10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 100,344 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
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 problem.
- Louisa, VA, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Dakota. While driving various speeds, the brake pedal was applied and began to grind and squeak. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front driver side brake caliper and brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
- Gallatin, TN, USA
Recall was driving and all of my breaks and calibers seized up..had to stop and spray them down
- Hamilton, OH, USA
Bought a 2002 Dodge Dakota brakes aren't strong enough to drive on interstate or in city, went to Dodge darcars dealership in Maryland they looked at the truck, said this is fine this is the way Dodge brakes are terribly wrong. Went to repair the emergency brake cables Dodge don't make the parts any more this Dodge don't make the parts anymore is terribly wrong. Dodge, darars are putting consumers life a risk. 2002 4X4 Dodge Dakota should recalled brakes, brake parts upgraded to strong, safe brakes, Dodge needs to keep making the parts for 2002 Dodge Dakota 4X4 or hire somebody who can., Dodge darcars visual brake check is the worst idea yet. Brakes need to be felt look at, bleeded.
- North Brentwood, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Dakota. While driving various speeds, the front passenger side brakes seized without the brake pedal being depressed. In addition, the contact noticed smoke coming from the front passenger side where the brake was located. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the calipers or the brake lines needed to be replaced. The contact independently replaced the brake lines, brake calipers, and brake pads; however, the failure recurred and the contact noticed smoke and fire coming from the front passenger side where the brake was located. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 165,000.
- Topeka, KS, USA
I had just purchased the car 2 weeks earlier. I was accelerating to merge onto the freeway and the accelerator stuck at 60 mph. No matter what I did to the pedal, it was stuck at 60 mph. The brakes would not work either. I was in a runaway car on a busy freeway. I tried to negotiate the traffic for 2 miles then decided I needed to get off the freeway. I started to smash into the freeway off-ramp retaining wall in the effort to slow the truck down which it did to some degree. Then had to barrel through a red light with flashers and horn going and to stop the truck I deliberately rammed it into a wrought iron fence, 2 landscaping boulders and a light post. The airbag also failed. I was rushed by ambulance to the hospital with head trauma and concussion, broken glasses that cut my eyebrow. I have pictures. The worst part has been the ptsd that I have suffered as a result of the accident -- multiple failure - accelerator, brakes and airbag.
- Phoenix, AZ, USA
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
Right front brake stuck, brake got hot, smoke came out of wheel well.
- West Des Moines, IA, USA
Right front brake caliper stuck, brake got hot, smoke came out of the wheel well. Had to have truck tower to dealer.
- West Des Monies, IA, USA
Right front brake caliper stuck, brake got hot, smoke came out of wheel well.
- West Des Moines, IA, USA
My truck only has 60K miles, don't drive a whole bunch, bought it brand new in 2002. 2 times I have had the front passenger wheel and breaks catch on fire due to the brakes/caliper locking up. One incident was only going about 25 mph, the other incident on highway around 55 mph. Between towing and replacing brakes, rotors, caliper, brake lines, around $500-$750 each time. I am on here because my brake line from front to back has eroded away near gas tank, same as everyone's I have read and because my passenger wheel has began to give signs that it will be locking up again. Have also had to replace the front drivers side brake line due to the line being cracked where the banjo bolt is. These seem to all be huge issues and very dangerous that need to be addressed. Thank you
- Ingleside, IL, USA
I was parked in a space. I started the vehicle and pushed the brake pedal to take the vehicle out if park. I felt the pedal go to the floor and heard a noise under the vehicle. I put the vehicle back in park an got out to see what the noise was and saw fluid dripping from my gas tank. After further inspection I realized the brake line next to the fuel tank had burst due to rust and corrosion. The entire brake line from the front of the vehicle to the rear needed to be replaced. The worst damage was the section tucked behind the fuel tank where it was more difficult to get cleaned during normal washing.
- Birdsboro, PA, USA
16 year old son was driving my truck to a school function, stepped on the brakes to make the turn off the highway into the school and brake pedal went to the floor. I went to get the vehicle and the brake line that runs along the frame rail to the rear axle had corroded through in several places causing him to lose brake fluid. I've had a lot of cars much older than this truck (my family had a car dealership) and this is the first time I've ever seen a hard brake line go bad. Looking online for a replacement part it quickly became apparent that this is a very common problem with the Dodge Dakotas and they all corrode in the same place. Behind the fuel tank. Definitely a safety issue that Chrysler should correct.
- Muscatine, IA, USA
Brake line to the left rear tire rusted out and leaked. Lost all brake functions. Location of the leak was next to the gas tank. Repetitive problem with other Dodge trucks. Lucky I was going down the highway or needed a sudden stop.
- Union, KY, USA
Both caliper bolts on the passenger side front spidle of my 2002 Dodge Dakota 2wd stripped out causing the caliper to move out of place causing stopping difficulty to stop and damage to the caliper, rim and brake pads.
- Endicott, NY, USA
Have had steering knuckles replaced twice on my truck because the caliper bolts strip out and cause my truck do dive left or right upon braking. Also caused by brake pad rails wearing too muck and not letting the calipers move the brake pads to apply the brakes. Almost caused accidents multiple times but dealer says its not an issue.
- North Fairfield, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the contact attempted to decelerate but the brakes seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the rotors, pads, hoses and the calipers were replaced. The contact also mentioned that the failure recurred multiple times. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 12,000.
- Mandeville, LA, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the front brake overheated and seized while driving. The contact replaced the front rotors and the brake pads however, the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 88,000. Updated 10/17/13
- Toms River , NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph both front tires locked up and the steering became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician replaced the brakes and upper ball joints. The failure continued to occur after the vehicle was repaired. The technician stated that the front calipers had to be replaced. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired four times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.
- Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Deland, FL, USA