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Expensive Dodge Dakota repairs by problem area

Engine (33%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (25%)

Brakes and Traction Control (17%)

Suspension and Steering (17%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (0%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (0%)

Other (8%)

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Chart based on 12 repairs.

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Dodge Dakota repair cost distribution

$2500+ (25%)

$1000 - $2499 (75%)

$500 - $999 (0%)

$100 - $499 (0%)

< $100 (0%)

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Chart based on 12 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

81000 mi US $120	Replaced both front brake calipers and bled system
8900 mi US $1100	Exhaust leak at manifolds. Both Exhaust Manifolds Replaced
95000 mi US $1200	Rack and input shaft replaced

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137000 mi US $1700	Replaced clutch, release bearing, pivot arm, master and slave cylinder. Release bearing had come partially apart and damaged fingers on clutch. (Mechanic?) Screwed up job and had to redo. Lost use of truck for a month and still not perfect.
150000 mi US $1400	Replaced entire clutch assembly. Release bearing had blown apart and damaged all of the clutch components internal, as well as the slave cylinder too.

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51985 mi US $188	Replace EGR valve Transmission cooler line 52029226AD was leaking where rubber hose joined to fitting into the radiator - line was replaced.
57559 mi US $315	RH outer tie rod end replaced, front end realigned.
64279 mi US $300	Camshaft angle sensor failed - lost invoice, cost is approximate.
72122 mi US $215	Replace LH outer tie rod end and realign -- at tire shop
76236 mi US $192	Replace LH front swaybar endlink - serviced at dealer.
86015 mi US $455	U-joint beginning to fail at front end of rear driveshaft. Rear axle pinion seal leak noted also. U-joint and pinion seal replaced at dealer.
94200 mi US $315	Check Engine Light started flashing after passing a slow truck. Read codes, code P0305 was set. Changed cyl. #5 spark plug, no improvement. Took to dealer, dealer replaced injector in cyl. #5 and solved problem.
104500 mi US $761	CEL came on, vehicle would buck at higher throttle openings. P0344 code. Diagnosis determined the cam position sensor was bad & cam position sensor was replaced Trans cooler line leak observed during recent oil change. Leaking line 52029226AD was replaced. Dealer observed leak at front crankshaft oil seal - seal was replaced.
115300 mi US $2250	Brought in for suspected failing ball joint in left front and wanted new shock absorbers. Shocks, left lower ball joint, right lower control arm replaced, steering aligned. (LCA due to shock pivot bushing not serviced separately)
128200 mi US $200	LF brake caliper was not fully retracting, causing brake drag & excessive heat. Replaced caliper and caliper hose.

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122000 mi

US $1000

Trouble shifting gears, would not shift out of gears

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15368 mi US $100	Rebuild rear axle. Grinding from axle started about 3 months after first month and got worse with time. 100 deductible. 2nd rebuild for this.
37937 mi US $326	Transmission pan leaking. New seal and 5qkts of fluid.
50788 mi US $138	New Bearings, Seal Axle, cup diffe, cup drive, lubricant, gear kit, etc was done to the truck.
127800 mi US $600	Radiator replacement

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130820 mi C $300	Replaced inoperative fan clutch and radiator cap
149751 mi C $6500	blown head gasket, required partial rebuild of heads

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79900 mi US $170	Driver's side front electric door lock actuator failed. Part available only from dealer, but had independent garage replace the actuator, while having other routine maintenance done.
106300 mi US $850	Replaced upper ball joints/control arm assemblies. Lower ball joints checked and okay. Realigned front end after repairs finish.
127062 mi US $4410	Dreaded known problem with premature head gasket failure on Dodge 3.7L V-6 engines. Small crack apparently developed, leading to gradual coolant loss over time. Regular mechanic diagnosed the minute crack using dye/chemical trace method. Cost to replace head gasket only slightly less than cost of replacement engine, so decided to replace engine. Remanufactured crated engine purchased by owner and installed by mechanic. Rebuild included TSB upgrades to valve seats and guides; thicker/more durable head gaskets, & improved oil pump.
162000 mi US $130	Inspected for leak in A/C system, as system cooling performance had dropped rather suddenly. Check engine light came on. Bad O2 sensor suspected. O2 sensors were tested and determined to be within correct operating parameters. Mechanic's best guess was recent gas purchase had too much ethanol content and caused the O2 sensor to erroneously detect too lean an air/fuel mixture. Check engine light reset and no further issues after topping of with better quality gasoline.