Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1550–25K
15925–50K
8450–75K
4975–100K
36100–150K
22150K+
505 reports with mileage · 173 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Suspension. Review the 226 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 177 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 89 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
55 crash reports18 fire reports22 injury reports
What owners actually said
678 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE SPECIAL ORDERED WITH POWER WINDOWS AND LOCKS STALLED OUT 3 TIMES. DEALER REPLACED BLOWN IGNITION FUSE, REPLACED FUSE THAT SHORTEN RELATING TO THE INSTALLATION OF THE POWER WINDOWS AND LOCKS AND REPLACED A MIS-ROUTED WIRING IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRIC LOCKS DO NOT WORK, AND THE LIGH…
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CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE SPECIAL ORDERED WITH POWER WINDOWS AND LOCKS STALLED OUT 3 TIMES. DEALER REPLACED BLOWN IGNITION FUSE, REPLACED FUSE THAT SHORTEN RELATING TO THE INSTALLATION OF THE POWER WINDOWS AND LOCKS AND REPLACED A MIS-ROUTED WIRING IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRIC LOCKS DO NOT WORK, AND THE LIGHT SWITCH MUST BE JIGGLED IN ORDER TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REPLACEMENT OF ANOTHER DAKOTA (SLT) MODEL. *TT
NHTSA ODI #567427
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE CONSUMER IS DRIVING. VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8018265
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
GASOLINE IS GETTING INTO THE ENGINE OIL SYSTEM WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #766895
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2002
Air BagsCrash
WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH AND WITH NO WARNING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT IN FRONT CENTER, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8017859
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2002
Power TrainWheels
REAR END & TRANSSMISSION HAS HAD MAGOR REPAIRS FIVE TIMES IN NINTEEN THOUSAND MILES AND THE PROBLEM IS REAOCCURRING AGAIN. CHRYSLER'S RESPONSE AFTER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE FIVE TIMES AS THEY STATED IN A LETTER, THE PROBLEM IS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE COMPLETELY REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #766350
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2002
Equipment
A/C CONDENSATION DRIPS ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD, CAUSING STEAM AND NOISE FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I CONTACTED DEALER, THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED HIS DOES THE SAME THING, AND IS A DESIGN FAULT, NOTHING THAT THEY OR DODGE CAN DO. THIS WILL CAUSE A PREMATURE RUSTING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE AT THE JUNCTION OF THE MANIFOLD AND PIPE.
NHTSA ODI #766304
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN PUT CAR ON CRUISE CONTROL IT MALFUNCTIONS, AND INVOLUNTARILY SPEEDS UP.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8017132
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2002
Electrical System
THE DAY THE TRUCK WAS PICKED UP, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHT FUSE WAS BLOWN. AFTER REPLACING THE FUSE, LIGHTS WERE FINE FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS. FUSE BLEW AGAIN, RETURNED TRUCK TO DEALER. THEY LOOKED OVER THE SYSTEM AND SAID IT WAS A LOSE WIRE TO THE FUSE BOX. TWO DAYS LATER, FUSE BLEW AGAIN. THEY THEN ORDERED A NEW INSTRUMENT CLUSTE…
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THE DAY THE TRUCK WAS PICKED UP, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHT FUSE WAS BLOWN. AFTER REPLACING THE FUSE, LIGHTS WERE FINE FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS. FUSE BLEW AGAIN, RETURNED TRUCK TO DEALER. THEY LOOKED OVER THE SYSTEM AND SAID IT WAS A LOSE WIRE TO THE FUSE BOX. TWO DAYS LATER, FUSE BLEW AGAIN. THEY THEN ORDERED A NEW INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. IN THE MEANTIME, I CONTINUE TO REPLACE FUSES AS THEY BLOW. NOW IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE FUSE, AS THEY BLOW IMMEDIATELY. DEALER NOW HAS TRUCK AND REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STILL BLOWS THE FUSE. TRUCK IS NOW AT DEALER WHILE THEY TROUBLESHOOT. TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITHOUT INSTRUMENT LIGHTS.
NHTSA ODI #766006
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE WAS BURNING SMOKE AND ENGINE OIL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF PROBLEM, AND TECHNICIAN COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8016504
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
I DROVE THIS PICKUP THREE TIMES BEFORE RUNNING INTO A BAD OVERHEAT PROBLEM. I WAS DRIVING AT A VERY SLOW SPEED BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC THAT DAY. MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WERE HEADING OUT FOR THE WEEKEND FOR SOME CAMPING AND FUN WHEN MY BRAND NEW TRUCK OVERHEATED ON THE FREEWAY AND SPILLED COOLANT ALL OVER THE FREEWAY. THIS PROBLEM RUIN…
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I DROVE THIS PICKUP THREE TIMES BEFORE RUNNING INTO A BAD OVERHEAT PROBLEM. I WAS DRIVING AT A VERY SLOW SPEED BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC THAT DAY. MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WERE HEADING OUT FOR THE WEEKEND FOR SOME CAMPING AND FUN WHEN MY BRAND NEW TRUCK OVERHEATED ON THE FREEWAY AND SPILLED COOLANT ALL OVER THE FREEWAY. THIS PROBLEM RUINED OUR WHOLE WEEKEND AND MY HOPES OF HAVING A GOOD RELIABLE TRUCK. NOW I AM HAVING EXTREME DIFFICULTIES IN GETTING ANYONE IN THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO HELP WITH MY PROBLEM ABOUT REPORTING TO THE MANUFACTURER.*AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Suspension
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:front
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:front:control Arm
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
2002 Dodge Dakota Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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