I found a 2001 Dakota Quad Cab with AWD with about 56000 miles on it that I am interested in buying. I talked to the guy who is selling it (who lives about 250 miles away from me) and I asked him all of the usual questions(Service records, wrecks, carfax info, etc) and the only thing that he said was that when you shift into reverse that there is a bit of a "clunk". He said that it is just because of the AWD and that with it it makes that noise when engaging reverse. Does anyone know if this is normal? It has the 5.9 engine also and I think what he is asking for it would be a good deal if everything is good on it. Are there any other questions that I should ask him or things to look for if I get the chance to go and look at it? Also I was wondering if I got it and the recalls had not been fixed yet, would I still be able to get them fixed at a dealership? This would be my first Dodge so it's all kind of new to me. Thanks a lot

 

That clunking isn't good. Something is slipping.. it happened to my uncle's taurus. Possibly one of the clutch plates or something. Either way, it's repairable, but you will need to get the trans rebuilt. I would go out there and take a look at it, it sounds like a sweet truck. That clunking noise is defintely NOT becuase of the AWD, though. He's just dicking you around and tyring to avoid admitting that theres a problem with the transmission.

 

Thanks a lot. That sucks though because getting the trans rebuilt could be expensive. I don't know if that would be worth it paying at least 12000 for the truck + getting the transmission fixed. I'm definitelygoing to try andgo look at it though and maybe it isn't a real problem, maybe it's just the normal sound of putting a vehicle in reverse(probably just wishful thinking).

 

my dads 03 club cab clunks a little bit when shifting into reverse from park i believe, and then when shifting from reverse to forward, it has done this since it was new and the dealer couldnt find anything wrong with it, and niether could out mechanic so i really wouldnt worry too much about it, but i would definetly look into it if its really loud, and my dads is a 4x4, not an awd,

 

Thanks a lot for the info. I've driven some vehicles that just seem to make a little more noise going into reverse, so maybe it won't be anything wrong with it. I've just really been trying to do my research and have seen that some Dodges have problems with transmissions, but I really like them and I hope I can find the right one. Maybe this one will turn out to be a good truck. I'm going to try and go look at it next weekend if he still has it for sale, but it may have already sold. Hopefully not.

 

I'd say buy it. If it ends up having trans problems down the road, so be it. Don't let that be the reason you pass up an awesome truck that you really want. Everything has a time to break, and you'll have to repair ti when it happens. But cross that bridge when you come to it.

 

I got the same truck but an 00 and it has the AWD system in it. I doesnt "clunk" at all it has a slight hesitation going into the gears but thats just the tranny going into the gear. I've never had a problem with it. The AWD is great in the winter time here in montana! I would let the guy know that its possibly a problem and offer him a little less to cover a rebuild if nessassary. thats my two bits anyways, Good luck, its a good truck.

 

mine clunks too when shes put into reverse, granted idont have awd but its been doing it too ever since it was bought brand new... but check your u-joints, caue they could have play in them, either that or the transfercase chain has stretched

 

This is why god invented extended warranties. Some trucks just clunk and that's the way they are.

 

My 00 QC clunks a bit also going into reverse. I tried screen and fluid change. Didn't help. So I took it to my Mech. He couldn't find anything wrong. I fig I will run mine till It gives me serious probs. Then I wil fig what I am going to do from there.