2002 Dodge Dakota problems
Owners have filed 946 complaints about the 2002 Dodge Dakota with NHTSA. Suspension accounts for 31.7% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 21.5%.
Complaints946
Crashes71
Fires23
Injuries37
Deaths3
What owners report breaking
Suspension 31.7% · 300
Service brakes, hydraulic 21.5% · 203
Power train 9.8% · 93
Electrical system 5.7% · 54
Steering 5.1% · 48
Engine and engine cooling 3.6% · 34
Air bags 3.0% · 28
Service brakes 2.7% · 26
Severity
Of those complaints, 71 describe a crash, 23 describe a fire, 37 report an injury and 3 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 18 model years of the Dodge Dakota in this data, 2002 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2000 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 4 in the last three years against 19 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 38,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Control arms and ball joints made clunking and popping sounds. Bushings made loud squeaking sounds. All mentioned parts needed to be replaced. Sounds started as early as 10,000 miles logged on vehicle. After searching internet found ball joints could separate and finally took vehicle to dealer. Dealer is replacing parts under warranty but my concern is they are replacing them with the same defective parts. Suspension · reported at 10,000 miles
While driving my 2002 Dodge Dakota 55 miles per hour I was thrown to the left pushed on brake pedal and the truck shot right when I got out the front rotors were red hot and smoking truck would not move had it towed home where it still sits I thank god I was not killed or hurt or killed some one else come to find out this is a common problem with this truck and to try and repair it that it will only return. Suspension · reported at 82,885 miles
Vehicle had excessive brake pad wear. The front pads has been replaced 4 times and the rear twice within a short period of time. Also at 4,000 when turning there was clucking noise in the front end of the truck. The front tires had a quarter inch cup in them. The upper ball joints were bad. The dealership replaced the ball joint but the problem recurred. The upper ball joint had to be replace again. Suspension · reported at 5,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…