Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →
BRAKE LINE TO THE LEFT REAR TIRE RUSTED OUT AND LEAKED. LOST ALL BRAKE FUNCTIONS. LOCATION OF THE LEAK WAS NEXT TO THE GAS TANK. REPETITIVE PROBLEM WITH OTHER DODGE TRUCKS. LUCKY I WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY OR NEEDED A SUDDEN STOP. *JS
I WAS TURNING LEFT ON TO WAX RD AT A RED LIGHT GOING UP HILL WHEN IT WAS RAINING THE TRUCK RIGHT REAR TIRE BROKE TRACTION PUT ME IN A FISHTAIL LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND FLIPPED THE TRUCK ON ITS TOP DAMAGED THE DRIVER SIDE BENT THE FRAME CAVED IN THE ROOF BUSTED MY WINDSHIELD I WAS PULLED OUT BY AN PEDESTRIAN BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY NONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES DID NOT WORK BUT THE SEAT BELT ONLY. WHERE THE THROTTLE WAS STICKING THAT GAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT I WAS PLAYING CARELESSLY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK AND CAUSED HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ROLL OVER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
BOTH CALIPER BOLTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SPIDLE OF MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA 2WD STRIPPED OUT CAUSING THE CALIPER TO MOVE OUT OF PLACE CAUSING STOPPING DIFFICULTY TO STOP AND DAMAGE TO THE CALIPER, RIM AND BRAKE PADS. *TR
NO HEADLIGHTS, PARKING LIGHTS, DASHBOARD/INSTRUMENT LIGHTS, FOB DOES NOT WORK AND SERVICE 4X4 LIGHT IS ON, RECALL ON CTM I WAS TOLD. *TR
THE LEFT REAR ORIGINAL GOODYEAR WRANGLER RT/S P265/70R16 TIRE ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA 4WD PICK-UP TRUCK HAS BELT SEPARATION. THE TRUCK HAS ONLY 17,685 MILES ON IT. THE TRUCK IS USED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR PRIMARILY AS A SPARE VEHICLE WHEN THE CAR IS BEING USED. I WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE DOT NUMBER. *TR
HAVE HAD STEERING KNUCKLES REPLACED TWICE ON MY TRUCK BECAUSE THE CALIPER BOLTS STRIP OUT AND CAUSE MY TRUCK DO DIVE LEFT OR RIGHT UPON BRAKING. ALSO CAUSED BY BRAKE PAD RAILS WEARING TOO MUCK AND NOT LETTING THE CALIPERS MOVE THE BRAKE PADS TO APPLY THE BRAKES. ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS MULTIPLE TIMES BUT DEALER SAYS ITS NOT AN ISSUE. *TR
THE "SECURITY LIGHT" ON DASH WAS FLASHING AND WHEN IT IS ON THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF AND DASH LIGHTS GOES DARK AND TURN SIGNALS/BRAKE LIGHTS COMES ON. WHEN SECURITY LIGHT IS OFF THE HEADLIGHTS GOES ON THE DASH LIGHTS ARE ON AND TURN/BRAKES LIGHTS GOES OFF. THIS SECURITY LIGHT ( ON DASH) WILL FLASH ON AND OFF EVERY SECOND OR WILL GO ON SOLID - IF ON SOLID HEADLIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS WILL BE OFF - DOME LIGHT ON AND TURN/BRAKE LIGHTS ON. THIS WILL HAPPEN UNTIL VEHICLE IS WARMED UP TO 20 DEGREES AMBIENT TEMP. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE "TCM MODULE" ON THIS VEHICLE. IT DOES NOT EFFECT THE ENGINE OR DRIVE TRAIN ONLY THE LIGHTS ! YOU CAN BE DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENS ! PEOPLE WILL THING YOU ARE AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE OR CRAZY ! THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A "CHIP" IN THE KEYS ONLY A REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY THAT IS SEPARATE FROM THE IGNITION KEY...UPDATED 02-28-14 *BF. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SECURITY CAME ON AND THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF. THE VEHICLE DID NOT DIE, OR MISFIRE. UPDATED 04/01/14
THIS VEHICLE, 2002 DODGE DAKOTA, WAS DRIVEN DURING THE DAY FOR SOME MONTHS. IN OCTOBER, 2013 I STAYED OUT LATE AND AS I TURN THE HEAD LIGHTS ON, A FEW SECONDS AFTER ALL THE LIGHTS STARTED TO BLINK NON STOP, EVEN ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT FAR FROM HOME, I HAD TO TURN ALL THE LIGHTS OFF TO GET HOME. AN ADDITIONAL ALARM SYSTEM, EVS 11 MOPAR ELECTRONIC VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEMS, WAS INSTALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS THE ALARM SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, I HAD THE ALARM SYSTEM REMOVED BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED. I EVENTUALLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DODGE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS DONE. TO REPLACE THIS PART IS VERY EXPENSIVE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE BUT THE BRAKES SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ROTORS, PADS, HOSES AND THE CALIPERS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE OVERHEATED AND SEIZED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS AND THE BRAKE PADS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000. UPDATED 10/17/13*LJ
TRAVELING THROUGH TOWN AT 20:30PM AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT THEN THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING FOR 1 TO 3 SECONDS BUT THEN WOULD SHUT OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS AND DO IT AGAIN. THEN THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT STARTS FLASHING AND FLICKERING. THE TURN SIGNALS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS WORK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH BOTH FRONT TIRES LOCKED UP AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BRAKES AND UPPER BALL JOINTS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRONT CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOUR TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. *TR
VEHICLE STARTS TO MISFIRE AT ANY RPM WILL NOT START,I AM A CERTIFIED TECH,COIL NEW,CRANK SENSOR NEW,VOLTAGE READING AT COIL 10.49V ON PCM SIDE GOOD BRIGHT PULSE AND CONSISTENT. IN 1977 DODGE WAS INFORMED NOT TO INSTALL ASD RELAY INSIDE COMPUTER HOUSING AND TO MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE TO REPLACEMENT. I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THEIR DEFIANCE TO DO SO. IT IS CAUSING A CONCERN ISSUE OF MULTIPLE NO START CONDITIONS WHERE OTHER TECHS WIND UP REPLACING THE COMPUTERS UNNECESSARILY,AND IN MOST CASES OVER HEAT ON HOT DAYS.AFTER REPLACING A VARIETY OF PARTS DUE TO LACK OF TESTING PROCEDURE INFORMATION AND ACCESS TO MALFUNCTIONING RELAY. THE COMPUTER IS ALL THAT IS LEFT. ALL OTHER EQUIPMENT IS IN NORMAL OPERATION.FUEL PRESSURE IS 45PSI AND GOOD FLOW.ALL GAUGES READ NORMAL AND NO COMPUTER CODES PRESENT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE FRONT BRAKES SEIZED AND SMOKE WAS SEEN FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 105,000. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 24, NEAR CLARKSVILLE, TN, AT 2015 HOURS, MY HEADLIGHTS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. AFTER A SPAN OF 15-20 SECONDS WITH NO LIGHTS, I HAD TO UNSAFELY PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AFTER WHICH MY HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER ON AND OFF, FOR SPANS OF 1-3 SECONDS. FROM THE TIME OF THE FIRST INCIDENT TO NOW, MY HEADLIGHTS, INTERNAL LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND TAIL LIGHTS ARE ALL INOPERABLE AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE DURING BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS, OR LIMITED VIABILITY DUE TO LIGHT. FROM MY RESEARCH THIS IS AN EXTREMELY FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH DODGE DAKOTA AND DODGE DURANGO OWNERS, WITH VEHICLES MADE BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 01' - 03'. I CONTACTED DODGE ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND REQUESTED ASSISTANCE, AND THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP OR FIX THE PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH I TOLD THEM IT WAS UNSAFE, AND THAT MY SITUATION WAS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. I HONESTLY BELIEVE, IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN TO A LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVER, OR TO A DRIVER IN A SITUATION OF BAD WEATHER OR LATE AT NIGHT. IT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURIES OR TRAGIC LOSS OF LIFE. *TR
IGNITION/PARK INTERLOCKSYSTEM. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SHIFTING LEVER STICKS IN PARK. CANNOT SHIFT GEAR OUT OF PARK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY INTO A BUSY STREET. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RECOVER THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR A DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,233. UPDATED 02/20/13*LJ UPDATED 02/20/2013*JS
WHILE STOPPED PARKING AND TAKING VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR, BRAKES FAILED AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS IS A SPECIAL ORDER VEHICLE THAT INCLUDED 4 WHEEL ABS. AFTER BRAKES FAILED AND FLUID LEAKED OUT OF REAR BRAKE LINES NEITHER THE ABS OR "BRAKE" WARNING LIGHTS WERE INDICATED ON THE DASH CONTROL PANEL. I AM CONCERNED THAT A BRAKE LINE FAILED AND NO INDICATION OF FAILURE SHOWED ON THE CONTROL PANEL. WITH THE FAILURE NOT UNDER ANY STOPPING FUNCTION (VEHICLE WAS ALREADY STOPPED) AND THERE WAS NO REPORT OF FAILURE WITH THE CONTROL PANEL THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE IF BRAKES FAIL WHILE DRIVING AND FIRST NOTICE IS COMPLETE LOSS OF PEDAL WILL CAUSE ACCIDENT OR AT LEAST LOSS OF CONFIDENCE AND OR CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE ALL RECORDS OF REPAIR OVER THE HISTORY OF THE TRUCK. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT A BRAKE LINE FAILURE TOOK PLACE AT ALL. I HAVE OWNED DOZENS OF VEHICLES OVER MY DRIVING LIFE AND HAVE HAD VEHICLES WITH WELL OVER 200,000 MILES WITH NO BRAKE LINE FAILURES. IF THIS IS NOT A DEFECT IN DESIGN OR WORKMANSHIP, THEN THE DEFECT HAS TO BE IN INFERIOR MATERIAL QUALITY THAT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED IN THIS IMPORTANT FUNCTION REQUIRED FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFTER OUT OF PARK WHILE THE IGNITION KEY WAS REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS ADVISE THE CONTACT THAT THE GEAR SHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
STEEL BRAKE LINE TO REAR WHEEL RUSTED AND LEAKED BRAKE FLUID OUT OF MASTER CYL. *TR
PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND THE BOTTOM OF THE CONTROL ARM BROKE FREE LETTING THE WHEEL COME FREE FROM THE VEHICLE..... *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE SEIZED UNINTENDEDLY AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TOWARD THE SAME DIRECTION. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY AFTER WAITING THIRTY MINUTES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FIVE THREE TIMES FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONSISTED OF REPLACING THE ENTIRE FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM, SUCH AS; BOTH ROTORS, CALIPERS, AND BRAKE LINES. ALSO INCLUDED IN THE REPAIR WAS THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH FRONT BRAKE PADS AND MASTER CYLINDER. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
ITS POOR QUALITY OF DODGE. THIS IS 1 OF COUNTLESS BRAKE PROBLEMS. IF I COULD AFFORD TO GET RID OF PICKUP I WOULD. APPLIED BRAKES AFTER COMING HOME FROM HOSPICE WHERE MY MOTHER IS WITH STAGE 3/4 BREAST CANCER. APPLIED BRAKES AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, LUCKY NO CARS INFRONT OF ME,ROLLED THOUGH LIGHT, PULLED INTO SHOPPING CENTER TO STOP. AT 60000 FRONT RIGHT CALIPER BURST REPLACED BOTH FRONT. HAVE REPLACED RANGER THAT HAD 105000 MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS, REPLACED BRAKE SHOES ONCE, TURNED ROTORS AT 92,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND INTO DRIVE UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SHIFT INTERLOCK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V555000 9POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: LEVER AND LINKAGE: COLUMN SHIFT); HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. THE BRAKES SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND SWERVED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AS THE BRAKES RETURNED TO NORMAL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKES OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. WHERE THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, HOSES AND THE BRAKE LINES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 11/16/11 *BF UPDATED 03/08/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HE HEARD A CLICKING SOUND NEAR THE FRONT SUSPENSION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT NOTICED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V596000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED DUE TO THE VIN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
TRAVELING SB ON US 13, I FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. STRUCK 2 VEHICLES AT APPROX. 50 MPH, POINT OF IMPACT DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT OF TRUCK. INSURANCE ADJUSTER TOTALED THE TRUCK, SO THE IMPACT WAS SURELY ENOUGH TO WARRANT DEPLOYMENT OF BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS. THEY FAILED TO DEPLOY, RESULTING IN A HEAD INJURY TO MY COMPANION. SHE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE, SO HER INJURIES WERE DOCUMENTED. I HAD A LARGE ABDOMINAL BRUISE, BUT REFUSED TREATMENT SO I HAVE NO DOCUMENTATION OF MY INJURY. SHE HAS A PERMANENT SCAR ABOVE HER EYEBROW AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT, WHICH I BELIEVE WOULD'VE BEEN PREVENTED HAD AIRBAG PROPERLY DEPLOYED. *TR
TRUCK HAS BEEN DRIVING LIKE SOMETHING WAS GRINDING AGAINST MY FRONT RIGHT WHEEL FOR A WEEK OR SO, I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT, IT HAD JUST BECOME AN ANNOYANCE. ID LOOK UNDER THE WHEEL AND EVERYTHING LOOKED OKAY AND IN SHAPE, NO DAMAGE WAS BEING DONE. THE OTHER DAY I DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE AND HEARD A POP, LIKE SOMETHING HAD POPPED NEAR THE WHEEL, I PULLED OVER AND COULD SEE NO DAMAGE. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND NOTICED THAT THE GRINDING HAD STOPPED AND MY WHEEL SEEMED TO BE FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. I ARRIVED TO MY DESTINATION WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I LEFT THE DESTINATION TO RETURN HOME, I STARTED FEELING HEAVY PULL TO THE RIGHT ON MY STEERING WHEEL, IF I LET GO OF THE STEERING WHEEL I WOULD HAVE GONE INTO A DITCH OR THE WOODS OR ANOTHER CAR. I THEN STARTED NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM MY RIGHT WHEEL, I WAS A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM HOME AND FIGURED I COULD MAKE IT, I STARTED NOTICING MY BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING TOO WELL, AND ANYTIME ID PUSH ON THE BRAKES MORE SMOKE WOULD ARISE, I WENT THE 3 STOP SIGNS TO MY HOUSE AND PULLED IN, RAN AROUND AND SAW THAT BEHIND MY WHEEL HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE, TOOK ABOUT 5 MINUTES TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH WATER AND SOME CAT LITTER WE HAD LYING AROUND. IT WAS SO HOT THAT IT WOULDN'T COOL DOWN FOR ABOUT 45 MINS TO AN HOUR. WE WOULD THROW WATER ON IT AND IT WOULD SIZZLE. I QUICKLY REMOVED THE TIRE TO PREVENT ANY DAMAGE TO IT. I NOTICED IT HAD STARTED TO MELT THE PLASTIC BOOT COVER ON THE SUSPENSION. WHEN YOU LOOKED AT THE WHEEL YOU COULD SEE IT HAD SNAPPED OFF O
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE BRAKES SEIZED. LATER, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE HUB OF THE BRAKE HAD BURNED AND WAS AN ABNORMAL COLOR. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 09/21/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE REPLACED THE CALIPER, BRAKES, HOSES, BRAKE PADS AND TURNED THE ROTORS. UPDATED 10/05/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE GETTING HOT AND SEIZING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE BRAKE PADS, SHOES, AND CALIPERS WERE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A KNOCKING SOUND COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE BRAKES WHENEVER THEY WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO JERK DURING THE FAILURES AND SMOKE WOULD BE SEEN COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF THE CALIPER GUIDE WAS RUBBING CAUSING THE BRAKES TO SOUND LIKE METAL ON METAL. THE BRAKES SMOKED AND BECAME HOT THREE TO FOUR TIMES IN A PERIOD OF A YEAR. UPDATED 09/01/11
BROUGHT 2002 DODGE DAKOTA INTO DEALERSHIP A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES SINCE MAY 2010 BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT BRAKES. THE FIRST TIME THE BRAKES WERE SHUDDERING SO BAD WHEN BRAKING ON A HILL, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE ROTORS AND PADS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT THEY SUPPOSEDLY VISUALLY PASSED INSPECTION, AND HAD PLENTY OF PAD SURFACE REMAINING. THE DAY FOLLOWING REPLACEMENT, I TOOK THE VEHICLE OUT AND NOTICED A DISTINCT CLICKING BELOW THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN BRAKING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY KEPT IT FOR A DAY, TOLD ME THEY THOUGHT THEY FIXED IT, AND RETURNED IT TO ME. AS SOON AS I DROVE INTO MY DRIVEWAY, THE PASSENGER FRONT WAS SEIZING AND SMOKING. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CAME TO PICK IT UP. IT REMAINED AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR A FEW DAYS UNTIL THEY DISASSEMBLED THE SLIDE ON THE CALIPER, CLEANED AND REGREASED IT, AND RESURFACED THE NEW ROTOR. THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED AGAIN WITHIN TWO WEEKS, WHEN I HAD TO RETURN IT AGAIN. THIS TIME I BROUGHT IT IN WHILE THE BRAKE WAS POURING OUT SMOKE. THEY KEPT IT FOR A WEEK, AND THEN DECIDED THE BRAKE LINE REQUIRED A REPLACEMENT. LESS THAN 3500 MILES LATER, I WAS OUT OF STATE VISITING FAMILY. AS SOON AS I ARRIVED IN THAT TOWN, I COULD SMELL THE BRAKE BURNING AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP THERE WHERE THEY SAID IT WAS APPARENT THAT BOTH FRONT CALIPERS HAD BEEN STICKING FOR SOME TIME AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AND WELL AS THE R
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE CALIPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CALIPER WAS REPLACED ONCE IN THE PAST BECAUSE IT WOULD FAIL TO RELEASE COMPLETELY AFTER THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED, ALLOWING THE BRAKES TO OVERHEAT. THE CALIPER WOULD NOT RELEASE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS ALLOWED TO COOL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AFTER THE SECOND OCCURENCE WHERE IT WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY LOCKED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UNEXPECTEDLY, UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND REMAINED OFF FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME. OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE BRAKES WOULD SMOKE DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000. UPDATED 07/28/11*LJ UPDATED 08/01/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD DRAGGING NOISE. HE THEN DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE STRAPS THAT HELD THE FUEL TANK WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE ONE FUEL STRAP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. UPDATED 06/07/11*LJ
FRONT BRAKES SEIZED UP CAUSING THE PADS TO SMOLDER AND SMOKE. THIS IS THE LATEST INSTANCE. THE FIRST TIME, THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. *TR
REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED (LEAKED) DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE RUSTED PART OF LINE RUNS BETWEEN FUEL TANK AND INSIDE FRAME. LUCKILY THE LINE FAILED IN MY DRIVEWAY. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE IN THE VEHICLE EARLIER AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS! I HAVE BEEN READING ONLINE OF CASE AFTER CASE OF SIMILAR EXPERIENCES BY OTHER DODGE OWNERS. THE LINE SHOULD BE STAINLESS STEEL OR CHANGE THE ROUTING SO THAT IT CAN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO CORRODE AS QUICKLY. THERE SHOULD ALSO BE SWITCH/STOP VALVE IN-LINE TO AVOID TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING (CONTROL). SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL ITEM.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 40-50 MPH, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO LOCK WITHOUT WARNING WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE FOR A FEW MINUTES AND WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING IN SPITE OF THE BRAKE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TWICE. THE FRONT BRAKES, BRAKE PADS AND BRAKE HOSE WERE REPLACED AT DIFFERENT TIMES. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE RECENT VEHICLE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,200.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS IN HOT WEATHER, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD SMOKE WHEN THEY WERE NOT APPLIED. THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAIT FOR THE BRAKES TO COOL DOWN IN ORDER FOR THE SMOKE TO GO DISAPPEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THEM THAT THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000. UPDATED 07/21/11 *BF UPDATED 08/05/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE ABNORMALLY LOCKED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND WAS LEFT PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT BRAKE LOCKED UP AND BEGAN SMOKING. THE VEHICLE PULLED OVER UNTIL IT COOLED OFF AND THEN IT RELEASED ITSELF. HE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. HE CHANGED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HIMSELF. THE FAILURE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY. AT 50,000 MILES, HE CHANGED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN SO HE CHANGED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS AGAIN. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT ON THE ENTIRE VEHICLE HAD BEGUN TO PEEL ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH CLEAR COAT ON THE PAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
FRONT BRAKES LOCK UP. TRUCK CURRENTLY HAS 23000 MILES BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE A TRUCK THAT THE BRAKES LOCK UP TO THE POINT THAT I AM PULLED INTO THE OPPOSING LANES OR ONTO THE MEDIAN. HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 2002 AND HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE EVERY 5 OR 6 TIMES I USE THE TRUCK. THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY TIME OR REASON FOR THIS AND IT IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES CONTINUED TO LOCK, GRAB WHEN TRYING TO STOP AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO A MIDAS MECHANIC CENTER WHERE THE BRAKE ROTORS, CALIPERS, AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED A COUPLE OF TIMES AND STILL THE PROBLEMS EXIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE REACHED THE FREEZING MARK, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT HAD TO START LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL BECAUSE IT ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO BE DRIVEN WHEN IT WAS COLD OVERNIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE CONTAMINATED. THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REFERENCED RECALL 07V5550000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: LEVER AND LINKAGE: COLUMN SHIFT). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,700.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD AREA. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE BLOWER FROM THE RESISTER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD REIMBURSE HIM FOR THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE BUT NOT FOR THE LABOR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 141,000.
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. THIS COULD CAUSE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HEARD BY THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHOLE FRONT END IS MESSED UP. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA V6 3.9L TRUCK. I JUST REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND WITH THAT, WATER HAS BEEN COMING DOWN INTO MY FLOOR OF PASSENGER SIDE OF TRUCK FROM HEATER CORE. THIS CAUSE MY MAIN WINDSHIELD WINDOW TO CLOG UP CAUSING MY INABILITY TO SEE OUT OF WINDSHIELD. I'VE NOW LEARNED THAT MANY DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK OWNERS HAVE BEEN REPLACING THEIR HEATER CORE AND DODGE HAS NOT MADE RECALL TO THIS EPIDEMIC. THE DESIGN OF THIS DEVICE IS TROUBLING. PLASTIC WILL NEVER SUFFICE REAL COMMON SENSE TO MAKE AND INPUT PARTS ON A VEHICLE THAT WILL RENDER APPROPRIATE ACTIVITY. CAN SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS. CONSUMERS ARE LOSING BIG MONEY BECAUSE OF ONE'S STUPID DESIGN WITH DODGE VERY MUCH WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
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