FaultScore

2002 Dodge Dakota engine problems

38 of the 946 complaints about the 2002 Dodge Dakota are about the engine — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 50,000 miles.

B

38

Complaints

1

Crashes

2

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 10 26.3%
Gasoline 10 26.3%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 10 26.3%
Engine 4 10.5%
Cooling System 3 7.9%
Crankcase (Pcv) 1 2.6%

Engine & Cooling across every Dodge Dakota year

1989 10 1.8%
1992 24 4.3%
1993 15 2.7%
1994 17 3.0%
1995 21 3.8%
1996 28 5.0%
1997 56 10.0%
1998 66 11.8%
1999 77 13.8%
2000 61 10.9%
2001 59 10.6%
2002 38 6.8%
2003 36 6.5%
2004 12 2.2%
2005 23 4.1%
2006 15 2.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Ionia, MO

ENGINE

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

NHTSA complaint #11309374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 115,000 miles Halstead, KS

ENGINE

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, (620) 665-5567), 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.

NHTSA complaint #11156003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 124,000 miles Jupiter, FL

ENGINE

I BOUGHT THE SUBJECT PICKUP IN 2014, I FOUND AFTER DRIVING IT THAT THE ENGINE WOULD LOSE POWER, WOULDN'T IDLE SMOOTHLY, AND IT WOULD BACKFIRE THRU THE THROTTLE BODY ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION. THE PROBLEM WAS AND IS INTERMITTENT, IT SOMETIMES HAPPENS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, MAKING ME TRYING TO PULL OVER TO THE CURB. I TOOK IT THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP [ROCKY TOP DODGE, SEVIERVILLE TN] TO HAVE IT FIXED, THEY TUNED IT UP, CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AND A FEW OTHER THINGS AND SAID IT WAS OK. I PAID THEM $650+, PULLED OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP, AND THERE IT WAS DOING THE SAME THING. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED AROUND WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY KEPT IT FOR 4 MORE DAYS, THEN TOLD ME THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE WHAT WAS AND COULDN'T FIX IT. I BEEN DRIVING JUST ABOUT EVERYDAY SINCE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I TRIED CONTACTING DODGE, THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO HAVE A REGIONAL REP CONTACT ME, THAT NEVER HAPPENED. IT JUST AMAZES ME THAT I AM THE ONLY PERSON IN THE COUNTRY HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I DID TAKE IT UPON MYSELF TO CHANGE ALL OF THE ENGINE SENSORS, THAT COSTS ME $300 TO DO IT MYSELF. I AM JUST HIGHLY FRUSTRATED WITH DODGE THAT THEY CAN'T TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS TRUCK AND FIX IT. I NEED HELP SINCE IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10885228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 153,000 miles Sacramento, CA

ENGINE

WHILE I WAS TRAVELING UPHILL THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AS I WAS GOING OVER THE FREEWAY OVERPASS TO ENTER THE SOUTH BOUND FREEWAY ENTRANCE. I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND HAD JUST ENOUGH POWER TO ROLL DOWNHILL PAST THE FREEWAY ENTRANCE TO TURN ON A STREET TO ROLL TO A STOP JUST AS I TURNED THE CORNER. THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED OR HAVE ANY CARS IN FRONT OF ME AS I WAS ROLLING DOWNHILL BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE BRAKES. I TRIED TO START THE ENGINE AND GOT NO POWER, BUT NOTICED THE MILEAGE READER SAID "NO BUS". I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED HOME. FOR THE NEXT 2-3 MONTHS THE TRUCK WOULD START SOMETIMES AND RUN FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND SHUT OFF AND OTHER TIMES IT WOULD JUST TURN OVER AS IF IT HAD A BAD ALTERNATOR.THE STRANGE THING IS WHEN IT WAS 70-74 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND BELOW THE TRUCK WOULD START AND RUN FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES BEFORE SHUTTING OFF AND WHEN YOU TRIED TO START THE ENGINE RIGHT AFTER IT WOULD JUST TURN OVER AND NOT START. IF IT WAS CLOSE TO 80 DEGREES OR HOTTER OUTSIDE, THE TRUCK WOULD NEVER START, IT WOULD JUST TURN OVER LIKE A BAD ALTERNATOR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE "NO BUS" CODE, I FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS AN INDICATION THAT THE POWER CONTROL MODULE (PCM/ECM COMPUTER) WAS BAD. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH I FOUND THAT HEAT AFFECTED THE PCM AND THAT'S WHY IT STARTED ON SOME DAYS AND NOT OTHERS. I BOUGHT A REBUILT PCM AND THE TRUCK DID THE SAME THING AFTER A MONTH AND A HALF. THIS PART SHOULD NOT BE SOLD BY AS A REBUILD BECAUSE THE COMPUTER BOARD MELTS AND LEAKS A GREASY LIKE SUBSTANCE. MY BROTHER IN-LAW HAS EXPERIENCE WITH COMPUTERS AND SAID IT RESEMBLED MELTED HEAT COATING FROM THE COMPUTER BOARD. WE HAD SUCCESS WITH A REMANUFACTURED PCM. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AND CORRECTED. THERE IS A LIST OF PEOPLE ON THE DODGE FORUM WHO HAVE SUFFERED WITH THE SAME ISSUES AND I'M SURE SOMEONE OUT HERE HAS WRECKED OR DIED OVER THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10614776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 141,000 miles Greene, NY Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD AREA. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE BLOWER FROM THE RESISTER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD REIMBURSE HIM FOR THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE BUT NOT FOR THE LABOR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 141,000.

NHTSA complaint #10370568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,000 miles Tacoma, WA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA V6 3.9L TRUCK. I JUST REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND WITH THAT, WATER HAS BEEN COMING DOWN INTO MY FLOOR OF PASSENGER SIDE OF TRUCK FROM HEATER CORE. THIS CAUSE MY MAIN WINDSHIELD WINDOW TO CLOG UP CAUSING MY INABILITY TO SEE OUT OF WINDSHIELD. I'VE NOW LEARNED THAT MANY DODGE DAKOTA TRUCK OWNERS HAVE BEEN REPLACING THEIR HEATER CORE AND DODGE HAS NOT MADE RECALL TO THIS EPIDEMIC. THE DESIGN OF THIS DEVICE IS TROUBLING. PLASTIC WILL NEVER SUFFICE REAL COMMON SENSE TO MAKE AND INPUT PARTS ON A VEHICLE THAT WILL RENDER APPROPRIATE ACTIVITY. CAN SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS. CONSUMERS ARE LOSING BIG MONEY BECAUSE OF ONE'S STUPID DESIGN WITH DODGE VERY MUCH WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10365494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 73,000 miles Trout RUN, PA Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUADCAB. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE AT A VERY LOW SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY STRONG BURNING RUBBER SMELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE AND WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,000. UPDATED 11/19/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP. UPDATED 11/23/10. *JB UPDATED EVOQ 12/22/10*JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AGAIN ON JULY 18,2011. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED WHILE UNDER THE 30 DAY WARRANTY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. UPDATED 08/31/11 UPDATED 10/20/11,.

NHTSA complaint #10349971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,582 miles Trenton, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

HAVE A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA WITH A 4.7 LITRE ENGINE ,ENGINE HAS SEVERE OIL SLUDGE WHICH CAUSE MY VEHICLE TO BREAK DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE ,THE FIRST TIME I NOTICE ENGINE RUNNING HOT,TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE REMOVED THE VALVE COVERS AND NOTICED SEVERE OIL SLUDGE ,PROCEEDED TO TAKE THE ENGINE APART AND CLEANED IT AND PUT IT BACK TOGETHER,THIS WAS LESS THAN 20,000 MILES AGO.WE WENTON A TRIP THAT WAS A BOUT 260 MILES AWAY ,IT WAS A COLD MORNING ,ENGINE GOT HOT AND STARTED RUNNING ROUGH THEN WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE THEN THE TRUCK START CLANKING UNDER THE HOOD. I TOOK THE VALVE COVERS OFF AND IT WAS CLOGGED AGAIN. NOW I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS ENGINE IS FAMOUS FOR THIS PROBLEM AND CHRYSLER KNOWS IT CAN YOU HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10300215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,700 miles Toledo, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE OR AFTER THE VEHICLE BECOMES COLD, THE GEAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK FOR 30-40 MINUTES. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY, THE GAS EMISSION CANISTER, AND THE HOSE PACKAGE FOR EMISSIONS, THE TIMING CHAIN, THE MANIFOLD EXHAUST ON THE LEFT SIDE, AND THE INSULATOR STEERING GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. WHEN THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, IT WAS RATTLING AND REVVING UP TO 2,500 RPM'S. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER AND REMAINED THERE FOR OVER A MONTH. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETRIEVED THE SECOND TIME, THE ALARM SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONTACT DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE EVERYTIME HE GETS THE VEHICLE BACK SOMETHING ELSE FAILS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,552 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,700.

NHTSA complaint #10215749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Spring Hill, FL Crash

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

PURCHASE 02 DODGE DAKOTA REPORT BRAKES 3 TIME DODGE FOUND NOW PROBLEMS . BRAKES,CRASH NO INJURIES,ALSO @40K MILES INTAKE LEAK,WATER PUMP @36 DODGE WILL NOT HELP WITH ANY REPAIR COST THEY SAY ITS OUT SIDE OF WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #10199951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,600 miles Buffalo, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT RESTART, LEAVING ME STRANDED IN 50 MPH TRAFFIC. UPON RESEARCHING VARIOUS DODGE DAKOTA SITES ON THE INTERNET, THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT IS EXPENSIVE AND TIME CONSUMING TO FIX.

NHTSA complaint #10198793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Hydro, OK

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10174128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,000 miles Clark, MO

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.

NHTSA complaint #10152615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,369 miles Annville, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

I WAS DRIVING TO PA FROM FL IN MY 2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB WITH A V-8 4.7L ENGINE (MSRP $27,000)WHEN I HEARD A TICKING NOISE WHILE IN SC. ALL FLUID LEVELS WERE FINE, SO I CONTINUED ON MY JOURNEY ON TUES. OCT. 11, 2005 I FOUND OUT THE DIAGNOSIS WHICH WAS THAT 3 RODS INSIDE THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED AND A NEW ENGINE WAS REQUIRED TO FIX IT. I WAS SHOCKED AND ASSUMED THAT CHRYSLER WOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY SINCE I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH CHRYSLER. THE CHRYSLER ADJUSTOR FINALLY ARRIVED TO CHECK OUT MY TRUCK ON FRI. OCT. 14 AND THAT IS WHEN I HEARD THE HORRENDOUS NEWS THAT CHRYSLER WAS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR END OF THE CONTRACT AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A LACK OF MAINTENANCE ON MY TRUCK. AFTER I FOUND THAT OUT I IMMEDIATELY HAD ALL OF MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS FAXED TO ME FROM FL WHICH PROVED THAT I FAITHFULLY CHANGED MY OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES OR LESS. I ASSUMED THAT THIS WOULD BE SUFFICIENT FOR THEM TO FIX MY ENGINE. I DECIDED TO LEAVE SC DUE TO COSTLY HOTEL EXPENSES AND HAD MY SISTER COME FROM VA TO PICK MY DAUGHTER AND I UP WHERE WE AT LEAST HAD A FREE PLACE TO STAY TEMPORARILY TILL MY TRUCK WAS FIXED. I FOUND OUT THE TERRIBLE NEWS ON MON. OCT. 24TH THAT MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS MEANT NOTHING TO THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION. I RECEIVED THE RESPONSE "LACK OF MAINTENANCE" AS BEING THE REASON WHY THEY WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I WAS SHOCKED THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PAID ALMOST 1800.00 FOR TO COVER THIS TYPE OF SITUATION WOULD NOT COVER THIS REPAIR. MY TRUCK HAD 41,369 MILES ON IT WHEN THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE ESTIMATE I RECEIVED FOR REPAIRING THE ENGINE WAS $7,301.00. I CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ASKED WHY MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS WERE NOT HONORED AND WAS TOLD "THIS IS THE FINAL DECISION MAM". I ASKED FOR FAXES TO BE SENT TO ME REGARDING THE ADJUSTORS REPORT & A LETTER FROM CHRYSLER SAYING THAT RESPONSIBILITY WAS NOT BEING TAKEN BY THEM FOR THE REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT SEND THAT TO ME.

NHTSA complaint #10140949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,000 miles Country Club Hills, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DT: THE CONTACT HEARD A ROD KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE. THE KNOCKING J STARTED WHERE IT COULD BE HEARD. THERE WAS A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED BY THE DEALER ,AND IT CONFIRMED IT WAS A ROD. THE TRUCK IS IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10140407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 447 miles Longwood, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DT: THE CONTACT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE OIL PRESSURE STAYING ON HIGH MOST OF THE TIME SINCE AUGUST 12, 2002. IN SEPTEMBER 2002 THE OBD LIGHT CAME ON. SHE KEPT TAKING VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. EVERY TIME SHE TOOK IT IN TO A DEALERSHIP THEY WOULD SAY THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING IN AUGUST 2005 THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DIE. THE CONTACT HEARD A SOUND, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ,AND THEN THREE SECONDS LATER IT DIED. AFTERWARDS, SHE TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE. THE CONTACT HAS COPIES OF MOST OF THE OIL CHANGES. THE CONTACT HAS THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES. SHE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ONLINE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. AND THAT THE WHOLE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. . THE CONTACT CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE OF DODGE ,AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE AREA REPRESENTATIVE TOLD DODGE THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE AND THAT THERE WAS LACK OF MAINTENANCE, AND THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED.

NHTSA complaint #10139861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 9,000 miles Hereford, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

VEHICLE STALLED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE VEHICLE CHIP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, BUT IT CONTINUED TO STALL.

NHTSA complaint #10087170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,000 miles Bastrop, LA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ON OUR WAY TO THE HOSPITAL (AFTER DARK) WHEN THE OIL PRESSURE WENT TO '0' AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TRUCK STARTED SLOWING DOWN (AS IF DOWNSHIFTED) AND SMOKING. ABOUT THE TIME WE GOT TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD IT BACKFIRED AND A FLASH CAME FROM THE BACK OF THE TRUCK AND IT DIED. I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DAKOTA. WE HAD TO CALL 911 AND GET A DEPUTY TO PICK US UP AND TAKE US TO THE HOSPITAL.

NHTSA complaint #10080925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,305 miles Round Rock, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WAS INCORRECT. NOTIFIED DEALER OF THIS ISSUE AND ALSO AN ISSUE WITH GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT AND EVEN ADMITTED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN A HIGH FAILURE RATE FOR THIS. ALSO THEY REPLACED THE VACUUM TUBE HARNESS UNDER THE GAS TANK. THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE SENSOR WAS LOOSE AND WAS CORRECTED.

NHTSA complaint #10074743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,500 miles Castle Rock, CO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE TRUCK HAS HAD SEVER PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION AND STALLING. IT ALSO MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF PROBLEMS WITH AT LEAT 15 DAYS TOTAL IN THE SHOP.

NHTSA complaint #10069020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Myers, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VEHICLE MISS MISFIRE DAND STALLLED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #10066707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,200 miles Marshfield, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

AT JUST 22,200 MILES TRUCK IN FOR THIRD TIME FOR ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON. THIS TIME THE THERMOSTAT WAS BROKEN. LESS THAN 1000 MILES SINCE THE LAST TIME IT WAS ON, LAST TIME THE CANISTER HOSE WAS CRACKED.

NHTSA complaint #10062298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200 miles Marietta, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

IN OCT.2002 MY TRUCK SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IN THE PAST THE TRUCK HAD SHUT OFF IN REVERSE OR WHEN I WAS AT A DEAD STOP AND THEN PRESS THE GAS, BUT THIS TIME I HAD TO DRIVE WITH MY FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME AND THEN PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AT A STOP TO KEEP THE GAS GOING. I HAD ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY BLINKERS. YOU TURN THE LEFT ONE ON AND OCCASIONALLY THE RIGHT ONE WILL BLINK TO-LIKE "HAZARD LIGHTS". MY DASH BOARD WOULD ALSO LIGHT UP WHILE DRIVING OR EVEN WHEN I COME TO A STOP AT A LIGHT. I PUT IT OFF UNTIL THE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A COMPUTER PROBLEM AND THE TRUCK HAD BEEN DOING IT SINCE DAY 1, THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM TO THE BLINKERS. ALSO THE A/C CONDESATION LINE HAD A CRACK IN IT AND WAS LEAKING INTO MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR-THAT WAS A SECOND TRIP. NOW MY TRUCK IS HAVEING THE SAME SHUT-OFF PROBLEM STARTING JUST LIKE IT DID LAST TIME-SO NOW I AM LOOKING INTO THE "LEMON LAW", IT SEEMS TO APPLY SO FAR.

NHTSA complaint #10052800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Simi Valley, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. *NLM *AK THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: KNOCKING IN THE SUSPENSION(4 ATTEMPTS TO FIX), THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT, THE DRIVER DOOR HAD A WIND NOISE AND WATER LEAKED, THE TAILGATE HANDLE WAS LOOSE ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN COUPLED, AND THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BOLTS WERE FOUND LOOSE. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10021656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ballwin, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2002 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB W/ 5.9 LITER ENGINE. MY TRUCK SUFFERS FROM A SHAKY IDLE, VERY PREVALENT WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE AND ROLLING. IS WORSE AT COLD START UP. I SUSPECT IGNITION SYSTEM= LOCATION OF COIL MAY BE THE CAUSE DUE TO BEING SO CLOSE TO THE TENSIONER PULLEY OR A OUT-OF BALANCE HARMONIC BALANCER.

NHTSA complaint #10016707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Harrisburg, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE VEHICLE STALLED AT 30 MPH.

NHTSA complaint #10015373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35 miles East Hartford, CT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WARM ENGINE IDLE ON 4.7L ENGINE IN 2002 DAKOTA QUAD CAB STUMBLES WHEN IDLING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. RPM AT NORMAL IDLE ONLY 500 TO 550. WHEN FLUCTUATION OCCURS IDLE SPEED RANGES BETWEEN 450 RPMS TO 650 RPMS. ENGINE VIBRATES DUE TO LOW IDLE RPM AND HAS STALLED ON ONE OCCASION. TO PREVENT STALL OUT I NEED TO SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL. HAVE BEEN TO DEALER TWICE AND WAS TOLD THEY CAN'T FIX AS NO TSB HAS BEEN RECEIVED ALLOWING FOR CHANGE TO COMPUTER. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW LAST JUNE. NOT JUST DATE SPECIFIC AS REQUESTED BY AN INCIDENT DATE.

NHTSA complaint #10010902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,042 miles Harrisburg, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

PICKUP TRUCK DRIVE TRAIN BINDS UP DURING 2 WHEEL DRIVING. THE FRONT AXLE (4X4) DOES NOT ALLOW THE FRONT WHEELS TO DISENGAGE. TRUCK HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES AND DODGE SAYS THIS IS THE WAY THEY ALL ARE. AT 4272 MILES THE FRONT TIRES SHOW SIGNIFICANT FEATHERING, AND IS STALLING OUT WHEN DRIVING AROUND CORNERS IN LOW GEAR MODE (@ INTERSECTIONS AND PARKING SPACES). DODGE SAYS THAT THE FRONT AND REAR AXLES ARE NOT LIMITED SLIP BUT POSITIVE TRACTION AND RECOMMENDS THAT I PUSH IN THE CLUTCH TO KEEP FROM STALLING. THEY WANT ME TO DOUBLE-CLUTCH TO GET THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHEN I MAKE LEFT HAND TURNS? I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DESIGN ERROR WITH SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10010138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,000 miles Lothian, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

MY TRUCK HAS LOUD KNOCKING NOISE IN ENGINE AND DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERELY, HAVE TAKEN TRUCK IN AND THEY SAY THE ENGINE RACING IS NORMAL. THE KNOCKING NOISE IS A PURGE SOLINOID WHICH DODGE ADDMITS THERES A PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO FIX. THEY HAVE MADE ADJUSTMENTS WHICH NOW HAS AFFECTED PERFORMANCE TO ENGINE. I HAVE HAD IT IN SHOP 4 TIMES SO FAR WITH NO RESULTS. THEY TRY TO TELL YOU THERES NOTHING WRONG LIKE ITS YOUR OWN IMAGINATION.

NHTSA complaint #10005516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stewartville, MN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE HAS A VERY ROUGH IDLE AND CONSTANTLY STALLS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. TS

NHTSA complaint #8022397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2002 Dodge Dakota problems

← Full 2002 Dodge Dakota report