NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
678 reports49,000 miles · Oct 26, 2015
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2008 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN), BUT THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE MANU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2008 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN), BUT THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
NHTSA ODI #10785973
165,000 miles · Aug 7, 2015
Service BrakesFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES SEIZED WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THE BRAKE WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES SEIZED WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THE BRAKE WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CALIPERS OR THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT INDEPENDENTLY REPLACED THE BRAKE LINES, BRAKE CALIPERS, AND BRAKE PADS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THE BRAKE WAS LOCATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
NHTSA ODI #10747048
90,000 miles · Jul 2, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED AND THERE WERE FRACTURES IN FRONT OF THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10731662
107,000 miles · Apr 28, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
I WAS DRIVING AND THE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND THEN THEY WENT ALL THE WAY OUT AND THE DOME LIGHT AND KEYLESS ENTRY ISN'T WORKING. IT FINALLY WOULDN'T START AND SO WE BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY, AND THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THEN THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHTS WERE OFF AGAIN. THE BATTERY THAT WAS IN THE TRUCK WAS TOO SMALL AND WE TOLD THE DEA…
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I WAS DRIVING AND THE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND THEN THEY WENT ALL THE WAY OUT AND THE DOME LIGHT AND KEYLESS ENTRY ISN'T WORKING. IT FINALLY WOULDN'T START AND SO WE BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY, AND THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THEN THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHTS WERE OFF AGAIN. THE BATTERY THAT WAS IN THE TRUCK WAS TOO SMALL AND WE TOLD THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE LIGHTS WEREN'T WORKING BECAUSE WE PUT A BIGGER BATTERY IN IT, WE PUT THE RIGHT SIZE BATTERY. THE OTHER DAY WE CAME HOME AND THE CARGO LIGHTS WERE ON BY THEMSELVES. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT FOR IT CATCHING ON FIRE. WE ONLY HAD THE TRUCK 2 AND HALF MONTHS. WE PAID $6300 FOR IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10713473
125,000 miles · Mar 30, 2015
Air BagsService BrakesStructureCrashInjury
I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE CAR 2 WEEKS EARLIER. I WAS ACCELERATING TO MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY AND THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AT 60 MPH. NO MATTER WHAT I DID TO THE PEDAL, IT WAS STUCK AT 60 MPH. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK EITHER. I WAS IN A RUNAWAY CAR ON A BUSY FREEWAY. I TRIED TO NEGOTIATE THE TRAFFIC FOR 2 MILES THEN DECIDED I NEEDED…
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I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE CAR 2 WEEKS EARLIER. I WAS ACCELERATING TO MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY AND THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AT 60 MPH. NO MATTER WHAT I DID TO THE PEDAL, IT WAS STUCK AT 60 MPH. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK EITHER. I WAS IN A RUNAWAY CAR ON A BUSY FREEWAY. I TRIED TO NEGOTIATE THE TRAFFIC FOR 2 MILES THEN DECIDED I NEEDED TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY. I STARTED TO SMASH INTO THE FREEWAY OFF-RAMP RETAINING WALL IN THE EFFORT TO SLOW THE TRUCK DOWN WHICH IT DID TO SOME DEGREE. THEN HAD TO BARREL THROUGH A RED LIGHT WITH FLASHERS AND HORN GOING AND TO STOP THE TRUCK I DELIBERATELY RAMMED IT INTO A WROUGHT IRON FENCE, 2 LANDSCAPING BOULDERS AND A LIGHT POST. THE AIRBAG ALSO FAILED. I WAS RUSHED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL WITH HEAD TRAUMA AND CONCUSSION, BROKEN GLASSES THAT CUT MY EYEBROW. I HAVE PICTURES. THE WORST PART HAS BEEN THE PTSD THAT I HAVE SUFFERED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT -- MULTIPLE FAILURE - ACCELERATOR, BRAKES AND AIRBAG. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10702732
98,000 miles · Mar 30, 2015
Steering
RACK AND PINION SEAL BUSTED WHILE DRIVING AT SOME POINT RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10702702
65,500 miles · Jan 22, 2015
Power TrainSteering
THE SHIFTER WILL NOT MOVE FROM PARK POSITION. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER DUE TO THE RECALL FOR THAT SPECIFIC PROBLEM WITH THAT YEAR MODEL. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT IS VIN # RELATED PROBLEM (IT IS A SPECIFIC VIN NUMBERS THAT IT IS RELATED TO). I INFORMED THEM THAT I'M EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT ALL SITES, REPORTS AN…
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THE SHIFTER WILL NOT MOVE FROM PARK POSITION. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER DUE TO THE RECALL FOR THAT SPECIFIC PROBLEM WITH THAT YEAR MODEL. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT IS VIN # RELATED PROBLEM (IT IS A SPECIFIC VIN NUMBERS THAT IT IS RELATED TO). I INFORMED THEM THAT I'M EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT ALL SITES, REPORTS AND BLOGS ARE TALKING ABOUT. THE FINAL ANSWER IS TO TAKE MY CAR TO BE DIAGNOSE, DEPENDING ON THE REPORT THEY MAY OR MAY NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. HOW IT IS DIFFERENT THIS PROBLEM FROM THE PROBLEM THAT I'M HAVING?! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10678228
105,000 miles · Dec 25, 2014
Electrical SystemService Brakes
STEPPED ON BRAKE ON WET ROAD,ABS KICKED IN ON REAR AXLE AND TRUCK WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. ALMOST HAD A REAR END COLLISION. VERY DANGEROUS, HAVE SEEN A LOT OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME THING. ALSO LOSE ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WITH HEADLIGHTS ON MOMENTARILY LEAVING YOU WITHOUT LIGHTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10668229
200,000 miles · Dec 23, 2014
SuspensionCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL FRACTURED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN 90 DEGREES INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND CRASH. THE SPECIFICS OF THE CRASH WERE NOT AVAILABLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL FRACTURED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN 90 DEGREES INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND CRASH. THE SPECIFICS OF THE CRASH WERE NOT AVAILABLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA ODI #10668009
Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2014
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
2002 DODGE DAKOTA CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT BRAKE LINE *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITH INFERIOR MATERIALS. THE GAS TANK STRAPS BROKE AND THE TRANSMISSION AND BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED AND WERE LEAKING. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE AND BRAKE HOSE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10653342
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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