NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
177 reportsClear category filter24,000 miles · May 30, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS IS MY SECOND POSTING. MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB IS STILL DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE FOUR WHEEL ABS SYSTEM WILL NOT STOP THE VEHICLE IN A PANIC SITUATION. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED HARD, THE ABS KICKS IN AND RELEASES THE WHEELS BUT IF I LET OFF WHEN THAT HAPPENS AND REAPPLY THE BRAKES, THERE IS ALMOST NO BRAKING.…
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THIS IS MY SECOND POSTING. MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB IS STILL DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE FOUR WHEEL ABS SYSTEM WILL NOT STOP THE VEHICLE IN A PANIC SITUATION. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED HARD, THE ABS KICKS IN AND RELEASES THE WHEELS BUT IF I LET OFF WHEN THAT HAPPENS AND REAPPLY THE BRAKES, THERE IS ALMOST NO BRAKING. THE PEDAL SEEMS TO HIT A BLOCK AND THE TRUCK CONTINUES TO ROLL ALMOST FREELY. THE PROBLEM IS REALLY EXACERBATED OVER ROUGH SURFACES OR ON WET PAVEMENT. I'VE LEARNED TO GIVE MYSELF ABOUT FIVE TIMES THE NORMAL SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCE BUT THAT JUST RESULTS IN PEOPLE PULLING IN FRONT OF ME TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE GAP AND THEREBY TAKING AWAY THE SAFETY MARGIN I NEED WITH THIS VEHICLE. THERE ARE MANY POSTS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT PROBLEM. IS ANYONE THERE LISTENING? THE DEALERS CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT ARE TOLD BY CHRYSLER THAT THE SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE IN A ACCIDENT BEFORE YOU INVESTIGATE AND PROVIDE SOME ANSWERS?
NHTSA ODI #10122463
Mileage unknown · May 18, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. REAR WHEELS LOCK UP AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN ROAD IS WET THEN RELEASE BRAKES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. DOES SAME IF REAR WHEEL HIT A BUMP OR POT HOLE DURING BRAKING. BRAKES RELEASE DURING MILD STOPS. THIS CONDITION HAS CAUSED SEVERAL CLOSE ACCIDENTS. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNI…
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ABS SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. REAR WHEELS LOCK UP AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN ROAD IS WET THEN RELEASE BRAKES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. DOES SAME IF REAR WHEEL HIT A BUMP OR POT HOLE DURING BRAKING. BRAKES RELEASE DURING MILD STOPS. THIS CONDITION HAS CAUSED SEVERAL CLOSE ACCIDENTS. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10121336
Mileage unknown · May 16, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2002 DODGE DAKOTA FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS FAILED AND THE BRAKE DISCS WERE WARPED. *MR THE LEFT BRAKE CALIPER FAILED AS WELL. IN BOTH CASES THE BRAKES GRABBED AND SMOKE WAS PRODUCED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10121522
20,000 miles · May 3, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WITH AROUND 15,000 MILES ON 02 DODGE DAKOTA WAS TOLD FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND SUBSEQUENTLY WERE AT 20,000 MILES. LESS THEN YEAR LATER WITH 30,000 MILES ROTORS MUST BE REPLACED AGAIN AT COST OF $390. NEW TRUCK TWICE IN A YEAR, WITH KNOWN PROBLEM DEALER STICKS HEAD IN SAND AND IGNORES.
NHTSA ODI #10119665
41,100 miles · Apr 19, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS BRAKES CONTINUE NOT WORK PROPERLY UNDER WET ROAD CONDITIONS AND AT 40 MPH, DURING EMERGENCY STOP, WHEELS INITIALLY LOCK UP AND THEN RELEASE ALL TOGETHER. REOCCURRANCE OF SIMILAR EVENT DOCUMENTED IN ODI #10049545. AVOIDED REAR END COLLISION BY DRIVING OFF ROAD INTO DITCH. THESE BRAKES HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND NEED TO BE …
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ABS BRAKES CONTINUE NOT WORK PROPERLY UNDER WET ROAD CONDITIONS AND AT 40 MPH, DURING EMERGENCY STOP, WHEELS INITIALLY LOCK UP AND THEN RELEASE ALL TOGETHER. REOCCURRANCE OF SIMILAR EVENT DOCUMENTED IN ODI #10049545. AVOIDED REAR END COLLISION BY DRIVING OFF ROAD INTO DITCH. THESE BRAKES HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED. DEALER CONTINUES TO STATE THAT THEY ARE WORKING AS DESIGNED FOR A TWO WHEEL ABS SYSTEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10118091
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2002 DODGE DAKOTA 2WD 6 CYLINDER. OCCASIONALLY THE BRAKES SEE TO RELEASE AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN APPROACHING A STOP, CAUSING CLOSE CALLS, NEAR ACCIDENTS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10116856
40,000 miles · Apr 5, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I TOO HAVE JUST HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS ON MY 02 DAKOTA. I HAVE NEVER OWNED ANY VEHICLE WHERE THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED, WITH FAR MORE MILEAGE THAN THIS TRUCK(44K). THE DEALER SAYS "THEY ROTORS ARE OVERHEATING" WELL IF THE TRUCK IS USED MOSTLY FOR FREEWAY USE, ISNT HAULING LOADS OR TOWING, AND ITS ONLY WEIGHT IS ON T…
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I TOO HAVE JUST HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS ON MY 02 DAKOTA. I HAVE NEVER OWNED ANY VEHICLE WHERE THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED, WITH FAR MORE MILEAGE THAN THIS TRUCK(44K). THE DEALER SAYS "THEY ROTORS ARE OVERHEATING" WELL IF THE TRUCK IS USED MOSTLY FOR FREEWAY USE, ISNT HAULING LOADS OR TOWING, AND ITS ONLY WEIGHT IS ON THE BRAKES, IT WOULD SEEM TO THE MOST IGNORANT THAT THERE IS DEFINATELY DEFECTIVE MATERIALS IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10116427
41,000 miles · Mar 29, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE BRAKING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE SHIMMIED. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF THE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR WEAR. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10117041
8,000 miles · Mar 25, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT 11,000. 2,000 MILES LATER CONSUMER NOTICED A PULSATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ROTORS WERE WORN OUT. CONSUMER STATED THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT ABOUT EVERY 8,000 MILES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10115878
39,000 miles · Feb 15, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
RUSTING AND PITTED BRAKE ROTORS ON 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 40K MILES AND IS GARAGED IN WINTER MONTHS. INSPECTION SHOWED BRAKE PADS WERE NOT WORN OUT BUT ROTORS WERE PITTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. MANUFACTURE DEFECT. I PAID $406 TO HAVE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED. COULD HAVE HAD A BRAKE FAILURE. CHYSLER TOOK …
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RUSTING AND PITTED BRAKE ROTORS ON 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 40K MILES AND IS GARAGED IN WINTER MONTHS. INSPECTION SHOWED BRAKE PADS WERE NOT WORN OUT BUT ROTORS WERE PITTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. MANUFACTURE DEFECT. I PAID $406 TO HAVE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED. COULD HAVE HAD A BRAKE FAILURE. CHYSLER TOOK MY COMPLAINT AND SAID IT WAS PAST THE WARRENTY MILEAGE.
NHTSA ODI #10110584
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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