10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
108,548 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Dodge Dakota Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #39

Jan 022020

Dakota

  • 2,123,432 miles

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

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

- Ionia, MO, USA

problem #38

Dec 052018

Dakota

  • 153,054 miles
Central time module causing my lights to cut off while driving could cause accident

- Franklin, NC, USA

problem #37

Jul 242018

Dakota

  • 115,000 miles
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.

- Halstead, KS, USA

problem #36

Apr 262018

Dakota

  • 158,000 miles

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

"takata recall" high beams come on on both sides low beam does not come on passenger side but on the driver side

- Groesbeck, TX, USA

problem #35

Feb 232018

Dakota

  • miles
The lights stooped working wiper relay not functional. Very irritating

- New Braunfels, TX, USA

problem #34

Sep 012016

Dakota

  • 90,000 miles
The body control module has failed, which controls all the interior lights and the headlights. As of a month ago there were over 150 people waiting on this part in Chrysler's system. Chrysler has now informed me this part is no longer available and will not be made again, which renders my truck only safe to drive in the daytime. They say to go to the aftermarket, but there are no aftermarket companies making this computer module. My fca case number was 30705404

- Johns Island, SC, USA

problem #33

Apr 142015

Dakota 6-cyl

  • 107,000 miles

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

I was driving and the lights started flashing and then they went all the way out and the dome light and keyless entry isn't working. It finally wouldn't start and so we bought a new battery, and the lights came on and then the next day the lights were off again. The battery that was in the truck was too small and we told the dealer and they said that the lights weren't working because we put a bigger battery in it, we put the right size battery. The other day we came home and the cargo lights were on by themselves. I am afraid to drive it for it catching on fire. We only had the truck 2 and half months. We paid $6300 for it.

- Wood River, IL, USA

problem #32

May 152013

Dakota

  • 105,000 miles
Stepped on brake on wet road, ABS kicked in on rear axle and truck would not slow down. Almost had a rear end collision. Very dangerous, have seen a lot of other complaints about same thing. Also lose all electrical power with headlights on momentarily leaving you without lights.

- Spanissh Fort, AL, USA

problem #31

Mar 122014

Dakota

  • 182,500 miles
No headlights, parking lights, dashboard/instrument lights, fob does not work and service 4X4 light is on, recall on ctm I was told.

- Hummelstown, PA, USA

problem #30

Jan 122014

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • 28,024 miles
The "security light" on dash was flashing and when it is on the headlights go off and dash lights goes dark and turn signals/brake lights comes on. When security light is off the headlights goes on the dash lights are on and turn/brakes lights goes off. This security light ( on dash) will flash on and off every second or will go on solid - if on solid headlights, dash lights will be off - dome light on and turn/brake lights on. This will happen until vehicle is warmed up to 20 degrees ambient temp. The problem is with the "tcm module" on this vehicle. It does not effect the engine or drive train only the lights ! you can be driving when this happens ! people will thing you are an emergency vehicle or crazy ! this vehicle does not have a "chip" in the keys only a remote keyless entry that is separate from the ignition key...updated 02-28-14. The consumer stated the security came on and the headlights went off. The vehicle did not die, or misfire. Updated 04/01/14

- York, NE, USA

problem #29

Sep 102013

Dakota 6-cyl

  • 101,634 miles

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

This vehicle, 2002 Dodge Dakota, was driven during the day for some months. In October, 2013 I stayed out late and as I turn the head lights on, a few seconds after all the lights started to blink non stop, even all the dashboard lights. Fortunately I was not far from home, I had to turn all the lights off to get home. An additional alarm system, evs 11 mopar electronic vehicle security systems, was installed when the vehicle was purchased. At first I thought it was the alarm system malfunctioned, I had the alarm system removed but the problem was not solved. I eventually took the vehicle to the Dodge dealer and was told that the BCM needed to be replaced, after a diagnostic test was done. To replace this part is very expensive.

- Port St Lucie, FL, USA

problem #28

Jun 222013

Dakota 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
Vehicle starts to misfire at any RPM will not start, I am a certified tech, coil new, crank sensor new, voltage reading at coil 10.49V on PCM side good bright pulse and consistent. In 1977 Dodge was informed not to install asd relay inside computer housing and to make it accessible to replacement. I have an issue with their defiance to do so. It is causing a concern issue of multiple no start conditions where other techs wind up replacing the computers unnecessarily, and in most cases over heat on hot days.after replacing a variety of parts due to lack of testing procedure information and access to malfunctioning relay. The computer is all that is left. All other equipment is in normal operation.fuel pressure is 45psi and good flow.all gauges read normal and no computer codes present.

- Middleburg, FL, USA

problem #27

Dec 022012

Dakota 8-cyl

  • 175,000 miles
While driving on interstate 24, near clarksville, tn, at 2015 hours, my headlights completely shut off while driving. After a span of 15-20 seconds with no lights, I had to unsafely pull over on the shoulder of the road. After which my headlights began to flicker on and off, for spans of 1-3 seconds. From the time of the first incident to now, my headlights, internal lights, windshield wipers, and tail lights are all inoperable and unsafe to drive during bad weather conditions, or limited viability due to light. From my research this is an extremely frequent problem with Dodge Dakota and Dodge durango owners, with vehicles made between the years of 01' - 03'. I contacted Dodge about the problem and requested assistance, and they were unwilling to help or fix the problem, even though I told them it was unsafe, and that my situation was not an isolated incident. I honestly believe, if this were to happen to a less experienced driver, or to a driver in a situation of bad weather or late at night. It could result in serious injuries or tragic loss of life.

- Opelika, AL, USA

problem #26

Jan 032008

Dakota 8-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
Ignition/park interlocksystem. Automatic transmission. Shifting lever sticks in park. Cannot shift gear out of park.

- Pearl, MS, USA

problem #25

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 #24

Dec 122009

Dakota

  • 147,000 miles
Fan quit working. Replaced blower motor and fan speed resister due to melting of components. Possible fire risk.

- Lake Land, MN, USA

problem #23

Apr 092009

Dakota

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Dakota sport. He received a recall notification letter for NHTSA campaign id number, 03V389000, electrical system and notified an authorized dealer. The technician stated that there no recalls that were applicable to his vehicle identification number. He speculated that there was an error in the manufacturers VIN database. There are no failures at this time.

- North Lake, IL, USA

problem #22

Feb 012003

Dakota

  • 8,000 miles
This has been a recurring problem since approximately 8,000 miles on the new vehicle. Single owner/reporting complaint. Heater blower fan has stopped working numerous times. The first time the dealer replaced the blower fan itself. The next time the blower motor resistor failed and consumer replaced paying out of pocket. A third time the blower motor resistor failed and again the consumer replaced it paying out of pocket. The fan now operate intermittently and if you wiggle the wiring harness connecting to the blower motor resistor the fan will come on and operate on 3 of the 4 speeds. Close examination of the harness connector reveals that the harness connector is melted as is the wiring at the connector. Contact with two different dealers reveals that this is a known concern and the manufacturer has a repair kit available part# 5017124ab. This is a manufacturer defect and should be a safety concern given that the harness failure can prevent the heater fan from functioning properly and cause immediate visibility concerns as well as potential overheating of the electrical circuit resulting in a fire. Dealers advise this is a frequently seen concern yet no assistance from manufacturer is available.

- Portage, MI, USA

problem #21

Dec 022008

Dakota

  • 64,000 miles
On my 2002 Dodge Dakota the headlights stopped working at night by flickering a lot then just shutting off all the way. The following days random things would start going off like windshield wipers going off, horn honking, and sometimes the lights would not shut off at all. Further investigation lead me to the central timer module (ctm) failing possibly due to the same defect that lead to a 2003 recall. Why not 2002? I now cannot drive at night because I had to disconnect it resulting to certain things not being able to work right due to the erratic behavior. I would like to see other model years being included in the recall cause this part is well over $200 to replace. It is suffering from the exact same problems that the recall for 2003 states.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #20

Mar 012008

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2002 Dodge Dakota with a recall. Consumer states that the headlights and door locks worked fine before it was put into the shop to have the recall performed. She states that now they only work sporadically. Recall # 07V555000.

- Livermore, CA, USA

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