Known Recalls

Model year record

2002 Dodge Dakota

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 947 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V555000

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER LLC
Vehicles affected
576,418
Reported to NHTSA
2007-12-04
Owners notified
2007-12-24

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V596000

Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
592,707
Reported to NHTSA
2004-12-21
Owners notified
2004-12-21

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V216000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
320,188
Reported to NHTSA
2004-05-05
Owners notified
2004-07-12

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V505000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
35,692
Reported to NHTSA
2003-12-10
Owners notified
2004-03-01

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

IMPROPERLY LOADING YOUR VEHICLE CAN CAUSE TIRE FAILURE AND RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V389000

Electrical system: wiring

Component
Electrical system: wiring
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
50,082
Reported to NHTSA
2003-10-10
Owners notified
2003-11-03

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint16235,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint6939,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor6827,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic5840,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission4024,040 mi
Electrical system3977,760 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2824,000 mi
Suspension: front2827,000 mi
Service brakes27100,000 mi
Power train2370,000 mi
Steering2040,000 mi
Suspension1725,572 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1542,733 mi
Exterior lighting1491,000 mi
Air bags13125,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1350,000 mi
Unknown or other1259,560 mi
Tires1124,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1056,600 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1010,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline10200 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1019,182 mi
Fuel system, gasoline91,500 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift964,924 mi
Structure: body950,279 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner815,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc710,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly736,200 mi
Steering: rack and pinion730,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash643,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components621,700 mi
Vehicle speed control636,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor515,200 mi
Structure520,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer538,000 mi
Wheels51,500 mi
Engine4124,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit475,500 mi
Suspension: front: control arm410,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm417,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing420,000 mi
Suspension: rear421,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition360,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring324,600 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system39,000 mi
Steering: linkages325,572 mi
Structure: frame and members370,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly320,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system317,160 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module248,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers224,600 mi
Equipment220 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights240,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch282,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights2200 mi
Fuel system, other235,000 mi
Interior lighting264,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages2100 mi
Parking brake280,262 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)218,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch2—
Power train: axle hubs228,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly229,500 mi
Seat belts289,467 mi
Seats254,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum243,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings222,845 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder227,500 mi
Steering: column210,000 mi
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm216,134 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack227,689 mi
Visibility28,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear229,800 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer269,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor243,500 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs21,000 mi
Electrical system: horn181,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1107,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)15,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility185,000 mi
Equipment: other: labels1—
Exterior lighting: fog lights12,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery120 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump141,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors124,800 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly135,305 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery191 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch127,455 mi
Parking brake: driveline: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings124,460 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter15,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)170,880 mi
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1127,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft154,000 mi
Power train: driveline: universal joint160,325 mi
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner127,689 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock124,050 mi
Service brakes, air: drum: drum14,500 mi
Service brakes, electric172,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light120,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module11 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: differential proportional valve127,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings142,000 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1—
Steering: gear box: shaft sector135,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump146,950 mi
Structure: body: door1130,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm174,000 mi
Suspension: front: hub150,000 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber1—
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar127,689 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: shackle190,000 mi
Tires: bead1—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire1150,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt112,112 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1300 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility/wiper1175,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor151,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1100,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls127,455 mi
Visibility: windshield1—
Wheels: hub138,000 mi

The 2001 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2003 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.