2002 Dodge Dakota

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 678 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension. It has been recalled 12 times.

Avoid One of the Dodge Dakota years to avoid: 3.3× the complaints of a typical Dakota year. Which Dodge Dakota years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
39,199 milesMedian miles at failure

504 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 20,000–30,000 miles.

Most common 2002 Dodge Dakota problems

209 of the 678 complaints (31%) are about the suspension.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint125
220
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor · brakes53
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · brakes51
460
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint38
100
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission33
302
Electrical System32
000
Suspension › Front23
101
Service Brakes · brakes23
020
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes22
500
Power Train · transmission14
201

2002 Dodge Dakota suspension problems

31% of all complaints

209 of the 678 complaints are about the suspension. This is what owners describe:

  • knocks, grinds or clunks14% · 29
  • vibrates or shakes6% · 13

Share of the 209 suspension complaints whose text describes each symptom. One complaint can describe several.

Typical mileage
35,305 mi
median of 154 reports
Peak year of filing
2004
121 suspension complaints that year
Crashes · fires · injuries
6 · 2 · 2
in these complaints
Recalls on the suspension
“I am a owner of a 2002 dodge dakota sport. On certain sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel drive (4x4), if moisture leaks into the front suspension upper ball joint, evacuation of the lubricant and corrosion of the joint may cause the joint to wear over an extended period of time.”
Owner complaint, filed Nov 18, 2010
“2002 dodge dakota starting making clunking sound when turning. Had received recall letter for upper ball joints. Upon bringing to dealer, was told both lower and upper ball joints needed replacement. Seems like this is common based on what I have read online. We have also had transmission replaced and goodyear tires split. All of these complaints are posted on this website. 99.9% will never buy another dodge.”
Owner complaint, filed Jan 10, 2006 at 73,000 miles

Complaints and recalls over time

By year of filing
2001: 3 complaints, 0 about the suspension'012002: 45 complaints, 4 about the suspension2003: 118 complaints, 34 about the suspension2004: 202 complaints, 121 about the suspension2005: 83 complaints, 30 about the suspension'052006: 33 complaints, 7 about the suspension2007: 28 complaints, 2 about the suspension2008: 30 complaints, 2 about the suspension2009: 17 complaints, 0 about the suspension'092010: 22 complaints, 5 about the suspension2011: 22 complaints, 1 about the suspension2012: 8 complaints, 1 about the suspension2013: 9 complaints, 0 about the suspension'132014: 21 complaints, 1 about the suspension2015: 10 complaints, 0 about the suspension2016: 5 complaints, 0 about the suspension2017: 8 complaints, 0 about the suspension'172018: 6 complaints, 0 about the suspension2019: 4 complaints, 1 about the suspension2020: 1 complaints, 0 about the suspension2021: 1 complaints, 0 about the suspension'212022: 1 complaints, 0 about the suspension2023: 0 complaints, 0 about the suspension2024: 0 complaints, 0 about the suspension2025: 1 complaints, 0 about the suspension'25Recall 03V389000 (electrical system)Recall 03V505000 (equipment)Recall 04V216000 (visibility)Recall 04V596000 (suspension)Recall 06E011000 (fuel system)Recall 06E024000 (engine)Recall 07V555000 (transmission)Recall 08E064000 (suspension)Recall 09E012000 (headlights)Recall 09E025000 (headlights)
All complaintsAbout the suspensionRecall (red: the suspension)NHTSA investigation opened

Complaints about the 2002 Dakota peaked in 2004, with 202 filed that year. Owners had filed 156 complaints about the suspension before the first recall that covers it, 04V596000 in December 2004; 53 more have come in since. In 2025 owners filed 1 so far.

12 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Suspension › Front › Hub08E064000
Filed Oct 20, 20082,805 vehiclesSkf USA, Inc.

Defect. SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO. BR930361, SOLD AS A SERVICE PART FOR 1997-2004 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES AND 1999-2003 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2-WHEEL DRIVE & REAR AXLE ABS. DUE TO A SPECIFICATION ERROR, THE ROTOR PILOT FOR THE HUB UNIT MAY BE TOO LONG. THIS RESULTS IN THE WHEEL TO NOT BE SEATED FULLY AGAINST THE HUB FLANGE FACE DURING MOUNTING.

Risk. IMPROPER SEATING OF THE WHEEL CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION, BRAKE ROTOR NOISE, DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE WHEEL AFTER INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, AND POSSIBLY WHEEL-END SEPARATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. SHOULD WHEEL-END SEPARATION OCCUR, THE DRIVER COULD LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy. SKF WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HUB UNITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SKF VSM NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-644-8999.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift07V555000
Filed Dec 4, 2007576,418 vehiclesChrysler LLC

Defect. ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION.

Risk. EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARSHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Exterior Lighting06E065000
Filed Jul 17, 20063,593 vehiclesAj Motorsport

Defect. CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Engine and Engine Cooling06E024000
Filed Mar 15, 200644,386 vehiclesK&n Engineering, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.

Risk. A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.

Remedy. K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump06E011000
Filed Feb 1, 20067,291 vehiclesAirtex Products

Defect. CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.

Risk. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-3056.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint04V596000
Filed Dec 21, 2004592,707 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4), IF MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT, EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT AND CORROSION OF THE JOINT MAY CAUSE THE JOINT TO WEAR OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HEARD BY THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Risk. EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer04V216000
Filed May 5, 2004320,188 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD CAUSE INTERNAL CORROSION AND RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPING CAPABILITY.

Risk. DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Equipment › Other › Labels03V505000
Filed Dec 10, 200335,692 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. ON CERTAIN MINIVANS AND 4X2 PICKUP TRUCKS, THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR) THAT EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Risk. IMPROPERLY LOADING YOUR VEHICLE CAN CAUSE TIRE FAILURE AND RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL OVERLAYS CONTAINING CORRECTED INFORMATION RELATIVE TO VEHICLE GAWR AND TIRE SIZE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.

Electrical System › Wiring03V389000
Filed Oct 10, 200350,082 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE HEADLAMP AND DASH WIRING HARNESS MAY BE CHAFED BY THE ACTUATION OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL. THIS COULD RESULT IN ABNORMAL OPERATION OF THE WIPERS, TURN SIGNALS, HORN OR LIGHTING SYSTEMS.

Risk. THIS COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY, COULD PREVENT A DRIVER FROM SOUNDING A WARNING BY USING THE HORN, AND, WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE WIRE HARNESS AND REPAIR THE HARNESS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.

All 12 campaigns on file, newest first.

NHTSA investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Before a recall there is often an investigation: NHTSA opens one when complaints or manufacturer data point to a safety defect. One names the 2002 Dakota.

UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATIONEngineering analysis EA03023Closed
Opened Nov 19, 2003Closed Feb 11, 2005Led to recall 04V596000suspension

Daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc) is recalling the target population of approximately 600,000 my 2000 through 2003 durango and dakota vehicles with four-wheel drive to replace the front suspension upper ball joints with redesigned parts that do not have the joint integrity concerns and have substantially improved joint retention capacity (NHTSA recall no. 04v-596).though dcc does not admit to a safety-defect in the subject components, odi believes that the facts in this investigation show otherwise.because of the low rates of separation incidents in the remaining subject vehicles, a …

Technical service bulletins

55 on file

Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 2002 Dakota. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.

equipment 14transmission 11electrical system 7body and frame 6engine 3brakes 2fuel system 2steering 2
0201004Warranty extensionDec 16, 2004suspension

UPPER BALL JOINT EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TT

Crash test ratings

NHTSA 5-star safety ratings
Version testedOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
2002 Dodge Dakota 4-DR. Cab———★★★★★—
2002 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab———★★★★★—

New Car Assessment Program results for this model year. Ratings compare cars of similar size and weight only.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Oct 23, 2025MI

WHY are brake lines on vehicles not required to be made so as not to rust? Brake lines failed on my vehicle, and need to be replaced. How many accidents are caused by brake line failures?

Unknown or OtherCrash
Filed Jun 27, 2022VA

My 2002 Dodge Dakota sometime will not go into park. other times it will jump out and go into reverse. this has caused my vehicle to roll backwards and destroyed neighbors mailbox. to get it into park takes several tries. I now must use my parking brake anytime I am parked.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 20, 2021116,000 milesFL

II HAVE REPLACE FRONT ROTORS, FRONT CALIPERS, REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS AND SHOES, THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN BLEED SEVERAL TIMES, AND BRAKE SYSTEM WAS LOOKED AT SEVERAL TIMES BY ASE MASTER MECHANIC. GOING DOWN THE ROAD ON THE INITIAL PUSH ON THE PEDDLE THE PEDDLE GOES MORE THAN HALF WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, YOU THEN RELEASE PEDAL AND RE APPLY AND IT STOPS AS IT SHOULD WITH THE CORRECT PEDDLE HEIGHT. ALL WORK WAS DONE WITHIN 10K MILES. THE TRUCK HAS 116K MILES.THIS STARTED ABOUT 5 MONTHS AGO.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 15, 20202,123,432 milesMO

THIS 2001 DODGE DAKOTA COMES UP WITH CODE P0601 IT SAYS IT IS A MEMORY CHECK SUM ERROR. IT COMES ON INTERMITTENT IN COLD WEATHER. IF YOU CLEAR THE CODE IT MIGHT COME RIGHT BACK OR IT MIGHT STAY OFF IT IS ANNOYING SOMETIMES IT MESSES WITH THE ABS MAKING THE FRONT RIGHT BRAKE HANG UP

Power Train
Filed May 31, 2019211,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. WHEN THE SHIFTER FINALLY SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR AND INTO DRIVE, IT WOULD SHIFT BACK INTO PARK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KEFFER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (LOCATED AT 8214 E INDEPENDENCE BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28227, (704) 532-1050) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO TAKE THE STEERING COLUMN APART, GREASE IT UP, AND PUT IT BACK TOGETHER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A WARRANTY NOR INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000.

Power Train
Filed Jan 26, 2019156,000 milesWA

THE CAR GOES INTO PARK, BUT PARK DOES NOT ENGAGE. I'M ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. THE COLUMN SHOWS PARK BUT THE CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL. I SEE THAT 2002 DAKOTAS HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT MY VIN # DOESN'T SHOW A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 4, 2019153,054 milesNC

CENTRAL TIME MODULE CAUSING MY LIGHTS TO CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT

Suspension
Filed Jan 2, 2019150,000 milesOH

FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE AND HUB ASSEMBLY COMPLETELY BROKE FREE FROM THE VEHICLE THIS IS A FOLLOW UP FROM MY FIRST INTIAL REPORT TO CHRYSLER AND ALSO NHTSA PHONE CONVERSATION IN WHICH I DID A REPORT TO BOTH AND PAID 2500.00 WHICH I STILL HAVE RECEIPT OF PAYING TO HAVE FIXED...FATHER HAD A 2000 DODGE DURANGO WHICH HAD THE SAME RECALL THAT MY DIDN'T HAVE AS CHRYSLER STATED...

Electrical System
Filed Dec 4, 2018115,000 milesKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO MOVE WITH OUT THE IGNITION BEING STARTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE COULD STILL BE MOVED OR PUSHED WITHOUT THE ENGINE BEING STARTED OR WITHOUT THE GEAR BEING IN DRIVE. ALSO, THE KEY SOMETIMES WOULD NOT STAY IN THE IGNITION AND HANGED LOOSELY. THERE WERE NO WANING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED SAMUEL'S DODGE, CHRYSLER, JEEP, RAM, MAZDA (1421 E 30TH AVE, HUTCHINSON, KS 67502, (620) 665-5567), BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 29, 2018230,000 milesVA

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME ONE OF THE BREAK LINES HAS RUSTED THRU. THIS TIME I HIT THE BRAKES HARD TO MISS TWO DEAR AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I ONLY COULD STOP THE TRUCK WITH THE EMERGENCY BREAK. THE TRUCK HAS NOT BEEN USED OFF ROAD AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN IN VIRGINIA IS HOLE LIFE. THE FIRST TIME MY MECHANIC CAUGHT A LEAK IN THE LINE BEFORE ANY PROBLEM.

Power Train
Filed Jun 9, 2018190,000 milesWA

RECALL G38 / THE TRANS SHIFTER STARTED TO NOT GO INTO PARK AT TIMES AND THEN SLIP OUT NOW IT WILL NOT GO INTO PARK AT ALL..SHIFTER STOPS AT REVERSE AND I HAVE LOOKED AT SHIFTER AJUSTMENT AND NO PROBLEM THERE, THE RECALL SAID IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY VIN .BUT I AM HAVING SAME PROBLEMS LISTED AS THE RECALL STATE'S OTHER'S HAVE , DID I MISS SOMETHING AND IAM IN RECALL ADDED LATER?

Electrical System
Filed May 3, 2018158,000 milesTX

"TAKATA RECALL" HIGH BEAMS COME ON ON BOTH SIDES LOW BEAM DOES NOT COME ON PASSENGER SIDE BUT ON THE DRIVER SIDE

Electrical System
Filed Mar 2, 2018TX

THE LIGHTS STOOPED WORKING WIPER RELAY NOT FUNCTIONAL. VERY IRRITATING

Steering
Filed Feb 28, 201896,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GALEANA'S VAN DYKE DODGE (28400 VAN DYKE AVE, WARREN, MI 48093, (586) 573-4000) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL FOR THE GEAR SHIFTER, AND THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER AND THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

Air BagsCrash1 killed
Filed Dec 28, 2017CO

TAKATA RECALL - MY FATHER OWNED A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK. ON JANUARY 1, 2016 HE RAN HIS CAR OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HIT A LAMP POST OFF A HIGHWAY IN FLORIDA AND DIED ON IMPACT. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED OUT. I AM TRYING TO SEE IF WE QUALIFY FOR THIS RECALL. I DO NOT HAVE THE POLICE RECORD AND DEATH CERTIFICATE ON MY COMPUTER CURRENTLY BUT I COULD GET THOSE ITEMS IF NEEDED.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 13, 20171,000 milesMS

WATER LEAKING IN FLOOR BOARD. WATER WILL BE STANDING ABOUT AN INCH DEEP. CHECK TSB #2301004. IT LEAKS EVERYTIME IT RAINS. DODGE KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY HAVEN'T DONE A RECALL.

Seats
Filed Aug 4, 2017186,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BACK PART OF THE SEAT FRAME FAILED TO STAY UPWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 5, 2017160,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND BEGAN TO GRIND AND SQUEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE CALIPER AND BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 9, 201790,900 milesOH

RECALL WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF MY BREAKS AND CALIBERS SEIZED UP..HAD TO STOP AND SPRAY THEM DOWN

Air Bags
Filed Feb 21, 2017FL

LIGHT ON AIR BAG

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 9, 2017220,000 milesIL

, I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON DECEMBER 15 BECAUSE MY BRAKES FAILED AND WAS HURT ACROSS MY CHEST. THE IMPACT WAS STRONG BECAUSE FOR A MOMENT I LOST TIME, BUT THE HOSPITAL DIDN'T GIVE ANY BRAIN SCANS. MY CHEST HURT SEVERELY FOR A MONTH AND I STILL FEEL PAIN WHEN I LIFT OR MOVE A CERTAIN WAY. ANYWAY I AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE WONDERED WHY MY AIRBAG DID NOT GO OFF. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET MY CAR OUT OF THE POUND FOR LACK OF MONEY BUT THE FRONT WAS MUCH DAMAGED. WOULD THIS FALL UNDER THE RECALL THAT GOING ON WITH THE TAKATA CORP.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 7, 201790,000 milesSC

THE BODY CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED, WHICH CONTROLS ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND THE HEADLIGHTS. AS OF A MONTH AGO THERE WERE OVER 150 PEOPLE WAITING ON THIS PART IN CHRYSLER'S SYSTEM. CHRYSLER HAS NOW INFORMED ME THIS PART IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND WILL NOT BE MADE AGAIN, WHICH RENDERS MY TRUCK ONLY SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE DAYTIME. THEY SAY TO GO TO THE AFTERMARKET, BUT THERE ARE NO AFTERMARKET COMPANIES MAKING THIS COMPUTER MODULE. MY FCA CASE NUMBER WAS 30705404

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 29, 201650,279 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR STEP BUMPER WAS CORRODED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE PORTION BAR FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,279.

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 2, 2016127,249 milesOH

MY TRUCK WILL NOT GO INTO PARK ALL OTHER GEAR SELECTIONS ARE AVAILABLE BUT NO PARK. ADDITIONALLY I'M ABLE TO TURN THE KEY BACK TO THE OFF POSITION & TAKE THE KEY OUT. I PULLED INTO WORK & WAS UNABLE ONCE I PULLED INTO A PARKING PLACE TO PUT MY TRUCK INTO PARK. I ENDED UP HAVING TO STAY WITH MY VEHICLE FOOT ON THE BRAKE UNTIL SOMEONE BLOCKED MY WHEELS WITH A PIECE OF FIREWOOD BECAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE HAS ALSO FAILED. CHRYSLER HAS A RECALL FOR 2001 & 2002 MODELS FOR THIS VERY ISSUE. AFTER CALLING THE DEALER & CHRYSLER MY TRUCK IS *BIG SURPRISE* NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL G28. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE AS THIS TRUCK IS MY ONLY METHOD OF TRANSPORTATION. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO HONOR THEIR RECALLS! *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 16, 2016124,000 milesFL

I BOUGHT THE SUBJECT PICKUP IN 2014, I FOUND AFTER DRIVING IT THAT THE ENGINE WOULD LOSE POWER, WOULDN'T IDLE SMOOTHLY, AND IT WOULD BACKFIRE THRU THE THROTTLE BODY ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION. THE PROBLEM WAS AND IS INTERMITTENT, IT SOMETIMES HAPPENS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, MAKING ME TRYING TO PULL OVER TO THE CURB. I TOOK IT THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP [ROCKY TOP DODGE, SEVIERVILLE TN] TO HAVE IT FIXED, THEY TUNED IT UP, CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AND A FEW OTHER THINGS AND SAID IT WAS OK. I PAID THEM $650+, PULLED OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP, AND THERE IT WAS DOING THE SAME THING. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED AROUND WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY KEPT IT FOR 4 MORE DAYS, THEN TOLD ME THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE WHAT WAS AND COULDN'T FIX IT. I BEEN DRIVING JUST ABOUT EVERYDAY SINCE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I TRIED CONTACTING DODGE, THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO HAVE A REGIONAL REP CONTACT ME, THAT NEVER HAPPENED. IT JUST AMAZES ME THAT I AM THE ONLY PERSON IN THE COUNTRY HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I DID TAKE IT UPON MYSELF TO CHANGE ALL OF THE ENGINE SENSORS, THAT COSTS ME $300 TO DO IT MYSELF. I AM JUST HIGHLY FRUSTRATED WITH DODGE THAT THEY CAN'T TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS TRUCK AND FIX IT. I NEED HELP SINCE IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 28, 2016160,000 milesMD

BOUGHT A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA BRAKES AREN'T STRONG ENOUGH TO DRIVE ON INTERSTATE OR IN CITY , WENT TO DODGE DARCARS DEALERSHIP IN MARYLAND THEY LOOKED AT THE TRUCK , SAID THIS IS FINE THIS IS THE WAY DODGE BRAKES ARE TERRIBLY WRONG . WENT TO REPAIR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLES DODGE DON'T MAKE THE PARTS ANY MORE THIS DODGE DON'T MAKE THE PARTS ANYMORE IS TERRIBLY WRONG . DODGE , DARARS ARE PUTTING CONSUMERS LIFE A RISK . 2002 4X4 DODGE DAKOTA SHOULD RECALLED BRAKES ,BRAKE PARTS UPGRADED TO STRONG , SAFE BRAKES , DODGE NEEDS TO KEEP MAKING THE PARTS FOR 2002 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 OR HIRE SOMEBODY WHO CAN . , DODGE DARCARS VISUAL BRAKE CHECK IS THE WORST IDEA YET . BRAKES NEED TO BE FELT LOOK AT , BLEEDED .

Power Train
Filed Feb 17, 201699,999 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DISENGAGE FROM THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT, WHEN PLACED IN PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,999.

Structure › Body › DoorCrash2 injured
Filed Dec 28, 2015130,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH THAT CAUSED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO FLY OPEN. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A BROKEN LEG, SEVERAL BROKEN RIBS, AND BRUISES TO THE BODY. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED A BROKEN ARM. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Power Train
Filed Dec 21, 2015115,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE SHIFTER JAMMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Power Train
Filed Nov 23, 2015148,000 milesCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO PARK. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

Power Train
Filed Oct 26, 201549,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2008 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN), BUT THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

Service BrakesFire
Filed Aug 7, 2015165,000 milesKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES SEIZED WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THE BRAKE WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CALIPERS OR THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT INDEPENDENTLY REPLACED THE BRAKE LINES, BRAKE CALIPERS, AND BRAKE PADS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THE BRAKE WAS LOCATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 2, 201590,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED AND THERE WERE FRACTURES IN FRONT OF THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 28, 2015107,000 milesIL

I WAS DRIVING AND THE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND THEN THEY WENT ALL THE WAY OUT AND THE DOME LIGHT AND KEYLESS ENTRY ISN'T WORKING. IT FINALLY WOULDN'T START AND SO WE BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY, AND THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THEN THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHTS WERE OFF AGAIN. THE BATTERY THAT WAS IN THE TRUCK WAS TOO SMALL AND WE TOLD THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE LIGHTS WEREN'T WORKING BECAUSE WE PUT A BIGGER BATTERY IN IT, WE PUT THE RIGHT SIZE BATTERY. THE OTHER DAY WE CAME HOME AND THE CARGO LIGHTS WERE ON BY THEMSELVES. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT FOR IT CATCHING ON FIRE. WE ONLY HAD THE TRUCK 2 AND HALF MONTHS. WE PAID $6300 FOR IT. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 30, 201598,000 milesFL

RACK AND PINION SEAL BUSTED WHILE DRIVING AT SOME POINT RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 30, 2015125,000 milesAZ

I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE CAR 2 WEEKS EARLIER. I WAS ACCELERATING TO MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY AND THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AT 60 MPH. NO MATTER WHAT I DID TO THE PEDAL, IT WAS STUCK AT 60 MPH. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK EITHER. I WAS IN A RUNAWAY CAR ON A BUSY FREEWAY. I TRIED TO NEGOTIATE THE TRAFFIC FOR 2 MILES THEN DECIDED I NEEDED TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY. I STARTED TO SMASH INTO THE FREEWAY OFF-RAMP RETAINING WALL IN THE EFFORT TO SLOW THE TRUCK DOWN WHICH IT DID TO SOME DEGREE. THEN HAD TO BARREL THROUGH A RED LIGHT WITH FLASHERS AND HORN GOING AND TO STOP THE TRUCK I DELIBERATELY RAMMED IT INTO A WROUGHT IRON FENCE, 2 LANDSCAPING BOULDERS AND A LIGHT POST. THE AIRBAG ALSO FAILED. I WAS RUSHED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL WITH HEAD TRAUMA AND CONCUSSION, BROKEN GLASSES THAT CUT MY EYEBROW. I HAVE PICTURES. THE WORST PART HAS BEEN THE PTSD THAT I HAVE SUFFERED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT -- MULTIPLE FAILURE - ACCELERATOR, BRAKES AND AIRBAG. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jan 22, 201565,500 milesSC

THE SHIFTER WILL NOT MOVE FROM PARK POSITION. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER DUE TO THE RECALL FOR THAT SPECIFIC PROBLEM WITH THAT YEAR MODEL. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT IS VIN # RELATED PROBLEM (IT IS A SPECIFIC VIN NUMBERS THAT IT IS RELATED TO). I INFORMED THEM THAT I'M EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT ALL SITES, REPORTS AND BLOGS ARE TALKING ABOUT. THE FINAL ANSWER IS TO TAKE MY CAR TO BE DIAGNOSE, DEPENDING ON THE REPORT THEY MAY OR MAY NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. HOW IT IS DIFFERENT THIS PROBLEM FROM THE PROBLEM THAT I'M HAVING?! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 25, 2014105,000 milesAL

STEPPED ON BRAKE ON WET ROAD,ABS KICKED IN ON REAR AXLE AND TRUCK WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. ALMOST HAD A REAR END COLLISION. VERY DANGEROUS, HAVE SEEN A LOT OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME THING. ALSO LOSE ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WITH HEADLIGHTS ON MOMENTARILY LEAVING YOU WITHOUT LIGHTS. *TR

Suspension › RearCrash
Filed Dec 23, 2014200,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL FRACTURED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN 90 DEGREES INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND CRASH. THE SPECIFICS OF THE CRASH WERE NOT AVAILABLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Nov 26, 2014NY

2002 DODGE DAKOTA CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT BRAKE LINE *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITH INFERIOR MATERIALS. THE GAS TANK STRAPS BROKE AND THE TRANSMISSION AND BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED AND WERE LEAKING. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE AND BRAKE HOSE. *JB

Tires › Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
Filed Sep 30, 2014150,000 milesVT

SPARE TIRE FELL OFF VEHICLE WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. NO REDUNDANCY IN THE MECHANISM THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE. METAL CLIP THAT FITS IN THE CENTER BORE OF THE WHEEL IS THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE. IN THE CASE OF MY VEHICLE THE CLIP HAD RUSTED AND FAILED ALLOWING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF THE VEHICLE. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED ON A BUSY ROAD AT SPEED IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 20, 201435,555 milesIA

RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER STUCK, BRAKE GOT HOT, SMOKE CAME OUT OF WHEEL WELL. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 20, 201436,970 milesIA

RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER STUCK, BRAKE GOT HOT, SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE WHEEL WELL. HAD TO HAVE TRUCK TOWER TO DEALER. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 20, 201423,193 milesIA

RIGHT FRONT BRAKE STUCK, BRAKE GOT HOT, SMOKE CAME OUT OF WHEEL WELL. *TR

Service BrakesFire
Filed Aug 1, 201410,000 milesIL

MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 60K MILES, DON'T DRIVE A WHOLE BUNCH, BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN 2002. 2 TIMES I HAVE HAD THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL AND BREAKS CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO THE BRAKES/CALIPER LOCKING UP. ONE INCIDENT WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 25 MPH, THE OTHER INCIDENT ON HIGHWAY AROUND 55 MPH. BETWEEN TOWING AND REPLACING BRAKES, ROTORS, CALIPER, BRAKE LINES, AROUND $500-$750 EACH TIME. I AM ON HERE BECAUSE MY BRAKE LINE FROM FRONT TO BACK HAS ERODED AWAY NEAR GAS TANK, SAME AS EVERYONE'S I HAVE READ AND BECAUSE MY PASSENGER WHEEL HAS BEGAN TO GIVE SIGNS THAT IT WILL BE LOCKING UP AGAIN. HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LINE DUE TO THE LINE BEING CRACKED WHERE THE BANJO BOLT IS. THESE SEEM TO ALL BE HUGE ISSUES AND VERY DANGEROUS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. THANK YOU *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper
Filed Jul 30, 201444,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CALIPERS SEIZED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ROTORS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE CONTACT REPLACED THE CALIPERS HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. UPDATED 9/4/14*CN

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › CaliperFire
Filed Jul 23, 201450,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VEER TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE CALIPER FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CALIPER AND ROTOR AND REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 20, 2014153,000 milesCA

WHILE I WAS TRAVELING UPHILL THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AS I WAS GOING OVER THE FREEWAY OVERPASS TO ENTER THE SOUTH BOUND FREEWAY ENTRANCE. I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND HAD JUST ENOUGH POWER TO ROLL DOWNHILL PAST THE FREEWAY ENTRANCE TO TURN ON A STREET TO ROLL TO A STOP JUST AS I TURNED THE CORNER. THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED OR HAVE ANY CARS IN FRONT OF ME AS I WAS ROLLING DOWNHILL BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE BRAKES. I TRIED TO START THE ENGINE AND GOT NO POWER, BUT NOTICED THE MILEAGE READER SAID "NO BUS". I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED HOME. FOR THE NEXT 2-3 MONTHS THE TRUCK WOULD START SOMETIMES AND RUN FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND SHUT OFF AND OTHER TIMES IT WOULD JUST TURN OVER AS IF IT HAD A BAD ALTERNATOR.THE STRANGE THING IS WHEN IT WAS 70-74 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND BELOW THE TRUCK WOULD START AND RUN FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES BEFORE SHUTTING OFF AND WHEN YOU TRIED TO START THE ENGINE RIGHT AFTER IT WOULD JUST TURN OVER AND NOT START. IF IT WAS CLOSE TO 80 DEGREES OR HOTTER OUTSIDE, THE TRUCK WOULD NEVER START, IT WOULD JUST TURN OVER LIKE A BAD ALTERNATOR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE "NO BUS" CODE, I FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS AN INDICATION THAT THE POWER CONTROL MODULE (PCM/ECM COMPUTER) WAS BAD. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH I FOUND THAT HEAT AFFECTED THE PCM AND THAT'S WHY IT STARTED ON SOME DAYS AND NOT OTHERS. I BOUGHT A REBUILT PCM AND THE TRUCK DID THE SAME THING AFTER A MONTH AND A HALF. THIS PART SHOULD NOT BE SOLD BY AS A REBUILD BECAUSE THE COMPUTER BO

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 3, 201496,480 milesPA

I WAS PARKED IN A SPACE. I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT IF PARK. I FELT THE PEDAL GO TO THE FLOOR AND HEARD A NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. I PUT THE VEHICLE BACK IN PARK AN GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT THE NOISE WAS AND SAW FLUID DRIPPING FROM MY GAS TANK. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION I REALIZED THE BRAKE LINE NEXT TO THE FUEL TANK HAD BURST DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO THE REAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WORST DAMAGE WAS THE SECTION TUCKED BEHIND THE FUEL TANK WHERE IT WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO GET CLEANED DURING NORMAL WASHING. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 4, 2014202,400 milesIA

16 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK TO A SCHOOL FUNCTION, STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO MAKE THE TURN OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO THE SCHOOL AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WENT TO GET THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS ALONG THE FRAME RAIL TO THE REAR AXLE HAD CORRODED THROUGH IN SEVERAL PLACES CAUSING HIM TO LOSE BRAKE FLUID. I'VE HAD A LOT OF CARS MUCH OLDER THAN THIS TRUCK (MY FAMILY HAD A CAR DEALERSHIP) AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE EVER SEEN A HARD BRAKE LINE GO BAD. LOOKING ONLINE FOR A REPLACEMENT PART IT QUICKLY BECAME APPARENT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE DAKOTAS AND THEY ALL CORRODE IN THE SAME PLACE. BEHIND THE FUEL TANK. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD CORRECT. *TR

Complaints 1-50 of 678, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201144600Do not drive
201035700Do not drive
200918500Do not drive
200891210Do not drive
2007145420Do not drive
2006285671Do not drive
20054707270Do not drive
2004206561Fatalities reported
20032961150Above average
2002 — this page67812182Fatalities reported
200167814112Fatalities reported
200080612142Fatalities reported
19996411060Above average
19985451216Fatalities reported
19974461261Fatalities reported
1996189261Fatalities reported
1995208161Fatalities reported
1994166442Fatalities reported
1993134260Routine
1992216280Above average
1991128550Routine
199063300Routine

Compare every Dakota year →

2002 Dodge Dakota: questions buyers ask

Is the 2002 Dodge Dakota a good car?

Going by the federal record, it is one of the Dakota years to avoid: owners filed 678 complaints, 3.3 times as many as a typical Dakota year. The most common complaint is about the suspension (31%).

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Dodge Dakota?

The suspension: 209 of the 678 complaints (31%) are about it. Owners most often say it knocks, grinds or clunks (14%) and vibrates or shakes (6%). The typical report comes at 35,305 miles.

How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Dakota have?

12 safety recalls on file with NHTSA, the most recent filed May 11, 2009. The largest, 04V596000, covered 592,707 vehicles. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Dakota problems start?

Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 39,199 miles. For the suspension the midpoint is 35,305 miles.

Has NHTSA investigated the 2002 Dodge Dakota?

Yes, once. EA03023 ("UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION") was opened Nov 19, 2003 and closed Feb 11, 2005.

Are there service bulletins for the 2002 Dodge Dakota?

The manufacturer filed 55 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the transmission (11), the electrical system (7) and the body and frame (6). They include a warranty extension, 0201004, filed Dec 16, 2004. A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.

Reading this record

2 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.