1999 Dodge Dakota engine and engine cooling problems

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AFTER PERFORMING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE STALLING OF THE VEHICLE OCCURRED AT LEAST SIX TIMES EVEN THOUGH ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.”

“I OWN A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA V-8 MAGNUM 5.2L, IT ONLY HAS 138,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I BOUGHT IT IT ONLY HAD 76,600 MILES. IN THAT LITTLE TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS TWICE, AND THE RACK AND PINION, AND THE WATER PUMP, THE THERMOSTAT, THE POWER STEERING PUMP, THE TIE RODS, AND THERE IS SO MUCH MORE WRONG. WHY AM HAVING TO REPLACE THESE THINGS TWICE IN SUCH LITTLE MILEAGE? AFTER READING UP ON IT THROUGH THE INTERNET I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THESE PROBLEMS, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS, WHY IS THERE A RECALL ON THE 2000, & 1998 BUT NOT 1999? I AM OUT SO MUCH MONEY AND HAVE ALMOST WRECKED MY TRUCK TWICE BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS, ONCE WITH 6 KIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME AND AGAIN WITH MY 3 KIDS. THIS NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION BEFORE SEVERAL PEOPLE GET HURT OR WORSE, DIE!!! *TR”

“WATER PUMP FAILED. DUE TO RECENT FAILURES ON THIS DODGE DAKOTA, I HAVE ALSO BECOME AWARE THAT WATER PUMP FAILURES WERE COMMON ON DAKOTAS. THIS FAILURE MODE WAS KNOWN TO DODGE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY DODGE. *TR”

“INTAKE MANIFOLD PAN GASKET WAS LEAKING. THIS PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED DURING AN INSPECTION BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, CONFIRMED AND REPAIRED BY A DODGE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THIS PROBLEM COULD RESULT IN DESTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE DAKOTA WAS RUNNING WELL. REPAIR COST $664.72. DODGE WAS AWARE OF THIS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM, AND ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN THE YEAR I PURCHASED THE TRUCK. DESPITE THE FACT THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS CONSIDERED DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE, DODGE DID NOT NOTIFY ME AND SUGGEST THAT I HAVE THE VEHICLE TESTED WHILE STILL ON WARRANTY. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. DODGE HAS DECLINED TO ASSIST IN THE COST OF REPAIR. *TR”

“PREMATURE BALL JOINT FAILURE RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE REPAIR COSTS, PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION, EXCESSIVE OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP CAUSING LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE, POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO ENGINE. *TR”

“I WAS DRIVING AND WHILE TURNING ONTO BUSY INTERSECTION MY 1999 INTREPID ES 2.7 STOPPED. I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED REWIRING BUT THEN SENT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO HAVE THEM DISMANTLE MY ENGINE AND RETURN IT TO ME WITHOUT PUTTING IT BACK TOGETHER SWEARING THAT EVEN IF THEY PUT IT BACK TOGETHER IT WON'T START. SO NOW 3 MONTHS AFTER PAYING MY CAR OFF. IT NEEDS ANOTHER ENGINE. NO WARNING SIGNS, IT JUST STOPPED AND WENT COMPLETELY DEAD. IT SEEMS TO ME THE DEALERSHIP DESTROYED MY ENGINE. REMOVED ALL TIMING BELTS AND EVEN BENT THE PLATE OF THE ENGINE INSTEAD OF CAREFULLY REMOVING BOLTS. I HAVE 5 KIDS AND NO CAR. NOW AM FORCED TO PURCHASE AGAIN. *TR”