Chrysler has issued a recall of 278,222 light trucks and sport utility vehicles here in the United States. The reason: bad rear axles. Specifically, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the rear axle pinion nut may lack a necessary adhesive patch, which could cause the nut to loosen. If this happens, the axle can lock up, which could cause all sorts of havoc on the road. This is an expansion of the rear axle recall announced in October of last year, where 44,300 Ram 1500 and Dodge Dakota models were being called in. At that time, 12 accidents had been ... Read More

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Recalls: Chrysler recalling 278,222 trucks and SUVs over bad rear axles 1360866540

Chrysler has issued a recall of 278,222 light trucks and sport utility vehicles here in the United States. The reason: bad rear axles. Specifically, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the rear axle pinion nut may lack a necessary adhesive patch, which could cause the nut to loosen. If this happens, the axle can lock up, which ...
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Auctions: eBay Finds of the Day: Brand-new, never registered 1987 Shelby Dodge Lancer and 1989 Shelby Dakota 1349987400

These days, the Shelby name is synonymous with Ford Mustang performance, but it wasn't always so. Carroll Shelby spent plenty of time decking the halls of Chrysler with quick versions of otherwise plebeian models, including the Dodge Dakota and Lancer. Most of those machines have returned to the earth in spectacular fashion by now, but it looks as if one ...
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Official: Chrysler recalling 2009-2010 Ram 1500, Dodge Dakota pickups over axle pinion nut 1349732700

Chrysler is issuing a recall for the 2009 and 2010 Ram 1500 and Dodge Dakota pickup trucks due to improper installation of the rear axle pinion nut. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a total of 44,300 trucks are affected by the recall, and there have been 12 confirmed incidents including one crash. The issue on both trucks ...
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Video: Kentucky couple accused of swapping '99 Dodge Dakota for newborn 1342645020

A Kentucky couple face up to 20 years in jail for trading their used pickup for a baby. The couple, Jeremy and Jamie Brown, pleaded not guilty to human trafficking charges Friday after they allegedly traded a 1999 Dodge Dakota to Heather Kaminsky for her newborn in January. Jamie Brown and Kaminsky were childhood friends. Police told the media that ...
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Report: Chrysler VP of product planning sees slot for small pickups 1341603960

"There is a vacuum left in the small pickup category," says Jesse Toprak, vice president of market intelligence for TrueCar.com in a new Detroit Free Press report. And as we all know, the automotive industry abhors a vacuum. Joe Veltri, VP of product planning for Chrysler, sees that vacuum as a potential for profits. "Based on our data, young males ...
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Report: Marchionne: "Better than 50% chance" next Ram Dakota going unibody, diesel Durango coming 1326391260

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has big plans for the Ram Dakota. Inside Line spoke with Marchionne at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, and the besweatered executive said there is a good chance the next-generation Dakota will likely ride on a unibody chassis. That would mark a serious departure from the vehicle's past, as well as the rest of the models in the ...
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Say 'goodbye' to these cars and trucks for the new year 1324575000

As we prepare to flip our calendars from 2011 to 2012, it's time to say goodbye to a handful of vehicles that are being sent to the Great Parking Lot In The Sky before the 2012 model year completely takes hold. And while we're not exactly upset about having to bid farewell to things like the Mitsubishi Endeavor, Mazda Tribute or Chevrolet HHR, there are a ...
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Podcast: Autoblog Podcast #244 1314132420

Toyota-Ford tie-up, Mazda RX-8 and Dakota cancelled, VW Up!, Cadillac ELR Episode #244 of the Autoblog Podcast is here. This week, Chris and Dan are joined by Zach Bowman, fresh off vacation. Topics we cover include the Ford and Toyota partnership to develop hybrid truck powertrain, the cancellation of both the Mazda RX-8 and the Ram Dakota, Volkswagen's ...
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Podcast: Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #244 LIVE 1314049440

We record Episode #244 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and you can drop Chris, Dan and Zach your questions via our Q&A module below. Check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening, too. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all ...
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Report: Chrysler to end Ram Dakota production on Tuesday 1313949660

Chrysler is officially killing the 2011 Ram Dakota this week, which the UAW fears may lead to nearly 150 hourly positions getting the chop. The move has already spelled the end for 39 temporary positions at Chrysler's Warren Truck Plant. Chrysler brass say they still haven't figured out who's getting cut, but if says if there are layoffs, the workers ...