2002 Dodge Dakota Recalls, Complaints & Specs

5 safety recalls list the 2002 Dodge Dakota, and owners have filed 678 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

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5 safety recalls for the 2002 Dodge Dakota

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

1. Column shift (power train)

   NHTSA 07V555000 Reported December 4, 2007 576,418 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER LLC

   On certain van and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the ignition/park shift interlock system may become inoperative. This can allow the shifter to be moved out of the "park" position with the ignition key removed (or in the "lock" position). This can also allow the ignition key to be removed when the shifter has not…

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the gearshift blocker and bracket assembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during january 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

2. Suspension: upper ball joint

   NHTSA 04V596000 Reported December 21, 2004 592,707 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

   On certain sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel drive (4x4), if moisture leaks into the front suspension upper ball joint, evacuation of the lubricant and corrosion of the joint may cause the joint to wear over an extended period of time. This could cause a clunking noise in the front suspension, which may…

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the front suspension upper ball joints. This safety improvement campaign began on december 21, 2004. Owners can contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

3. Windshield wiper/washer (visibility)

   NHTSA 04V216000 Reported May 5, 2004 320,188 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

   On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper module motor may be susceptible to water intrusion that could cause internal corrosion and result in partial or complete loss of front windshield wiping capability.

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper module. Owner notification began on july 12, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

4. Labels (equipment)

   NHTSA 03V505000 Reported December 10, 2003 35,692 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

   On certain minivans and 4x2 pickup trucks, the vehicle certification label may have gross axle weight ratings (gawr) that exceed the maximum tire load capacity as defined in federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars."

   Remedy: Owners will be provided with vehicle certification label overlays containing corrected information relative to vehicle gawr and tire size. Owner notification began march 1, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler…

5. Electrical system: wiring

   NHTSA 03V389000 Reported October 10, 2003 50,082 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

   On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions, the headlamp and dash wiring harness may be chafed by the actuation of the clutch pedal. This could result in abnormal operation of the wipers, turn signals, horn or lighting systems.

   Remedy: Dealers will reroute the wire harness and repair the harness if necessary. Owner notification began november 3, 2003. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-992-1997.

678 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2002 Dodge Dakota have filed 678 complaints with NHTSA; 55 describe a crash and 18 describe a fire. Reports cite 32 injuries and 2 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 49,626 miles. Complaints peaked in 2004 with 202 filed that year.

Most-reported components

• Suspension: upper ball joint162
• Suspension: lower ball joint69
• Service brakes, hydraulic: rotor68
• Service brakes, hydraulic58
• Power train: automatic transmission40
• Electrical system39
• Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip28
• Suspension: front28

What owners are reporting

“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?”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 23, 2025 · Service brakes

“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”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 27, 2022 · Unknown or other

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2002 Dodge Dakota Pickup (Dakota Pickup 2WD, Dakota Pickup 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Compare Dodge Dakota model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Dodge Dakota model year in NHTSA's database.

Checking a specific 2002 Dodge Dakota

Other Dodge models

• Durango13,770 complaints
• Grand Caravan13,508 complaints
• RAM 150012,416 complaints
• Caravan10,526 complaints
• RAM 25006,443 complaints
• Intrepid6,228 complaints
• Charger5,741 complaints
• Journey5,290 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.