NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
678 reports27,455 miles · Jul 15, 2003
Latches/locks/linkagesVisibility
RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK MADE BUZZING NOISE WHEN LOCKED, WHICH IS STARTLING WHEN AUTO-LOCK ENGAGES ON ACCELERATION. DEALER REPAIRED, AND AS I LEFT PARKING LOT, IT BEGAN AGAIN, AND WAS REPAIRED. ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER, LEFT REAR LOCK DID THE SAMETHING AND WAS REPAIRED. OF COURSE, THE DEALER DID NOT BELIEVE ME UNTIL I TOOK TIME OFF OF…
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RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK MADE BUZZING NOISE WHEN LOCKED, WHICH IS STARTLING WHEN AUTO-LOCK ENGAGES ON ACCELERATION. DEALER REPAIRED, AND AS I LEFT PARKING LOT, IT BEGAN AGAIN, AND WAS REPAIRED. ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER, LEFT REAR LOCK DID THE SAMETHING AND WAS REPAIRED. OF COURSE, THE DEALER DID NOT BELIEVE ME UNTIL I TOOK TIME OFF OF WORK TO TAKE IT TO THEM. I ASKED THEM TO REPLACE ALL REMAINING MOTORS, BUT THEY REFUSED SINCE IT WAS STILL IN WARRANTY AND NOT BROKEN YET. TWO MONTHS LATER, REAR DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC WINOW DID NOT WORK.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10026106
20,800 miles · Jul 14, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DEFECTIVE BRAKES AND ROTORS. THERE ARE MANY, MANY OTHERS JUST LIKE MYSELF GOING THROUGH THE SAME PROBLEM. EITHER IT IS A PORTIONING PROBLEM WHICH THE CAUSES THE MAJORITY OF THE BRAKING WEIGHT TO BE ABSORBED BY THE FRONT BRAKES WHICH CAUSES ROTORS TO WARP DUE TO THE SELF ADJUSTING BACK BRAKES, WHICH DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. O…
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DEFECTIVE BRAKES AND ROTORS. THERE ARE MANY, MANY OTHERS JUST LIKE MYSELF GOING THROUGH THE SAME PROBLEM. EITHER IT IS A PORTIONING PROBLEM WHICH THE CAUSES THE MAJORITY OF THE BRAKING WEIGHT TO BE ABSORBED BY THE FRONT BRAKES WHICH CAUSES ROTORS TO WARP DUE TO THE SELF ADJUSTING BACK BRAKES, WHICH DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. OR THE FACT THAT THE FRONT ROTORS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO CARRY THE WEIGHT OF THE V8 QUADS. EITHER WAY, THERE ARE TOO MANY POSTINGS TO LIST FROM OTHER DODGE TRUCK OWNERS AT WWW.DODGETALK.COM AND WWW.DODGEDAKOTAS.COM FORUMS THAT LIST THE SAME PROBLEM. THE FIX IS UNFORTUNATE FOR OWNERS AS IT CAN RANGE ANYWHERE FROM 600.00 - 1500.00. WHEN YOU PURCHASE A TRUCK THAT COSTS 25,000.00 - 35,000.00 YOU ARE PUTTING YOUR MONEY INTO SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE DURABLE BEYOND THE STANDARD 12,000 WARRANTIES ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM. I'VE READ POSTINGS WHEREAS PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM START AT THE LOW MILEAGE OF 5,000 UP TO 25,000 MILES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!! I'VE CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND RECEIVED AN "OH WELL, IT'S YOUR PROBLEM NOT OURS" ATTITUDE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AT APPROX 20,800 MILES FOR ME UNDER NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS IS MY 2ND COMPLAINT ON YOUR WEBSITE!! PLEASE HELP US!!!! EVERYONE WHO HAS CONTACTED CHRYSLER HAS GOTTEN THE SAME RESPONSE. I'VE READ WHERE SOME OF THE OWNERS RECEIVED WARRANTY REPAIR WITHIN THE 12,000 MILEAGE RANGE ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN AFTER THE WARRANTY LIMITATIONS WITHOUT HELP FROM CHRYSLER BEYOND THE 12,000 EVEN THOUGH IT WAS AN ISSUE THAT WAS ON GOING PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION. WITH THE COST OF VEHICLES THESE DAYS AND THE OUTRAGEOUS MONTHLY PAYMENTS, THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. CHRYSLER IS NOT RESPONDING TO ANY OF US. HELP!!! TO SAY THAT BRAKES ARE NOT A SAFETY ISSUE IS LUDICROUS!!!*AK
NHTSA ODI #10026041
13,150 miles · Jul 14, 2003
Power Train
2002 DODGE DAKOTA PARKING SAFETY FAILURE: MY 5 YEAR OLD SON WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVE-WAY; NEITHER IGNITION KEY WAS IN THE VEHICLE NOR THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK DOWN THE DRIVE-WAY; LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURY OR DAMAGE TO THE PROPERTY. THE DEALER, CAR…
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2002 DODGE DAKOTA PARKING SAFETY FAILURE: MY 5 YEAR OLD SON WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVE-WAY; NEITHER IGNITION KEY WAS IN THE VEHICLE NOR THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK DOWN THE DRIVE-WAY; LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURY OR DAMAGE TO THE PROPERTY. THE DEALER, CARL GREGORY DODGE IN ATLANTA GA, FIXED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND IT TOOK THE DEALER 4 DAYS TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER FINALLY INFORMED THE DEALER THAT IT WAS A BAD CASTING IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN PARTS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND YET THE DEALER HAS NO KNOWLEDGE AND THERE WERE NO RE-CALL. MY FRIEND ALSO TOLD ME A SIMILAR INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED RECENTLY ON DODGE DURANGO. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND A LITTLE BOY WAS KILLED. BOTH VEHICLES USE THE SAME STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. DODGE NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10026040
27,689 miles · Jul 11, 2003
SeatsService Brakes, HydraulicSteering
ONLY 27689 MILES SAFETY FRONT END COMPONENTS FAILED POWER STEERING RACK SEAL LEAKING FLUID.SWAY BAR BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED.SEAT RIGHT REAR COMING APART PASS SIDE PLASTIC RECLINER HANDLE BROKE MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 SPORT HAS HAD SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, AND BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS…
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ONLY 27689 MILES SAFETY FRONT END COMPONENTS FAILED POWER STEERING RACK SEAL LEAKING FLUID.SWAY BAR BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED.SEAT RIGHT REAR COMING APART PASS SIDE PLASTIC RECLINER HANDLE BROKE MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 SPORT HAS HAD SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, AND BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS MAKE A POPPING SOUND WHEN STEP ON BRAKES OR MAKE A SHARP LEFT TURN. I NOW HAVE 29900 MILES AND THE POUNDING AND NOISE HAVE NOT STOPPED. VEHICLE FEELS LIKE YOU WILL LOOSE CONTROL WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE HIGHWAY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10025894
14,000 miles · Jul 7, 2003
Structure
THE PASSANGER SIDE FLOOR FLOODS WITH ABOUT A GALLON OF WATER EVERY WEEK. SO EVERY WEEK FOR THE PASE TWO MONTHS, I HAD TO REMOVE THE CARPET AND SOAK UP THE WATER WITH TOWLES. SO FAR IT CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10025553
16,000 miles · Jun 30, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BAD VIBRATIONS IN FRONT BRAKES. ROTORS WERE VISIBLY WORN AND HAD PITS IN THEM. THIS WAS ONLY AFTER 16,000 MI. ALL HIGHWAY DRIVING, NO TOWING OR OFF ROAD DRIVING. WAS OUT OF WARRENTY AND HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS TURNED. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT MANY HAVE THIS ISSUE. COULD PROVE TO BE A SERIOUS ISSUE IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10025180
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FRONT ROTOR ON 2002 DAKOTA WARPING FOR SECOND TIME. HAD THEM TURNED ABOUT 10,000 MILES AGO AND ARE ALREADY STARTING TO WARP AGAIN. DEALER OFFERING NON-WARRANTY SOLUTION. DEALER ADMITS IT IS COMMON WITH THE DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS BUT THERE IS NO RECALL NOTICE ON THEM SO THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10023899
25,273 miles · Jun 27, 2003
Air BagsCrash
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE DRIVER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DEPLOY. *NLM. *AK *CB *JB
NHTSA ODI #10021606
20 miles · Jun 19, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY VEHICLE IN APRIL 02 I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATION WHEN STARTING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. BASICALLY WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL THERE IS A DEAD SPOT (HESITATION).IF THE VEHICLE ACCELERATOR IS IN THE DEAD SPOT AND THE CLUTCH IS RELEASED THIS CAUSES AN UNSAFE CONDITION. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10023357
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10024146
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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