GVWR: Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Make: DODGE
Manufacturer: FCA US LLC
Manufacturer Id: 994
Model: Dakota
Model Year: 2003
Other Engine Info: Sales Code: EVA
Plant City: Warren
Plant Company Name: Dodge City Assembly
Plant Country: United States (USA)
Plant State: Michigan
Series: AN
Series2: M Series
Trim: Sport
Vehicle Type: TRUCK
Model year
COMPONENT
Complaint
2001
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
THE VEHICLE IS A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB EQUIPPED WITH A FACTORY TOWING PACKAGE. ON MARCH 12, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON I-215 PULLING A TRAILER. I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, THEN THE CABIN FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE LIGHT, AND EMERGENCY FLASHER CEASED OPERATING. A COMBINATION FLASHER UNIT HAD FAILED AND BURNED, WITH THE PLASTIC CASE PARTIALLY MELTED. THE HEAT HAD DAMAGED THE COMBINATION SWITCH, WHICH ALSO FAILED, AND THE PLUG INTO THE WIRING HARNESS WAS ALSO PARTIALLY MELTED. THE DODGE DEALER CHANGED THE FAILED COMPONENTS, AND THEY FAILED AGAIN, THIS TIME WITH NO TRAILER ATTACHED. THE DEALER FINALLY ATTRIBUTED THE FAILURES TO A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE WIRING INSTALLED BY THE FACTORY WHICH CONNECTED THE FACTORY INSTALLED TRAILER SOCKET TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I HAVE ADVISED DODGE OF THE PROBLEM, AND THEY MAINTAIN THAT THEIR WIRING WAS NOT DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THAT THE SHORT ORIGINATED IN THE TRAILER WIRING. THEY MADE THIS DETERMINATION WITHOUT EXAMINING THE TRAILER. EVEN IF THE SHORT DID IN FACT START IN THE TRAILER, THE FACTORY DESIGNED AND INSTALLED WIRING HARNESS SHOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE SHORT FROM DESTROYING THESE VITAL SAFETY COMPONENTS. THE FREEWAY I WAS ON WHEN THE FIRE OCCURRED WAS PACKED WITH RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT MAKING MY WAY TO SAFETY PULLING A TRAILER WITHOUT THE USE OF THE SIGNAL LIGHTS. *JB
2003
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
MY 03 DAKOTA'S AXLE AIR BREATHER CAME LOOSE DUE TO A FAULTY MOUNTING CLIP. AS A RESULT THE CAP AT THE END OF THE TUBE, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT WATER (DUE TO SUBMERGING OR SPLASES FROM RIDING IN THE RAIN) BECAME INVERTED AND SERVED AS A RESERVOIR TO SUCK UP WATER INTO THE AXLE. DODGE CLAIMS THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT SUBMERSION. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN IN MORE THAN A FEW INCHES OF RAIN WATER FROM THE STREET.*AK