Issues with my 2003 Dakota
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1
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Issues with my 2003 Dakota
Hey everyone! I'm new to the forum and new to Dodge trucks. To give you a heads up on my knowledge, I am in no way a mechanical type of person. I am really good with computers, but when it comes to automotive mechanical issues I'm totally lost.
I purchased my 2003 Dakota Quad Cab SLT in May of last year (2003). First new auto I've ever purchased, well in October I was run off the road by another driver. In my opinion the truck should have been totalled. The repairs came out to be about $9850... so the truck was in pretty bad shape. It took the body shop 1 1/2 months to get it back to me, and I've been back in 6 or 7 times since then. I'm still have a few issues that they refuse to address. They act like they are normal issues with the truck. I'd just like some reassurance from someone (3rd party) whether these are valid complaints or not.
Aside from the accident, the truck has been babied the entire time I've had it. I've only put about 9000 miles on it in over a year, and never taken it "off-roading".
Here are my issues (it did not have any of these issues before the wreck):
1) Excessive creaking noise coming from all corners of the truck while driving. The creaking is only noticeable while starting, stopping or turning. Going over bumps do not cause the noise. It seems to happen when the weight of the truck is shifting to different shocks.
2) The steering wheel is loose, in that it "pops" around when you apply pressure to it. When you go around a turn and lean with the stearing wheel it seems to crack (or pop) into another spot. Almost like the column is loose (I have no idea, just guessing).
3) I have a bench seat with powered controls for the drivers side. When starting or stopping, the seat tends to scoot around. Not only can you feel it when driving, but you can also hear it. I've tried repositioning the seat, but it doesn't make a difference.
4) When stopped the truck vibrates (sometimes very violently). Enough to where I still catch myself wondering if some bumped into the back of the truck. The whole truck jerks... I've had passengers that thought the same thing too.
Any insight that you may be able to provide would be GREATLY appreciated.
I purchased my 2003 Dakota Quad Cab SLT in May of last year (2003). First new auto I've ever purchased, well in October I was run off the road by another driver. In my opinion the truck should have been totalled. The repairs came out to be about $9850... so the truck was in pretty bad shape. It took the body shop 1 1/2 months to get it back to me, and I've been back in 6 or 7 times since then. I'm still have a few issues that they refuse to address. They act like they are normal issues with the truck. I'd just like some reassurance from someone (3rd party) whether these are valid complaints or not.
Aside from the accident, the truck has been babied the entire time I've had it. I've only put about 9000 miles on it in over a year, and never taken it "off-roading".
Here are my issues (it did not have any of these issues before the wreck):
1) Excessive creaking noise coming from all corners of the truck while driving. The creaking is only noticeable while starting, stopping or turning. Going over bumps do not cause the noise. It seems to happen when the weight of the truck is shifting to different shocks.
2) The steering wheel is loose, in that it "pops" around when you apply pressure to it. When you go around a turn and lean with the stearing wheel it seems to crack (or pop) into another spot. Almost like the column is loose (I have no idea, just guessing).
3) I have a bench seat with powered controls for the drivers side. When starting or stopping, the seat tends to scoot around. Not only can you feel it when driving, but you can also hear it. I've tried repositioning the seat, but it doesn't make a difference.
4) When stopped the truck vibrates (sometimes very violently). Enough to where I still catch myself wondering if some bumped into the back of the truck. The whole truck jerks... I've had passengers that thought the same thing too.
Any insight that you may be able to provide would be GREATLY appreciated.
Professional
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
RE: Issues with my 2003 Dakota
Im in the auto body field and i can tell you that the problems your having should be taken care of by the place that fixed it. If they wont then i would notify your insurance company or go to a different shop. Also what was the exact damage that the truck, the only treason im asking is the shop may not be obligated to fix some of those things if they werent touched in the accident or the repair, maybe try the dealer. And sorry to say it but that $9800 is nowhere near totalling a 6month old truck, for it to be totalled it has to cost ~75% of the total vehicle cost.