NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
678 reports24,040 miles · Jun 17, 2004
Power Train
02 DAKOTA SXT/3.9L/AUTO PURCHASED 10-2003 FROM DEALER AT 23K MILES. VIBRATION FROM DRIVE TRAIN STARTED AT 24040 MILES BETWEEN 45-50 STEADY MPH. 1ST DEALER BALANCED THE TIRES STATING THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. 2ND DEALER REPLACED DRIVESHAFT STATING OUT OF BALANCE FROM FACTORY - NO CHANGE IN SYMPTOMS. BACK TO 2ND DEALER…
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02 DAKOTA SXT/3.9L/AUTO PURCHASED 10-2003 FROM DEALER AT 23K MILES. VIBRATION FROM DRIVE TRAIN STARTED AT 24040 MILES BETWEEN 45-50 STEADY MPH. 1ST DEALER BALANCED THE TIRES STATING THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. 2ND DEALER REPLACED DRIVESHAFT STATING OUT OF BALANCE FROM FACTORY - NO CHANGE IN SYMPTOMS. BACK TO 2ND DEALER FOR TRANS FLASH PROGRAM - NO CHANGE. WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL. BACK TO 1ST DEALER - COULD NOT DUP. TOOK TO TRANS SHOP. VIBRATION GOES AWAY WHEN OUT OF OVERDRIVE - THRUST BEARING OR TORQUE CONVERTER BAD IN TRANS. NO HELP FROM DEALERS OR 800 CUSTOMER SERVICE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10078411
Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
HAVE HAD MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB FOR LESS THAN THREE YEARS AND ALREADY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY ROTORS TWICE! AND IT ONLY HAS $44,000 MILES ON IT. I AM SURE THAT AFTER ANOTHER 10-15 THOUSAND MILES THAT THE VEHICLE WILL AGAIN BEGIN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKE AND SURE ENOUGH I WILL HAVE TO GO AND HAVE THEM RE…
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HAVE HAD MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB FOR LESS THAN THREE YEARS AND ALREADY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY ROTORS TWICE! AND IT ONLY HAS $44,000 MILES ON IT. I AM SURE THAT AFTER ANOTHER 10-15 THOUSAND MILES THAT THE VEHICLE WILL AGAIN BEGIN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKE AND SURE ENOUGH I WILL HAVE TO GO AND HAVE THEM REPLACED YET AGAIN. FROM EVERYTHING THAT I READ HERE THERE ARE TONS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE ANYONE OUT THERE WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT SO I WILL DO MY PART AND POST MY PROBLEMS HERE HOPING SOMEONE GETS OFF THEIR BUTT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND FROM NOW ON, NO MORE CHRYSLER VEHICLES FOR ME. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10078382
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2004
Suspension
2002 DODGE DAKOTA HAS FRONT END NOISE PROBLEMS.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE NOISE WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE FRONT END BUT THE NOISE WAS STILL PRESENT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10079299
38,500 miles · Jun 15, 2004
Air Bags
INTERMITTENT ACTIVATON OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. DIAGNOSIS BY DEALERSHIP IS FAILED CLOCKSPRING ASSY IN STEERING COLUMN. RESULT OF NOT FIXING IS INOPERABLE AIRBAG. DEALERSHIP REPLACED PART AT COST.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10075441
10,000 miles · Jun 14, 2004
Suspension
WHEN DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THERE IS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10071746
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringSuspension
DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 2002 /HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING FRONT END PROBLEMS WITH TRUCK SINCE PURCHASE. BROUGHT IN NUMEROUS TIMES TO DEALER FOR BRAKE ISSUES[FRONT ROTORS,PADS,REAR DRUMS AND DISCS].TOLD MULTIPLE TIMES THERE IS NO PROBLEM, ITS THE WAY YOU DRIVE. TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED,VERY WELL CARED FOR. AFTER THE 5TH TIME TO DEALER FI…
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DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 2002 /HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING FRONT END PROBLEMS WITH TRUCK SINCE PURCHASE. BROUGHT IN NUMEROUS TIMES TO DEALER FOR BRAKE ISSUES[FRONT ROTORS,PADS,REAR DRUMS AND DISCS].TOLD MULTIPLE TIMES THERE IS NO PROBLEM, ITS THE WAY YOU DRIVE. TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED,VERY WELL CARED FOR. AFTER THE 5TH TIME TO DEALER FINNALLY TOLD THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACMENT.THIS WAS AFTER ONE FULL YEAR OF DENIAL.NOTIFIED DEALER OF NOISE AT THE STEERING WHEEL,TOLD THEY COULD NOT VRIFY THE COMPLAINT WOULD PROBABLY GO AWAY AFTER REPLACING UPPER BALL JOINTS.ONE WEEK LATER AFTER REPLACMENT OF UPPER BALL JOINTS ,SAME NOISE REOCCURED [LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AT FRONT END]TOOK BACK TO DEALER ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE BOTTOM BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACMENT,NO MENTION ONE WEEK PRIOR ABOUT WEAR ON LOWER AREA.DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE NOISE NOTED COMING FROM STERING WHEEL FROM PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS WAS NOW THOUGHT TO BE AN INTERMIEDIATE SHAFT IN THE STEERING COLUMN,THIS SAME NOISE THAT ONE WEEK EARLIER COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED.AT 30,000 MILES MY ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL GEAR ASSEMBBLY NEEDED REPLACMENT.I HAVE BEEN CHARGED MULTIPLE WARRANTY DEDUCTIBLES ON WHAT SEEMS TO ME TO BE, THE SAME PROBLEM AND POSSIBLY A CANIDATE FOR LEMON STATUS.AT WHAT POINT WILL THE CONSUMERS RIGHT'S BE PROTECTED.I AM JOINING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN REGARDS TO CHRYSLER/DAIMLER AND SUGGEST TO EVERYONE WHO READS THIS TO DO THE SAME.CHECK OUT WWW.DODGETALK.COM FOR INFO AND LINKS.ALSO I RECCOMEND TO ANYONE WHO HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR DAELER IN TERMS OF DENIALS/NON REPAIRS/FAULTY WORKMANSHIP/OR ANY RELATED COSTS OUT OF POCKET TO FILE FORMAL COMPLAINTS AND CONTACT A LOCAL LEMON LAW ATTORNEY IN RELATION TO THEIR ACTIONS AND LACK OF PROPER BUSINESS ETHICS.ONLY UNTIL WE MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN CAN WE ACCTUALLY ACHIEVE IT.GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE WHO READS THIS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10075206
23,000 miles · Jun 7, 2004
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AT 20 - 25 MPH IT FAILED TO DO SO. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER APPLIED MORE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THEN, TABS LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE SKIDDED. VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT SMASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR …
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WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AT 20 - 25 MPH IT FAILED TO DO SO. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER APPLIED MORE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THEN, TABS LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE SKIDDED. VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT SMASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A WET ROAD. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATED WHEN DEPRESSED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10075765
24,050 miles · Jun 6, 2004
Service Brakes, AirCrash
AT JUST 24000 MILES MY BRAKES WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THE FRONT END WOULD SHIMMY WHEN STOPPING. UPON INSPECTION, THE ROTORS WERE GOUGED BUT THERE WAS PLENTY OF WEAR LEFT ON THE PADS. BECAUSE OF THESE FAULTY/POORLY DESIGNED BRAKES I WAS INVOLVED IN A MVA WHEN MY BRAKES FAILED TO STOP ME WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN WHEN APPROACHING…
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AT JUST 24000 MILES MY BRAKES WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THE FRONT END WOULD SHIMMY WHEN STOPPING. UPON INSPECTION, THE ROTORS WERE GOUGED BUT THERE WAS PLENTY OF WEAR LEFT ON THE PADS. BECAUSE OF THESE FAULTY/POORLY DESIGNED BRAKES I WAS INVOLVED IN A MVA WHEN MY BRAKES FAILED TO STOP ME WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION. I APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE ONLY GOING 20MPH (IN THE RAIN) BUT MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP. WHEN I FIRST PRESSED ON THEM THERE WAS NO EFFECT, WHEN I PUSHED A LITTLE HARDER THEY LOCKED. I RELEASED THEM AND TRIED TO STOP AGAIN BUT THEY LOCKED AGAIN AND I SLID INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AS THERE WAS NO WHERE TO TURN. MY DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED OF BRAKE PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS BUT TOLD ME THE BRAKES AND ROTORS ONLY LAST 25000MILES. THESE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK AND THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10074879
6,000 miles · Jun 5, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FRONT ROTORS ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA ARE HABITUALLY WARPING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. UPON REPLACEMENT OF THE ROTORS WITH RAYBESTOS SEVERE DUTY ROTORS, THEY WARPED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP WON'T TOUCH THE ISSUE UPON REQUESTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10074859
21,000 miles · Jun 4, 2004
SuspensionTires
CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS AND WHEN DOWN HILL. UPON INSPECTION OF THE FRONT END BY A MECHANIC IT WAS DETERMINED THAT FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE AND FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT WERE LOOSE. VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP WHO INDICATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS…
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CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS AND WHEN DOWN HILL. UPON INSPECTION OF THE FRONT END BY A MECHANIC IT WAS DETERMINED THAT FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE AND FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT WERE LOOSE. VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP WHO INDICATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE NOT LOOSE ENOUGH TO BE REPLACED.*AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10066889
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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