HELP 1st time Dodge truck owner

[nightnurse]

Need some advice from some experienced Dodge pick up owners . My husband just had to have a pickup. Just got one at used . lot few days ago 2000 Dakota EXT 5speed manual 109,700 on the motor. The motor actually sounds runs great--what little we've driven it. We basically drove it back and forth twice to the dealer only few miles away--other than that my son took it out the first night went maybe 50 miles total with it. They had to repair the brakes before we took the truck off the lot. Drove it home, truck was barely stopping and almost stalled a couple of times. Brought it back--caliper hung up--they fixed it. Brought it home, brakes seemed ok on way home--in the driveway (driveway only on slight downgrade--almost level) truck rolling back, so had to put it in gear and use emergency brake. I always used emergency brake when parking a manual, but I was always told to put it in neutral) My son took it out that night and says he released the parking brake and it was stuck--unfortunately he drove it home that way and turns out the parking brake cable ripped apart (cable broke and that's why he couldn't get it to release or got ripped apart when he drove it that way??Don't know. The dealer for some reason sent the truck out to be repaired instead of doing it in his shop and the other shop also saying the rear is ripped apart. At first the dealer tried to tell me it was from him driving with parking brake on and I just told him No way--and he then he quickly agreed that that wouldn't have messed up the rear. But, he's saying the kid drove it hard and it's his fault. Gotta say, he's pretty much had full access to about 4 different cars of ours and 1 truck (Tahoe) without any big problems like this, so I find it hard to believe. I'm thinking even if he did drive it hard, come on, blow the rear. He beat the heck out of his own cars and this never happened. I don't know. Are these trucks known to have rear problems? Brake problems? (I noticed the truck had a couple of recalls on the brakes when they first came out). I hope to get the truck back today and give more details. I really hope we do get it back today because I think we need to really look it over or have a different mechanic give it a look and see what problems are foreseeable. What kind of problems is this particular model and year known for? Are the Dakota's high maintenance in general?

[stumpuller454]

WOW, i`d take it back and get that money back in your pocket, sounds like a real scummy dealer! Thats unacceptable!

[bradrhale]

this brings up an excellent commercial. anyone seen the latest midas commercial?? guy drives through the store and says he might need new brakes. might need to do same thing.

[87c10slammer]

well unfortunatly there isnt much you can do because of the miles... i have seen a few dakotas with rear problems.... if they get beat on then 9/10 there gonna break a tthe rear... i would get a lawyer to step in and the dealership should give you your money back or a truck worth the same value or more... all you gotta say to the dealer is if they dont fix it your gonna get your lawyer involved... i would talk to your son and make sure he didnt break the tires loose or anything because once they pull the rear apart they will be able to tell.... god luck and keep us posted

[bigz]

i have seen SEVERAL dodge trucks with rear problems

[foxdodgeman1998]

i have four dodge trucks one of them was a 96 dodge dakota the truck had 150,000 miles on it and never had rear end trouble the truck is still on the road to day hauling a racecar every weekend and now has 280,000 on it and still no problems. but i would definitly take it to a certified dodge dealer and ask them how much to do an inspection on it and see what the problem is.

[terrywerm]

Rule number one about rear ends: These are built from tough components and the actual damage is usually done months before the failure actually appears. Doesn't matter whether it's a rear end in a pickup, semi tractor, or a bulldozer, any of the guys that work extensively on rear ends will tell you the same thing.

[bradrhale]

thread is almost 3 months old.

[leolkfrm]

Its been 3 months and no welcomed her to the forum, no wonder she didn't come back yall scared her off