2002 Dodge Dakota complaints

HEADLIGHTS WERE FLICKERING ON AND OFF RAPIDLY, ALONG WITH INTERIOR LIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS. TODAY THEY DO NOT WORK. IF LIGHTS WERE TO HAVE GONE OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INCIDENT. NO SOLUTION TO PROBLEM YET. *TR

FRONT WHEELS (BRAKES) LOCKED UP ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR

2002 DODGE DAKOTA WITH A RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND DOOR LOCKS WORKED FINE BEFORE IT WAS PUT INTO THE SHOP TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED. SHE STATES THAT NOW THEY ONLY WORK SPORADICALLY. *KB RECALL # 07V555000. *JB

IT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. I WOULD HIT MY BRAKES, AND THEY WOULD BE SOLID, I WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN,IF I RELEASE THEM AND HIT THEM AGAIN,THEN THY WOULD STOP. BY THAT TIME I WOULD BE HALF THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I CALLED CHRYSLER, BUT THEY SEEM TO CARE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH, THE CONTACT BLACKED OUT. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT, CLIPPED A TELEPHONE POLE, AND DROPPED DOWN 15 FEET INTO A CREEK. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT CLIMBED OUT OF THE WINDOW AND COLLAPSED. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED SEVERE WHIPLASH, AND HERNIATED AND RUPTURED ONE DISC IN HIS NECK. HE NOW HAS A TITANIUM PLATE IN HIS NECK AND IS EXPERIENCING BACK PAIN, ALONG WITH DIFFICULTY KEEPING HIS BALANCE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AVAILABLE. POLICE REPORT NUMBER 79061-08 WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,600.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. MOMENTS LATER, THE CONTACT FOUND THE VEHICLE PARKED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE REAR BUMPER WAS DAMAGED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS INVESTIGATING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V555000 (G28) (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT) IN MARCH OF 2008. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WILL ONLY REPAIR THE RECALLED COMPONENT. THEY WILL NEED DATES AND INSURANCE INFORMATION FROM THE CONTACT TO CONSIDER REPAIRING THE REAR BUMPER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,094.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NON-SLIP PAD FOR THE CLUTCH PEDAL HAS WORN DOWN TO THE METAL CLUTCH. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH PAD, BUT THE DEALER IS HAVING DIFFICULTY FINDING THE CORRECT PAD TO FIT HIS CLUTCH PEDAL. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,880.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND CRASHED WHILE PARKED. THE CRASH DAMAGED THE REAR BUMPER AND TAILGATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNTIL SHE NOTIFIED HER INSURANCE COMPANY. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V555000 (POWERTRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: LEVER AND LINKAGE: COLUMN SHIFT) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,924.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE, BUT REMAINED STUCK WHEN IN LOW GEAR. HE PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIVE IN REVERSE AND THE CONTACT WAS STRUCK BY THE DOOR AND KNOCKED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRAG THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE'S OWNER WAS ABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AND SHUT IT OFF. THE VEHICLE SLIPPED INTO REVERSE. THE SAME DAY A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT). THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES ON HER RIGHT LEG. THE MILEAGE INFORMATION, PURCHASE DATE, POWERTRAIN, AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNAVAILABLE.

IN THE SPRING 2006 MY DODGE DAKOTA POPPED OUT OF GEAR AND ROLLED BACKWARDS TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND FUEL PUMPS. I TRIED TO STOP THE TRUCK BUT ENDED UP GETTING KNOCKED OFF MY FEET AND IN DOING SO I GRABBED THE STEERING WHEEL AND FELL CAUSING THE TRUCK TO RUN OVER BOTH OF MY LEGS. I WAS TREATED AT THE HOSPITAL AND RELEASED AND MY TRUCK SUFFERED REAR END DAMAGE TO THIS DAY STILL NOT REPAIRED. *TR

CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT TO REPAIR A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAD THIS REPAIR DONE IN 2004 AND WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED BACK IN 2004 HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. HE PARKED THE VEHICLE, REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN ROLLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY HITTING A TREE. THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT, BECAUSE ACCORDING TO DODGE, HE DIDN'T NOTIFY THEM WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JUMP OUT OF PARK AND ROLL BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAITED FOR A RECALL NOTICE; HOWEVER, THEY STATED THAT NO RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN THE NUMBER TO THE MANUFACTURER TO VERIFY IF A RECALL WAS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,474. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK AT TIMES. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A RECALL, HOWEVER HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE OR AFTER THE VEHICLE BECOMES COLD, THE GEAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK FOR 30-40 MINUTES. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY, THE GAS EMISSION CANISTER, AND THE HOSE PACKAGE FOR EMISSIONS, THE TIMING CHAIN, THE MANIFOLD EXHAUST ON THE LEFT SIDE, AND THE INSULATOR STEERING GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. WHEN THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, IT WAS RATTLING AND REVVING UP TO 2,500 RPM'S. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER AND REMAINED THERE FOR OVER A MONTH. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETRIEVED THE SECOND TIME, THE ALARM SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONTACT DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE EVERYTIME HE GETS THE VEHICLE BACK SOMETHING ELSE FAILS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,552 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,700.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDS TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT IS DEPRESSED, BUT DOES NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO STOP AND THEN DRASTICALLY JERKED FORWARD. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. IN ADDITION, WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC SIGN, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE MUST BE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER FOR IT TO COMPLETELY STOP. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE NEEDED TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION, EVEN THOUGH THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT). HOWEVER, REPAIRING THAT COMPONENT ALONE WOULD NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEATER FAN RESISTORS MELTED AND THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTED TO THE HEATER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER FURTHER STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. A YEAR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE HEAT RESISTORS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE CLEANING OUT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE DRIVE GEAR SHIFT WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT OWNS THREE OTHER DODGE DAKOTA'S AND NONE OF THEM HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE PARTS BROKEN IN THE STEERING COLUMN. UPDATED 12//12/07

BRAKE PROBLEMS WHICH I BELIEVE ARE RELATED TO ABS SYSTEM ON 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB WITH FACTORY INSTALLED TOWING PACKAGE. I AM RUNNING THE THIRD SET OF DISC BRAKE ROTORS ON THE FRONT AND SECOND SET OF DRUMS ON THE REAR WITH JUST OVER 97,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON THIS TRUCK. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS OR DAMAGE TO THIS VEHICLE. *TR

FUEL MILEAGE 02 DAKOTA 4X4 3.9 LV-6 GETS 15 MPG. I HAD A 96 AND 99 DAKOTA 4X4'S ORDERED NEW AS WELL WITH SAME ENGINE, TIRES, AND DRIVE TRAIN RATIO AS THE 02 THAT GOT 21 MPG. I KNOW OF A 99 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE WITH 4.0 L WITH SAME TIRES AND DRIVE TRAIN RATIO GETS 21 MPG. WHY DOESN'T THE 02 GET BETTER? *JB

2002 DODGE DAKOTA UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE. IT SEEMS THAT THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #04V596000 ONLY COVERED FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4) VEHICLES BUT THE SAME PROBLEM EXIST ON TWO-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES ALSO. MY VEHICLE HAS 84,000 MILES AND BOTH BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACING. THE REPLACEMENT PART IS THE SAME ON BOTH TWO OR FOUR WHEEL DRIVES. *TR

REAR DIFF IN MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA FAILED AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. *JB

AFTER ONLY 5 YEARS AND LESS THAN 22,000 MILES, THE FRONT HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES FROM THE FRAME TO THE CALIPER FAILED FROM INTENSE RUSTING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE ROAD. AVOIDANCE OF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF LUCK. THE INTENSE RUST RATE IN THE FORWARD WHEEL WELL ALSO CAUSED BRAKE PAD RELEASE FAILURES WHICH CAUSED INCREASING CONTINUOUS DRAG AND OVERHEATING OF THE BRAKE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY. NO OBSERVATION OF THE PROBLEM BY DEALER DURING BALL JOINT RECALL WORK JUST 9 MONTHS PRIOR TO FAILURE. OWNER REPLACED HYDRAULIC LINES ON BOTH SIDES. OWNER IS NOW CONCERNED WITH POSSIBLE FAILURE OF FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS DUE TO UNUSUAL RUST RATES. *TR

DRIVER SIDE BRAKES FROZE WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A VEHICLE THAT ONLY HAS 24,460 MILES ON IT

FRONT ROTORS REPLACED AT 35K (SEE ODI #10200119). ONLY 8 MONTHS LATER, AT 46,295 MILES BRAKES STARTED PULSING AGAIN. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER. THEY INDICATED THE ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED. TECHNICIAN ALSO SUGGESTED CLEAN AND ADJUST THE REAR BRAKES. TOTAL COST WAS $137. *TR

"PULSING" VIBRATION IN FRONT END WHILE BRAKING. DEALER INDICATED THE FRONT ROTORS WERE "WARPED AND PITTED" AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 35,552 MILES ON IT, BUT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE OF TIME LIMIT. DEALER DID NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. COST OF REPLACEMENT $165.00. *TR

RATTLING NOISE HEARD IN THE FRONT END AND PULSING BRAKES WHEN STOPPING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. TECHNICIAN INDICATED THE FRONT BRAKES WERE MAKING THE NOISE. REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES. I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE OVER AND OVER AGAIN. IN JULY 06, THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED (SEE ODI #10200119) WITH ONLY 35,552 K ON THE TRUCK. THE NEW ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED IN MARCH 07 (SEE ODI #10200122) WIITH ONY 46,295 ON THE TRUCK. AT THAT TIME THE PERSON WRITING UP THE TICKET ASKED ME WHEN I HAD THE FRONT BRAKES REPLACED BECAUSE, IN HER WORDS "THEY LOOK BRAND NEW". STRANGELY, ONLY 2 MONTHS LATER AT 50,230 MILES, THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THESE WERE THE ORIGINAL BRAKES. TOTAL COST WAS $146. *TR

CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH FRONT BRAKES. IN JULY 06, ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 35,552 MILES ON THE TRUCK (SEE ODI #10200119). IN MARCH 07, THE NEW ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED AT 44,6295 MILES (SEE OD #10200122). IN MAY 07, VIBRATIONS IN THE FRONT END RETURNED AND THERE WAS A STRANGE RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKES AT 50,230 MILES (SEE ODI #10200127). I DROVE THE VEHICLE ABOUT 17 MILES (ALL HIGHWAY MILES). WHEN I STOPPED, SMOKE WAS ROLLING OUT OF THE FRONT LEFT SIDE AND THERE WAS A STRONG BRAKE ODOR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. TECHNICIAN INDICATED IT WAS STICKING CALIPERS. TECHNICIAN REPLACED FRONT LEFT CALIPER. TOTAL COST $121. (NOTE - DEALER DID NOT CHARGE ME FOR LABOR ON CALIPER REPLACEMENT.) *TR

CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH FRONT BRAKES. HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS AT 35,552 MILES (SEE ODI #10200119), HAD TO TURN THOSE ROTORS AT 46,295 MILES (SEE ODI #10200122), HAD TO REPLACE FRONT BRAKES AT 50, 230 MILES (SEE ODI #10200127), HAD TO REPLACE FRONT LEFT CALIPERS AT 51,116 MILES (SEE ODI #10200129). TWO WEEKS AFTER REPLACING THE CALIPERS, DROVE SHORT DISTANCE (ALL HIGHWAY MILES). WHEN I STOPPED THE TRUCK, STRONG BRAKE SMELL COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END. I LET THE CAR SIT FOR A WHILE AND CONTINUED ON. NOW IT'S INTERMITTENT. CALIPERS APPEAR TO BE STICKING AGAIN - INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE PULLS AND BRAKES FEEL INCONSISTENT LIKE THEY ARE COMING ON WAY TOO HARD BUT THEN PULSING. *TR

PURCHASE 02 DODGE DAKOTA REPORT BRAKES 3 TIME DODGE FOUND NOW PROBLEMS . BRAKES,CRASH NO INJURIES,ALSO @40K MILES INTAKE LEAK,WATER PUMP @36 DODGE WILL NOT HELP WITH ANY REPAIR COST THEY SAY ITS OUT SIDE OF WARRANTY. *JB

THE 9.25? LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL IN OUR 2002 DODGE DAKOTA CREW CAB FAILED AFTER COMPONENTS OF THE DIFFERENTIAL DISINTEGRATED AT 75,000 MILES. PICTURES AVAILABLE. THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IF A VERY SLIGHT NOISE HAD NOT DEVELOPED DURING PARKING LOT TURNS. A QUICK GOOGLE OF THIS PROBLEM RESULTED IN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM INCLUDING CATASTROPHIC FAILURES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *JB

EARLIER IN THE WEEK THE POWER DOOR LOCKS WERE WORKING ON AND OFF. TWO DAYS LATER HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF AND MAKING A CLICKING SOUND BEFORE THEY WENT OUT COMPLETELY. INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE ALSO NOT WORKING. LUCKILY, I WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO HOME AND THERE WAS STILL ENOUGH TWILIGHT TO MAKE IT HOME SAFELY. I AM GOING TO BRING THE TRUCK TO DEALER THIS WEEK, BUT I READ ABOUT A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN THE 2003 DODGE DAKOTAS. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER ON THE FLOORBOARD OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE AIR CONDITION WAS ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONDENSATION LINE WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS OF AUGUST 9, 2007, THE DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,160 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,963.

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT RESTART, LEAVING ME STRANDED IN 50 MPH TRAFFIC. UPON RESEARCHING VARIOUS DODGE DAKOTA SITES ON THE INTERNET, THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT IS EXPENSIVE AND TIME CONSUMING TO FIX. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND VALVES FAILED AND THAT THE CLUTCH AND VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 36,561. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR

BOUGHT 2002 SLT QUAD CAB DAKOTA NEW FROM DEALERSHIP. FIRST EXPERIENCED TRUCK STALLING WHILE DRIVING ON ROADWAYS (VERY DANGEROUS!), WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. SOMETIMES, IT WOULD ALSO STALL IF PUT INTO DRIVE/REVERSE FROM A PARKED POSITION. HAD TRUCK TOWED AT LEAST TWICE, BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT HOME BECAUSE IT WAS STALLING TOO MANY TIMES. TOOK IN TO DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES. SINCE ENGINE LIGHT WASN'T ON, DIAGNOSTIC TEST COULDN'T DETERMINE PROBLEM READILY; PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. OVER THE COURSE OF THE FIRST TWO VISITS TO DEALERSHIP, I HAD TUNE-UP, THROTTLE BODY CLEANED, NEW DISTRIBUTOR PLATE, NEW OIL PAN GASKET. BY THE THIRD TIME, I HAD THE ENTIRE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE REPLACED: THE "BRAIN" OF THE TRUCK, AS THE MECHANIC PUT IT TO ME. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN WHEN A BRAND-NEW TRUCK IS ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD; THE "BRAIN" SHOULD NOT DIE THAT SOON. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE, ESPECIALLY IF THE PCM/STALLING PROBLEM IS CONSIDERED "CHARACTERISTIC." ALL OF THIS COST ME ABOUT $2,500. THE QUALITY OF THIS TRUCK HAS NOT, AND STILL DOES NOT, MEET MY EXPECTATIONS. THE TRUCK IS TOO YOUNG TO BE HAVING THESE SORTS OF PROBLEMS. I EXPECT TO PUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO A 10 YEAR-OLD TRUCK, NOT A FOUR YEAR-OLD TRUCK. I AM ALSO EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH THE TRUCK NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. I WILL OUTLINE THAT IN SEPARATE COMPLAINT. *JB

UPON THE RETURN OF MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB FROM DEALER SERVICE, I NOTICED WHAT LOOKED LIKE A SPOT OF GRAY SPRAY PAINT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER FENDER. THINKING THAT SOMEONE HAD ACCIDENTALLY OVERSPRAYED SOMETHING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NEARBY, I 'LET IT GO'. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER, I NOTICED THAT THE SPOT HAD GROWN FROM THE ORIGINAL SIZE (ABOUT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER) TO ABOUT THREE INCHES ACROSS. THINKING THAT PERHAPS I WAS 'SEEING THINGS', AGAIN, I LET IT GO. HOWEVER, TWO MORE WEEKS PASSED WHEN I STARTED NOTICING THE SAME GRAY COLOR APPEARING THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FENDER AND BEGINNING TO SHOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT FENDER AS WELL. I TELEPHONED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT PAINT / FINISHES WERE NOT WARRANTY ITEMS, AND EVEN IF IT HAD BEEN A WARRANTY ITEM, MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED (NOTE: MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000 MILES AT THE TIME). I CONTACTED DAIMLER-CHRYSLER ONLINE CUSTOMER SUPPORT REGARDING THE ISSUE, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T PHYSICALLY INSPECT THE VEHICLE. SOME TIME LATER, I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIFFERENT REPAIR, BUT DID MENTION THE FADING PAINT. I WAS TOLD THEN THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP THAT HAD BODY/PAINT FACILITIES AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. (NOTE: I WAS NOT TOLD THAT WHEN I CALLED ABOUT THE PAINT THE FIRST TIME.) I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP WITH A BODY/PAINT FACILITY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE 'BRUTAL TEXAS SUN' WAS THE CULPRIT - CAUSING MY PAINT TO

BRAKE FAILURE. BRAKES WOULD NOT APPLY AND CONSEQUENTLY RAN THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION AT 50 MPH BARELY AVOIDING CROSSING TRAFFIC AND STOPPED TRAFFIC. FOUND MISSING CALIPER PAD. REPLACED ALL PADS ON FRONT AND TURNED THE ROTORS. ALSO REPLACED THE REAR CYLINDER SEALS. 1 WEEK LATER RIGHT FRONT BRAKE SEVERELY OVERHEATED AND WAS RED HOT AFTER A SEVEN MILE COMMUTE HOME WITH ONLY SEVEN STOPS AT LOW SPEED (NORMAL BRAKING). MECHANIC FOUND EVIDENCE OF BURNED OUTER EDGE OF ROTOR. PADS ACTUATED NORMALLY. RE-TURNED RIGHT ROTOR TO VERIFY NO WARPING HAD OCCURRED. NO PARTS REQUIRED. BRAKES HAVE LOST SOME STOPPING POWER SINCE BEFORE THE FIRST INCIDENT AND MY CONFIDENCE HAS BEEN EFFECTED. COST OF REPAIRS $400+. *JB

FRONT BRAKE CALIBER LOCKED UP. STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. *JB

THE FRONT RIGHT BRAKE CALIPERS LOCKED UP ON THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE BRAKES TO BE APPLIED WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE BRAKES. AFTER REPLACING THE RIGHT CALIPERS, ROTOR (WARPED FROM HEAT), AND BRAKE HOSE, 12 MILES AWAY, THE LEFT CALIPER LOCKED UP. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUES BECAUSE THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WITHOUT THE INTENTION OF THE DRIVER.*JB

I EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AS MANY OTHER 2002 DODGE DAKOTA OWNERS IN WHICH THE LIGHTS STOP WORKING OR BEGIN TO FLASH WITHOUT WARNING. IN THIS INSTANCE, THE PARKING LAMPS, INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND COURTESY LAMPS FLICKER ON AND OFF. THE HEADLIGHTS ONLY SEEM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FLASHING PART OF THE TIME. IT APPEARS LIKELY THE PROBLEM WILL BE THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE, HOWEVER DUE TO COST I HAVE NOT YET REPLACED IT. I HAVE DETERMINED THE PROBLEM IS NEITHER THE SWITCH, RELAY, OR LIGHTS. THE SYMPTOMS ARE IDENTICAL TO THOSE POSTING THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE DEFECT. *NM

A PART INSIDE THE HEATING SYSTEM FAILED; THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN THREE YEARS THAT THIS PART HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE HEATING SYSTEM TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD WILL NOT WORK. PART WAS REPLACED AGAIN; SERVICE COMPANY SAYS THAT THIS PART FAILS OFTEN. THE PART NUMBER IS 5174618-AA DESCRIBED AS A RESISTOR.*JB

THE BALL JOINTS ON THE DAKOTA SERIES P/U ARE A CHRONIC PROBLEM. I BOUGHT AN '02 DAKOTA 4X4 WITH 70K AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED NOISE AND A LOOSE FEELING FROM THE FRONT END. I VERIFIED THE BALL JOINT RECALL HAD BEEN COMPLETED. WHEN I WENT TO HAVE IT ALIGNED, I LEARNED THAT ALL FOUR OF MY BALL JOINTS ARE BAD, INCLUDING THE TOP TWO THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED ALREADY. WHILE RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I CAME ACROSS THIS SITE, HTTP://WWW.DODGEDAKOTAS.COM/BOARDS/DEA/140-1.HTML, WHICH IS A DAKOTA FORUM, WITH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS EXACTLY THE SAME AS MINE. DODGE NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ITS FAILURE TO USE QUALITY COMPONENTS. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT BE SPENDING $600 EVERY YEAR TO KEEP THEIR VEHICLES ALIGNED ON THE ROAD. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DURANGO. WHEN THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND THE ABS TOOK OVER. THE BRAKES SQUEAKED AND DID NOT IMMEDIATELY STOP THE VEHICLE UNLESS THE CONTACT TOOK FOOT OFF THE PEDAL AND APPLIED THE BRAKE AGAIN. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE ABS FUSE AND THE BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY. HOWEVER, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS ALSO CONNECTED TO THAT FUSE SO THE SPEED WAS NOT REGISTERING CORRECTLY WITHOUT THE FUSE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45MP AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. *AK

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HIS 2002 DODGE DAKOTA ON APPROXIMATELY DECEMBER 15, 2006; WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE HE STRUCK A CURB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS DOES NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES DO NOT STOP THE VEHICLE DURING SUDDEN STOPS. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND STATED IT IS OPERATING AS EXPECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE HAVE BEEN NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000 MILES. *NM

WHEN I DROVE OFF WITH MY PARKING BREAK SET IT SHEARED OFF THE GRADE 8 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE BRAKES TO THE AXLE. RESULTING IN THE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY SPINNING AND TEARING OFF THE BRAKE LINES AND BREAKING THE BRAKE CABLE. I HAD NO REAR BRAKES OR EMERGENCY BRAKE. COST $1200.00 TO REPAIR. *NM

I SET MY PARKING BRAKE. FORGOT IT WAS SET AND MOVED MY TRUCK THE BRAKE HELD TO THE POINT IT BROKE ALL 8 BOLTS HOLDING THE BACKING PLATES CAUSING THE ENTIRE BRAKE BACKING PLATE WHEEL CYLINDER, SHOES AND DRUM TO SPIN BREAKING THE BRAKE LINES AND BRAKE CABLE. RESULTING IN ON REAR BRAKES. THE COST TO REPAIR $1219.83. THANK GOD IT DID NOT BRAKE WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *NM

UPPER BALL JOINTS WORN OUT AT 52,00 MILES. WENT FOR TIRE CHANGE AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND FOUND PROBLEM. HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT DID NOT COVER. AM WAITING FOR PART AT THE COST OF ABOUT $600.00 TO REPLACE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY IN RAINY WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHERS FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V216000, REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM WHEN I WOULD FORGET TO TURN OFF MY HEADLIGHTS AFTER TAKING KEYS OUT. MY INSIDE LIGHT WOULD START TO BLINK ALSO MY WARNING FOR SEAT BELTS WASN'T WORKING. THE LAST THING THAT HAPPENED WAS WHAT ALARMED ME. I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK IN THE EARLY MORNING WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON. WHEN I HEARD MY LOW GAS WARNING GO OFF . ALL OF A SUDDEN MY HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO BLINK ON AND OFF IN SEQUENCE WITH THE LOW GAS WARNING. AFTER WORK I CHECK AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED THEN I FILLED UP WITH GAS AND THE LIGHTS WORKED FINE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND THAT THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE WAS BAD. OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE IT WAS JUST ALARMING FOR ME AND THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME WHEN MY LIGHTS STARTED TO BLINK I PULLED AND HAD TO WAIT ABOUT 15 MINUTES FOR IT TO BE LIGHT ENOUGH TO GET MOVING AGAIN. *JB

UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS IN THE NORTHEAST I HAVE EXPERIENCED TWO SEPARATE INSTANCES WHERE THE FRONT BRAKES WOULD NOT DISENGAGE OR REMAINED PARTIALLY ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING. FIRST FAILURE AT APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES, MECHANIC FOUND CALIPERS TO OPERATE NORMALLY BUT REPLACED ALL PADS AND ROTORS DUE TO HEAT DAMAGE EVIDENT ON "PASSENGER SIDE" FRONT. SECOND FAILURE AT APPROXIMATELY 35,000 AGAIN FOUND CALIPERS OPERATING NORMALLY BUT REPLACED FRONT BRAKE LINE, BRAKE FLUID, PADS AND MACHINED ROTORS. MECHANIC UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE BRAKES FREEZE WHEN EVERYTHING APPEARS TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. *JB