10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,588 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Dodge Dakota engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Dodge Dakota Owner Comments

problem #10

Dec 132010

Dakota

  • 141,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Greene, NY, USA

problem #9

Sep 152010

Dakota 6-cyl

  • 97,000 miles
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.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #8

Aug 162010

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles
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 the consumer stated the front brakes locked up. Updated 11/23/10. Updated evoq 12/22/10 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, .

- Trout Run, PA, USA

problem #7

Jan 142010

Dakota

  • 160,582 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Trenton, FL, USA

problem #6

Jul 122007

Dakota 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
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.

- Spring Hill, FL, USA

problem #5

Aug 052007

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,600 miles
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.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #4

Mar 132006

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

: 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.

- Clark, MO, USA

problem #3

Feb 152003

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,500 miles
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.

- Castle Rock, CO, USA

problem #2

Apr 072004

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle miss misfire dand stallled while driving at any speed.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #1

Mar 152002

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,200 miles
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.

- Marshfield, MA, USA

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