NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
177 reportsClear category filter17,000 miles · Jul 14, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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 …
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #10412305
22,000 miles · Jun 22, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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 FAI…
Read full complaint
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
NHTSA ODI #10408476
43,400 miles · Apr 25, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire
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
NHTSA ODI #10397280
111,000 miles · Apr 24, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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 DOD…
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #10397808
84,200 miles · Mar 23, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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 V…
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #10392597
60,000 miles · Mar 11, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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 INS…
Read full complaint
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
NHTSA ODI #10389879
98,000 miles · Mar 8, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire
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…
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #10386849
35,000 miles · Mar 3, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire
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 M…
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #10386307
100 miles · Mar 2, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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 TH…
Read full complaint
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
NHTSA ODI #10386254
122,000 miles · Feb 28, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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 TAK…
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #10384702
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 ↗
Illustration