NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
678 reportsMileage 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
79,000 miles · Jan 23, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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.
NHTSA ODI #10215785
79,700 miles · Jan 23, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
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 …
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10215749
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
100,000 miles · Jan 15, 2008
Electrical SystemVisibility
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 …
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10214886
40,000 miles · Nov 19, 2007
Electrical SystemSteering
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 …
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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
NHTSA ODI #10209294
25,000 miles · Oct 21, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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 ACCIDEN…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10206462
3 miles · Oct 7, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
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
NHTSA ODI #10205157
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
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 ↗
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