NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
678 reports17,000 miles · Jul 30, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED/REPLACED AT APPROX. 17000 MILES. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE AS BRAKES ONLY HAVE 1YR/12000 MILE WARRANTY. REPAIR FACILITY ONLY REPLACES WITH OEM PARTS, SO THEY WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO BE REPLACED AGAIN IN ANOTHER 15-20000 MILES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.*AK ALSO APPEARS I WILL NOW …
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FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED/REPLACED AT APPROX. 17000 MILES. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE AS BRAKES ONLY HAVE 1YR/12000 MILE WARRANTY. REPAIR FACILITY ONLY REPLACES WITH OEM PARTS, SO THEY WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO BE REPLACED AGAIN IN ANOTHER 15-20000 MILES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.*AK ALSO APPEARS I WILL NOW HAVE TO REPLACE BALL JOINTS AT APPROX. 18500 MILES. THESE PARTS SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN THIS. VEHICLE IS 2002 DODGE DAKOTA CC 4X4 4.7L ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI #10030408
22,085 miles · Jul 28, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER STATES FRONT BRAKES ARE WARPED. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10031262
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2003
Suspension
DEALER REPLACED BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AND CONTROL ARMS. CONSUMER STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS THE VERSION OF DURANGO, THEREFORE , THEY USED THE SAME PARTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10030165
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2003
SuspensionTires
2002 DODGE DAKOTA 4X2 PICKUP HAS PREMATURE FAILURE OF UPPER BALL JOINTS AND SEVERE TIRE WEAR. 32,000 MILES HAVING TO REPLACE UPPER BALL JOINTS, BAD FRONT END SUSPENSION AND HANDLING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10029209
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2003
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY FOR SEVERAL BLOCKS BRAKES ARE PULSATING WHEN MAKEING NORMAL START, HAS 13500 MILES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10029102
26,857 miles · Jul 24, 2003
Suspension
PREMATURE FAILURE OF UPPER BALL JOINT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10029064
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WITH NO ADVANCE WARNING MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA BEGAN EXPERIENCING SEVERE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE ACTIVATED. I IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT THE VECHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS CHARGED $148 DOLLARS TO MACHINE THE FRONT ROTORS OF MY TRUCK. THE TRUCK (USED AS TRANSPORTATION TO MY DESK JOB) HAS 24,000 MILES ON IT,…
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WITH NO ADVANCE WARNING MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA BEGAN EXPERIENCING SEVERE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE ACTIVATED. I IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT THE VECHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS CHARGED $148 DOLLARS TO MACHINE THE FRONT ROTORS OF MY TRUCK. THE TRUCK (USED AS TRANSPORTATION TO MY DESK JOB) HAS 24,000 MILES ON IT, IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, AND IS HIGHWAY DRIVEN SO THE BRAKES DO NOT SEE ALOT OF ACTIVITY. A CHECK OF THE DAKOTA.COM SITE INDICATES MANY ROTOR PROBLEMS WITH LOW MILEAGE DAKOTA SERIES TRUCKS. I BELIEVE EITHER THE BRAKE ROTORS ARE NOT DESIGNED PROPERLY OR ARE BEING MADE OF MATERIAL THAT CANNOT SUPPORT SAFE PERFORMANCE WITHIN A 25,000 MILE LIFECYCLE. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO HAVE ANY BRAKE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON ANY OF MY OTHER VEHICLES (OTHER THAN INSPECTION) BEFORE 75,000 MILES AND I AM CONCERNED THAT THE PROBLEM WILL REOCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA ODI #10028872
18,000 miles · Jul 22, 2003
Suspension
I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 PICK UP TRUCK WHICH NEEDS TO HAVE ITSUPPER LEFT BALL JOINT REPLACED AFTER 10 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2000 DODGE DURANGO WHICH HAD THE SAME PART REPLACED ON THREE OCCASIONS.
NHTSA ODI #10028869
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2003
Suspension
THE INVESTIGATION ON THE 1998-2003 DODGE DURANGO BALL JOINTS NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO THE ENTIRE LINE OF DAKOTA TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES, FROM THE "B" PILLAR FORWARD ARE VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL. GO TO THIS SITE TO SEE HUNDREDS AND HUDREDS OF COMPLAINTS: WWW.DODGEDAKOTAS.COM USE THE SEARCH ENGINE. THE BALL JOINTS ARE COMPLETELY…
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THE INVESTIGATION ON THE 1998-2003 DODGE DURANGO BALL JOINTS NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO THE ENTIRE LINE OF DAKOTA TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES, FROM THE "B" PILLAR FORWARD ARE VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL. GO TO THIS SITE TO SEE HUNDREDS AND HUDREDS OF COMPLAINTS: WWW.DODGEDAKOTAS.COM USE THE SEARCH ENGINE. THE BALL JOINTS ARE COMPLETELY WORN ON MY 2002 DAKOTA QUAD CAB, TO THE POINT WHERE THE SUSPENSION HAS BECOME UNPREDICTABLE UNDER CERTAIN ROAD CONDITIONS. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 21K MILES ON IT.
NHTSA ODI #10028867
27,500 miles · Jul 22, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT 4X4 ANTILOCK BRAKES DON'T PROVIDE ADEQUATE BRAKING. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, I HAVE HAD TO STOP QUICKLY AND EVEN AT SLOW SPEEDS THE ANTILOCK FEATURE RELEASES THE BRAKES LONG BEFORE IT SHOULD. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID THE PROPORTIONING VALVE IN THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE …
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MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT 4X4 ANTILOCK BRAKES DON'T PROVIDE ADEQUATE BRAKING. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, I HAVE HAD TO STOP QUICKLY AND EVEN AT SLOW SPEEDS THE ANTILOCK FEATURE RELEASES THE BRAKES LONG BEFORE IT SHOULD. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID THE PROPORTIONING VALVE IN THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND THEY REPLACED IT. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I DON'T THINK THE REAR BRAKES ARE ENGAGING AS THEY SHOULD. I'VE SEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON YOUR SITE AND FEEL DODGE NEEDS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY TO IGNORE. I HAVE HAD THREE NEAR MISSES WHERE THE ANTILOCK FEATURE OF THE BRAKES CAUSED THE BRAKES TO RELEASE PREMATURELY WHEN I HAVE HAD PLENTY OF TIME AND DISTANCE TO STOP SAFELY. I HAVE HAD ANTILOCK BRAKES ON SEVERAL OF MY PREVIOUS VEHICLES BUT THIS TRUCK HAS THE WEAKEST BRAKES I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED ON ANY CAR OR TRUCK I'VE OWNED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10028788
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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