NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
678 reports105,000 miles · Oct 14, 2008
Power Train
WENT TO THE STORE AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK IT DID NOT HOLD HAD TO APPLY PARKING BRAKE. GOT HOME AND TRUCK LOCKED IN PARK. THREE DAYS LATER THE TRUCK WOULD NOT LOCK IN PARK AND HAS NOT LOCKED IN PARK SINCE. CHECKED THE SHIFTING MECHANISMS AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH ANY PARTS. TRIED TO ADJUST SHIFT CABLE AND THERE WAS NO ROO…
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WENT TO THE STORE AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK IT DID NOT HOLD HAD TO APPLY PARKING BRAKE. GOT HOME AND TRUCK LOCKED IN PARK. THREE DAYS LATER THE TRUCK WOULD NOT LOCK IN PARK AND HAS NOT LOCKED IN PARK SINCE. CHECKED THE SHIFTING MECHANISMS AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH ANY PARTS. TRIED TO ADJUST SHIFT CABLE AND THERE WAS NO ROOM TO ADJUST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10245458
7,000 miles · Oct 13, 2008
Suspension
SINCE I'VE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, ABOUT SIX MONTHS INTO DRIVING IT, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING FRONT END PROBLEMS WITH THE CONTROL ARMS & BALL JOINTS. I'VE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER(BIG VALLEY DODGE) AT LEAST 10 TIMES(@75.00 A VISIT) FOR THEM TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS/CONTROL ARM. NOW IT'S NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND WILL CO…
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SINCE I'VE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, ABOUT SIX MONTHS INTO DRIVING IT, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING FRONT END PROBLEMS WITH THE CONTROL ARMS & BALL JOINTS. I'VE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER(BIG VALLEY DODGE) AT LEAST 10 TIMES(@75.00 A VISIT) FOR THEM TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS/CONTROL ARM. NOW IT'S NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND WILL COST $1500.00-$2500.00 FROM DIFFERENT QUOTES I RECEIVED. I CAN NO LONGER ENJOYABLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE. AND I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT ON THE FREEWAY AS THE WHOLE FRONT-END SHAKES THE ENTIRE TRUCK ABOVE 50MPH. PLEASE HELP ME. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THE TRUCK OTHERWISE. I JUST WANT DODGE TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND FIX THEIR PROBLEM. THEY MADE A RECALL FOR THE 4X4, WHY NOT THE 2X4 WITH A VERY SIMILAR ISSUE. PLEASE HELP! THIS IS NOT FAIR. OUT OF ALL THE NEW TRUCKS I COULD HAVE BOUGHT, I HAD TO BUY THE ONE WITH A PROBLEM THE MANUFACTURE REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE, EVERYONE I'VE TALKED TO WITH THE SAME TRUCK FROM SIMILAR YEARS (2000-2003) SAYS THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP! ALSO, FRONT TIRES BECOME EXCESSIVELY WORN ON THE OUTSIDE TO WHERE I HAVE TO REPLACE AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR WHEN I DRIVE 10000-12000 MILES A YEAR(RIDICULOUS). PLEASE HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10245314
86,000 miles · Oct 8, 2008
Wheels
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE VEHICLE HAS CENTERLINE WHEELS, MODEL TOMAHAWK SERIES-ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND PROCEEDING TO TURN LEFT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL EXPLODED. THERE WAS MASSIVE AIR LOSS FROM THE WHEEL. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CHANGED THE WHEEL. THE F…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE VEHICLE HAS CENTERLINE WHEELS, MODEL TOMAHAWK SERIES-ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND PROCEEDING TO TURN LEFT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL EXPLODED. THERE WAS MASSIVE AIR LOSS FROM THE WHEEL. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CHANGED THE WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THE WHEELS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECTIVE WHEELS AND PROVIDED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
NHTSA ODI #10244750
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2008
Power TrainCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE STREET WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, THE GEAR SHIFTER AUTOMATICALLY MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS STATIONED BEHIND THE MOVING VEHICLE, BUT WAS ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY. HE ATTEMPTED…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE STREET WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, THE GEAR SHIFTER AUTOMATICALLY MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS STATIONED BEHIND THE MOVING VEHICLE, BUT WAS ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY. HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR TO CHANGE THE GEAR SHIFTER AND WAS STRUCK BY THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER HIS RIGHT LEG, STRUCK A CURB, AND CRASHED INTO THE TREES. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES. THERE WERE NO DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10244651
39,199 miles · Aug 12, 2008
Latches/locks/linkagesPower TrainCrashInjury
JUNE OF 2006, MY FIFTEEN YEAR OLD SON WAS SITTING IN MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA LISTENING TO THE RADIO. MY WIFE HEARD A CRASH AND WHEN WE RAN OUT TO INVESTIGATE, THE TRUCK WAS DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. WHAT KEPT THE TRUCK FROM FLIPPING OVER WAS THAT IT SLAMMED INTO A TREE FROM THE REAR AND WAS PINNED. POLICE, EMS AND AN AMBLUANCE WAS CALLED…
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JUNE OF 2006, MY FIFTEEN YEAR OLD SON WAS SITTING IN MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA LISTENING TO THE RADIO. MY WIFE HEARD A CRASH AND WHEN WE RAN OUT TO INVESTIGATE, THE TRUCK WAS DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. WHAT KEPT THE TRUCK FROM FLIPPING OVER WAS THAT IT SLAMMED INTO A TREE FROM THE REAR AND WAS PINNED. POLICE, EMS AND AN AMBLUANCE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE TO RESCUE HIM THE TRUCK. MY SON WAS UNCONSCIOUS AND ONLY SLIGHTLY RESPONSIVE TO VOICE COMMANDS. HE WAS TAKEN TO WILLIAM BEAUMONT HOSPITAL IN ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN WHERE HE WAS ADMITTED FOR TESTS AND X-RAYS. HE HAS A CLOSED HEAD INJURY AND SUFFERS FROM HEADACHES AND HAS TO EXAMINED AND TREATED PERIODICALLY. I DID NOT THINK ANYTHING MORE ABOUT THE ACCIDENT UNTIL A TELEVISION NEWS REPORT CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR CHRYSLER (TRUCKS) JUMPING OUT OF GEAR. I WAS NOT GETTING ANY COOPERATIONFROM THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP OR FROM CHRYSLER. I HAVE THE CHRYSLER RECALL NUMBER OF G28 THAT I RETRIEVED FROM YOUR WEBSITE. I CALLED CHRYLSER TODAY AND THEY STILL DENY THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE "LEVER AND LINKAGE-COLUMN SHIFT FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS".
NHTSA ODI #10237818
70,000 miles · Jul 28, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/DODGE/DAKOTA/2002/BRAKES/BRAKE_CYLINDER_LOCK-UP.SHTML JUST VIEW THE WEB SITE ABOVE. THE BRAKES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA LOCK-UP AND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE WHEEL WELL. I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS OCCURRING ON MANY OTHER DAKOTAS. DO A SEARCH ON…
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HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/DODGE/DAKOTA/2002/BRAKES/BRAKE_CYLINDER_LOCK-UP.SHTML JUST VIEW THE WEB SITE ABOVE. THE BRAKES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA LOCK-UP AND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE WHEEL WELL. I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS OCCURRING ON MANY OTHER DAKOTAS. DO A SEARCH ONLINE FOR DODGE DAKOTA SMOKING BRAKES AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED AT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OUT THERE. I TRULY THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10236166
125,000 miles · Jul 28, 2008
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT WOULD SPORADICALLY HEAR A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION. UPON INSPECTION, A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD SEVERE WEAR AND MOVEMENT, AND NEEDED TO BE REP…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT WOULD SPORADICALLY HEAR A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION. UPON INSPECTION, A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD SEVERE WEAR AND MOVEMENT, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE RUBBER GROMMETS SUPPORTING THE TIE RODS FAILED AND CREATED A METAL TO METAL CONDITION, WHICH CREATED A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE COMPONENTS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AS WELL. UPDATED 09/16/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10236025
72,000 miles · Jun 10, 2008
Service Brakes, Electric
GOING DOWN A SLIGHT GRADE AND FRONT LEFT BRAKE LOCKED UP SLIGHTLY PULLING ME TO THE LEFT, WITH NOWHERE TO PULL OFF I HAD TO GO A MILE OR MORE TO GET STOPPED, THE ROTOR WAS VERY HOT AND HAD TO WAIT CLOSE TO AN HOUR BEFORE THEY BROKE OFF, CHANGED BRAKES SANDED ROTORS AT ANGLE AND ALMOST DID IT AGAIN. APPARENTLY ON AUTO BEEF, THER…
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GOING DOWN A SLIGHT GRADE AND FRONT LEFT BRAKE LOCKED UP SLIGHTLY PULLING ME TO THE LEFT, WITH NOWHERE TO PULL OFF I HAD TO GO A MILE OR MORE TO GET STOPPED, THE ROTOR WAS VERY HOT AND HAD TO WAIT CLOSE TO AN HOUR BEFORE THEY BROKE OFF, CHANGED BRAKES SANDED ROTORS AT ANGLE AND ALMOST DID IT AGAIN. APPARENTLY ON AUTO BEEF, THERE ARE 15 OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME THING. I KNOW IT SUCKS BUT DODGE NEEDS TO SUCK THIS ONE UP AND NOT LOSE THEIR LOYALTY TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10230529
25,250 miles · Jun 10, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TRUCK OPERATING NORMAL UNTIL BRAKING AT INTERSECTION. TRUCK THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT UPON BRAKING. SMELLED AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM FRONT OF TRUCK. UPON STOPPING HAD SMOKE COMING FROM PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT WHEEL/ROTOR. GOT TO THE POINT WHERE I WAS CONCERNED THAT A FIRE WAS IMMINENT DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE HEAT. T…
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TRUCK OPERATING NORMAL UNTIL BRAKING AT INTERSECTION. TRUCK THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT UPON BRAKING. SMELLED AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM FRONT OF TRUCK. UPON STOPPING HAD SMOKE COMING FROM PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT WHEEL/ROTOR. GOT TO THE POINT WHERE I WAS CONCERNED THAT A FIRE WAS IMMINENT DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE HEAT. THE TIRE/WHEEL ON THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE WAS EXTREMELY HOT. NEXT MORNING, THE TRUCK DROVE NORMAL, NO SIGN THAT THE BRAKE/ROTOR WAS DAMAGED. PLAN ON TAKING IN FOR THOROUGH INSPECTION. NOTICED FIFTEEN (15) SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR 2002 DODGE DAKOTA WITH UNEXPLAINED MASTER CYLINDER LOCK-UP. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/DODGE/DAKOTA/2002/BRAKES/BRAKE_CYLINDER_LOCK-UP.SHTML. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10230407
95,000 miles · May 19, 2008
Exterior Lighting
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
NHTSA ODI #10228231
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 ↗