brakes problem
8.3
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$384.00
Average Mileage:
59,997 miles
Number of complaints:
15 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace pads, rotors and brake cylinders (7 reports)
- not sure (6 reports)
- replace both front brake lines (1 reports)
- replaced brake hose,caliper,pads,rotor (1 reports)
Helpful Websites About 2002 Dodge Dakota brake cylinder lock-up
2008Apr 11
Dakota
- Automatic transmission
- 90,000 miles
'02 quad cab 4x4..passenger brake locked up..lots of smoke. next morning, no problems. 1 mo. later it locked up again. ok in the morning. Took it to the dealer and they agreed with my complaint that it appeared it locked up but was ok now. they had no solution so charged me $50 dollars and gave me a $900 estimate to replace both front calipers, rotors and brake shoes.
Went to autozone bought 1 rotor , caliper , and brake hose for passenger side and replaced both sets of brake pads for about $100. only been a few days so we will see if it locks up again.
2008May 12
Dakota SLT 4.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 81,000 miles
I had a minor issue with the front brakes pulsing when applied and figured it was time to replace the pads....went ahead and replaced the rotors too. I drove my truck around town while working, no problems, then started the 20 mile drive home and the front end locked up about a third of the way there. I called the shop that did the work and about an hour later they showed up (I had to force my way to a point about a half a mile where i could pull off, brakes just 'a smokin"!!!) When they got there the front end must have cooled off some, the wheels rocked pretty freely and I drove most of the rest without much issue (I still noticed some wheel hop) I have yet to find any answer........recalls anyone??
2008Feb 24
Dakota SLT 4.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 39,500 miles
Both front brakes started locking up last summer, actually had smoke and flames coming from the wheel wells. Naturally the dealer and independent repair couldn't find problem after the truck had been sitting still. I had to leave the vehicle with repair and they drove it around and recreated the problem. Replaced rotors, caliper and pads last summer (only the caliper covered under warranty) and now brake burning smell coming from front again and rotors are so hot you can't touch them - just from short drive to store and back. Taking back to dealer for state inspection and brake diagnosis.
2007Apr 25
(reported on)Dakota Sport 4.7
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
My 2002 Dakota calipers have seized or locked up 4 times in the last year and a half. The first time it nearly burned the truck up, started a fire that I put out with soda. I replaced the calipers, rotors, hoses, and master cylinder and it just happened again the other day. The only thing I haven't replaced is the ABS computer. This is a huge issue that doesn't appear to be isolated.
Anyone have a similar issue with a fix?
2007Aug 17
(reported on)Dakota Sport V6
- Automatic transmission
- 90,000 miles
Same problem of locking up and pulling to the side, but the vehicle has always stopped well. After first pulling to the right, I changed the caliper. After a few weeks, problem occurred again on both sides. Problem then stopped but the rotors were then warped and the brakes always squeaked. I drove it 5,000 miles with squeaky brakes waiting for the problem to occur again so I could troubleshoot it. Finally I changed the brakes and rotors and a couple weeks later - lock-up! I am clueless but think I might try changing the lines next and/or going with ceramic brake pads.
2007Jun 15
(reported on)Dakota SLT 5.9L
- Automatic transmission
- 72,057 miles
I purchased the parts at the local parts store and took them to the dealer or it would have cost $250 more.
2007Jul 06
(reported on)Dakota Sport 3.9L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 32,000 miles
The problem actually started at about 20,000 miles with front wheels pulsating during stops. Finally, I experienced a loss in power pulled over and could smell the brakes and hear the sizzling from my overheated brake system. I let them cool down about 20 minutes or so and continued the 4 miles to my home. On the way home my truck was pulling to the right quite a bit.
I called the dealership and they refused to replace anything as brakes are "normal wear items". This really upset me as I don't feel 20,000 miles is normal wear. I went to Advanced Auto and purchased new rotors and pads cost about $120. They lasted about 7 months when my calipers locked up again. This time I replaced both calipers, rotors, and bought ceramic brake pads. Since installing the ceramic pads I have not had any problems at all, except the 'normal' chirping sound in cold weather. These pads are only about $10 more than the semi-metallic, but dissipate heat much more efficiently.
It seems Dodge, possibly other domestic brands as well, uses the cheapest parts they can in order to make as much money as possible. Then when a problem occurs the consumer will gladly pay the dealer to remedy the situation with the same inferior parts, NOT ME. I believe they need to improve the quality of parts and provide better customer service before they fall by the wayside. Toyota and Honda have already established themselves as quality automobile producers and stand by their products. They can charge more for them and consumers are happy to pay extra for a quality automobile.
2007Jun 20
(reported on)Dakota Slt Quad Cab 4.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 36,500 miles
I'll keep this short, experienced brake lock up front passenger side, had pads, rotors, bearing repacked, and brake fluid flushed and replaced on both fronts $250. 9 weeks later drivers front locked, mechanic replaced drivers side brake line $150(big mistake). 6 weeks later passenger side locked again so I changed mechanics! This one (former dodge tech) had seen the problem several times over and told me that both brake lines should have been replaced, he also told war stories of people trading cars, replacing master cyl, calipers etc. Six months later and the brakes are working great
2007Apr 08
(reported on)Dakota 4x4 3.9L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 63,000 miles
Front right brake locked up about 30 miles from home. Able to drive to get out of traffic. Smoking and hot, (the brake) I had no choice but to try to make it home w/o catching it on fire. About 6 miles later I tapped the brakes to make sure they still worked and I felt it break free. Drove on home. Changed the pads and haven't had any more lock ups but the truck don't like to stop to quick.
2007Mar 14
(reported on)Dakota Sport 4.7
- Automatic transmission
- 75,000 miles
First incident was brake fade which sent my daughter and I through a busy intersection on a red light at 50MPH. Scary at best. Mechanic found "missing" left front brake pad. Replaced front pads and turned front rotors. Also replaced the rear cylinder seals. Second occurance,(a week later) was driving home from work (appx 7mi)and rt front brake was smoking and glowing red. When I took it to the shop in the morning they found that the outer rotor surface had been hot and caliper actuation was normal and free. Turned the rotor to verify it was not warped and sent me on my way. Brakes feel less adequate and I certainly don' trust them to stop me. Hope I'm still alive to write the next chapter if there is one.
2007Feb 23
(reported on)Dakota SXT 4.7L V6
- Manual transmission
- 41,600 miles
I found this site this morning while trying to see if there was a recall on Brakes locking up. My son came home yesterday and said that his brake calibure was locked up. I just bought this truck 3 weeks ago at a dealership. Now I see from the postings that it could cost me up to $600??? What the H...! He's only 16 and was on the Interstate when it happened. I see there's only 3 complaints on this here, but Dodge has to know there's a problem right? Thank God we have a good mechanic and we'll have to get the truck to him to see what it will take to correct but people's lives are being put in harms way. Is there anything we can do?
2007Feb 16
(reported on)Dakota LX 3.9 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 30,300 miles
Same as mentioned before. First passenger side, vibration and pulling to the right. Flat tire ? Pulled over only to find all tires good but brake disc bright red. Could have BBQ on the wheel. Let cool a while drove home carefully. Next day replaced pads, piston seals and dust boots. Both sides, Bled system. $ 140. cdn. Done ( Right ) Wrong ! Two days later felt a loss in power or so I thought, the brakes were on. Busy road could not pull over, Stopped at lights, Everyone was looking at my truck Smoke and more smoke from both front wheels. Drove a couple of hundred yards pulled over. The heat was burning my legs through the denims. Put the truck in drive and it wouldn't go. Brakes were on hard. Was I ever pissed off. Let cool and drove the last mile home. The following morning drove truck to dodge dealer with no problems. They said it was the master cylinder, so $600 later I drove away. One week later,., ***k the same s*** again,. All this at 48000 Km (30,000) miles Screw dodge. I don't know what I am going to do now. Can't keep throwing money at it. I asked Dodge what happened to there so called best warranty ? They said it was on the power train. Not much friggin good if the brakes are jammed on and you can't go anywhere.,,..,,. Makes you want to go buy an import !!.
And Daimler Chrysler are cutting how many jobs ???.,,. FEB 2007.
2007Feb 01
(reported on)Dakota
- Manual transmission
- 42,000 miles
I do not know what it is as of yet. Driving along, brakes were applied without me even pressing on them. Took to shop where $300 later they replaced the brake line, caliper, and rotor (heat spots). Two days later, happened again. Now they are trying to replicate that problem, but are having issues. Not exactly sure if it is the same problem, but sounds very similar. I wonder how much it is going to cost me now.
2006Sep 05
(reported on)Dakota SLT
- 52,000 miles
Passenger side brakes began overheating. I was in Stop-n-Go morning traffic and the vehicle began to pull hard to the right whenever I would take off. When I would try to stop again the brakes felt "mushy" and had to press the brake pedal extra hard to make the vehicle stop. I suspected a flat front tire but upon inspection I observed light smoke coming from within the right front tire, a smell of burning brakes and plenty of heat emitting from the inner hub area. I assumed it was just from the heavy braking and continued to work. 3 miles down highway when I got to work and pulled into the lot I checked again. It was so hot that it was burning the paint off the wheel! you could feel the heat from 12" away.
I let the vehicle cool and after work drove it 4 miles to a shop. I bled the brake system and the fluid coming out was obviously cooked. The rotor got so hot that it cracked in several places. I didn't want to risk killing a set of rotors so I only replaced the 1.
It seemed to work fine for about a week. I was going on vacation to NE Oklahoma from Central TX. Stop-n-Go evening rush hour traffic through Dallas the vehicle started pulling again and I knew the problem. I managed to make it out of Dallas and into the parking lot of an Autozone. Luckily they had the parts in stock. 2 new Rotors, 2 Brake Cylinders, 1 set of High Quality pads and 2 hrs changing brakes in the parking lot and $200 later, we were back in business.
I have heard complaints about the cylinders not releasing completely but have not heard Daimler Chryslers fix for the problem yet.
If your vehicle starts pulling hard to either direction and/or you smell burning pads, Check quick! I had to repack the bearings, all of the grease had all of the moisture cooked out.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Aug 20
Dakota Club Cab 4x4 4.7L V8
The trucks brakes have locked up several times and we have had it in to mechanics and also the Dodge dealer and we have been told that the brakes are just fine. We have had to replace some many different rotors and pads it is ridiculous. They have started on fire and the Dodge dealer said there was no evidence of it on fire.... found that funny since we had the cops and the fire department there and witnesses. To this day 22May08 we are still battling with the brake problem and no help. I am tired of paying the idiots to fix it when they keep telling me there is no problem. Like I just want to throw thousands of dollars around to give them something to do.. Come on now lets be realistic.... A doctor will tell you that you know yourself and your kids best if you say your sick then you probably are so if we say are trucks are not working right don't you think we would know best about that.... My brother in law also has started having this problem also.... Are we looking at a defective part that the dealers or manufactures are hiding? What will they do when this happens to someone and it causes a severe accident and they are sued cause they new there was a problem and did nothing?. Anyway I think this is shit and if this many people are having problems with the same thing then it is not us it is the way it was made or something like that......
Richard & Barb K.
Stacy, MN, USA
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