2002 Dodge Dakota

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2009· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN PANIC STOPPING AT HIGHER SPEEDS REAR WHEELS ABS WILL LOCK UP. AT 40MPH APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION LIGHT TURNED YELLOW AND I HIT THE BRAKES AND REAR LOCKED UP, I LET OFF AND APPLIED/LOCKUP/SKID, LET OFF APPLIED/LOCKUP/SKID, LET OFF APPLIED/LOCKUP/SKID THEN STOP, LUCKY I HAD SUFFICIENT ROOM TO STOP. SIMPLY TRYING TO PARK HAS BECOME AN ADVENTURE. TOOK IT TO A DEALER BEFORE ABOVE INCIDENT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES ARE FINE BUT THAT REAR WERE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, AND THEY SWAPPED DRUMS LEFT TO RIGHT AND ADJUSTED THE BRAKES AND IT MADE IT BETTER FOR MAYBE A WEEK OR TWO. *TR

• 12/31/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  FRONT DISC BRAKES WOULD NOT RELEASE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. OCCURRED AGAIN ON DEC 10, WITH FRONT ROTORS TURNING BRIGHT RED AND SMOKING. DEALER FOUND ABS SYSTEM WAS NOT RELEASING HYDRAULIC FLUID, REPLACED ABS COMPONENT, FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. OCCURRED AGAIN ON DEC 30 WHILE DRIVING, WILL RETURN TO DEALER FOR RESOLUTION.

• 12/31/2003· STEERING,TIRESCrash

  WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW SECONDS LATER THE VEHICLE WENT TO ONE SIDE AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THE CONSUMER WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS IN THE COLLISION. THE CAUSE OF THE COLLISION WAS THE SPINDLE AND THE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB *MR

• 12/30/2004· SUSPENSION

  RECALL CAMPAIGN: 2002 DODGE DAKOTA HAVE UPPER BALL JOINTS PROBLEMS. *BF RECALL CAMPAIGN: THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL ON HIS VEHICLE DEALING WITH THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE BAD BUT NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED INFORMATION ON WHY ONLY TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS IF THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE STILL BAD AND WHAT RECOURSE HE HAS OTHER THAN CONTACTING CHRYSLER. *TC

• 12/30/2003· SUSPENSION

  2002 DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK WITH 29,600 MILES LOOSING FRONT STEERING STABILITY AND FRONT END RATTLING. CHECK WITH LOCAL MECHANIC REVEALS BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT UPPER BALLJOINTS FAILING AND NEED TO REPLACED ASAP TO PREVENT WHEEL FAILURE. ALSO TIRES WEARING OUT. DODGE CONTACTED, NO RECALL YET???

• 12/30/2003· SUSPENSION

  2002 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CAB IS MAKING CLANKING, CREAKING NOISES WHILE TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS IS AT 46K MILES. HAS BEEN MAKING THIS NOISE SINCE 40K MILES. FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS OF UPPER BALL JOINT PROBLEMS WITH OTHER DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS. VERY CONCERNED AND SUSPICOUS.

• 12/30/2003· SUSPENSION

  2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB HAS HAD GRINDING/JUMPING/BUMPING CONDITION WHEN BRAKING SINCE 4/03 @UNDER 24K MILES. PRIVATE MECHANIC HAS CHECKED BRAKES TWICE FOR THIS AND HAS FOUND NO PROBLEMS STEMMING FROM BRAKES. CONDITION PERSISTS, AND AM WARY OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL AND BALL JOINT WEAR. IS DODGE COVERING THIS AS A WARRANTY REPAIR NOW OR NOT?

• 12/29/2016· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR STEP BUMPER WAS CORRODED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE PORTION BAR FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,279.

• 12/29/2008· AIR BAGS,EQUIPMENT

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE DAMAGES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THERE WERE NO RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS NOT WORKING DUE TO THE HORN FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

• 12/29/2001· STEERING

  EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING. TOP OF STEERING WHEEL MUST MOVE ABOUT 8 INCHES TO CHANGE DIRECTIONS. 4 INCHES FROM CENTER TO EACH SIDE.

• 12/28/2017· AIR BAGSCrash

  TAKATA RECALL - MY FATHER OWNED A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK. ON JANUARY 1, 2016 HE RAN HIS CAR OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HIT A LAMP POST OFF A HIGHWAY IN FLORIDA AND DIED ON IMPACT. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED OUT. I AM TRYING TO SEE IF WE QUALIFY FOR THIS RECALL. I DO NOT HAVE THE POLICE RECORD AND DEATH CERTIFICATE ON MY COMPUTER CURRENTLY BUT I COULD GET THOSE ITEMS IF NEEDED.

• 12/28/2015· STRUCTURECrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH THAT CAUSED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO FLY OPEN. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A BROKEN LEG, SEVERAL BROKEN RIBS, AND BRUISES TO THE BODY. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED A BROKEN ARM. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

• 12/28/2004· STEERING,SUSPENSION

  UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AFTER 2,000 MILES OF OWNERSHIP. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION. THE DEALER WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, STATING IT WAS A WEAR ITEM. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT AND FIXED BEFORE OFFERING THE VEHICLE FOR SALE, BUT THEY CLAIM OTHERWISE. I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE BOTH SETS OF BALL JOINTS ON MY OWN. SINCE THEN, DC HAS RECALLED THE UPPER JOINTS. THE UPPER JOINTS CREATED A SITUATION CAUSING THE LOWER JOINTS TO FAIL ALSO AND SHOULD BE COVERED IN THEIR RECALL. THEY ALSO DO NOT SPECIFY COVERING THE ALIGNMENT NEEDED AFTER JOINTS ARE REPLACED. THE RECALL SHOULD BE REISSUED COVERING UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ALONG WITH ALIGNMENT TO REMEDY THE SITUATION IN THIS RECALL FAILURE. *JB

• 12/27/2012· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY INTO A BUSY STREET. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RECOVER THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR A DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,233. UPDATED 02/20/13*LJ UPDATED 02/20/2013*JS

• 12/27/2004· SUSPENSION

  CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PURCHASED AT THAT PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP. *AK

• 12/26/2003· STEERING,SUSPENSION

  I OWN A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. AT 27,000 MILES, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS. THEY ALSO WORKED ON THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. AT 34,000 MILES THEY REPLACED THREE BALL JOINTS AND WORKED ON THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. AT 42,000 MILES THEY REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND WORKED ON THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. AT 49,000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. FORTUNATELY, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS. I HAVE HEARD NOISES AND TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP OR MY MECHANIC. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING IT. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT ANYMORE. I THINK THEY HAVE SOME SERIOUS FRONT END PROBLEMS THAT THEY SHOULD BE ADDRESSING. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE FOOTING THE BILL FOR IT. I AM ALSO VERY UPSET THAT THE DEALERSHIP AND DODGE HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEMS AND CHOSE TO BLAME THEM ON OTHER CONDITIONS CAUSED BY THE OWNER.*AK

• 12/25/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES

  STEPPED ON BRAKE ON WET ROAD,ABS KICKED IN ON REAR AXLE AND TRUCK WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. ALMOST HAD A REAR END COLLISION. VERY DANGEROUS, HAVE SEEN A LOT OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME THING. ALSO LOSE ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WITH HEADLIGHTS ON MOMENTARILY LEAVING YOU WITHOUT LIGHTS. *TR

• 12/24/2003· SUSPENSION

  I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DOKOTA SXT 2WD THAT HAS A CLUNKING SOUND SIMILAR TO THAT WHICH I HAVE HEARD DESCRIBED IN REGARD TO A FRONT BALL JOINT PROBLEM. I HAVE SPOKING WITH OTHER PERSONS WHO ALSO HAVE 2WD DAKOTAS AND HAVE HED TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS WELL BEFORE THEY SHOULD BE. I CURRENTLY HAVE 43,00 MILES ON THE VEHICLE BUT THE CLUNK HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES AND I WAS HOPING THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL BEFORE I HAVE IT FIXED. I HAVE NO RIDE OR HANDLEING PROBLEMS BUT JUST THE CLUNK WHEN I GO OVER AN OBJECT OR ONTO A SIDEWALK TO PARK. *AK

• 12/23/2014· SUSPENSIONCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL FRACTURED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN 90 DEGREES INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND CRASH. THE SPECIFICS OF THE CRASH WERE NOT AVAILABLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

• 12/23/2002· STRUCTURE

  SPEEDODOMETER READS LOWER THAN ACTUAL SPEED, CAUSING DRIVER TO GO FASTER. TS. *AK

• 12/21/2015· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE SHIFTER JAMMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

• 12/21/2004· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT

  THERE ARE SO MANY PROBLEMS THAT IT IS HARD TO REALLY POINT ONE OUT THAT I AM MOST CONCERNED WITH. FIRST OF ALL IT STARTED WITH THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THEN IT LEAD INTO WHAT THE MANUFACTURER SAYS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THEN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM. NOW WE ARE AT A STANDSTILL SINCE THEY SAY THAT IT IS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THEY ALSO SAY THAT IT IS EXPECTED TO SEE THE ERRATIC BEHAVIOR FROM THE MOTOR. I AM CONFUSED SINCE THEY SAY THAT THE COMPUTER ADJUSTS AND THEN IT WON'T ALLOW THE CAR TO RUN AT OPTIMAL EFFECTIVENESS. DOES THIS MEAN THAT IT IS DESIGNED TO RUN AT LESS THAN OPTIMAL EFFECTIVENESS? I HAVE HAD A SMELL COME OUT OF THE AIR AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY FLOODED. THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAKES THREATENING SOUNDS AND THE BACK WOBBLES LIKE A SERPENT. THE BRAKES JITTER AND I HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR RENTALS AT TIMES WHEN THE MANUFACTURER APPROVED THE REIMBURSEMENT. THE STATEMENT FOR DENIAL OF REIMBURSEMENT WAS "THE AFTER MARKET ALARM CAUSED IT". THEY WERE THE SPONSORS AND INITIATORS OF THIS COMPANY SINCE I BOUGHT IT AT THE DEALERSHIP INCLUDED IN MY PRICE. *AK *TC

• 12/20/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  I HAVE HAD TO TURN MY FRONT ROTORS ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA 4.7L, 4WD QUAD CAB 4 TIMES IN 40,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP BLAMES IT ON RAIN COOLING THE ROTORS TOO FAST. I DO STRICTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING, AND THE VIBRATION THAT OCCURS IS NERVE RACKING. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON CONSUMER SITES REGARDING THIS. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS FOR A RECALL. *LA

• 12/19/2003· SUSPENSION

  BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BEING WORN OUT ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4. DEALER NEVER MENTIONED THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION OR PROBLEMS WITH BALL JOINTS. SUBSEQUENTLY VIEWED THE CBS REPORT ON DAKOTA BALL JOINTS AND ONGOING INVESTIGATION THE NIGHT WE GOT TRUCK BACK FROM DEALER WITH NEW BALL JOINTS.*AK

• 12/19/2003· POWER TRAIN

  AT A FULL STOP YOU FEEL LIKE A "BUMP" IN THE TRANSMISSION, OR JUST LIKE SOMEONE HIT YOU FROM THE BACK. IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME. IT NORMALLY HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN HALF HOUR IN TRAFFIC OR LOCAL ROADS WITH FREQUENT STOPS. DEALER HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, WHICH STARTED AT 1500 MILES. THEY SERVICE THE DIFFERENTIAL BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN WILLING TO DRIVE IT ENOUGH EVEN WHEN I LEFT THE VEHICLE FOR THEM TO TRY FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS. VEHICLE NOW HAS 17,000 MILES, HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 3000 MILES IN FIVE START DEALER.*AK

• 12/19/2003· SUSPENSION

  AT BARELY 39000 MILES ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA SXT, WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT IS NEARLY SHOT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE NOISE AND PROBLEMS BEGAN WAY BEFORE THE 36000 MILE MARK BUT WE NEVER CONSIDERED THAT IT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT NEEDED MAJOR REPAIR. NOW WE ARE BEYOND THE 36000 MILE WARRANTY AND WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OURSELVES. AFTER RESEARCH WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS QUICKLY BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. SO WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE OUR ISSUE KNOWN IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN HOPES THAT MAYBE DODGE WILL TAKE SOME CORRECTIVE ACTION. *AK

• 12/19/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  AT 35,500 I WAS TOLD THAT MY FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE ROTORS WERE PITTED AND BRAKES WERE WORN. I COULD UNDERSTAND BRAKES PADS NEED REPLACING (ALTHOUGH I DO MOST DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY THEREFORE NOT USING BRAKES MUCH) BUT ROTORS NEED REPLACING BECAUSE OF PITTING; SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE. IN ADDITION, EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THIS TRUCK (REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES) I NOTICE THAT WHEN THE ANTI-LOCK KICKS IN IT SEEMS AS THOUGH I'VE LOST ALOT OF BRAKING POWER. I'VE FOUND MYSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AT TIMES BECAUSE THE TRUCK WOULDN'T STOP AND I WAS NOT GOING THAT FAST. I HAD A TRUCK CUT IN FRONT OF ME ONE DAY ON THE HIGHWAY (SOMEONE IN FRONT OF HIM HAD STOPPED) AND THE ONLY WAY I ADVOIDED HITTING HIM WAS TO DRIVE OFF ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD; THE BRAKES QUIT WORKING. I HAVE A '92 DAKOTA WITH REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND IT STOPS WITH OUT PROBLEMS. *AK

• 12/18/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THIS VEHICLE, 2002 DODGE DAKOTA, WAS DRIVEN DURING THE DAY FOR SOME MONTHS. IN OCTOBER, 2013 I STAYED OUT LATE AND AS I TURN THE HEAD LIGHTS ON, A FEW SECONDS AFTER ALL THE LIGHTS STARTED TO BLINK NON STOP, EVEN ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT FAR FROM HOME, I HAD TO TURN ALL THE LIGHTS OFF TO GET HOME. AN ADDITIONAL ALARM SYSTEM, EVS 11 MOPAR ELECTRONIC VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEMS, WAS INSTALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS THE ALARM SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, I HAD THE ALARM SYSTEM REMOVED BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED. I EVENTUALLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DODGE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS DONE. TO REPLACE THIS PART IS VERY EXPENSIVE. *TR

• 12/18/2006· PARKING BRAKE

  WHEN I DROVE OFF WITH MY PARKING BREAK SET IT SHEARED OFF THE GRADE 8 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE BRAKES TO THE AXLE. RESULTING IN THE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY SPINNING AND TEARING OFF THE BRAKE LINES AND BREAKING THE BRAKE CABLE. I HAD NO REAR BRAKES OR EMERGENCY BRAKE. COST $1200.00 TO REPAIR. *NM

• 12/17/2006· PARKING BRAKE

  I SET MY PARKING BRAKE. FORGOT IT WAS SET AND MOVED MY TRUCK THE BRAKE HELD TO THE POINT IT BROKE ALL 8 BOLTS HOLDING THE BACKING PLATES CAUSING THE ENTIRE BRAKE BACKING PLATE WHEEL CYLINDER, SHOES AND DRUM TO SPIN BREAKING THE BRAKE LINES AND BRAKE CABLE. RESULTING IN ON REAR BRAKES. THE COST TO REPAIR $1219.83. THANK GOD IT DID NOT BRAKE WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *NM

• 12/17/2006· SUSPENSION

  UPPER BALL JOINTS WORN OUT AT 52,00 MILES. WENT FOR TIRE CHANGE AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND FOUND PROBLEM. HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT DID NOT COVER. AM WAITING FOR PART AT THE COST OF ABOUT $600.00 TO REPLACE. *NM

• 12/16/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  FAN QUIT WORKING. REPLACED BLOWER MOTOR AND FAN SPEED RESISTER DUE TO MELTING OF COMPONENTS. POSSIBLE FIRE RISK. *TR

• 12/16/2008· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BOUGHT TRUCK NEW IN 2002. SINCE THEN, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT CALIPER HAS SEIZED UP AND LOCKED THAT BRAKE 4 TIMES. THE CALIPER SQUEEZES THE PAD AGAINST THE ROTOR CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO PULL HARD LEFT, THEN THE ROTOR OVERHEATS AND SMOKES. I PULL OVER BEFORE A FIRE STARTS. HAVE REPLACED CALIPERS, PADS, HOSES, BUT SYMPTOMS STILL PERSIST. I HAVE TO STOP AND WAIT UNTIL THE BRAKES COOL DOWN (ABOUT AN HOUR) BEFORE THEY FUNCTION NORMALLY. ONCE I GET TO A REPAIR SHOP, THE BRAKES FUNCTION NORMALLY AND THEY TELL ME EVERYTHING IS FINE. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS IS HAPPENING TO. ON ONE SITE ALONE (HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/DODGE/DAKOTA/2002/BRAKES/BRAKE_CYLINDER_LOCK-UP.SHTML) THERE ARE 15 OTHERS WHO ARE DEALING WITH BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

• 12/16/2003· SUSPENSION

  WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 30 MPH OR MORE THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

• 12/15/2004· SUSPENSION

  FRONT END OF TRUCK WOULD MAKE NOISE WHEN HITTING BUMPS THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. OTH BALL JOINTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WERE DEFECTIVE. THE UPPER HAD NEARLY 1/4" OF UP AND DOWN TRAVEL AND THE BOTTOM WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN. IT IS AMAZING THAT THE WHEEL DIDN'T FALL OFF COMPLETELY. REPLACED BOTH PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINTS. HAD TO PURCHASE THEM FROM AN AFTERMARKET VENDOR DO TO CHRYSLER HAVING THEM ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. THE ONLY PART THAT THEY HAD AVAILABLE WAS A COMPLETE A ARM ASSEMBLY AT A PRICE OF $250 EACH VERSUS THE $50 FOR THE BALL JOINT ITSELF. I FIND IT SOMEWHAT STRANGE THAT 2WD VERSIONS OF THE DAKOTA AND DURANGO ARE NOT BEING COVERED UNDER THE RECENTLY ANNOUNCE RECALL. HAVING MANAGED AUTO PARTS STORES FOR SEVERAL YEARS, ARE CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS AND SALES ARE JUST AS HIGH ON THE 2WD PARTS AS THE 4WD.*AK

• 12/14/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD AREA. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE BLOWER FROM THE RESISTER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD REIMBURSE HIM FOR THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE BUT NOT FOR THE LABOR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 141,000.

• 12/14/2004· SUSPENSION

  I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA 2WD TRUCK. I HAVE JUST BEEN REJECTED A VIRGINIA INSPECTION BECAUSE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS IN MY TRUCK ARE ABOUT TO COME OUT. THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE 2WDS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IF THE DAKOTAS ARE MADE WITH THE SAME PARTS FOR THE SAME PLACE. ISN'T IT LIKELY THAT ALL THE PARTS ARE FAULTY. NOW I HAVE A TRUCK THAT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION AND A $400.00 PROBLEM TO FIX ON A TRUCK THAT ONLY HAS 40K MILES.*AK

• 12/13/2006· VISIBILITY

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY IN RAINY WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHERS FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V216000, REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

• 12/13/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AT 20,000 MILES. PADS OK. TERIBLE PULSING WHEN STOPPING. LOCAL DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE A FEE JUST TO LOOK AT IT. I BELIEVE THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ARE AFFECTED BY THIS. BRAKES HORRIBLE IN WET CONDITION.*AK

• 12/13/2004· STEERING

  THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE AND GRINDING SOUND IN THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL. AFTER LOOKING AT IT FURTHER, THE TIE-ROD THAT CONNECTS TO THE RACK AND PINION STRIPPED THE THREAD AND FELL OFF. THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE PROPERLY WAS LOST AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERLY IMPACTED.*AK

• 12/13/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  WHEN APPLYING THE ANTI- BRAKES FROM A LOW SPEED BRAKES LOCKED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK

• 12/12/2005· VISIBILITY

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEATER FAN MECHANISM STOPPED WORKING, RESULTING IN NO HEAT OR DEFROST. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE REPAIRS MADE, BUT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE. REPAIRS WILL BE MADE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE.*AK

• 12/12/2004· SUSPENSION

  I HAVE HEARD NEWS THAT THERE MAY BE A RECALL OF DODGE DAKOTA TRUCKS FOR REASON OF UNSAFE BALL JOINTS. I OWN A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUADCAB 4.7L TWO WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK. SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK, I HAVE HEARD A LOUD CLUNK NOISE WHEN I TURN A CORNER OR GO UP A BUMP OR DRIVEWAY. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL NOISE ON CARS OR TRUCKS. FOR A TRUCK THAT CAN HAUL HEAVY WEIGHT, THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I AM ALWAYS AWARE OF THE NOISE AND KNOW THIS IS UNSAFE. ANYTIME YOU HAVE METAL MAKING RUBBING IN SUCH A MANNER, THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM. I DO NOT BELIEVE THESE VEHICLES ARE SAFE WITH PARTS THAT ARE NOT SOUND AND DURABLE FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLES. I ASK THAT THE TWO WHEEL DAKOTA TRUCKS ALSO BE CONSIDERED FOR RECALL FOR MORE DURABLE AND SAFE BALL JOINTS AND SUSPENSION PARTS. I DO A LOT OF HIGHWAY TRAVEL AND WHEN YOU PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FEEL YOUR WHEEL MAY FALL OFF AT ANY TIME. *JB

• 12/11/2004· SUSPENSION

  TOLD BY FOUR PEOPLE AT WORK THAT THEY HAD PROBLEM WITH THERE BALL JOINT AND HAD TO REPLACE THEM ON DODGE DAKOTAS TRUCK, ASK DODGE DEALER THEY SAID THEY GO BAD BECAUSE OF MICHIGAN ROADS, I ASK HIM WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER 49 STATES. *JB

• 12/11/2002· SUSPENSION

  CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SHOCK. ALSO STATED THAT ALMOST EVERY 100 MILES IF THE VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE OR A BUMP ON THE PAVEMENT THE VEHICLE LOSES CONTROL AND CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS SPINNED ON HIM TWICE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO THAT IS SOMETHING WRONG ENGINE WISE. MR

• 12/10/2004· SUSPENSION

  1. PREPARING TO DRIVE FROM CALIFORNIA TO NORTH CAROLINA IB 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 2WD. HAVING TIRES REPLACED AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT. FRONT END BALL JOINT AND ASSY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXTREME WEAR. MECHANIC STATED I WAS LUCKY THE WHEELS DIDN'T FALL OFF. HAD FRONT END BALL ASSY REPLACED.*AK

• 12/10/2004· SUSPENSION

  THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MAKING TURNS, CAUSING THE SUSPENSION TO BECOME LOOSE AND MAINTAIN PROPER CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR FRONT BALL JOINT REPAIRS FOR THE FOURTH TIME.*AK

• 12/10/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TWO MONTHS AGO CONSUMER STARTED TO NOTICE BRAKE FAILURE. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE CAR JERKED SPORADICALLY. THE PROBLEM STEADILY GOT WORSE. THREE WEEKS LATER THIS VEHICLE STARTED TO WORK PROPERLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. TWO DAYS AGO, THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

• 12/10/2004· SUSPENSION

  HAD TO HAVE THE BALLJOINTS REPLACED AT LESS THAN 50'000 MILES.*AK

• 12/10/2004· SUSPENSION

  I BROUGHT MY DODGE TRUCK (2002) REG. CAB (NO 4X4) TO THE DEALER BACK IN 01/30/2003 I HAD 6470 MILES ON IT. I COMPLAINED ABOUT A THUMPING NOISE IN THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WHEN I GO OVER A BUMP. PRYER TO THIS WHEN I WAS GETTING AN INSPECTION A WEEK EARLIER THEY TOLD ME MY BALL JOINT WAS BAD. WHEN THE DEALER TOOK IT IN THEY SAID THAT THE BALL JOINT PLAY WAS WITHIN SPECIFICATION AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. TO THIS DAY I STILL HAVE THE SAME THUMPING NOISE IN THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE/BALL JOINT. I AM VERY WORRIED THAT THIS IS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ALL ALONG AND HAS BEEN COVERED UP. WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW. *AK