NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
89 reportsClear category filter77,000 miles · Feb 28, 2008
Power TrainCrashInjury
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…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10219622
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2008
Power TrainCrash
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…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10219448
29,000 miles · Feb 19, 2008
Power Train
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 W…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10218526
51,000 miles · Jan 22, 2008
Power TrainCrash
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.…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10215682
84,000 miles · Oct 1, 2007
Power Train
REAR DIFF IN MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA FAILED AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10204624
75,500 miles · Aug 15, 2007
Power Train
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 RESUL…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10199719
36,561 miles · Jul 19, 2007
Power Train
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 MILEAGE…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10196881
63,000 miles · Apr 20, 2007
Power Train
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 D…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10188470
50,000 miles · Nov 23, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ALARMING FAILURES WITH MY DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. IT IS A 2002 V6 AUTO TRANSMISSION PW PL. I HAVE HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE RECALL, MY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED (TWICE), MY FRONT HUBS & SPINDLES COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED AND COULD HAVE KILLED MY FAMILY, MY WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPL…
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I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ALARMING FAILURES WITH MY DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. IT IS A 2002 V6 AUTO TRANSMISSION PW PL. I HAVE HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE RECALL, MY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED (TWICE), MY FRONT HUBS & SPINDLES COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED AND COULD HAVE KILLED MY FAMILY, MY WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE DRIVER SIDE TAILLIGHT SEEMS TO FAIL OFTEN, THE VACUUM HOSES HAVE ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE CHEAP RUBBER USED BY THE MANUFACTURER FAIL BY CRACKING AND CAUSING ALL SORTS OF LEAKS CAUSING ENGINE LIGHTS, LOUD NOISES UNDER THE HOOD, AND HORRIBLE GAS MILEAGE. I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO BE PROACTIVE IN MY MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THE MAJOR REPAIRS DONE PROFESSIONALLY. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A 2002 VEHICLE CAN HAVE SO MANY POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEMS AND BE IGNORED. I HAVE SEARCHED HIGH AND LOW FOR QUALITY BULLETINS BUT CANNOT FIND ANYTHING. MY GAS MILEAGE IS NOW DOWN TO 14 MPG AND THE TRUCK IS FALLING APART. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10174128
18,000 miles · Oct 7, 2006
Electrical SystemPower Train
TIMING CONTROL MODULE, TCM IS PULSING INTERIOR/EXTERIOR LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, ETC. TO AN OFF STATE AT ONCE PER SECOND CONTINUOUSLY. WHEN TRUCK IS PARKED, HEADLAMP RELAY CAN BE HEARD PULSING. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT DUE TO VISUAL CONFUSION AND SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH OTHER TRAFFIC. NO APPARENT CAUSE OF FAILURE. T…
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TIMING CONTROL MODULE, TCM IS PULSING INTERIOR/EXTERIOR LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, ETC. TO AN OFF STATE AT ONCE PER SECOND CONTINUOUSLY. WHEN TRUCK IS PARKED, HEADLAMP RELAY CAN BE HEARD PULSING. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT DUE TO VISUAL CONFUSION AND SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH OTHER TRAFFIC. NO APPARENT CAUSE OF FAILURE. TRUCK HAS 18K MILES AND IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. OTHER COMPLAINTS INDICATE THAT TCM WAS REPLACED TO FIX PROBLEM. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE MAY NOT BE INTERNAL TO TCM AND REPLACING IT WILL BE AN ONGOING EVENT. HAS DODGE DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THIS MODULE FAILURE? IS THIS NOT A DESIGN FLAW SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM? *NM
NHTSA ODI #10170212
Official recalls
5Dec 4, 2007
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Dec 21, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
May 5, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Dec 10, 2003
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Oct 10, 2003
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗