10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
20,908 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2002 Dodge Dakota Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #20

Dec 012003

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,500 miles

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

At a full stop you feel like a "bump" in the transmission, or just like someone hit you from the back. It doesn't do it all the time. It normally happens when driving the vehicle for more than half hour in traffic or local roads with frequent stops. Dealer haven't been able to reproduce the problem, which started at 1500 miles. They service the differential but the problem still persists. They haven't been willing to drive it enough even when I left the vehicle for them to try for more than 24 hours. Vehicle now has 17,000 miles, has been serviced every 3000 miles in five start dealer.

- Wappingers Falls, NY, USA

problem #19

May 062003

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles
When backing out of the parking lot the vehicle did not accelerate. The vehicle was driven to the dealership. This was an intermittent problem and would mostly occur in traffic.

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #18

Jun 162002

Dakota 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles
Transmission slips out of gear from 1st to 2nd shift which is especially dangerous when crossing intersections or attempting to pass vehicles as problem is occurring often but inconsistently. Have taken truck back to dealer 5 times and only once could they find the problem and replaced transmission oil pump and valve body but problem still exists. Also when putting vehicle into drive it sometimes acts as reverse, and when in reverse lunges forward as in drive. Dealer replaced prdnl (gear shift) once but still having problems with gear position. Dealership states they must be able to reproduce problem in order to replace transmission. Was also told by service department that this was a common problem with this model vehicle with no solution in sight thus far. Am pursuing lemon law litigation as this is more than just a safety hazard.

- Deerfield Beach, FL, USA

problem #17

Mar 302003

Dakota

  • miles

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

When putting vehicle into reverse or drive transmission stalls.

- Nederland, TX, USA

problem #16

Nov 112002

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80 miles
Transmission not shifting properly. Shifts at 35 mph and then winds out to 55 mph or more and will not shift until you take foot off gas slightly. Vehicle has been brought back 6 times for same problem. Their "fix" was from adjustments to changing internal tranmission parts to installing a new transmission with the same problem persisting. Now am in lemon law litigation.

- Howell, NJ, USA

problem #15

Aug 122003

Dakota

  • miles
While driving automatic transmission doesn't shift properly from the third to the fourth gear, won't shift. Dealer has inspected vehicle eight times, and could not duplicate or correct the problem.

- High Springs, FL, USA

problem #14

Jul 242003

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Transmission not shifting properly for several blocks brakes are pulsating when makeing normal start, has 13500 miles.

- Gold Canyon , AZ, USA

problem #13

Mar 272002

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50 miles
The automatic transmission in this Dodge Dakota club cab 4X4 shifts with such force it throws the passengers neck around. It hangs in lower gears and down shifts with too much force. The word smooth has not been entered in this trucks computer.

- Bath, PA, USA

problem #12

Jan 232003

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles
Unsafe condition involving the automatic transmission manifested itself at approximately 4,000 miles. While driving the vehicle the automatic transmission will enter overdrive mode at approximately 45-50mph. Once this occurs the vehcile will no longer respond to light or moderate throttle pressure. If you apply a heavier pressure then the vehiclee drops down into passing gear and takes off. This presents a very unsafe and hazardous condition when attempting to enter a limited access highway or passing another vehicle, in that the vehicle power and acceleration is lost at the precise moment that the transmission drops into overdrive. The dealers fix was to replace the automatic transmission. Unfortunately the new transmission has developed the same problem after only 3,000 miles. The new transmission also does not shift properly from 1st to 2nd gear when starting up in the morning. The engine revs and gains rpms but the transmission does not upshift until the vehicle has travelled 4-5 blocks.

- Bristol, CT, USA

problem #11

Nov 142002

Dakota 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,527 miles
Front end linkage. Transmission won't shift out. Front end has a popping noise again ( same as before) transmission won't shift out and causes the motor to rev up considerably.

- Barnsdall, OK, USA

problem #10

May 072002

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

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

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.

- Lothian, MD, USA

problem #9

Dec 222002

Dakota 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
We purchased a new 2002 Dodge Dakota quad in Dec. '02. Within a few days, we noticed when first starting up in the morning, it clunked when putting in reverse, and it did not shift from 1st gear until we had gone 3-4 blocks. The engine was revving and the RPM's were increasing but the truck would not shift up to 2nd gear. We have taken it back to the dealer twice and they tell us they can find nothing wrong, which I know is not true.

- St Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #8

Nov 082002

(reported on)

Dakota

  • miles
While driving vehicle, the transmission would miss a gear when trying to shift into 2nd gear. This caused the engine to rev up. While on a hill, the engine would rev up when transmission fails to shift properly. Then it would not shift out of gear. This had happened to the first transmission.

- Radford, VA, USA

problem #7

Jun 232002

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Once the transmission was put into gear, the vehicle would not move forward. When the vehicle was in reverse, the vehicle would go forward instead of reverse. The dealer was contacted and stated that they will need to see the problem happening in order to fix it. Mr jg the dealer has tried to fix the vehicle. The problem still exists.

- Glenmoore, PA, USA

problem #6

Dec 042001

Dakota

  • miles
Rear end & transsmission has had magor repairs five times in ninteen thousand miles and the problem is reaoccurring again. Chrysler's response after repairing the vehicle five times as they stated in a letter, the problem is characteristic of the vehicle. The vehicle should be completely replaced.

- Vermontville, MI, USA

problem #5

Feb 012002

Dakota 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
In shop (7) times in (5) months. Same complaint each time. Returned in same condition. Dealer says they "do not know about the lemon law". I am towing well under rated capacity, now told this is a "weak truck" by service manager. Stated my intentions before purchase and was assured this truck will tow "much more than I asked about. I tow about 1100 lbs about 2 days a week. The problems occured well before I started towing anything. I would appreciate any help or advice you can give me. Thank-you.

- Bowie, MD, USA

problem #4

May 302002

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission is not working properly. After putting vehicle into drive vehicle will at times not shift at all. Consumer would have to apply brakes before vehicle shifts. Contacted dealer, and dealer was going to take a look at vehicle.

- Weschester, PA, USA

problem #3

Jun 102002

(reported on)

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving, without any indication, vehicle would shift out of overdrive to second gear.

- Cable, WI, USA

problem #2

Jan 152002

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission failed due to lack of oil from factory. Both factory and dealer signed vehicle preparation forms stating "all fluids checked". transmission failed on freeway. Lost power to rear wheels. If it had locked up from failure a crash would have been likely.

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

problem #1

Jan 012002

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission burned up at 643 miles. This happend while consumer was driving. There was no prior warning. Transmission became harder to change. Has contacted dealer three times already, but dealer has only rebulit transmission once.

- Spring, TX, USA

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