2004 Dodge Dakota Other or unknown Problems

“Shifter will move without key in ignition. Will role in any direction in any position but park. Can remove key from ignition while running. While it's still running with key out can shift and drive. Other times when I go to start engine the key won't turn. I have to hit the end of the key with the palm of one hand while the other turns it. Replaced the ball joints the first of this year and vehicle only had 87000 miles at the time. Changed brakes and had to have rotor turned. …”

“I bought my Dodge Dakota brand new from a dealer. I started to have problems with it almost immediately after purchase. I'll briefly list these failures. While driving in very cold weather (winter). I was driving with the heater on, a large volume of engine coolant came pouring out of the dashboard heater vents. This was repaired by the dealer. Within that same year the fuel gauge and check engine light would come on whenever the gas tank became half empty. At this point the fuel gauge would drop to zero fuel, corrects when gas cap is tightened or fuel is added. …”

“Wiring to blower motor resistor gets so hot it melts the wire covering and the pigtail. In the last 2 years, have replaced the pigtail 3 times, the wiring once, the resistor twice, the blower motor once, and the whole fan unit once. Just burnt up again while air conditioner was running. It has also burnt up while using the heater in winter.”