2000 Dodge Dakota review from North America

230 miles—There was a noise coming from the rear end. They took apart the differential assembly and found ring and pinion and bearing have abnormal wear. The housing is not true. They replaced the axle assembly and transferred all needed parts.

1917 miles-- Problem with the On-Board Diagnostic system for the vehicle.

20,899 miles-- I took the vehicle in for routine transmission service. They found a rear output seal on the transmission was leaking. They replaced the seal. They found the thermostat was leaking. They replaced the thermostat gasket.

32,354 miles-- I started to have problems with the vehicle shifting into third gear. They checked the fluid and found it full. They suspected the high reverse seals were bad. The transmission was removed for inspection and found that the clutches were burnt and the seals were hard. They replaced the clutches and seals, back flushed, reassembled and road tested the vehicle.

32,354 miles-- The check engine light had come on. They checked and found code P1740. The Torque converter code. They removed the transmission and found fine metal throughout. Torque converter came apart inside the vehicle. The input shaft was scored where it rides in the pump from the metal. They replaced the input shaft, torque converter, pump, clutches and seals.

Under normal use conditions and normal maintenance service, how many miles should a transmission of this type go before you have to do major work on it? 100,000 miles? 80,000 miles? 50,000 miles? 35,000 miles?

If this does not justify an extended manufacture warranty, what does?

Is this the normal maintenance for this transmission? I think not.