NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
678 reports150,000 miles · Sep 30, 2014
Tires
SPARE TIRE FELL OFF VEHICLE WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. NO REDUNDANCY IN THE MECHANISM THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE. METAL CLIP THAT FITS IN THE CENTER BORE OF THE WHEEL IS THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE. IN THE CASE OF MY VEHICLE THE CLIP HAD RUSTED AND FAILED ALLOWING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF THE …
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SPARE TIRE FELL OFF VEHICLE WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. NO REDUNDANCY IN THE MECHANISM THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE. METAL CLIP THAT FITS IN THE CENTER BORE OF THE WHEEL IS THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE. IN THE CASE OF MY VEHICLE THE CLIP HAD RUSTED AND FAILED ALLOWING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF THE VEHICLE. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED ON A BUSY ROAD AT SPEED IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10640134
23,193 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Service Brakes
RIGHT FRONT BRAKE STUCK, BRAKE GOT HOT, SMOKE CAME OUT OF WHEEL WELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10626796
36,970 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Service Brakes
RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER STUCK, BRAKE GOT HOT, SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE WHEEL WELL. HAD TO HAVE TRUCK TOWER TO DEALER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10626794
35,555 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Service Brakes
RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER STUCK, BRAKE GOT HOT, SMOKE CAME OUT OF WHEEL WELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10626789
10,000 miles · Aug 1, 2014
Service BrakesFire
MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 60K MILES, DON'T DRIVE A WHOLE BUNCH, BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN 2002. 2 TIMES I HAVE HAD THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL AND BREAKS CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO THE BRAKES/CALIPER LOCKING UP. ONE INCIDENT WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 25 MPH, THE OTHER INCIDENT ON HIGHWAY AROUND 55 MPH. BETWEEN TOWING AND REPLACING BRAKES, ROTORS, CAL…
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MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 60K MILES, DON'T DRIVE A WHOLE BUNCH, BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN 2002. 2 TIMES I HAVE HAD THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL AND BREAKS CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO THE BRAKES/CALIPER LOCKING UP. ONE INCIDENT WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 25 MPH, THE OTHER INCIDENT ON HIGHWAY AROUND 55 MPH. BETWEEN TOWING AND REPLACING BRAKES, ROTORS, CALIPER, BRAKE LINES, AROUND $500-$750 EACH TIME. I AM ON HERE BECAUSE MY BRAKE LINE FROM FRONT TO BACK HAS ERODED AWAY NEAR GAS TANK, SAME AS EVERYONE'S I HAVE READ AND BECAUSE MY PASSENGER WHEEL HAS BEGAN TO GIVE SIGNS THAT IT WILL BE LOCKING UP AGAIN. HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LINE DUE TO THE LINE BEING CRACKED WHERE THE BANJO BOLT IS. THESE SEEM TO ALL BE HUGE ISSUES AND VERY DANGEROUS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10618271
44,000 miles · Jul 30, 2014
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CALIPERS SEIZED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ROTORS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE CONTACT REPLACED THE CALIPERS HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. UPDATED 9/4/14*CN
NHTSA ODI #10617614
50,000 miles · Jul 23, 2014
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VEER TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE CALIPER FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VEER TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE CALIPER FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CALIPER AND ROTOR AND REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10615550
153,000 miles · Jul 20, 2014
Engine
WHILE I WAS TRAVELING UPHILL THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AS I WAS GOING OVER THE FREEWAY OVERPASS TO ENTER THE SOUTH BOUND FREEWAY ENTRANCE. I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND HAD JUST ENOUGH POWER TO ROLL DOWNHILL PAST THE FREEWAY ENTRANCE TO TURN ON A STREET TO ROLL TO A STOP JUST AS I TURNED THE CORNER. THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T…
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WHILE I WAS TRAVELING UPHILL THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AS I WAS GOING OVER THE FREEWAY OVERPASS TO ENTER THE SOUTH BOUND FREEWAY ENTRANCE. I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND HAD JUST ENOUGH POWER TO ROLL DOWNHILL PAST THE FREEWAY ENTRANCE TO TURN ON A STREET TO ROLL TO A STOP JUST AS I TURNED THE CORNER. THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED OR HAVE ANY CARS IN FRONT OF ME AS I WAS ROLLING DOWNHILL BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE BRAKES. I TRIED TO START THE ENGINE AND GOT NO POWER, BUT NOTICED THE MILEAGE READER SAID "NO BUS". I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED HOME. FOR THE NEXT 2-3 MONTHS THE TRUCK WOULD START SOMETIMES AND RUN FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND SHUT OFF AND OTHER TIMES IT WOULD JUST TURN OVER AS IF IT HAD A BAD ALTERNATOR.THE STRANGE THING IS WHEN IT WAS 70-74 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND BELOW THE TRUCK WOULD START AND RUN FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES BEFORE SHUTTING OFF AND WHEN YOU TRIED TO START THE ENGINE RIGHT AFTER IT WOULD JUST TURN OVER AND NOT START. IF IT WAS CLOSE TO 80 DEGREES OR HOTTER OUTSIDE, THE TRUCK WOULD NEVER START, IT WOULD JUST TURN OVER LIKE A BAD ALTERNATOR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE "NO BUS" CODE, I FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS AN INDICATION THAT THE POWER CONTROL MODULE (PCM/ECM COMPUTER) WAS BAD. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH I FOUND THAT HEAT AFFECTED THE PCM AND THAT'S WHY IT STARTED ON SOME DAYS AND NOT OTHERS. I BOUGHT A REBUILT PCM AND THE TRUCK DID THE SAME THING AFTER A MONTH AND A HALF. THIS PART SHOULD NOT BE SOLD BY AS A REBUILD BECAUSE THE COMPUTER BOARD MELTS AND LEAKS A GREASY LIKE SUBSTANCE. MY BROTHER IN-LAW HAS EXPERIENCE WITH COMPUTERS AND SAID IT RESEMBLED MELTED HEAT COATING FROM THE COMPUTER BOARD. WE HAD SUCCESS WITH A REMANUFACTURED PCM. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AND CORRECTED. THERE IS A LIST OF PEOPLE ON THE DODGE FORUM WHO HAVE SUFFERED WITH THE SAME ISSUES AND I'M SURE SOMEONE OUT HERE HAS WRECKED OR DIED OVER THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10614776
96,480 miles · Jul 3, 2014
Service Brakes
I WAS PARKED IN A SPACE. I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT IF PARK. I FELT THE PEDAL GO TO THE FLOOR AND HEARD A NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. I PUT THE VEHICLE BACK IN PARK AN GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT THE NOISE WAS AND SAW FLUID DRIPPING FROM MY GAS TANK. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION I REALIZED THE BRAK…
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I WAS PARKED IN A SPACE. I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT IF PARK. I FELT THE PEDAL GO TO THE FLOOR AND HEARD A NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. I PUT THE VEHICLE BACK IN PARK AN GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT THE NOISE WAS AND SAW FLUID DRIPPING FROM MY GAS TANK. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION I REALIZED THE BRAKE LINE NEXT TO THE FUEL TANK HAD BURST DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO THE REAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WORST DAMAGE WAS THE SECTION TUCKED BEHIND THE FUEL TANK WHERE IT WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO GET CLEANED DURING NORMAL WASHING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10608122
202,400 miles · Jun 4, 2014
Service Brakes
16 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK TO A SCHOOL FUNCTION, STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO MAKE THE TURN OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO THE SCHOOL AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WENT TO GET THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS ALONG THE FRAME RAIL TO THE REAR AXLE HAD CORRODED THROUGH IN SEVERAL PLACES CAUSING HIM TO LOSE BRAKE FLUID…
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16 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK TO A SCHOOL FUNCTION, STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO MAKE THE TURN OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO THE SCHOOL AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WENT TO GET THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS ALONG THE FRAME RAIL TO THE REAR AXLE HAD CORRODED THROUGH IN SEVERAL PLACES CAUSING HIM TO LOSE BRAKE FLUID. I'VE HAD A LOT OF CARS MUCH OLDER THAN THIS TRUCK (MY FAMILY HAD A CAR DEALERSHIP) AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE EVER SEEN A HARD BRAKE LINE GO BAD. LOOKING ONLINE FOR A REPLACEMENT PART IT QUICKLY BECAME APPARENT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE DAKOTAS AND THEY ALL CORRODE IN THE SAME PLACE. BEHIND THE FUEL TANK. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD CORRECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596243
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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