3.7

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,707 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2002 Dodge Dakota Owner Comments

problem #7

May 052005

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

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

Thought I would "buy american" and get the Dodge Dakota 4 dr crew. Love its style, comforts, more power than I need (4.7L V8) 2wd has no traction in snow or ice. Very easy to drive and comfortable 6ft.2 220lbs.(2 trips NJ to calif.) gas mileage stinks...13-18mpg, no loads. Brake rotors replaced 28K, left top ball joint worn (no recall yet)A/C needed charging, right front hub and bearings replaced 49K, rear leaf spring noisy, transmission hesitation occasionally. Great truck to drive and haul but reliability really in question with only 49K. Probably back to Nissan or Toyota.

- Manahawkin, NJ, USA

problem #6

Dec 082004

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,347 miles
(1) failure of steering components; (2) replacement of defective parts; (3) parts replacement imminent.

- St. Augustine, FL, USA

problem #5

Jul 082003

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles
I own a 2002 Dodge Dakota and had to have the ball joints replaced at 24,000 miles after doing some research I found that this is common. My hope is that you would investigate this and force Chrysler to do a re-call and fix the problem before someone gets hurt or killed.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #4

Nov 042004

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

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

Rack and pinion, and tie rod failure after 2 years on Dodge Dakota....tire rotation store informed me that wheel was in danger of coming off. Rack and pinion gear and tie rod replaced at cost of $1,000. Was "worn" there was no damage to the pieces. A search of the web indicates that there are numerous complaints of wheels coming off, ball joints, and tie rods failing on the durango/Dakota front clip. Will it take a death for Chrysler to recall these vehicles" I have driven for 35 years and never had a failure in suspensin like this. This has been "under investigation" for 3 years. Why is that"

- Alabaster, AL, USA

problem #3

Aug 042004

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,200 miles
I had a brake and rotor job done at 36000 miles by a local mechanic and found that my rack and pinion is leaking at the boot and there is to much play from tie rods. Dealer ship will do nothing to help exept charge me $3750 to fix it. I do not no how long the problem has been there. Anouther dealership told me it was a messy oil change ya right!

- Hamburg, NJ, USA

problem #2

Aug 192003

Dakota 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 17,000 miles
When the brakes were applied, the vehicle pulled to the right. While the consumer was getting the tires rotated, the mechanic determined that the tie rods were loose. Midstate Dodge replaced the tie rods with new ones. Midstate Dodge would not replaced the brakes. The vehicle was still under warranty.

- Northfield Falls, VT, USA

problem #1

Jan 052003

Dakota

  • 38,400 miles
While having vehicle serviced for a brake issue dealership noticed that all four ball joints wore out prematurely, and the tie rods were defective. Dealership could only replace the upper ball joint, but was unable to replace the lower once due to part being on back order.

- Cadillac, MI, USA

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