NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
678 reports84,000 miles · Oct 1, 2007
Suspension
2002 DODGE DAKOTA UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE. IT SEEMS THAT THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #04V596000 ONLY COVERED FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4) VEHICLES BUT THE SAME PROBLEM EXIST ON TWO-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES ALSO. MY VEHICLE HAS 84,000 MILES AND BOTH BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACING. THE REPLACEMENT PART IS THE SAME ON BOTH TWO OR FOUR…
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2002 DODGE DAKOTA UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE. IT SEEMS THAT THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #04V596000 ONLY COVERED FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4) VEHICLES BUT THE SAME PROBLEM EXIST ON TWO-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES ALSO. MY VEHICLE HAS 84,000 MILES AND BOTH BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACING. THE REPLACEMENT PART IS THE SAME ON BOTH TWO OR FOUR WHEEL DRIVES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10204579
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
24,460 miles · Aug 30, 2007
Parking Brake
DRIVER SIDE BRAKES FROZE WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A VEHICLE THAT ONLY HAS 24,460 MILES ON IT
NHTSA ODI #10201291
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
51,116 miles · Aug 20, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire
CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH FRONT BRAKES. IN JULY 06, ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 35,552 MILES ON THE TRUCK (SEE ODI #10200119). IN MARCH 07, THE NEW ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED AT 44,6295 MILES (SEE OD #10200122). IN MAY 07, VIBRATIONS IN THE FRONT END RETURNED AND THERE WAS A STRANGE RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END…
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CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH FRONT BRAKES. IN JULY 06, ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 35,552 MILES ON THE TRUCK (SEE ODI #10200119). IN MARCH 07, THE NEW ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED AT 44,6295 MILES (SEE OD #10200122). IN MAY 07, VIBRATIONS IN THE FRONT END RETURNED AND THERE WAS A STRANGE RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKES AT 50,230 MILES (SEE ODI #10200127). I DROVE THE VEHICLE ABOUT 17 MILES (ALL HIGHWAY MILES). WHEN I STOPPED, SMOKE WAS ROLLING OUT OF THE FRONT LEFT SIDE AND THERE WAS A STRONG BRAKE ODOR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. TECHNICIAN INDICATED IT WAS STICKING CALIPERS. TECHNICIAN REPLACED FRONT LEFT CALIPER. TOTAL COST $121. (NOTE - DEALER DID NOT CHARGE ME FOR LABOR ON CALIPER REPLACEMENT.) *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200129
50,230 miles · Aug 20, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
RATTLING NOISE HEARD IN THE FRONT END AND PULSING BRAKES WHEN STOPPING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. TECHNICIAN INDICATED THE FRONT BRAKES WERE MAKING THE NOISE. REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES. I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE OVER AND OVER AGAIN. IN JULY 06, THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED (SEE ODI #10200119) WI…
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RATTLING NOISE HEARD IN THE FRONT END AND PULSING BRAKES WHEN STOPPING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. TECHNICIAN INDICATED THE FRONT BRAKES WERE MAKING THE NOISE. REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES. I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE OVER AND OVER AGAIN. IN JULY 06, THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED (SEE ODI #10200119) WITH ONLY 35,552 K ON THE TRUCK. THE NEW ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED IN MARCH 07 (SEE ODI #10200122) WIITH ONY 46,295 ON THE TRUCK. AT THAT TIME THE PERSON WRITING UP THE TICKET ASKED ME WHEN I HAD THE FRONT BRAKES REPLACED BECAUSE, IN HER WORDS "THEY LOOK BRAND NEW". STRANGELY, ONLY 2 MONTHS LATER AT 50,230 MILES, THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THESE WERE THE ORIGINAL BRAKES. TOTAL COST WAS $146. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200127
46,295 miles · Aug 20, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FRONT ROTORS REPLACED AT 35K (SEE ODI #10200119). ONLY 8 MONTHS LATER, AT 46,295 MILES BRAKES STARTED PULSING AGAIN. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER. THEY INDICATED THE ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED. TECHNICIAN ALSO SUGGESTED CLEAN AND ADJUST THE REAR BRAKES. TOTAL COST WAS $137. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200122
35,552 miles · Aug 20, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
"PULSING" VIBRATION IN FRONT END WHILE BRAKING. DEALER INDICATED THE FRONT ROTORS WERE "WARPED AND PITTED" AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 35,552 MILES ON IT, BUT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE OF TIME LIMIT. DEALER DID NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. COST OF REPLACEMENT $165.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200119
40,000 miles · Aug 17, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
PURCHASE 02 DODGE DAKOTA REPORT BRAKES 3 TIME DODGE FOUND NOW PROBLEMS . BRAKES,CRASH NO INJURIES,ALSO @40K MILES INTAKE LEAK,WATER PUMP @36 DODGE WILL NOT HELP WITH ANY REPAIR COST THEY SAY ITS OUT SIDE OF WARRANTY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10199951
75,500 miles · Aug 15, 2007
Power Train
THE 9.25? LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL IN OUR 2002 DODGE DAKOTA CREW CAB FAILED AFTER COMPONENTS OF THE DIFFERENTIAL DISINTEGRATED AT 75,000 MILES. PICTURES AVAILABLE. THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IF A VERY SLIGHT NOISE HAD NOT DEVELOPED DURING PARKING LOT TURNS. A QUICK GOOGLE OF THIS PROBLEM RESUL…
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THE 9.25? LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL IN OUR 2002 DODGE DAKOTA CREW CAB FAILED AFTER COMPONENTS OF THE DIFFERENTIAL DISINTEGRATED AT 75,000 MILES. PICTURES AVAILABLE. THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IF A VERY SLIGHT NOISE HAD NOT DEVELOPED DURING PARKING LOT TURNS. A QUICK GOOGLE OF THIS PROBLEM RESULTED IN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM INCLUDING CATASTROPHIC FAILURES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10199719
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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