NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
678 reports24,000 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
41,422 miles · May 26, 2005
Electrical SystemPower Train
DT: HEADLIGHTS NOT FUNCTIONING. ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS NOT FUNCTIONING, THE WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE HIGH, LOW SELECTION FOR WIPERS DOES WORK. KEYLESS ENTRY DOES NOT WORK. CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO COURTESY TIRE TWICE, THEN TO BBC DODGE THREE TIMES FOR ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS. THIS STARTED AROUND 11/26/04. WAS …
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DT: HEADLIGHTS NOT FUNCTIONING. ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS NOT FUNCTIONING, THE WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE HIGH, LOW SELECTION FOR WIPERS DOES WORK. KEYLESS ENTRY DOES NOT WORK. CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO COURTESY TIRE TWICE, THEN TO BBC DODGE THREE TIMES FOR ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS. THIS STARTED AROUND 11/26/04. WAS TOLD THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A LOOSE GROUND WIRE, SECOND TIME THEY THOUGHT IT WAS TIMER MODULE PART NO#TI-8035033 AND THIS MODULE WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, PROBABLY FOUR TIMES AS CONSUMER IS TAKING CARE AGAIN TOMORROW. WHEN THE MODULE IS FIRST PUT IN EVERYTHING WORKS WELL FOR AWHILE OR UNTIL IT RAINS. CONSUMER STATES HE NOTICES THAT AFTER IT RAINS EVERYTHING LISTED ABOVE STOPS WORKING AGAIN. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED HIS ATTORNEY GENERAL TO REPORT THIS SITUATION. *NM THE TRANSMISSION MADE A HARSH SOUND WHEN IT WAS PLACED INTO GEAR. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10120687
28,000 miles · May 25, 2005
Power TrainService Brakes, AirSuspension
DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOTOR CORPORATION P.O. BOX 21-8004 AUBURN HILLS, MI 48321-8004 ATTENTION: QUALITY ASSURANCE MY DODGE PRESENTLY HAS 49,200 MILES. IT HAS BEEN SERVICED AT RECOMMENDED AND REQUIRED INTERVALS AT MANAHAWKIN DODGE APPROXIMATELY EVERY 3,000 MILES. EARLY INTO MY OWNERSHIP I HAD INTERMITTENT TROUBLE WITH THE AIR…
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DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOTOR CORPORATION P.O. BOX 21-8004 AUBURN HILLS, MI 48321-8004 ATTENTION: QUALITY ASSURANCE MY DODGE PRESENTLY HAS 49,200 MILES. IT HAS BEEN SERVICED AT RECOMMENDED AND REQUIRED INTERVALS AT MANAHAWKIN DODGE APPROXIMATELY EVERY 3,000 MILES. EARLY INTO MY OWNERSHIP I HAD INTERMITTENT TROUBLE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THEY TRIED TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM. THEY DID A RECHARGE OF THE SYSTEM AND CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD AT 28998 MILES THAT THE "PULSING" WHEN MY BRAKES WERE APPLIED WAS DUE TO "HOT SPOTS" ON MY FRONT ROTORS. WHEN I INQUIRED AS TO HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN TO A RELATIVELY NEW TRUCK THAT IS USED AS A PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE I WAS TOLD THEY REALLY "DID NOT KNOW BUT HAVE HAD TO REPLACE OTHERS." IT IS NOTED THAT I NEVER HAD TO REPLACE ROTORS ON MY PREVIOUS NISSANS. THAT ENDED UP COSTING ME $393. I BEGAN HEARING A NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND INTERMITTENT DELAYED SHIFTING INTO GEAR RESULTING IN THE TRANSMISSION BEING SERVICED WHICH INCLUDED CHANGING FILTERS, LUBRICANT, ETC. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT MY UPPER BALL JOINT WAS WORN AND REPLACED ONE SIDE ONLY. THIS I SUBSEQUENTLY LEARNED HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR SOME DODGE VEHICLES AND I HAVE SINCE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM DAIMLERCHRYSLER REGARDING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE PART. TODAY I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD PLAY IN THE RIGHT FRONT BALL BEARING AND THE HUB NEEDED A TOTAL REPLACEMENT. ALONG WITH THAT A STRUT HAD TO BE REPLACED AND AN ALIGNMENT ONCE IT WAS COMPLETED. WHEN I ASKED HOW AXLE BEARING COULD GO BAD WITH THIS LOW A MILEAGE I WAS TOLD THAT THE HUB IS SEALED AND NO WAY TO LUBRICATE AND THAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE BAD. IN ADDITION, I HAVE A NOISY LEFT LEAF SPRING THAT NEEDS A PART. THE COST FOR THE FRONT HUB IS OVER $600. I RARELY GET OVER 16 MILES PER GALLON EVEN I THE BEST DRIVING CONDITIONS. SINCERELY, CHARLES W. STAUFFER CC: NHTSA NJ DIVISION CONSUMER AFFAIRS FILE
NHTSA ODI #10122108
40,590 miles · May 24, 2005
Suspension
MECHANIC DETECTED FAILING BALL JOINT, FRONT RIGHT I WAS INFORMED CONDITION COULD FAIL, AND VEHICLE COULD BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE HAD MECHANIC REPAIR DEFETIVE BALL JOINT. CHRYSLER REFUSED WARENTEE, AS THEIR DEALERSHIP DID NOT REPAIR DEFECT.
NHTSA ODI #10122039
Mileage unknown · May 18, 2005
Electrical System
2002 DODGE DAKOTA EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND THE KEY FOD ACCESS.*MR THE TI MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST FIVE MONTHS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10121592
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
Mileage unknown · May 16, 2005
Suspension
CONSUMER RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICE D47 FOR UPPER BALL JOINTS .*AK THE DEALER HAD THE PARTS BUT REFUSED TO DO THE WORK STATING THEY COULD ONLY DO 1 OR 2 REPAIRS A DAY AND WERE BOOKED UNTIL END OF JUNE. *BF *NM
NHTSA ODI #10118929
20 miles · May 12, 2005
Equipment
2002 DODGE DAKOTA WARPED ROUTERS. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THE DAKOTA'S THIS WEBSITE ALONE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE ONLY ONE YEAR AND JUST TOOK FOR INSPECTION, POWER STEERING RACK HAD TO BE REPLACED IN EXCESS OF $900 AND EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH VIBRATION WHEN STOPPING.
NHTSA ODI #10120730
57,780 miles · May 5, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS IN A REAR END COLISSION ON 2-18-05 THAT TOTALED MY 02 DAKOTA QUADCAB.THE IMPACT DROVE ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND PUSHED EVERYTHING INTO THE MOTOR.THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.THIS IS THE SECOND DODGE THAT I'VE SEEN THAT HAD SEVERE FRONTAL DAMAGE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY(IT WAS AN 02 FULL SIZE).I CONTACTED D…
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I WAS IN A REAR END COLISSION ON 2-18-05 THAT TOTALED MY 02 DAKOTA QUADCAB.THE IMPACT DROVE ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND PUSHED EVERYTHING INTO THE MOTOR.THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.THIS IS THE SECOND DODGE THAT I'VE SEEN THAT HAD SEVERE FRONTAL DAMAGE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY(IT WAS AN 02 FULL SIZE).I CONTACTED DAIMLER-CHRYSLER AND THE REP. TOLD ME THAT ANY MANUFACTERER VEHICLE MUST BE ACCELLERATING WITH AN IMPACT FORCE TO TRIGGER THE AIRBAGS.TALK ABOUT A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY.
NHTSA ODI #10119994
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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