NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
678 reports20,000 miles · May 15, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKING FOR 4 MONTHS HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE DEALER STATES THAT IT WAS WARPED ROTORS. THE DAKOTA TRUCK IS ONLY 1.5 YEARS OLD WITH 23,000 AT FIRST START OF PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATES THEY CAN'T BE TURNED DUE TO SEVERE RUST PITTING WHEN I BRAKE THE TRUCK HOPS INTO THE NEXT LANE . THE DEALER STATES THAT IT IS NOT UNDE…
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BRAKING FOR 4 MONTHS HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE DEALER STATES THAT IT WAS WARPED ROTORS. THE DAKOTA TRUCK IS ONLY 1.5 YEARS OLD WITH 23,000 AT FIRST START OF PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATES THEY CAN'T BE TURNED DUE TO SEVERE RUST PITTING WHEN I BRAKE THE TRUCK HOPS INTO THE NEXT LANE . THE DEALER STATES THAT IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I SUSPECT THAT THERE ARE MORE TRUCKS WITH THIS PROBLEM OUT THERE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10018756
17,000 miles · May 13, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
AT JUST AROUND 17,000 MILES, THE BRAKES STARTED TO VIBRATE WHEN APPLIED. DEALER SAYS ROTORS ARE ALREADY WORN AND NEED TO BE CUT/REPLACED, ALTHOUGH BRAKE PADS ARE STILL GOOD. ROTORS SHOULD LAST A LOT LONGER, EARLY WEAR IS MOST LIKELY DUE TO IMPROPER DESIGN, VENTING, MATERIAL AND WILL RECUR ONCE REPLACED. DODGE WILL DO NOTHING, A…
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AT JUST AROUND 17,000 MILES, THE BRAKES STARTED TO VIBRATE WHEN APPLIED. DEALER SAYS ROTORS ARE ALREADY WORN AND NEED TO BE CUT/REPLACED, ALTHOUGH BRAKE PADS ARE STILL GOOD. ROTORS SHOULD LAST A LOT LONGER, EARLY WEAR IS MOST LIKELY DUE TO IMPROPER DESIGN, VENTING, MATERIAL AND WILL RECUR ONCE REPLACED. DODGE WILL DO NOTHING, AS THEY CLAIM THEY COVER ONLY 12K MILES ON DEFECTS. I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S A DEFECT, BUT RATHER A DESIGN ISSUE, WHICH THE CONSUMER CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR, OR AVOID EVEN WITH EXTRA-EASY DRIVING. THERE IS NO ALTERNATE ROTOR AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME THROUGH DODGE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10018629
Mileage unknown · May 12, 2003
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
THE CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED AT 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10019659
1,000 miles · May 12, 2003
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. CONSEQUENTLY NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10019655
20,000 miles · May 2, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKES OF MY DODGE DAKOTA STARTED TO PULSE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AT 24,000 MILES AND THE ROTORS WERE WORN TO BELOW MINIMUM STANDARDS. THE REAR DRUMS HAD TO BE CUT. I DRIVE HIGHWAY WITH NO TOWING AND MINIMAL STOP GO DRIVING. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE DO THIS TO ME BEFORE SO IT IS NOT MY DRIVING. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10016901
19,500 miles · Apr 30, 2003
Service Brakes, Air
2002 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4, MILEAGE 20800, THE FRONT BRAKES WERE PULSING AND INEFFECTIVE, THE ROTORS WERE SO BADLY PITTED THAT THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DODGE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT OTHER TRUCKS WERE COMING IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM, DEFECTIVE ROTORS, AND DODGE SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #10016770
5,000 miles · Apr 30, 2003
Power Train
UNSAFE CONDITION INVOLVING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MANIFESTED ITSELF AT APPROXIMATELY 4,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL ENTER OVERDRIVE MODE AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50MPH. ONCE THIS OCCURS THE VEHCILE WILL NO LONGER RESPOND TO LIGHT OR MODERATE THROTTLE PRESSURE. IF YOU APPLY A HEAVIER PRESS…
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UNSAFE CONDITION INVOLVING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MANIFESTED ITSELF AT APPROXIMATELY 4,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL ENTER OVERDRIVE MODE AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50MPH. ONCE THIS OCCURS THE VEHCILE WILL NO LONGER RESPOND TO LIGHT OR MODERATE THROTTLE PRESSURE. IF YOU APPLY A HEAVIER PRESSURE THEN THE VEHICLEE DROPS DOWN INTO PASSING GEAR AND TAKES OFF. THIS PRESENTS A VERY UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS CONDITION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY OR PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE, IN THAT THE VEHICLE POWER AND ACCELERATION IS LOST AT THE PRECISE MOMENT THAT THE TRANSMISSION DROPS INTO OVERDRIVE. THE DEALERS FIX WAS TO REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. UNFORTUNATELY THE NEW TRANSMISSION HAS DEVELOPED THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER ONLY 3,000 MILES. THE NEW TRANSMISSION ALSO DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR WHEN STARTING UP IN THE MORNING. THE ENGINE REVS AND GAINS RPMS BUT THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT UPSHIFT UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS TRAVELLED 4-5 BLOCKS.
NHTSA ODI #10016742
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB W/ 5.9 LITER ENGINE. MY TRUCK SUFFERS FROM A SHAKY IDLE, VERY PREVALENT WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE AND ROLLING. IS WORSE AT COLD START UP. I SUSPECT IGNITION SYSTEM= LOCATION OF COIL MAY BE THE CAUSE DUE TO BEING SO CLOSE TO THE TENSIONER PULLEY OR A OUT-OF BALANCE HARMONIC BALANCER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10016707
Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2003
Unknown Or Other
CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE AND RETRIEVED SOME ITEMS FROM THE INTERIOR CABIN. CONSUMER SAW A FLASH AND THEN SMELLED A "BURNING" ODOR. LIGHTING HAD STRUCK THE STEEL ANTENNA. THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED WITH THE CONSUMER'S 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ANTENNA WAS DEFECTIVE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10017668
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE VEHICLE PULLED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO STATED THE FRONT DISC ROTORS WERE WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE TURNED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10017593
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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