NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
177 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Dec 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 SYMPTO…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10251999
70,000 miles · Jul 28, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/DODGE/DAKOTA/2002/BRAKES/BRAKE_CYLINDER_LOCK-UP.SHTML JUST VIEW THE WEB SITE ABOVE. THE BRAKES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA LOCK-UP AND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE WHEEL WELL. I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS OCCURRING ON MANY OTHER DAKOTAS. DO A SEARCH ON…
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HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/DODGE/DAKOTA/2002/BRAKES/BRAKE_CYLINDER_LOCK-UP.SHTML JUST VIEW THE WEB SITE ABOVE. THE BRAKES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA LOCK-UP AND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE WHEEL WELL. I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS OCCURRING ON MANY OTHER DAKOTAS. DO A SEARCH ONLINE FOR DODGE DAKOTA SMOKING BRAKES AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED AT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OUT THERE. I TRULY THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10236166
25,250 miles · Jun 10, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TRUCK OPERATING NORMAL UNTIL BRAKING AT INTERSECTION. TRUCK THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT UPON BRAKING. SMELLED AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM FRONT OF TRUCK. UPON STOPPING HAD SMOKE COMING FROM PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT WHEEL/ROTOR. GOT TO THE POINT WHERE I WAS CONCERNED THAT A FIRE WAS IMMINENT DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE HEAT. T…
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TRUCK OPERATING NORMAL UNTIL BRAKING AT INTERSECTION. TRUCK THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT UPON BRAKING. SMELLED AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM FRONT OF TRUCK. UPON STOPPING HAD SMOKE COMING FROM PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT WHEEL/ROTOR. GOT TO THE POINT WHERE I WAS CONCERNED THAT A FIRE WAS IMMINENT DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE HEAT. THE TIRE/WHEEL ON THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE WAS EXTREMELY HOT. NEXT MORNING, THE TRUCK DROVE NORMAL, NO SIGN THAT THE BRAKE/ROTOR WAS DAMAGED. PLAN ON TAKING IN FOR THOROUGH INSPECTION. NOTICED FIFTEEN (15) SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR 2002 DODGE DAKOTA WITH UNEXPLAINED MASTER CYLINDER LOCK-UP. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/DODGE/DAKOTA/2002/BRAKES/BRAKE_CYLINDER_LOCK-UP.SHTML. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10230407
95,000 miles · May 19, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
.. FRONT PASSENGER BRAKE SEIZED. OCCURRED DURING HIGH TRAFFIC TIME WITH ALONG WITH PULL TO RIGHT/COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT..CAME CLEAR THE NEXT MORNING/ OCCURRED AGAIN 1 MO. LATER.. I REPLACED BRAKE HOSE ,CALIPER ,ROTOR AND BRAKE PAD, ONLY BEEN ABOUT 3 DAYS SINCE REPLACING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228227
85,000 miles · May 12, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FRONT WHEELS (BRAKES) LOCKED UP ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10227518
24,000 miles · Apr 14, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
IT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. I WOULD HIT MY BRAKES, AND THEY WOULD BE SOLID, I WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN,IF I RELEASE THEM AND HIT THEM AGAIN,THEN THY WOULD STOP. BY THAT TIME I WOULD BE HALF THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I CALLED CHRYSLER, BUT THEY SEEM TO CARE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224532
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
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
21,700 miles · Sep 13, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
AFTER ONLY 5 YEARS AND LESS THAN 22,000 MILES, THE FRONT HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES FROM THE FRAME TO THE CALIPER FAILED FROM INTENSE RUSTING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE ROAD. AVOIDANCE OF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF LUCK. THE INTENSE RUST RATE IN THE FORWARD WHEEL WELL ALSO CAUSED BRAKE PAD RELEASE FAILURES WHICH CAUSED…
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AFTER ONLY 5 YEARS AND LESS THAN 22,000 MILES, THE FRONT HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES FROM THE FRAME TO THE CALIPER FAILED FROM INTENSE RUSTING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE ROAD. AVOIDANCE OF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF LUCK. THE INTENSE RUST RATE IN THE FORWARD WHEEL WELL ALSO CAUSED BRAKE PAD RELEASE FAILURES WHICH CAUSED INCREASING CONTINUOUS DRAG AND OVERHEATING OF THE BRAKE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY. NO OBSERVATION OF THE PROBLEM BY DEALER DURING BALL JOINT RECALL WORK JUST 9 MONTHS PRIOR TO FAILURE. OWNER REPLACED HYDRAULIC LINES ON BOTH SIDES. OWNER IS NOW CONCERNED WITH POSSIBLE FAILURE OF FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS DUE TO UNUSUAL RUST RATES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10202896
51,819 miles · Aug 20, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH FRONT BRAKES. HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS AT 35,552 MILES (SEE ODI #10200119), HAD TO TURN THOSE ROTORS AT 46,295 MILES (SEE ODI #10200122), HAD TO REPLACE FRONT BRAKES AT 50, 230 MILES (SEE ODI #10200127), HAD TO REPLACE FRONT LEFT CALIPERS AT 51,116 MILES (SEE ODI #10200129). TWO WEEKS AFTER REPLACING T…
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CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH FRONT BRAKES. HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS AT 35,552 MILES (SEE ODI #10200119), HAD TO TURN THOSE ROTORS AT 46,295 MILES (SEE ODI #10200122), HAD TO REPLACE FRONT BRAKES AT 50, 230 MILES (SEE ODI #10200127), HAD TO REPLACE FRONT LEFT CALIPERS AT 51,116 MILES (SEE ODI #10200129). TWO WEEKS AFTER REPLACING THE CALIPERS, DROVE SHORT DISTANCE (ALL HIGHWAY MILES). WHEN I STOPPED THE TRUCK, STRONG BRAKE SMELL COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END. I LET THE CAR SIT FOR A WHILE AND CONTINUED ON. NOW IT'S INTERMITTENT. CALIPERS APPEAR TO BE STICKING AGAIN - INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE PULLS AND BRAKES FEEL INCONSISTENT LIKE THEY ARE COMING ON WAY TOO HARD BUT THEN PULSING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200133
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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