GMC ext. 4x4 5.3L is still getting about 20 MPG highway. With my Dakota at 80K miles I get 16 highway and 14 city. It doesn't seem to matter if I'm towing a trailer or not. My mileage is pretty consistant.
I'm definitly NOT a Ford truck person. I personally never thought they held up well overall, BUT it is overall the least expensive to own in fleet service, which is most likly why it is a #1 seller. GM comes in second and Dodge(ofcourse) is dead last. Which is too bad because I think Dodge makes the best LOOKING trucks. That's for full size trucks anyways. Consumer reports doesn't seem to like Dodge that much either, but there does seem to be a turn around with the '05 models. Probably because their finally putting Benz parts in their vehicles.
Bottom line is, Most truck buyers are brand loyal and will defend their loyalty to the end. Every vehicle has problems. How they affect you depends on what your past vehicle experience is. Most people don't keep their vehicles past 100K miles and I think Dodge knows this. I would love to keep my Dakota for 200K miles, but somehow I don't get the feeling it will go that far before it falls apart. I do love my Dakota though. Dammit! I personally am looking at the Titan for my next truck.
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MythBuster
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2005
11:28:40
| RE: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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Jecht X is right on. That was a great link by the way. The “Toy” truck drivers need to take a look at that Toyota board, but they won’t. Look at all of those problems the Toy owner’s list. Kinda’ breaks the whole myth doesn’t it? Unhappy Toyota owners listing their problems? Gee how could that be? It’s like finding out there really isn’t a Santa Claus to some.
This is the same point I was making on another thread. All vehicles have problems, period. The “Toy” guys evidently don’t visit Toyota boards or check TBS listings or they’d find out their toy trucks have just as many problems, if not more than our Daks. Toyota’s have more TSB’s that’s for sure. Here are some similarly equipped 2002 trucks for example:
Toyota TSB’s:
http://www.alldata.com/TSB/60/026023AD.html
http://www.alldata.com/TSB/60/026049AC.html
Dakota TSB’s:
http://www.alldata.com/TSB/17/021796EQ.html
I’ll also add some links to the same site Jecht X listed, only for the Tundra.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/f453-tundra.html
Here are a few highlights from some happy Toyota owners there:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/t257261-tundra_2002_drive_train.html
http://www.automotiveforums.com/t347907-tranny_problem.html
http://www.automotiveforums.com/t293730-tundra_recalls__any_product_recalls___03_tundra.html
Think buying a Chevy is the answer? Check out how many TSB’s they have compared to the Dak: http://www.alldata.com/TSB/11/021136GC.html
Yeah, you gotta love those GM truck engines too:
http://www.pistonslap.com/
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MoltenRedDak
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2005
12:01:24
| RE: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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We Dakota guys really like to hear things like Toyota recalling 22,000 '05 Tacomas for a parking brake issue. Toyotas aren't perfect either and have their share of problems. ie: $400 to fix a stuck HVAC vent door in the dash on my daughter's '99 Tacoma.
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DC President
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2005
13:26:09
| RE: Frustrated with Dodge...venting
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Das is nicht....I mean this is not a problem, ja mit das braken warpen and das balzen joint, ja.
Dodge President
Stuttgart, Germany
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