2002 Dodge Dakota Problems and Recalls (664 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2002 Dodge Dakota is Brakes (29% of 664 owner reports). There are 12 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Brakes — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 664 complaints · 12 recalls

What problems show up on the 2002 Dodge Dakota?

194 of 664 filings named Brakes (29% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Suspension (194 reports).

There are 12 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Electrical, Glass / wipers / cameras, Suspension, Fuel system, Transmission / driveline, and Lights. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2001 has 656 reports on file; this year has 664. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2002 Dodge Dakota

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 12 campaigns on file below.
  2. Brakes. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm.
  3. Suspension. Listen for clunks over bumps and look at tire wear for alignment issues.
  4. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Brakes. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Brakes 194 complaints · 29.2% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 53
  • Fires 18
  • Injuries 30
  • Deaths 1
Compare with 2001 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) appears in 194 of 664 owner complaints (29.2%) in this vehicle snapshot. Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 194 complaints, 29.2% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 13 crash reports 11 fire reports 194 · 29.2% Suspension (SUSPENSION): 194 complaints, 29.2% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 5 crash reports 3 fire reports 194 · 29.2% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 69 complaints, 10.4% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 10 crash reports 1 fire reports 69 · 10.4% Steering (STEERING): 31 complaints, 4.7% of reports Steering (STEERING) 3 crash reports 31 · 4.7% Engine (ENGINE): 28 complaints, 4.2% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 fire reports 28 · 4.2% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 26 complaints, 3.9% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 2 fire reports 26 · 3.9% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 22 complaints, 3.3% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 18 crash reports 22 · 3.3% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 16 complaints, 2.4% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 16 · 2.4% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 14 complaints, 2.1% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 1 crash reports 14 · 2.1% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 525 complaints, 79.1% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 38 crash reports 14 fire reports 525 · 79.1% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 194 29.2% 13 crashes · 11 fires
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 194 29.2% 5 crashes · 3 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 69 10.4% 10 crashes · 1 fires
Steering (STEERING) 31 4.7% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 28 4.2% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 26 3.9% 0 crashes · 2 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 22 3.3% 18 crashes · 0 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 16 2.4% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 14 2.1% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 525 79.1% 38 crashes · 14 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 2001; the first recall shown was reported in Oct 2003. 2001-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2002-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2002-Q2: 12 owner reports 12 2002-Q3: 18 owner reports 18 2002-Q4: 9 owner reports 9 2003-Q1: 14 owner reports 14 2003-Q2: 30 owner reports 30 2003-Q3: 28 owner reports 28 2003-Q4: 43 owner reports 43 2004-Q1: 63 owner reports 63 2004-Q2: 41 owner reports 41 2004-Q3: 44 owner reports 44 2004-Q4: 50 owner reports 50 2005-Q1: 38 owner reports 38 2005-Q2: 23 owner reports 23 2005-Q3: 14 owner reports 14 2005-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2006-Q1: 10 owner reports 10 2006-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2006-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2006-Q4: 12 owner reports 12 2007-Q1: 9 owner reports 9 2007-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q3: 13 owner reports 13 2007-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2008-Q1: 9 owner reports 9 2008-Q2: 10 owner reports 10 2008-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2008-Q4: 8 owner reports 8 2009-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2009-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2009-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2009-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2010-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2010-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2010-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2010-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2011-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2011-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2011-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2011-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2012-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2012-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2013-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2013-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2013-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2014-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2014-Q3: 9 owner reports 9 2014-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2015-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2015-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2015-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2016-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2017-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2017-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2017-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2018-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2018-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2019-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2019-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Oct 2001 Oct 2025 Recall campaign 03V389000 ◆ Recall campaign 03V389000 Recall campaign 03V505000 ◆ Recall campaign 03V505000 Recall campaign 04V216000 ◆ Recall campaign 04V216000 Recall campaign 04V596000 ◆ Recall campaign 04V596000 Recall campaign 06E011000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E011000 Recall campaign 06E024000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E024000 Recall campaign 06E026000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E026000 Recall campaign 06E065000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E065000 Recall campaign 07V555000 ◆ Recall campaign 07V555000 Recall campaign 08E064000 ◆ Recall campaign 08E064000 Recall campaign 09E012000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E012000 Recall campaign 09E025000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E025000 Investigation EA03023 ● Investigation EA03023
  • Campaign 03V389000 was reported 562 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 03V505000 was reported 734 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 04V216000 was reported 819 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 04V596000 was reported 897 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 06E011000 was reported 1,052 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 07V555000 was reported 2,133 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 08E064000 was reported 2,296 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 09E025000 was reported 2,021 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2001-Q4 Owner reports 3
2002-Q1 Owner reports 3
2002-Q2 Owner reports 12
2002-Q3 Owner reports 18
2002-Q4 Owner reports 9
2003-Q1 Owner reports 14
2003-Q2 Owner reports 30
2003-Q3 Owner reports 28
2003-Q4 Owner reports 43
2004-Q1 Owner reports 63
2004-Q2 Owner reports 41
2004-Q3 Owner reports 44
2004-Q4 Owner reports 50
2005-Q1 Owner reports 38
2005-Q2 Owner reports 23
2005-Q3 Owner reports 14
2005-Q4 Owner reports 7
2006-Q1 Owner reports 10
2006-Q2 Owner reports 3
2006-Q3 Owner reports 7
2006-Q4 Owner reports 12
2007-Q1 Owner reports 9
2007-Q2 Owner reports 1
2007-Q3 Owner reports 13
2007-Q4 Owner reports 5
2008-Q1 Owner reports 9
2008-Q2 Owner reports 10
2008-Q3 Owner reports 3
2008-Q4 Owner reports 8
2009-Q1 Owner reports 3
2009-Q2 Owner reports 5
2009-Q3 Owner reports 6
2009-Q4 Owner reports 3
2010-Q1 Owner reports 3
2010-Q2 Owner reports 6
2010-Q3 Owner reports 7
2010-Q4 Owner reports 5
2011-Q1 Owner reports 8
2011-Q2 Owner reports 4
2011-Q3 Owner reports 7
2011-Q4 Owner reports 3
2012-Q2 Owner reports 3
2012-Q3 Owner reports 2
2012-Q4 Owner reports 3
2013-Q1 Owner reports 1
2013-Q2 Owner reports 3
2013-Q3 Owner reports 4
2013-Q4 Owner reports 1
2014-Q1 Owner reports 3
2014-Q2 Owner reports 5
2014-Q3 Owner reports 9
2014-Q4 Owner reports 3
2015-Q1 Owner reports 3
2015-Q2 Owner reports 1
2015-Q3 Owner reports 2
2015-Q4 Owner reports 4
2016-Q1 Owner reports 1
2016-Q2 Owner reports 1
2016-Q3 Owner reports 1
2016-Q4 Owner reports 2
2017-Q1 Owner reports 3
2017-Q2 Owner reports 1
2017-Q3 Owner reports 3
2017-Q4 Owner reports 1
2018-Q1 Owner reports 2
2018-Q2 Owner reports 2
2018-Q4 Owner reports 2
2019-Q1 Owner reports 3
2019-Q2 Owner reports 1
2020-Q1 Owner reports 1
2021-Q2 Owner reports 1
2022-Q2 Owner reports 1
2025-Q4 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 03V389000
Recall campaign 1 03V505000
Recall campaign 1 04V216000
Recall campaign 1 04V596000
Recall campaign 1 06E011000
Recall campaign 1 06E024000
Recall campaign 1 06E026000
Recall campaign 1 06E065000
Recall campaign 1 07V555000
Recall campaign 1 08E064000
Recall campaign 1 09E012000
Recall campaign 1 09E025000
Defect investigation 1 EA03023
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (12)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Electrical, Glass / wipers / cameras, Suspension, Fuel system, Transmission / driveline, and Lights.

  1. Recall campaign 03V389000

    Electrical

    Report date
    Component:
    Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 03V505000

    Safety recall 03V505000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 04V216000

    Glass / wipers / cameras

    Report date
    Component:
    Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 04V596000

    Suspension

    Report date
    Component:
    Suspension (SUSPENSION)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Recall campaign 06E011000

    Fuel system

    Report date
    Component:
    Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
    Consequence:
    IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
    Remedy:
    AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-3056.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Recall campaign 06E024000

    Safety recall 06E024000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.
    Remedy:
    K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Recall campaign 06E026000

    Safety recall 06E026000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
    Remedy:
    PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Recall campaign 06E065000

    Safety recall 06E065000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  9. Recall campaign 07V555000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  10. Recall campaign 08E064000

    Suspension

    Report date
    Component:
    Suspension (SUSPENSION)
    Consequence:
    IMPROPER SEATING OF THE WHEEL CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION, BRAKE ROTOR NOISE, DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE WHEEL AFTER INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, AND POSSIBLY WHEEL-END SEPARATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. SHOULD WHEEL-END SEPARATION OCCUR, THE DRIVER COULD LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    SKF WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HUB UNITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SKF VSM NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-644-8999.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  11. Recall campaign 09E012000

    Safety recall 09E012000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  12. Recall campaign 09E025000

    Lights

    Report date
    Component:
    Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
    Consequence:
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 10 of 664 complaints · page 1 of 27
2025-10-23Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11695324
CrashFireInjuryDeath
WHY are brake lines on vehicles not required to be made so as not to rust? Brake lines failed on my vehicle, and need to be replaced. How many accidents are caused by brake line failures?
2022-06-27Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11471130
CrashFireInjuryDeath
My 2002 Dodge Dakota sometime will not go into park. other times it will jump out and go into reverse. this has caused my vehicle to roll backwards and destroyed neighbors mailbox. to get it into park takes several tries. I now must use my parking brake anytime I am parked.
2021-04-20Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11413082
CrashFireInjuryDeath
II HAVE REPLACE FRONT ROTORS, FRONT CALIPERS, REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS AND SHOES, THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN BLEED SEVERAL TIMES, AND BRAKE SYSTEM WAS LOOKED AT SEVERAL TIMES BY ASE MASTER MECHANIC. GOING DOWN THE ROAD ON THE INITIAL PUSH ON THE PEDDLE THE PEDDLE GOES MORE THAN HALF WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, YOU THEN RELEASE PEDAL AND RE APPLY AND IT STOPS AS IT SHOULD WITH THE CORRECT PEDDLE HEIGHT. ALL WORK WAS DONE WITHIN 10K MILES. THE TRUCK HAS 116K MILES.THIS STARTED ABOUT 5 MONTHS AGO.
2020-02-15Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11309374
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THIS 2001 DODGE DAKOTA COMES UP WITH CODE P0601 IT SAYS IT IS A MEMORY CHECK SUM ERROR. IT COMES ON INTERMITTENT IN COLD WEATHER. IF YOU CLEAR THE CODE IT MIGHT COME RIGHT BACK OR IT MIGHT STAY OFF IT IS ANNOYING SOMETIMES IT MESSES WITH THE ABS MAKING THE FRONT RIGHT BRAKE HANG UP
2019-05-31Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11217057
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. WHEN THE SHIFTER FINALLY SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR AND INTO DRIVE, IT WOULD SHIFT BACK INTO PARK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KEFFER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (LOCATED AT 8214 E INDEPENDENCE BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28227, ([redacted]) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO TAKE THE STEERING COLUMN APART, GREASE IT UP, AND PUT IT BACK TOGETHER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A WARRANTY NOR INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000.
2019-01-26Steering (STEERING)
NHTSA ODI 11172312
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THE CAR GOES INTO PARK, BUT PARK DOES NOT ENGAGE. I'M ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. THE COLUMN SHOWS PARK BUT THE CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL. I SEE THAT 2002 DAKOTAS HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT MY VIN # DOESN'T SHOW A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.
2019-01-04Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
NHTSA ODI 11165215
CrashFireInjuryDeath
CENTRAL TIME MODULE CAUSING MY LIGHTS TO CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT
2019-01-02Suspension (SUSPENSION)
NHTSA ODI 11164650
CrashFireInjuryDeath
FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE AND HUB ASSEMBLY COMPLETELY BROKE FREE FROM THE VEHICLE THIS IS A FOLLOW UP FROM MY FIRST INTIAL REPORT TO CHRYSLER AND ALSO NHTSA PHONE CONVERSATION IN WHICH I DID A REPORT TO BOTH AND PAID 2500.00 WHICH I STILL HAVE RECEIPT OF PAYING TO HAVE FIXED...FATHER HAD A 2000 DODGE DURANGO WHICH HAD THE SAME RECALL THAT MY DIDN'T HAVE AS CHRYSLER STATED...
2018-12-04Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11156003
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO MOVE WITH OUT THE IGNITION BEING STARTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE COULD STILL BE MOVED OR PUSHED WITHOUT THE ENGINE BEING STARTED OR WITHOUT THE GEAR BEING IN DRIVE. ALSO, THE KEY SOMETIMES WOULD NOT STAY IN THE IGNITION AND HANGED LOOSELY. THERE WERE NO WANING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED SAMUEL'S DODGE, CHRYSLER, JEEP, RAM, MAZDA (1421 E 30TH AVE, HUTCHINSON, KS 67502, ([redacted]), BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
2018-10-29Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11143793
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME ONE OF THE BREAK LINES HAS RUSTED THRU. THIS TIME I HIT THE BRAKES HARD TO MISS TWO DEAR AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I ONLY COULD STOP THE TRUCK WITH THE EMERGENCY BREAK. THE TRUCK HAS NOT BEEN USED OFF ROAD AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN IN VIRGINIA IS HOLE LIFE. THE FIRST TIME MY MECHANIC CAUGHT A LEAK IN THE LINE BEFORE ANY PROBLEM.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2002 Dodge Dakota?

Owners named Brakes most often — 194 of 664 reports (29%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Dodge Dakota?

NHTSA lists 12 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Electrical, Glass / wipers / cameras, Suspension, Fuel system, Transmission / driveline, and Lights. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2002 Dodge Dakota?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources