Dodge Dakota Complaints (2002)

678 consumer complaints on file.

#10174625November 28, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NO SINGLE INCIDENT. MANY ABS BRAKING PROBLEMS EVERY DAY. REPLACED ROTORS, CALIPERS, DRUMS, BRAKE SHOES AND REAR SENSOR. PROBLEM PERSISTS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174128November 23, 2006
SUSPENSION, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ALARMING FAILURES WITH MY DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. IT IS A 2002 V6 AUTO TRANSMISSION PW PL. I HAVE HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE RECALL, MY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED (TWICE), MY FRONT HUBS & SPINDLES COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED AND COULD HAVE KILLED MY FAMILY, MY WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE DRIVER SIDE TAILLIGHT SEEMS TO FAIL OFTEN, THE VACUUM HOSES HAVE ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE CHEAP RUBBER USED BY THE MANUFACTURER FAIL BY CRACKING AND CAUSING ALL SORTS OF LEAKS CAUSING ENGINE LIGHTS, LOUD NOISES UNDER THE HOOD, AND HORRIBLE GAS MILEAGE. I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO BE PROACTIVE IN MY MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THE MAJOR REPAIRS DONE PROFESSIONALLY. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A 2002 VEHICLE CAN HAVE SO MANY POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEMS AND BE IGNORED. I HAVE SEARCHED HIGH AND LOW FOR QUALITY BULLETINS BUT CANNOT FIND ANYTHING. MY GAS MILEAGE IS NOW DOWN TO 14 MPG AND THE TRUCK IS FALLING APART. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172083October 29, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
NO KNOWN EVENT OR INDICATION OF FAILURE OCCURRED PRIOR TO INCIDENT. HEADLIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS, DOOR LOCKS, KEYLESS ENTRY, INTERMITTENT WIPERS ALL CEASED TO FUNCTION. THIS OCCURRED AT DAWN ON A RAINY DAY. HAD THIS OCCURRED DURING THE EVENING HOURS AN ACCIDENT MAY LIKELY HAVE OCCURRED. REPAIR PENDING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171984October 27, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 1 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A GARAGE, A NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE SHOE LINING WAS DESTROYED. ALSO, ON THE REAR LEFT SIDE THE BONDED LINING WAS SEPARATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE PARKING BRAKE HAD NEVER BEEN USED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171493October 21, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB. PROBLEM: THE KEY, ONCE INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION IT WILL NOT ROTATE AND THUS NOT START THE TRUCK. IT IS AS IF THE IGNITION IS LOCKED UP. AFTER REMOVING, REINSERTING, AND TRYING TO START THE TRUCK NUMEROUS TIMES, IT FINALLY WILL START. IT DOES NOT DO THIS EVERYTIME, BUT IN THE PAST MONTH IT HAS HAPPENED CLOSE TO A DOZEN TIMES. HAS THIS BEEN REPORTED BEFORE, AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX THIS FRUSTRATING PROBLEM? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170212October 7, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TIMING CONTROL MODULE, TCM IS PULSING INTERIOR/EXTERIOR LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, ETC. TO AN OFF STATE AT ONCE PER SECOND CONTINUOUSLY. WHEN TRUCK IS PARKED, HEADLAMP RELAY CAN BE HEARD PULSING. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT DUE TO VISUAL CONFUSION AND SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH OTHER TRAFFIC. NO APPARENT CAUSE OF FAILURE. TRUCK HAS 18K MILES AND IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. OTHER COMPLAINTS INDICATE THAT TCM WAS REPLACED TO FIX PROBLEM. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE MAY NOT BE INTERNAL TO TCM AND REPLACING IT WILL BE AN ONGOING EVENT. HAS DODGE DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THIS MODULE FAILURE? IS THIS NOT A DESIGN FLAW SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168137September 13, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WITHIN 29,500. TOTAL MILES COVERED IN 4.5 YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN 5 EPISODES WHEN EITHER THE FRONT LEFT OR FRONT RIGHT BRAKE PARTIALLY SEIZED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO ONE SIDE UPON APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES, AND EMITTED SMOKE. TWO DEALERS HAVE OFFERED NO PLAUSIBLE CAUSE OR REMEDY. ORIGINAL BRAKE PADS, BOTH FRONT AND REAR, AND THE FRONT DISCS AND READ DRUMS WERE FOUND TO BE BADLY WORN AT A MERE 20,000. MILES OF LIGHT SERVICE RESULTING IN ALL PADS BEING REPLACED AND THE ROTORS AND DRUMS BEING TURNED. NOW AT 29, 500. MILES THE FRONT ROTORS ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF WARPAGE. OK, I'M NOT AN EXPERT, BUT I'VE DRIVEN ABOUT 15 VEHICLES OVER A TOTAL OF A MILLION MILES AND MY FEELING IS THAT THESE BRAKES ARE UNDERSIZED AND CONSTANTLY RUN TOO HOT. THE SHORT BRAKE LIFE IS NOTHING SHORT OF ASTOUNDING. AS THE DEALERS SEEMS STUMPED, MY NEXT MOVE IS TO INSTALL RACING BRAKES ON THE FRONT COMPLETE WITH MULTIPLE PISTON CALIPERS AND DRILLED AND SLOTTED ROTORS. I'M BETTING THAT THE SMOKING EPISODES WILL STOP. ONE LOOK AT THIS VEHICLES COMPLAINTS IS ALL THE NHTSA SHOULD HAVE TO SEE THAT THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, HERE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168148September 13, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ON A PAVED SECONDARY ROAD IN CLEAR DRY CONDITIONS, DAMAGING THE TRANSFER CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE SHOP. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. UPDATED 10/25/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167575September 7, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE LIGHTS ON MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA STARTED FLASHING AND A FEW DAYS LATER MY LIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS AND POWER DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE HAD 3 DIFFERENT AUTO MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. MY TRUCK HAS 40,900 MILES ON IT AND NO WRECKS OF ANY KIND. MY TRUCK IS AN AUTOMATIC. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168011September 1, 2006
SUSPENSION
2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB BOTH UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS FAILED ON BOTH SIDES. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HEARD A NOISE EVERY TIME SHE WENT OVER BUMP. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL GARAGE, THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. FINALLY, AFTER NOT BEING ABLE TO TAKE THE NOISE ANY LONGER, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER ESTABLISHMENT WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166147August 21, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED, THE HAZARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164240August 2, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
DODGE DAKOTA AND DURANGO YEARS 2000 TO 2003 THAT I KNOW OF FROM ME AND MY FRIENDS. I HAVE A 2002 DAKOTA AND WHEN THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD DO TO ENGINE IDLE SPEED MOST LIKELY FROM BOOSTER VACUUM DUMP OFF. I AM A ASE CERTIFIED MECH AND I UNDERSTAND HOW THE ABS BRAKES ARE SUPPOSE TO REACT WHEN APPLIED. MY FRIEND HAS AN EARLIER MODEL DURANGO AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162058July 10, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH WITH 46,500 KILOMETERS A STRONG FUEL ODOR HAD BEEN NOTICED GAS GAUGE DROP FROM JUST UNDER THREE QUARTERS TO BELOW HALF .COMPLAINT ABOUT FUEL SYSTEM AND REALLY BAD GAS MILEAGE. AND CARBON RESIDUE ON EXHAUST SEEM TO HAVE BEEN IGNORED BY DEALER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159920June 15, 2006
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
2002 DODGE DAKOTA PU TRUCK HEADED EAST ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WENT OUT OF CONTROL, LEFT THE ROAD, FLIPPED ONCE & LANDED UPSIDE DOWN IN THE MEDIAN. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE APPEARED CHEWED UP. THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL CAME COMPLETELY OFF FROM ITS MOUNTING & THE HUBCAP WAS STILL ON THE RIM. THE WHEEL WAS PLACED IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK WHEN IT WAS TOWED AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NM UPDATED 06/27/06 *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10157552May 15, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE ROAD WAS DRY AND THE BRAKING CONDITION WAS NORMAL. THE CONTACT FURTHER STATED THE BRAKES FELT SLUGGISH, AS IF RIDING ON A FLAT TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MASTER CYLINDER, ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154836April 7, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
2002 DODGE DAKOTA PURCHASED NEW 10/2001. MARCH 2004 NOTICED GRINDING NOISE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. BRAKES WERE METAL AGAINST METAL. DEALER REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS (AND CHARGED FOR SERVICE) AT 20940 MILES. MARCH 2006, NOTICED PULSING WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. DIFFERENT SERVICE CENTER SAID ROTORS WERE RUSTED AND REPLACED; ALSO CLEANED AND ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES AND PERFORMED FRONT CALIPER "SLIDER SERVICE." MILEAGE 40239. I BELIEVE BRAKES SHOULD LAST MORE THAN TWO YEARS AND/OR 20000 MILES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154047March 29, 2006
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA (WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES, WHICH I BOUGHT BRAND NEW) AND I WAS HAVING WATER POOL ON MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR AFTER IT RAINS, SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SEAL ON MY REAR WINDOW WAS FAULTY. I REPLACED MY BACK WINDOW AND NOW THE WATER IS GONE. I HAVE ASKED SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN DAKOTA'S AND THEY HAVE ALL SAID THAT THEY HAVE HAD WATER EITHER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OR DRIVERS SIDE AT SOME POINT. I HAVE EVEN BEEN TO ONLINE FORUMS TO SEE IF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE US HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEM TO BE VERY COMMON. CHECK OUT WWW.DODGEDAKOTAS.COM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152928March 17, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
AS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA OWNER, I HAVE HAD THE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACE ONCE OUT OF MY OWN POCKET AND ONCE AT THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE RECEIVED MY REFUND. MY CHIEF COMPLAINT IS THE FACT THAT WHEN THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED MY UPPER BALL JOINTS THEY FAILED TO INFORM ME THAT MY LOWER BALL JOINTS ALSO HAD EXCESSIVE/UNACCEPTABLE MOVEMENT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY ROTORS AND BRAKES FOR THE THIRD TIME AND I ONLY HAVE 72,000 MILES. I DON'T DO ANY OFF-ROADING EITHER. I BELIEVE THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS CAUSED MY LOWER BALL JOINTS TO GO BAD AS WELL IN ADDITION TO CAUSING THE REPLACEMENT OF MY ROTORS AND BRAKES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152615March 13, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE IS A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE AND THE OIL PAN ON THE VEHICLE SITS BELOW THE TRUCK FRAME. THE OIL PAN IS TO CLOSE TO THE GROUND AND DOES NOT HAVE A SKID PLATE THEREFORE, DEBRIS PUNCTURES THE PAN. THE MANUFACTURE HAS BEEN ALERTED BUT STATED THERE ARE KNOW RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152397March 10, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2002 DODGE DAKOTA, 4 WHEEL DRIVE,81,180 MILES, FRONT BRAKES SEIZED. HAD ALL BRAKES REPLACED ON AUG 31, 2005. ON NOVEMBER 10, 2005 LEFT FRONT ROTOR AND PADS SEIZED, ALERT DRIVING PREVENTED POSSIBLE VEHICLE. MARCH 10, 2006, RIGHT FRONT ROTOR SEIZED AND ONCE AGAIN MY ALERTNESS PREVENTED ANOTHER POSSIBLE VEHICLE FIRE. THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH TIME THE ROTORS AND/OR PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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