2002 Dodge Dakota problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint (155) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor (57) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (52)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Dakota model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
504 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (55)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2024-10-30 · 101232 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
plate - planetary
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Structure 2020-04-30 · 23-015-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
disinfectant solution recommended for covid-19
Equipment 2020-04-22 · 08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
charging system, battery diagnostic tools and warranty this information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
Service Brakes 2020-04-10 · S2008000049 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
abs brake module code 82 and 83 setting within the brake module
Showing the 6 most recent of 55 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-10-23 · Service Brakes“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?…”
2022-06-27 · Unknown Or Other · 💥 crash“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.…”
2021-04-20 · Service Brakes · 116,000 mi“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 i…”
2020-02-15 · Unknown Or Other · 2,123,432 mi“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…”
2019-05-31 · Power Train · 211,000 mi“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 independenc…”
2019-01-26 · Steering · 156,000 mi“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.…”
2019-01-04 · Exterior Lighting · 153,054 mi“central time module causing my lights to cut off while driving could cause accident…”
2019-01-02 · Suspension · 150,000 mi“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 …”
2018-12-04 · Engine · 115,000 mi“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 …”
2018-10-29 · Service Brakes · 230,000 mi“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 pr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.