NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
678 reportsMileage unknown · Aug 4, 2005
Exterior Lighting
DT: 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THE CONSUMER FOUND A RECALL FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. DODGE TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THERE WERE NO DIM LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE. HE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND THE DIMMER SWITCH; THERE WERENO FUSES FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL WAS FOR A CE…
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DT: 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THE CONSUMER FOUND A RECALL FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. DODGE TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THERE WERE NO DIM LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE. HE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND THE DIMMER SWITCH; THERE WERENO FUSES FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL WAS FOR A CENTRAL TIMER MODULE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE LOOKED AT. THIS OCCURRED ON JULY 29, 2005.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10131547
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2005
EquipmentPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
2002 DODGE DAKOTA RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE HUB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER. HOT SPOT ON THE FRONT ROTORS CAUSED PULSATION WHEN BRAKING. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION MADE NOISE AND INTERMITTENT DELAYED SHIFTING. THE RIGHT FRONT HUB AND BEARING WERE …
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2002 DODGE DAKOTA RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE HUB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER. HOT SPOT ON THE FRONT ROTORS CAUSED PULSATION WHEN BRAKING. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION MADE NOISE AND INTERMITTENT DELAYED SHIFTING. THE RIGHT FRONT HUB AND BEARING WERE REPLACED. THE RIGHT FRONT OUTER TIE ROD END WAS REPLACED. THE LEFT FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10132398
27,000 miles · Aug 2, 2005
Suspension
DT: THE CONSUMER WAS UPSET THAT AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE THE DEALER RECOMMENDED A FULL ALIGNMENT, BUT CHRYSLER WILL ONLY PAY FOR ONE THIRD. SPECIALLY, CHRYSLER WILL ONLY PAY FOR THE TOW IN ADJUSTMENT, AFTER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT. THE RECALL WAS 04V596000. THE TOW IN ADJUSTMENT WAS NOT AFFECTED AS MUCH AS THE OTHER CA…
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DT: THE CONSUMER WAS UPSET THAT AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE THE DEALER RECOMMENDED A FULL ALIGNMENT, BUT CHRYSLER WILL ONLY PAY FOR ONE THIRD. SPECIALLY, CHRYSLER WILL ONLY PAY FOR THE TOW IN ADJUSTMENT, AFTER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT. THE RECALL WAS 04V596000. THE TOW IN ADJUSTMENT WAS NOT AFFECTED AS MUCH AS THE OTHER CAMBER AND CASTER. THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE ON THE TRUCK. THE OWNER WAS LOOKING AT A CHARGE OF ABOUT $60.00 THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE CONTROL ISSUES WITHOUT THE ALIGNMENT, WHICH WOULD BE THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10131092
19,565 miles · Jul 20, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE CALIPER ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA SIEZED UP CAUSING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO OVERHEAT TO THE POINT OF SMOKING.THE BRAKE FLUID WAS RUINED, THE PADS DESTROYED,THE ROTOR DAMAGED, AND THE WHEEL BEARING GREASE BROKEN DOWN. FAIR OAKS DODGE OF FAIRFAX VA HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THIS INCIDENT. THEY REPAIRED THE DAMAG…
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THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE CALIPER ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA SIEZED UP CAUSING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO OVERHEAT TO THE POINT OF SMOKING.THE BRAKE FLUID WAS RUINED, THE PADS DESTROYED,THE ROTOR DAMAGED, AND THE WHEEL BEARING GREASE BROKEN DOWN. FAIR OAKS DODGE OF FAIRFAX VA HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THIS INCIDENT. THEY REPAIRED THE DAMAGE AT MY EXPENSE WITH ONLY THE CALIPERS COVERED UNDER WARRENTY. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY INSTANCE OF DAIMLER CHRYSLER BRAKES FAILING IN THIS MANNER. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10129463
20,000 miles · Jul 15, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringSuspension
THOUGHT I WOULD "BUY AMERICAN" AND GET THE DODGE DAKOTA 4 DR CREW. LOVE ITS STYLE, COMFORTS, MORE POWER THAN I NEED (4.7L V8) 2WD HAS NO TRACTION IN SNOW OR ICE. VERY EASY TO DRIVE AND COMFORTABLE 6FT.2 220LBS.(2 TRIPS NJ TO CALIF.) GAS MILEAGE STINKS...13-18MPG, NO LOADS. BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED 28K, LEFT TOP BALL JOINT WORN (NO…
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THOUGHT I WOULD "BUY AMERICAN" AND GET THE DODGE DAKOTA 4 DR CREW. LOVE ITS STYLE, COMFORTS, MORE POWER THAN I NEED (4.7L V8) 2WD HAS NO TRACTION IN SNOW OR ICE. VERY EASY TO DRIVE AND COMFORTABLE 6FT.2 220LBS.(2 TRIPS NJ TO CALIF.) GAS MILEAGE STINKS...13-18MPG, NO LOADS. BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED 28K, LEFT TOP BALL JOINT WORN (NO RECALL YET)A/C NEEDED CHARGING, RIGHT FRONT HUB AND BEARINGS REPLACED 49K, REAR LEAF SPRING NOISY, TRANSMISSION HESITATION OCCASIONALLY. GREAT TRUCK TO DRIVE AND HAUL BUT RELIABILITY REALLY IN QUESTION WITH ONLY 49K. PROBABLY BACK TO NISSAN OR TOYOTA.
NHTSA ODI #10128866
22,900 miles · Jul 15, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT: WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SAW SMOKE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE LEFT AND WAS SHAKING. THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR THE CONSUMER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC BUT HE COULDN'T GET THE VEHICLE'S WHEELS TO MOVE. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS TH…
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DT: WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SAW SMOKE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE LEFT AND WAS SHAKING. THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR THE CONSUMER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC BUT HE COULDN'T GET THE VEHICLE'S WHEELS TO MOVE. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE CALIPERS FROZE AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE SO HOT THEY APPEARED TO BE READY TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE CONSUMR HAD THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. THE DEALER CLAIMED TO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE FAILURE AND TOLD THE CONSUMER TO CALL NHTSA. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10126834
25,572 miles · Jul 13, 2005
SteeringSuspension
MULTIPLE SUSPENSION COMPONENT FAILURES PLEASE REOPEN INVESTIGATIONS INTO DODGE DAKOTA/DURANGO PRODUCTS. STABILIZER BUSHINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED AND WERE REPLACED, STEERING INPUT SHAFT FAILED AND REPLACED ONCE.
NHTSA ODI #10128548
51,000 miles · Jul 10, 2005
Unknown Or Other
1. YEAR OLD TRUCK NO WRECKS 2. SOMETHING LEAKING, WET CARPET ON PASSENGER SIDE FROM DAY ONE. 3. THEY REPLACE BACK WINDOW SEAL BUT LEAK STILL OCCURS.
NHTSA ODI #10128232
59,560 miles · Jul 7, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspensionUnknown Or Other
I LOVE THIS VEHICLE, HOWEVER WILL JOIN THE MASSES REPORTING A FAILED UPPER BALL JOINT AT 55,000 MILES, 3 SETS OF WARPED FRONT BRAKE DISCS AND LACK OF PROPER BRAKING FOR THE ABS SYSTEM.
NHTSA ODI #10127852
108,000 miles · Jun 7, 2005
Air BagsCrash
CONSUMER HIT AN IRON POLE WHILE CROSSING RAIL ROAD TRACKS AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, AND NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE IS AT THE BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10117334
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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